Sustainable Vegetable Systems project launched

SVS is a nitrogen budgeting tool developed in conjunction with agricultural experts, environmental scientists and industry partners.

“It was wonderful to officially launch the SVS tool and celebrate the hard work of many through the development of this technology,” Grigg says.

“I see the opportunities and benefits of this tool as a remarkable example of what may be achieved through collaboration, innovation and science," she adds.

The tool aims to provide growers with comprehensive evidence-based decision support to optimise their nitrogen management practices.

The project to develop the tool began in 2019, coming out of a scarcity of data surrounding vegetable nitrogen flows, particularly in crop rotation systems, as well as a need to sustainably support growers.

Over the course of three years, nitrogen flow data rates using varieties of fertiliser were measured using a selection of representative vegetable crop rotations at Plant & Food Research sites in Lincoln and Hawke’s Bay.

These experiments were reproduced regionally across New Zealand with increasing engagement with growers to provide insights into vegetable nitrogen optimisation.

SVS programme manager, Andrew Barber, says the tool integrates nitrogen planning with soil testing, progressively overriding modelled predictions with measured results.

“The real time data and personalised guidance will help make more informed decisions, ultimately improving performance and reducing environmental impact,” he says.

The project consolidated data from various sources and stakeholders with key inputs from Plant & Food Research modellers, plant and soil scientists.

Miriam Hall, Plant & Food Research business manager of the programme says the tool is “world leading”.

“Creating data-based modelling tools from collaboration with a variety of stakeholders is critical to support growers,” Hall says.

“Plant & Food Research are proud of being part of this project to help shape the New Zealand vegetable industry to a sustainable future,” she adds.

Meanwhile Kate Trufitt, chief executive of Potatoes New Zealand says the SVS tool represents a “significant advancement” in the sector’s efforts to promote sustainable farming practices.

“By equipping our growers with cutting-edge technology and actionable insights, we are taking a major step towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future,” she concludes.