Proceedings Library

Abstract The development of a successful plant breeding program targeting South African native plants is described. Aloe was the major plant improved for ornamental use but additional genera including Agapanthus have also been highly successful.

Keywords: Aloe, Agapanthus, plant improvement, new cultivars

Abstract Until the 1930s and 1940s, cutting propagation was limited to those species that were easy to root. With the discovery that auxin significantly enhanced rooting in cuttings, the number of vegetatively propagated species available to greenhouse and nursery producers significantly increased. It is interesting to see the early adoption of “hormones” in commercial practice and how the delivery methods for treating cuttings with auxin evolved. With an increased emphasis on propagation efficiency for modern greenhouse and nursery production, alter-native methods are resurfacing as potential ways to deliver auxin to cuttings.

Keywords: IBA, IAA, plant hormones, application methods, foliar auxin, total immersion, Bonzi

Abstract Saunders Brothers is a multi-disciple business including a wholesale nursery, fruit orchard, farm market and garden center. After a brief history of Saunders Brothers, key aspects of business practices were described.

Keywords:business, nursery, farm market, boxwood, Saunders Brothers

AbstractGayle Suttle the long-time CEO of Microplant Nurseries, Inc, provides insights into running a successful micropropagation business learned over four decades.

Keywords: tissue culture, business, philosophy

AbstractAdventitious bud formation in Haemanthus tissue culture was successful using floret peduncles as the original explant. It was also possible to get organogenesis from callus cultures originally taken from ovary tissue after exposing cultures to low temperatures.

Keywords: tissue culture, organogenesis, geophyte, bulb

Abstract Polyploid breeding improves the ornamental value and efficiency of interspecific crosses. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is expected to be a breeding resource for blue flowers among ornamental plants of the genus Hibiscus. We investigated the optimal conditions for polyploidy induction and the morphological changes induced by polyploidization in kenaf. The most efficient conditions for tetraploidy induction in blue-flower-type kenaf were soaking of the seedlings in 3.0 × 10–3 M colchicine solution for 24 h. Colchicine soaking at 1.0 × 10–3 M for 12 to 24 h was suitable for white-flower-type kenaf. In either type of kenaf, leaflet length to width ratio, guard cell length, petal length to width ratio, petal thickness, pollen diameter, and seed fresh weight were greater in tetraploids than in diploids.

Keywords: breeding, tetraploid, phenotype, flow cytometry

Abstract Streptocarpus ionanthus (H. Wendl.) Christenh. (common name: African violet, saintpaulia), a member of the Gesneriaceae family, is native to the mountainous regions of tropical Africa and is an ornamental plant that is popular as an interior plant because it grows well even in low light interior conditions. Plant regeneration has been re-ported from petal culture of carnations, and chrysanthemums, but there have been no re-ports of petal culture of African violet, so this was attempted in this study. Two flowering stages, fully expanded petals and un-opened flower buds were set up, and four plots were set up with a combination of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 1.0 or 2.0 mg/L and thidiazuron (TDZ) at 0.25 or 0.5 mg/L as PGRs. It was possible to induce adventitious buds from both of unopened flower bud and fully expanded petal ex-plants. When adventitious buds that had grown to a length of about 5 mm were re-moved from the test tube and subcultured on a PGR-free medium, rooting was con-firmed after 3 weeks and after 8 weeks they had become plantlets that could be acclimatized.

Keywords: Streptocarpus, SaintPaulia, tissue culture, organogenesis

Abstract  In recent years, interest in aquariums has in-creased in Japan, and the demand for aquatic plants used to decorate aquariums is on the rise. Many of them are grown by tis-sue culture and sold commercially as sterilized, pesticide-free products. The production of these tissue culture transplants is exclusively carried out by venture companies. As the results, there is little research information published about the growth of aquatic plants by tissue culture. We believe that there is still a lot of room for optimization, including the composition of the culture medium, and have presented the results of tissue culture experiments of three aquatic plants. In previous experiments plant growth regulators were not added to the medium due to the risk of tissue culture mutations, but this time, cytokinin was added to promote growth and improve propagation efficiency. Without the addition of cytokinin, shoots developed and elongated from the axillary buds of both species of pearl grass and rooting occurred, but the addition of cytokinin suppressed leaf formation and rooting, especially in thidiazuron. In the cytokinin-added medium where leaf formation was inhibited, green globular masses that are thought to be derived from shoot axillary buds were formed.

