BROWN HEART

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1940, Page 9

BROWN HEART

DISEASE IN SWEDES. PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT TROUBLE. In view of the likely increase in the area of swedes grown this year, attention might well be given 'to precautions against the possibility of a recurrence of the disorder known as “brown heart” or “mottled heart” of svzedes, states Mi’ N. Lamont, of the Department of Agriculture, Masterton. This deficiency disease was very prominent about three years ago and although not very serious in this district, it can be so easily controlled that precautionary measures are warranted. This disease, which should not be contused with dry rot, appears as mottled brown and watery patches in the tissue of the swede—particularly in the lower half of larger bulbs. In effect it both reduces the yield and the food value of the crop. As it has been clearly demonstrated in this and other districts that it is the result of a deficiency of borax, the method of control is simply to apply this' element, in the form of borax, as a topdressing. As borax may affect germination in some cases, it is safer to apply the borax broadcast when sowing. About 201 b per acre is recommended and in order to obtain thorough and 'even distribution of this small weight over an acre, it is advisable to mix it carefully with about a hundredweight of sand or dry soil. When applied as a borated fertiliser and drilled in with the seed, a much smaller amount will suffice, say about 81b per acre or 2| per cent of the manure mixture.