Research Seminar - Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Seminar abstract: Successful domination of an ecosystem, or of a particular niche within an ecosystem, requires skill on the part of an organism in restructuring the local environment to suit its growth and reproduction. As humans we have become experts at reconstructing our surroundings to exacting proportions allowing us to colonize almost any part of the earth, be the external environment forbidding or favorable. To greater or lesser extents, all organisms have this ability. A fascinating example of a class of organisms that has refined this ability are the mutualistic ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. These fungi colonize the roots of major tree species where they act as an interface between the plant and the soil environment. This positioning within the rhizosphere gives ECM fungi incredible power as brokers mediating the structure of soil populations and in controling plant physiology. Dr Plett's talk will be an overview of the current knowledge concerning how these fascinating organisms interact with the plant and how this interaction affects other soil fungi, bacteria and nematodes. He will wrap up with how his past work is influencing his current research program and interests at the HIE.

Further information on Dr Jonathan Plett

The seminar will be followed by drinks and nibbles available in the foyer of L9 – all are welcome! We hope to see you all there - no RSVP is required.