Photo: Royal Society Te Apārangi/Rebecca McMillan
Dr Linda Johnson and her team from AgResearch have been awarded Te Pūiaki Putaiao Matua a Te Pirimia, the Prime Minister's Science Prize.
The $500,000 prize is awarded for transformative scientific advances with significant economic, health, social, political, cultural and/or environmental impacts here in New Zealand or internationally.
The Endophyte Discovery Team's recognition comes from their work with endophytes - microorganisms, often bacteria or fungi, living within a plant which help rather than harm it.
Dr Johnson says endophytes provide a sustainable solution to agriculture, reducing inputs by controlling pests and diseases.
Susie speaks to Dr Linda Johnson, science group manager for resilient agriculture and principal scientist at AgResearch, and Dr David Hume, AgResearch senior scientist.
Photo: Melanie Phipps
