September 13, 2018
Natives counter farm run-off
The Institute of Environmental Science and Research is trialing native plants to clean up farm runoff going into Lake Wairarapa.
Scientist Maria Gutierrez-Gines says laboratory work has demonstrated manuka and kanuka enhance the die off of E.coli in the soil and reduce nitrate leaching more effectively than pasture or pine trees.
Other plants such as rata and horopito may have similar properties.
The trial is a collaboration between ESR, local iwi and Greater Wellington Regional Council who have been planting out native trees on land donated by iwi and local farmers.
The plantings have been set a range of widths to see what density of plants is required to get the best outcomes
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