The objectives of this study were to investigate stability related basic wood properties and to determine stability performance of New Zealand grown Douglas-fir and those of radiata pine wood. In this study, nine 60-year old Douglas-fir trees and thirteen 26-year old radiata pine trees were selected from forests in Canterbury region. From these trees, 36 discs of 200 mm thick (13 for Douglas-fir and 23 for radiata pine) and 388 boards with dimensions of 100mm x 50mm x 4.8m (210 fro Douglas-fir and 178 fr radiata pine) were prepared. From the prepared discs, 515 specimens (204 for Douglas-fi and 211 for radiata pine) were prepared for green moisture content (MC) and basic density measurements, The same total number of 515 specimens (205 for Douglas-fir and 210 for radiata pine) were also prepared for shrinkage measurements. From the green MC specimens, green weight, volume and oven-dry weight were measured while for the shrinkage specimens, dimensions and weights were measured at equilibrium for nine humidity conditions. These data were used to analyse basic wood properties and moisture uptake characteristics for both Douglas-fir and radiata pine. Variation of shrinkage within a tree and between trees was also studied for both species. After this, selected specimens (36 for Doulas-fir and 36 for radiata pine) were further tested in water immersion for water repellence examination. The 388 full size boards (100mmx50mmx4.8m) were used for studies on distortion and acoustic properties at a sawmill (Southland Timber Ltd.). Dimensions, weights and acoustic velocity were measured from each board before and after drying. These data were used to analyse distortion and strength characteristics for both Douglas-fir and radiata pine. Comparison of the relative stability of full sized Douglas-fir and radiata pine structural timber was investigated in this study. The results from small sample study confirmed that Douglas-fir is much stronger, has lower longitudinal shrinkage and lower gradient in corewood which can be used to explain the better dimensional stability of Douglas-fir than radiate pine although there is significant variability in the shrinkage for both Douglas-fir and radiate pine. In water immersion tests, Douglas-fir has better water repellency property than radiata pine over 2000 hours period during water immersion. Under the same commercial practice in sawing and kiln drying, it is clearly shown that Douglas-fir timbers were straighter with lower levels of distortion than radiata pine at similar final moisture content. It is also interesting to note that the final moisture content in a range of 13-18% for Douglas-fir did not have significant impact on timber distortion but a negative trend was observed for radiata pine with MC in a range of 9 -14%. Tree heights showed clear influence on twist for radiata pine timbers, but it was not clearly observed from Douglas-fir timbers. Corewood proportion is found to have negative impact on the timber distortion for both Douglas-fir and radiata pine. Douglas-fir timbers showed much higher average acoustic MOE value than radiata pine timbers at similar final moisture content. Because of the various proportion of corewood, the shrinkage varied greatly along the stem height and along the disc radius direction for the two species. This variation caused the difference of distortion between corewood, outerwood and transition wood, but the difference between butt log, middle log and top log is inconsistent. Therefore, it is recommended that the corewood proportion to be a criterion for the timber pre-sorting. Variation of stability performance between trees was also found to be significant for the two species, and methods need to be developed for log sorting as well to reduce the timber distortion degradation. Non-destructive testing method such as acoustic tool may be offered to be a new approach for sorting logs, but it is also necessary to be aware of the significant difference between species. The outcome from this project includes better understanding of Douglas-fir for structural applications. The conclusion can be drawn that Douglas-fir has superior quality for its strength, durability and moisture resistance. Douglas-fir is also claimed to have uniform properties and thus to be more stable compared to radiata pine. Douglas-fir timbers showed much higher acoustic MOE value than radiate pine timbers as similar final moisture content.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Melbourne, 1978. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 265-279).

