bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uptake and utilisation of phosphorus and nitrogen by bread wheats grown under natural rainfall
Authors: Batten GD , Khan MA
Published: March 2005

Wheat genotypes were grown in a Mediterranean environment in 3 seasons with 3 levels of applied phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilisers. Phosphorus and N concentrations were measured in mature grain and straw. The amounts and distributions of these nutrients were calculated and differences between genotypes were related to plant yield components. Harvest index was more highly positively correlated, than grain yield, with nutrient harvest index and yield per unit of shoot P, but more negatively correlated with grain nutrient concentrations. For each percentage point increase in harvest index, grain protein declined by 0.08 percentage points and grain phosphorus by 0.0015 percentage points.It is suggested that improved utilisation of phosphorus by wheat is possible through increases in harvest index and by direct selection of genotypes with similar harvest index. Examples are given to show that selection for low grain P can proceed in association with selection for high grain protein
Failure of liming to increase grain yield of wheat and triticale in acid soils may be due to the associated increase in incidence of take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici)
Authors: Murray GM , Scott BJ , Hochman Z , Butler BJ
Published: March 2005

Lime was applied at rates from 0 to 5.0 t ha-1 at 4 sites in southern and central New South Wales. A root and crown disease characterised by basal stem blackening affected up to 60% of wheat plants and 80% of triticale plants when the soil pH in 0.01 mol L-1 CaCl2 was above 5.0 at all 4 sites. Below pH 4.8, incidence was less than 5%. The take-all fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, was consistently associated with this symptom. Losses in grain yield from the disease ranged from 26 to 77% depending on site. Regression analysis indicates that each 10% increase in plants with basal stem blackening decreased yield by 0.76%. These results demonstrate that the disease can reverse the expected increase in yield after liming, and that progressive acidification of the soils in the region may have caused the present reduced amount of take-all.
Management of Heliothis punctigera on field peas in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Bailey P , Comery J
Published: March 2005

Cypermethrin was found to be an effective substitute for DDT in controlling Heliothis punctigera in field peas. A single spray of cypermethrin prevented significant damage by larvae to field peas in trials in South Australia and Victoria over 3 seasons. Endosulfan was not as effective as cypermethrin. Bioassays of leaf discs dipped in cypermethrin showed that residues of 0.1 mg a.i. kg-1 caused 50% feeding inhibition, 0.43 mg a.i. kg-1 caused 90% feeding inhibition and concentrations above this caused increasing acute mortality to fourth instar larvae. Residues from field pea crops sprayed at 40 g a.i. fell to 0.43 mg a.i. kg-1 2-3 weeks after application. Two to 3 weeks protection is probably the maximum time for residual activity to be useful because the crop outgrows the sprayed foliage. To ensure that larvae are exposed to the maximum area of treated surface, the spray should be timed to coincide with the appearance of larvae in the crop, rather than spraying at a particular growth stage of the crop.
Response of navy beans to row width and plant population density in Queensland
Authors: Redden RJ , Usher T , Younger D , Mayer R , Hall B , Fernandes A , Kirton D
Published: March 2005

Grain yield responses of the navy bean (Phaseolus vulgavis L. cv. Actolac) to 4 row widths (17.8, 35.6, 71.1 and 107.0 cm) and 2 plant population densities (112 500 and 337 500 plants/ha) were investigated in 7 trials. The trials were at 4 locations over 3 years during the summer in southern Queensland and winter in northern Queensland. Detailed yield components and growth measurements were made at 4 locations in 1 year. The established populations at harvest were lower than expected, especially at high populations and at maximum row widths. Grain yields increased with population with a mean response of 19.1% over all sites, and responded negatively in a variable and complex manner to row width with a mean response of 46.5% for the narrowest over the widest row spacing. Grain yields were mainly determined by pod numbers, which in turn were causally related to estimated ground cover between flowering and the middle of pod-filling and hence to total vegetative yield.
Dimethoate and fenthion as packing line treatments for tomatoes against Dacus tryoni (Froggatt)
Authors: Heather NW , Hargreaves PA , Corcoran RJ , Melksham KJ
Published: March 2005

Tomatoes were disinfested of Queensland fruit fly (Dacus tryoni) by using dimethoate or fenthion applied as sprays during grading and packing. Concentrations of 400 mg/L of either insecticide applied through a high-volume recirculatory flood system delivering 16 L/min.m2 were used to treat fruit moving at a speed of 0.5 m/min, on conveyor brushes, so that fruit was flooded for 10 s and remained fully wetted for a further 1 min. Treatment efficacies of 100% against 30 000 eggs and 30 000 larvae were obtained. The treatments were equally effective when used in conjunction with post-treatment cooling to 12.5�C for 1 week. No tainting problems were detected. Residues of dimethoate (also omethoate for selected samples) and fenthion in treated fruit were found to be less than the Australian Maximum Residue Limits for tomatoes at all times; methods for determination of fenthion and omethoate residues are described. These disinfestation treatments have advantages of automation and efficiency compared with previously proven dip treatments.
Seasonal variation in susceptibility of apricot to Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (bacterial canker), and site of infection in apricot and cherry
Authors: Wimalajeewa DLS
Published: March 2005

