University Honors

Nematodes are mostly microscopic, wormlike creatures that can be found in almost all soilhabitats around the world; one handful of soil could contain thousands of nematodes. Tomato cropplants are among the main victims of plant-parasitic nematodes and infections may destroy over20% of all crop yield that given year. Current nematode pesticides can contaminate soil, water,and other vegetation, as well as leave toxic residues in our food. Additionally, they can be harmfulto many other organisms that are part of the same ecosystem, such as mammals, birds, fish, andmany beneficial insects. Wild relatives of our tomato plants have naturally evolved varying levelsof resistance in the presence of higher nematode pressure, typically observed in warmer and drierenvironments, such as Central and South America. In this study, we aim to determine the specificphysical traits and underlying genomic loci contributing to nematode resistance. Utilizingnematode staining, we can observe these parasites, alongside host root architectures, under themicroscope, enabling us to evaluate critical stages of nematode life cycles and mechanisms of hostinvasions. Further, genomic sequencing equips us with the means to explore the geneticcomponents influencing nematode resistance. Given the global prominence of tomatoes as one ofthe most-consumed vegetables, the outcomes of this research hold considerable promise forenhancing crop performance and production. By augmenting the resilience of tomatoes, andpotentially other essential food crops, against nematodes, we can contribute to securing foodsupplies and promoting agricultural sustainability worldwide.