USA awards honour NZ scientists

Media Release July 26, 2000

USA awards honour NZ scientists

Research that helps manager with world's water resources and information to forecast apple growth, has resulted in New Zealand scientists being recognised with prestigious awards in the USA.

Brent Clothier a HortResearch science leader based in Palmerston North has received the American Society for Soil Sciences' 2000 Don and Betty Kirkham Soil Physics Award.

Dr Clothier has led a research programme that has advanced the understanding of how water, fertilisers and other chemicals move through different soil types. This information helps to improve the efficiencies of irrigation systems and to manage fertiliser programmes to minimise ground water contamination.

The award recognises the significance and originality of the research and its contributions "nationally and internationally, and on the world community at large".

Dr Clothier is the first non-American to receive this award which will be presented at the Society's annual convention at Minneapolis in November. Dr Clothier said, "I'm rapt".

HortResearch CEO, Dr Ian Warrington and colleagues Tina Fulton, Liz Halligan and Dr Nihal de Silva have been awarded the American Society for Horticultural Science's award of the most outstanding fruit research published in the Society's journals during 1999.

Their research defines the role played by temperature son after flowering, on the eventually size and maturity of apples. The information is used to forecast apple fruit growth during different seasons and in different regions.

Dr Warrington and Liz Halligan will collect this award at the Society's annual conference at Orlando this week.

"It is very satisfying to see two such prestigious awards both going to staff in HortResearch," Dr Warrington said. He also observed that the achievements of scientists in New Zealand were at least equal to the best of those elsewhere in the world.

For further information contact: Dr Brent Clothier, HortResearch, Palmerston North, 06 356 8080, Ext 7733. Mobile 021 667 206. Email: bclotheir@hort.cri.nz or Liz Halligan, HortResearch, Palmerston North, 06 356 8080, Ext 7765. Email: lhalligan@hort.cri.nz or Liz Brook, Communications Manager, HortResearch, Tel: 06 351 7000 Ext 7749 Mobile: 025 505 912 A/h: 06 328 9836 Email: lbrook@hort.cri.nz

Liz Brook Communications Manager HortResearch Corporate Office Private Bag 11 030 Palmerston North New Zealand

Tel: +64 (6) 351 7000 Ext 7749 Fax: +64 (6) 351 7038 Mobile: 025 505 912

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