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Item Persistency in crested dogstail : its relation to origin, flowering date, seed colour and germination capacity of New Zealand seed samples : thesis for M. Agr. Sc., by "Asteroid" [F. Sydenham](Massey University, 1932) AsteroidCrested dogstail is a valuable pasture grass, and is sown under a wide range of soil conditions. It is essentially a bottom grass. It is very palatable to sheep and thrives well under conditions of continous close grazing. It does not, however, feature to any large extent in dairying land. It shows very great powers of re-establishment by seeding even under adverse seed-bed conditions, and it is this re-establishment which enables it to persist in a pasture for a number of years. Such re-establishment should not occur each Autumn after the plants have seeded and died or are so low in vitality that they remain only as worthless vestiges. This is a weakness of crested dogstail which it is desirable to eliminate. What it requires is a vigorous turf which will, on the advent of Autumn rains, spring into a highly productive sward vigorous enough to check any inferior grasses or weeds which may attempt to gain a footing. [From Introduction]Item A study of the growth form and behaviour of Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and of its dry matter production compared with perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne), both with and without fertilizers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey Agricultural College, University of New Zealand(Massey University, 1957) Basnyat, Netre BahadurNew Zealand is a land of pastures and the greatest reliance is placed on them by farmers for the maintenance of their live-stock, which is the main source of national income. She is favoured by an equable climate and well distributed rainfall, which tends to keep her predominantly a grassland country. Every farmer should accept the aim expressed by Swift (1) to make "Two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before". Hill country pasture development is of paramount importance in New Zealand and must be extended if we are to maintain the present standard of living of an increasing population. Calder (2) said that farm production must increase greatly in the next 20 years. "We will have three-million people for when we must provide not only food, but also additional overseas exchange to maintain the standard of living of increasing population." High pasture production can only be maintained if suitable species of grasses are grown according to the soil fertility gradient. It is not uncommon for the high producing pasture species to lose their producing power where fertility falls below a certain level or where practices inimical to their best growth are followed. [From Introduction]Item Seasonal root changes and their relationships to leaf production and persistency of growth in some grasses and clovers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Field Husbandry at Massey University, by 550 [D.E. Yen](Massey University, 1947) Yen, D. E.The seasonal behaviour of pasture plant species is of fundamental importance to the farmer as one of the indices of value of any particular species, and the uses to which it can be put; and to the plant breeder, since it is his primary object to produce pasture plants which suit the farmer under his particular system of farming. To illustrate this point specifically, the example of the ideals aimed at in the breeding of short rotation ryegrass in New Zealand may be cited. Quoting Levy (1945), "... Italian ryegrass is a one- to two-year plant for the temporary pasture, and the true perennial ryegrass can be used widely in rotational and permanent pastures. There is, however, too large a gap between true perennial ryegrass and true Italian ryegrass, and many years of breeding and selection within these species accentuated the gap rather than reduced it." It can be seen that the short rotation system of farming, incorporating pasture leys of 3-4 years was not well served in the choice of a suitable ryegrass. Thus the plant breeding section of the Grasslands Division (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) turned its attention towards breeding by hybridisation of perennial and Italian ryegrass, a type that would possess as far as possible the desirable qualities of these two species in combination; that is, it would combine some of the rapid establishment, high winter and early spring growth and palatability of Italian ryegrass with an appreciable degree of persistency of perennial ryegrass. Seasonal growth thus played the major part in the objectives of the resultant programme from which short rotation ryegrass was produced. Comparative trials of yields of the three grasses, perennial, Italian and short rotation ryegrasses were conducted in different localities, serving a very important purpose in providing farmers with direct information regarding the seasonal characteristics of production of the new type. These trials, which are continuing, show that short rotation ryegrass conforms largely to the objectives aimed at, so that the requirement s of the man farming under short rotation system have been met, to a great extent, by the work of the plant breeder. [From Introduction]Item A study of the early development of the root systems of various grass species, and, a study of the importance of various roots, particularly the seminal roots to Lolium perenne : thesis submitted in part fulfilment for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Plant Husbandry, University of New Zealand(Massey University, 1950) Yates, Milton EarleNew Zealand is essentially a land of pasture. Greater reliance is placed on pastures for the sustenance of stock by the farmer in New Zealand than probably anywhere else in the World. The study of pastures is theretore of paramount importance to the national welfare of New Zealand and their improvement will be reflected in raised living standards and at the same will provide more food for the hungry world of today. There is no doubt that New Zealand is favoured by an equable climate and well distrtbuted rainfall which enables her to derive a considerable portion of her wealth trom grasslands. Nevertheless we have had to adopt farming