Kauri (Agathis australis) is an important endemic tree species in New Zealand. However, the survival of kauri is threatened by the microbial pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida. P. agathidicida is a member of the oomycete genus Phytophthora, other members of which cause diseases in thousands of economically and ecologically important plants worldwide.
Managing Phytophthora diseases is challenging – particularly in native forest settings where the host tree (kauri) can live thousands of years (bringing a whole new meaning to the term ‘long-term management!). Using a collaborative approach that incorporates indigenous knowledge, microbiology and chemistry, our research is exploring the complex interactions between kauri, their associated plants, and associated microbes.