Project Description The availability of cheap fertilizers is rapidly decreasing and it has been predicted that we will face a phosphate crisis endangering agricultural productions. This is because available phosphorus deposits are expected to be depleted in about 50 years. Moreover, the production of nitrogen is energetically expensive (1 kg of N fertilizer requires 2.5 litres of petrol) and prices are expected to increase considerably in the coming decades. Hence, it is extremely important to understand which factors control nutrient cycling in ecosystems and reduce nutrient loss from soils. Such knowledge can be used to enhance the sustainability of ecosystems and is especially important for low-input agricultural systems. The factors that reduce nutrient loss from ecosystems are, in part, poorly un-derstood. In this project the impact of the soil microbes, “the unseen majority”, on nutrient losses will be investi-gated. Specific attention will be given to mycorrhizal fungi and denitrifying bacteria & fungi.
The following hypothesis are addressed: 1. Mycorrhizal fungi reduce nutrient leaching after heavy rain due to their ability to acquire nutrients from the soil. 2. By reducing nutrient loss, mycorrhizal fungi maintain plant productivity and plant nutrient acquisition. 3. The significance of mycorrhizal fungi increases when ecosystems are exposed to climate change (e.g. in-creased rainfall intensities or elevated temperatures) because mycorrhizal fungi retain nutrients inside eco-systems. This project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Education / Conditions We are looking for an enthusiastic person with an MSc in ecology, microbial ecology, nutrient cycling or agron-omy. Experience or interest in mycorrhizal fungi, denitrification measurements or isotope (N15) ecology is an advantage. Duration of appointment: 3 years This position is open until filled (entrance Summer/ Autumn 2009). Applications If you are interested in this position, please send your complete application (CV and Certificates) to: Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Human Resources, Code “Microbial Control of Nutrient Cycling“, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH- 8046 Zürich For further information & project description, please contact: Dr. Marcel van der Heijden, +41 44 377 72 78, [email protected] Organisation The Swiss Federal Research Institute Agroscope Reckenholz-Tanikon, Research Station ART conducts research for agriculture and nature. The PhD position is available at the Ecological Farming Systems group, a new, multidisciplinary group consisting of agronomists, ecologists, biologists & soil scientists. This group studies ecological farming systems, aiming to enhance agricultural sustainability. Specific attention is given to soil microbes and their impact upon plant yield and ecosystem processes. Our group website is under construction and no information is available yet.
