Our Projects

The first four years of the A Lighter Touch programme has seen a broad range of projects funded, some specific to a particular plant product group, and others having benefits across multiple crops and sectors. Many are focused on particular pests or diseases, some are evaluating spray residues, and others focus on the use of beneficial organisms and biodiverse planting to help manage insect pests. A brief summary is provided for each project, categorised here under Completed, In Progress and Upcoming. These project pages will continue to be updated with latest developments and results over the coming months.

This Quick Reference Guide is designed to easily identify pests and diseases that A Lighter Touch co-funded projects are targeting.

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Completed Projects

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Soilborne disease control in squash

Completed

Pan sector

Soilborne disease control in squash

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Soilborne disease control, specifically Fusarium oxysporum, is the most important crop protection gap for participating sectors. Two field trials were…

New fungicide residue trials in broad beans

Completed

Pan sector

New fungicide residue trials in broad beans

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Botrytis is a significant issue in many crops including broad beans. The imminent demise of the only viable option (carbendazim)…

Sclerotinia control in dwarf beans

Completed

Pan sector

Sclerotinia control in dwarf beans

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The demise of chemistry available for the control of Sclerotinia in field beans has left this crop significantly exposed. This…

Downy mildew control in spinach

Completed

Vegetables NZ

Downy mildew control in spinach

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Downy mildew is the most important pest or disease control gap in spinach in New Zealand. Where conditions favour the…

Bacterial head rot control in broccoli

Completed

Pan sector

Bacterial head rot control in broccoli

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Bacterial disease was ranked as a concern in crop protection for several sectors. Five field trials were undertaken to evaluate…

Thrip control in onions

Completed

Pan sector

Thrip control in onions

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Thrips were identified by several sectors as an area of concern for crop protection. Four field trials were conducted to…

Insecticide residues in summerfruit

Completed

Summerfruit NZ

Insecticide residues in summerfruit

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Chlorpyrifos may no longer be a sustainable option for summerfruit growers given its incompatibility with integrated pest management (IPM) practices,…

Biodiverse planting in perennial crops

Completed

A Lighter Touch

Biodiverse planting in perennial crops

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The aim of this project was to develop an understanding of how overall biodiversity and specific natural enemies could be…

In Progress Projects

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All In Progress

Bacterial disease control

In Progress

Passionfruit NZ, Summerfruit NZ, Vegetables NZ

Bacterial disease control

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This project is focusing on bacterial disease control in three crops, passionfruit, broccoli and summerfruit. Trial work in spring and…

Unlocking potential of organic compounds

In Progress

Pan sector

Unlocking potential of organic compounds

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This project involves the screening of some organic compounds as potential controls for bacterial pathogens. It is an extension of…

Mealybug control in persimmons

In Progress

NZ Persimmon Industry Council

Mealybug control in persimmons

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This project with the New Zealand Persimmon Industry Council will evaluate bioinsecticide options for control of mealybugs in persimmons. Three…

Control of Black field cricket

In Progress

Vegetables NZ

Control of Black field cricket

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Black field cricket is a serious pest for vegetables (especially kūmara) and pasture in northern areas of New Zealand. Black…

Summerfruit under-canopy planting

In Progress

Summerfruit NZ

Summerfruit under-canopy planting

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This project established understory planting in summerfruit orchards to enhance orchard biodiversity and examine whether associated co-benefits from these plantings…