13 Nov 2019

Identifying Myrtle Rust is like finding a needle in a haystack

From First Up, 5:22 am on 13 November 2019

Trying to identify plants infected with Myrtle rust can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But researchers at the crown institute, Scion, think they have found a tool which will help scientists and conservationists - drones carrying advanced sensors. Scion's Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle programme manager, Robin Hartley, says the drones can assess the impacts of this invasive rust disease on the upper parts of the forest canopy that would otherwise be inaccessible. He spoke to RNZ rural reporter, Maja Burry, about the project.