THE COUNTRY’S CROPS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5047, 3 November 1926, Page 3

THE COUNTRY’S CROPS.

TOLL OF PLANT DISEASES.

AN ARRESTING ESTIMATE.

An arresting estimate of the losses through plant diseases in New Zealand is contained in a report which has been presented to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The department, however, cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the statements and set out. , Dealing with wheat, the report affirms that the loss ,through stinking smut is approximaely 1 per cent., being reduced to that low figure by the present methods of seed treatment in use by the farmer. .Were ,the seed not treated the loss, it asserts, would become 50 per cent, o'r moer, “The present methods in use,” continues the report, “do not completely control the disease, and, in addition, cause an, average annual loss of at least 25 per cent, through damage to the seed. Therefore the present methods of control cost the country approximately £45,000. By the. production, of dis-ease-free seed this. loss would be eliminated. Loose-smut causes; an average loss Of 2 per cent., but when it becomes epidemic, as happened in the Marton district in the 1924-25 season, it may cause a loss of at least 50 per cent. Other diseases, as scab, tootrots, rusts, etc., cause an annual reduction in yield of from 5 per cent, to 10 per cent.

The report enumerates as under the estimated cash losses for New Zealand; due to plant disease. The figures are based on the total loss, and no account is taken of reduction in yield due to attacks -off disease not sufficiently severe to cause total loss ; nor is account taken of losses due to reduction in carrying capacity, milk, meat, and wool yield caused by failure or partial failure of crops due to diseases :—

Wheat .. £137,5001 Oats •. . . 1404)00 Barley 10,000 Peas 24,000 Potatoes .. . 80,000 Turnips 1,800,000 ■Mangolds .. 30,000 Total £2,221,500