methods to suit the environment so that the greatest benefits may be derived from the natural advantages with which New Zealand is endowed. New Zealand has proceeded a long way since the early days of her farming when little was known of the environmental requirements of individual species in order that they may produce to their maximum. It is unquestionable that much of the progress already made in grassland husbandry in this country is due to the wide range of trials conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Grasslands Division, D.S.and I.R., particularly over the last quarter of a century. Much has been learnt in the past and investigations being pursued at the present time will no doubt be reflected by improved methods of grassland husbandry with consequent increased pasture production in the future. [From Introduction]Item A study of the reaction of four grass species -perennial ryegrass (Lolium Perenne L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and browntop (Agrostis tenuis sibth.) to an artificial treading treatment(Massey Agricultural College, 1961) Lancashire, J. A.The dependence of New Zealand's economy upon grassland has frequently been emphasized. The main features of the pastoral farming systems are; high production pastures, grass/clover combinations, mineral fertilisers, and all-the-year outdoor grazing at relatively high stocking rates (Sears, 1959). Corkill (1957) has demonstrated the role of pasture plant breeding and seed certification. Sears (1953) has shown the importance of pasture top-dressing, the grazing animal, and white clover in the improvement of soil fertility. However, many other methods of increasing the production and utilisation of herbage are under investigation (Evans, 1960). In general, grazing techniques have been based on a rotational system for it was believed that this method had important advantages over continuous grazing systems (Levy, 1950). However, the work of McMeekan (1960) and Freer (1960) with dairy cows, and Lambourne (1956) with sheep, showed that wide differences in grazing technique have comparatively little effect on yield/acre of pasture and stock. The production efficiency was mainly dependent on a high stocking rate. [FROM INTRODUCTION]Item Investigating Epichloë endophyte transmission in Poaceae hosts : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand(Massey University, 2018) Zhang, WeiVertically-transmitted Epichloë endophytes are agriculturally important fungi that colonise the aerial plant tissues of cool-season grasses within the Poaceae. Plants colonised by selected strains of Epichloë have superior protection from herbivores, thus affirming the important role of these endophytes in New Zealand farming systems. However, the development and marketability of endophyte-based products is often hindered by failures of endophyte transmission. This research investigated: (1) the developmental timing of endophyte colonisation of the seed embryo; (2) the identity of soluble sugars related to endophyte aging during seed storage; (3) the comparative endophyte hyphal density in the shoot apex and florets of high- and low-transmission genotypes; and (4) the molecular mechanisms for endophyte transmission from the inflorescence primordia to the unfertilised ovary. Through a detailed investigation, utilising confocal microscopy to observe the distribution of Epichloë coenophiala strain AR601 in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), the endophyte hyphal colonisation in the ovary (pre-fertilisation) through to the fully mature seed stage was tracked. Confocal microscopy images revealed that endophytes have colonised the embryo sac before host grass fertilisation. Tall fescue seeds, either endophyte-free or infected with one of three endophyte strains (AR584, AR605 or common-toxic) were subjected to a 2x2 factorial combination of two factors (accelerated aging or not, and seeds imbibed or not) and the sugar profiles in the seeds were investigated. Trehalose was the sugar that correlated most closely with the loss of endophyte during seed aging. After imbibition, the concentrations of trehalose significantly declined in the endophyte-infected seed tissues, suggesting that the endophyte-oriented trehalose was utilised during imbibition. In addition, the sugar alcohols mannitol and ribitol were found in high concentrations in endophyte-infected embryo and endosperm tissues. These two sugars, therefore, could be potentially used as indexes to estimate endophyte biomass. Two experiments were performed to investigate the endophyte hyphal density in the vegetative and reproductive tissues of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne): namely quantification of the endophyte density in the shoot apex tissues using real-time PCR, and analysis of immunoblot colour intensities of laterally bisected florets from six endophyte-grass genotypes (high-transmission [HT]: genotypes 11, 103, 107; low-transmission [LT]: genotypes 13, 79 and 83) and from three positions (bottom, middle and top) of the spike. The florets were collected at three growth stages (Stage I [unfertilised], Stage II [ten days after Stage I] and Stage III [twenty days after Stage I]). Real-time PCR analysis showed that the HT genotypes generally had higher endophyte densities in the shoot apex tissues compared with the LT genotypes. The immunoblot analysis showed that the immunoblot intensities in genotypes 11, 103, 107 and 13 were significantly higher than the other genotypes at Stage I, while the immunoblot intensities in the three HT genotypes were significantly higher than the LT genotypes at Stage II. However, there were no significant differences in the intensities between any of the genotypes at Stage III. Microscopy confirmed that HT genotypes carried a higher density of endophyte hyphae in the shoot apex tissues and ovaries (Stage I) than the LT genotypes. The data indicated that increased endophyte biomass is one factor that enhances endophyte transmission from the parent plant to mature seeds in the HT genotypes. RNA-Seq was used to measure the transcriptional response in two types of tissues (inflorescence primordia and the ovary) in the HT and LT genotypes. This study showed that 102 genes were commonly or exclusively differentially-expressed