A downturn in the use of compost by Bay of Plenty kiwifruit growers has prompted an investigation into alternative uses for the nutrient rich sea lettuce.
About 3000 tonnes of the foul smelling algae washes up along Tauranga's beaches every summer and is usually composted and put on the region's many kiwifruit orchards.
But since the discovery of the vine-killing disease PSA in 2010, demand has significantly dropped off.
Bruce Gardner, from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, has just received $20,000 from its bright idea fund to investigate the sea lettuce's value on other types of orchards.
He says the council wants to find a range of sustainable options, so sea lettuce that is removed from particular beaches does not have to be transported to compost facilities that are some distance away.
Mr Gardner says instead, it is hoped it can be disposed of locally close to where the sea lettuce been picked up.
"And that's the beauty of looking at orchard mulching because there are orchards spread right throughout the Tauranga Harbour area, and there has been a number of disposals to avocado orchards in the past."
He says anecdotally, that has been very successful, but the council is seeking some more robust science around the application of sea lettuce in orchards.
Mr Gardner says he will also look at using sea lettuce as a fertiliser, stock feed or biofuel and will complete a report on his progress mid-way through next year.
