Abstract: A gas release device that includes a reservoir of pressurised gas and a passageway from said reservoir to an outlet. There is an elastic gas permeable membrane in the passageway that allows gas release only via the membrane. A gas impermeable member is provided in the passageway that includes an interface positioned to contact said gas permeable membrane. Displacement of the gas permeable membrane is responsive to the pressure of the gas in the reservoir such that there is a greater interfacial contact between the gas impermeable member and the gas permeable membrane at a higher gas pressure than at lower pressure to thereby vary the exposed cross sectional area of the permeable membrane available to the flow in an inverse relationship to pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of managing fertiliser and irrigation inputs for a crop, the method comprising obtaining management data for the crop, the management data including a planting date for the crop; obtaining weather data representative of the geographic area of the crop; obtaining soil description data representative of the geographic area of the crop; calculating an emergence date at least partly from the planting date; calculating a plurality of nitrogen deficit values at least partly from the emergence date and the soil description data, the nitrogen deficit values associated with respective dates each later than the emergence date; calculating a plurality of water deficit values at least partly from the emergence date and the weather data, the water deficit values associated with respective dates each later than the emergence date; and presenting on a display a schedule of recommended nitrogen application values, irrigation values and application dates, the schedule calculated at least partly

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the transformation of plants from the genus Allium, and transformed plants produced according to the method. Specifically, this invention relates to direct transformation of Allium leaf tissue using Agrobacterium mediated transformation, and plants regenerated from the transformed leaf tissue. In various aspects, the invention relates to a method of obtaining a transformed Allium leaf tissue and methods of obtaining a transformed Allium plant by regenerating the transformed leaf tissue.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as ‘Lewis’ (not patented) and selection 86105M57 (not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by the semi crown-forming nature of the plant which tends to produce fewer thicker canes that tend to branch and are very vigorous. The variety is further distinguished by having fruit that ripen on long laterals, release from the receptacle very easily, are dark in color, have large drupelets, and are very firm. In addition, the plant has displayed some field resistance to root rot caused by Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi and appears to be tolerant to infection of Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV). Fruit of the new variety appears very suitable for the process fruit market.

Abstract: A new and distinct Northern Highbush blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry variety known as ‘Nui’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,699) and an unnamed seedling selection called B7.8.1 (not patented). The fruit of this new variety is large, with an attractive appearance characterised by good bloom and good firmness; fruit has an outstanding fruit quality with sweet and aromatic flavour. Mature plant is upright while the young plant is semi-upright with medium to good vigour. The new variety has been named ‘Blue Moon’.

Abstract: A new and distinct rabbiteye blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry varieties known as ‘Centurion’ (not patented) and ‘Rahi’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an outstanding fruit quality with little grittiness, medium to good firmness and appears suitable for the mid season fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Ocean Blue’.

Abstract: A new and distinct Northern Highbush blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry variety known as ‘Reka’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,700) and an unreleased seedling selection called B7.8.1 (not patented). The fruit of this new variety is medium to large, with strong bloom, good flavour with a good balance between sugar and acidity, and extended shelf life. Plant is upright with good vigour and an early heavy crop. The new variety has been named ‘Sunset Blue’.

Abstract: A new and distinct Rabbiteye blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry varieties known as ‘Centurion’ (not patented) and ‘Rahi’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety is large and firm, with an attractive appearance characterised by good bloom; fruit has an outstanding quality with good balance between sugar and acidity. Plant is upright with medium to good vigour and medium yield. The new variety has been named ‘Sky Blue’.

