APPLIED RESEARCH AND EXTENSION FOR NEW ZEALAND HERBAGE SEED PRODUCERS PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS
Progress in herbage seed research and extension in New Zealand is centred on applied research to provide near immediate benefits to seed producers. Excellent seed yield and quality gains have been achieved in ryegrass seed crops from the rapid application of new technology such as plant growth regulators, nitrogen and fungicides. In forage fescue and white clover yield and quality benefits have been achieved, not with the same consistency and often with limited understanding of why yields have increased. The constraints to achieving benefits to farmers in herbage seed crops are largely a limited understanding of the physiology of the plant and how best to manipulate the plant to increase yields. Improved understanding of plant physiology in areas such as nutrient uptake and utilisation in seed production, contribution of photosynthetic area to yield parameters, flower physiology and pollination biology could provide knowledge farmers need to increase productivity.