Tamarixia radiata (Waterston, 1922) é um dos principais agentes de controle biológico de Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, vetor de huanglongbing, no Brasil. Esse parasitóide apresenta alta eficiência de parasitismo, grande capacidade de dispersão, estabelecimento e adaptação em campo. No entanto, a eficiência desse inimigo natural pode ser afetada devido ao uso indiscriminado de pesticidas na citricultura para o controle de diversas pragas e pela carência de estudos que avaliam o impacto total de inseticidas. Sendo assim, os objetivos do trabalho foram: avaliar os efeitos letais e subletais de alguns inseticidas sobre adultos e pupas de T. radiata. Além da mortalidade, foram também avaliados os efeitos de inseticidas sobre a capacidade de parasitismo, a longevidade, a razão sexual e a taxa instantânea de crescimento de T. radiata. Os inseticidas avaliados foram: imidacloprid (neonicotinóide), lambda-cyhalothrin (piretróide) e abamectin (avermectina) nas concentrações recomendada de 96; 7,5 e 3,2 mg de ingrediente ativo por litro de água (ppm) respectivamente, além de 10 e 50% da concentração recomendada de cada inseticida. O método de bioensaio adotado foi o de contato residual do inseticida em adultos do parasitóide, utilizando-se de discos de folhas de laranjeiras pulverizados em Torre de Potter. O efeito de abamectin sobre adultos da geração parental e geração F1 de T. radiata foi também avaliado mediante pulverização de ramos de murta, Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack e sobre pupas de T. radiata utilizando-se método de bioensaio de contato direto. A maior toxicidade a adultos de T. radiata foi observada para imidacloprid (72,7% de mortalidade), seguido por lambdacyhalothrin (19,4%) e abamectin (3,0%). Abamectin causou maior redução na capacidade de parasitismo do parasitóide (28,8%), seguido por imidacloprid (31,3%) e lambda-cyhalothrin (40,1%) na concentração recomedada de cada inseticida. Os inseticidas testados não afetaram a razão sexual do parasitóide. Lambda-cyhalothrin não afetou a longevidade do parasitóide. Por outro lado, imidacloprid reduziu a longevidade. Verificou-se uma redução de 56 e 80% na emergência dos descendentes da geração parental a 50 e 100% da concentração recomendada de abamectin, entretanto, nenhum efeito foi observado para os descendentes da geração F1 do parasitóide. A longevidade de machos da geração parental foi reduzida em 8,4 dias a 50% da concentração recomendada de abamectin, no entanto, nenhum efeito significativo foi verificado para a geração F1 do parasitóide. Foi verificado efeito negativo sobre a capacidade de parasitismo da geração parental e da geração F1 do parasitóide quando abamectin foi pulverizado em ramos de murta. No entanto, abamectin afetou a emergência dos descendentes da geração parental e geração F1 de T. radiata, com valores variando de 24,4 a 84,2% e 0 a 95,1% respectivamente. Abamectin afetou a razão sexual de ambas as gerações. Um decréscimo na longevidade do parasitóide foi observado a 10, 50 e 100% da concentração recomendada de abamectin para os descendentes da geração parental e somente a 50% da concentração recomendada para os descendentes da geração F1. Abamectin não afetou a emergência de adultos e nem a razão sexual quando aplicado sobre pupas de T. radiata. E abamectin não afetou a taxa instantânea de crescimento de T. radiata em todas as concentrações testadas. / Tamarixia radiata (Waterston, 1922) is one of the major biological control agents of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, vector of huanglongbing, in Brazil. This parasitoid has been very effective due to the high parasitism rates, high dispersal ability and high establishment and adaptation rates in the field. However, the efficiency of T. radiata may be affected by the indiscriminate use of pesticides to control many other citrus pests and due to the lack of studies that evaluated the total impact of pesticides. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to evaluate the lethal and sublethal effects of some insecticides on T. radiate adults and pupae. Besides mortality, the effect of insecticides on parasitism capacity, longevity, sex ratio and instantaneous rate of increase of T. radiata were also evaluated. The insecticides evaluated were imidacloprid (neonicotinoid), lambda-cyhalothrin (pyrethroid) and abamectin (avermectin) at recommended rates of 96; 7.5 e 3.2 mg of active ingredient per liter of water (ppm) respectivelly, plus 10 e 50% of recommended rates of each insecticide. A residual contact bioassay was used by spraying the insecticide onto orange leaf discs with Potter tower. The effect of abamectin was also evaluated on parental and F1 generations of T. radiata by spraying the insecticide on branches of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack and on pupae of T. radiata by direct contact bioassay. The highest toxicity to T. radiata adults was observed with imidacloprid (72.7% mortality), followed by lambda-cyhalothrin (19.4%) and abamectin (3.0%). Abamectin promoted the highest reduction in the parasitism capacity (28.8%), followed by imidacloprid (31.3%) and lambdacyhalothrin (40.1%) at recommended rates of each insecticide. The insecticides tested did not affect the sex ratio of the parasitoid. Lambda-cyhalothrin did not affect the longevity of the parasitoid. On the other hand, imidacloprid caused reduction in the longevity. A reduction of 56 and 80% in the emergence of offspring of parental generation was obtained at 50 and 100% of