BRANCHING RYEGRASS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 121, 15 February 1941, Page 7

BRANCHING RYEGRASS

Botanist's Recommendation

Has anyone in New Zealand ever heard of rye-grass with branching flower heads? A report of a plant so unusual comes from ictoria, where a farmer wrote to “Stock and Land about it. The journal’s botanist’s comment, given below, is of interest, not alone as it applies to this “sport” but for his advice on action to be taken by the farmer discoverer. ‘•E.G.H.’ has discovered, among hitf ci op of Wimnipra ryegrass a plant with three branching flower heads, having two, three and four branches respectively. He asks if this is uncommon, and if rhe seeds were sown, would they revert to the normal plant or grow with this type of head. He states that the plant hao‘ not stooled. “Stooling and the abundance ot herbage are very important points in grass culture and should be noted in future crops from these seeds, which are stated to be normal. This is undoubtedly a seed ‘sport’ and probably one of good promise for a new type. At present I am not in a position to make enquiries as 4 to what previous records are in this direction, but I will do So early in the New Year. New strains arise Irom such sports, and this discovery may be very important. “It is suggested that every seed should be saved, and sown in a specially prepared plot of good s-oil, a plot which can be hand-weeded ami cultivated regularly. Each plant as it grows should be watched especially for leafage and for vigour. When flower heads come in the

next season, single or normal types should be pulled out, and only the multiple types preserved, the best and most vigorous in growth being marked and noted. Cultivating such ‘sports’ or variations very often results in an improvement from the original sport, and in a year or two quite good strains may be evolved. “It is suggested that. ‘E.G.H.’ should not part with any of the seed just yet; if there is any advantage to be made from the discovery, he may as well have it 1 should welcome reports on the seedlings at any time and will inform you of the results of my inquiries here.”