Karen Rial-Lovera

My RAU experience

After completing my MSc, I applied for a PhD at the Royal Agricultural University evaluating the effect of contrasting tillage practices, nitrogen management and legume undersowing on spring wheat performance. The aim of this project was to assess relationships between these management practices for both, increasing yields and more sustainable production cropping systems. My motivation for pursing this research is that agriculture is facing an increasing pressure to produce food that meets specific market requirements, while using inputs in such a way that can ensure economic and environmental goals more efficiently.

I fully recommend the RAU to anyone who wants to pursue a research career in agriculture.

Conducting my research at the RAU has enabled me to obtain a deeper understanding of how changing agronomy practices can support more integrated crop management. Through its support staff, laboratory, and farm facilities, the RAU gave fundamental support to this project, while my supervisor team provided me with valuable advice and guidance in the shaping of my professional abilities throughout the course of my PhD.

Thanks to the confidence of my supervisors in my capabilities, I continued my journey at the RAU as a Postdoctoral following my PhD studies, working on a new research project on perennial-wheat. After this achievement I fully recommend the RAU to anyone who wants to pursue a research career in agriculture.