Narrative
PLANTAIN
Plantago lanceolata
'Ceres Tonic' syn PG 30
Application No: 1996/017 Accepted: 12 Feb 1996
Applicant: Pyne Gould Guinness Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Australian Agent: Pyne Gould Guinness, Doncaster East VIC.
Description - See table of comparisons
Ploidy 2n = 12. A glabrous to somewhat tufted perennial of rosette form. Leaves: numerous, 20-30cm long, 2-7cm wide, entire margins or weakly toothed, broadly lanceolate gradually narrowing at the base to a petiole, 3-7 parallel veins. Anthocycanin variable but frequently strong in leaf petiole base.
deeply furrowed, 62cm (mean) long at anthesis. Erect with terminal cylindrical flower head. Flower: small, green or brown. Stamens white to cream, conspicuously exserted, develop from base of head to the tip progressively. Wind pollinated. Flowering time: Extended, mainly early summer. Seed: Oval, brown.
Origin A selection based on germplasm originating in Europe, the precise origin of which is not known, but probably Portugal. (Breeder: Dr Alan V. Stewart, Pyne Gould Guinness Ltd.) Fifty parental clones were polycrossed and selections based on erect leaf habit, large leaf size, freedom from disease and seed yield potential.
Propagation: seed.
Comparative trials A comparison was made with 'Grasslands Lancelot' in a spaced plant trial of 10 replicates of 10 plants of each variety with two generations of 'Ceres Tonic', at the Ceres Research Station of Pyne Gould Guinness Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand. Seed was sown in March 1993 and the trial planted in May of that year. Measurements were recorded the following growing season. Another trial was carried out at AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand in 1993, where replicated planted rows were established.
Prior Applications and Sales New Zealand Plant Variety Rights Grant No. 887 (1994).
First sales in New Zealand 16 August 1995. No sales in Australia.
Description: Jeff E. Miller, AgResearch Grasslands, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Comparison of Plantago varieties
(Data from Ceres trial) 'Ceres Tonic' 'Grasslands Lancelot'
MEAN HEADING DAY (days from 1st)
mean 24.2 24.9
std deviation 8.2 7.2
LSD/sig. 2.85 ns
LONGEST LEAF LENGTH (mm)
mean 188 177
std deviation 35 32
LSD/sig. 12.40 ns
LONGEST LEAF WIDTH (mm)
mean 46.6 33.5
std deviation 10 9.2
LSD/sig 3.56 P0.001
PLANT HEIGHT (mm)
mean 624.00 676.00
std deviation 77.0 106.0
LSD/sig. 34.29 P0.001
GROWTH HABIT (outer leaves 1 = erect, 5 = prostrate)
mean 2.5 3.5
std deviation 0.6 0.7
LSD/sig 0.24 P0.001
LEAVES PER PLANT
mean 25.2 40.9
std deviation 12 22
LSD/sig. 6.56 P0.01