Topic ID No.: 2026-G06
Title of research topic:
Effects of indigenous versus commercial crop-based diets on the chicken gut microbiome
Description:
This project investigates the impact of indigenous crops, compared to conventional crops (maize and soybean), on the gut microbiome of chickens. Students will perform comparative analyses to determine how different crop-based diets influence the health, productivity, and microbial communities within poultry. The research emphasizes nutritional potential, resilience, and ecological benefits of indigenous crops for poultry production and food security.
Target region or country (if applicable):
South Africa
Topic background information / scientific relevance:
Poultry nutrition often relies heavily on commercially cultivated crops such as maize and soybean, which can limit dietary diversity and microbiome adaptability in chickens. Indigenous crops offer alternative nutrient profiles and may promote greater resilience to disease and environmental stress. However, the effects of feeding these crops on the gut microbiome of chickens remain largely unexplored. This PhD topic addresses this gap by comparing how diets based on indigenous and commercial crops alter gut microbiota composition and function in chickens. Findings are expected to give new insights into dietary strategies to improve poultry health, welfare, and productivity, with potential benefits for smallholder farmers and sustainable food systems. High-throughput microbiome sequencing and computational analysis will enable a detailed understanding of dietary impacts, providing scientific evidence for adopting diversified and locally adapted feed resources in poultry farming.
Research objectives:
RO1. Compare gut microbiome profiles in chickens fed indigenous crop-based diets versus commercial crop-based diets.
RO2. Identify microbial taxa and functional traits associated with improved health and productivity.
RO3. Use statistical and machine learning methods to associate diet type with microbiome outcomes and poultry performance.
Required skills and qualifications of the applicant:
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in animal science, microbiology, veterinary science, or a related field. Experience with poultry nutrition, molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR), sequencing analysis, and statistics is preferred.
Contact person and institute in charge:
Prof. Dr. Amélia Camarinha Silva. University of Hohenheim. Department of Livestock Microbial Ecology.