THESIS: Soil microbiota associated with kauri ...

The soil microbiota associated with New Zealand’s kauri (Agathis australis) forests under threat from dieback disease

June 2021

Byers A. 2021. The soil microbiota associated with New Zealand’s kauri (Agathis australis) forests under threat from dieback disease. Unpublished Doctoral thesis, Lincoln University. 194 p.

ABSTRACT

The primary aim of this research was to characterise the taxonomic diversity of the kauri soil microbiota and their response to dieback, whilst screening members of the soil microbiota against P. agathidicida to test their potential to inhibit the pathogen. A secondary aim was to quantify differences in soil microbiota between kauri and adjacent pine (Pinus radiata).

KEYWORDS

Phytophthora agathidicida; Agathis australis; kauri dieback; soil microbiota; disease suppressive soils; microbial ecology; forest pathology; forest disturbance; functional gene analysis; seedling infection study; phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis; in vitro screening; Burkholderia; Penicillium; microbial antagonism