PEDIGREE SEEDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 257, 27 September 1935, Page 12

PEDIGREE SEEDS.

WORK AT PLANT RESEARCH STATION. “A marked step forward in the year under review is the debut of herbage seeds ol : a pedigree standard, some 220 acres having been sown out specifically for pedigree seed production purposes from seed originally bred at the Plant Research' Station,” says Mr E. Bruce Levy, agrostologist at tiie Plant Research Station, Palmerston North,, in his annual statement which is contained in the report of the Department of Agriculture. “Certain of this is grown on contract to the department who resell to interested merchants for seed production purposes under certification. By the resale of this contract-grown seed it is hoped to make revenue-producing the raising of nucleus pedigree stock seed and thus enable the station work to be placed on a sound and businesslike basis in regard to equipment and labour. At the present time the grassland work is conducted part on the Plant Research Station area, part on Massey College property, and part on city lease property, and it is highly problematical whether this arrangement will stand for an indefinite period, apart altogether from the inconvenience of working. Some small blocks apart, however, are necessary for isolation purposes when dealing with species like perennial and Italian ryegrass or strains ol these that freely hybridise when grown in contiguous blocks. “The present labour requirement is met by unemployed, labour, and this is for tiie most part of a most unsatisfactory nature. The measurement work in relation to production from species and strains, alone and in mixtures, and a grazing trial to study reaction of species and strains to different systems of grazing have been continued at Marton, but the distance away is a factor in seeing these trials sufficiently often to get the best results from a research worker’s point of view. A plea for the consolidation of this work at Palmerston North is again made. “The activities of the station have been extended during the year in coordination with tiie Dairy Research Institute in the matter ot our inquiry into tire problem of feed flavours in cream and butter. Grassland research has a twofold scope—(l) The production of quantity and quality ot herbage; and (.2) the effects of such herbage as feed for animals and effect on animal products. Pedigree pastures demand a quantitative and qualitative measure, and the only satisfactory way of getting that measure is by means ot the animal nseli. The collaboratory work with the Dairy Research Institute oil the influence of feeds, fed pure and in mixtures, in particular reference to feed flavours iu butter, is a welcome commencement of this work. Plant diem-' istry is an integral part of such an investigation, and the close co-upera-tion of the Plant Research chemist (Mr Doak) is being fully utilised. The chemistry section is of very great value to agristology, both in research and as a routine aid to type determination for certification purposes, particularly in'so tar as white clover is concerned. '

“The past year has been one of intense activity, and the whole staff concerned lias been working at very high pressure. Field trials and farming experience have again emphasised the enormous value to New Zealand of ‘strain’ in ‘ grasses and clovers as a factor to progress. Reports from the South Island from even the most, arable districts are extremely encouraging, particularly from the point of view of the ryegrass strain used. New Zealand certified strains are being increasingly demanded. Plot trial, field trial, and farm scale experience is also emphasising the value of the New Zealand No. 1 white-clover type, and this fairly bids to rival certified perennial ryegrass in importance viewed from the point of view of strain.”