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Background History
Plant Protection ChemistryNZ Ltd is the business name for a group of researchers previously part of Forest Research, based at Rotorua in New Zealand. It is derived from the Forest Protection group, originally involved in the protection of New Zealand forests from pests, diseases and weeds, which are highly dependent on chemical control methods.
The original group arose from the need to control diseases in forests and forest nurseries, as well as the need to improve the establishment of the tree crops. These were frequently overcome by vigorous weed competitors or disease after planting. So the focus was on developing fungicides and herbicides but now includes research into the efficacy of agrichemicals in general, not only for forestry purposes, but also for horticulture and agriculture.
The early empirical field testing was superseded by more coordinated laboratory and field evaluations of different products, formulations and application technologies. Further research led to the development of computer-based models simulating the application of agrichemical sprays. The need to control difficult woody weeds led to the introduction of novel herbicide formulations which have now been adapted to many other problems world wide. An alternative chemical weed control method involves the use of small quantities of granular herbicides placed precisely in a circle around seedling trees - this has the dual benefits of reducing the amount and cost of chemical to 10-15% per hectare of that previously used in broadcast applications. This also has been adapted and is being used for insect control in countries as diverse as South Africa, Europe and North America.
