Research@Lincoln
Research@Lincoln is an open access institutional repository collecting the research produced by Lincoln University staff and students. You may also be interested in Data@Lincoln or Lincoln University Living Heritage.
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Recent Submissions
Item Restricted Biocontrol of tomato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) using individual application of Trichoderma atroviride or Engytatus nicotianae and their combination(2024-11-15)The management of tomato potato psyllid (TPP), Bactericera cockerelli, is problematic because of pesticide resistance and environmental issues. Engytatus nicotianae has shown promising predatory effect on TPP in glasshouses. Trichoderma isolates have been reported to alter the behaviour of pests or their enemies by modifying plant defence metabolites such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We investigated the individual and combined efficacy of Trichoderma atroviride and E. nicotianae against TPP abundance and across different developmental stages (eggs, nymphs, adults) and the number of infested leaves in glasshouse grown tomatoes. Plant VOC emissions were also investigated under the different treatments. Across all measured TPP stages the treatments (E. nicotianae alone, T. atroviride alone, and T. atroviride + E. nicotianae) significantly reduced mean TPP counts relative to the control but there were no significant differences in VOC emissions among the treatments. Trichoderma atroviride alone was less effective than E. nicotianae alone or its combination with Trichoderma atroviride to suppress TPP populations. The combined use of T. atroviride + E. nicotianae did not show significant advantages over the use of E. nicotianae alone in supressing TPP suggesting the combined use may need to be assessed for other advantages of Trichoderma to crop including growth promotion or pathogen defence.Item Restricted Can fungal volatile organic compounds (FVOCs) provide control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in potato?(2024-11-15)Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most devastating soil-borne pathogens of potato in the world, causing white mould disease. In vitro experiments suggest that two fungal organic compounds (FVOCs) from Trichoderma atroviride “type B” have an antagonistic effect on S. sclerotiorum. The main objective of this study is to evaluate these two FVOCs for bio-control of this pathogen in three environmental conditions: in a glasshouse, a controlled environment and in the field. S. sclerotiorum inoculum will be grown in wheat bran and mixed into the growing medium before the potato tubers are planted. The FVOCs will be infused into an alginate: silicate system as beads then applied adjacent to the tubers. Disease progression in the ‘pathogen only’ control and for the two FVOC treatments will be recorded throughout the growing season. At harvest, yield will be determined and both leaf and tuber samples taken for analysis: chitinase, B-1,3 glucanase, protease inhibitors, phenolic compounds, peroxidase and catalase activity will be recorded, and a transcriptome analysis will be conducted to determine any up/down regulation of genes related to plant defence systems. Our hypothesis is that one or both FVOCs will, via chemical signalling, allow the potato plant to upregulate its defence pathways, and thus better withstand the pathogen attack.Item Restricted Harnessing Trichoderma to enhance drought resilience in grapevines: a strategy for combating climate change(2024-11-15)As climate change intensifies, grape-growing regions in New Zealand face increasing drought challenges. To sustain grape production and wine quality, new strategies are needed to enhance grapevine resilience. One promising solution is using soil beneficial microbes like Trichoderma to improve drought tolerance in grapevines. This study investigated the effects of Trichoderma on young, grafted Sauvignon Blanc grapevines under controlled glasshouse conditions. Grapevines were planted in four different soil types, including Temuka_50a.1 soil from Marlborough, known for its high water-holding capacity and vulnerability to waterlogging. Two sets of plants were established for each soil type: one treated with Trichoderma and a control group without inoculation. Using long-read amplicon sequencing, the microbial communities in the soil were analysed. The treated grapevines exhibited enhanced root growth and drought resilience, producing more root biomass and maintaining growth with less water. However, no significant changes were observed in physiological functions like stomatal conductance and photosynthesis during the six-month trial. This suggests that while Trichoderma improves root development and water use efficiency, its effects on grapevine physiology may be limited in the short term. Overall, Trichoderma shows potential for helping grapevines cope with drier conditions.Item Open Access The relationship between community engagement in urban waterway management and community well-being(Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury., 2019-03-20)The Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management was engaged by Christchurch City Council to review the published international literature on collaborative community management of urban water resources in order to: highlight the social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that communities can derive from participation in collaborative management efforts; and present examples of monitoring frameworks or key indicators used to measure the contribution of such engagement and collaboration for community well-being. The key conclusion and recommendation to emerge from this review is that collaborative environmental community groups do provide a range of social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits, therefore they should be supported by agencies normally responsible for environmental management. Almost every study reviewed provided recommendations for collaborative group success. In light of this, the following recommendations summarise key messages from the literature, and might inform agencies considering supporting such groups.Item Open Access Behaviour change programmes for prevention of urban stormwater contamination: A literature review(Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury., 2019-05-08)Environmental quality is inextricably linked to human behaviour patterns (Steg & Vlek, 2009). The numerous problems – global warming, water and air pollution, loss of biodiversity – that pose a threat to environmental sustainability are the result of human behaviours (Vlek & Steg, 2007). It is therefore argued that these problems can be addressed by changing behaviour patterns (Steg & Vlek, 2009), though there is increasing debate about whether this is best achieved by focusing on the individual, or on the structures and systems that influence individuals to behave in certain ways (e.g. Shove 2010). Behaviour and behaviour change have emerged as key areas of interest for national and local governments (Morris, Marzano, Dandy, & O'Brien, 2012b), and Christchurch City Council has commissioned this review of the international literature to ascertain what behaviour change approaches have been applied in New Zealand and beyond in the area of stormwater, how these have been evaluated and assessed, and how effective they have been.
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