The seasonal variation in susceptibility of buds, stems, leaves and fruit of apricot to Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, and sites through which infection occurs in apricot and cherry were studied. Infection of apricot and cherry occurred through buds, flowers, leaves, fruit and stems but not leaf scars through which natural infection can occur. Only stem and bud inoculations consistently led to the establishment of cankers. The proportion of buds showing infection was highest with inoculations made in late autumn and winter (May-July), and lowest with inoculations in summer (December-February). The number of stem inoculations, resulting in extensive cankers, was highest in late winter and spring (August-November) and lowest in summer and early autumn (December- March). Leaves and fruit were susceptible only during spring (September-November), when they were immature. The importance of these findings in relation to epidemiology and control of bacterial canker is discussed.
Effect of heifer size at mating and calving on milk production during first lactation
Authors: Thomas GW , Mickan FJ
Published: March 2005

Liveweight and skeletal size at mating and first calving, and milk production in the first lactation of 193 heifers from 16 farms in West Gippsland, Vic., were compared with the productions of mature cows in each herd (mean mature cow production, 136-270 kg milkfat/cow). Mean minimum target liveweights ( � s.e.) for successful conception were calculated to be 219 � 3 and 319 � 7 kg for Jerseys and Friesians, respectively. These weights were related by regression to skeletal sizes to aid in the management of feeding heifers. Within the range of heifer sizes considered in this study (mean liveweight [�s.e.] after calving of 279 � 28 kg and 383 � 40 kg for Jerseys and Friesians, respectively), we conclude that, provided heifers are sufficiently grown to conceive, their milk production in first lactation will not be substantially affected by size at mating and calving.
Analysis of data collected in a residue survey: copper and zinc concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle in Australian sheep and cattle
Authors: Langlands JP , Donald GE , Smith AJ
Published: March 2005

Samples of h e r , kidney and muscle were collected between 1975 and 1983 from 2797 sheep or cattle at 39 meatworks located in all Australian States and the Northern Territory on behalf of the Australian Bureau of Animal Health. The samples were analysed for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) at government analytical laboratories. Mean values and proportions falling into various class intervals are presented. Hepatic Cu concentrations tended to be positively skewed with a long tail of observations with high concentrations. About 3% of ovine livers and 9% of bovine livers contained <2 mg Cu/kg freshweight when calculated on a national basis. This concentration was arbitrarily taken as the criterion of a low Cu status, and the proportion within States falling into this class ranged from about 1% in sheep from Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania to about 11% in Victoria. Proportions in cattle were highest in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, and were 13.6, 10.5 and 8.9% respectively. Correlations between Cu and Zn concentrations in the different tissues were low. Possible sources of bias in applying the results to predicting the number of Cu-deficient animals in the various States are discussed.
Rape and sunflower seed meals as supplements for sheep grazing cereal stubbles
Authors: Coombe JB , Axelsen A , Dove H
Published: March 2005

In 2 experiments, Merino sheep aged about 18 months grazed cereal stubbles for 12 weeks and were either: (i) given no supplement; (ii) given free access to blocks containing 30% urea; or received daily about 300 g DM sheep-1 of (iii) rapeseed meal (RSM); (iv) formaldehyde-treated RSM (FRSM); (v) sunflower meal (SFM); or (vi) formaldehyde-treated SFM (FSFM). In experiment 1, wethers grazed a barley stubble at stocking rates (SR) of 18 and 36 sheep ha-1, and in experiment 2, mixed flocks of wethers and ewes grazed wheat stubble at 10 and 20 sheep ha-1. Mean daily intakes of urea were about 8.5 and 11.5 g sheep-1 for experiments 1 and 2 respectively. Both forms of SFM were readily eaten throughout, but in both experiments, intakes of RSM and FRSM were low and were characterised by high variability from day to day, and among individual sheep within groups. In both experiments, all sheep gained some weight during the first 2-3 weeks; thereafter control and urea fed sheep lost weight at mean rates varying from about 96 to 180 g day-1 depending on SR. Feeding SFM or FSFM reduced this loss to about 20 g day-1 at SR of 10-20 ha-1, and to 60 g day-1 at a SR of 36 ha-1, while losses were intermediate in sheep fed RSM or FRSM. In experiment 1, daily wool growth rates varied from about 5.5 g clean dry wool (CDW) sheep-1 for control and urea-fed sheep to about 11 g CDW sheep-1 for sheep fed SFM and FSFM; respective daily rates in experiment 2 were 3.6 and 8.2 g CDW sheep-1. Wool growth of sheep fed RSM and FRSM was intermediate in both experiments. When ewes were mated on high-quality feed after grazing stubbles, conception was delayed for about 14 days in a high proportion (about 40%) of those ewes that had lost considerable weight during stubble grazing. This effect was overcome by feeding daily 300 g DM sheep-1 of SFM for 7 days prior to and during mating. Delayed conception extended the lambing period. although final numbers of lambs born were not different among groups.
Long-term effects of incorporated lime and topdressed lime on the pH in the surface and subsurface of pasture soils
Authors: Bromfield SM , Cumming RW , David DJ , Williams CH
Published: March 2005