Keywords: thidiazuron, organogenesis, Micranthemum

Abstract  Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino, a mem-ber of the Araceae family, is a medicinal plant, and the tubers are peeled and dried to be used as herbal medicine called “Han-ge”. Pinellia ternata is used in many traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions and is in high demand as herbal medicine ingredient. Pinellia ternata basically forms one leaf from the tuber, and the photosynthetic products form the next generation of tubers underground. In this experiment, we investigated the influence of the light quality of the cultivation light on the sprouting of the tubers, and the extent to which the tubers in the soil recognize and respond to the amount of light. The quality of the irradiated light clearly affected the sprouting of Pinellia ternata tubers. In the red LED light irradiation area, the tubers sprouted earlier than other light conditions and the cumulative number of sprouts was the highest. On the other hand, the other treatment areas sprouted later than the dark area, and the cumulative number of sprouts was the lowest in the blue LED irradiation area. The measurement results showed that approximately 0.5% of the light reaching the soil surface penetrates to a depth of about 5 mm from the soil surface.

Keywords: aroid, LED, irradiance

Abstract  Survival in Phalaenopsis planting material was successful using polystyrene foam. It significantly reduced time, cost and improved uniformity.

Keywords: orchid, transplanting, tissue culture, acclimatization

Abstract   “A Breath of Fresh Air’ was the theme for the 52nd Annual Conference of the International Plant Propagators’ Society (IPPS) Australia Region held during 22 – 25 May 2024 at RSL conference Centre in Ballina, New South Wales. The conference was packed with different activities, including a pre-conference tour, traditional golf competition, trade displays, award session during the gala dinner, nursery tours, grafting demonstrations and of course many interesting presentations. The traditional six pack of young energetic people selected by the Executive Committee helped in running the conference. Some highlights from these activities are presented in this Editorial to the Proceedings of the IPPS Australia Region.

Keywords: awards, propagation, grafting, nursery tours, New South Wales

Abstract  Kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos and Macropidia species) have been successfully domesticated over the last few decades through various genetic improvement programs and the development of propagation methods suited to mass production. This paper summarizes the various strategies and techniques employed by the author and other researchers to achieve the goal of domesticating this crop for landscape and garden use as well as for cut flower production.

Keywords: Anigozanthos, Australian natives, pot plant, breeding, embryo rescue, tissue culture, propagation, ornamental plants

Abstract  This article is about how some trees grow to be so large. It talks about the various types of meristematic tissue, their similarities and differences in form and function and how meristems can be of relevance to plant propagators.

Keywords: apical meristem, cell differentiation, cell division, cell growth, cork cambium, lateral meristems, totipotency, vascular cambium

Abstract  Samantha shares her journey into the nursery industry, highlighting key strategies that have shaped Bamboo World Production Nursery to what it is today – working hard to create a business growth of over 250% income in 5 years. Her experiences span various industries and continents, offering insights that may resonate with you or spark new ideas.

Keywords: bamboo, sustainability, innovation, community engagement, adaptability

Abstract This Brachychiton Schott & Endl. breeding program started in the mid-1990s with the acquisition of several Cape York species, Brachychiton velutinosus Kostermans, B. grandiflorus Guymer, B. garrawayae (Bailey) Guymer and the naturally occurring hybrid B. x carneus Guymer (Brachychiton grandiflorus x B. garrawayae) to add to B. bidwillii Hook. a low growing cold tolerant, versatile and floriferous species with a short juvenile phase. This small collection of stunning species high-lighted the immense potential for the genus and led to the establishment of the breeding program. Plant breeding and improvement has long been an interest having taken plant breeding as a subject in my final year at the university. Once pollination parameters were established it was easy to produce significant quantities of hybrid seed to grow out for assessment.

Keywords: hybrids, native trees, tree breeding

Abstract  I have been extremely fortunate in my professional career to have made so many connections to further my horticultural knowledge and interests and then be able to become a mentor myself. This fortune is not measured financially but rather on how I think I’ve achieved the goals I set out with and whether they stayed consistent, were modified slightly or completely changed. I can honestly say that it didn’t come easily, and many things were just seemingly coincidence but looking back I think that making your own luck is a big part of it. What I have done is constantly strived to adapt and improve everything that I do and the seven deadly words are always in my mind, “we have always done it that way” and the rea-son why many people and businesses don’t keep up or change when needed which ultimately leads to major issues. Having a good general knowledge across several different fields also helps to foster adoption of new ideas, techniques or adaption of equipment to improve efficiency. Being able to weld, build and fix things may not seem like a horticultural skill but it certainly makes you think about a lot of different industries as you apply their tools of the trade.

