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Item A study of the influence of spacing within rows and seed tuber size upon the yield of the potato crop : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agriculture Science at Massey University(Massey University, 1966) Anang, HusinThe potato is one of the main food crops grown in New Zealand, and has been established since the time of European settlement In the early years production was concerned mainly with meeting the demands of the growing population. This resulted in a rapid and steady inorease in the total acreage grown. However, in the last decade, increase has been gained largely through intensification of orop areas rather than their extensification. Consequently, a diminishing increase in acreage grown has resulted. The above pattern is clearly illustrated in the following figures (extracted from Farm Production Statistics of New Zealand 1963 - 1964) [From Introduction]Item A study of the influence of spacing within rows and seed tuber size upon the yield of the potato crop : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agriculture Science at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 1966) Anang, HusinUndoubtedly there is a need for more intensive research on improving methods of growing potatoes. One aspect which has a major influence on plant population is seed spacing and seed size. The project reported herein was designed to study the effect of different levels of spacing and seed size, together with their interactions, on terminal yield of potato crops. In view of the need to study other important factors influencing yield, the investigation was extended to include the effects of seed spacing and size on growth and development of the crops.Item A study of the relationships between leaf area index, chlorophyll content per unit of ground area and rate of dry matter increase in a perennial ryegrass sward : a thesis presented at Massey College in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 1962) Hunt, L. A.Many recent attempts to obtain a more detailed understanding of pasture growth have involved an intensive study of relationships between the rate of dry matter increase and various characteristics of the photosynthetic system. Leaf area has been widely used as a measure of the size of the photosynthetic system despite the fact that many photosynthetically active cells occur in the stalks, sheaths and petioles. Chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis and Brougham (1960) found that there was better correlation between maximum rate of dry matter increase and the chlorophyll content per unit of ground area above the level at which 95% of the noon light was intercepted than between maximum rate of dry matter increase and leaf area index above a similar measurement level. As a logical extension of such work this thesis involves a study of the relationships between rate of dry matter increase, leaf area index and chlorophyll content per unit of ground area during the growth of a pasture.---From IntroductionItem A study of factors hindering increased production in the Rangitaiki Plains and in Galatea : thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Massey University(Massey University, 1968) Cronin, M BThis chapter gives a brief outline of the purpose of this study of the Rangitaiki Plains and Galatea. The population of farms from which the survey sample was taken is defined, and a thesis guide is given. 1.2 The Purpose of the Survey Prior to this survey some farmers on the Rangitaiki Plains and in Galatea were making large increases in butterfat production by following a pattern of higher stocking rates, and increased rates of application of fertilizer, together with the required compl ementary inputs. It was noticed, however , by the district extension officers, and officials of the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Company that many other farmers were remaining static in production. This study consisted of a survey of 37 dairy farms selected from this district, and was aimed to firstly evaluate, both physically and financially, development projects on progressive farms, and secondly to investigate the factors which were hindering other farmers from increasing production, and to find ways of overcoming these problems. [From Introduction]Item A study of the leafspot disease of lettuce caused by Stemphylium botryosum Wallr. : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the University of New Zealand, Massey Agricultural College(Massey University, 1961) Slade, Donald ArthurLettuce (Lactuca stavia L) is the most important salad crop and a principal vegetable of New Zealand where in many districts it can be grown out of doors all the year round. Winter lettuce growers commonly plant from 1/2 - 5 acres of lettuce, and a good crop will cut 400 cases an acre. In late winter and early spring when other vegetables are scarce, returns to the grower from lettuce may be as high as 20/- to 60/- a case. Returns per acre from winter lettuce are therefore relatively high compared with other winter crops. The success of this crop is of major importance to the grower who commonly depends on it to cover the high winter and spring labour expenses which usually coincide with a period of low production. From season to season and even from week to week in the same season, the quality and quantity of lettuce available is a direct reflection of the prevailing weather conditions. Weather may act directly on the lettuce plant affecting its rate of maturation, appearance and plant size. Weather may also have a profound indirect effect by providing conditions conducive to disease development. It is well recognised that a disease may reach epiphytotic proportions only if weather conditions are favourable to the causual organism. [From Introduction]Item A study of labour saving techniques on North Island sheep farms : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 1969) Milne, A. C.This thesis reports the results of a farm survey conducted to find and evaluate labour saving techniques on North Island sheep farms. The motivation for this study was the hypothesis that many sheep farmers were