Research On New Zealand Turf Is Important Work

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 79, 21 December 1949, Page 5

Research On New Zealand Turf Is Important Work

Long-term' research, initiated many years ago, has for its objective an increased knowledge on the making I and maintenance of weedfree and hard-wearing turf. The Grasslands Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, although mainly concerned with the improvement of New Zealand’s pastoral lands, have for some years carried out research on, grasses other than those particularly required for stock feeding. .

Lawn Problems In collaboration with the New Zealand Golf Association, and recently with the New Zealand Bowling Council, the Division has been conducting investigations into turf and lawn problems. The use of the right grasses and proper fertilisers is important, and correct treatments have to be applied to control weeds, worms, insect pests, and fungous diseases. As the result of research, a dense, hard-wearing, weed-free turf can be produced relatively easily in almost any locality, but more investigations are being carried out on better establishment and maintenance. \

Comparative tests are being made between hormone weed killers and the regular chemical weedicides, and the investigations with an experimental bowling green, sown and planted with grasses and specific plants suitable for playing surfaces, are./being continued. In conjunction with the Ministry of Works, the Division also advises on the maintenance of the turf of grass aerodromes, which in many cases have now surfaces of a high standard. When fertilisers have been available, aerodrome extensions have been suitably grassed.