|
|
|
Wheat experiment saved from storm
8 Mar 2007
A CSIRO wheat research program narrowly escaped damage during the powerful thunderstorm that hit Canberra last week. More than 40 glasshouses at CSIRO's division of plant industry at Black Mountain house experimental plantings of a new variety of drought resistant wheat. Heavy hail smashed glasshouse roofs and walls, shredded plants and contaminated potting soil with splinters of glass. "We lost a few of our wheat plants, but if we'd lost the lot it would have set our research back by at least a year. That's a delay we can't afford when dealing with the increasing threat of climate change to Australia's wheat crops," senior research agronomist Richard Richards said. The plants were moved from the damaged greenhouses and into secure housing though further research has been delayed while a massive clean-up operation is underway.
The Canberra Times, 07/02/2007
|
|
