Genomics: Animal-Plant-Soil Microbiome

This presentation proposes research to test the hypothesis: efficient use of nitrogen in a RG-WC dairy production system is controlled by the composition, activity and interaction between soil, plant and animal microbiomes that mediate nitrogen transactions in these environments.
Research questions:
• What are the main structural and functional characteristics of agricultural microbiomes and how do they respond to increasing levels of nitrogenous fertiliser?
• What are the key soil-plant-animal microbiome interactions that impact on improved pasture and animal productivity and on water quality?
• Which features of agricultural microbiomes can be managed to improve productivity and water quality?
• Are there bio-indicators of microbiome interactions that can be used to track agricultural productivity and water quality?