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A research update on the food value of Prionoplus reticularis (Huhu grub), an indigenous edible insect of New Zealand
No full textThis review explores Prionoplus reticularis, an indigenous New Zealand edible insect, commonly known as the ‘Huhu grub’. With a rich history of consumption by Māori and a presence in local food festivals, Huhu grubs are gaining attention as a potential alternative protein source. Growing global populations increase the demand for nutrient-rich foods, especially protein, driving exploration of novel food sources. Huhu grubs, abundant in essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, offer promise for contributing to future protein needs. This review outlines the nutritional qualities and health implications of consuming Huhu grubs, as well as the ecological importance of Huhu grubs in New Zealand's forests for nutrient cycling and decomposition. The potential for controlled Huhu grub farming, mitigating environmental and societal impacts of wild harvesting, would promote the use of Huhu grubs as food source, aligning with global objectives for improved food security and sustainability. This review also aims to signal the need for increased research and investment in the food value of Huhu grubs. Managed appropriately, Huhu grubs have the potential to contribute to the nutritional needs of a growing population, preserving ecosystems and fostering long-term sustainability in the food industry
Mitigation of drought stress in plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) using plant growth promoting rhizobacteria
Get PDFDrought is a major constraint in agriculture that plays an essential role in restricting plant growth and yield globally. It not only affects plant water potential but also induces production of free radicals, leading to overaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are harmful to plant cells, and ultimately lead to plant death. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation can help plants better cope with drought stress by improving their growth and productivity through the enhancement of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. This glasshouse study had three main objectives: to i) isolate and identify PGPR from the rhizosphere and roots of two pasture plants from two drought stressed fields, ii) investigate the effect of selected PGPR on growth promotion and biomass yield of plantain and perennial ryegrass plants grown under drought stress, and iii) investigate the mechanism by which these PGPR can mitigate drought stress in plants.
The first objective was accomplished by isolating 22 PGPR from the rhizosphere soil and roots of plantain and perennial ryegrass grown in two drought stress fields, and after DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing, characterising them into 16 different bacterial species. The 16 bacterial species were Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus pumilus, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Exiguobacterium sp., Pantoea sp., Peribacillus sp., Priestia aryabhattai, Priestia megarterium, Pseudarthrobacter sp., Pseudomonas abietaniphila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas sp., Rahnella aceris, Serratia liquefaciens, Stenotrophomonas sp., and Yersinia sp.. The majority of these PGPR isolates had previously been reported to enhance plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses.
Thirteen isolates, Bacillus mycoides, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Exiguobacterium sp., Pantoea sp., Peribacillus sp., Priestia aryabhattai, Priestia megarterium, Pseudomonas abietaniphila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas sp., Rahnella aceris, Serratia liquefaciens, and Yersinia sp were assessed for their impacts on plantain grown under drought and non-drought stress conditions. Of these Bacillus mycoides, Priestia aryabhattai, and P. abietaniphila produced stronger responses than the other PGPR isolates in improving leaf chlorophyll content, leaf relative water content (RWC), and shoot dry matter (DM) of plantain under drought stress. Consequently, these three isolates were selected for the second experiment to inoculate plantain and perennial ryegrass grown under drought and non-drought stress conditions. All three PGPR isolates significantly enhanced the growth and dry matter (DM) yield of the drought stressed plants by increasing leaf chlorophyll content and leaf RWC, plant height, and DM of shoots and roots.
For the third objective some plant biochemical responses in drought stressed plants to the presence of the three PGPR isolates were assessed. In plants inoculated with Priestia aryabhattai, P. abietaniphila, and Bacillus mycoides, there was a significantly enhanced activity of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) as well as phenolic compounds and proline contents under drought stress, allowing the plants to better mitigate the impact of drought stress than the uninoculated plants. All three isolates also significantly increased the activity of POD and CAT in both plant species grown in the absence of drought stress.