Soil profiles from limed and unlimed commercial pastures and from lime trials on pastures in the Crookwell district of the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales were sampled and pH measured at 2- or 5-cm intervals to depths ranging from 10 to 60 cm. A single application of lime (3.6-5.6 t/ha depending on the soil) incorporated into the surface 10 cm had a long-term effect and maintained pH above 5.5 in the top 30 cm for at least 12 years. Lime applied as a topdressing to soils on granite raised the pH by at least 0.2 pH units to a depth of 15 cm after 6 years. The depth affected was less on the heavier-textured basaltic soils and on the initially more acid sedimentary soils. There appears to be a role for top-dressing with lime to prevent subsurface acidity from developing under pastures and to correct it in the upper layers of light textured soils. The pH profiles from a given treatment were variable and highlighted the problem of obtaining a field measurement for soil pH that is representative of the plant's environment.
Effects of irrigation timing on seedling establishment and productivity of subterranean clover pastures
Authors: Kelly KB , Mason WK
Published: March 2005

Pure swards of subterranean clover were irrigated from late summer-autumn 1982 to autumn 1985. The period of irrigation varied, with 3 times of initial irrigation (1 February, 1 March and 1 April) and 2 times of final irrigation (mid October and mid November). Seedling establishment, DM production and herbage quality were measured in grazed swards. In each regenerating year, seedling density increased as the time of initial irrigation was delayed from February (5.2 seedlingddm2) to April (20.5 seedling/ dm2). For any time of initial irrigation, seedling density was increased by up to 100%, in plots which were irrigated until mid November in the previous spring. Dry matter yield was increased by early irrigation, with average yields of 11.1, 10.3 and 9.1 t/ha.year achieved for February, March and April as times of initial irrigation respectively. Continuing irrigation until November increased annual yield by 0.76 to 1.58 t DM/ha. The late spring irrigation treatment gave increased spring growth plus increased growth in the following autumn as a result of increased seedling density. The quality of the feed produced in autumn was lower than that produced in winter (in vitro DMD 68% compared with 75%), but was higher than the published DMD values for paspalum pastures in autumn. Digestibility in spring declined rapidly, from 75% in September to about 50% in early December. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to the most effective use of irrigation water, the reliability of subterranean clover regeneration and the timing and quality of the feed produced.
Evidence for the involvement of the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus thornei in wheat yield decline in northern New South Wales
Authors: Doyle AD , McLeod RW , Wong PTW , Hetherington SE , Southwell RJ
Published: March 2005

Factors responsible for a decline in wheat yields in some paddocks in the Gunnedah (northern New South Wales) area were investigated in a series of field experiments. Yield decline is not apparent on soils cultivated for less than 10 years, and barley and sorghum crops are not affected. Plant nutrition apparently is not a major factor in the decline, because, although there was a small response to zinc application in 1 experiment, wheat yields were not significantly increased by the application of N, P, K, Cu, Mg, B, Mn, Mo or S in a paddock where the yield of wheat was half that of the surrounding barley crop. Fumigation of the soil with methyl bromide increased wheat cv. Timgalen yield by 78% to equal that of barley cv. Clipper in a second experiment. Large numbers of root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei) were associated with unfumigated wheat plots, with smaller numbers present on barley plots. In a third experiment, the grain yields of all of the 9 cereal genotypes tested were increased when sown with 4 kg/ha of aldicarb. The relative yield increase associated with aldicarb showed good correlation with the reputed tolerance of the genotypes to P. thornei. Pratylenchus thornei occurred to a depth of 120 cm. Aldicarb did not affect P. thornei numbers below 15 cm, while methyl bromide controlled P. thornei to depths of 30-90 cm. Aldicarb virtually eliminated P. thornei from the surface 10 cm of soil, but had no effect on the incidence of the fungal diseases common root rot (Bipolaris sorokiniana) or crown rot (Fusarium graminearum). Soil fumigation with methyl bromide controlled B. sorokiniana and F. graminearum as well as P. thornei and gave yields 9% higher than did treatment with aldicarb. In another experiment, ethylene dibromide (2.7-10.8 L/ha) had no consistent effect on the yield of wheat or numbers of P. thornei while terbufos (0.6 and 1.2 kg/ha) gave a small reduction in P. thornei numbers and a small increase in yield. These data indicate that P. thornei is at least partially responsible for wheat yield decline in parts of northern New South Wales.
Increases in soil water content decrease the residual value of superphosphate
Authors: Bolland MDA , Baker MJ
Published: March 2005

In pot experiments, levels of superphosphate incorporated through the whole soil were incubated for 30 days in 2 lateritic soils from south-western Australia at 1 of the following 5 soil water contents: air-dry for 30 days, at field capacity for 10 or 30 days, and flooded for 10 or 30 days. The soils were then air-dried for 30 days and the residual value of the superphosphate relative to freshly applied superphosphate was measured using 30-day-old triticale (x Triticosecale cv. Tyalla) and wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Gamenya) plants. Soil samples were collected just before sowing from each pot for measurement of bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus (P) levels which were compared with the DM yield of plant tops. For all treatments there was a common relationship between the P concentration (data not shown) or P content in the tops and the DM yield. This shows that the treatments can be considered as different dilutions of the same fertiliser. Less P was taken up by plants as the moisture content and period of contact with moist soil increased, and this limited yield. The effectiveness of superphosphate incubated in dry soil was similar to the effectiveness of freshly applied superphosphate. Incubation in moist soil reduced the effectiveness of superphosphate for plant growth, by about 50% for soils incubated at field capacity and 70% for flooded incubated soils. As calculated from the P content of plant tops, the effectiveness of superphosphate incubated in dry soil was similar to the effectiveness of freshly applied superphosphate, and the effectiveness of superphosphate decreased by about 55% for soils incubated at field capacity and 75% for flooded incubated soils. The amount of P extracted by sodium bicarbonate from soil sampled just before sowing was also influenced by the incubation treatments, and decreased in the following order: freshly applied = air dry incubated > field capacity incubated > flooded incubated. Thus the bicarbonate-soluble P extracted from the soil qualitatively paralleled the yield results. However, compared with the yield results, the decreases were not as marked. When the bicarbonate-extracted P results were compared with subsequent yields of triticale or wheat, separate calibration curves were required for the different incubation treatments.
Fungicide control of ringspot (Mycosphaerella brassicicola) in Brussels sprouts
Authors: Wicks T , Lomman G , Rogers IS
Published: March 2005

