Doctoral theses
Some of SLU's doctoral theses are presented as news. The doctoral thesis is an academic work where the doctoral student reports on their area of research and their research results.
The doctoral thesis is presented and defended at a licentiate final review or a public defence of doctoral thesis.
Small but mighty – nitrogen fertilisation affects (some) microbial communities in boreal forests
Microbes like bacteria and fungi are all around us, yet we rarely notice them. Tinkara Bizjak-Johansson studied microbial communities in boreal forests and showed that fertilisation shifts fungal
Healthy forests in a changing climate – the path to resilient conifers
In her doctoral thesis, Matilda Stein Åslund has studied genetic and environmental factors that affect diseases in conifers. This is an important step toward preserving our forests in the ongoing
Plant genotype-dependent biocontrol of wheat diseases
Genetic variation in plants can affect how efficiently biological control agents can reduce diseases. In this doctoral thesis, Sidhant Chaudhary has investigated this variation to bring us closer to
Sustainable tomato protection and the power of the microbiome
In his new thesis, Daniele Nicotra has uncovered mechanisms driving complex interactions within the plant microbiome. The goal is to develop new bioinoculants as sustainable alternatives to chemical
New genetic insights on seasonal growth in aspen
Spring is on its way and trees will soon flush their buds. Deciduous trees have to adjust their growth and development to the respective season, but how is this regulated? PhD student Alice Marcon
New doctoral thesis shows that rapeseed proteins can be made available for food using gene editing
In a new doctoral thesis, Oliver Moss shows how he has successfully reduced the levels of glucosinolates, sinapine, and phytic acid in rapeseed lines. This breakthrough paves the way for using
Doctoral thesis on the future of wheat
On Friday, Lorena Guardia Velarde will defend her thesis on the genetics behind nitrogen efficiency in spring wheat. Lorena Guardia Velarde's research shows that specific combinations of plant traits
Different wavelengths of light can improve plant protection
Plant surfaces are not always a hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria that help protect plants from pests. However, in a new doctoral thesis, Maria Hellström has investigated how different
Lignin – Not as stable as previously thought
Lignin is a substance found in wood that has long been considered very difficult to break down in soils. A new dissertation from SLU shows that lignin degradation by soil microbes can be faster than
Roadside bees and butterflies are affected by both current traffic and historic landscapes
Roadside verges and power line corridors can become vital habitats for butterflies, bumblebees, and plants, according to Svenja Horstmann´s thesis from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Wheatbran
Adding wheat bran to bread makes it more nutritious but also makes bread dense and unappealing. New research from SLU is about to change that. By altering the fibre structure, the quality of bread
Improved forest inventories through 3D remote sensing technology
Data collected with the help of drones, airplanes and satellites can today give us a cost-effective and detailed monitoring of our forests, and thus a valuable tool in forest management. Using new