Using living plant collections to study plant-soil microbe interactions

Public gardens are a valuable resource for studying ecological and evolutionary questions. Collections may include focal groups with diverse evolutionary history or a special regional focus. Public gardens allow us to generate species-true seeds, control for maternal environmental variation, and conduct manipulative experiments. We have used living collections to ask: Does the soil microbiome influence disease resistance in 14 Rhododendron species? Because disease resistance and susceptibility occur independently across multiple Rhododendron sections, this approach can determine whether results are general. Public gardens also provide scientists with a unique opportunity to interface with the public and increase public enthusiasm for science.