Story: Weeds of agriculture

Giant buttercups

Giant buttercups

The buttercup that grows in many gardens is small compared with the giant buttercup (Ranunculus acris), which can reach waist height. Nationally it is estimated to cost $156 million in lost dairy production. It has developed a resistance to spray control, so AgResearch is investigating using a mycoherbicide (living plant pathogen) made from a fungus.

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How to cite this page:

Ian Popay, 'Weeds of agriculture - Costs of weeds, and the future', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/16494/giant-buttercups (accessed 17 April 2024)

Story by Ian Popay, published 24 Nov 2008