Innovative Agricultural Microbiomes

How can the research be used? Ka pēhea e whai take ai te rangahau?

• An animal trial has been completed in a ryegrass-white clover dairy production system, utilising the dairy farm facilities at the Lincoln University Ashley Dene Research and Development Station (ADRDS). The work involves the characterisation of soil, plant and animal microbiomes under an external nitrogen (in the form of urea) treatment regime.
• DNA and RNA from the soil, plant and animal microbiomes will be sequenced and correlated with metabolites, nitrogen leaching, pasture production and composition, and milk production data. We are identifying key microbial populations, metabolic pathways and genes associated with both enhanced production and reduced environmental impacts.
• An assessment of microbiomes and their interactions between the animal, soil and plant environments will show how microbiomes align with the Māori concept of mauri (life force).
• The microbiome marker genes that are correlated with productivity and/or sustainable practices will be useful as supporting evidence for product verification schemes to show that NZ’s pastoral farming systems are natural and sustainable.
• Our research will support New Zealand’s competitive advantage in researching novel endophytic microorganism for existing and future crop species. The potential future value of novel endophytic species in assisting plants to adapt to global temperature rises and increased pest pressures will be significant. (For example, the current value to New Zealand of commercialised ryegrass endophytes AR1 and AR37 is estimated to be $155–$285 million annually.)