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An investigation into accelerating the rate of reproductive cycling in Humulus Lupulus : A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science at Lincoln University
No full textHumulus lupulus is an economically important horticultural crop grown globally in narrow bands of
latitude and climate. The H. lupulus female inflorescence are used in brewing to add flavours,
aromas and bitterness to beer. Within the New Zealand context, the majority of H. lupulus are grown
in the Nelson and Tasman regions, however there is increasing interest to expand the growing region
further south. New Zealand Humulus breeders also face unique challenges, with the inability to
easily breed from the majority of current elite cultivars, limited genetic diversity available in the
country and limited information available of the drivers of most aspects of cone quality and
agronomic traits. A rapid cycling breeding program has the potential to aid some of these unique
challenges and accelerate the potential rate of genetic gain for the New Zealand Humulus industry. A
rapid cycling breeding program aims to maximise the potential rate of gain within a given timeframe
by reducing the length of time between generations, increasing the number of generations within
that given time. This can be achieved by manipulating plant growth and development by artificially
replicating natural seasonal cues that plants utilise to trigger key development growth phases, for
example, photoperiod and temperature. While some research has been completed on the flowering
controls and triggers in H. lupulus there are still a number of unknowns that need to be addressed in
order to establish a rapid cycling breeding program, especially within the context of the New Zealand
industry and cultivars. The initial purpose of this research program was to explore the possibilities of
growing H. lupulus, indoors in a highly controlled environment, and describe what a potential rapid
cycling breeding program could look like. While this research indicated that it would be possible to
grow H. lupulus from root straps indoors, out of season with a mean reproductive cycle of 95 days,
limited potential genetic gain would have been possible through this form of propagation.
Theoretically, the largest potential rate of change in genetic gain can be made through seed to seed
(seed germination to seed harvest) propagation. However, plants grown from seedlings in the highly
controlled environment did not flower, which was believed to be related to the low level of available
photosynthetic active radiation in the growth room. Subsequently, the potential to manipulate plant
growth and development with plant growth regulators in order to accelerate generational cycling
was investigated. The use of plant growth regulators had no effect on plant growth and
development and were deemed not feasible for use to accelerate breeding cycles. Throughout this
research it became clear that even if a potential rapid cycling breeding program was possible
through seed to seed propagation the ability to complete two cycles within a calendar year would be
reliant on the ability to germinate the seed in a timely manner. A seed germination methodology
was developed, which maximised the germination percentage of the seed, in the shortest period of
time. This methodology involved the use of 70 percent sulphuric acid to scarify, and remove the
outer layer of lupulin from the seed, a 15 day chilling period at four degree Celsius and the addition
of one millimolar of gibberellic acid into the imbibition solution. Further work was initiated to
explore the potential to further reduce the chilling time required to germinate a significant amount
of the seed, using the phytoene desaturase inhibitor fluridone, which showed promise to increase
the germination percentage of H. lupulus seed with less chilling. However, this work was
discontinued due to unavoidable and irremediable fungal issues.
In conclusion, Humulus lupulus is an important horticultural crop with expanding growing regions.
New Zealand H. lupulus breeders face unique challenges such as limited genetic diversity and limited
information on agronomic and cone quality traits. This research program has shown that while it is
possible to grow H. lupulus indoors as apart of a rapid cycling breeding program, only a limited
increase in potential genetic gain would be possible. The use of plant growth regulators was also
found to be not feasible for accelerating breeding cycles. Germinating seed in a timely manner is
crucial for a potential rapid cycling breeding program, and a seed germination methodology was
developed to maximize germination percentage in the shortest period of time. However, further
research on the use of phytoene desaturase inhibitors to reduce the chilling time required for
germination was discontinued due to fungal issues
Youth engagement in long-term planning processes: case studies of Christchurch and Marlborough : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Planning at Lincoln University
Get PDFThis dissertation considers the relationship between youth and local authorities within long-term planning processes. Whilst there is growing appreciation for the capacity of youth to participate in planning and decision-making, local government processes reveal ongoing issues of inclusion and tokenistic approaches (Freeman & Aitken-Rose, 2005a, 2005b). The study adopts a qualitative and case study approach to examine the participation of youth within the long-term planning processes of Christchurch and Marlborough in the period between 12th March 2021 to 1st July 2021. To examine young people’s participation in long-term planning processes, this dissertation draws on 7 semi-structured interviews with youth representatives, youth organisation leaders and council staff, an analysis of long-term planning documentation and an evaluation of council social media. This dissertation identifies the value of youth in planning as an intergenerational practice. However, it also notes fundamental barriers to youth participation, including the negative perceptions of young people, the planning environment and awareness of processes, timing and resources and accessibility. It further discusses possible opportunities to enhance youth engagement, identified by participation. The analysis suggests the lack of participation by young people in long-term planning processes is not a matter of disengaged youth, but rather prompts further consideration of how we might give systematic attention to the priorities of youth in planning
Food security in a COVID-impacted tourism destination: A case study of Queenstown, New Zealand
Get PDFThis report outlines the food (in)security situation in Queenstown, New Zealand in the context of its COVID-affected tourism downturn. It is illustrative of the global pandemic’s disruption to the tourism-dependent town and the ways in which this impacted food security within the community.
