Rural

Dr David Hume's Groundbreaking Work In Endophytes

"We're proud that we're making a difference in the real world, based on rigorous science and hard work," Dr Hume says.

Dr. David Hume, a renowned plant scientist from AgResearch, recently received the Science and Research Award at the 2024 Beef + Lamb NZ Awards. 

Dr Hume talks to Dom about his work on the AR37 endophyte, which has significantly bolstered New Zealand's agriculture, contributing approximately $3.6 billion to the economy over the past 20 years. 

He explains how his innovative approach has led to transferring these endophytes to crops like rye and wheat, promising improved disease resistance. 

Dr Hume also highlights the collaborative effort that goes into such research, underscoring the importance of entomologists, plant breeders, and chemists in advancing agricultural research.

Listen to the full chat between Dr David Hume and Dominic George above.

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