Seminar on the production, management and marketing of berryfruit

Seminar held by the Dept. of Horticulture in conjunction with the New Zealand Berryfruit Grower's Federation.The papers presented in this bulletin were delivered during a two day course for berryfruit growers preceding the annual conference of Growers' Federation and at a production and management field day Research Area, Lincoln College, the following day

Topological characteristics of oil and gas reservoirs and their applications

We demonstrate applications of topological characteristics of oil and gas reservoirs considered as three-dimensional bodies to geological modeling.Comment: 12 page

Enhancement of laser-driven ion acceleration in non-periodic nanostructured targets

Using particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate an improvement of the target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) of protons in non-periodically nanostructured targets with micron-scale thickness. Compared to standard flat foils, an increase in the proton cutoff energy by up to a factor of two is observed in foils coated with nanocones or perforated with nanoholes. The latter nano-perforated foils yield the highest enhancement, which we show to be robust over a broad range of foil thicknesses and hole diameters. The improvement of TNSA performance results from more efficient hot-electron generation, caused by a more complex laser-electron interaction geometry and increased effective interaction area and duration. We show that TNSA is optimized for a nanohole distribution of relatively low areal density and that is not required to be periodic, thus relaxing the manufacturing constraints.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Perspectives on partnership: Highlights of a literature review

Working in partnership has become central in efforts to address complex environmental, socio-economic, and technological problems. The terms partner or partnership appear more than 100 times in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and more than 200 times in the version of the CGIAR's new Strategy and Results Framework presented at the recent Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development. It is promoted as an effective means to mobilise the resources and capacities needed to generate knowledge, stimulate innovation and influence decision-making. Nevertheless, partnering is often experienced as timeconsuming and frustrating, and it has proved difficult to demonstrate its 'value added'. To improve partnering at the International Potato Center (CIP), we reviewed publications, evaluations and reports dealing with partnership. Rather than a single 'partnership literature' we found several different literatures that approach the subject from different perspectives. Several themes – relating to partnering processes vs. partnership structures, partnership dynamics, types of partnership, incentives for partnering, the key role of trust, power and equity issues, success factors and evaluation – cut across the distinct literatures. This ILAC Brief presents findings in each of these areas, notes some prominent knowledge gaps and identifies areas for future study

Damping by slow relaxing rare earth impurities in Ni80Fe20

Doping NiFe by heavy rare earth atoms alters the magnetic relaxation properties of this material drastically. We show that this effect can be well explained by the slow relaxing impurity mechanism. This process is a consequence of the anisotropy of the on site exchange interaction between the 4f magnetic moments and the conduction band. As expected from this model the magnitude of the damping effect scales with the anisotropy of the exchange interaction and increases by an order of magnitude at low temperatures. In addition our measurements allow us to determine the relaxation time of the 4f electrons as a function of temperature

Dewetting of thin films on heterogeneous substrates: Pinning vs. coarsening

We study a model for a thin liquid film dewetting from a periodic heterogeneous substrate (template). The amplitude and periodicity of a striped template heterogeneity necessary to obtain a stable periodic stripe pattern, i.e. pinning, are computed. This requires a stabilization of the longitudinal and transversal modes driving the typical coarsening dynamics during dewetting of a thin film on a homogeneous substrate. If the heterogeneity has a larger spatial period than the critical dewetting mode, weak heterogeneities are sufficient for pinning. A large region of coexistence between coarsening dynamics and pinning is found.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Management information systems for the horticultural firm

The development of micro computers has highlighted the need for accurate information at a property level in order to have suitable input data for planning and decision making. This review reveals limited research in developing horticultural information systems and a disappointing response from the farming community in various countries to a generalised recording scheme. Attempts to impose formalised recording schemes have suffered from lack of involvement of growers in the planning stage and limited · contact between advisers and growers after the information has been collated and returned. The Horticultural Management Information System developed by Carlsson and his co-workers in Sweden has received ready acceptance by growers. It seems that Calrsson is succeeding because he has compiled his information system with a close and frequent consultancy approach. The conclusions drawn in this review suggest that the simple intimate approach to information systems initially, lead to grower interest and increasing enthusiasm

Prospects for Asian pears in New Zealand: Technical : Marketing : Financial

This discussion paper is based on an honours thesis prepared by M Van Workum, as part of a B Hort Sc Honours degree and supervised and edited by G F Thiele. It was later republished in 1986 with some modifications as edition 3AEvidence is presented to justify the interest in New Zealand for Asian pears as a prospective new crop with export potential. Plant material from Japan is under quarantine in New Zealand. Seventeen varieties have been released for bulking up and testing under research and commercial conditions. The New Zealand industry is relying initially on Japanese and Californian knowledge. Japan produces 82% of the world's supply of Asian pears. Emphasis is being placed on selection of varieties suitable for New Zealand requirements. Appearance, quality, flavour, shape and storage ability will be important in supplying what is a very high standard Asian market. It is suggested that post-harvest handling will need to be of a high standard similar to that for nectarines. The New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board is likely to market the New Zealand crop. This is logical as the Board already markets pipfruit in potential Asian pear markets and has worldwide expertise in distribution, handling and promotion. Hong Kong and Singapore are likely to be major markets. Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, U.S.A. and Germany are prospective markets. Japan and Korea have a restriction on New Zealand pipfruit due to the presence of codling moth. The financial analysis with a cash flow and development budget prove that Asian pears are a worthwhile investment. Success of the New Zealand Asian pear industry will depend on co-ordination between producer, researcher and marketer to ensure high quality fruit of the variety and standards required by particular markets are met

The apple tree system: A district and grower comparison, 1986/87

The aim of this study has been to assess the interrelationships of the various biological and economical factors involved in the apple tree and orchard. It has involved a systems approach to the efficiency of the apple tree as an economic unit. To understand these interactions, a monitoring approach was used in the three main New Zealand pip fruit districts: Hawkes Bay, Nelson, and Canterbury. Five properties in each district and five Royal Gala or Gala trees on each property were used

Microcomputer usage in the horticultural office: An analysis of software requirements and availability in New Zealand

"Based on an honours dissertation prepared by Philip Williams ... supervised and edited by G.F. Thiele"--Foreword.In the 1970s the development of a third generation of computers brought the potential of computer ownership to the individual grower. In 1975, with the utilisation of the mkroprocessor as part of a microcomputer system, the first small computer entered the marketplace in the United States. Microcomputers technology has industries and first appeared in New Zeal and around 1979. Computer proven to be vastly productive, revolutionising many jobs. Microcomputers are becoming significant in the horticultural environment and have the potential to become widely adopted. Their significance is indicated by the amount of time growers are spending using them. Nuthall, (Kellogg Farm Management Unit) surveyed computer users registered with the Unit. Advisers and consultants averaged nearly 20 hours and horticulturists 6.7 hours per week of computer usage (Anon., 1985a), which represents a major management cost to the farm system. This discussion paper: 1. Reviews the use of computers in decision making and the provision of information 2. Describes the software development within the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' (MAF) Advisory Services Division 3. Describes the major benefits of computer use and the criteria for selection of a system 4. Summarises the software available for horticulture 5. Discusses the application of microcomputers by grower