A population of Mycosphaerella brassicicola insensitive to carbendazim (a benzimidazole fungicide) has developed in the main brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) growing area of South Australia. This was evident in a fungicide evaluation experiment in 1986 where ringspot developed despite 9 applications of carbendazim (250 mg a.i./L) on a 10-14-day schedule, whereas in the same area 4 benomyl applications (250 mg a.i./L) on a 21- day schedule controlled the disease in 1970. In 1986, other fungicides such as the protectant chlorothalonil (800 mg a.i./L), and the systemics fenarimol (37.5 mg a.i./L), penconazole (25 mg a.i./L) and triadimefon (125 mg a.i./L) controlled the benzimidazole insensitive strain when applied every 10-14 days. On sprayed plants, fewer than 3 ringspot lesions developed on infected mature leaves, whereas on unsprayed and carbendazim treated plants, more than 100 lesions per leaf developed by the final harvest. Total yield of sprouts was significantly reduced (P = 0.05) in unsprayed plants and half of these were unmarketable compared with more than 80% of the sprouts being marketable in most of the sprayed plots.
Sensitivity of Australian isolates of Plasmopara viticola to acylanaline fungicides
Authors: Wicks T , Lee TC , Overton J
Published: March 2005

A floating leaf disk technique was used to test the sensitivity of Australian isolates of Plasmopara viticola to 4 acylanaline fungicides, phosethyl-A1 and phosphorous acid. Sporulation of all 15 isolates was completely inhibited by 1 mg/L of metalaxyl. Benalaxyl, oxadixyl and ofurace at 10 mg/L and phosethyl-A1 and phosphorous acid at 100 mg/L also completely inhibited sporulation of each of the isolates tested for each fungicide. These results indicate that acylanaline insensitive isolates of P. viticola are either not present or are not widely distributed in grape growing areas of Australia. Cultures of selected P. viticola isolates have been established on tissue-cultured grapevines. Sporangia from these cultures can be used as standards for future fungicide sensitivity testing.
Productivity of ewes grazing lupin stubbles at mating in north-eastern Victoria
Authors: Kenney PA , Roberts GB
Published: March 2005

The liveweight gains, lambing performances and wool production of Border Leicester x Merino ewes grazed on sweet narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) stubbles during mating in midsummer were compared with those grazed on annual pasture. Treatments and conditions varied during the 5 years of study. In years 1-3, the stubbles were stocked at rates of between 20 and 40/ha, in year 4, at 11 ewes/ha, and in year 5 at 24 ewes/ha. In the last year there was an additional pasture treatment when the ewes on dry pasture were divided, one half were given 400 g lupin grain/sheep daily and the remainder, none. Available dry matter on the pastures varied from 1.1 to 5.0 t/ha and lupin grain in the stubbles varied from 230 to 420 kg/ha. Vasectomised rams were joined with the ewes 1 week before they were put onto the lupin stubbles and, after 2 weeks, were exchanged for entire rams which remained with ewes for 17-33 days. As the stocking rates on stubbles increased there were decreases in liveweight gains, ewes lambing and lambs born per ewe joined. During the 5 years, ewes grazed on stubbles at less than 25/ha gained more weight (176 g/day more), had more lambs (0<26/ewe mated), while more of them lambed (0.07/ewe mated) than did ewes on pasture alone (P < 0.05). The ewes fed lupin grain at pasture in year 5 received less grain than those on the stubbles and their production was intermediate to those on pasture alone and stubbles. At the lowest stocking rate of ewes grazing stubbles (20/ha) average wool production increased by about 37% (years 2-3) and 58% (year 5) compared with ewes grazing pasture. We conclude that lambing percentages from a midsummer mating can be increased when crossbred ewes graze sweet lupin stubbles during mating.
Lupins in grain diets for drought-affected lambs weaned at different ages
Authors: Kenney PA
Published: March 2005

