Stripe rust influences Southland Cereal 86

Press, 5 December 1986, Page 27

Stripe rust influences Southland Cereal 86

Yellow stripe rust in 1.C.1. Cereal 1986 competition plots should keep entrants “on their toes,” according to a M.A.F. agronomy adviser, Mr Alistair Grant.

“Disease control could have a large bearing on the final outcome of the competition,” he said..

All three competing wheat cultivars, Oroua, Otane and Advantage, have been reasonably resistant to the disease when grown commerci-

ally in Southland, Mr Grant said.

The 10 competition plots are on Mr Mike Hazlett’s property at Lochiel.

New rust strains have occurred on the occasional paddock and small trial plots during the past two seasons but, unlike Canterbury, Southland has been generally free of the problem. Mr Grant said this year is the first year rust has “taken off.” The disease was first

discovered in Southland in November 1980. In bad seasons it can halve the expected yield of a susceptible cultivar. The good numbers of tillers produced on all 10 plots have improved the prospects for reasonable crops. The main weeds in the plots are Californian thistle, yarrow, willow weed, wild turnip and grass weeds, which are all commonly found in Southland. “It appears a few entrants have either completely withheld herbicides or have opted for cheapish chemicals to minimise costs,” Mr Grant said.

Weather conditions have been ideal since October. With temperatures over 20 degrees on some days, plots are a little dry despite the wetter than normal winter which delayed soil preparation. The most advanced plot already has seed heads emerging and the majority of the other plots are at the joint stage, but fast catching up, Mr Grant said.

“Some marked differences are now showing through as a result of varying nitrogen applications, the cultivars sown and weed control measures used.” Besides varying degrees of success with drilling and establishment, differences in crop height, colour and leaf size are evident, he said.

Open days with commercial exhibits are planned for January 29 and 30, but Mr Grant said visitors are welcome to visit the Lochiel site before then.