Developed to address a perceived lack of information on pest, disease and weed management in organic farming in New Zealand, this new book is an invaluable resource for organic arable and vegetable growers and their consultants, as well as for those considering a move to reduced chemical usage or organics. Beginning with the central principles of soil health and the management of pests, disease and weeds in organic growing, the book also contains standalone chapters on those pest, disease and weed problems specific to eight arable crop (barley, borage, clover seed, lentils, grass seed, linseed, maize and wheat) and nine vegetable crops (asparagus, brassicas, capsicums, carrots, onions, process peas, potatoes, squash and tomatoes), together with information on recommended organic control methods. Throughout, anecdotal material has been deliberately avoided - instead draft chapters of the book were circulated among scientists, growers and consultants for practical, objective feedback and sound evidence to incorporate into the final text. Wherever possible, information has been related to New Zealand conditions and to current organic certification standards.

Bind: paperback

Publication Date: 01-01-2005

Farewell Silent Spring tells the story of how, in the course of 50+ years of dedicated R&D, highly toxic broad-spectrum pesticides were removed from the pipfruit orchards of New Zealand. It shows how spraying by the calendar, regardless of need, has been replaced by pest monitoring, biological control, and sophisticated techniques like mating disruption and selective chemicals that are toxic to pests and safe to beneficial species. Integrated fruit production, and then Apple Futures, as the new programme became known, is shown to be on par with organic production in terms of biodiversity and safety to the environment and human health, while maintaining the premium fruit quality required by export markets. New Zealand apple growers can say farewell to the "Silent Spring" predicted by Rachel Carson in her landmark book of 1962. Written by distinguished fruit entomologist and scientist Howard Wearing, this book is a must-read for all involved in the fruit industry and anyone with an interest in safe sustainable food production. Professionals and students of horticulture, entomology, and pest management will find this book an essential gold-mine of information that they will turn to again and again. Link to book review by George Follas …. https://nzpps.org/a-compelling-read/

Bind: paperback

Pages: 278

Dimensions: 170 x 242 mm

Publication Date: 24-08-2019

Now for something completely different! How many of you have ever looked closely at the details of the seeds of weeds? Some, we admit, are rather boring but then again, some of them are absolutely stunning. A glance at the front cover of this book reveals some of huge variation in the size and shape of seeds. Most of the seeds described and pictured are of weedy species, and the pictures show clearly the adaptations that have evolved to ensure they thrive as weeds: hooks and spines to attach the seed to wool, fleece or socks to help spread; awns that twist with wetting and drying to help bury the seed and anchor it in the soil during germination; seeds so tiny they blow like dust in the wind, or larger ones with wings or parachutes so they float on air; corky seed coats that act as life jackets in streams and lakes. This book will be useful for all workers in ecological research, pest plant management or, indeed, for everybody involved in agriculture or horticultural production. It is also of importance to anyone with a general interest in plants and the incredibly different forms that evolution has wrought. The book covers native and introduced species, and also includes seeds of species that have not, as yet, established in New Zealand but which have been intercepted in imported seed or other agricultural products (like cocopeat). The pictures and their descriptions are often not of the seeds as such, but of the form in which they are usually seen, surrounded by remains of flower structures that help in their survival or dispersal. The Introduction, Identification aid and Glossary are followed by 116 pages with 696 superb photographs of 623 different species, all with a brief description and distribution information. The book is spiral bound, 144 pp, with full colour photographs. The authors are Trevor James of AgResearch, Ian Popay from Landcare Research and Paul Champion from NIWA, all weed wizards; Nik Grbavac, seed specialist from Agriquality, Lincoln; and Birgit Rhode of Landcare Research. To find out how Birgit took those amazing photographs you have to buy this book!

Bind: paperback

Pages: 126

Dimensions: 182 x 245 mm

For many years those of us who have to identify grasses as part of our jobs or who just want to find out what plants are called have had to make do with tattered old copies of Lambrechsten's What grass is that? or imported works on British or Australian grasses, like Hubbard's Grasses of the British Isles. None of these books fully described the grasses now common in New Zealand, whose numbers have been boosted by the dramatic southward spread of sub-tropical grasses like Kikuyu, paspalum and the bristle grasses. This is the book that bridges the gap. Here at last is a full colour identification guide to grasses, sedges and rushes, groups of plants that are often confused and commonly put in the 'too hard' basket . 'Too hard' is no longer a valid excuse! This guide to grasses and grass-like plants is written for a wide audience, and features outstanding pictures of flowering plants as well as of the critical details needed for accurate identification. Features include an easy-to-follow format, with keys for each category (grass, sedge, rush) to aid identification, excellent colour photographs throughout, and a fully illustrated colour glossary. The authors are Paul Champion from NIWA, expert on plants of wet places; Trevor James of AgResearch, weed wizard and photographer; Ian Popay, formerly of both AgResearch and DOC and now of Landcare Research; and Kerry Ford of Landcare Research, professional agrostologist (look it up). An Illustrated Guide to Common Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of New Zealand covers both native and introduced species and therefore appeals to a wide audience from field professionals to keen amateurs.