The results suggest that there is potential for use of PGPR inoculants for mitigating drought stress in New Zealand pastures. However, this will need to be confirmed in field trials at different sites around the country
Māori-led tourism and climate change impacts and adaptation: Perspectives from Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand
Get PDFThere is growing evidence of the effects climate change will have on Aotearoa New Zealand, and many of these effects are already apparent in the country, with some regions more significantly affected than others. One particularly vulnerable region is Te Tai Poutini on the West Coast of the South Island. This paper outlines how selected Māori-led tourism businesses (MLTBs) and other tourism stakeholders are experiencing and adapting to the effects of climate change in the region. The research is based on qualitative semi-structured key informant interviews with Māori and non-Māori (n=13) involved in these businesses and in the wider tourism sector. Findings reveal that most informants acknowledge the climate change effects the region is experiencing, with consequences for their business and manuhiri [visitors]. The greatest risks identified include disruption to road networks and infrastructure and the continued retreat of the region’s iconic glaciers. MLTBs are considering future adaptation options in light of key Māori values, including Kaitiakitanga [guardianship or stewardship], Manaakitanga [hospitality] and Whangaungatanga [relationships]. By providing an Indigenous cultural lens to the issue of climate change adaptation, this research can inform strategic discussions among tourism operators, managers and regional stakeholders about how adaptation can be planned to take account of Te Ao Māori perspectives
Climate opportunity exposure and the cost of capital: Evidence from emerging market firms
No full textPurpose: Using a novel measure of firm-level exposure to climate opportunity from 2002 to 2022, this paper examines the impact of climate opportunity exposure on the cost of capital for nonfinancial listed firms in emerging markets. Design/methodology/approach: The study analyzes how climate opportunity exposure affects both the weighted average cost of capital and its components using regression models with industry, country and year fixed effects. The analysis uses multiple robustness approaches, including propensity score matching, entropy balancing and two-stage least squares. The study also investigates how the relationship varies across institutional factors, particularly countries' climate change vulnerability and readiness. Findings: One standard deviation increase in climate opportunity exposure reduces the weighted cost of capital by 1.58%. However, this effect is primarily driven by equity financing costs, with insignificant effects on the cost of debt, suggesting equity investors’ focus is on long-term climate-related value creation opportunities. The negative relationship is more pronounced in firms operating in countries with high climate change vulnerability and readiness. These findings highlight the financial value of climate opportunities and their varying impact across different institutional environments in emerging markets. Originality/value: This study examines an unexplored aspect of climate change – climate opportunity – and its financial implications in emerging markets. It introduces a novel measure of climate opportunity exposure and provides evidence that climate-related opportunities serve as unique resources for firms to demonstrate proactive climate risk management and gain a competitive advantage, particularly in economies facing significant climate challenges
Does corporate integrity affect firm efficiency?
No full textThis study investigates how corporate integrity influenced firm efficiency in the United States in 2001–2018. Based on a measure of corporate integrity computed by machine learning and a measure of firm efficiency generated by data envelopment analysis, the results of our multivariate regression suggest that greater corporate integrity is generally associated with higher firm efficiency. This finding indicates that in a more integral culture, firms can optimize the use of resources to generate revenues more efficiently. We identify corporate social responsibility engagement as a channel through which integrity positively impacts firm efficiency. Interestingly, hiring external CEOs does not seem to result in a significant change in firm efficiency in terms of corporate integrity, suggesting that importing culture into top management does not change the effect of corporate integrity on firm efficienc
Climatic and design tipping points in agrivoltaic crop production systems. A meta-analysis
Get PDFAmidst global climate change, increasing food demand, and land-use competition between agriculture and energy production, agrivoltaic systems are emerging as a potential solution energy. However, the spatial heterogeneity of existing physical research infrastructure limits the generalizability of plant growth and growth conditions findings across diverse climate zones. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive meta-analysis across 20 countries. Unlike previous work, our approach integrates key variables, including photovoltaic system design parameters, crop yield responses, and microclimate changes, into a unified analytical framework. It further maps the empirical evidence onto a global climate context. The analysis reveals several novel insights. First, distinct design patterns were observed in photovoltaic system deployment: small-scale installations (1000m²) are often associated with increased mounting heights (3.05 m vs. 2.57 m), which alters ground-level conditions. At the same time, photovoltaic installation characteristics (e.g., panel height and array size) also vary across different climate zones, reflecting differences in installation objectives (e.g., energy optimization vs. experimental). Second, we identified a previously undocumented “tipping point” in system size (~2 ha), beyond which microclimate temperature effects reverse. Third, crop yield responses under shading vary by crop physiology and climatic zone; for example, lettuce showed tolerance to increased shading under certain environmental conditions. In addition, we suggest that a potential trade-off point may exist between crop yield and photovoltaic shading, which could enable a balance between maintaining agricultural productivity and achieving effective energy generation. These findings demonstrate that the performance of agrivoltaic systems is highly climate- and crop-dependent. Therefore, region-specific and plant-centered design principles should be central to future agrivoltaic innovations and policy frameworks. By presenting the first global climate–integrated map of agrivoltaic study locations, this work provides a foundational evidence base to guide climate-smart agrivoltaic planning and implementation
From willingness to engage to willingness to pay: A behavioral experiment on green consumer information in a digital product passport