at least partly restricted in their farming activities because of the availability and price of farm labour. There are three major barriers to the profitable utilisation of labour on North Island sheep farms;- farm size, the nature of the production process, and the location of sheep farming areas. The size of the majority of sheep farms is small enough that additional permanent labour is a major input. In many cases, adding one man may mean doubling the permanent labour force. The stock husbandry required for many operations requires a degree of familiarity and expertise on the part of farm labour. However the nature of sheep farm production produces characteristic peak demands for labour only at certain times of the year. The location of sheep farming regions and farms may make casual and contract labour difficult to obtain. People working as employees may find rural life too insecure or lacking in social and educational amenities to stay long. [From Introduction]Item Freezing rate studies in blocks of meat of simple shape : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Food Technology at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 1967) Cullwick, Thomas David CartwrightIn view of the large quantities of foodstuff now being preserved in the frozen state, it is important to be able to predict the freezing time of a product under specified freezing conditions. An accurate knowledge of the freezing time of a product permits a precise termination to be made to the freezing process and the subsequent improvement possible in plant utilization is significant when large quantities of foodstuff have to be frozen in a given freezing plant. The freezing rate of a foodstuff must be high enough to prevent loss of quality as a result of microbiological and enzymic changes, but a loss of quality may still occur as a result of the nature of ice crystal formation during freezing. Mazur (27) proposed a quantitative relationship between the size and location of the ice crystals and the freezing rate and he considered that high freezing rates gave a high product quality. With these factors in mind the freezing rates obtained during the freezing of a product under different conditions were determined. The freezing times and freezing rates of a product can be found by experiment. This involves making temperature measurements with suitably located thermocouples, and the product is frozen when a specified centre temperature is reached. To eliminate the necessity for making experimental studies it is desirable to develop a calculation method which will accurately predict the freezing rate and freezing time of a product. [From Introduction]Item A study of the influence of excess concentrations of certain salts on the growth and development of glasshouse tomato plants, with special reference to the specific ion effects of theses salts : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Horticultural Science at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 1964) Fisher, Keith JamesThe yield and quality of fruit obtained from a glasshouse tomato crop is determined by the genetic make-up of the variety and the environment in which the crop is grown. The closer the environment to the optimum for the variety concerned, the closer the genetic limits will be approached. The environment can be divided into two parts - the above ground environment and the below ground environment. The below ground environment affects yields and quality through three primary factors: (a) Moisture availability. (b) Nutrient availability. (c) Physical condition of the soil. High levels of soluble salts in the soil can so influence these three factors that plant growth and development can be greatly depressed. With glasshouse tomatoes, depressions due to changes in the physical condition of the soil have not been reported, and are, in fact, not likely to occur. Under glasshouse conditions, the development of high concentrations of soluble salts results from the excess use of fertilizers and not from natural processes. Over a period of years, high fertilizer rates, unless combined with adequate management techniques, will build up the salinity to a critical level. This build up results from the carry over of unused fertilizers at the end of the season, due to excessive applications of fertilizers to the soil, and also from the use of fertilizers containing one ion which is not absorbed by the plants to any extent. [From Introduction]Item Laboratory study of the behaviour of added phosphate in an allophanic soil : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Soil Science at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 1965) Turner, Max AnthonyA feature in the maintenance of high producing pastures, on the yellow-brown loam soils in Taranaki, is the need for high annual rates of phosphatic fertilizer application. Burgess and Davies (1951) in some early investigations into soil fertility problems in Taranaki noted that the yellow-brown loams could apparently accumulate large amounts of phosphate in a form which was difficult for plants to extract. Consequently to ensure adequate plant phosphate nutrition large annual dressings of superphosphate are recommended for high producing pastures on these soils. This high phosphate-retaining property has been attributed to the presence of active aluminium supplied by allophane, the predominant clay mineral in these soils (Saunders 1959 (b)). The only recent intensive study to be made on phosphate relationships in the yellow-brown loams is that of Saunders (1959 (a)(b)(c)) who carried out chemical fractionation of the phosphate in New Plymouth black loam, a soil which may be considered as representative of the group as a whole. His sampling sites were on areas of different topdressing histories, and although he was able to draw certain conclusions in respect of the trends of phosphate fixation this approach does not provide any information on the shorter term fate of applied phosphate. Information of this kind is, however essential if a rational explanation of the established need for substantial annual additions of phosphate to these soils, is to be forthcoming. [From Introduction]