Keywords:Australia, Banksia, Calodendron, Grevillea, Grafting

Abstract  Many studies in the past have shown that plants and Growing media (as a Biofilter) maintained indoors improve air quality, ambiance and mood of workers resulting in improved staff productivity, performance, job satisfaction and reduced sick leave absence, stress, depression and negative mood states. However, only few studies on class-room performance of school children have been conducted so far. To understand the performance of students in classrooms with and without Potted plants, we conducted the first Trial study involving 360 students in grades six and seven in 16 classes in three schools in Queensland, Australia and student performance was tested across three curriculum course streams: Numeracy, Literacy and Science. The results indicated that the presence of plants and long-term specialist growing media in the classroom consistently led to improved performance in spelling, mathematics and science – i.e., across the curriculum (by removing VOCs from the air). The results were statistically significant with 10 to 14% improvement in all but one of the five sets of scores in two schools, whereas in the third school where results were not significant between groups with and without plants’ presence, the students were already involved in an active gardening program, involving both ornamental and vegetable species.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the presence of plants in the classroom environment improves student performance.

Keywords: indoor plants, specialist growing media, schools, children, Queensland, environment

Abstract  Restoring the Sub Tropical rainforests (STRF) decimated in the 1800 and in the early part of 1900s has gathered momentum since the 1970s. Ecological restoration is possible in small remnants, however planting is the only solution in the vast paddocks as just 1% of STRF is left in eastern Australia. Annual plantings grew from mere hundreds in the 1980’s to over half a mil-lion by 2020’s. Over the years it was realised that not only the quantity of plants but also its diversity is important. Hence seed-lings have become the planting material for rainforest restoration. As a result seed col-lection, storage, propagation and growing techniques of seeds of over 450 rainforest species became the cornerstone of research and a multimillion dollar industry in recent years. Species composition and functional trait representation in these forests is of utmost importance. This paper describes the planning and methods of collection, processing, germinating and establishing seedlings in rainforest restoration and factors to be considered when restoring degraded forest ecosystems.

Keywords: Australia, germination, reforestation, X-ray radiography, seed viability, recalcitrance, inbreeding

Abstract  Natural Area Nursery in Western Australia started from humble beginnings in 2005 and grew into an 800,000 annual turnover of tubestock from 80,000. Over the 15 years, the Government leased land of the nursery quadrupled in area as well. At the beginning of Covid pandemic, in January 2020, the Government of Western Australia asked for the return of the land for a new train station complex. This paper describes the identification of land, logistics, designing, building and relocation of the massive operation within the two-year timeframe allocated by the Government. In addition to all other factors, the dedication and hard work of the staff of the Natural Area Nursery made this relocation possible.

Keywords: tubestock, planning, logistics, designing, irrigation, efficiency

Abstract  The successful establishment and propagation of red bayberry (Myrica rubra) in vitro cultures require precise optimization of initiation, multiplication, and rooting stages. This study aimed at developing a high-throughput clonal propagation system for red bayberry. Here, the influence of stem growth stage, seasonal variation for clean culture initiation success and tissue culture media composition for bud induction, multiplication and rooting were evaluated. Un-hardened red stems consistently outperformed semi-hardened stems, achieving a maximum clean culture establishment rate of 90% compared to a 10% maximum for semi-hardened stems across four rootstocks trialed in the study. Seasonal analysis revealed summer and autumn as the optimal material collection periods, with overall success rates of 47.25% and 45%, respectively. Media optimization during the initiation phase enhanced axillary bud vigour, addressing initial poor growth observed on BB01 media. Multiplication challenges, including chlorosis and shoot die-back, were mitigated using I09.1 media, which sup-ported robust shoot quality and a multiplication rate of 2,244-fold, over seven sub-culture cycles for the tested genotype. Rooting experiments demonstrated an efficient auxin treatment protocol, achieving 100% rooting success within six weeks without adverse effects on shoot quality. Rooted plants acclimatized successfully under misting conditions, reached 100% survival and vigorous growth post-acclimatization. These findings establish a comprehensive commercial tissue culture protocol for red bayberry, from initiation to nursery transfer, demonstrating potential for large-scale propagation. This research provides critical insights into optimizing in vitro systems for woody perennials, enhancing their application in horticultural biotechnology.

