RUSSIAN WHEAT USED

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28702, 27 September 1958, Page 15

RUSSIAN WHEAT USED

Cross Made With Arawa A Russian perennial wheat developed by crossing Agropyron glaucum, which is related to

twitch, with triticum or wheat, has been used for crossing with Arawa at the Crop Research Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at Lincoln. The cross made last week-end is for the purpose pf imparting some of the Russian wheat’s drought resistant qualities to the New Zealand wheat. Aotea is also to be crossed with the Russian variety for the same purpose. The Russian wheat has been grown from a small quantity of about 100 grains of seed sent to New Zealand by Dr. N. V. Cicin,

a noted Russian plant breeder, ‘who developed the wheats "The dispatch of the seed to the senior cereal breeder at Lincoln, Mr L. G. Copp, followed the visit to the station two years ago of a Russian agricultural mission. Mr Copp then inquired of the leader of the mission whether it might be possible to secure samples of one or more of the perennial wheats, and he advised the New Zealander to write to the Soviet Union. The seed arrived soon afterwards.

The Russian wheat has been raised in the growth chamber, where it was sown in early March. A true winter wheat, it ■has been necessary after germination to place it in a refrigerator for a few days to give it the wintering effect. The 12 plants in the growth chamber have made good healthy growth. “It looks pretty good.” said Mr Copp the other day. “The heads are quite big and well formed, and they have no awns on them. Many Continental wheats are bearded, but this wheat is not, and that is a good thing.” Mr Copp said that as far as could be seen the Russian wheat was more resistant to leaf diseases than New Zealand wheats, and it might be possible to use some of these factors in future crossing. About 50 more plants of the wheat are being grown in the field. The “idea is to harvest these plants and multiply the seed until there is enough for it to be tested' for baking quality. The Russians claim that it has a good baking quality.

St. John Country Delegates

Delegates from Fairlie, a newlyformed sub-centre, were welcomed by the chairman (Mr J. H. Rhodes) at the bi-annual meeting of country delegates of the Can-terbury-Westland centre, qf the St. John Ambulance Association, held recently. Delegates from Cheviot,. another new sub-centre, were also expected but were unable to travel. Attention was drawn to the work of Mr W. Bailey, district records officer, by Mr Rhodes. In the preparation of the association’s certificates Mr Bailey had regularly spent three days a week at the Christchurch centre for some time, he said.