Poll Dorset x (border Leicester x Merino) lambs were removed at 3, 5, 7 or 9 weeks of age from their dams which were being fed drought rations of either wheat or oat grain with 0, 15,30,45 or 60% lupin grain (0.9 kg/ewe.day) and hay (0.3 kg/ewe.day). These weaned lambs were fed the same grain rations ad lib. until they were 17 weeks old and were also offered hay at 10% of the total ration. Survival of the lambs after weaning, had all lambs remained under treatments, would have been 75 and 25%, respectively, for lambs fed wheat or oat grain with no lupins and 75% for those fed lupins and weaned at 3 weeks. Increasing lupin content from 15 to 60% increased wool growth by 80 �m/day (P< 0.05) and liveweight at 17 weeks of age by 4.6 kg(P< 0.1) but did not affect feed intake. Efficiency of feed conversion to liveweight (FCR) was better at 15 and 60 than at 30 and 45% lupin content (P<0.05). Lambs fed wheat had higher intakes and liveweights than lambs fed oats, but their FCR was poorer (P< 0.05). Lambs weaned at 5 weeks and fed wheat were 7 kg heavier at 17 weeks than their counterparts fed oats, but this difference decreased with increasing weaning age to 1 kg for lambs weaned at 9 weeks (P< 0.05). Mean daily growth rates of lambs fed wheat and oats were 210 and 169 g/sheep respectively from 12 to 17 weeks (P< 0.05). I conclude that lupin grain is a desirable supplement for high cereal grain rations for early weaned lambs but it would generally be undesirable to wean the lambs at less than 5 weeks of age.
Growth of Merino weaners fed grain-based diets while grazing dry pasture or housed in feedlots
Authors: Suiter RJ , McDonald CL
Published: March 2005

The growth of Merino wether weaners fed, ad lib., 2 types of oat grain or an oat-lupin mix were compared under 3 management systems: while grazing pasture (GP), in an outdoor feedlot (OF), or in an indoor feedlot (IF). Significant interactions between management system and diet persisted until day 132 of feeding, with weaners on all diets performing better with GP than with OF and IF treatments during early stages of the experiment. The superiority of the GP treatments was mainly associated with very low rates of growth, or liveweight loss, of the sheep in OF and IF treatments in the first 34 days of feeding (180-201 g/sheep.day compared with -51-47 and - 39-127 g/sheep.day respectively). Diet modified the influence of management system, with the better quality diet (oat-lupin mix) appearing to assist in adaptation to the feedlot environment. The effect of diet remained significant (P> 0.01) throughout the experiment. Over the entire experiment (7 Dec. 1979-18 Sept. 1980), the liveweights achieved and feed consumption of the weaners in the feedlots were similar to those for weaners feeding from a self-feeder while grazing pasture. In the longer term, choice of a management system (paddock or feedlot) may not be important to weaner growth, as early setbacks experienced due to adaptation to the intensive feedlot environment were later compensated for by faster growth.
Growth and regeneration of summer-growing pasture legumes on a heavy clay soil in south-eastern Queensland
Authors: Keating BA , Mott JJ
Published: March 2005

Growth and regeneration of summer-growing pasture legumes were studied on a black earth site near Dalby on the Darling Downs. Pure swards of some annual and perennial species (i.e. Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro, Macroptilium lathyroides cv. Murray, Stylosanthes scabra CPI 55856 and Rhynchosia minima CQ2970) were found to be productive (rainfed, 2-3 t ha-1, irrigated, 4-6 t ha-1) over 3 years. A moderately severe summer drought (to be expected on a 1 in 6 frequency), while severely limiting DM production relative to irrigated plots, did not adversely affect plant survival or regeneration in the following season. Waterlogging associated with normally high autumn and winter rainfall did prevent perennation, but regeneration from soil seed reserves was excellent and sward survival was not affected (4 t ha-1 after 3 years). The soil studied has a moderate level of subsoil salinity (EC, of 3.6 dS m-1 at 11 5 cm) but levels of chloride found in legume tissues (0.5-1.5%) were found to be unlikely to limit growth or to prejudice survival. Observations taken over the same period on pure grass plots (Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense cv. Bambatsi) revealed the grass had a deeper and more extensive root system (459 cm cm-2) than did any of the legume species (e.g. Siratro 111-118 cm c m-2) and was more effective in extracting soil water during dry periods.
Effectiveness of superphosphate and crandallite-millisite rock phosphates on a deep, very sandy soil as assessed by plant growth and soil extractable phosphate
Authors: Bolland MDA , Baker MJ , Lunt RJ
Published: March 2005

The initial and residual effectiveness of superphosphate, Christmas Island C-grade ore (C-ore) and 500�C heated (calcined) C-ore (Calciphos) was measured on a deep, very sandy soil near Badgingarra, W.A. Different levels of each fertiliser were applied once only in May 1980. Yields of lupins (1980 and 1983) and subterranean clover (1981) were used to determine the effectiveness of the fertilisers, and in 1986 the residual value of the fertilisers was measured for wheat, oats, and barley, relative to freshly applied superphosphate. Samples of the top 10 cm of soil were collected each January-February for soil tests for P which were compared to plant yields measured in the following spring (Aug.-Dec.). Superphosphate was the most effective fertiliser, though its effectiveness declined by about 50% between years 1 and 2, and by a further 25% between years 2 and 4. C-ore was only about one-tenth as effective as superphosphate in the year of application, and its effectiveness declined by about 40% between years 1 and 2, and by a further 15% between years 2 and 4. Calciphos was about one-fifth as effective as superphosphate in the year of application, and its effectiveness declined by about 40% between years 1 and 2, and remained approximately constant between years 2 and 4. In 1986, the effectiveness of 1980 applied superphosphate was between about one-quarter to one-fifth as effective as freshly applied superphosphate for wheat, oats and barley, and the 1980 applied C-ore and Calciphos were about 15% as effective as freshly applied superphosphate. The amount of P extracted by sodium bicarbonate from soil fertilised with superphosphate decreased by about 50% between years 2 and 3, by a further 20% between years 3 and 4, and by a further 15% between years 4 and 7. For soil treated with Calciphos, the amount of extractable P doubled between years 2 and 3 and thereafter remained approximately constant. Very little P was extracted from soil fertilised with C-ore. Separate calibration curves were required in most cases for the relationship between yield and soil test values for superphosphate and rock phosphate in 1981 and 1983, and for each fertiliser and species in 1986. A substantial amount of superphosphate-added P (50-70%) and about 20% of rock phosphate-added P had leached below 50 cm of the topsoil 6 years after application.
Response of narrow-leafed lupins to cobalt application in relation to cobalt concentration in seed
Authors: Robson AD , Snowball K
Published: March 2005