The project used interview data from 13 interviewees each active in the Queenstown community in food welfare, social support, or local government. Supplementary data was gathered via a desk-based document and media search.
Community-based food welfare providers reported high demand for food parcels largely due to COVID-19-related income reductions and job losses. Food welfare demand was strong from the commencement of the nationwide lockdown in March 2020, and remained relatively consistent in subsequent months as national borders remained closed to international visitors.
Interviewees reported high numbers of migrants accessing food welfare as the result of tourism job losses, reduced shifts, and loss of access to meals they had received in hospitality roles previously. Many of these migrants were ineligible for government support.
COVID-19 food security issues have been exacerbated by high demand for housing and high density living, which has reduced the amount of land available for home vegetable planting. This is limiting own food production and access to affordable high-nutrition foods.
Reliance on the food welfare sector as a long term strategy is not sustainable if food security is the goal, however the array of community groups that offer food welfare may be able to proactively bolster food security, concurrent with their food welfare operations, and so enable food welfare recipients to transition to less vulnerability and greater food security in the future.
Our findings caution against sectoral ‘self-sufficiency’ because high degrees of independence within sectors can translate to vulnerability in the face of disruption. Inter-sectoral integration – particularly within the agriculture, food and tourism sectors – is one avenue by which each sector could become more resilient. Further research in this area could identify pathways for building resilience
Grand ideas or delusions of grandeur? Placing big thinkers and essential theories in property economics research
No full textPurpose: This article is looking to reflect on the various important touchstones of “grand theory” and “big thinkers” that can be framed when engaging empirical evidence in property economics research.
Design/methodology/approach: The paper is reflexive in nature, using experiential reflection to consider theory in property economics. The importance of “methodology” is emphasised rather than “method”.
Findings: Using reflexive mode, the paper does not have “findings” as such: if the views expressed are accepted, then a research agenda to better understand property economics research is implied.
Research limitations/implications: The nature of reflection is that it follows from the writer's experiential processes and interpretations. The reader may come from a different stance. Broadly accepting the propositions, there is a call for property economics research to be formulated in reason and logic, particularly as humans do not reason from facts alone. Such reasoned thinking could for example be in the property economic concepts of space and place, contracts and justice, capital and financialisation.
Practical implications: To engage with such theory would provide some depth of philosophical roots for property as a discipline. Elevating property as a “real-world” discipline rather than simply an applied mathematics discipline.
Social implications: The paper enables an understanding of how property economics research can benefit from more ontology and more inductive reasoning.
Originality/value: The paper reflects the views and experience of the author based on over 15 years of research in property economics
Implementing Multi Agent Systems (MAS)-based trust and reputation in smart IoT environments : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
Get PDFThe Internet of Things (IoT) provides advanced services by interconnecting a huge number of heterogeneous smart things (virtual or physical devices) through existing interoperable information and communication technologies. As IoT devices become more intelligent, they will have the ability to communicate and cooperate with each other. In doing so, enormous amount of sensitive data will flow within the network such as a credit card information, medical data, factory details, pictures and videos. With sensitive data flowing through the network, privacy becomes one of most important issues facing IoT. Studies of data sensitivity and privacy indicate the importance of evaluating the trustworthiness of IoT participants to maximize the satisfaction and the performance of the IoT applications. It is also important to maintain successful collaboration between the devices deployed in the network and ensure all devices operate in a trustworthy manner. This research aims to determine: How to select the best service provider in an IoT environment based on the trustworthiness and the reputation of the service provider? To achieve this, we proposed an IoT agent-based decentralized trust and reputation model IoT-CADM (Comprehensive Agent-based Decision-making Model for IoT) to select the best service providers for a particular service based on multi-context quality of services. IoT-CADM as a novel trust and reputation model, is developed for the smart multi-agent IoT environment to gather information from entities and score them using a new trust and reputation scoring mechanism. IoT-CADM aims to ensure that the service consumers are serviced by the best service providers in the IoT environment which in turn maximizes the service consumers’ satisfaction, which lead the IoT entities to operate and make-decisions on behalf of its owner in a trustworthy manner. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model against some other well-known models like ReGreT, SIoT, and R-D-C, we implemented a scenario based on the SIPOC Supply Chain approach developed using an agent development framework called JADE. This research used the TOPSIS approach to compare and rank the performance of these models based on different parameters that have been chosen carefully for fair comparison. The TOPSIS result confirmed that the proposed IoT-CADM has the highest performance. In addition, the model can be tuned to its parameters weight to adapt to varying scenarios in honest and dishonest agents’ environments