recommended rate of abamectin. However, no effect was observed to the offspring of F1 generation. The longevity of males from the parental generation was reduced in 8.4 days at 50% of the recommended rate of abamectin; however, no significant effect was detected to F1 generation of the parasitoid. There was effect on parasitism capacity of the parental and F1 generations of the parasitoid when abamectin was sprayed on M. paniculata. However, abamectin affected the emergence of offspring from parental and F1 generations of T. radiata, with values varying from 24.4 to 84.2% and 0 to 95.1% respectively. Abamectin affected the sex ratio of both generations. A decrease in the longevity of the parasitoid was observed at 10, 50 and 100% of recommended rate of abamectin to the offspring of parental generation and only at 50% of recommended rate to the offspring of F1 generation. Abamectin did not affect the adult emergence and neither the sex ratio when abamectin was applied on T. radiata pupae. And, abamectin did not affect the instantaneous rate of increase of T. radiata at all concentrations tested.

Orientador: Ananda Virginia de Aguiar / Abstract: Exotic forest species have been introduced in Brazil in order to promote improvements in socioeconomic development and help to reduce the pressure caused to native forests. With growing demand for these species, research on genetic improvement has increased to find new, more productive germplasm and preferably in less time. Two species were used in the study: slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don). The first part of the study had the purpose to identify the stability, adaptability, productivity and genetic parameters, in addition to selection gain and genetic divergence in slash pine open pollinated second generation progenies considering phenotypic trait. Two tests were established, one in Ponta Grossa-PR with 24 progenies and one in Ribeirão Branco-SP with 44 progenies, both in Brazil, to identify the most productive genotypes for commercial planting areas in both sites. There was significant variation (p<0.01) among progenies for growth and form traits. The high coefficients of genetic variation for wood volume (14.31% to 16.24% - Ribeirão Branco-SP and 31.78% to 33.77% - Ponta Grossa-PR) and heritability (0.10 to 0.15 – Ribeirão Branco-SP and 0.36 to 0.48 – Ponta Grossa-PR) have shown low environmental influence on phenotypic variation, which is important for the prediction of genetic gain by selecting and confirming genetic potential in both places, especially Ponta Grossa. The effect of genotype x environment interact... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Resumo: Espécies exóticas de Pinus foram introduzidas no Brasil para promoverem o crescimento socioeconômico do país e ajudar na redução da pressão causada pelo uso de florestas nativas Com a crescente demanda por essas espécies, pesquisas em melhoramento genético tem aumentado na busca de novos germoplasma mais produtivos em menor tempo. Duas espécies foram utilizadas no presente trabalho: Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii e Pinus radiata D. Don. A primeira parte do trabalho teve a finalidade de identificar a estabilidade, a adaptabilidade, a produtividade e os parâmetros genéticos, além do ganho de seleção e diversidade genética em progênies de polinização aberta de segunda geração de P. elliottii var. elliottii considerando os caracteres fenotípicos. Foram estabelecidos dois testes, um em Ponta Grossa-PR com 24 progênies e outro em Ribeirão Branco-SP com 44 progênies visando identificar os genótipos mais produtivos para áreas de plantio comercial em ambos locais. Foi observada variação significativa (p<0,01) entre as progênies para os caracteres de crescimento e alguns caracteres de forma. Os altos coeficientes de variação genética para volume de madeira (14,31% a 16,24% - Ribeirão Branco e 31,78% a 33,77% - Ponta Grossa) e herdabilidade (0,10 a 0,15 – Ribeirão Branco e 0,36 a 0,48 – Ponta Grossa) mostraram baixa influência do ambiente na variação fenotípica, o que é importante para a predição do ganho genético mediante a seleção e confirmam potencial genético em ambos os loc... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

Background: This study seeks to model aspects of the regeneration of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don) seedlings under a range of environmental conditions. This study investigated whether “hybrid” mechanistic models, which predict plant growth and development using empirical representations of plant physiological responses to the environment, could provide a realistic alternative to conventional empirical regeneration models. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to 1) identify the functional relationships between the environmental conditions controlling germination, establishment and growth of radiata pine seedlings, under a range of those environmental conditions as specified by temperature and available light and soil water; and 2) specify those functional relationships in hybrid mechanistic (“hybrid”) models. Methods: Radiata pine seedling germination and growth were measured under controlled environmental conditions (incubators for seed germination, growth cabinets for seedlings), and results used to adapt, parameterise and test two published hybrid models; one for germination (the hydrothermal time model); and one for seedling growth in the first six months after germination, based on plant radiation use efficiency (RUE). The hydrothermal model was tested by incubating commercial radiata pine seeds under factorial combinations of temperature and water potentials where germination was likely to occur (12.5 ºC to 32.5 ºC and 0 MPa to –1.2 MPa.). 