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.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19840414.2.45
Bibliographic details
Press, 14 April 1984, Page 7
Word Count
279Plant research cuts affect N.Z. Press, 14 April 1984, Page 7
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.