Under the supervision of Professor Philippe Seguin and Tanya Copley, PhD, CEROM, Ximena is studying the threat that herbicide-resistant weeds pose in Canada and abroad.
"In collaboration with Université de Laval, UQAM, Agriculture andÌýAgri-Food Canada (AAFC), and the Centre de recherche sur lesÌýgrains (CEROM), we are evaluating the impact of intercropping coverÌýcrops at reducing herbicide usage in the traditional Quebec cropÌýrotationÌý like corn, soybean, and wheat," she explains. Cover crops are non-harvestedÌýplants grown to protect the soil from erosion and weeds, among other things. "DuringÌýmy PhD, I will assess their influence on the main crop yield, seedÌýquality, microbiome diversity, and root health."​
Ximena is looking forward to a career focused on ​supporting sustainable agriculture andÌýfood security, and believes that the tools and experience she's gained at McGill will help her get there.
"Professors in the Plant Science Department are actively involved in finding solutions to problems of national and global relevance."