Stem Rust Worse In Nth. Canterbury

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30947, 31 December 1965, Page 12

Stem Rust Worse In Nth. Canterbury

Stem rust has worsened in wheat crops in North Canterbury. This was reported yesterday by Dr. R. C. Close, a plant pathologist of the Plant Diseases Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at Lincoln.

Dr. Close said that a wet spell of weather just before Christmas, when plants had been wet for about 24 hours, had facilitated the spread and development of the disease. It had become more severe in crops that had been inspected, and it was likely that it had developed in other crops in North Canterbury. Though the infection was variable in the worst affected areas, it was likely that yields would be low where crops were severely infected.

The disease had also been found at Lincoln and Timaru, and late-maturing crops might become severely infected, and yields reduced. Dr. Close said he did not think stem rust would seriously reduce the over-all wheal vield. It would rather be a problem in local areas, such as Omihi and Balcairn. Hilgendorf 61 was likely to be affected more than other varieties.

There was a serious shortage of the fungicide, Dithane S3l, which had been recommended earlier for treatment of crops.

Wind And Frost Grass seed crops were damaged by wind, and field peas were frosted during this week’s erratic weather in Canterbury. Seed merchants say, however, that the damage was not generally bad. Grass seed crops were blown about in most districts, but particularly in Cheviot, according to one merchant. Although the rain brought a temporary halt in harvesting, some grass seed consignments have already come into store.

The seed-testing station at Timaru reports that only a small number of samples has been treated. There is not much blind seed infection, the worst so far being only 10 per cent. There is still a lot of seed to be tested yet from the Ashburton and Timaru districts.

With grain crops past the flowering stage, this week’s frost caused no damage, but one Christchurch merchant received a report of a frosted crop of partridge peas at Southbridge. He said he did

not know the extent of the damage, but the pods were reported to be turning brown. Wheat crops, though not quite so forward this year, will soon be ready for harvesting in districts such as Rangiora and Waipara. The first of them are expected to be headed in the first few days of the New Year.

A few oat crops have been harvested in the province, and others—to be kept for chaff—are in stock.