Plant research cuts affect N.Z.

Press, 14 April 1984, Page 7

Plant research cuts affect N.Z.

From

DIANA DEKKER

in London Cuts in the British Government’s funding of the Welsh plant-breeding station, near Aberystwyth, will axe many projects on which there has been close co-operation with New Zealand scientists and farmers. The station is well known throughout the world and in New Zealand especially for work on grasses, clovers, animal nutrition, and cereal breeding. Cuts of £500,000 in the station’s budget of £3M will reduce the work-force about one-fifth and will mean the end of work on many projects. The D.S.I.R. Forage Grassland Research Centre at Palmerston North is one of a number of centres which will be affected by. the cuts. Work on the effect of hormones in clover on sheep fertility will be one area cut. Scientists at the station had been working for .seven years on developing 1 clover

varieties without this side effect. Their work had been successful and one variety was under-going trials this year. New Zealand scientists had been unable to pursue similar research. Other work on grass varieties which will be cut includes the breeding of rye grasses with a high mineral content to reduce the need for mineral licks. Studies of plant nutrition including the way in which temperature and climate affect the take-up of mineral and fertilisers ’ (including phosphates) will also be'cut. Scientists from the station set up a barley breeding programme in New Zealand using technology, perfected at the station, which speeds the development of new varieties. The D.S.I.R. in Christchurch has played a vital role in the success of the station’s barley breeding work by growing seed during the United Kingdom winter, thus doubling the amount grown each year.