Analytical purity of old New Zealand forage seed samples and detection of fungal and insect contaminants including ryegrass endophyte and Argentine stem weevil

Abstract

In 2015, 13 packets of seed samples were provided to PGG Wrightson by Jim Robertson, a farmer from Wainui Bay, Takaka. These samples had been kept by the Robertson Family since 1917 and in one case the year of harvest 16/17 was written on the packet (Figure 1). The samples consisted of six cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), four perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and one each of Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). These samples had been initially given to the family with associated prices by Levin and Co (based in Nelson), so that they could choose which seed lines to purchase.