asked the Minister for Agriculture if any research has been carried out by a Governmental or other agency to determine the most suitable wheat seed for use in the climatic conditions of this country; if so, by whom; and what the findings were, and the date thereof.
Written Answers. - Wheat Growing Research.
87.
The Department of Agriculture has been engaged for many years on research to determine the most suitable varieties of wheat for cultivation in this country. During the past ten years 648 experiments have been carried out at the Department's Institutions and at numerous centres throughout the country in collaboration with County Committees of Agriculture. From these investigations the results of which are published annually in the Journal of the Department of Agriculture, the suitability of 4 varieties (Atle, Atson, Progress and Karn II) for cultivation in this country has been established. One of these varieties (Atle) is so widely grown that it occupies about 90 per cent. of the total wheat acreage. Certified seed of Atle, Atson, Progress and Karn II is produced under the Department's Seed Certification Scheme and is available to farmers through commercial channels. These varieties are among those given the highest rating in respect of milling and baking qualities in the Classification of Home Grown Wheat Varieties issued by the National Association of British and Irish Millers. With the object of producing improved wheat varieties for our conditions the Department has an extensive wheat breeding programme under way and a number of promising new hybrids are being tested at present. For some years past the Department of Agriculture has co-operated with the Institute of Industrial Research and Standards and more recently with An Foras Talúntais in a programme for evaluating the milling and baking qualities of home grown wheats.
In addition the Plant Breeding Department of University College, Dublin has been engaged in wheat breeding for over 30 years. In 1959 the Department of Farm Management of University College, Dublin commenced investigations into the yield and quality of five Spring wheats. A first report on the project issued in October last gave details of the experiments carried out. It is understood that these experiments are being continued.