Journal
PLANT PATHOLOGY
Volume 69, Issue 1, Pages 3-16Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/ppa.13104
Keywords
Agathis australis; disease impact; forest health; kauri dieback; oomycete; traditional indigenous knowledge
Categories
Funding
- New Zealand (NZ) Ministry for Primary Industries
- NZ Tertiary Education Commission, through the Bio-Protection Research Centre
- NZ National Science Challenge (Biological Heritage Nga Koiora Tuku Iho), Kauri Rescue
- NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Healthy Trees, Healthy Future
- Kauri Dieback Programme
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Kauri (Agathis australis), which is one of the world's largest and longest-living conifer species, is under threat from a root and collar dieback disease caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida. The noted incidence of kauri dieback has increased in the past decade, and even trees >1000 years old are not immune. This disease has profound effects on both forest ecosystems and human society, particularly indigenous Maori, for whom kauri is a taonga or treasure of immense significance. This review brings together existing scientific knowledge about the pathogen and the devastating disease it causes, as well as highlighting important knowledge gaps and potential approaches for disease management. The life cycle of P. agathidicida is similar to those of other soilborne Phytophthora pathogens, with roles for vegetative hyphae, zoospores and oospores in the disease. However, there is comparatively little known about many aspects of the biology of P. agathidicida, such as its host range and disease latency, or about the impact on the disease of abiotic and biotic factors such as soil health and co-occurring Phytophthora species. This review discusses current and emerging tools and strategies for surveillance, diagnostics and management, including a consideration of genomic resources, and the role these play in understanding the pathogen and how it causes this deadly disease. Key aspects of indigenous Maori knowledge, which include rich ecological and historical knowledge of kauri forests and a holistic approach to forest health, are highlighted.
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