CALL FOR MSc STUDENT APPLICATIONS

About this role

Research Opportunity: Effects of Mango–Cassava–Bean Diversification on Soil Health, Pollination and Crop Productivity The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), through the Biovision Foundation-supported project, Resilient Mango Agroforestry Systems for Youth Entrepreneurship, Pollination, and Market Integration , invites applications from motivated MSc students to undertake thesis research in Gamo and Wolayita zones, southern Ethiopia. The research will examine how integrating cassava and common beans into mango orchards influences soil fertility, soil moisture, pollinator activity, and crop productivity. It will generate practical recommendations for diversified smallholder farming systems that support soil health, pollination services, and adaptation to climate change. Research themes Applicants should develop a focused research concept linking selected elements of the following complementary themes.1. Soil fertility management Assess selected soil fertility indicators, including nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic carbon and pH. Evaluate changes in these indicators over the study period, where feasible, accounting for baseline differences among plots. Examine relationships between soil fertility indicators, crop growth and yield. 2. Pollinator activity and pollination services Assess the abundance, diversity, and flower-visitation rates of bees and other insect pollinators in mango trees. Examine relationships between pollinator visitation and selected reproductive outcomes, such as mango fruit set or bean pod and seed set. Where feasible, use controlled pollination treatments to distinguish insect-pollination contributions from other influences on crop reproduction. 3. Crop productivity and climate adaptation Evaluate the growth and yield of selected crops (beans or Cassava) under mango orchards. Assess whether diversified systems maintain soil moisture and crop performance during observed dry spells. Examine pollinator activity alongside flowering, rainfall, and temperature records. Research approach and scope The study should use an appropriate replicated experimental design with clearly defined comparison treatments. Depending on the research questions, treatments may include mango alone, mango–cassava, mango–bean, and mango–cassava–bean combinations, supported by relevant sole-crop comparisons. Soil sampling should follow consistent depths and timing. Pollinator observations should use standardized sampling effort, observation periods and weather conditions, while accounting for differences in floral abundance. Orchard characteristics, including tree age, canopy cover, spacing and management practices, should inform experimental planning and interpretation. Where pollination experiments are included, compare open-pollinated flowers with insect-exclusion treatments. Appropriate controls should address possible effects of exclusion materials on flower conditions. The final objectives, treatments and measurements will be agreed with academic supervisors and the project team.