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

The Royal Society Te Apārangi, its Manawatū Branch and the Prime Minisiter's Science Prizes are proud to present a talk by Dr Linda Johnson and Dr David Hume, winners of the 2024 Prime Minister's Science Prize.

A Manawatū-based research team from AgResearch 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 your regional winner 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 Aparangi, Prime Minister’s Science Prizes and the Manawatū Branch.