Crops
Angelina Sanderson Bellamy: The history of bananas
Dr. Angelina Sanderson Bellamy, an ecologist and a research fellow at Cardiff University, offers a potted history of the banana and the threats it faces. Audio
Measuring the Nitrogen Flow Under Crops
A Plant and Food Research principal scientist says measuring devices that look like giant rain gauges have been buried under crops all around the country to track the amount of nitrogen flowing into… Audio
The cost of covering up: Bees prevented from doing their job
Around three quarters of the world's food crops rely on pollinators like bees - but what happens if they can't actually get to the crop? That's been the subject of a recent study carried out by Plant… Audio, Gallery
A Currant Affair
Tony and Afsaneh Howey have the largest certified organic blackcurrant farm in New Zealand. The South Canterbury couple produce the fruit for their ViBERi range of food products and supplements. Audio
Forage Herbs for Farms
Ruapuna farmers Grant and Jan Early are working with Dairy NZ on a six-year research project to reduce nitrate leaching from soil and degrading water quality. Audio
He's not going FAR
Nick Pyke reflects on two decades at the helm of the Foundation for Arable Research in Christchurch. The outgoing chief executive talks about the evolution of cropping, the challenges he has faced and… Audio
CRISPR crops: the rise of gene edited foods
With the Royal Society soon to release a discussion paper on the use of gene editing in agriculture, we're replaying Simon Morton's 2017 story on how this genetic technique's already being used to… Audio
Can microbes help us grow more food?
Naturally occurring microbes living on plants can be used to boost the yield, nutrition and even taste of corn, soybeans, rice and tomatoes. This Way Up visits a biotech startup manipulating microbes… Audio
Sugar planet: rising CO2 adds carbs to crops
The world is getting sweeter, as rising CO2 levels change not only our climate but our plants. Key crops like rice, wheat, barley and potatoes now contain more sugars and less protein than ever… Audio
Meet the 'food computer'
It's a mini AI-powered hothouse where UV light exposure can be carefully controlled to produce nutritious crops that taste great. Risto Mikkulainen is one of those responsible for designing the AI… Audio, Gallery
Artificial light = pollination peril
A study measures the huge impact artificial light is having on our pollinators, and the effect this is having on our crops and plant productivity. Audio
Fast vaccines
How feeling good rather than stressed out or depressed can give your immune system a boost. Plus a gene discovered in bacteria that harnesses the full power of sunlight could be used to increase crop… Audio
Gene editing crops
Robin McKie of The Observer has been looking at gene edited crops. These may soon be blocked by EU regulators who are deciding if gene edited plants qualify as genetically modified organisms. Audio
Sector Report High Country Sheep, Arable, Cherries
Marlborough hill country farmer David Grigg, Mid-Canterbury cropping farmer David Clark and Tim Jones from 45 South Cherry Orchard in Central Otago. Audio
Salt tolerant potato
Dr Arjen de Vos of Salt Farm Texel in The Netherland has just won a major international award for the development of a potato that can grow in salty soils. Audio
Naked Science Wellington
The second of our Naked Science shows, recorded at the Paramount Theatre in Wellington last month. Five top scientists speak to Simon Morton and Dr Chris Smith about their areas of expertise. The… Audio
Farmer Phil King Purely Dorset Duvets
Phil King is a 70 year old central Hawkes Bay farmer. He's been a champion ram breeder and fat lamb produce, President of the Royal Agricultural Society of NZ and organiser of the AC Cameron Award… Audio