VARIETIES FOR N.I.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29798, 14 April 1962, Page 8

VARIETIES FOR N.I.

Planning Need Emphasised

A major effort toward the breeding of suitable, rustresistant varieties of wheat for the North Island would not be warranted unless there was a clear indication that these would be required 15 to 20 years hence, Mr L. G. L. Copp told the inquiry into the wheat, flour and bread industries yesterday. As senior wheat breeder for the Crop Research Division of the D.S.I.R. at Lincoln, Mr Copp was describing the function of the division He said that such a policy would require testing facilities in the North Island. A stem-rust resistant Hilgendorf wheat was being bred in Marlborough and this might be satisfactory in the North Island, he said. “It is necessary to have a clear indication of the longterm policy regarding wheatgrowing in New Zealand for this work to be carried out efficiently. As the general level of wheat yield is raised, it becomes increasingly difficult to combine, in one variety, the essential characters required by the farmer, the miller and the baker,” said Mr Copp. Saving From Aotea

The work of the division had led to the breeding of wheats of higher yield, better baking qualities and improved resistance to disease, said a statement from the secretary of the department, Dr. W. M. Hamilton. The development of Aotea wheat had made a very significant contribution to the economy of New Zealand.

Because of its gi eater yield to the acre, it was saving the country an estimated £1 million a year in overseas exchange, said Dr. Hamilton.

The work of the Wheat Research Institute had given greater knowledge of the processes involved in dough and the baking of bread with consequent improvements in the technology of the milling and baking industries, he said.