100 seeds were germinated for each factorial combination. The hydrothermal germination model was fitted to the germination data using non-linear regression modles, will allowed simultaneous estimation of all modle parameters. Seedlings were grown in controlled growth cabinets, and their RUE was calculated as the ratio of net primary production (NPP, specified in terms of an increase in oven dry biomass), to PAR intercepted or absorbed by a seedling. Estimation of seedling RUE required development of novel techniques for non-destructive estimation of seedling oven dry weight, and measurement of PAR interception by seedlings. The effect of varying PAR flux density on RUE was tested by measuring RUE of seedlings grown at 125, 250 and 500 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹. In a second experiment, the effect of deficits in available soil water on RUE was tested by measuring RUE of seedlings grown under 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PAR flux, and at different levels of available soil water. Available soil water was specified by a soil moisture modifier factor (ƒθ) which ranges between 1 for moist soils and 0 for soils where there is insufficient water for seedling growth. This soil moisture modifier had not previously been applied in studies of tree seedling growth. Temperatures for both seedling experiments were a constant 17.5 ºC (day) and 12.5 ºC (night). Results: Hydrothermal time models accurately described radiata pine seed germination. Model predictions were closely correlated with actual seed germination over the full range of temperature and water potentials where germination was likely to occur (12.5 ºC to 32.5 ºC and 0 MPa to –1.2 MPa. The minimum temperature for germination (base temperature) was 9.0 ºC. Optimum temperatures for germination ranged from ~20ºC for slow-germinating seeds to ~27 ºC for the fastest germinating seeds. The minimum water potential for seed germination varied within the seed population, with an approximately normal distribution (base water potential = –1.38 MPa, standard deviation of 0.48 MPa). In the process of developing the model, a novel explanation for the decline in germination rates at supra-optimal temperatures was developed (Section 3.4.6), based on earlier models proposed by Alvarado & Bradford (2002) and Rowse & Finch-Savage (2003). This explanation was that the decline in germination rate was not driven just by temperature, but by accumulated hydrothermal time above the base temperature for germination (T₀). This in turn raised the base soil water potential (Ψb) towards 0, so that the reduction in germination rate arose from a reduced accumulation of hydro-time, rather than from thermal denaturation of enzymes facilitating germination – the conventional explanation for non-linear accumulation of thermal time at supra-optimal temperatures for plant development. Upwards adjustment (towards 0 MPa) of base water potentials of germinating seeds occurred also at very cold temperatures in combination with high water potentials. In both cases (very cold or else supra-optimal temperatures) this upwards adjustment in base water potentials prevented germination of part of the seed population, and is proposed as a mechanism which enables seed populations to “hedge their bets” when germinating under less than ideal germination conditions. RUE of young germinated radiata pine seedlings growing in a controlled growth cabinet was not significantly different over a range of constant PAR flux densities. Mean RUE’s were 3.22, 2.82 and 2.58 g MJ⁻¹ at 125, 250 and 500 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ respectively. In the second experiment, the novel use of a soil moisture modifier (ƒθ) to predict RUE of seedlings subjected to water stress proved successful within a limited range of soil water stress conditions. Measured seedling transpiration and stomatal conductance were closely correlated but seedling photosynthesis was less correlated with available soil water. This result suggests that photosynthesis was not coupled with stomatal conductance when PAR flux was 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, which is well below saturating irradiance for C₃ plants. Conclusions: The use of hybrid, quasi-mechanistic models to describe tree seedling growth has been seldom explored, which necessitated the development of novel experimental and analytical techniques for this study. These included a predictive model of germination decline at sub- and supra-optimal temperatures; a method for accurately estimating seedling dry weights under a range of PAR flux densities; and a novel method for estimating light interception by small seedlings. The work reported in this thesis showed that existing hybrid models (the hydrothermal time germination model and the RUE model) can be adapted to model germination and growth of radiata pine seedlings under controlled environmental conditions. Nonetheless, further research is needed before the models can be confidently used as an alternative to conventional empirical models to model regeneration in “real-world” forests. Research priorities are the performance of hydrothermal germination models under variable field conditions, and the use of the soil moisture modifier for seedlings growing on a range of soil textures and under a range of PAR fluxes.

