Soil microbial functional gene dataset associated with Agathis australis

Agathis australis (kauri), is currently facing a threat from Phytophthora agathidicida, causing kauri dieback disease and reducing the kauri tree population. Only 1% of the original New Zealand virgin kauri forest remains. Recent studies have shown that soil-borne microorganisms can enhance the trees’ defense mechanisms by competing with pathogens for nutrients, preventing pathogen colonisation, and modulating plant immunity.

This study characterises the functional gene profile in relation to soil microbial diversity of the kauri trees in three distinct environments (Native Forest, Kauri Grove, and Rose Garden) at Auckland Botanic Gardens.