Keywords: in vitro culture; Myrica rubra, woody plant

Abstract  Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) are of great significance to the Australian economy as they comprise vine grapes and table grapes. Grapevine rootstocks belong to several Vitis species such as Vitis rupestris, V. riparia, V. berlandieri and V. champini etc. from America. In vitro propagation systems for grapevine like micropropagation, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, protoplast culture and cryopreservation are important for various reasons such as rapid and reliable cloning, international transfer of germplasm, virus elimination, rapid crop improvement through cell-level selection, genetic engineering, gene editing as well as in vitro conservation of valuable germplasm. Micropropagation of three open varieties of table grapes undertaken for rapid reliable cloning of virus-free stock material for orchard establishment is described. Also, various in vitro methods applied to grapes and their applications are discussed.

Keywords: tissue culture, organogenesis, shoot proliferation, rooting, acclimation, high-health plants

Abstract  For success, operators of plant production nurseries need to understand not only the morphology, but also the physiology, evolutionary biology and genetics of the plants they grow. This aspect is discussed in relation to flowering and production of lavender flowers and oil. The main cultivated species are Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia and their naturally occurring hybrid Lavandula x intermedia. These species originated in the northern Mediterranean in southern France under a dry temperate climate with drought conditions in the summer. Soils are low in nutrients except for high levels of calcium. How the understanding of evolutionary biology of lavender and its adaptation can help increase lavender flower production in nurseries is discussed with examples from author’s own experience as well as from a field experiment.

Keywords: Lavandula, physiology, origin, adaptation

Abstract  Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) was first detected in South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia, in February 2001 at a property in the suburb of Richlands, Brisbane. Subsequent tracing and investigation identified further outbreaks at the Port of Brisbane and Verrierdale in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in 2001. The Queensland Government, along with Australian State, Territory and Commonwealth Government, agreed to a national RIFA eradication program to be cost shared between government Parties; however, a cohesive structured funding program was not fully agreed to until 2017.

Keywords: insect control, eradication, invasive species

Abstract  Sediments, scale and biofilms cause inefficient function of irrigation pipes, drippers and sprinklers increasing operation costs and lowering production and water use efficiency. Algae, fungi, protozoans or their combinations are responsible for biofilms and are problematic in all production regions. Biofilm fouling is traditionally carried out using oxidising agents, chlorine di-oxide, hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide etc. Most of these products have very high environmental impacts as well as toxicity to humans, water systems and soil and are inefficient in that the biofilms will recur. These are being replaced by modern, environmentally friendly ‘green’ alternatives that use either physical forces such as hydrodynamics (flushing through high water flows) or the use of substances that are capable of interfering with the matrix structure of biofilms. The former is limited for systems where water is plentiful and inexpensive. The latter group includes biocatalysts (enzymes, phages) and organocatalysts (organic non-enzymes). AquaMate® is a patented organocatalyst that causes destruction of the biofilm matrix by breaking it into simple sugars and flushing out from the system whose repeated use prevents reoccurring of biofilm and is low-cost, non-toxic and non-hazardous.

Keywords: biofilm; Aquamate, extracellular polymeric substances, water use efficiency

Abstract  In May 2024, I was selected as an exchange student, which marked a watershed moment in my career. IPPS's generous support not only made this trip possible but also allowed me to learn more about the field of Horticulture from experienced individuals who are all about knowledge sharing. My trip to Australia lasted two weeks, it was my first time leaving South Africa, and I was extremely nervous, however. When I arrived, I was greeted by friendly people who made this experience enjoyable and educational. My first trip was to Perth, where I spent time with Mr. David Hancock. The experience in Perth was a highlight of my career; I visited many places with Mr. Hancock and learned much about different nurseries and plant diversity in Australia. We went to Grasstrees Australia, Plantrite, Natural Area Nursery, Caversham Wildlife Park, where I saw a kangaroo for the first time, and the Biodiversity Conservation Centre, which provided me with insights into my MSc project because they do similar work. I also had the opportunity to meet incredible people from Natural Area Nursery, who introduced me to different kinds of seafood. Perth was a beautiful place, rich with history and beautiful native plants of Australia.

