ANNUAL REPORT, 1941 13 



Hybrid Field Corn. (Hrant M. Yegian.) There is a definite need for an early- 

 maturing hybrid field corn for the higher plateau regions of Worcester County and 

 the western counties of Massachusetts. Accordingly, 64 strains of hybrid seed 

 corn were planted for trial during the past season. A few of these strains, which 

 matured in 90 to 100 days, will be tested next season in Athol, Massachusetts, 

 against the local-grown varieties in that region. Last season 180 inbred lines and 

 single crosses were crossed with Wis. (CC4XCC8). Most of these crosses will 

 be tested for earlj- maturity and yield this coming season at the College Farm. 



Onion Breeding. (Hrant M. Yegian.) Hybrids between Allium fistulosum 

 (type Nebuka) and A. cepa (type Ebenezer) were secured in the spring of 1940. 

 All the flowers of two umbels from Nebuka plants were emasculated twice daily 

 for about two weeks and dusted daily with pollen grain from Ebenezer. Of the 

 230 plants from one of the umbels 80 percent were hybrid between the two species. 

 Only 10 percent of the plants were hybrid from the second Umbel. Although there 

 were no apparent morphological differences between the hybrids and the Nebuka 

 at the seedling stage, the hybrid plants could be recognized in the field by their 

 vigor, the semi-circular leaves growing close together, and the color of the bulbs. 

 Some of these hybrids will be treated with calchicine in an effort to secure tetra- 

 ploids. 



Sufficient seed for testing has been produced from a strain of Ebenezer selection 

 that will mature bulbs about two weeks earlier than the valley-grown varieties. 

 Final field tests will be made before the strain is recommended to the growers. 



Data from a two-year preliminary experiment show that there is no significant 

 difference between the yield of set onions grown in double rows and those grown 

 in single rows 14 inches apart. Planting sets in double rows 4 inches apart and 

 placing the double rows 24 inches apart would greatly facilitate the use of power 

 cultivators. 



Influence of Soil Fertility on Productiveness of Pasture Species. (Walter S. 

 Eisenmenger and Hrant M. Yegian.) It has long been observed that there is a 

 close relationship between the fertility of the so'l and the botanical composition 

 of the vegetation growing upon it. It would be of great interest, therefore, to 

 know whether there are specific levels of soil fertility which are required by 

 different species of pasture plants in order that they may thrive and maintain 

 themselves over an extended period. 



The data covering one year of preliminary field plot experiment on the effect 

 of four levels of soil fertility on thirteen species of grasses in pure stand warrant 

 the following general statements: 



1. That all the species responded to increase in soil fertility. 



2. That the species which produced poorly at a low fertility level gave much 

 greater percentage increases in yield at higher fertility levels. Meadow foxtail, 

 for example, produced an average of 0.19 pounds of dry hay in the plots that had 

 no fertilizer, and 0.54 pounds (184 percent increase) in the plots treated at the 

 rate of 1600 pounds of 5-8-7 per acre. On the other hand, meadow fescue, which 

 averaged 0.48 pounds of dry hay in no-treatment plots, produced 0.76 pounds 

 (58 percent increase) at the highest fertility level (1600 pounds 5-8-7 per acre). 

 However, in each of the four levels of soil fertility, the species which produced 

 greater total dry weight in no-treatment plots outyielded the species which 

 produced poorly in no-treatment plots. 



3. That the better-producing species were those well adapted to the climate. 

 Apparently temperature is one of the important factors influencing yield. Peren- 

 nial rye grass and fowl bluegrass did well in cool weather, but during the heat of 

 summer they dried out; whereas meadow fescue, reed canary grass, and orchard 

 grass maintained comparatively well-sustained growth throughout the season. 



