PASTURE PLANTS FROM PORTUGAL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29068, 3 December 1959, Page 18

PASTURE PLANTS FROM PORTUGAL

Adaptation To N.Z. Conditions (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 2. Plant collections from maritime Portugal and Galacia would be of utmost importance to New Zealand pasture winter growth potential as the area had a similar climate to the North Island, said Dr. P. D. Sears, director of the grasslands division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, today. Dr. Sears said the search for improved pasture species was an essential link in New Zealand’s future farming economy. Originally, most of the species came mainly from northern Europe, and from those had been developed present-day high-yielding and palatable pastures. “Active research and breeding of hybrids is now being conducted, using two recent introductions from Mediterranean islands,” he said. “One is a winter-growing Spanish white clover, which, it is hoped, may help to produce a white clover which will complement the vigorous winter-growing ryegrass varieties. The other is a Portuguese variety of lotus with excellent winter growth. The incorporation of this into the present best local variety has possibilities for providing a good all-year-growing strain.”