WILD PLANT HYBRIDS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 298, 15 September 1927, Page 8

WILD PLANT HYBRIDS

THEIR EVOLUTIONARY SIGNIFICANCE

ROYAL SOCIETY GRANT FOR RESEARCH .

The outstanding feature of recent botanical research in the Dominion has been the increasing attention paid to wild hybrid plants. Brought into prominence by the discovery by Dr. L. Cockayne, F.R.S., of the astonishing diversity found among our native beeches, these researches have aroused interest among botanical and evolutionary scientists the world over. Further stimulus was given by the lectures delivered by the great Dutch botanist Dr. J. P. Lotsy, during his visit to New Zealand in 1925. It is now recognised that not only are there a great number of species 'of plants that- hybridise, but that as a result there is produced an amazing multiplicity of forms. Some evidence of this fecundity of nature in New Zealand has been adduced by Dr. Lotsy during the great science edrigress now being concluded at Leeds. Supported by numerous New Zealand specimens, Dr. Lotsy has been able to demonstrate the immense evolutionary significance of*the facts already attained, and the need for an exhaustive study in a Country so exceptionably suited as is New Zealand.

That this is not unrecognised in influential scientific circles is evidenced by the fact that Dr. Cockayne has received a grant of £lOO from the Royal Society of London for the prosecution of research on New Zealand wild hybrid plants. Associated with him in the grant is Dr. H. H. Allan, F.L.S., of the Feilding Agricultural High School, to whom will fall the task of carrying out the field work. An extensive tour of important localities is being planned, and it is expected that the work will be commenced early in December. Dr. Allan has charge of the botanical work of his school, both nure and agricultural. The Feilding High School is to Tie congratulated on having a member of its staff selected for this work, and cannot but benefit bv the results.

While the grantees are left entirely free to carry out their researches as seems best to them, it is obvious that many important lessons should lie learnt that will be of great economic importance as well as of theoretic interest. Plant-breeding to be successful must be based on just such principles as ought to emerge from a thorough study of wild hybrids. The horticultural possibilities of such research hardly need stressing, and have already been fully appreciated bv the leading horticultural journal of England, “The Gardeners’ Chronicle.”