Farmers Discriminate In The Selection of Good Seed

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17953, 3 December 1932, Page 9

Farmers Discriminate In The Selection of Good Seed

an* becoming liion* and more discriminating in the purchasing of agricultural seeds. I rapid rad go Imi mi i.ion, inadaptubiii f v of the variety or strain, seed-borne diseases, and inherently low vigor art .all eontributors farters rendering seed unproduetive. The realisation of these facts more particularly those re lating to strain differences, is one of the outstanding features of modern agriculture, writes Messrs. .1. W. Had* field and R. Thomson in the current number of the .Journal of .Agriculture

Tho average farm crop is regarded by the plant-breeder as a collection of individual plants which arc not all alike. In this mixed population variations in height, yield, maturity, seed, and many characters of this kind can bo detected ,and they form a basis foi selection. In attempting any improvement within a variety the individual plants have first to bo studied to determine what promising variants art present, and these are then increased and tested.

This preliminary study of the crop,entailing the isolation and investiga tion of its component strains, occupies a considerable amount of time arid necessitates extensive pilot work of a technical nature. So far, investigations at the Pure Seed Station at Lincoln have been confined mainly to those varieties which have proved themselves under New Zealand conditions, but having explored all possible avenues in this direction further advancement will entail the introduction and testing of varieties from other countries, and finally the crossing of selected individuals, having in view some definite objective. The stage is approaching when further development in certain crops will necessitate the application of more advanced methods. In some crops, notably potatoes, wheat, and barley, seed is being distributed annually; in peas and linseed this stage is about to be reached; simultaneously other crops are being studied which will, in duo course, follow along similar lines.

The value to the farming community of the seed distributed each year would be very much less were it not for the system of seed certification undertaken by the Fields Division Seed which is distributed by the Pure Seed Station is grown by farmers under certification. This ensures careful inspection of the farmer’s crop, arid the sealing and tagging of his produce. Ever-widening distribution is thus effected, and full benefit is derived from the nucleus seed distributed each year.