OBSERVATIONS ON BLINDNESS IN OATS

The relative importance in North Wales of various factors said to cause blindness in oats was investigated. It is concluded that a direct attack on the developing panicles by frit fly larvae and by adults and larvae of thrips was of little importance in causing the blindness encountered. Most of the blindness appeared to result from adverse physiological conditions probably operative during early growth. Varying varietal susceptibility to blindness was noted, and the effect on the subsequent panicles of an early insect attack on the vegetative parts of the plant is discussed.