DISEASE-FREE WHEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20420, 23 November 1929, Page 22

DISEASE-FREE WHEAT.

RESEARCH IN CANADA. Hope is expressed in overseas papers that a ne'w wheat, known as 11-49, and evolved in Canada, will prove to be (lie ]o:>g-looked-for rust-resistant- ideal. Plant bleeders in Canada have for several years been experimenting in art effort to develop ft variety of wheat that will resist rust and at' the same time give a good yield of high-grade quality. For experimentation purposes the Emma variety, 'which is a rough, large, rather pocr-yielding wheat, hut which lias seemed' to he rust-resistant, has been crossed with the famous Marquis wheat, and the'progeny again crossed with Marquis. resulting in a grain which is threctjuaiters Marquis stock. The plant breeders have carried on their .experiments at the Manitoba Agricultural College and from as many as 86 strains ■developed R-49 seems, so far, to be the ,inost promising, though there are a few lathers that are regarded with favour 'and are/,consequently under close observation.

; Flour tests of R-49 have been very encouraging; so, too. have the yields, but i the tests have been made from small [.crops grbwn under glass. If it acquits itself -veil on the wide open spaces R-49 . iiiav be on the way to as much fame as ■?its illustrious parent, Marquis. Mean"while the most severe tests will be given R-49,'and it must come through thein * } vl Ur honours before it will i;e gra.luCanad!^ the faim and £eld o{ W es > ter "