Horticulture

Climate change and managing spring frost risks in fruit orchards

The aim is to explore the physiology of the regulation of flowering time and loss of frost tolerance and how different apple cultivars and rootstocks may be used to affect this. Management methods to delay flowering or improve frost resistance in buds will be explored

Adaptive responses to light irradiance in fruit species with different phloem loading strategies

The project aims to identify the key physiological and molecular components of fruit crop adaptation to light

Intercropping vegetables with cover crops

The aim is to investigate the manifold effects of intercropping cover crops with vegetables to increase the sustainability of open-field vegetable production

Sensor-based light optimization for strawberry production

Can strawberry plants help determine when additional light is really needed? This project combines continuous photosynthesis monitoring, environmental sensors and simple AI approaches to explore smarter and more efficient light management

Sensor-based nutrient monitoring for improved greenhouse fertilization

Can greenhouse crops be fertilized more precisely than by using EC alone? This project combines substrate sensors with nutrient-specific measurements to develop smarter and more sustainable nutrient management

The role of phloem loading with amino acids in seed productivity and quality of pea

Legumes, such as pea, contain high levels of protein and are therefore considered as promising plant-based alternatives to meat

Peat free pots: New blends for a sustainable horticulture

Peat extraction has negative environmental impacts – could new plant materials be the solution and replace peat? This project explores different blends and their potential in replacing peat to grow plants sustainably

Using plant volatiles to protect plants against frost damage

The project aims to understand how the application of naturally occurring plant volatiles (monoterpenes) help horticultural crops to protect against cold stress

Photosynthetic and phenotypic characterisation of sweet potato exposed to climate-related stress

The project aims to uncover how abiotic stress (such as drought and heat) affects photosynthesis, plant growth and yield in sweet potato to develop a more diverse Danish production

Development of optimal fertilization of European blueberry (Vaccinum myrtillus) plants

The aim is to compare fertilizer levels and composition to seedlings and clonal plants for optimal plant growth in this special species, naturally adapted to low pH and low fertilizer levels

Developing strawberries for urban farming: physiological responses to low light conditions

The student will examine the light responses of several strawberry cultivars grown under low light conditions

Adaptive responses to elevated CO2 in fruit species with different phloem loading strategies

The project aims to identify the key physiological and molecular components of fruit crop adaptation to elevate CO2

Optimal propagation and fertilization in cultivation of Spagnum and Leucobryum mosses

The aim of this project is to analyse existing raw data from experimental trials to identify and describe efficient and optimal methods to propagate and cultivate Spagnum and Leucobryum mosses

Revised 01.09.2026

Rikke Karlsen