Nelson District Research Articles

Pasture growth on dairy farms in the Golden Bay and West Coast of the South Island

Pasture growth was monitored on 22 farms covering Golden Bay, Nelson, Murchison and West Coast districts during 1994 to 1997. Pasture growth was measured monthly from grazed pasture using the rising plate meter (RPM) and the difference method. Pasture growth from the South Island sites were compared with growth at the WestpacTrust Agricultural Research Station (WTARS) in South Taranaki, measured by the more traditional trim method, and the difference method as used in the South Island study. The pasture growth recorded was then used by the dairy farm production model UDDER to predict the planned start of calving (PSC), stocking rate and milksolids (MS) production at maximum net financial return for seven districts. At WTARS the average pasture production recorded by the difference method was 16.3 t DM/ ha and by the trim method, 12.9 t DM/ha, the greatest difference between the two methods occurring in late spring/early summer. Pasture production on the south Island sites varied from 9.6 (Taramakau) to 16.1 (Grey Valley) t DM/ha. The major factor identified as influencing pasture growth, in an environment where rainfall for 91% of the sites exceeded 2000 mm, was number of frosts. A multiple regression combining pasture production climatic and soil nutrient variables identified number of frosts and Olsen P as the major factors influencing pasture production (R2 = 0.25). The use of the growth from seven districts by UDDER showed a marked variation in management practices and MS output. PSC varied from the first 10 days in August (Takaka, Nelson, Westport) to the last 10 days in August (Murchison). Stocking rates ranged from 2.0 cows/ha at Motueka to 3.3 cows/ha on an irrigated farm in the Nelson district. MS production/ cow differed little among districts and MS production/ha reflected stocking rate, ranging from 650 kg/ha for Motueka to 1150 kg/ha for Nelson. The main factor driving stocking rate and PSC was winter pasture production. Keywords: climate, dairy production modelling, pasture production, soil fertility

Further investigations of raspberry bushy dwarf virus in New Zealand

Abstract In a test of 30 red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), hybrid berry, and Boysenberry (R. ursinus Chamisso and Schlechtendal) selections, bred in New Zealand or imported from overseas in recent years, only two were found to be infected with raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV). However, 18 were found to be susceptible to infection by graft‐inoculation with the virus. Results of graft‐inoculating eight New Zealand sources of RBDV to cultivars known to be susceptible to the resistance breaking strain (RBDV‐RB), but immune to the common strain (RBDV‐S), suggests that the resistance breaking strain is unlikely to be present in New Zealand. Testing for RBDV in a number of commercial Boysenberry plantings in the Nelson district, indicated that the virus was widespread there in this crop. In tests to produce an indicator for the leaf yellowing symptom of RBDV, ‘Marion’ blackberry (R. ursinus derivative) proved unreliable, but consistent vivid yellows on the red raspberry cultivar ‘Autumn Britten’ (formerly ‘3676...

Geographic changes in leafroller species composition in Nelson orchards

Abstract Pheromone traps placed along a transect across the Nelson district from Waimea to Riwaka were used to determine the distribution of three native and one introduced species of leafroller of importance to fruit growing in the Nelson district. The light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker), was dominant throughout the district. The brownheaded leafrollers, Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker) and C. herana (Felder & Rogenhofer), and the greenheaded leafroller, Planotortrix excessana (Walker), were each recorded in various proportions at all trap sites. Ctenopseustis obliquana was dominant from Moutere Bluffs to Riwaka, while C. herana was dominant nearer to Nelson.

Cline in Frequency of Azinphosmethyl Resistance in Light Brown Apple Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

A rapid and highly significant drop in frequency of the azinphosmethyl resistant phenotype of Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) was detected along the coastline away from the center of a small group of apple orchards. This decline was detected by three assessment methods: (1) topical application of males attracted by sex pheromone, (2) bioassays of the offspring from tethered susceptible females mated to wild males, and (3) bioassays of the offspring from mated, field-collected females. Frequencies of susceptible-susceptible crosses were not significantly different in (2) and (3) assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The estimated size of the selection coefficient favoring the susceptible phenotype was 0.004; the slope of the cline was estimated to be 0.7 x 103 units of susceptible phenotype frequency per m. We used electrophoresis to study allelic frequencies from four sites in the Nelson district and one in Canterbury. Five polymorphic loci were detected for phosphoglucomutase (PGM), phosphoglucose isomerase (GPI), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH A and B), and mannose phosphate isomerase (MPI). Samples from four sites in the Nelson district (three at Mariri) showed no difference in allelic frequencies with PGM, GPI, and IDH, although a difference between sites 20 km apart was detected for MPI. The average heterozygosity per locus fit the expected values for an interbreeding population, indicating that Hardy-Weinberg criteria were met at scrub and orchard sites at Mariri (where the localized insecticide-resistant population is present).

