Wheat diseases and insect pests

Abstract

New Zealand's wheat crop of small acreage (approx. 200,000 acres) and relatively high average yield (33 bushels per acre) experiences disease problems deserving of study. It is generally agreed among those connected with the industry that fungus diseases and insect pests comprise a yield-limiting factor of major consequence. Instances have been recorded of very severe crop losses resulting from take-all, foot-rot; Hessian fly, frost damage and other agencies of disease. There appears to be a considerable degree of confusion and lack of understanding regarding the characteristics of wheat diseases under New Zealand conditions. This suitably consolidated and recent account embracing knowledge gained from technical research and field observation on wheat disease symptoms, predisposing factors and preventive ·measures worthy of consideration should do much to overcome this deficiency. Individual research papers have appeared from time to time dealing with particular aspects of wheat disease and reference is made to these elsewhere in this bulletin, which in itself, however, aims to cover a wider field of knowledge than contained in individual research papers hitherto presented in this country.