NEW ENEMY TO CROPS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 180, 10 May 1939, Page 1

NEW ENEMY TO CROPS

AN UNKNOWN APHIS OAT CROPS RUINED' . Farmers of New Zealand enemy in a light-green aphis which, hitherto declared to be unknown, has ■practically ruined two small paddocks ;- of autumn-sown oats in the Seaward Dojvns and Mvross Bush districts,, states the Southland New^.. Samples of the aphis and the oats from which it has sucked the sap* have been forwarded to the Government entomologist for "examination and report. The oats were sown for sheep feed, and were 6iu. high before they began to turn yellow and die. The infection began in a small way in various parts two widely-sep-arated paddocks, and has now worked out from the centre to* take charge of most* of the fast-yellowing crops. The ' aphis was discovered by Mi 1 . A. Stuart, the department’s instructor in agriculture for Southland, who believes that the combination of high temperatures and humid conditions has been favourable for growth of this sap-sucking plant louse. Both affected paddocks, one of eight and the other of four* acres, are lying away from any plantations or garden patches. One farmer is trying a nicotine sulphate spray, one in BUO, as a possible remedy, but it* is obvious that, oats will not recover unless treated sife the early stages of attack. Sheep had not- been run on the crops prior to infestation. >, - ■