Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 8 · column 4 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
Chemical Seed Treatment
For Forage Crops Discussed
“Yes. . . with certain provisions," is the answer plant pathologists in Virginia give to the question as to whether or not to treat forage crop seed with chemials. - ~
S. B. Fenne, pathologists at VPI, who has just completed a study of results of chemical seed treatment in other states, says “so far as our state is concerned, we will recommend treatment of grass seed and also legume seed, if proper precautions are taken in regard to inoculation."
Other states vote both yea and nay, with many undecided, but Fenne’s stand is that “it doesn’t cost much, it does no harm, and it may do a lot of good.” The cost is usually around one cent per pound. - ..
Purpose of chemical treatment is to protect seed against certain organisms which cause seed rot, seedling blight, and damping off. Good seed treatment, Feene says, substantially improves the chances of survival for each seedling. As a result, there should be fewer failures,to get a ^®od stand of grasses or legumes and fewer irregular stands. ~ The benefits of seed treatment depend to a great extent on how thoroughly the fungicides are applied. Most farmers lack the necessary equipment. On the other hand, agencies such as elevators and seed houses, that handle large amounts of seed are usually equipped with the necessary machinery.
Fenne notes some startling yield increases in experimental plots where seed was treated, but also some cases where treatment apparently made little difference. However, “in general, where the seed is infected with seed-borne diseases, or damaged by mechanical injury and planted under adverse growing conditions, seed treatment will prove beneficial,” he concludes.
81.7%