Bacteria will save farmers money
PA Auckland A bacteria which will save farmers $lOO million a year will to be released next year. Ministry of Agriculture scientists have produced the naturally found bacteria, Serratia entomophila, to kill native grass grub, which costs farmers $lOO million a year to control.
A Christchurch scientist, Trevor Jackson, said the bacteria, found only in New Zealand, was discov-
ered in 1981 during tests on diseased grass grub. The product, which had undergone trials in the last five years, would be marketed next autumn. Grass-grub larvae eat the roots of pasture, stunting growth and leaving stock short of food. Dr Jackson said D.D.T. was used to kill the grub during the 1950 s and
19605, but was banned in 1969 and no effective control had been found until now.
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Press, 8 October 1988, Page 14
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134Bacteria will save farmers money Press, 8 October 1988, Page 14
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