Shubhangi Mahajan

PIPS Host Organization:Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Wisley

PIPS Project Title: Investigating Insect Feeding Preferences and Glucosinolate Dynamics Across Brassica Varieties

During Shubhangi’s Professional Internship for PhD Students (PIPS) placement at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Wisley, she led a research project examining how insect feeding pressure and plant chemical defences vary across different Brassica varieties. The work aimed to assess both natural herbivory in the field and controlled feeding preferences of Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth) caterpillars under laboratory conditions. Field trials at RHS Wisley included six Brassica varieties grown under open and insect-excluded (netted) conditions, allowing them to monitor insect visitation, feeding damage, and changes in glucosinolate concentrations. Complementary laboratory experiments involved choice and no-choice assays using lab-reared caterpillars to evaluate host suitability and feeding preferences among selected Brassica types.

This placement provided Shubhangi with valuable experience in experimental design, fieldwork coordination, and plant–insect interaction studies under both natural and controlled environments. She gained practical skills in plant sampling, insect behavior monitoring, and biochemical analysis preparation (for glucosinolate extraction). Working at RHS Wisley also enhanced her ability to plan large-scale experiments, manage variable field conditions, and collaborate effectively with horticultural staff and academic partners from the University of Reading.

Beyond technical skills, this internship offered career insight into applied agricultural and ecological research within a public science organization. Shubhangi developed stronger communication and project management abilities, learning how research outcomes can directly inform sustainable pest management strategies and crop improvement initiatives in horticultural practice.