MILDEW IN WHEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2859, 30 December 1908, Page 9

MILDEW IN WHEAT.

CHRISTCHURCH, December. 24.

Wheat mildew was recently detected in a crop in the Timaru district, and a specimen' was forwarded to Mr T. W. Kirk (Government biologist), who declared it to be wheat mildew. Mr Kirk states, that it is often responsible for considerable loss in cereal crops, and is often abundant in cultivated grasses. It is generally Trorefc in crops that have been thickly sown, end under suck, conditions might prove disastrous to the crops. The disease winters over in the straw from an affected crop, consequently the destruction of. the straw after harvest is one of the best means of preventing the recrudescence of the disease the following year. The most effective w&y i& to spread the straw over the stubble so as to .burn all tihe affected portions of the plants. The ground should then be ploughed as soon as possible. Up to the present wheat mildew has not been destructive in the Dominion, as it has been in some parts of. Europe. The crops in theTimaTU district in which it was detected were only slightly affected, but it was considered desirable to have the matter investigated and steps taken to prevent the possible spread of the disease.