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Serratia entomophila (Enterobacteriaceae) is a newly described species of bacterium, currently being developed as a biological control agent for the New Zealand grass grub Costelytra zealandica (White) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The bacterium causes amber disease; the larvae stop feeding and develop a characteristic amber coloration before death. Insect pest control by pathogens is often not... [Thesis or Dissertation]

A strategy for sampling soil from intact monolith lysimeters was established based on measurements of spatial heterogeneity within the lysimeter area. This was part of an ongoing study to determine relationships between soil microbial diversity and nutrient loss by leaching. The sampling protocol had to allow collection of soil on a regular basis (as opposed to destructive sampling) and ensure... [Journal Article]

Microbial diversity in soils is considered important for maintaining sustainability of agricultural production systems. However, the links between microbial diversity and ecosystem processes are not well understood. This study was designed to gain better understanding of the effects of short-term management practices on the microbial community and how changes in the microbial community affect... [Journal Article]

Because soil biota is influenced by a number of factors, including land use and management techniques, changing management practices could have significant effects on the soil microbial properties and processes. An experiment was conducted to investigate differences in soil microbiological properties caused by long- and short-term management practices. Intact monolith lysimeters (0.2 m²... [Journal Article]

Low-temperature pyrolysis of biomass produces a product known as biochar. The incorporation of this material into the soil has been advocated as a C sequestration method. Biochar also has the potential to influence the soil N cycle by altering nitrification rates and by adsorbing NH₄⁺ or NH₃. Biochar can be incorporated into the soil during renovation of intensively managed pasture soils.... [Journal Article]

Poster presented at: 11th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME-11) - "The hidden powers – microbial communities in action", August 20-25 2006, Vienna, Austria (Book of abstracts p. A124).Microbial diversity in soils is considered important for maintaining sustainability of agricultural production systems. However, the links between microbial diversity and ecosystem processes are not well understood. This study was designed to gain better understanding on the effect of farm management practices on the microbial community and key soil processes. Two soils with organic and... [Conference Poster]