New wheat varieties for commercial use

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 21

New wheat varieties for commercial use

The release of two new varieities of wheat for commercial growing has been recommended to the director-general of the Department of Scientific and industrial Research, Dr E. I. Robertson, by the Wheat Research Committee.

The varieties, Rongotea and Oroua, are seen as replacements for Karamu, which is out of favour because of its variable baking quality.

The chairman of the committee, Professor R. H. M. Langer, said that the new varieties would meet the same need but fill slightly different niches. The director of the Crop Research Division of the D.5.1.R., (Dr H. C. Smith) whose division has bred the two varieties, said that their simultaneous release would mean that Karamu could be replaced on a larger scale than usual. The Wheat Board wanted to see Karamu replaced, and favoured the release of the new varieties if it served that end, said the board’s general manager, Mr E. R. W. Reed.

However, there is some doubt about exactly when, the new wheats will become available. Dr Smith said it was believed that about 200 tonnes of each variety available would be next autumn.

The division, as the breeder, wants to apply to the Plant Varieties Office in the Ministry of Agriculture for rights under the Plant Varieties Act, 1973, but wheats have not been included yet in the scheme. If the seed of a variety is sold for commercial production before an application for rights is accepted it cannot be granted subsequently.

Dr Smith said that the division had suggested the release should be delayed until protection was given under the scheme, which

might be in time for sow» ing next season. The committee wants the varieties to be released as soon as possible, and it has d. zided to send a delegation to the Minister of Agriculture to emphasise its concern. Dr Robertson will be informed of the committee’s intention. The deputation will consist of Professor Langer, Dr Smith, and Messrs A. L. Mulholland and R. J. Hicken. Dr Smith said that the

key point in seeking rights over the two varieities was the benefit that New Zealand might receive in royalities. A potential market for the wheats was seen in southern Europe and North Africa. The D.S.I.R. and Federated Farmers supported the principle of royalities on varieities bred by the State that could be used for plant breeding. Both decisions on the new wheats were approved unanimously.