Mixed-species plantations of eucalypts and acacias have the potential to improve stand productivity over that of respective monocultures through the facilitative effect of nitrogen-fixation by acacias, and increased resource capture through above- and belowground stratification. However, growth in mixed-species plantations may not be improved compared to that of monocultures when competitive interactions outweigh the effects of improved nutrient availability and resource capture. Careful selection of sites and species is therefore critical to successfully improving stand productivity using mixed-species plantations. This study set out to examine some of the processes and interactions that occur in mixed-species plantations, and the effect nutrient and water availability can have on the growth of mixtures. In three out of four mixed-species field trials examined in this study, growth was not increased in mixtures compared to monocultures. However, in the fourth field trial, heights, diameters, stand volume and aboveground biomass were higher in mixtures of E. globulus and A. mearnsii from 3-4 years after planting. The range in outcomes from mixing species in these four trials shows that a fundamental understanding of the underlying processes is required to enable a greater predictive capacity for the circumstances under which mixtures will be successful. Therefore the growth dynamics, processes and interactions were examined in the mixtures of E. globulus and A. mearnsii. The difference in productivity between mixtures and monocultures in this trial increased with time up to age 11 years, when 1:1 mixtures contained twice the aboveground biomass of E. globulus monocultures. The positive growth response of trees in mixture compared to monocultures was the result of accelerated rates of nutrient cycling, a shift in C allocation and reductions in light competition through canopy stratification. Nitrogen contents of foliage and soil clearly showed that A. mearnsii influenced the N dynamics in this trial. If these changes in N contents were due to N fixation by A. mearnsii, then about 51 and 86 kg N ha-1 yr-1 was fixed in the 1:1 mixtures and A. mearnsii monocultures, respectively. Nitrogen fixation was also examined using the natural abundance method. The delta15N values of foliage collected at 10 years were grouped according to the mycorrhizal status of the host plant. Therefore the discrimination of 15N during transfer from mycorrhizae to the host plant appeared to vary with mycorrhizal status, and the natural abundance of 15N was not used to quantify N fixation. Rates of N and P cycling in litterfall were significantly higher in stands containing at least 25% A. mearnsii (more than 31 kg N ha-1 yr-1 and more than 0.68 kg P ha-1 yr-1) compared to E. globulus monocultures (24 kg N ha-1 yr-1 and 0.45 kg P ha-1 yr-1). Rates of litter decomposition and N and P release were about twice as high in 1:1 mixtures compared to E. globulus monocultures and were even higher in A. mearnsii monocultures. It is therefore important to select N-fixing species that are capable of cycling nutrients quickly between the plant and soil, and that have readily decomposable litter. The total belowground C allocation was not significantly different between mixtures and monocultures (14 to 16 Mg C ha-1 yr-1). However, since aboveground net primary production was greater in 1:1 mixtures, the changes in nutrient availability appears to have increased total productivity (both above- and belowground), and reduced the proportion of C allocated belowground in mixtures compared to E. globulus monocultures. In a pot trial containing mixtures of E. globulus and A. mearnsii both species grew larger in mixture than in monoculture at low N levels, and mixtures were more productive than monocultures. However, at high N levels, E. globulus suppressed A. mearnsii and mixtures were less productive than E. globulus monocultures. Similar effects were found for high and low levels of P. Therefore resource availability can have a strong influence on the interactions and growth of mixtures. The productivity of mixtures may only be increased on sites where the resource for which competition is reduced in mixture is a major limiting growth resource. For example, if N is not a limiting growth factor then an increase in N availability from N-fixation may not increase growth, and the N-fixing species may compete for other resources such as soil P, moisture or light. This study has shown that mixtures containing a N-fixing trees and a non-N-fixing trees can be more productive than monocultures, but that this increase in productivity will only occur on certain sites. Examination of the growth, interactions and processes that occurred in mixtures in this study provide useful information that can aid the selection of species combinations and sites.