The effect of cobalt concentration in seeds on the response of narrow-leafed lupins to applied cobalt was examined in a glasshouse experiment. As seed cobalt concentrations increased from 6 to 400 in ng/g, the magnitude of the response to applied cobalt in both shoot weight and nitrogen concentrations in shoots decreased. However, even with a concentration of 400 ng/g, there was still a 10% increase in shoot weight with cobalt application. Cobalt concentrations shoots were a poor indicator of the adequacy of cobalt supply.
Effect of waterlogging on the grain yield response of wheat to sowing date in south-western Victoria
Authors: McDonald GK , Gardner WK
Published: March 2005

Two experiments were conducted in 1983 and 1984 in the Hamilton district in south-western Victoria, which examined, in 1983, the interaction of cultivars of different maturity with sowing date and, in 1984, the interaction of soil waterlogging with anthesis date. In the first experiment the grain yield of Isis and Condor were not significantly (P = 0.05) affected when sowing was delayed from 18 April to 13 May despite greater DM yield at anthesis of the April sown crops (44% with Isis and 8 1 % with Condor). Early sowing resulted in early flowering and in Condor 25% fewer grains per ear. When the effect of anthesis date on grain yield was examined in 1984 at a poorly drained site (Hamilton) and a nearby better drained site (Tabor), it was found that early flowering caused yield reductions of 46 and 25%, respectively. The reduced yield at Hamilton was caused by fewer grains per ear and a lower kernel weight. Grain yield was found to be associated with the severity of waterlogging during the 30 days before anthesis. For each 1% decline in the mean air-filled porosity of the surface soil at this time, yield was reduced by 0.29 t/ha (r2 = 0.83; P< 0.05). When the soils became waterlogged, nitrogen concentrations in the plant tops declined to low levels between stem elongation and anthesis. The need to avoid waterlogging damage during stem elongation in spring may necessitate anthesis being delayed beyond the time currently recommended for the district.
Effect of short chemical fallow on Rhizoctonia bare patch and root rot of wheat at Esperance, Western Australia
Authors: MacNish GC , Fang CS
Published: March 2005

The effects of short chemical fallows after ryegrass pasture on rhizoctonia bare patch and root rot ofwheat were studied in 2 experiments at the Esperance Downs Research Station, 35 km north of Esperance, W.A. In 1 experiment the subterranean-clover dominant pasture was sprayed with a paraquat-diquat mixture prior to resowing with annual ryegrass at densities ranging from 3 to about 400 plants m-2. The ryegrass was allowed to grow for either 42 or 63 days prior to treatment with a desiccant herbicide (paraquat-diquat) followed by a short chemical fallow of 26 or 5 days, respectively, before sowing with wheat using minimum tillage. Some treatments were cultivated twice to 10 cm. Neither the ryegrass density nor the length of chemical fallow had any effect (P=0.05) on rhizoctonia bare patch score or incidence or severity of root rot. However, cultivation caused 76% reduction in mean patch score and a 38 and 68% reduction in mean rhizoctonia incidence and severity respectively. Yield was negatively correlated with rhizoctonia incidence and severity: each 1% increase in incidence percentage resulted in 17 kg ha-1 reduction in grain yield of wheat. In another experiment, chemical fallow periods of 66, 52, 24 or 1 day prior to sowing wheat had no effect (P= 0.05) on rhizoctonia root rot incidence.
Increasing wheat yields in north-eastern Victoria by liming and deep ripping
Authors: Coventry DR , Reeves TG , Brooke HD , Ellington A , Slattery WJ
Published: March 2005

Wheat grain yields, dry matter production and yield components were measured in a field experiment in north-eastern Victoria over 5 seasons where lime application and deep ripping had been carried out. The soil at the site was strongly acid (pHw 5.2 at 0-1 0 cm) and had a dense hardpan at 7.5- 17.5 cm depth. Grain yields (control yields 1981-85: 1.34, 0.25, 1.64, 2.36, 2.09 t ha-1) were increased each year by both lime (31-103% range) and deep ripping (11- 41% range), but the application of some lime was necessary to obtain benefit from deep ripping. The increased grain yield was mainly due to more heads per metre of row, although head size and grain weight were also increased by lime treatment. Lime increased the dry matter yield of roots and decreased the top to root dry matter ratio. Deep ripping increased the dry matter yield of roots at depth and also reduced root distortion where the hardpan had been shattered. In a drought season, deep ripping increased grain weight. Root disease was accentuated at the higher rates of lime.
An association between lime application and the incidence of take-all symptoms on wheat on an acid soil in north-eastern Victoria
Authors: Coventry DR , Kollmorgen JF
Published: March 2005

