IRRIGATION OF WHEAT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22513, 22 September 1938, Page 16

IRRIGATION OF WHEAT

EXPERIMENTS IN

CANTERBURY

HIGH INCREASES IN

YIELDS

SIGNIFICANT PHASE OF

NEW SCHEMES

Experiments in the irrigation of wheat lands during the last two seasons' have produced some of the most significant results bn the MidCanterbury and South Canterbury schemes. Although the scope of these trials has been limited, the results may prove of the greatest consequence, for it has been found that under irrigation, even in a fairly normal season, the _ yield of wheat bearing land can be increased by 10 bushels an acre at least. Because the results of irrigating wheat are nothing as spectacular as those recorded on pasture and stock areas, not much attention has. been paid to the possibilities. But there has been a quickening of interest in the last year and some experts consider that the use of the irrigation water for wheatgrowing might be extended far beyond what was at first thought likely. Considering that only 10,000 acres .of wheat would have to be irrigated to secure an added return of 100,000 bushels, even the layman in irrigated farming can understand the significance of the new development. When the possibilities of irrigating wheat were first mentioned in association with these schemes in the south, there was some doubt whether anything would develop at all. But, remembering that -more, than J.,000,000 acres of wheat land is. irrigated .in the United States, the engineers on the scheme and associated experts kept wheat steadily in • mind. ■ Now some definite records, certified to by officers of the Department of Agriculture, are available and strengthen the case for the extension of irrigation to wheat. ' Actual Results One small area was irrigated on the Redclifl scheme, which is the-pioneer in this area, and which has been in operation for two years. Part of a large paddock was irrigated, and the other part not irrigated at all. When the wheat was well forward, the results of irrigation were already obviout. A line of demarcation between the two belts showed clearly the difference. When the wheat matured, the estimated yield was found to be 30 bushels to. the acre. The non-irrigated portion was so short and scraggy and with such poor heads, that it was hot worth reaping. \ On the Levels scheme in South Canterbury some irrigated and non-irri-gated areas .were ’ actually threshed. The difference in yields, in favour of the irrigated wheat, was approximately 10 bushels. This itself was considered a small-difference for that country, considering the way irrigated pastures and crops. have responded, but it was said to be due' to the continually heavy rains after irrigation. which compensated lor the comparative shortage of water in the lionirrigated fields.

System of Irrigation

For wheat, the irrigation is undertaken before sowing, and again in the “first-blade” state. If necessary, a third watering is given, • when the wheat shows the first joint. But ;no more than the three waterings is needed. '' ■ ‘ The results on these wheat trials have been summed up officially as follows: “Wheat can be quite well : irrigated. and the irrigation will pay. The results have been demonstrated as being good. But the farmer gets a better return from the irrigation of. pastured and grazing stock on irrigated country.” However, it is considered that once the possibilities are widely known, and in view of the great need for ensuring an adequate supply of wheat from the Canterbury wheat-fields, it will only take another very dry summer to demonstrate how well extensive irrigation of wheat would pay. •