Keywords: propagation, nursery, native plants, Ballina, conference

Abstract  Over the last century, plant tissue culture (PTC, in vitro technology) has evolved into a highly sophisticated biotechnological tool not only for understanding biochemical processes within the plant, but also in applied plant breeding, conservation and propagation. It is now the foundation in advanced biotechnologies. The most wide-spread application is micropropagation for producing clonal plant stocks with the market expected to grow to US$ 2.1 billion by 2030. Micropropagation is widely used in clonal propagation in horticulture, floriculture and forestry. PTC is also used in eradicating viral and bacterial diseases infecting clonal plant material to produce high-health planting material for agriculture, horticulture and forestry. In vitro technologies al-low combining different methods such as meristem culture, thermotherapy, chemotherapy, electrotherapy and cryotherapy within one experiment to eradicate multiple diseases and/or to eradicate aggressive pathogens that cannot be eradicated using a single therapy. Also, in vitro technologies have a central role in the development and deployment of new cultivars to the industry much faster and efficiently than traditional field-based plant breeding methods. This application encompasses an array of technologies to produce crop cultivars or even new man-made species with traits of inter-est. The approaches to cultivar improvement using PTC techniques include the in-duction of mutants and selection of desirable mutants with improved traits and in developing genetically modified crops using traditional methods as well as gene editing techniques. PTC is the preferred pathway for developing interspecific and intergeneric hybrids that cannot be produced by hybridization in vivo due to various incompatibility issues. Ploidy manipulation, production of doubled haploids for hybrid development, increasing the proportion of hybrid seeds in apomictic species are some other applications in crop improvement. Because our plant genetic resources are not safe in the field due to climate change resulting in vagaries of weather as well as pests and diseases, ex situ conservation is becoming increasingly important. Again, PTC takes a central role in ex situ conservation, whether as tissue culture repositories or as cryopreserved collections. Finally, cell cultures are used in producing biopharmaceuticals, food ingredients, cosmetics, flavours, dietary supplements, fragrances, and biostimulants.

Keywords:micropropagation, doubled haploids, polyploidy, conservation, interspecific hybridization, somatic embryogenesis, microtubers

Abstract  The aim of this paper is to describe my role as Plant Yield Coordinator at Natural Area Nursery, Western Australia in maximising plant yield and optimising water management. The key areas described range from monitoring and identifying areas of concern, water management, determining and implementing actions, documentation, to re-search and development. The focus is on the role’s integration with the nursery team, and practical ways adopted in the overall application. Results achieved include im-proved plant quality, reduced plant losses and better water management. In addition, the approach allowed for early targeted action, with the ability to be proactive and optimise resources. Consequently, in many areas of nursery operations the efficiencies were able to be improved. At the same time, documentation and research continually is being refined and allows for analysis and improvement of future procedures and management decisions. Finally, the broader benefits of a closely forged and self-driven team are realised.

Keywords:nursery management, irrigation, best practice, surveillance, scouting, monitoring, natural area, Western Australia

Abstract  In Australia, a first world nation with generally a gold standard in production Horticulture, we’re used to the luxuries of potting machines, tray fillers, seed machines, sticking robots, remote climate control, quality potting mix, fertiliser, pest control and more simply quality and reliable water, gas and electricity supply, whereas South Africa is not. Load shedding (periods of time where power cuts off), similar issues with water, a weak currency, poor potting mix (making out of anything you can find), little nursery automation and the list goes on. Growing plants still isn’t easy even with all our modern machines and sterile potting mixes and quality water, imagine how hard growing plants is without all of that! This paper will be going a little bit more in depth into the issues that South African growers experience every day. I was able to experience South African growers’ passion and enthusiasm that enables them to overcome these issues daily, truly one of the most in-spiring things I’ve been able to witness.

Keywords: load shedding, nursery management, woodfire heating, potting mix, labour cost

Abstract  This report explores specific biophilic design strategies and their role in enhancing indoor environment quality through the integration of vegetation and sustainable building practices. As urbanisation increases there is a growing responsibility to address the poor air quality, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), and limited exposure to nature that impact humans physical and psychological health. The assessment of case studies and research evaluate biofiltration techniques and exemplars of green design that highlight the effectiveness of vegetation in improving in-door air quality in commercial office spaces and learning environments. A key focus of this report is The Revitaliser, a biophilic indoor solution designed by Eco Effective Solutions and Eco Environment, which incorporates vegetation, biofilters and sustainable interior elements to im-prove indoor air quality and create a productive workspace.

