ScienceNZ: Crops & Flowers

AmaizeN tool launched

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:46:38 GMT

After three years of development and comprehensive in-field testing, a new crop management tool for maize grain and silage production is available.

Genetic data promises new future for kiwifruit

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:57:09 GMT

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

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:50:10 GMT

A $4m dollar investment in HortResearch science hopes to open a new export market for New Zealand apricots worth $15m each year.

Exotic new mushroom crop commercially harvested

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:48:11 GMT

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

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:07:13 GMT

With the help of Crop & Food Research, New Zealand has built up an $80 million export business in fresh potato and processed potato products like frozen French fries.

Environment-friendly tools for lettuce growers

Mon, 26 May 2008 21:15:44 GMT

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

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:33:30 GMT

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

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:45:47 GMT

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.

$1m project to tap native plant potential

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:11:15 GMT

Flavours used in traditional Maori cooking – and possibly some brand-new flavours – could soon enter trendy cuisine and earn export dollars.

Orchid industry anticipates automation boost

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:03:13 GMT

Automation and machinery may seem an anathema when considering the delicate and ethereal beauty of the orchid. But an Auckland orchid grower is endeavouring to bring the two together to create a more high-tech and efficient orchid export industry for New Zealand.

Making red lilies bloom earlier for Christmas markets

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:19:59 GMT

The bright red Opal lily cultivars can be sold into the lucrative Christmas markets around the world thanks to work by a Crop & Food Research scientist who has discovered how to make it flower several weeks earlier.

Potato growers invest in future capability

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:54:53 GMT

New Zealand’s potato growers are investing for the future by launching four new PhD research programmes for postgraduate students. The students will be recruited to work on specific projects with the country’s leading potato and potato disease scientists at Crop & Food Research.

Organic food industry revived on East Coast, North Island

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:36:08 GMT

Crop & Food Research scientists are helping organic growers to expand their businesses and to build on strong cropping traditions.

New food concepts research leader at Crop & Food Research

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:37:21 GMT

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.

A versatile tool for better potato management

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:44:03 GMT

A potato calculator that matches nitrogen fertiliser to crop demand and reduces leaching has been developed with funding from Horticulture NZ Potato Product Group and Ballance Agri Nutrients.

IRL scientist's breakthrough leads to burgeoning billion dollar cranberry industry

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:42:18 GMT

Groundbreaking research by Lower Hutt scientist Dr Lai Yeap Foo into the chemical compounds of the cranberry that inhibit urinary tract infection has resulted in soaring global demand in cranberry-based products.

New initiative for forage brassicas

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:26:20 GMT

The future of forage brassicas and their important role in New Zealand pastoral farming has been secured by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which will lead to the creation of a joint venture between Crop & Food Research and PGG Wrightson Seeds.

$7.2 research investment backs fruit's healthy image

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:49:56 GMT

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

Introduction of new crops changed our landscape

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 01:43:57 GMT

The New Zealand landscape and exports changed as Ruakura scientist Jim Douglas introduced new horticultural crops in the latter years of his diverse career. His contribution to agriculture and latterly horticulture was recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours when he was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Top NZ Kiwifruit Scientist Honoured

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:34:03 GMT

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.