between the HT and LT genotypes in the inflorescence primordia and/or the ovary. Functional enrichment analyses by agriGO showed that the highly enriched gene ontology (GO) terms between the HT and LT genotypes were involved in serine family amino acid metabolic processes (GO:0009069) and cytoplasmic membrane-bounded vesicle function (GO:0016023) in both the inflorescence primordia and the ovary. More differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) coding for trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase were induced during development from the inflorescence primordia to the ovary in the HT than the LT genotypes, demonstrating the higher demand for trehalose in the HT than the LT genotypes during endophyte transmission. More genes regulating salicylic acid were significantly repressed while more genes related to jasmonic acid metabolism were significantly induced during development from the inflorescence primordia to the ovary in the HT than the LT genotypes. It is proposed that the lower salicylic acid metabolism and higher jasmonic acid metabolism during development from the inflorescence primordia to the ovary in the HT genotypes might be related to increased endophyte transmission frequencies.Item A study in the breeding and selection of Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus L.) for hill land conditions in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M. Agric. Sci.(Massey University, 1961) Munro, James M MIn a few simple words, written many years ago, we see the objectives which have become fundamental not only to the foundation of New Zealand's farming industry but to the whole economic wellbeing of the nation. In no other country has continued economic survival become so closely associated with pasture development and the progress of grassland and animal research. Since these words were first written, New Zealand has entered into an era of achievement, an ere in which the vision has come near to reality. Few new areas have been cleared of their native vegetation end the achievement has been realized by the checking of reversion and the increasing of production on the existing land. In little over thirty years, the total animal production from New Zealand's grassland has almost doubled, yet this accomplishment provides little room complacency since the future of' the nation depends on the continuation and even acceleration of this rate of progress. [From Introduction]Item The genetical examination of 'Grasslands Ariki' ryegrass Lolium ((multiflorum x perenne) x perenne) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Plant Science(Massey University, 1970) Sedcole, John Richard'Grasslands Ariki' ryegrass - Lolium [(multiflorum x perenne) x perenne] - has been established in New Zealand as a successful pasture variety. While some genetic parameters were determined during its breeding programme, no diallel cross analyses have been performed on 'Ariki'. It was for this reason that this particular experiment was suggested to me. The inclusion of two treatments arose from a cynical remark passed by W. Harris, regarding the failure on the part of plant breeders to use simulated swards. The experiment was designed to determine the levels of genotype-by-environment interaction in 'Ariki' ryegrass. [FROM INTRODUCTION]Item An ecological study of a chionochloa population : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University of Manawatu(Massey University, 1966) McPherson, Hugh GrantThe Chionochloa community under study occupies approximately 63 acres on the summit of Mt Kaiparoro (2,660 ft a.s.l.), a large ridge situated about four miles east of the main northern Tararua Range and separated from it by the headwaters of the Mangatainoka River (fig. 1). The crest of this ridge slopes upwards towards the summit at the southern end, rising 200 feet over the length of the tussock grassland clearing. The clearing extends only a short distance down the sides of the ridge. On all but the northern edge the transition zone from grassland through scrubland to forest occurs where there is a marked increase in slope (fig. 2). The area covered by tussock grassland is gently undulating, but small streams dissect the area at irregular intervals, causing considerable local variation in slope. [From Preface]Item The development of insecticidal baits for the control of Porina (Wiseana Spp.) : a thesis ... for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University(Massey University, 1982) Haack, Neville AlexanderInvestigations in the development of chipped wheat baits for porina control were carried out in the laboratory and the field. In the laboratory porina readily accepted untreated chipped wheat in the presence of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). They also accepted equally, three different sizes of wheat baits, and fed at temperatures between -2°C and 25°C. Porina accepted insecticidally treated baits in the presence of untreated wheat or white clover, however did not readily accept fungus (Metarrhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok.), infected wheat in the presence of the latter two foods. Baits were removed by porina from around their burrow mouths when applied to the surface of turfs held under controlled conditions. The number of baits removed per active porina was related to the density applied. Field trials demonstrated that insecticidally treated baits, of the smallest size (528 chips/g. dry weight), being the most cost-efficient gave comparable mortalities to conventional spray applications. After 10 days fenitrothion spray (0.9 Kg ai/ha) gave 95% control of porina populations, and with fenitrothion treated baits (0.13 Kg ai/ha) applied at 1 chip/6.25 cm 2 the control achieved was 83%. At a lower bait density (1 chip/25 cm 2) a significant increase in mortality was seen between 10 and 30 days. The addition of a molluscicide onto a treated bait increased its efficiency by 10%. Applying baits infected with the fungus Metarrhizium resulted in 53% mortality of porina. The optimal bait density was shown to be one wheat chip/12.5 cm 2, and the optimal dosage of fenitrothion 0.4% ai/g. dry weight of wheat. The cost of bait treatment, including application costs, for porina control was $15/ha, compared to $46/ha for spraying.