March Sowing Research Articles

サントニン含有<i>Artemisia</i>属植物の研究 特に其の栽培について (第3報)

1) Comparative examination of seasonal variation in santonin content and yield of crop was carried out between July 2, 1952, and December 26, 1952, with the second year growth of Artemisia kurramensis Qaz. sown respectively in March and October, 1951, at Kasukabe, in order to establish cultural methods of autumn sowing. The results (Table I) showed that the highest yield of crop per 10 ares on airdry basis and the santonin content in the spring-sown plot were 169.3kg. (harvested on July 15) and 1.993% (harvested on July 2), respectively, and those in the autumn-sown plot were 174.9kg. (harvested on August 15) and 2.052% (harvested on August 1), respectively. Although there is one month's difference between the two, the yield and santonin content are similar showing that the cultivation by autumn sowing is possible.2) In order to observe the influence of acclimatization, comparative examination of seasonal variation in santonin content and yield of crop was made between September 5, 1952, and December 26, 1952, with the first year growth of plants sown in March, 1952, at Kasukabe, grown from the seeds collected from the plants cultivated at Kasu-kabe during 1951 and the fresh seeds of Pakistan origin. The results (Table III) showed that the highest yield of crop per 10 ares on airdry basis and the santonin content in the acclimatized plot were 132.0kg. (harvested on September 16) and 1.754% (harvested on September 5), respectively, and those in the original Pakistani seed plot were 74.6kg. (harvested on October 30) and 1.253% (harvested on September 5), respectively, indicating the former to be better. The flowering in the acclimatized plot was about one month earlier than that in the original Pakistan seed plot, and seeds were found to have formed only in the acclimatized plot, where there was less damage from decay after harvest than the original seed plot.3) The period at which the second year growth showed the highest yield of crop and santonin content was at the maximum of vegetative growth, irrespective of the appearance of flower-heads.4) The size of plants and santonin content were not necessarily parallel in the second and third year growths, observed individually and by harvested periods (Tables II and IV). Some plants of the second and third year growths harvested in July and August showed a high content of santonin such as 2.701% and 2.895%. It is realized that a propagation system by clonal separation must be established.

サントニン含有<i>Artemisia</i>属植物の研究 特に其の栽培について (第2報)

1) The seasonal variation in santonin content and the yield of crop were examined with the second year growth of Artemisia kurramensis Qaz., sown at Kasukabe in April 1950, during July 21, 1951, to November 2, 1951 (Table I). The results showed that the yield of crop harvested on August 21 was the largest with 246.7kg per 10 ares on air dry basis, with the highest santonin content of 2.341%, which is enough to rival that of Flos Cinae (flowers of A. Cina Willk.).2) In the same way, the seasonal variation in santonin content and the yield of crop were examined with the first year growth of the same plant, sown in March 1951, during September 20, 1951, to March 18, 1952 (Table II).3) In general, both the santonin content and the yield of crop increase extremely in the second year growth, when sown in spring.4) The cultivation of A. kurramensis in Japan is largely dependent on the amount and number of days of rain during summer, especially in July and August.5) Some knowledges were obtained on the breeding of seedlings of the autumn-sown plant.

Breeding cold hardy sweet corn in Britain

1. Sweet corn is adjusted to the conditions of North America. British climatic conditions differ from American in the longer summer day-length and in lower spring soil temperature. Cold hardiness, i.e. the ability of the seed to germinate after lying in cold, wet soil, is therefore an important factor when introducing sweet corn into Britain.2. Varieties germinate differently according to when they are sown. Furthermore some varieties germinate better than others in March and even April, thus demonstrating the genetic nature of cold hardiness.3. Selections were first made from plants surviving March sowings and in later years, as hardiness increased, from those surviving February sowings.4. Selections for hardiness were made in (i) Canada Gold, (ii) Early Golden Market sweet corn, (iii) Golden Standard Maize dent corn and (iv) derivatives of Peruvian crossed sweet corn.5. All responded rapidly in their increased ability to germinate from February sowings except the Peruvian sweet derivatives which failed to show much improvement.6. Future breeding work in Britain depends on establishing from our selections cold hardy inbreds able to combine well in giving good F1's for commercial use.

Cereals for Spring Sowing

THE selection of the best varieties of cereals for spring sowing is always a question of importance for the farmer. To meet this need, the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Cambridge, has issued a leaflet (Farmer's Leaflet, No. 2) describing the varieties most suitable for use in the Midlands, east, and south of England, the recommendations being based on tests carried out at a number of trial stations. The sowing of spring wheat is not, in general, advocated, but of the varieties available, Little Joss is suggested for February and Red Marvel or Al for early March sowings. The choice of oats is, however, much wider. Victory is one of the best all-round varieties, useful both for sale and feeding. Star, an oat similar, on the whole, to Victory, has the additional advantage of a thinner husk and a better standing straw, and is, therefore, preferable on highly fertile soils. Golden Rain and Golden Rain II. also deserve consideration when the crop is intended for feeding on the farm, since the colour of the grain is apt to affect the market price adversely. Marvellous is a further variety which usually gives heavy crops, but it is only suitable for early February sowings. As regards barley, the choice lies between the well-established Plumage and Spratt-Archers and the new variety recently produced by Dr. Beaven, called Golden Archer. The latter is of the Spratt-Archer type, with similar malting quality, but the yield is rather better. For unusually late sowings, the early ripening Victory is suggested as the most suitable. Early sowing of all spring cereals is regarded as of the utmost importance, irrespective of the variety chosen. In view of the bad harvest conditions of 1931, farmers are advised to pay special attention to germination. The Official Seed Testing Station, Cambridge, undertakes germination tests at the nominal fee of 6d. per sample.