Feeding the world’s growing population
New Zealand’s reputation as a quality food producer is growing.
The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand promotes and encourages responsible and scientifically-based nutrient management.
The Sri Lankan PhD student, who began her research through Massey University in October 2017, says she is excited about the experiments she will be doing. She will use a range of advanced techniques, aimed at discovering how plants uptake cadmium from root to shoot.
Nilusha’s research builds on a recent PhD study by Aaron Stafford, which analysed the cadmium concentration of 12 forage species. This research showed that two popular supplementary feeds, chicory and plantain, accumulated significantly more cadmium than other forage species. These two plants are an important part of animal feed as they are a drought-tolerant, high nutrient food crop.
“The big question I’m seeking to answer is why chicory and plantain accumulate more cadmium,” says Nilusha.
Nilusha will commence her three-year project by analysing chemistry of the rhizosphere, the few millimetres of soil surrounding the plant roots that is influenced by the activity of soil microorganisms and plant roots. She will conduct experiments to study rhizosphere soil solution and root interaction. This will help her understand how this influences cadmium uptake of various forages when phosphate fertiliser has been applied on a long-term basis.
Nilusha plans to use advanced analytical techniques such as High-performance Liquid Chromatography and Cd Nuclear Magnetic Spectroscopy. This will provide valuable information on xylem sap ligands, which are involved in transporting cadmium in forage plants.
“An important part of my work will be developing a cadmium ion measuring electrode, because plant sap contains very low levels of cadmium concentration. This electrode will be able to measure very low levels of cadmium in plant saps.”
New Zealand soil is low in phosphorus, which is essential for plant growth. As a result, phosphorus fertiliser containing traces of cadmium is widely used on New Zealand farms.
“In New Zealand agricultural soils the cadmium concentration is more than double that of non-agricultural soil,” says Nilusha.
There are no indications for concern to human or animal health from the levels of contaminants currently in New Zealand soil. Nonetheless, phosphate fertiliser use must be actively managed and soils monitored to ensure that the risks from soil contaminants remain low over the long term.
“I’m really happy to be doing this work. If I can discover exactly how plants accumulate cadmium we will be able to develop remedies to stop high accumulation from happening.”
Nilusha’s research is funded by the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand and the Foundation of Arable Research. Her supervisors are Dr Paramsothy Jeyakumar (Jeya), Professor Chris Anderson, Dr Roberto Calvelo Pereira and Dr Peter Bishop.
The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand and Dairy NZ funded development of the Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme (NMACP). This industry-wide certification aims to ensure that advisers have the learning, experience and capability to give sound nutrient advice.
15 March 2023
The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand has published a revised and updated Code of Practice for fertiliser nutrient management, replacing the previous version published in 2013.
The Code was launched at an event in Wellington on 13 March 2023, attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon Damien O’Connor.
Minister O’Connor welcomed the publication of the Code, saying it was important good guidance is available for all farm inputs for farmers and the wider sector.
He described farming – producing food for communities and the world – as the most noble of professions. Farmers were dealing with challenges every day and providing them with tools and knowledge was important, he said.
The Code is a key resource tool for the management of nutrients on arable and pastoral farms, horticulture and viticulture blocks, and market gardens.
Association Chief Executive Vera Power says the revised Code provides clear principle-based guidance on supplying nutrients for growing healthy food and fibre.
“Following the Code provides users, regulatory authorities and markets confidence that the nutrients used in Aotearoa New Zealand primary production are managed in a way that minimises adverse environmental impacts,” says Dr Power.
“We believe all New Zealand farmers and growers want to meet societal and their own high expectations for growing healthy food while minimising environmental impacts. Supporting all our aspirations remains at the heart of the guidance provided by this Code.”
The revised Code has had extensive input from agricultural and scientific experts, regulators and industry groups. It can be downloaded from the Association website at www.fertiliser.org.nz
7 September 2022
The 2022 AgriTechNZ Baseline of Digital Adoption in Primary Industries report was released in August.
Created as part of a study by AgriTechNZ and insights partner Research First, the report was co-designed with partners The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand, Zespri, The Foundation of Arable Research and DairyNZ. It was also supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries as part of the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures initiative (SFFF).
The 60-page report looks at digital adoption, including key drivers and barriers across the dairy, horticulture, arable and beef/sheep sectors.
You can download the report here.
Stay in touch with the latest fertiliser industry news and research