In progress

Integrating mātauranga and science to enhance maire tawake resilience
Through integrating mātauranga and science, this project will link whakapapa of maire tawake and microbial communities to produce holistic disease protective solutions.
Completed

T1 | Interconnected Properties

A global analysis of crop–pest interactions
Investigating why some crops exhibit greater resistance to specific pests, while others do not by identifying the underlying biological and anthropogenic factors that contribute to enhanced food security
Completed

T1 | Ecosystem Health

Understanding the drivers of plant health
Investigating the contribution of the plant microbiome to plant health and to then determine microbiome transferability to enhance restoration plantings.
Completed

T1 | Harnessing Biodefences

Fighting crop pathogens with viruses
Investigation of the bacterium Pectobacterium and the viruses (bacteriophages) that infect it to learn about the defences and counter-defences involved in this microscopic warfare.
Completed

T1 | Genomic Pest Control

Genetic and genomic approaches to pest and pathogen control
Gaining insights into the microbiome of biocontrol agents and pests, focusing on the Argentine stem weevil and the Varroa mite
In progress

T1 | Microbial Defence

Understanding the antagonistic fungus–microbe interactions of apple scab
Understanding apple scab fungus interactions with leaf phyllosphere microbiota, and the role of Venturia inaequalis secreted effector proteins in these interactions.
Completed

T1 | Microbial Defence

Interactions between bacteria on kiwifruit leaves
Exploring interactions between kiwi leaf colonising bacteria and their potential role in the pathogen resistance of the plant
In progress

T1 | Weed Invasions

The interactions of co-occurring weeds and their impacts on native plants
By conducting field research and shade house experiments, this project aims to determine the impacts that co-occurring woody weeds have on native restoration plantings.
Completed

T1 | Resilient Soils

Mycorrhizal fungi in resilient plant-soil ecosystems
Investigating the impact of land management on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the role these fungi play in plant resilience to rising temperatures
Completed

T1 | Resilient Soils

Enhancing resilience of soil carbon across agricultural landscapes
Quantifying the impacts of land use change on soil carbon cycling across an agricultural land use mosaic