Annual Report 1961 - BEEP

~- 41few varieties which look very promising, novariety will be planted in first selection trialsuntil the results of ratoons in propagationplots are available.A total of 125 selections of propagationplots were planted in 6 first selection trials onthe 4 stations. 16 first selection trials wereharvested, from which 32 selections were made.Some of the more promising selections, nowin multiplication plots for planting in trials onestates in 1962 are the following:M.17/55 (M.311/41 x M.423/41). A varietyselected from a first selection trial atReduit S.E.S. High yielding canealthough sugar content is inferior.This variety grows erect, trashes easilyand until now no flowers have beenobserved.M.69/55 (B.34104 x M.63/39). Cane ofmedium thickness and good growthhabit; outyielded the standard (M. 147/44)at Reduit.M.217/55 (B.34104 x M.213/40). Selectedat Pamplemousses S.E.S. The varietygave a high yield in 1st ratoons andsugar content was good.M.255/55 (B.34104 x M.63/39). Selectedin l st ratoons at Belle Rivc S.E.S.where it gave a very high yield (25 %more than Ebene 1/37); sugar contentwas only slightly below that of thestandard. The variety trashes easilyand growth habit is semi-erect. Gcrminationis fair. Some flowers have beenobserved in propagation plots in 1959.M.303/56 (Ebene 1/37 x M.213/40). Selectedat Union Park S.E.S. in firstratoons. A semi-erect cane trasheseasily and is of medium thickness.Sugar content was quite good andyield was about the same as fromEbene 1/37.A summary of selection is given in Table 7.Table 7. Summary of selection work in 1961No. of stalks No of No. of selections No. of selectionsStation planted in seedlings made in made inB.S.P. selected Prop. plots F. Se!. Trials.Reduit 133 172 37 I3Pamplernousses 2014 287 20 10Belle Rive 464 44 5Union Park 175 24 4F.U.E.L. 1407BritanniaTotal 3554 1098 125 325. VARIETY AND PRE-RELEASE TRIALS.During the year 1961. 10 variety trials and3 pre-release trials were planted, while a totalof 36 trials (26 and 10 respectively) were harvested.Six trials have been abandoned afterthe result of the 1961 crop were known. Thedistribution of the various trials over the islandis given in Table 8. A total of 114 varieties(97 M. varieties, 7 Ebene varieties and IOimported varieties) are being tested in thesetrials.