Grassroots innovation: celebrating AgResearch’s advances in endophyte science - CANTERBURY

A talk by Dr Linda Johnson and Dr David Hume

A research team from AgResearch Palmerston North has recently won the prestigious Prime Minister’s Science Prize for their decades-long work developing new endophytes that enhance ryegrass – the most commonly sown pasture grass on New Zealand farms. Endophytes are microorganisms that live within plants, benefiting both the plant and the microorganism.

One of the endophytes the team discovered, known as AR37, promotes the growth of ryegrass and protects it from pests and diseases—without causing significant health issues or lowered productivity in grazing animals—delivering significant advantages for the farming sector.

Come along to support the winners of this prestigious prize and hear the fascinating story about their research journey – one that has had a profound impact on New Zealand’s agricultural sector and economy.

Proudly supported by Royal Society Te Apārangi and the Canterbury Branch, Prime Minister’s Science Prizes, AgResearch and Lincoln University.