Carboxylate exudation and phosphorus acquisition in eucalypts. Eucalypts are thought to rely on mycorrhizas to acquire phosphorus (P). Using leaf manganese concentrations in the field to proxy rhizosphere carboxylates, followed by plant growth in low P-solutions, it was shown that some, but not all eucalypts that grow on P-impoverished soils release carboxylates from their roots. This trait is a strategy of Proteaceae to access soil P, but assumed not to be used by eucalypts. This game-changing ....Carboxylate exudation and phosphorus acquisition in eucalypts. Eucalypts are thought to rely on mycorrhizas to acquire phosphorus (P). Using leaf manganese concentrations in the field to proxy rhizosphere carboxylates, followed by plant growth in low P-solutions, it was shown that some, but not all eucalypts that grow on P-impoverished soils release carboxylates from their roots. This trait is a strategy of Proteaceae to access soil P, but assumed not to be used by eucalypts. This game-changing discovery challenges the current dogma that eucalypts invariably rely on mycorrhizas to acquire P. This project will explore the significance of this newly-described trait for functioning of eucalypts more broadly and produce results that are important for conservation, restoration and forestry activities. Read moreRead less
The genomics of climate adaptation in eucalypts. This project aims to investigate validated, rapid and pragmatic solutions to managing plant and animal maladaptation caused by global environmental change. Using Australia’s iconic blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), this project will test strategies for identifying the major climatic predictors of, and key genomic regions that underlie, adaptation to climate change. By integrating climate variables and genome sequences with field trial-derived trait ....The genomics of climate adaptation in eucalypts. This project aims to investigate validated, rapid and pragmatic solutions to managing plant and animal maladaptation caused by global environmental change. Using Australia’s iconic blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), this project will test strategies for identifying the major climatic predictors of, and key genomic regions that underlie, adaptation to climate change. By integrating climate variables and genome sequences with field trial-derived trait and performance data from decades of research and thousands of trees, we will develop validated DNA-based tools for monitoring the rate of adaptation in our native forests and identifying climate-ready seed sources for environmental and industrial plantings.Read moreRead less
Woodland response to elevated CO2 in free air carbon dioxide enrichment: does phosphorus limit the sink for Carbon? This project will determine if growth of Australian woodland trees is limited by phosphorus, and if that limitation means the woodland carbon sink is constrained from responding to rising atmospheric CO2. Assessing the CO2 sink capacity of native eucalypt woodland is central to meeting Australia's domestic and international carbon accounting commitments.