Latest fromPlant and Food Research

Nightmare for elm trees in Te Awamutu
A fatal and fast-spreading tree fungus has been discovered in Waipa.

Vegetables push through silt left behind by Cyclone Gabrielle
Plant and Food Research is trying to work out how to 'use the silt to our advantage'.

2D trees lead to boost in yield for fruit growers
"For apples, it's about double and for cherries, it's about a 50 per cent increase."

Picking the right houseplant to boost your mental health
Owning houseplants can brighten our lives - but not all plants have the same effect.

Food forest fiends spoil free fruit initiative
Unappetising behaviour has spoiled fruit bound for the community.

Putting the “prove” in provenance
Scientists ensure Kiwi food exports are quality, safe & desired because they come from NZ.

Digital orchard will bear fruit
New technologies to help produce food in the face of big issues.

Healthy land for healthy food
Key NZ research aims to provide more food, more sustainably.

Hospitality awards 2023 finalists announced
There are 20 categories from which the overall supreme winner will be chosen.

'Uncharted territory': Why Cyclone Gabrielle will kill fruit trees for years to come
“There’s not a lot of information about what to do - it's uncharted territory."

Insects key weapon against food wastage
Feeding waste to flies (and flies to fish) new move against waste.

Plants cry out when they need watering - but humans can’t hear them
Recordings show plants make ultrasonic popping noises likely heard by insects and mammals.

Weaving traditional knowledge into caring for native plant life in Kapiti
Kapiti Coast weavers are teaching local council about native plant care.

How NZ tops Australia - again
Aussie wheat is the best? Think again says research group.

Tiny wasp's sci-fi star role
Horror movie parallels in the use of nature to control unwanted horticultural pests.

Where would we be without bees?
Honey bees threat overstated – but new research is protecting colonies.