Crops & Flowers
New Thinking
Investment boost for apple & pear sector
The Government has announced a $21.6 million joint venture investment between Prevar and Plant and Food Research into a seven-year project to develop new apple and pear varieties to boost New Zealand's export potential.
Commercial science benefits NZ
Plant & Food researcher wins first ever MacDiarmid Award for research with the most potential for commercialisation.
$1m project to tap native plant potential
Flavours used in traditional Maori cooking – and possibly some brand-new flavours – could soon enter trendy cuisine and earn export dollars.
New food concepts research leader at Crop & Food Research
Dr Lee Huffman is the newly appointed Research Leader for Food Concepts at Crop & Food Research. Dr Huffman brings to the role her experience in developing and commercialising protein ingredients, sports nutrition beverages and snack bars and taking them to market.
Science for the future
New Zealand's future as a food exporting nation depends on producing top quality raw materials and products - backed by
Ginseng to tempt Asia market
People have been "dabbling" in ginseng in New Zealand since at least the 1970s, says Graeme Parmenter, who heads Crop & Food Research's ginseng programme.
Maori scholarship awarded
Crop & Food Research has awarded Neola Whalley a Maori Scholarship to assist the development of best practice organic farming on the East Coast.
New fruits needed to fight snack food threat
HortResearch believes new fruit varieties will play a key role in ensuring fruit remains a key part of a health, balanced diet.
New pipfruit varieties set to excite Europe
HortResearch and industry join forces to take New Zealand innovation to the European apple and pear market.
New glasshouses to fight invasive species
The establishment of state-of-the-art glasshouses at AgResearch's Ruakura campus will help combat invasive species that threaten New Zealand's pastorally-based economy.
New Science
New potato technology presented at World Potato Congress
Potato growers in New Zealand and overseas are set to save hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to new technology developed by scientists at Plant & Food Research.
Genetic data promises new future for kiwifruit
Kiwifruit lovers can look forward to new, novel forms of their favourite fruit thanks to the release this week of crucial genetic data which fruit breeders say will help them naturally breed new varieties with increased health properties and exciting colours and flavours.
Sumptuous Summerfruit targets European market niche
A $4m dollar investment in HortResearch science hopes to open a new export market for New Zealand apricots worth $15m each year.
$7.2 research investment backs fruit's healthy image
Research into new health products made with fruit extracts, as well as studies to support development and expansion of New Zealand's global kiwifruit and apple markets are among science programmes to benefit from a multi-million dollar investment package announced this month
Top NZ Kiwifruit Scientist Honoured
HortResearch scientist Dr Ross Ferguson, renowned as a world authority on kiwifruit biology, has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to the kiwifruit industry.
No more free lunch for caterpillars
Crop and Food Research is seeking permission to trial caterpillar resistant cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and forage kale.
Fruit challenges dairy for gut health
New Value
New pear cultivar makes commercial debut
Velvetine, a new pear bred by Plant & Food Research, will make its commercial debut this season.
Going bananas
The need to treat small volumes of fruits with a ripening gas has resulted in a breakthrough by Plant and Food scientists
Government investment recognises wine industry success
The Sauvignon Blanc Programme - the world’s most comprehensive research investigation into Sauvignon blanc grapes and wine - is set to build upon the discoveries of recent years and offer new tools to New Zealand’s wine industry thanks to $12 million of new funding.
$35.7 million investment in kiwifruit research consortium
AmaizeN tool launched
After three years of development and comprehensive in-field testing, a new crop management tool for maize grain and silage production is available.
Exotic new mushroom crop commercially harvested
Throw together top scientists from Crop & Food Research, mix in a company prepared to invest in an exotic new crop, and you have got a recipe for a brand new export industry.
Science takes NZ spuds to the world
With the help of Crop & Food
Environment-friendly tools for lettuce growers
Lettuce growers have a number of practical new tools at their disposal thanks to a large science programme involving entomologists from Crop & Food Research.
International award for New Zealand technology
A lure for thrips, an insect pest that targets onion, capsicum and aubergine crops, developed at Crop & Food Research in partnership with colleagues from the Netherlands, has won an innovation award at an international horticultural exhibition.
Scientists breed varroa 'resistant' bees
A sustainable and cost-effective tool to control the varroa mite may soon be available to New Zealand beekeepers thanks to the efforts of scientists at the Crown Research Institute, HortResearch.
