Native seed catalogue

Agathis australis Kauri

This guide is based on a literature review. It compiles information from various sources. Different sources may offer varying advice and findings.

Propagation summary

Relatively good viability. Uncertainties with sowing to germination time frame and long-term storage. Can be grown from both grafting and tissue culture.

Seed propagation category

Moderate.

Geographical distribution

Found in warm temperate areas of the North Island.⁽¹⁾

Reproductive system

Dioecious – can only collect seeds from female plants.⁽¹⁾

Seed collection

Abundant and regular seed crops.⁽²⁾ Female cones ripen in late summer.^(1),⁽³⁾ Collect mature whole cones before they disintegrate and store until they open.^(4), ⁽⁵⁾

Seed storage

Intermediate.⁽⁶⁾ Seeds do not store well.⁽⁷⁾ Seeds were reported to have a 79% germination success rate if stored for up to 6 years in airtight conditions at 5°C with about 6% moisture.⁽²⁾ Lower moisture content shown to benefit germination.⁽⁸⁾

Seed dormancy

No dormancy.⁽²⁾

Pre-sowing treatments

Seeds need to be dewinged (wing-like extensions must be removed).⁽²⁾ Soaking seeds in water for 18–48 hours before sowing can speed up germination.⁽⁵⁾

Seed viability

88% of fresh seeds are viable.⁽²⁾

Germination

8 days to first germination.⁽⁵⁾ 25% germination rate at 8 weeks after sowing, then drops to less than 10%.⁽⁹⁾ Highly variable germination from different trees and seed collection years.⁽⁵⁾

Propagation techniques

Can be propagated in vitro.⁽¹⁰⁾ Highest germination rates are between 19–27 °C.⁽⁷⁾ When the temperature is below 15 °C, the germination rate is slower, and the mortality rate is higher.⁽⁵⁾ Possible to propagate by side or top-wedge grafting.⁽¹¹⁾

Site sensitivity

Poorly developed root system, prefers moist fertile soils.⁽⁵⁾

Susceptibility to disease and pests

Susceptible to 4 phytophthora species⁽¹²⁾, including kauri dieback (Phytophthora agathidicida).⁽¹⁰⁾ Seed-eating moth.⁽¹³⁾ Fungi and insects can cause localised damage.⁽¹⁾

Research opportunities

Germination, seed storage, and vegetative propagation need further investigation.

Information about the native seed profiles

All species names are in the following order: scientific name, common name, and Māori name. Names may vary by region. We have tried to use the most common names across New Zealand.

We have sourced photos from different websites and creators. We have used the images under different licences. These include Public Domain and Creative Commons licenses. For Agathis australis, the image details are:

Photo by (c) Miguel A. Casado – some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Original image

The basis for each seed profile is a literature review carried out by Scion. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service commissioned and worked on the review to produce a native seed catalogue. The full seed catalogue is on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Native afforestation research programme: Seed propagation catalogue

References

Steward, G A; Beveridge, A E (2012) A review of New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis (D.Don) Lindl.): its ecology, growth and potential for management for timber. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science. 40, 33–59.

Preest, D (1979) Seed storage of several New Zealand indigenous trees – Kauri (Agathis australis). New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 9(3), 337–343.

Aitken-Christie, J; Platt, G C (1992) Agathis australis: a new era for kauri propagation. Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators' Society 42, 63–69.

Department of Conservation. Seed collection and propagation guide for native trees and shrubs, Department of Conservation. Accessed 17 October 2024.

Bergin, D; Steward, G (2004) Kauri: establishment, growth, and management. New Zealand Indigenous Tree Bulletin No.2 New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited. Rotorua, New Zealand.

Wyse, S V; Carlin, T F; Etherington, T R; Faruk, A; Dickie, J B; Bellingham, P J (2024) Can seed banking assist in conserving the highly endemic New Zealand indigenous flora? Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC23029.

Olsen, M; Millner, J; Ries, T; Douglas, B (2024) Native afforestation: Review of germination. MPI Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service Technical Paper No: 2024/03.

Fountain, D W; Outred, H A (1991) Germination requirements of New Zealand native plants: a review. New Zealand Journal of Botany 29(3), 311–316.

Ford, C; Lloyd, A (2023) Germination of native species seed after cold treatment, surface sterilisation and soaking in 1% hydrogen peroxide. MPI Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service Technical Paper No 2023/01.

10.

Gough, K; Hargreaves, C; Steward, G; Menzies, M; Low, C; Dungey, H (2012) Micropropagation of kauri (Agathis australis (D.Don.) Lindl.): in vitro stimulation of shoot and root development and the effect of rooting hormone application method. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 42, 107–116.

11.

Metcalf, L J (1995) The propagation of New Zealand native plants. Godwit; Auckland, New Zealand.

12.

Horner, I J; Hough, E G (2014) Pathogenicity of four Phytophthora species on kauri: in vitro and glasshouse trials. New Zealand Plant Protection 67, 54-59.

13.

Bowen, M; Whitmore, T (1980) A second look at Agathis. Commonwealth Forestry Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, England.

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