Scientists from the University of Waikato and Plant & Food Research in New Zealand are investigating the potential of local seaweed species to offer protection against plant diseases and climate change impacts on agriculture. Dr Marie Magnusson, Dr Christopher Glasson, and Dr Joel Vanneste are at the forefront of this research, focusing on the benefits of seaweed-derived sugars. This initiative has garnered a $11.4 million Endeavour Fund grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, recognizing its potential to benefit New Zealand's primary sector.
The research team has identified that polysaccharides in New Zealand seaweed act as elicitors in kiwifruit, triggering plant defense mechanisms against pathogens like Psa, which previously inflicted significant economic damage on the kiwifruit industry. These elicitors, likened to vaccines in humans, prime plants to be more resilient to diseases and environmental stresses such as drought and temperature extremes.
Dr Vanneste highlighted the value of such elicitors as a form of insurance for growers, allowing for peace of mind without limiting the use of other control methods. The goal, according to Dr Magnusson, is to develop seaweed-derived products that offer a low-impact alternative to synthetic chemicals in crop protection, aligning with industry concerns over environmental and health impacts.
The efficacy of these products will be tested on kiwifruit, apples, and tomatoes, with plans to expand to other crops. The project also integrates with Māori-led research to ensure the development of bioproducts from taonga species adheres to best practice frameworks. Zespri International Limited has acknowledged the potential benefits of this research for the kiwifruit industry and beyond, emphasizing the importance of low-impact crop protection products.
Source: The University of Waikato