Abstract: A new and distinct Southern Highbush blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry variety known as ‘Reka’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,700) and the blueberry variety known as ‘Island Blue’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety is small, round, with an attractive appearance characterised by good bloom; fruit has an outstanding quality, sweet, and with a low acidity content. Plant is upright with good vigour, heavy crop early in the summer and a potential second crop late in the summer.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for modulating GDP-L-Galactose Guanyltransferase (also known as GDP-L-Galactose phosphorylase) activity; and/or GDP-D-Mannose epimerase activity; and/or ascorbate content in plants. The invention provides plants and plant cells with increased GDP-L-Galactose Guanyltransferase activity; and/or GDP-D-Mannose epimerase activity. The invention provides plants and plant cells with increased ascorbate content as a result of: over-expression of GDP-L-Galactose Guanyltransferase; over-expression of GDP-D-Mannose epimerase; or in particular over-expression of a combination of GDP-L-Galactose Guanyltransferase and GDP-D-Mannose epimerase.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica) named ‘Hortarine1’ is described. The variety results from selection among a population of open-pollinated seedlings of the peach variety known as ‘Peacharine’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterized by yellow skin color with dark red blush, yellow flesh with no anthocyanin present, and intense flavor. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Hortarine1’.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the unreleased raspberry selections with the breeder codes 86105N26 (not patented) and 87115ZN2 (not patented). This new variety is characterized by very early onset of fruit ripening. The new variety is distinguished from others by its high yields of firm and attractive conical shaped, uniform sized, large, red berries that ripen very early in the season. The plant exhibits a spine-free upright growth habit, of strong vigor. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and the plant is also potentially well-adapted to machine harvesting. The variety has been named ‘Awaroa’.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as ‘Chilcotin’ (not patented) and ‘Waimea’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterized by uniformly large berry size, good fruit firmness, and medium-red fruit color. The new variety is distinguished from others by its high yields of firm, attractive, uniformly sized, large, red berries that ripen in the mid season. The plant exhibits a semi spine-free upright growth habit, of strong vigor. In addition, the plant has displayed resistance to Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV) under New Zealand conditions. Fruit of the new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market. The variety has been named ‘Korpiko’.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry variety known as ‘Moutere’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,744) and the unreleased raspberry selection with the breeder code D188 (not patented). This new variety is characterized by excellent fruit quality, very good shelf life, and an early harvest season, and is suitable for both machine and hand harvest. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Korere’.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as ‘Chilcotin’ (not patented) and an unreleased selection with the breeder code 86107O58 (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterized by very shiny, mid light-red fruit color. The new variety is distinguished from others by its high yields of firm and attractive conical shaped, uniform sized, large, red berries that ripen in the mid season. The plant exhibits a semi spine-free upright growth habit, of strong vigor. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Adele’.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘NZCTWO’ characterized by a medium bushy growth habit with burgundy and browned green foliage and a reddish pink flower.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as ‘Lewis’ (not patented) and selection 86105M57 (not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by the semi crown-forming nature of the plant which tends to produce fewer thicker canes that tend to branch and are very vigorous. The variety is further distinguished by having fruit that ripen on long laterals, release from the receptacle very easily, are dark in color, have large drupelets, and are very firm. In addition, the plant has displayed some field resistance to root rot caused by Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi and appears to be tolerant to infection of Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV). Fruit of the new variety appears very suitable for the process fruit market.

Abstract: A new and distinct Rabbiteye blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry varieties known as ‘Centurion’ (not patented) and ‘Rahi’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety is large and firm, with an attractive appearance characterized by good bloom; fruit has an outstanding quality with good balance between sugar and acidity. Plant is upright with medium to good vigor and medium yield. The new variety has been named ‘Sky Blue’.

Abstract: A new and distinct Southern Highbush blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry variety known as ‘Reka’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,700) and the blueberry variety known as ‘Island Blue’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety is small, round, with an attractive appearance characterized by good bloom; fruit has an outstanding quality, sweet, and with a low acidity content. Plant is upright with good vigor, heavy crop early in the summer and a potential second crop late in the summer.

Abstract: A new and distinct Northern Highbush blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry variety known as ‘Nui’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,699) and an unnamed seedling selection called B7.8.1 (not patented). The fruit of this new variety is large, with an attractive appearance characterised by good bloom and good firmness; fruit has an outstanding fruit quality with sweet and aromatic flavour. Mature plant is upright while the young plant is semi-upright with medium to good vigour. The new variety has been named ‘Blue Moon’.