Small Production of Ryegrass Seed In Southland

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 60, Issue 1, 15 January 1940, Page 39

Small Production of Ryegrass Seed In Southland

Other Varieties Which Should Yield Profitable Returns

A. STUART,

Instructor in Agriculture, Invercargill.

SOME eleven years have elapsed since the introduction of certification to lines of perennial ryegrass in Southland, and since that time there has been a decided falling-off in ryegrass seed production in this province. This did not occur because of any local prejudice in growing lines which originated in other districts or because of the high prices which these lines commanded; the real reason was that the germination of certified lines of seed could not be depended on when produced in this locality. Consequently, the risk of failure was too great, as one fortunate season could not be expected to compensate for three unfortunate seasons, even after taking into consideration the high yields obtained. An article entitled “Blind-Seed Diseases in Ryegrass” in the “Journal of Agriculture” for March, 1939, p. 223, discusses what is known concerning low germination and the avenue being explored by research workers in an

endeavour ; to combat what is a serious problem to the seed producer. The following figures show the acreage of perennial ryegrass cut for seed and yield per acre:— Season. Acres. Yield (lb.) 1924- .. .. 15,651 480.52 1925- .. .. . 14,471 530.22

1926- .. .. 15,592 434.54 1927- .. .. 8,855 516.38 1928- .. .. 9,967 464.34 1929- .. .. 9,937 489.85 1930- .. .. 13,354 407.35 1931- .. .. 6,143 404.92 1932- .. .. 11,629 479.94 1933- .. .. 10,450 446.14 1934- .. .. 10,479 413.41 1935- .. .. 10,636 512.41 1936- .. .. 4,661 368.57 1937- .. .. 5,299 365.14 Decrease in Area From these figures it will be noticed that a decrease in area took place from the season 1926-27, although the very low acreage seen 10 years later in 193637 can be accounted for by the wet season experienced, which precluded the cutting of many areas which had been closed for seed production. In Southland, with its comparatively short grass-growing season, the rush of surplus growth in late spring is accentuated, and in addition to the closing of areas for hay and ensilage, the closing

of seed production areas relieved the position to some extent. Until such time as the germination trouble on perennial ryegrass has been solved the, seed producer is being forced to explore other avenues of seed Asm doX“ and browntop, which have been harvested for ? many years in Southland, it is found that certified lines of’ white clover, cocksfoot, Italian ryegrass, and even Montgomery red clover, are being used for this purpose. It should be noted that Ch ewings fescue is confined to certain districts, which practically have a monopoly of this seed to the exclusion of all other seeds. As the crops mentioned are comparatiygly new to many growers, advice and experience already gained may not be out of place to intending growers. In the first place, it is necessary that only seed of mother seed standard, or better, be sown. Pedigree lines which are of higher standard than mother are obtainable in white clover and cocksfoot. In selecting lines, those with the least impurity should be preferred.

White Clover White clover mother seed at 31b. per acre would generally be sown with a mixture of grass seeds, as not every season would be suitable for the production of seed. Sown in this way, hay or ensilage would be obtained if the seed crop were unprofitable. In a wet season it is found that white clover growth continues right into the autumn, and the seed heads formed in January rot and fall to the ground. The later flowering heads’ do not have time to mature, and consequently the crop is not payable. The 1937-38 season was exceptionally favourable for the production of white clover seed, and yields of more than 2001 b. per acre were obtained in many cases. One precaution to be taken is not to sow white clover on land on which Lotus major has been previously grown, as this clover proves to be a serious seed impurity which cannot be eliminated by machine dressing. . Another serious impurity in white clover which is very hard to eliminate by machine dressing is the annual suckling

clover, or little trefoil. If, however, the land is well drained and in good heart and the seed bed is fine and firm, it will be found that this clover tends to be smothered out by the white clover. Cocksfoot Cocksfoot is generally sown pure at the rate of 201 b. per acre where the farmer is prepared not to graze the field throughout the year.. Where a little grazing 7 is to be secured, however, 21b. of white clover could be profitably included. Grazing should be strictly controlled, and the crown of the plant should not be severely grazed. The farmer should act on the principle of a large number of stock for a short period, rather than on a smaller number for a longer period, when perhaps serious damage, may occur in certain parts of the field. In selecting lines of seed to sow, care should be taken to select those lines showing the least ryegrass impurity, as it is practically impossible to obtain the necessary purity standard with ryegrass present in any quantity. Cases

have occurred where farmers have obtained a dominant ryegrass sward in the first year after a pure sowing of 201 b. per acre of cocksfoot. This quantity of seed, however, contained nearly 11b. of ryegrass, and when it is realised that lib. of ryegrass contains 250,000 seeds (a seeding of nearly six to the square foot) this is readily explained when the differences in rate of estab-., lishment are also taken-into account. ; If, in spite of all precautions, ryegrass shows to any extent the area should be made into hay to prevent any ryegrass seed falling. If continued for .a. few seasons this treatment will, even in bad cases, eventually result in the elimination of the ryegrass, which is generally of the false perennial type. Land sown to cocksfoot should be well drained and, if possible, with a gravel subsoil. River banks are ideal for this purpose. . ~ ' The yield of cocksfoot has a habit of varying from season to season. As high as. six bags per acre have been obtained, but the average would be below three.

Italian Ryegrass Italian ryegrass is generally sown pure at the rate of 25 to 301 b. per acre in the autumn after oats. Feed is obtained during the last autumn, winter, and early spring, and the area is

closed for seed production about the middle of October. It is ready to harvest in January, coming in after perennial ryegrass. Forty bushels per acre of seed can be expected under average conditions. , - ' Montgomery Red Clover For seed production Montgomery red clover will never become popular with the Southland farmer, as the harvesting of the crop even in a favourable season

would not be before the end of April. Weather conditions at this period cannot be relied on, and consequently the element of risk is too great. In late years, however, a number of crops have been harvested, but in most cases the areas have not been as pure sowings,' the general procedure being to include 2 to 31b. of Montgomery red clover in the permanent seeds mixture. The area is grazed to the middle of November and then closed to stock. With ordinary conditions, the crop is ready to cut in April. If sown pure, 8 to 101 b. of seed would be necessary, sown with 101 b. of either perennial or Italian ryegrass (as may be preferred), which is included for the purpose of holding the clover up to some extent and encouraging easier cutting. It is often found that a very heavy seed crop lodges and rots to some extent before harvesting can be carried out. This may result in an opening up of the sward. In all cases, the Montgomery red clover would be spring sown, and generally sown with a nurse crop of oats. A yield of up to 2001 b. per acre could be expected.

uh— mi— uh—uu—mi—-«—• * 1 Until the problem of germina- I i tion of perennial ryegrass is 1 | solved, the sowing of ryegrass ! I for seed production is not likely | j to be an attractive proposition | | for many Southland farmers. j ? However, there are other ? I varieties of grasses and clovers s 1 which should yield profitable I I returns in this province, and this I J K article sets out several points ] j which will assist farmers who i | may be contemplating entering j j the seed trade. j an—mi—mi—uu— uu—uu—mi— mi—mi—mi—mi—ii *

The Department apologises for the late publication of the “Journal” this month, which has been caused by difficulties in obtaining supplies of paper, due to the war. It is expected that normal supplies will be on hand for next month’s issue.