AN ECONOMIC FACTOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20105, 16 November 1928, Page 20

AN ECONOMIC FACTOR.

DISEASE IN PLANTS. "Disease is at present one of the main governing factors in agriculture. Where it, is stamped out as tho result of research work, and a definite, yield from crops, subject to weather conditions, is assured, the economics of marketing aro placed on a different footing—you have stabilisation."

This statement by Dr. G. H. Cunningbarn, mycologist at the I'almerston North plant research station, was amplified in a recent discussion upon the investigation of disease in seed Dr. Cunningham alluded to the immense losses created an nually in New Zealand by potato diseases 'I hey were responsible each year for uncertainty as to the market would be starved or Hooded If potatoes could be grown disease-free, the whole ccori omics of marketing would be; altered, and a > welcome measure of stabilisation assured. . , , . ■ , .

As the result of research effort, nearly all tho malting barley in Canterbury was now grown froo from disease. Some threshing mills might still carry the in fecting fungus, and it. would take years of growing certified disease-free seed to en suro that all traces were removed The effort proved, however, the practicability of stamping out infection, and English seed growers and exporters were being persuaded to treat "mother" swedo and turnip seed to ensure that only disease free varieties were brought to tho Domin ion.

llii.s year tho plant research station was studying potato diseases, and it was hoped that l>y next year at least some disease-free seed would l>o in supply. One other manner in which disease affected farm economics was its bearing on the growth of supplementary foddors such as root crops. Topdressing brought about an increase in pasture growth Tor about nine months of the year, but for tho remaining three tho dairyman, in particular, bad to fall back upon supplementary fodders, the assured growth of wliicli free from disease would vastly increase the carrying capacity of the land.