French researcher digs in for plant science
Published on 25 September, 2006
A recently-arrived French researcher, Clemence Salvaudon, is already in the laboratory and in the field doing plant science research.
CQU Plant Sciences Group regularly receives research exchange students and scientists from around the world.
The group has been receiving research exchange students from INRA, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, and Esitpa Ecole d'ingenieurs Agriculture in France for the past few years.
While at CQU, Clemence will be working with Professor David Midmore and Post Doctoral Research Fellow Surya P. Bhattarai of PSG on a number of research projects.
Clemence Salvaudon is based at CQU Rockhampton as an intern student for 4 months (September to December 2006).
She is primarily focusing on the on-going research projects in oxygation with Professor Midmore and Dr Bhattarai.
Clemence is rigorously evaluating the benefit of aerated water irrigation to the Rockwool-based hydroponics system for Chinese cabbage production at CQU Rochampton. She is also working on field-scale research on pumpkins at Alton Downs.
In addition to her involvements on number of on-going research activities, she is also keenly learning modern methods and skills of plant, soil and water monitoring with a major focus on plant physiological responses to oxygation.
She has spread her research involvement from laboratory techniques to the field research on pumpkins at Alton Downs with growers and an agronomist. Clemence will be more critically looking at the benefits of aerated water irrigation under different production environments.
At the end of her study, she will present a report to the School and will also present her findings during a CQU Plant Sciences Group seminar.
For more information, please contact Dr Bhattarai, 4923 2140, or Clemence Salvaudon 4930 9606.
Photo (above): Clemence in the laboratory working in spectrophotometer for the determination of leaf chlorophyll content.
Photo (below): Clemence working in the pumpkin field trails at Alton Downs, monitoring the soil moisture dynamics at different soil depths.