A team generating significant economic and environmental benefits from improving a plant partner of rye grass has been recognised in the latest Prime Minister’s Science Prizes.

The Prizes were presented by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Shane Reti, at the prize ceremony at Parliament this week.

The winner of the Prime Minister’s Te Puiaki Pūtaiao Matua a Te Pirimia Science Prize for a transformative science discovery or achievement was awarded to Dr Linda Johnson and the Endophyte Discovery Team at AgResearch for developing a microorganism which enhances the health and productivity of the ryegrass common on New Zealand farms.

In the 1980s, the team discovered ryegrass’s endophyte partner was causing health problems and a loss of productivity in grazing animals.

They then identified a new endophyte, called AR37, that doesn’t cause these problems in livestock but continues to protect the pasture from insect pests.

Eighty percent of New Zealand farmers now buy seed with the improved endophyte, which is expected to add $3.6 billion to the New Zealand economy in productivity gains over a 20-year period.

The team are developing endophytes that will enhance resilience to climate change and other environmental challenges, not only in ryegrass, but in cereals and other crops.

Dr Linda Johnson said that most of the Endophyte Discovery Team have dedicated their careers to endophyte science, so was thrilled for the team to get this recognition.

Source: Royal Society of New Zealand.