Towards an understanding of interactions between serrated tussock ('Nassella trichotoma') and soil fungal communities

Abstract

Serrated tussock ('Nassella trichotoma') is a grass of South American origin that has become a weed of pastures in southeastern Australia. It has been designated a weed of national significance (Thorp and Lynch 2000), and has been the subject of considerable research. However, so far little research effort has been directed towards understanding the interactions between serrated tussock and fungal communities in the soil. This PhD project is currently in its early stages, but already the literature review has suggested a range of possibilities for exploring plant-fungus interactions for this species.