Dr Ing. Aad van Ast

Dr Ing. Aad van Ast

• CSA-10306: Cropping systems and knowledge of crops
• NCP-20503: Ecology II
• ENT-30306: Ecological aspects of bio-interacations
• CSA-30806: Research methods in crop science
• YMC-60809: Academic Consultancy Training (ACT)
• CSA-10806: Orientation in plant sciences

Research projects

• Integrated Weed Management (Theme 4.1.1)

• PARASITE: Preparing African Rice Farmers against Parasitic weeds in a changing environment (Theme 4.1.4) 
• Enhanced biodiversity and weed suppression in agro-ecosystems (Theme 4.1.2)

Possibilities for MSc thesis

• Parasitic weeds in rice production systems in sub-Saharan Africa
• Soil fertility improvement strategies with respect to their contribution to Striga management

    For more information about the following MSc topics please contact me directly:

• The role of crop genotypes in the interaction with parasitic weeds
• The influence of time and severity of parasitic weed infection on the crop (sorghum, rice) – parasite (Striga, Rhamphicarpa) association
• Parasitic weeds: seed bank dynamics
• The effects of plant nutrition on parasitic weed tolerance and resistance in crops

Publications (selection)

• Tuinstra,  M.R, Soumana, Al Khatib, S., Issoufou Kapran, Toure, A., van Ast, A., Bastiaans, L., Ochanda, N., Salami, I., Kayenta, M. and Dembele, S. (2009).  Efficacy of Herbicide Seed Treatments for Controlling Striga Infestation of Sorghum. Crop Science 49: 923-929.
• Rodenburg, J., Bastiaans, L. Schapendonk, A.H.C.M.,  van der Putten, P.E.L.,  van Ast, A. and Kropff, M.J. (2008) CO2-assimilation and chlorophyll fluorescence as indirect selection criteria for host tolerance against Striga. Euphytica 160: 75-87.
• Westerman, P.R., van Ast, A., Stomph, T.J. and van der Werf, W. (2007). Long-term management of the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica; Strategy evaluation with a population model. Crop Protection 26: 219-227.
• Lendzemo, V.W., Kuyper, Th. W., Matusova, R., Bouwmeester, H.J. Narvaez, L. and van Ast, A. (2007). Colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of sorghum leads to reduced germination and subsequent attachment and emergence of Striga hermonthica. Plant Signalling and Behaviour 2 (1): 58-62.
• van Ast, A. (2006). The influence of time and severity of Striga infection on the Sorghum bicolor – Striga hermonthica association. PhD-thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
• van Ast, A. and Bastiaans, L. (2006). The role of infection time in the differential response of sorghum cultivars to Striga hermonthica infection. Weed Research 46: 264-274.
• Lendzemo, V.W., van Ast, A. and Kuyper, Th.W. (2006). Can  arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi contribute to Striga management on cereals in Africa? Outlook on Agriculture 35 (4): 307-311.
• Rodenburg, J., Bastiaans, L., Kropff, M.J. and van Ast, A. (2006). Effects of host plant genotype and seed bank density on Striga reproduction. Weed Research 46: 251-263.
• van Ast, A., Bastiaans, L. and Katilé (2005). Cultural control measures to diminish sorghum yield loss and parasite success under Striga hermonthica infestation. Crop Protection 24: 1023-1034.
• Lendzemo, V.W., Kuyper, Th. W., Kropff, M.J.  and van Ast, A. (2005). Field inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduces Striga hermonthica performance on cereal crops and has the potential to increase cereal production. Field Crops Research 91: 51-61
• van Ast, A., Bastiaans, L. and Kropff, M.J. (2000). A comparative study on Striga hermonthica interaction with a sensitive and a tolerant sorghum cultivar. Weed Research 40: 479-493.
• van Delft, G.J., Graves, J.D., Fitter, A.H. and van Ast, A. (2000). Striga seed avoidance by deep planting and no-tillage in sorghum and maize. International Journal of Pest Management 46 (4): 251-256.