Our Projects

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 and In Progress. These project pages will continue to be updated with latest developments and results.

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,…