Feline seasonal dermatitis

Abstract Thirteen cats from the Nelson district were presented for veterinary examination with a distinctive dermatitis characterised clinically by multiple focal nasal (bridge and planum) erosions and crusting. The syndrome occurred from mid-December to mid-March. A survey of the owners of the pets (six respondents) establish that four cats had been affected in previous years and five had multiple episodes during the summer. Pruritus was present in four and skin depigmentation was common following resolution of the acute lesions. Two cats also had crusting pinnal dermatitis.

Dual infections of red deer (Cervus elaphus) byLeptospira interrogansserovarsCopenhageniandhardjo

On a property in the Nelson District, blood and urine samples were taken from red deer (Cervus elaphus) from which low (<1:100) antibody titres to serovar copenhageni and suspected leptospiral abortions had previously been reported. A total of 27 hinds were sampled. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) titres in sera ranging from 1:32 to 1:128 were found in six animals. Thirteen leptospiral isolations were made from nine of the 27 urine samples. Four of these were typed as copenhageni and nine as hardjo. Two cultures were prepared from each urine sample and hardjo and copenhageni were both isolated from single urine samples from two animals. None of the 27 deer had serum MAT titres at 1:32 or above to copenhageni.

Interpretation of gravity anomalies over the Dun Mountain ultramafic body (Note)

Abstract A small residual gravity anomaly (<50 μN/kg) is associated with the Dun Mountain ultramafic body, Nelson District, New Zealand. Analysis of this anomaly suggests that the unserpentinised core of the body is less than 1 km thick and the margins of the core dip steeply inwards (>45°). It is not possible to establish the thickness of any serpentinite beneath the core. The gravity and previous magnetic measurements are consistent with the body being an allochthonous block.

Status and identity of the New Zealand Upper Triassic bivalveMonotis salinariavar.richmondianaZittel 1864

Abstract Monotis salinaria var. richmondiana, described originally from upper Triassic (Norian) strata of the Nelson district of New Zealand, has had a very chequered taxonomic career. Its close relationship with the Siberian M. ochotica (Keyserling) was first noted by Teller, and many authors since 1886 have given it subspecific or varietal rank within M. ochotica, or suppressed it in favour of that species. Others have regarded it as specifically distinct and have even identified infraspecific variations. At no time since its introduction has there been a nomenclature applied uniformly by workers. This nomenclatural instability has resulted from many factors: Zittel's figures are inadequate and have been assumed to be all of a single taxon; all or nearly all strongly ribbed neozelanic Monotis have been lumped into M. richmondiana; Ichikawa selected as lectotype a sub-adult specimen not included amongst Zittel's figured valves; the stratigraphy of Monotis sequences in New Zealand has not previously been studied in a detailed way so as to detect vertical morphologic (and therefore taxonomic) variation; and careful population studies have not been attempted. These studies have now been conducted and show that Monotis (Entomonotis) richmondiana Zittel is validly separable from M. ochotica on a number of characters of more than subspecific importance. In addition, a second morphotype is identified, similar to M. richmondialla, but differing from it in adult size, left valve inflation, some sculptural details, and by possessing a folded valve commissure which causes the otherwise uninflated right valve to become saddle-shaped. This taxon had been named Pseudomonotis ochotica var. acutecostata by Trechmann. It is found in New Zealand Monotis sequences consistently beneath M. richmondiana (s.s.) and is here regarded as an earlier chronosubspecies. Both subspecies are now known to be present also in New Caledonian upper Triassic strata.

The Quality of Freight Transport in the Nelson District: the User Viewpoint

The Quality of Freight Transport in the Nelson District: the User Viewpoint

Five new species of Trichoptera from New Zealand

Abstract Two new genera and five new species of Trichoptera are described. Periwinkla childi gen. et sp.nov. (Sericostomatidae) is known from over 1200 m on the Rock and Pillar Range in Otago. The wings differ only slightly between sexes, which is unusual for New Zealand members of the family. Pycnocentria sylvestris (Sericostomatidae) sp.nov. has been collected in small cold, forest streams in mountainous country; the larvae are found in submerged rotting wood. Edpercivalia spaini sp.nov. (Rhyacophilidae-Hydrobiosinae) is known from about 1370 in in the sub-alpine scrub region of Westland. Rakiura vernale gen. et. sp.nov. (Helicopsychidae) is a cold water species inhabiting Stewart Island and adjacent islands and the cold Waikoropupu Spring, Takaka, Nelson district. Its larval case is coiled and its emergence period is very brief. Hydropsyche raruraru sp.nov. (Hydropsychidae-Hydropsychinae) is abundant throughout New Zealand. In the past it has been confused with H. philpotti Tillyard, which is here furt...

