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Show Page Wednesday, March 29, Six Sun Chronicle- 1972 - Eagle Ke iew Clearfield Courier Supplement -- Corn test plots keyed to by Justin Scharff Whether a corn grower manes money or loses it depends largely on efficient management and selecting the best variety for specific growing conditions. Although the multiplicity of new varieties can be perplexing their introduction is essential to progress. Ray Davis, Utah district manager tor Germains Inc., (left) records a high performing entry in the corn test reight of Funks plots conducted by Germains at the Spanish Fork ranch of Dave Bradford (center). Bert Hornbrook, corn breeder for Funk Bros. Seed Company observes the proceedings. Until fairly recently testing corn varieties in Utah was limited almost exclusively to varieties that had proven successful in the Cornbelt. But these varieties, unfortunately, were not always adaptable to Utah growing conditions. Recognizing the weakness of this procedure, Germains Inc., 100 year old western seed firm, assisted by Utah farmers, has initiated a program to test experimental varieties for several years prior to commercial production and to introduce, them only if they outperform established varieties. Corn research plots are located in different production centers because of the variation in Utahs growing conditions and the trend towards area oriented varieties. Germ plasm for the experivarieties in Germains mental test plot is provided by the world-wid- e research facilities of Funk Bros. Seed Company, nationally known breeder and producer of hybrid corn varieties. Variety testing is conducted in both Packet Plots and Research Evaluation Plots. Packet Plots contain experimental varieties, hand planted one seed at a time. The seed drop for each variety is predeternvned by the desired row length, spacing pattern and plant population. Two row plantings of separate varieties are replicated up to tour times for greater accuracy in evaluation. Hand planted plots may contain as many as 50 different varieties. After two successful years in the Packet of hand planted plots experimental varieties graduate to machine-harveste- machine-plante- Research your farm or ranch working for you ? ranchers have found they can make extra profits through major improvements such as land leveling, a better irrigation system, or investments in new equipment or additional acreage. How about your operation? The First Security Agricultural Specialist in this area can help you plan such an improvement or major purchase. Hes experienced, knowledgeable, and understands local problems. Stop in at your nearest First Security office and ask the manager to arrange for a meeting at your convenience. This service is available without cost or obligation. Planning Forms that can make estimating farm or ranch income and expenses more businesslike. Thousands are now using this practical plan First Security News Letter, published quarterly. Prepared by our economist Dr. El Roy Nelson. Contains valuable economic information and predictions that concern your business. Ask for free copies at any First Security Bank. Or write: Dr. ElRoy kelson First Seedily Bank, P.O. Box 390, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Theyre also free! experimental Evaluation factors include plant and ear count, standability, ear quality, yield, resistance to stalk rot plus an over-a- ll average of these points. A rating system of 1 to 10 is used, 1 being the top score and 10 the lowest. Data from widely separated test plots is computed, the resulting statistic providing almost instantly a varietys adaptability to different growing areas. This type of testing has led to the development and introduction in Utah of the following area oriented varieties: Funks G- 5150, early maturity, medium height, high yield potential, fine grain quality, for higher altitudes and short growing season; medium early maturity, wide adaptation, early vigor, high Trapping codling moth Obtaining top quality apples at with less pesticide spray is the potential value of a codling moth trapping program. Effective trapping to determine when the moths are out flying and laying eggs has been made possible by the scientific breakthrough in the discovery of the sex pheromone of the female codling moth. Baiting traps with the female sex pheromone provides the most effective way of capturing the males. Extensive use of the traps will enable orchardists to do a better job of controlling the codling moth, the number one insect pet of Utah apples, explained Reed S. Roberts, Utah State University Extension entomologist. However, he said, Before we can benefit much from pheromone traps it will be necessary to do something about the thousands of abandoned and neglected apple trees in the state, especially those in the fruit growing areas. Many of these are backyard apple trees and are a source of thousands of codling moths every year. It will be necessary to either spray these trees as needed or else replace them with trees other than apple trees in order to improve the present control programs. Roberts urged every major fruit growing county in Utah to initiate an effective program of taking care of abandoned and neglected apple trees. Joel Barlow, USU Extension horticulturist at Provo, is heading the moth trapping, monitoring research project in Utah. He explained that the codling moth is Utahs major fruit pest. Controlling it costs Utahs apple and pear growers thousands of dollars each year. Barlow explained that the survey ims to make it possible to eventually control the codling' moth with fewer, more effectively timed applications of pesticides. This will reduce the cost of control and the undesirable effects on the environment. Cooperating in carrying out less cost A great many farmers and ASK FOR THESE HELPFUL SERVICES, TOO. comparing d Evaluation Plots which, being considerably larger than the Packet Plots, faci- - is ail of litate varieties with commercial varieties growing in the same fields and which serve as checks. the research project in Utah are the fruit growers, the State Department of Agriculture, USU Extension and USU moth-trappi- FIRST SECURITY BANK Fir Security Bank of Utah, N.A. Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Plant Science and Zoology Departments, assisted by a 48 thousand dollar grant from the Four Corners Regional Commission. |