The elimination of ryegrass blind-seed disease
Abstract
The co-ordinated ryegrass blind-seed disease
research programme is
concerned at present with three main
features:-
1. A plant-breeding approach in the
search for disease-resistant ryegrass lines
2. Blind-seed prevention as
influenced by pasture management
adaptation, e.g., topdressing and
plane-of-nutrition trials; induced lodging
and effects of ground cover; date
of closing for seed; intensity of
grazing. 3. The use of chemical sprays
applied to maturing ryegrass ears.
It can be demonstrated from the
results of our research programme to date
and from the persistent
seriousness of the disease in the field
when seasonal weather conditions encourage
the development of the causal
fungus, that none of the above lines
of approach is strikingly promising or
suggestive of a quick solution. The
programme, of course, must continue
and on the two trial areas at Lincoln
College, as on the many areas the
Department of Agriculture has under
trial. the observations are being continued within the scheme developed
co-ordinating committee.
Furthermore, from what I have seen
personally of the success of plant
breeding in disease prevention (in
Canadian wheat for rust disease
resistance) I am convinced that the
efforts of the Grasslands Division in
this particular study should be supported
to the full, and we can reasonably
continue to hope that the results
of plant breeding will eventually
release an agronomically satisfactory
ryegrass which also has some measure
of blind-seed disease resistance.
