Defensive alfalfa bred
NZPA Staff Correspondent Washington Scientists in Kansas have developed alfalfa with sticky, glandular hairs on it. The hairs trap alfalfa weevil and potato leafhopper, the crop’s most serious pests. The hairs produce a sticky fluid that runs down the sides of the glands and snares weevil larvae and leafhopper nymphs as they begin to move about. The scientists, working for the Department of Agriculture, say they are studying differences in hairs, the
quality and quantity of sticky material from different alfalfa species, and the location of hairs on the plant. The research shows promise as a natural pest defence, they say, but further breeding needs to be done.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19830805.2.86
Bibliographic details
Press, 5 August 1983, Page 12
Word Count
111Defensive alfalfa bred Press, 5 August 1983, Page 12
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in