This study quantifies discolouration on the surface of Pinus radiata boards during kiln drying, particularly kiln brown stain (KBS), and models it as a function of chemical compounds present in the wood closest to the surface. The discolouration was investigated with two experimental factors: drying time, which consisted in drying at 70/120 ℃ for 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours; and leaching, done at three levels, noleaching, mild and severe, to reduce the soluble compounds present in wood suspected of developing coloured compounds. The colour change was quantified using a reflectance photometer (colour system CIE Yxy, brightness) and by the analysis of digital photographs (colour system CIE Lab). The chemical analysis of the wood closest to the surface of the boards determined fructose, glucose, sucrose (HPLC), total sugar (sum of fructose, glucose and sucrose), total nitrogen (combustion gas analysis), and phenols discriminated by molecular weight (Folin-Ciocalteu method). In the cause-effect analysis, colour was the dependent variable, and drying time and the determinations of chemical compounds were independent variables. After statistical analysis (ANOVA and MANOVA) the dependent variables to be included in the models were luminance factor (Y), brightness (R457 and the blue-to-yellow scale of CIE Lab (b); and the independent variables were drying time, nitrogen, total sugar, and high-molecular-weight phenols. Linear (multivariate regression) and non-linear models (Neural Networks) showed that discolouration during kiln drying was best predicted when the luminance factor (Y) was used to quantify colour change as a function of the content of nitrogen-containing compounds and drying time. Furthermore, the data were fitted into an empirical model based on simple reaction kinetics that considered the rate of discolouration as a function of nitrogen concentration. The results suggest that nitrogen could act as a limiting reactant in Maillard-type reactions that produce colour during kiln drying.

Content removed from thesis due to copyright restrictions: Schwelm, A., Barron, N. J., Zhang, S. & Bradshaw, R. E. (in press). Early expression of aflatoxin-like dothistromin genes in the forest pathogen Dothistroma septosporum. / Dothistroma septosporum causes pine needle blight, a foliar disease currently causing epidemics in the Northern hemisphere. D. septosporum synthesizes dothistromin, a mycotoxin similar in structure to the aflatoxin (AF) precursor versicolorin B. Orthologs of AF genes, required for the biosynthesis of dothistromin, have been identified along with others that are speculated to be involved in the same pathway. The dothistromin genes are located on a mini-chromosome in Dothistroma septosporum but, in contrast to AF genes, not in a continuous cluster. The aim of this study was to increase knowledge of the biological role of dothistromin, which was previously a suspected pathogenicity factor. To identify putative roles of dothistromin, the dothistromin gene expression was investigated and green fluorescence protein (GFP) reporter gene strains of D. septosporum were developed. Expression analyses of dothistromin genes revealed co-regulation. More surprisingly, dothistromin is produced at an early stage of growth and gene expression is highest during exponential growth. This is fundamentally different to the late exponential/stationary phase expression usually seen with secondary metabolites such as AF. Strains with a dothistromin gene (dotA) promoter-regulated GFP confirmed early expression of the toxin genes, even in spores and germtubes. Parallel studies with transformants containing a GFP-DotA fusion protein suggest spatial organization of dothistromin biosynthesis in intracellular vesicles. The early expression of dothistromin genes led to the hypotheses that dothistromin is either required in the early stage of the plant/fungi interaction, or for inhibiting the growth of competing fungi. Constitutive GFP strains helped to determine that dothistromin is not a pathogenicity factor. However, a putative role of dothistromin in competition with other fungi, including pine-colonizing species, was detected, supporting the second hypothesis. It was shown that dothistromin-producing strains appear to have a competitive advantage which is lacking in dothistromin-deficient strains. However, some competitors were not affected and have potential as biocontrol agents. In summary, this work has led to the discovery of an unusual pattern of regulation of a secondary metabolite, has made substantial progress in identifying the biological role of dothistromin, and has indicated potential for biocontrol of Dothistroma needle blight.