Keywords: biofilter, biophilic design, eco services, indoor air quality, VOCs

Abstract  Founded in 1979 by Kurt Weisenberger, KW Automation has grown from humble beginnings into a leading provider of nursery automation solutions. Kurt, originally an avocado orchard owner on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, transformed his engineering expertise into innovative machinery for fruit and vegetable post-harvest processing. Recognizing a niche in the nursery industry, he developed the revolutionary KW needle seeder, which set a new standard for efficiency and productivity. Today, as a third-generation family-owned business, KW Automation continues Kurt’s legacy of quality and innovation. Our diverse range of machinery includes soil mixers; hoppers, conveyors, & elevators; pot & bag fillers; needle seeding; tray fillers; potting machines; tray & pot washers; watering tunnels; customizable equipment and more. Solutions and Eco Environment, which incorporates vegetation, biofilters and sustainable interior elements to improve indoor air quality and create a productive workspace.

Keywords: pneumatic needle seeder, hoppers, conveyors, elevators, soil mixers, tailored solutions

Abstract  Grevillea ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ is a popular landscaping plant from the Proteaceae family that is often propagated via plant tissue culture. Despite good growth and multiplication in culture, it possesses morpho-physiological characteristics that decrease its quality and survival during the latter stages of micropropagation. Excessive internode elongation and soft, thin stems exacerbate negative abiotic stress effects that occur once removed from the nurturing culture environment. Trials of the growth inhibitor paclobutrazol were undertaken to test its potential to alleviate the issues encountered during deflasking and acclimatization. Supplementation of the growth media with 2 mg/L proved a success and all problematic traits of the cultured Grevillea were counteracted by the application of paclobutrazol. The noted positive effects included: drastically reduced internode elongation, thickened stems capable of supporting their own weight, increased desiccation tolerance and reduced wilting, increased axillary bud growth, broader and deeper green leaves and increased consistency and density of root growth, with 97-100% of plants rooting. Outside of the laboratory environment, deflasking and acclimatization survival rates, quality of sale stock and production efficiency were all greatly improved. The only disadvantage noted was a 1-2 week increase in the holding time in the laboratory. This slight increase in passive storage time was deemed to be a minimal trade-off in return for the multitude of advantages. Large-scale trials proved that 2 mg/L paclobutrazol to be the ideal concentration to ameliorate the disadvantageous traits of Grevillea ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie,’ improving its commercial viability. Further testing with paclobutrazol has already begun on other cultured species to ascertain if there are equal improvements to be achieved.

Keywords: plant tissue culture, acclimatization, abiotic stress

Abstract  This is a report on observations from the New Zealand Region field trip to the Chatham Islands in February 2024. Included are plant observations that provide some insights into the biodiversity of areas pre-served by the Department of Conservation or private owners.

Keywords: Chatham Islands, New Zealand, megaherb, Myosotidium hortensia

Abstract  This paper explores the potential of mono-chromatic red-light supplementation as a sustainable and innovative solution to challenges in greenhouse production, including low winter yields and high disease pressure. Greenhouse cultivation systems, though efficient, often rely heavily on chemicals for disease control, posing environmental and health risks. Monochromatic red light, de-livered through energy-efficient LED systems, has been shown to enhance plant im-munity by inducing secondary metabolite production and activating defence path-ways, reducing the need for chemical interventions. Drawing on recent studies and on-going research at Lincoln University, this paper emphasises the need for further investigation into the role of red light in improving crop yield and quality while minimising environmental impact. Our preliminary trials with lettuce plants suggest promising outcomes, laying the groundwork for sustainable disease management strategies that align with New Zealand's goal of promoting environmentally responsible agriculture.

Keywords: LED, PAR, plant growth, red light, lettuce

Abstract  This paper gives a brief outline of Proseed nursery’s main propagation programmes, some New Zealand plantation forest research developments, and thoughts on how modern propagation systems might assist native reforestation.

Keywords:forestry, Pinus, Eucalyptus, somatic embryogenesis, stock plants