Process Vegetables NZ

Richard Palmer : Process Vegetables New Zealand general manager

Dr Soonie Chng (left), Process Vegetables New Zealand chair, David Hadfield, and Lincoln University researcher, Zivana King

The second of the vegetable sector roadshows was held in Christchurch on 4 August and opened with a session on process pea research being undertaken, or supported by, Process Vegetables New Zealand (PVNZ).

Unfortunately, Covid-19 struck Dr Bruce Searle, the lead researcher in the pea seed research, but PVNZ chair, David Hadfield, ably stepped in and demonstrated his knowledge of the project by giving a good account of findings to date. Dr Soonie Chng gave a fascinating overview of her first year’s research into cold tolerant rhizobia, highlighting a very long list of isolates that could be useful to promote nitrogen fixation in early sown peas. Zivana King finished off the session, outlining the findings from her PhD research which is aiming to improve our understanding of how pea plants respond to heat stress. She is also looking to establish whether altering the sowing date or inoculating the seeds with Trichoderma can be used to reduce the loss of vigour resulting from heat stress. All researchers noted the challenge of this past season’s weather, a problem well known to pea growers! The Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) project proved particularly interesting to attendees, in particular, the Quick N Test and the nitrogen cycle in rotational crops. The HortPlus presentation also demonstrated to those not already familiar, the opportunity for improved weather information for growers, but also decision-support tools for various pests and diseases which HortPlus provides to some sectors. PVNZ and Vegetables New Zealand are working with others on the possibility for a fall armyworm decision-support tool using this system. Jessica Vereijssen and Melanie Davidson touched on pest and disease control in the third session, discussing integrated pest management (IPM) and the opportunities

Mike Barley from Hortplus presented on the opportunity in areas such as biodiversity plantings to support beneficial insect populations. There was plenty of food for thought on opportunities for the process vegetables sector, including the ’A Lighter Touch’ (ALT) research programme that PVNZ is engaged on looking at biological controls and biopesticides.

The PVNZ session finished with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and recognition of Jim Sim’s service in his capacity as PVNZ director. Jim will be retiring after a long and productive involvement with the sector.

Jim said he had both enjoyed his time on the board and gained a lot personally from the exposure to new ideas, new people and different sectors. With a vacancy now around the PVNZ Board table, the opportunity is there for someone else to realise the opportunities that Jim considered were the true highlight of his service. The day’s presentations ended with a fascinating talk from Clive Kaiser of Lincoln University on United States environmental brands, in particular Salmon-Safe – providing fascinating insights into the rise and fall of pea production in the Columbia River catchment.

A great many thanks to Lynda Banks and Antony Heywood for doing the hard work to turn the roadshows from idea to reality, and to all those who worked to support them to make the event happen.