Continuing field efficacy of norbormide against both Rattus rattus (ship rats) and Rattus norvegicus (Norway rats)
Get PDFNorbormide is a uniquely selective rat toxicant for Rattus species, with rats being 100- to 150-fold more sensitive to norbormide toxicity than most other mammals and birds. Previously we reported that on completion of a 10-year program of targeted fundamental and applied synthetic chemistry and toxicology, taste aversion associated with this compound had been overcome. In 2020-2022, trials have been successfully completed on poultry farms with Norway rats and larger scale field trials were undertaken targeting ship rats using 1% norbormide paste baits. Firstly, the efficacy of norbormide-containing paste baits targeting rat infestations on poultry farms was proven with a 100% reduction of Norway rat populations on three different farms. Secondly, 100% reduction in ship rat abundance was achieved at two large field test sites; and no reduction was achieved at the untreated control site. These larger field trials are described in depth in this publication. Plans are progressing to complete product development and registration
Sward canopy effects on simulated urine events and subsequent urine patch area
No full textIn this study, we investigated the effects of grazed pasture canopy characteristics on urine patch area. The experiment was conducted during autumn in Canterbury, New Zealand. Warm water was used to simulate urine events, ranging in volume from 1 to 8 L, onto either partially (Lenient, 6-15 cm) or fully (Hard, <6 cm) grazed perennial ryegrass and white clover (PRG) or plantain (PL) pastures. A thermal digital camera and imaging software were used to calculate the wetted area of each urine event. When a mid-range volume (4 L) was poured onto Lenient pastures, PL had a greater wetted area than PRG (0.30±0.11 m² and 0.16±0.08 m², respectively; mean±standard deviation). However, the wetted area was similar for PL and PRG under Hard grazing (0.36±0.16 m² and 0.31±0.13 m², respectively). Irrespective of pasture type and grazing intensity, the relationship between water volume and wetted area was curvilinear, with no significant increase in wetted area for simulated urine events greater than 4 L. Our results indicate that both pasture type and grazing intensity (i.e., residual pasture canopy) affect urination coverage, which could have potential implications for the nitrogen load per urine patch
Putting the ‘Ag in the enviro’: Report 2: Employers’ views of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required by employees
No full textThe project ‘Putting the Ag in the Enviro’ aims to create professional development course to provide non-agriculturalists with an understanding of farming. This could assist them to use their environmental expertise to support farmers with the implementation of the Essential Freshwater package. This study aimed to gather employers’ views on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they needed in staff working with farmers in the area of farm environmental management. Employers’ views were gathered via interviewing 22 participants from a range of organisations, from regional councils and farm consultancy to accountancy firms. The interviews were analysed for themes relating to the knowledge, skill, and attitudinal requirements. The project Advisory Group then reviewed and provided feedback on the findings
Harnessing microbes for vine growth, nutrient uptake and disease protection: The benefits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
No full textViticulture is a major economic activity in may countries and grapes are one of the most widely grown fruit crops. According to the New Zealand Winegrowers report (2020), there are around 40,000 hectares of grapes in production and more being planted in response to strong demand
Persistence of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and cocksfoot following annual sowings: Influence of grass species, ryegrass cultivar and pasture age on yield, composition and density
Get PDFPersistence is an important component of perennial pasture-grass productivity. Defining traits that affect persistence is essential for improving pasture longevity through plant breeding and for identifying persistence traits that should be included in cultivar ranking indices. Compared with conventional longitudinal studies, where a single sowing is monitored over time, repeated annual sowings allow the effects on persistence of sowing year and the ensuing interactions between environment and age of pasture to be identified. An experiment was commenced in 2015 under sheep grazing in Canterbury and in 2016 under cattle grazing in Waikato, where eight cultivars of perennial ryegrass representing different ploidy, flowering date, and cultivar age (release date), and one cultivar each of tall fescue and cocksfoot were sown in four randomised complete blocks in autumn each year. This paper reports interim data on spring and autumn pasture yield, composition, and density of 3-year-old, 2-year-old and 1-year-old pastures exposed to the same environmental conditions within the same, single year. There were significant effects on yield, botanical composition, basal cover and tiller density due to cultivar, pasture age, and their interaction. When the confounding effect of year-to-year variation was removed by comparing each age cohort in the same year, the underlying differences among grass species and cultivars, and ages of pasture, is starting to reveal the nature of this influence on pasture persistence