EXPERIMENTAL FARM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 262, 19 August 1930, Page 3

EXPERIMENTAL FARM

TRIALS AT ASHBURTON.

DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD.

AFFECTED BY ERRATIC SEASON

The experimental work that engaged attention of the field officers of the Department of Agriculture at the Department's farm at Ashburton during the last season is discussed in the latest issue of the Journal of Agriculture by Mr R. McGillivray (Fields Superintendent) and Mr J. G. McKay (manager of the farm). Climatic conditions throughout the season were not as good as they might have been, a dry spring being followed bv an unusually wet period after Christmas, and this in turn being followed by a dry winter. The combined effect of these extremes was noted in the development and yields of the various crops. The wheat work carried out was chiefly an extension of the preceding season's operations. Of the varieties under observation, Solid Straw Tuscan, Dreadnought, Velvet Chaff, Solid Straw Velvet, and Major were the most promising of some 57 of the 1928-29 strains. Selections were sown in plots consisting of three rows 50ft. long, and each trial was replicated eight times. Increase plots were also sown. The seed in all cases were hot-water treated, andl all lines were free from smut. The small plots were harvested by hand and threshed with the small peg-tooth mill, the larger area being harvested with the binder and threshed with a settlers' mill. The area of land selected was considered fairly) uniform, but the long period of dry weather experienced in the spring showed up marked variations in depth and general condition of soil ? and the variations in growth nullified data in connection with the yielding power of various lines.

A disturbing factor in connection with the raising of pure wheat lines under local conditions is the amount of natural crossing that evidently takes place. Of the different strains of the varieties under trial not one has retained its purity. The location of certain plots indicates that crossing may occur where varieties are quite 10ft. apart. The condition of several lines has necessitated further selections from all varieties. Some seed of the following varieties is available for distribution: Dreadnought, Velvet Chaff, Solid Straw Velvet, and Major. All seed of Solid Straw Tuscan was sold for milling, as its purity did not reach expectations. Ear-to-row trials from selected Marquis 10b, Marquis 4, Sensation, and Garnet, and yield trials of these wheats Avere also conducted in small plots. A buffer of mixed grain jpas sown round the trial plots as a protection from small birds, but despite this precaution, plus shooting, great damage was done. Garnet was completely stripped, and the Pearl under yield trial was so attacked as to make results valueless. Barley Trials.

Four acres were under barley variety trials. Four strains each of the malting varieties, Plumage, Plumage Archer, Archer Spratt, Goldthorpe Spratt, and Chevallier were sown for iprfrposes, and also to obtain sufficient seed for further work and vield trials which will be carried out next season. The seed used was one season removed from the hot-water treatment, and the crops were absolutely free from smut. The long dry period experienced in the spring and early summer resulted in slow growth on the part of the barley, with the result that fathen became a strong competitor, and the amount of seed available for next season's work is not so great was expected. Potato Certification. The number of lines of potatoes grown on the farm for certification purposes was 323. A more comprehensive method of planting was adopted this season, each line of 100 tubers being planted diagonally across the field in short rows of 10 tubers. As a yield check every third row was planted with a certified line of Breeze's Prolific. The manurial treatment was 3cwt. of super an acre applied prior to planting, and a further liewt. broadcast after completion of planting. No fertilisers were applied in the drill in contact with the seed. There was a considerable amount of moisture in the soil at time of planting, and growth was rapid, but the long period of dry! weather later interfered with development, and l yields were not as good as was originally expected. The difference between the yields of lines of high cropping-power and those of low cropping-power was very marked, however. Of the 323 line's entered for certification, only 87 passed the second field inspection, and it was probable that some further rejections would take place when the final tuber inspections were carried out. The principal cause of rejection can be attributed to the presence of virus diseases—in fact, half of all the rejections can be put down to that cause. Some promising lines, however, in so far as cropping power is concerned, had to be rejected'owing to a high percentage of rogues in the crop. The aim and object of the certification scheme is to eliminate weak, low producing lines of potatoes, irrespective of variety. The difference in cropping power of different lines of the same variety when all are grown under similar soil conditions and with the same manurial treatment is quite remarkable. Those who have been in close contact with the trial plots on the experimental farm have been deeply impressed l by what has been demonstrated regarding differences in cropping power and in the incidence of various diseases in the same varieties. Farmers often seek advice as to what variety of potato they should grow. The Ashburton trials have clearly proved the importance of strain rather than of variety. For example, the Dakota variety may be .quoted as regards the main crop, and Epicure among the earlv varieties. The yield of table potatoes in the case of Dakota ranged from 11.6 down to 1.7 tons per acre, and that of Epicure from 9.7 down to 0.5 tons. , Pure seed trials were planted with selections of potatoes some of which were imported in 1927-28, and area oi approximately seven acres being utilised for this purpose. Roguine for virus disease was commenced early in lJecember and continued throughout the growing period. Some selections were discarded entirely while others proved to be of considerable merrt, both in cropping power and freedom from disease, and these are being retained for further extensive trials. About three and a half acres were required for the Scottish and Irish seed potatoes imported during the season. One hundredweight of 15 varieties were received from Scotland and 15 varieties were later in the season received from

Ireland. The Scottish lines made very rapid growth, and a considerable quantity of seed is assured. The Irish lines opened up in anything but a satisfactory) condition, and as they were planted late it was doubtful if much seed would be secured. Several varieties were also received from Canada. These lines only amounted to a few sets of each of the following: Irish Cobbler, Burbank, Green Mountain, Dooley, Burbank showed the most vigorous growth and proved the best yielder. These potatoes were very free from virus disease, and will be put under trial again next season.* Field and Garden Peas. About 370 selections from 36 varieties of field and garden peas were planted out in September in quarterchain rows, seeds being spaced 6in apart. Germination was exceptionally good in all cases, and although the plants did not make growth, owing to dry weather, they podded well, and the most promising strains have been retained for further trial. Onion Selections. A quantity of bulbs from nine varieties was planted out in isolated positions on the farm for seed-production purposes. These varieties were grown from seed imported by the department in 1928, and the purpose of the trial was to endeavour to obtain commercial quantities of seed of varieties possessing long-keeping qualities. The varieties grown were Danvers Yellow, Globe, Golden Globe, Southport Yellow Globe, Ebenezer, Sutton's A.L., Australian Brown, Sutton's Improved Reading, Sutton's Globe. A small quantity has been obtained for future work, but supplies' for trial on growers' farms will* not be,available for some time yet. Linseed. Twenty lines selected from the Bull Moose variety were shown for comparison with a commercial line, and a number of varieties from Australia and also various selections made last year were also under observation. Considerable variation was present in the Bull Moose selections, and it seems quite possible to evole a taller-growing strain of this favourite variety. Work will be continued along these lines next season.