No full textInformation represents the “third wave” of environmental policy. Existing evidence shows consumers increase their willingness to pay (WTP) for environmentally friendly products with clear labelling. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding whether consumers have a willingness to engage (WTE) with detailed information, for example, through a Digital Product Passport (DPP). This technological innovation is part of the European Union’s new circular economy action plan. In our theoretical model, a green consumer decides whether to invest in information on how to mitigate their environmental damage, but at a cognitive cost. We test the model in a lab experiment selling an environmentally friendly toothbrush, but information about its environmental credentials is only available through a DPP. We find education on the DPP’s purpose is key to increasing revealed WTE when a DPP is available. Participants with a high stated WTE engage with the DPP regardless; the increase in revealed WTE comes from those with a lower stated WTE. Engagement with the DPP, in the case that it contains positive environmental information, increases WTP. The policy implications of our results are that education about the purpose of the DPP is required in order to increase the likelihood of actual consumer engagement with it, as long as it is user friendly. However, engagement with a DPP may not lead to further shifts in environmental orientation and behavior. Our study also demonstrates novel measures of WTE, and how these can be used to understand pro-environmental consumer behavior in a theoretically informed manner
New perspectives on repetitive behaviour
No full textHuman existence is shaped by interconnected patterns and repetitions that unfold in rhythmic cycles, from biological functions to socially constructed behaviors. While innate (physiological) and natural (environmental) cycles remain fixed, self-constructed cycles, such as routines and habits, are more dynamic, shaped by human agency. These repetitive behaviors often enhance efficiency, goal achievement, well-being, and stress reduction. However, over-reliance on them can lead to rigidity, inhibiting innovation, serendipity, and adaptability. In an era of rapid technological change, the highly routinized lifestyle of the industrial age may no longer be optimal. Drawing insights from a systems-thinking perspective, we reconceptualize routines and habits as dynamic constructs that offer both stability and adaptability in shaping human behavior. This paper contributes to the academic discourse on temporal structures and innovation by critically examining how routines function as both enablers and constraints in a rapidly evolving world, offering practical insights into fostering greater flexibility in behavioral and adaptive patterns
The Tokyo Olympics had no Soul: A swimming cap controversy
No full textThe Soul swimming cap designed specifically for long hair, afro, and dreadlock hair was banned by the swimming body FINA at the Tokyo Olympics. The ban was due to the cap not following the natural form of the head and the possibility the Soul cap could increase swimming performance. The ban attracted considerable media attention and backlash online centering around inclusivity, equity, and the low participation of minority groups in swimming. Anecdotally, swimmers also indicated the larger Soul cap would potentially decrease swimming performance, and previous research had found wrinkled swim caps produced higher drag. There is no research on the Soul cap, therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the drag of Soul swimming caps compared to a standard Speedo competition cap. A wind tunnel, set at a speed equivalent to 1.76 m/s in the water, was used to measure the drag on a model head with a long wig (representing a long-haired swimmer) in different cap conditions i.e., Soul caps designed for long hair (small [S-Soul], large [L-Soul], extra-large [XL-Soul]) and a standard Speedo swim cap. The Speedo swim cap produced significantly less (p’s < 0.0001) drag compared to all Soul caps (141.54 ± 2.92 g [Speedo] vs. 150.53 ± 4.83 g [S-Soul], 164.54 ± 3.24 g [L-Soul], and 172.87 ± 3.70 [XL-Soul]). Differences in drag were progressively larger with an increase in the size of the Soul swimming caps (8.89 g to 31.33 g, p’s < 0.0001). It is likely the differences in cap conditions were due to smoothness of the swim caps, with less wrinkling occurring in the Speedo cap and increased wrinkling in the larger Soul caps. Our findings indicate it is unlikely that a Soul swimming cap would confer a performance advantage relative to a
standard Speedo swimming cap
Ilyonectria liriodendri as a causal agent of black root rot of avocado in New Zealand
No full textBlack root rot, caused by fungi in the Nectriaceae family, has been reported from multiple countries as a significant disease, particularly of young avocado trees. In 2019, a higher than usual mortality rate in newly planted avocado trees was observed across New Zealand avocado growing regions. Symptoms from these trees included black necrotic roots, considerably smaller root systems, and in some cases internal browning at the base of the trunk. Foliar dieback was often associated with these symptoms.
Symptomatic avocado trees were submitted for disease analysis from various locations and included a range of rootstock cultivars. Isolations onto agar media from root lesions and discoloured cortex tissue at the base of the trunk consistently yielded nectriaceous fungi, primarily Cylindrocarpon-like asexual morphs. DNA sequence analysis of the histone H3 gene was conducted on 50 isolates. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis of histone H3 sequences showed that 41 isolates were placed within Ilyonectria liriodendri. In addition, one isolate was identified as Ilyonectria robusta, three as Dactylonectria pinicola and two as Dactylonectria macrodidyma. One Ilyonectria and one Dactylonectria isolate clustered with described species within their respective genera, but species-level identification could not be confirmed based on the available sequence data. A Cylindrocladiella isolate, not part of the phylogenetic analysis, was initially identified as Cylindrocladiella parva, however further analysis revealed it is likely a closely related species.
Nine isolates were selected for pathogenicity testing to represent a range of sampling locations and taxa identified. A glasshouse pot trial was set up to determine pathogenicity of the isolates on Zutano seedling rootstocks sourced from two plant propagators. Fungal inoculum of each isolate was produced on autoclaved barley grain and added to the potting media prior to planting. Sixteen weeks after inoculation, all six I. liriodendri isolates resulted in statistically higher (P<0.05) root disease scores compared to the uninoculated control. Inoculation with three of these isolates resulted in a lower root dry weight (P<0.05) whilst one isolate showed differences across all measures of disease severity including the relative height increase (P<0.05) between inoculation and assessment. The isolates of Dactylonectria and Cylindrocladiella spp. were not pathogenic. Re-isolation of I. liriodendri from necrotic roots of inoculated plants fulfilled Koch’s postulates, confirming pathogenicity. These findings suggest that I. liriodendri is associated with black root rot of avocado in New Zealand, and further research is required to develop strategies to mitigate the impact on the avocado industry