Soil-plant-microbe interactions and plant health
Project status:
In Progress
Project Leader(s):
Professor Leo Condron, Lincoln University
Team Member(s):
Drs Maureen O’Callaghan & Darren Smalley, AgResearch
Team Member(s):
Professor Alison Stewart & Dr Eirian Jones, Lincoln University
Team Member(s):
Dr Alan Richardson, CSIRO
Team Member(s):
Dr Christian Walter, Scion Research
Team Member(s):
PhD student, Shengjing Shi, Lincoln University 
Using Pinus radiata as a model system, we're investigating variations in plant root exudates production, and soil microbial diversity and activity, in relation to plant health.
Interactions between plant roots and micro-organisms in the rhizosphere are recognised as a critical component of plant nutrition and health. Plants appear to have the ability to select their own root microflora from the soil and each plant species has a characteristic group of associated microbes. This process is most likely linked directly to the quantity and composition of root exudates.
Funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, this project utilises the Centre's New Zealand Biotron.
