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Project Details
Project status
In progress
Research Framework
Pou Tokomanawa
Research Duration
Jul 2022 - Jul 2025
Project Overview
Bacteria colonise many habitats including soil, plants, water, and the human gut. Although it’s common to hear about disease-causing bacteria, in recent decades there has been a growing evidence of the beneficial effect the non-pathogenic bacteria have on their host.
Te Kaha is the field site for this project, here the project aims to look at what bacteria are present on the leaves of kiwifruit plants and identify the possible beneficial impacts they have on the plant health.
This research will also explore whether native plants that border the orchard help to create a more beneficial bacterial community for plants.
Why This Matters
Research on bacterial interactions on kiwifruit leaves is pivotal for sustainable agriculture. By identifying these interactions, a preventive method against Bacterial canker disease in kiwifruit may be developed, offering protection for crops.
The discovered protective mechanisms may extend beyond kiwifruit, benefiting other crops threatened by the related pathogen Pseudomonas syringae.
Additionally, the research advocates reducing the use of heavy metals, antibiotics, and chemicals in crop treatment, curbing land and water pollution. This shift promotes environmental health and supports global food security.
In essence, the study forms a crucial bridge between agricultural productivity and eco-friendly practices, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.
Project Objectives
- Exploring the impact of surrounding plants on kiwifruit microbiome.
- Identifying potential antagonistic interactions of bacteria that colonise the kiwi leaves and the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae actinidia.
- Characterisation of the above interactions.
Project Collaborators
| Te Kaha 15b Ahuwhenua Trust | Te Kaha Gold | Victoria University of Wellington |
