CRESTED DOGSTAIL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 388, 24 November 1932, Page 2

CRESTED DOGSTAIL

faith in colour experts giye points 1 to the dark type.

MASSEY COLLEGE BULLETIN. (By W. A. Jacques, B.Sc., N.D.A.) Recent yrork on crested dogslail at Massey Agricultural College, has %own light on to the question of coiour in the seed, and it is thought that some of the results may also be applicable to seeds of other grasses. Uptil recently ' farmers both here and in Great Britain have demanded seed of a hright yellow coiour and have neglected the darker samples. For New Zealand cpnditions this hright seed appeared satisfaetory, as the germination was high. When expofted to Great Britain, however, it was found that it lost a portion of its germination capacity en route, and in some cases this loss was considerable. It was found that samples of darker coiour could withstand shipment better than the seed of a lighter coiour, and this in istelf suggests a greater vitality and a more perfect state of maturity, and the results of the trials confirm this opinion. In crested dogstail that is harvested normally and stored rationally seed coiour can he regarded as an indication of the maturity or ripeness of the grain. As the maturity progresses the green coiour gives place to greenish yellow and th'en to colours darker than yellow, and the final coiour so attained varies with the different plants. Some plants produce seed which never becomes darker than orange brown;

others produce seed which is almost black; while between these two there are many intermediate coiour stages.

Rolation of Coiour to Germination Capacity and Yitality. When seeds are test'ed at the ofiicial Seed Testing Station at Palmerston North, a certificate is issued showing the percentage of seeds which germinate in eight and 18 days. The 18day figures represent the final count in the germination test and are quoted by the seedsmen when giving the germination capacity of that particular line. In practically all cases the golden yellow samples give a high figurie, and for New Zealand conditions at least appear satisfaetory. It is only after a. consideration of the eight-day figures that their weakness is apparent. The interin^ (eight-day) count shows that actually sueh seeds are immature and have a much lower vitality than seeds which have developed suffi- ; ciently to attain the brown coiour. This in itself may not be a serious drawback under New Zealand conditions, but this lack of vitality is one of the causes which are undermining the demand for New Zealand seed c.broad. It is fortunate for New Zealand that Ireland, her main competitor in the English markat, has a poor climate for seed production and frequently has only unattractive samples to offer. In a current year's seed catalogue sent out from England New Zealand dogstail seed is offered at the same price as Irish seed (1/3), hut the germination figure is 10 per cent. lower than the Irish seed. This in itself to reduce the demand for the New Zealand seed. It thus devolves on the Dominion growers to produce an attractive sample which has the requisite high germination capacity. This can only he attained by allowing the seed to hecome more mature. The crops should be cut at a stage which will give a light brown seed sample; this will still be attractive and pleasing in appearanee, and what is more, it will be an excellent product.

The Relation of Coiour to Seed Weight As coiour deepens, so does the individual seed weight increase. It was found that brown seeds were 20 to 33 per cent. heavier than the canary yellow seeds from the same plant. This not only inqhcai.es a better filled seed, hut also a greater food reserve, which will enabl'e the dogstail to better withstand early competition in the pasture. To some extent it compensates for the less which occurs frjbim shledding dufe i/o allowing the crop to stand longer before heing cut. When everything is considered the balance is very much on favour of the darker seed, providing it has been well stored. When "stripped" seed has b'een allowed to heat, frequently extremely dark samples result, and these naturally should be regarded with suspieion. The eritical test is vitality and germination, and these should be considered before any other factor. It is liot intended to eonvey th'e impression that with the purchase and use of the best seed all dogstail problems are solved, but it does meatt that hy sd doing the best results can be expected from the material that is at present in commerce, and that the Home samples of New Zealand seed will at least compare favourably with those produeed in Ireland.