Real Data.
Real results.
At Seed & Field, R&D is a key part of how we support our growers.
We run practical agrochemical, crop nutrition, and variety trials across a range of crops, with a focus on generating reliable information that growers can confidently use in the field.
Our agrochemical and crop nutrition trials help us refine crop protection and nutrition programmes, compare different approaches, and identify what delivers the best results under local growing conditions. Our variety trials allow us to evaluate how different genetics perform across environments, helping growers make more informed decisions around variety selection, crop management, and risk.
All of our trials are conducted under real world conditions. This means that the information we generate is grounded in the realities growers face every day—not just what happens under controlled conditions.
Our aim is simple: to turn practical research into useful information that helps growers reduce risk, improve crop performance, and make better decisions.
April 2026, Pukekohe
Evaluation of insecticides for the control of onion thrips (thrips tabaci) within a commercial planting of the onion cv. “KiwiGold” during the 2024-25 season
Field trials were conducted during the 2025–26 growing season to evaluate the effectiveness of Durivo (25 ml/1000 seed) compared with an untreated control.
April 2026, Pukekohe
Evaluation of insecticides for the control of onion thrips (thrips tabaci) within a commercial planting of the onion cv. “SFS/Seminis PLK” during the 2024-25 season
This trial evaluated a range of insecticide sequence programmes, rather than single products, to quantify their effectiveness against adult and juvenile onion thrips populations and to assess impacts on gross bulb yield.
February 2026, Pukekawa
Effect of seed size on onion crop establishment and performance
A field trial was conducted within a commercial broccoli crop at Pukekawa during the 2025–26 growing season to assess crop response to increasing phosphorus rates under high soil P conditions. Four rates (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg P/ha) were evaluated.
February 2026, Pukekohe
Evaluation of Iotril alone and in combination with Tribunil, Bladex, Ethomate, and Baron for weed control efficacy and crop safety in a commercial onion planting
A replicated field trial was conducted during the 2026 growing season at the Plant and Food Research Farm, operated by Plant & Food Research, Pukekohe, New Zealand, to evaluate the efficacy of selected fungicides for the control of early blight in potatoes.
February 2026, Pukekohe
Effect of seed size on onion crop establishment and performance
A glasshouse trial was undertaken to evaluate a range of fungicide seed treatment combinations for suppression of onion smut in the cultivar PLK.
January 2025, Buckland
Evaluation of phosphorus application rate on broccoli performance within a commercial planting during the 2025–26 season
A field trial was undertaken during the 2024-25 growing season to assess the effect of seed size on crop establishment and production.
January 2025, Hastings
Effect of ammonium polyphosphate applications to a commercial potato crop during the 2024-25 season
A field trial was established to assess the efficacy of foliar and soil applied phosphorus (in the form of ammonium
polyphosphate, APP), as well as the effect of foliar applied products “Lono” and “Indra”.
January 2025, Pukekohe
Effect of APP applications to a commercial tomato crop during the 2024-25 season
A field trial was undertaken during the 2024-25 growing season to assess the effect of seed size on crop
establishment and production.
January 2025, Tuakau
Efficacy of a range of pre-emergent herbicide products in a commercial onion planting
A field trial was established to assess the efficacy of foliar and soil applied ammonium polyphosphate (APP) as a method to increase plant phosphorus uptake. Results indicate that the application of APP did not have a significant effect on plant phosphorus uptake, and consequently these applications did not have a significant effect on yield.
January 2026, Pukekawa
Evaluation of durivo and confidor seedling drench for insect control in lettuce, during the 2025–26 season
A replicated field trial was conducted under commercial growing conditions in Pukekawa, Pukekohe, to assess the effect of seven bio-stimulant products on lettuce growth, yield, and overall plant health. Treatments were compared with an untreated control using a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates.
March 2025, Pukekawa
Evaluation of fungicides for the control of early blight (alternaria solani) in potatoes during the 2026 season
A trial was established within a commercial onion crop of the cv. “Seminis/SFS PLK” at Pukekawa, New Zealand during the 2024-25 growing season to assess various insecticides for their efficacy against onion thrips (Thrips tabaci).
March 2025, Pukekohe
Efficacy of a range of pre-emergent herbicide products in a commercial onion planting
A trial was established within a commercial onion crop of the cv. “KiwiGold” at Pukekohe New Zealand during the 2024-25 growing season to assess various insecticides for their efficacy against onion thrips (Thrips tabaci).
March 2026, Pukekohe
Evaluation of bio-stimulant products on lettuce under commercial field conditions
A field trial was conducted during summer 2026 in Pukekohe, New Zealand, to evaluate the efficacy of a range of herbicide treatments applied under bare soil (fallow) conditions.
March 2026, Pukekohe
Evaluation of fungicide seed treatment combinations for the control of onion smut under glasshouse conditions
Field trials were conducted during the 2025–26 growing season to evaluate the effectiveness of Durivo (25 ml/1000 seed) compared with an untreated control.
November 2024, Onewhero
Effect of varying Iotril rates on onion population and crop safety in a commercial planting
A field trial was established during spring 2024 to assess the effect of various pre-emergent herbicides on weed control and crop safety.
November 2024, Rakaia
Efficacy of a range of fallow herbicide treatments for weed control in a bare soil trial
A field trial was conducted during spring 2024 to assess the effect of various pre-emergent herbicides on weed control and crop safety on an onion crop (cv. Perez) in Rakaia, New Zealand.
October 2024, Matamata
Evaluation of insecticide sequence programmes for the control of onion thrips (thrips tabaci) during the 2025-26 season
A field trial was conducted during spring 2024 to assess the effect of various pre-emergent herbicides on weed control and crop safety.
October 2025, Pukekohe
Evaluation of a range of post-emergent herbicides on weed control efficacy and crop safety in a commercial onion planting
A field trial was conducted during winter 2025 to assess the crop safety of a single application of Iotril at various rates on a commercial onion crop at the flag leaf growth stage.
October 2025, Waiuku
Efficacy of a range of pre-emergent herbicide products in a commercial onion planting
A field trial was conducted during winter 2025 to assess the effect of Iotril and Iotril tank mixed with Tribunil, Bladex, Ethomate, and Baron on weed control and crop safety.
October 2025, Waiuku
Evaluation of durivo seedling drench for insect control in cabbage within commercial plantings, during the 2025–26 season
A field trial was conducted during winter 2025 to assess the efficacy of a range of post-emergent herbicides at varying rates and tank mixes.