Prepared by: Andrew Barber and Henry Stenning (Agrilink NZ), Trish Fraser and Bruce Searle (PFR). We pulled this article together as we debated the significance of fallow periods on the risk to nitrogen leaching. Is a three-month fallow period riskier than two-months in fallow, and if so, how much riskier? Then the flip side of…
Update No. 11 Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS)Programme update, March 2023: Quarter 2 report, 3rd year. Latest activities Workstream 1 trial resultsThe two Canterbury trial rotations are currently in pasture following the harvest of the ryegrass seed. Nitrogen content of the harvested crop is currently being analysed.Irrigation was applied to both crops at two different rates reflecting different…
Growing vegetables seems to be like juggling while standing on marbles. Then it rains. Built upon many years of research and grower experience the Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) project is developing a nitrogen budgeting tool. A key output will be guidance on fertiliser nitrogen application rates. It is also anticipated that the tool will build…
Sustainable Vegetable Systems Quarterly Report – Programme Governance Group Quarter 1, July – September 2022 Contract Agreement Number: 21859 1.1 Summary of progress during this quarter Workstream 1 – Controlled experimentation to quantify nitrate leaching harvest to meet commercial standards has been developed Workstream 2 – Regional on-farm monitoring Workstream 3 – Farmer facing tool(s)…
POTATOES NEW ZEALAND MEDIA RELEASE Embargoed Date: 18th November 2022 2.30pm Media contact: Trzzn.Pneebyy@cbgngbrfam.pb.am or call 027 240 4682 Re: Vegetable Sector improving nitrogen management The Sustainable Vegetable Systems Programme is in its third year and is making great progress towards improving tools and guidelines for the New Zealand vegetable sector’s nitrogen management. Today is…
Quarterly Report – Programme Governance Group Quarter 4, April – June 2022 Summary of progress during this quarter Workstream 1 – Controlled experimentation to quantify nitrate leaching ‘Nui’ ryegrass seed crop sown into both Rotations 1 and 2 at Lincoln. This is the final crop for these rotations. 50:50 mix of ‘Asset’ and ‘Tama’ ryegrass…
Update No. 8 Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS)Programme update, March 2022, Quarter 3, 2nd year.Full report with data tables can be read here. Workstream 1 – Controlled experimentation to quantify nitrate leaching We have progressed the four rotations and are approaching the last crop, ryegrass, to be sown in Rotation 1 and 2 in Canterbury and Rotation 3…
Tool development: Making the invisible, visible. By Andrew Barber, Sustainable Vegetable Systems’ Programme Manager. Nitrogen is invisible, its effects aren’t. Therefore, the cause-and-effect link is much harder to make than say sediment on the road. Change will only occur by working together to improve practices, not through unenforceable leaching numbers. The Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS)…
Article by Gemma Carroll, PNZ Communications & Extension Officer, based on a report prepared by Waka Paul, Social Scientist, Plant and Food Research Institute. Understanding growers and agronomists needs and goals in nutrient management, is a key focus of the Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) programme in order to develop deeper understanding and to enable improvements…
Understanding management and environmental implications of nitrogen use in vegetable crop production. by PFR scientists Bruce Searle, Trish Fraser, & Jo Sharp. Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient for the successful production of crops, and each year growers invest significantly in applying N fertilisers. However, not all the applied N is used by the crop…
© 2026 Potatoes New Zealand. All rights reserved
Built by 