The effects of lime, deep ripping and fertiliser treatments on the occurrence of take-all symptoms in wheat in north-eastern Victoria, was studied in a field experiment. Large wheat grain yield increases had previously been obtained at this site from both liming and deep ripping of the soil. Symptoms typical of take-all (Gaeumannomyces grarninis var. tritici) were observed on plants in all plots in the 1985 season. There were no differences in numbers of dead heads in wheat grown on unlimed soil and where the soil was treated with 0.5 and 1.0 t lime ha-l. However, 20 and 30% of the heads were dead heads where the soil was treated with 2.5 and 5.0 t lime ha-1 respectively. Plants with dead heads were severely lesioned. Where disease was most severe, 1000-grain weight was reduced. Although liming the soil increased the damage by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, and perhaps other pathogens, the overall grain yields were not reduced because of the countering effect of lime promoting yield. Lime also altered the composition of grasses in pasture plots, resulting in more brome grass and barley grass. The control of take-all by crop rotations and controlling grassy weeds in pasture could be a necessary adjunct to liming if maximum yield benefits are to be obtained.
Effects of deep ripping and liming on soil water deficits, sorptivity and penetrometer resistance
Authors: Steed GR , Reeves TG , Willatt ST
Published: March 2005

A field experiment was conducted at Rutherglen, in north-eastern Victoria, to determine the effects of liming and deep ripping on soil water extraction by wheat, sorptivity of water into the soil profile and soil resistance to a penetrometer. The site was typical of many cropping paddocks in the region. In the unmodified state the top 20 cm of the soil profile was acid (pH 4.80) and there was a dense hardpan between 7.5 and 17.5 cm depth. Deep ripping increased water extraction by wheat by an average of 8 mm during a drought season (1982), but had no effect on water use in a wet season (1983). The major effect of ripping was to increase the water use in winter from below the ripped zone (40 cm) compared with the unripped treatment. Lime, either with or without ripping, had no significant effect on crop water extraction. Sorptivity, a measure of infiltration, was increased by ripping alone and by ripping plus lime. Soil resistance to a penetrometer was reduced by deep ripping; an effect which had persisted at least 30 months after the last ripping operation. Economic wheat yield responses were obtained by using deep ripping and liming to improve soil physical properties at this site.
Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on the seed yield and oil concentration of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and the prediction of responses by soil tests and past paddock use
Authors: Lewis DC , Potter TD , Weckert SE , Grant IL
Published: March 2005

The response of oilseed rape to applied nitrogen and phosphorus was investigated in 2 areas of the South East of South Australia. The nitrogen rates applied varied from 0 to 50 kg/ha, while phosphorus rates applied in the Mundulla area ranged from 0 to 20 kg/ha and 0 to 34 kg/ha in the Millicent area. At 9 sites in the Mundulla area, where soils were primarily sandy loam over clay, oilseed rape yields were increased significantly by applied nitrogen at 7 sites and by applied phosphorus at 2 sites. On heavy black clay and peat soils in the Millicent area, oilseed rape yields were increased significantly by applied nitrogen at 5 of the 12 sites and by applied phosphorus at 6 sites. Of the measured soil variables, anaerobic ammonium nitrogen measured in the top 10 cm best predicted responses in seed yield to applied nitrogen. The critical nutrient range was 45-65 mg/kg. The response of oilseed rape to applied nitrogen was highly correlated with past paddock use but varied between the 2 areas. From the prediction equations developed, it was concluded that, in the Mundulla area, a significant (P< 0.05) nitrogen response was likely if the oilseed rape followed 2 or more crops, the last a non-legume, but was unlikely if the oilseed rape followed 1 or more years of pasture. At Millicent, a nitrogen response was likely if the oilseed rape was grown as the sixth crop in a continuous cropping program, and was unlikely if it was the first or second crop in the rotation, provided the preceding crop was a non-legume. The response of oilseed rape to applied phosphorus was highly correlated to extractable soil phosphorus measured in the top 10 cm (Colwell). The critical nutrient range was 20-25 mg/kg for the sandy loam soils at Mundulla and 40-50 mg/kg for the black clay and peat soils at Millicent. Nitrogen applications significantly increased seed oil content at 6 sites, significantly decreased it at 2 sites and had no effect at 13 sites. Phosphorus significantly increased seed oil content at only 1 site, significantly decreased it at 3 sites, and had no effect at the other 17 sites.
Effect of plant spacing on yield and plant characteristics of banana in North Queensland
Authors: Daniells JW , O'Farrell PJ , Mulder JC , Campbell SJ
Published: March 2005

Bananas cv. Williams were grown at a range of plant densities (1 157-2825 plants ha-1) in single and double rows in North Queensland for 3 crop cycles to determine the best spacing in double rows and to compare yield and plant characteristics of different planting systems. Yield increased with increasing density in each crop cycle (from 16 to 2 1 t/ 1000 plants over the range tested). The duration of the crop cycle was unaffected by density in the plant crop. In the ratoons, the length of the crop cycles increased with increasing density (from 9 to 12 months in ratoon 1 and from 10 to 12 months in ratoon 2). Thus productivity (t ha-1 year-1) averaged over the 3 crop cycles only increased by 10 t/ 1000 plants over the range tested. Single rows had taller following suckers than did double rows at harvest of the plant crop (average of 207 v. 177 cm). Together with the shorter pseudostem height at which single rows bunched, this led to more rapid cycling than at similar densities in double rows in ratoon 1 (9 v.11 months). In double rows, spacings of 1.5 m between the 2 rows of the double row and 1.5-1.8 m between plants in the row made for considerably easier selection of followers than did closer spacings.
Cattle behaviour in a saleyard and its potential to cause bruising
Authors: Blackshaw JK , Blackshaw AW , Kusano T
Published: March 2005

