31 July 1984 Wheat 84 competitors tackle weeds at Weedons

Twitch is a major problem on the ICI-Tasman Wheat 84 competitors' plots at Weedons, on the Main South Road one kilometre north of Rolleston, and this has been tackled by competitors in several different ways.

"Twitch may reduce yields by direct competition, by exuding chemical nasties known as allelopathy, and by harbouring the disease Take-all.

"The effect of Take-all will be much worse if the season turns wet."

Dr Scott said there were other weeds on the plots, among these patches of Californian Thistles, which have yet to emerge.

There were dense mats of hairgrass on two plots, that of Mr Michael Ryan who direct drilled, and that of the partners Mr Rex Trott and Mr Richard Dorie who Cambridge rolled after drilling .

This is the third year of the wheat competition sponsored by ICI-Tasman and administered by Lincoln College.

Wheat 84 is being organised by representatives from DSIR Crop Research Division, Federated Farmers, Lincoln College, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the New Zealand Wheat Board, and the North Canterbury Agricultural Merchants Federation and United Wheat Growers Limited.

Further information from Dr Warwick Scott, Plant Science Department, Lincoln College, Canterbury, New Zealand.