H.—34

Breeding is being continued with different types of this rye-grass. _ These are being studied as single plants and under sward conditions. Some 9,500 single plants from controlled pollinations are under study. Comparisons under pasture conditions ot various bred types are being made at Palmerston North, Marton, and Lincoln. Western Wolths Rye-grass.—There is a need, particularly in the South Island, tor a Western Wolths type of rye-grass—i.e., an annual rye-grass which, when autumn-sown, will produce a greater bulk of feed in the autumn, winter, and spring than will Italian ryegrass. Although seed is sold on the New Zealand market as Western Wolths, the great majority of the lines are Italian rye-grass or types of false perennial rye-grass. As a preliminary to the breeding of a true Western Wolths line, a survey was made oi 104 JNew Zealand lines described as Western Wolths. Only one of these proved to be predominantly of the true Western Wolths type. This line, together with ten others obtained from Great Britain through the New Zealand Scientific Liaison Officer, will be used to provide single plants as a basis for selection and breeding. Cocksfoot. —A two-year study of some 1.0,000 single plants from New Zealand dim overseas lines has been completed, and mass selections have been made oi three ditteren types which will be used for comparative tests as single plants and m plots, beed nas also been obtained from 290 plants and will be planted out as single plants to provide mitia progeny tests of the selected plants. , . . „„„„„ Timothy.—Thirty-two pounds of nucleus-stock seed have been obtained this season. Some 2,500 single plants obtained by hybridization of different strains are under study in White Clover. —The nucleus-stock area this season yielded 171 lb. of seed. No further breeding-work is at present being undertaken with white clover, the strain produced being, if anything, already on the aggressive side, particularly under high soil fertility conditions. Iliqh and Low Cytogenetic Glueoside White Clovers.—Two experimental lines ot white clover have been bred—one is 50 per cent, higher in the glueoside than pedigree type 1 white clover, and the other contains no glueoside, and on these, grazing trials have been conducted. No deleterious effect has been noted on sheep grazed solely on the highglucoside clover. Palatability trials with these clovers are also being carried out, but Have not' yet been completed. , , , . ni , Montgomery Red Clover.—A further nucleus isolation has been made this season, liie nucleus-stock area yielded 7071b. of seed for increase. i + ,;r,,><i f mm 'Broad Red Clover.—Three hundred and fifty pounds of seed have been obtained from the nucleus-stock area. Some 7,000 single plants from controlled pollinations are under observation in the field. The study of 3,500 single plants obtained by hybridization ot broad and Montgomery red clover has indicated distinct possibilities of obtaining a iugnlyproductive persistent red clover from hybrids between these two types. Strain-testing and Nucleus-seed Production Plot-testing for Certification.—Plot tests were completed on 2,500 plots sown in 1942. Samples for testing continue to increase, and this year sowings of 3,600 plots show a 40-per-cent. increase on those of the previous year. T Field Trials.—Field trials of improved strains have been laid down at Waitoa, .Levin, Palmerston North, Marton, Rangiora, Kirwee, Methven, and Waitaki, and data have been collected on these and existing trials. t ~i>> Trials in Great Britain. —Favourable reports of New Zealand strains ot grass and clover seeds are being received from pasture trials in Great Britain. In most cases New Zealand strains are equal to or superior to English or Continental strains. Further seed has been despatched for a continuation of these trials. , , » Nucleus-seed Production.— Although the season was very late for the grass-seeds, idvouiable climatic conditions during harvesting resulted m good yields. Excellent conditions prevailed for the clover crops, and excellent yields were obtained. The establishment ot additional nucleus-stock areas at the Agronomy Division has resulted in the requirements o the Department of Agriculture being met for all grass and clover seeds. Field Ecology Work in this section has continued on last year's lines, with an additional trial to test short-rotation rye-grass types. The trial aims to test persistency of four hybrid types and to study the role of these for short- and long-rotation pastures alone and m combination with perennial rye-grass. It is felt that the inclusion of long-lived hybrid rye-grass strains will enhance palatability, will give a longer seasonal spread of production, and will material y assist grazing management. The above trials are being conducted under a technique that permits return of stock residue proportional to the feed each plot has produced. The Influence of the Animdl on Pasture Development. —The trials laid down m U4l have been continued, and continue to show marked influence of animal residues not only in total yield but also in relation to botanical composition, the variations in rye-grass being very marked in relation to clover. The somewhat more lenient grazing adopted this year has' given a marked increase in cocksfoot. The following table sets out the total dry-matter and relative yields of the four treatments over the three complete years the trial has run

Yields of Dry Matter per Acre (in Pounds), and Relative Figures. (No return=100)

29

1041. 1042- ] 19 < 3 - Stall return 17,082= 158 15,915= 132 12,104= 120 No return •• •• 10,791 100 12,016= 100 9,578= 100 Urinereturn ' .. •• 12,544= 110 14,272 = 119 11,114= 116 Dung return 14,473= 120 11,000= 115