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The Rural Voice, 1978-06, Page 23presently useful. Prof. Wally Beversdorf of the department of crop science, at the University of Guelph has been working for some years on breeding new short season soybeans with high yield potential and other desirable characteristics. This summer he has been joined by Prof. V.I. Sichkar of the Kirovograd Experimen- tal Research Station in the Ukraine. Prof. Sichkar has brought with him seeds of strains of soybeans from the USSR and ' these will be crossed this summer with Prof. Beversdorf's strains. When the crop matures, half the seeds will go back to the USSR with Prof. Scihkar, and half will remain for testing in Ontario. Both scientists feel that they will benefit from the exchange. Soybeans have been in use in North America for a fairly long time, so that many fine strains have been developed, and climatic conditions in Ontario are similar to those in the Ukraine and elsewhere in the USSR. At the same time, the germ plasm from the Ukraine will add a welcome infusion of new genetic material to the lines that have been intensely bred in North America for many years. "Hopeful- ly, we will be able to increase soybean yields in each country by combining our efforts," says Prof. Beversdorf. University of Guelph continues research to improve alfalfa production "Alfalfa is generally regarded as basic to a strong forage program on most Ontario farms." This line from an OMAF Factsheet explains the need for research to develop higher yielding, disease and pest resistent varieties of alfalfa. The weevil and the winter are still two of the biggest problems confronting alfalfa growers, but University of Guelph breeding and selection programs may one day lessen their effects. University of Guelph crop scientist B.R. Christie cringes slightly when asked about the weevil resistant variety of alfalfa being grown at the Elora Research Station. Many North American breeders have tried unsuccessfully to develop a strain resistant to the alfalfa weevil, including those who, like the University of Guelph, are working with plant material from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After a serious weevil attack in the U.S. in 1964 and 1965, the U.S.D.A. launched into a seed selection program and made this material available to researchers and plant breeders. Some of this seed was sown at Elora in 1968 and has since gone through four generations of selection without experiencing extensive weevil damage. Prof. Christie is cautious, however, because the entire Elora area has escaped the severe weevil attacks which have taken place in other parts of the province. There is still much testing to be done before the variety in question can be legitimately called weevil resistant. he says. Prof. Christie is somewhat more excited about successful selections from the Saranac variety which can survive Ontario winters with minimal damage. In 1975 Prof. R.S. Fulkerson found five plants which resembled a creeping root variety of alfalfa grown in Western Canada. These plants ' have since been studied and nurtured in the crop science growth rooms to produce enough seed so that the variety may be tested for yield and winter hardiness in several areas of the province. Not until the fall of 1981, says Prof. Christie, will researchers have a good idea of the variety's hardiness. He is hopeful that OMAF will then be able to offer Ontario farmers a new alfalfa variety which can tolerate the harshest winter conditions. In addition to the weevil and the winter, University of Guelph researchers are investigating a new threat to alfalfa. Several years ago, Agriculture Canada nematologists from St. Catharines began looking at forage plants and found that alfalfa stands at the Elora Research Station exhibited high concentrations of root nematodes. These tiny organisms have long been a problem in cereal crops like oats, but were new to alfalfa. They burrow into the roots, creating an opening for disease organisms and making it difficult for the plant to absorb water and nutrients. CLAY - Silo Unloaders Feeders Cleaners Stabling Leg Flevators Liquid Manure Equipment Hog Equipment BUTLER - Silo Unloaders Feeders Conveyors FARMATIC - Mills Augers, etc. ACORN - Cleaners Heated Waterers WESTEEL-ROSCO Granaries B & L - Hog Panelling LOWRY FARM SYSTEMS • at Amberley [R.R.#1, Kincardine] Phone 395-5286 FARMERS WE NEED YOUR TRADE-INS - DISC'S PLOWS, CULTIVATORS & TRACTORS New Universal Tractor 2 & 4 wheeldrive from 45 to 80 h.p. Also w/loaders & cab - all diesels. GOOD FINANCING AVAILABLE TO SUIT YOUR BUDGET * ACT NOW & TURN YOUR USED MACHINERY IN FOR NEW Riegling Farm Equipment Genet- Farm Machinery Max A. Riegling -- 7 miles west of Lucknow RR 3, Lucknow, Ont. -- on Highway 86 Phone Ripley 395-5107 THE RURAL VOICE/JUNE 1978. PG. 23.