Course Root Ecology

Target group: PhD candidates, postdocs, academic staff, as well as other professionals with an interest in root research
Group size: 20-40 participants
Study credits: 1.5 ECTS
Early bird registration deadline: 12 January 2020
Early bird fees: €330 for PhD candidates from EPS or other Wageningen Graduate Schools with an approved TSP; €740 for postdocs and staff from EPS or other Wageningen Graduate Schools; €1070 for all others.
Contact: Lennart Suselbeek, gradute school PE&RC
More information and registration: https://www.pe-rc.nl/postgraduate-courses/root-ecology

The central scope of this course will be the fundamental concepts of root ecology, linking root architecture with function, and exploring new techniques to couple these. Potential topics include:

  • Defining root structure (cellular, organ), architecture, and function (Arriving at a common set of definitions used throughout the course)
  • (A)biotic interactions (root-soil, root micro-organisms, root-root) and the role in root functioning
  • Methods Overview – imaging, sensing including: Environmental impact on structure and function
    – Coupling environmental sensing to infer root structure and function
    – Limitations (practical vs. theoretical, controlled conditions vs. field)
    – Scale of measurement and analysis (molecule to crop scale)
    – Integration of methods and results
    – To be developed methods
    – Analysis of acquired data
  • Modelling of root structure and function
  • Roots for the future– identifying adapted phenotypes

Speakers / Organisers

More speakers to follow soon!

Course set-up
The course is composed of a series of lectures, subsequent discussions, working group activities, and a poster session. A detailed programme of the course will follow later. To be able to participate is this course you need basic knowledge of root ecology.


Sunday, January 19, 2020 through January 24
For times see website
Hotel de Bosrand
Bosrand 28, Ede