The increased soil organic phosphorus (P) mineralization observed under trees compared to pasture has been attributed to the contrasting mycorrhizal associations of the two systems but to date, little work has been conducted comparing P dynamics under different tree species with contrasting mycorrhizal associations. This study investigated rhizosphere P dynamics and P acquisition of three tree species with contrasting mycorrhizal associations (ectomycorrhizal Pinus radiata, arbuscular mycorrhizal Cupressus macrocarpa and tripartite Ecualyptus nitens) using a combination of field and controlled environment studies. Short-term field studies revealed greater acid phosphomonoesterase activity and therefore greater potential organic P mineralization under radiata pine and eucalypt compared with macrocarpa, which correlated with ectomycorrhizal colonization. Related field work revealed that the presence of pasture understory and litter had a significant impact on P dynamics. Pasture acts to increase phosphatase activity and microbial activity within the soil but with a litter layer, the increased activities are mainly above the soil in the overlying litter. A glasshouse study investigated the separate influence of mycorrhizal hyphae and roots and results showed that ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with radiata pine and eucalypt stimulated microbial activity and increased rhizosphere phosphatase activity with a concomitant decline in soil organic P. Macrocarpa and eucalypt roots exuded higher concentrations of low molecular weight organic anions compared with radiata pine which stimulated microbial activity, increased rhizosphere phosphatase activity and decreased soil organic P. A series of experiments were then conducted to further investigate the precise role of mycorrhizae in P dynamics and results showed that ectomycorrhizal colonization increased rhizosphere acid phosphomonoesterase to a greater extent than arbuscular mycorrhizae. Fluorescent staining revealed that the mycorrhizae associated with all three species had similar phosphatase production capacities. The ability of the three species to utilize organic P was investigated in two exhaustive pot experiments. Radiata pine was shown to be the best adapted to utilize organic P, especially in soils with high relative organic P contents. Eucalypt appeared to enhance soil organic P mineralization but did not take up the released inorganic P, while macrocarpa caused limited organic P mineralization compared with radiata pine and eucalypt. This work shows that ectomycorrhizal trees are best adapted to utilize organic P through increased rhizosphere phosphatase activity and stimulated microbial activity. Root exudation of LMWOAs is of higher relative importance to arbuscular mycorrhizal trees to increase microbial activity and consequently phosphatase activities when fewer hyphae are in the rhizosphere are present to produce them.

Production of Pinus radiata is a major contributor to New Zealand's economy and new plantings are a valuable carbon sink. Phosphorus (P) deficiency and high P fixing capacity of some volcanic ash soils (e.g. Allophanic Soil) may constrain radiata productivity. This thesis investigates the role of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) root processes in the acquisition of P by P. radiata fiom native soil and soil fertilised with two reactive phosphate rock (RPR) fertilisers. The application of finely-divided RPRs to a P deficient Allophanic Soil significantly increased P. radiata seedling growth and P uptake in 10 month pot trials. RPR dissolution was high in this soil, and it was further enhanced by the radiata rhizosphere processes. The development and formation of ECM in radiata seedlings was stimulated by low rates of RPR application but was hindered in unfertilised soils and high rates of RPR application. The P. radiata ECM roots induced acidification and increased oxalate concentration and phosphatase activities in the rhizosphere soil. These changes in rhizosphere biochemical properties were associated with enhanced solubilisation of fertiliser and soil inorganic P and increased mineralisation of organic P, leading to increased P bioavailability in the rhizosphere. ECM inoculation of P. radiata roots with Rhizopogen rubescens and Suillus luteus stimulated production of phosphatase enzymes and oxalate and induced acidification in the rhizosphere. The extent of root-induced changes in the rhizosphere soils was associated with ECM hyphae length density. A technique using pulse labelling of radiata shoots with 14CO2 showed promise in estimating the active ECM hyphae density. The 14C activity was highly correlated with ECM hyphae density measured by an agar film technique. Overall, observations made in this thesis indicate that sparingly soluble forms of organic and inorganic P in soils low in plant-available P are readily solubilised and utilised for P. radiata growth through ECM rhizosphere processes.