- Tree Root Microbiome Project
The Tree Root Microbiome Project was an ambitious five-year programme (2020-2025), that aimed to establish radiata pine as a model tree-root-soil microbiome platform for global research. Trees don’t live in isolation. Like us, they are teeming with a myriad of microorganisms on and in their tissues. And just like us and our microbiome, the microbiome of trees influences their health, fitness and phenotype.
Microorganisms living underground that comprise the tree-root microbiome play a critical role in the survival and health of trees and may well determine the trees’ ability to respond to environmental changes From sustainable forestry through to conservation of our native trees and forests, we must find innovative approaches to extend the phenotype of trees and their resilience to a changing climate. Manipulating the microbiome is a key approach. Identifying microbiome associations and understanding more about how they influence tree growth and health was a critical part of the programme.
Pinus radiata made an excellent model species for research into trees, particularly podocarps and other conifers. It is fast growing, manipulable, its growth requirements are well known, and it has its genome sequenced. It is grown globally ina wide range of environments, and there are many trials already exploring aspects of its phenome.
The programme established a model system to study interactions among tree roots, and the microbiome, with Pinus radiata serving as the model tree species. While the primary aim was to enhance climate resilience in forestry practices, the programme generated knowledge and tools to provide benefits for both plantation and natural forest ecosystems.
Programme manager: Steve A Wakelin, Scion
- Global research effort: soil sampling from radiata-pine growing in countries around the world
- Five-year programme 2020-2025
- Funded by MBIE’s Endeavour Fund and Forest Growers Levy Trust
- $13.5 m investment by MBIE; $1.5 m investment by FGLT.
- Programme Partners: Lincoln University; Victoria University of Wellington; Australian Plant Phenomics Facility; Hawkesbury Institute for the environment (at University of Western Sydney), Woodwell Climate Research Center, Massachusetts; Wright State University, Ohio.
The programme has four main research areas:
- Environmental drivers: aims to understand the critical associations between radiata pine, the microbiome and the environment. What do microbiome associations with P. radiata in already hot and dry climate zones tell us about how to grow climate resilient pines in New Zealand?
- Host drivers: aims to understand and quantify how genetic differences between radiata pine trees shape the tree root microbiome. How does the host tree genotype influence microbiome associations and what is the potential for selecting Pinus radiata for elite microbiome associations?
- Characterising the soil environment: developing fundamental tools for soil phenotyping and analysis then understanding the role of soil properties in shaping tree-root microbiome associations.
- Altering the phenotype: Examining how the interaction between the microbiome and Pinus radiata influences the tree’s phenotype, with the goals of both (1) measuring the magnitude and significance of this adaptive response, and (2) characterising the interactome that drives these phenomena.
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