Bruising of beef costs the Australian industry at least $A36 million each year. At the Brisbane Abattoirs, drafting and weighing, followed by unloading, had the greatest potential to inflict injury to cattle. Agonistic behaviour (butting) showed a significant difference in initiation rate between horned (0.36 per animal) or hornless (0.91 per animal) cattle. Most butting occurred in the holding yards and involved the neck (47.2%) and flank (37.8%) regions more often than the hindquarters (25.0%). During unloading, drafting and weighing, cattle frequently came into heavy contact with solid objects, particularly on the back (33.1% of contacts) and upper hindquarters (25.4%). Shading behaviour differed between British and Brahman-type cattle, with 41% of British-breeds seeking shade, whereas only 6.5% of Brahman-type cattle sought shade. Problem areas in saleyards are the unloading, drafting and weighing yards, where stockhandlers and casual labourers move cattle. These workers may, by rough and abusive handling, exacerbate behaviour which leads to damage to cattle.
Fostering in sheep: fostering lambs onto ewes whose lambs have died soon after birth
Authors: Alexander G , Stevens D , Bradley LR
Published: March 2005

Fostering, in which the odour of the foster lamb was made similar to that of the ewe's own lamb, was attempted with Merino and crossbred (Border Leicester x Merino) ewes whose lambs had been killed 30 min post partum to simulate natural early post partum death. Hessian coats were fitted at the time of death to the lambs of 11 ewes, and 2-1 8 h later the coats were transferred to foster lambs which were then presented to the respective ewes. The dead lambs of another 11 ewes were smeared with neatsfoot oil at the time of death and were left with their mothers for 2-18 h at which time they were substituted by foster lambs freshly smeared with neatsfoot oil. In another group of 11 ewes the skin of the dead lamb was draped about a foster lamb that was given to the ewe 2-18 h post partum. Foster ewes accepted 73 and 91% respectively of lambs treated with hessian coats or neatsfoot oil, compared with 36% in control ewes with untreated lambs, while fostering by the traditional shepherd's method of draping the skin of the dead lamb over the foster lamb was 100% successful. However, the success rates in the 3 treatments were not significantly different. Some success was also achieved in a supplementary group of 8 ewes when application of neatsfoot oil to the dead lamb was delayed until about 2 h prior to fostering. There was no indication that success rates were influenced by the genotype of the ewe or by restraining ewes overnight with the lamb having access to the udder. The traditional method of skinning the dead lamb appears to be the method of choice, because the dead lamb does not have to be found and treated prior to fostering.
Productivity of Australian cashmere goats grazing Pangola grass pastures and supplemented with untreated and formaldehyde treated protein meals
Authors: Ash AJ , Norton BW
Published: March 2005

The liveweight change and fleece growth Of Australian cashmere goats were studied in a 14 week grazing experiment (Mar.-June) in south-eastern Queensland. Weaner goats grazed nitro-fertilised Pangola grass (Digitavia decumbens Stent.) pastures and were supplemented every second day with a range of protein meals (60 g crude protein/goat.day), i.itht.1. untreated or fomialdehyde treated. Following high growth rates (> 90 g 1iveweight.day) by all kids early in the experiment, control animals experienced severe weight loss (-40 g/day). Goats given protein supplements performed significantly (P<0.05) better, though they only maintained weight. There were no differences (P> 0.05) in liveweight change between the untreated and formaldehyde treated protein groups. The poor growth of goats in this study was associated with declining feed availability under the high stocking rates used (80 goats/ha) and possibly with a seasonal depression in appetite. Total fleece growth was significantly (P<0.05) increased by protein supplementation, except for sunflower meal. However, cashmere growth (mean � s.e., 16.3 � 2.1 g) was largely unaffected by supplementation, with greater hair growth (64 v. 54 g) being responsible for the improved fleece weight in those goats receiving protein supplements. Kids supplemented with formaldehyde treated protein tended to grow more fleece than did kids given untreated protein meals but the differences were not significant.
Flowering time of cultivars of subterranean clover in New South Wales
Authors: Archer KA , Wolfe EC , Cullis BR
Published: March 2005

The period from sowing to flowering was determined for 8 subterranean clover cultivars sown in late March, late April and late May at 9 environmentally distinct locations in New South Wales. The length of the period to flowering depended on cultivar (ranging from a mean of 1 12 days for Northam to 151 days for Larisa) and site (from a mean of 1 18 days at Grafton to 145 days at Canberra). There was a greater range in the period from sowing to flowering between cultivars at earlier flowering sites compared with late flowering sites. The period from sowing to flowering decreased with later sowings so that clovers sown late (May) flowered on average less than 14 days after those sown early (March). A relationship was developed between temperature and latitude and the period to flowering for each sowing date and cultivar. This relationship accounted for 95% of the variation in flowering time observed in this study and was used to predict with acceptable accuracy the flowering time of subterranean clover cultivars in a study undertaken in Western Australia in 1972 and 1973. We believe the relationship could be useful in predicting flowering time in subterranean clovers.