RA5 Thesis: Ex situ conservation of Myrtaceae

van der Walt K. 2022. Ex situ conservation of Myrtaceae. A response to Myrtle Rust in the Pacific Region. Unpublished Doctoral thesis, Massey University, Massey University. 240 p.

Many Myrtaceae species are threatened with extinction due to the arrival of myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) in the Pacific Region. Ex situ conservation, in particular seed banking and cryopreservation, requires knowledge of the seed biology of the species to develop optimum long-term seed storage protocols. This information is limited for many New Zealand species. This study investigated ex situ conservation options for five critically endangered Myrtaceae species; Lophomyrtus bullata (ramarama), Lophomyrtus obcordata (rōhuto), Neomyrtus pedunculata (rōhuto), Metrosideros bartlettii (rātā moehau) and Syzygium maire (swamp maire).