SPRING SOWING OF WHEAT

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22823, 23 September 1939, Page 10

SPRING SOWING OF WHEAT

PRELIMINARY TRIALS WORK AT AGRONOMY DIVISION, LINCOLN In view of the increased activity in spring sowing of wheat this season, some notes on the behaviour of varieties when sown at varying dates in spring may not'be out of place. A trial has been carried out at the Agronomy Division, Lincoln, during, the last three seasons to determine, if possible, the latest date on which a variety may be sown with reasonable expectation of> success. Seasonal conditions are so much the deciding factor in a trial of this nature that it was intended to conduct the experiment for five to seven years before giving any publicity to the results. It is now felt that under present conditions a summary of the results up to date would be justified. For the purpose of the trial sowings were made at weekly intervals during the spring months; the plots were harvested when mature, and the weight of 1000 grains taken as an indication of grain quality. . _ . , . Results are summarised in the following table; — Latest sowing date to give good milling sample. Variety. 1036-37. 1937-38. 1938-39. S.S. Tuscan Sept. 8 Sept. 16 Oct. 14 Cross 7 .. Sept. 8 Sept. 9 Oct. 1421 Jumbuck Oct. 5 Oct. 14 *Oct. 21 Tainui .. Sept. 30 Oct. 1421 Marquis ♦Latest date on which trial was sown. The above figures show a similarity between the seasons 1936-37 and 193738. The winter and spring rainfall for these seasons also shows some similarity in that there were some outstanding dry months and no months of excessive rainfall. Contrasting the 1938-39 season there were abnormally heavy winter rains with an ample supply of soil moisture in the spring. While it is yet early to make a definite pronouncement, July and August _ have already supplied abundant moisture, and the indications are, later weather being favourable, that sowings will again be able to be carried on well into the season. . ' Commenting on the varieties, Tuscan and Cross 7 were both suitable for the earlier sowings. After this, sowings should be of Marquis, Jumbuck, or Tainui,