Isolation of crops

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 15

Isolation of crops

A change has been made in the isolation requirements for crops grown for production of seed for certification. It will take effect with crops sown this year for harvesting next year and in subsequent years. There is now an additional isolation requirement for O.E.C.D. certification. All of the existing requirements still apply, but in addition fields of two hectares or less entered for certification must oe isolated from other crops of cross fertilising species by 200 metres. This will begin with the 1977/78 season. The requirements therefore are now: For areas to be eligible for O.E.C.D. certification the isolation distances to be observed between crops of cross fertilising species are: For fields of 2 ha or less: 200 metres. For fields larger than 2 ha: 100 metres.

To be eligible to produce Basic Seed: (a) Ryegrass must be isolated from any crop of a different ryegrass or fescue; (b) clover must be isolated from any crop of a different clover variety; (c) cocksfoot and Timothy must be isolated from any crop of a different variety of the same species; (d) fescue must be isolated from any other fescue or ryegrass. To be eligible to produce first or second generation seed: Ryegrass: Grasslands Ariki. Grasslands Ruanui, and Grasslands Nui must be isolated from each other and from fescue. Grasslands Manawa, Grasslands Paroa, Grasslands Tama, Vigor RVP. and 523 must be isolated from each other and from fescue. Red Clover: Grasslands Turoa, Grasslands Hamua, and Grasslands Pawera must be isolated from each other.

White Clover: Grasslands Huia and Grasslands Pitau must be isolated from each other. Wheat: There is no isola-| tion required except for Karamu. Karamu must be isolated by 100 metres from all other varieties. Brassicas: Brassica seed crops must be isolated by not less than 800 metres from any other flowering brassica crop (excluding crops of the same variety which are under certification) or from voluntary flowering brassica plants in numbers sufficient to be considered as a source of cross pollination. Peas: 100 metres from any other crops of peas. Ryecorn: 100 metres between different varieties. Crops not isolated as stated may be certified under the New Zealand certification scheme as first or second generation, but will not be eligible for O.E.C.D. certification.