An early progeny trial in Pinus radiata 1. Juvenile characters

Summary Twenty-six open-pollinated families from trees in the Nelson district were planted in nine randomised blocks. During the first 7 years of growth, differences between individuals and families indicated genetic variation in survival, crown shape, colour and configuration of needles, glaucousness and pigmentation of young shoots, development of bark, configuration of branches, and number of branch clusters on the stem. Quantitative analysis is of limited value because: 1. (i) the female parents could not be regarded as strictly representative of any population outside the experiment; 2. (ii) the mating system probably involved some inbreeding and even some selfing; 3. (iii) as a result of statistical imbalance and the probable presence of family × block interactions, the experiment may lead to biased estimates of the main effects. With those limitations, it was found that the phenotypic variation in the total number of branch clusters on the stem at 7 years of age ranged from 6 to 23, with a mean of ...

The association of root-lesion nematodes with reduced growth of tobacco in the Nelson district

Abstract In recent years areas of reduced growth (Fig. 1) in tobacco crops have caused concern in the Nelson district. Affected areas increase in size from year to year, and each year there is progressive decrease in plant vigour at their centre. Deficiencies in neither trace elements nor soil moisture have been associated with this condition, and various fertiliser treatments have not improved growth.

Observations on the pollination of apple trees (Malus sylvestrisMill.)

Abstract Insect visitation and pollination of the apple tree varieties Granny Smith, Sturmer, Jonathan, and Cox's Orange Pippin were studied during the blossoming period in the Nelson district. The only pollinating insects observed on ,the trees were honey bees and negligible numbers of Bombus terrestris Linn. Fruit-set was very low on Jonathan apple trees caged to exclude bees. Pollination of fruit trees in the Nelson district depends on the presence of adequate numbers of honey bees during the blossoming period. A density of about 40 honey bees per 30,000 flowers, estimated per minute, appears adequate, or more than adequate, for pollination of the varieties of apple studied.

Incidence and some effects of potato virus Y on new zealand flue-cured tobacco

Abstract The percentage infection with potato virus Y in 19 tobacco crops in the Nelson district at the end of the 1964-65 season varied from 0-720/0. with an average of 260/0. Virus Y markedly reduced the weight and leaf area of tobacco plants. The quality of the cured leaf was also adversely affected, and the nor-nicotine content was higher and the reducing sugars were lower in infected leaves. Infection of tobacco plants with virus Y did not affect the germinaton of seed.

Results of trials for the control of porina in the Nelson district

Results of trials for the control of porina in the Nelson district

The pathogenicity of seven isolates ofVerticilliumto tobacco

Abstract Three varieties of tobacco—Virginia Gold, Coker Hicks, and Golden Wilt—were grown to maturity in a sand-perlite mixture inoculated with seven isolates of Verticillium. Only an isolate of V. dahliae Kleb., the cause of a serious wilt disease of tobacco in the Nelson district, infected the plants.

RECORDS OF THE ARCTIID GENUSUTETHEISAIN NEW ZEALAND

The first record of a representative of the genus Utetheisa in New Zealand is that of Meyrick (1890) who noted i t as Deiopeia pulchella L. from Wainuioinata and considered i t to be a n occasional migrant. In 1904 Hutton listed U. pulchella among insect species which a re . . . . introduced . . . . and have become so well established that they may be considered par t of the fauna. Thomson (1922) gave a list of places where U. pulchella had been noted. They a r e Petone, Tihai Bay (in considerable numbers), Duuedin and the bed of the Waitaki River near Oamaru (a swarm). Tillyard (1926) recorded U . pulchella a s being present in Australia and the North Island of New Zealand. Other localities recorded by Hudson (1928) a r e Auckland and Thanies. H e gives Myosotis a s the host plant and returned the species to migrant status. Finally, Wise, 1956) recorded a male taken in November 1955 as U. pulchelloides vaga Jordan, an immigrant species. Table 1 gives additional records gained from mercury vapour light traps. The t raps were all established in apple orchards in the Nelson district excepting those a t Opouri and Pret ty Bridge Valley where they were in open pasture. Data fo r specimens in other collections a re given in Table 2.

Wollastonite at ultramafic contacts in the Nelson district

Abstract The presence of wollastonite at the western contact of the Dun Mountain ultramafic mass was recognised as long ago as 1870. Three specimens of wollastonite and one of a mixture of wollastonite and grossular were collected by Davis (1870) from the Dun Mountain tramway and the Aniseed Valley, and analysed by Skey (1871). Recently, wollastonite has been recognised by the author at the western contact of the Red Hill ultramafic intrusion in the Wairau Valley. Numbers prefixed by “P” refer to specimens in the collection of the New Zealand Geological Survey, Lower Hutt.

Insect problems in the Nelson District

Insect problems in the Nelson District

Weeds in the Nelson district

Weeds in the Nelson district