l604 PLANT BREKDING 



In Croatia it is now grown on about 287 500 acres per annum, and much 

 seed is exported to Dalmatia, Istria, Carinthia, Bosnia and Herzogovinia, 

 where it is much appreciated. The selected hnes mentioned abov^e are not 

 yet in the market, except one which is already well adapted to the needs 

 of the country. 



Selection at Krizevci is specially directed towards obtaining lines 

 which are proof against lodging, rust, and winter cold. Wheat selection 

 is also carried out in Croatia at the Plant Breeding Station on the Vuko- 

 var estate (recently founded by Count Eltz) and at the Runia Station on 

 the Pejacsevich estate. 



Rye. — Foreign varieties of rj'e are less suited to the conditions obtaining 

 in Croatia. The best results are obtained with indigenous varieties, espe- 

 ciall}' with Potocec xy&, which is ver)^ robust, possesses good straw, does 

 not lodge, tillers well and has a long ear with long awns. The quality of 

 the grain is good, with an average yield. 



The aim of the work at Krizevci has been to obtain an eosly rye giv- 

 ing a good crop, but resistant to winter cold and to diseases. The method 

 adopted is that of pedigree culture. Some good strains have already been 

 secured, but they have only recently been distributed to the growers. It 

 is hoped that by this means the rye production of the country will be con- 

 siderably increased. 



Barley. — Indigenous varieties are chiefly grown in Croatia, as fo- 

 reign sorts are less resistant to rust. The former are early, not very sus- 

 ceptible to rust, and are of good quality, but their yield is not very high. 

 All the winter sorts need to be sown early in order that the plants may 

 make good root growth in the autumn. Those that have been selected are 

 of good quality but the straw is weak so that they lodge easily. 



With spring sown barley the best results have been obtained with 

 foieign varieties. A 2-rowed barley derived from the original Kwassitzer 

 Hanna by mass selection is particularly good. vSince IQ13.. individual 

 selection has been carried out. The aim has been to obtain a very early 

 variet}^ with a fairly stout straw, which tillers well and produces a long 

 ear with uniform grains of low nitrogen content, furnished with thin 

 glumes. 



Oats. — Experiments have shown foreign varieties are much more 

 productive than the native kinds. One of the best is Duppau which was 

 imported from Hungar}-, but, in wet seasons it is badly attacked by rust. 

 The best kinds are those with thin leaves, e. g. Heine, which has been 

 submitted to individual selection since 1912. 



Maize. — The first maize to be selected was an indigenous variety. 

 Round Croatian, whicli has been grown for some years in the experimen- 

 tal plots at Krizevci. In addition Pignoletto, American Horse-tooth and 

 a very early variety Hangarii, derived form the high plateau of Bos- 

 nia, have been selected in order to obtain strains possessing ears with 

 numerous straight rows of grains with much horny starch. In addition 

 to this attention has been paid to the self-fertilisation and cross fertilisa- 

 tion of maize. 



