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Show 'Water Faucet' Research Approach Brings Warning -Agricultural research funds can't be turned on and off like a water faucet if the world's food problems arc lo be solved, says a renowned scientist. Plant Pathologist E. C. Stakman. now professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota, says a long-term commitment is necessary to insure future progress in agricultural research. "One prob'?m is that we have a tendency to wait until we have a crop catastrophe, and then we appropriate research re-search money in a hurry expecting miracles in return," re-turn," he points out. Dr. Stakman emphasizes that agricultural science must learn to prevent rather than cure plant diseases, but notes that it takes time to develop disease-resistant plants. Recognized as the world's top authority on wheat rust diseases, Dr. Stakman believes be-lieves that strong research support could lead to development devel-opment of new varieties with as much as 70 percent protection pro-tection against all known stem rusts. "We can't guarantee this," he points out, explaining that researchers must locate the characters that contribute to genetic resistance in wheat and combine them all in one variety before this 70 percent per-cent goal can be accom-pl accom-pl ished. "But any way you look at it," he continues, "research properly directed, supported, and motivated will pay big dividends for increasing world food supplies. It's .iust a matter of when." |