bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Honeybee pollination of Japanese plums (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Satsuma) in the Goulburn Valley, Victoria
Authors: Langridge DF , Goodman RD
Published: March 2005

The pollination requirements of Japanese plums (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Satsuma) were examined in an orchard in the Goulburn Valley area of Victoria. Trees which were accessible to honeybees (Apis mellifera) had a higher percentage pollination rate (3.2 times) greater weight of fruit (2.6 times) and more fruit (3.3 times) than did the trees that were enclosed to exclude bees and large insects. Honeybees comprised 88.5% of all insect visitors to the flowers. The behaviour patterns of other insects were such that they would effect little or no pollination. Pollen gathering bees are considered the main pollinators of this species because of their activity early in flowering. No native bees (Trigona spp.) were seen to visit the flowers. While parthenocarpy and wind pollination may produce some fruit on Satsuma, the presence of an adequate population of honeybees is necessary to set a satisfactory crop.
Effect of restricted access to water, hay or salt on liveweights of steers
Authors: Bailey PJ , Holland BJM , Gilbert JE
Published: March 2005

Fifty Hereford and Hereford cross steers (574 � 1.9 kg mean � s.e. initial liveweight) were purchased at a saleyard and given varying access to water, hay and salt for 46 h, to examine the effect of simulated on-farm treatments, prior to transport to a saleyard, on liveweight differences before and after access to water at the saleyard. Restricting access to feed or water reduced liveweight, the major effect being due to availability of water. Groups with hay only, or no feed or water, had similar liveweights, but were 29 kg lighter (P<0.05) at the end of this period than steers with access to water, water and hay, or water, hay and salt. All steers lost weight when denied access to feed and water for 5 h to simulate the transport and yarding phase of the marketing process. The range in mean liveweights of the different groups was reduced from 36.5 kg at the start of this period to 29.5 kg at the end. All steers were then given ad libitum access to water for 15 h. They gained liveweight during first 2 h on water and thereafter lost weight. The extent of these gains was influenced by the magnitude of earlier weight losses. Access to water for 4 h was sufficient to reduce variation in mean liveweight between groups from 29.5 kg to 19.6 kg; this occurred mainly during the first hour. A further reduction to 14.0 kg occurred after 15 h of access to water. Consideration should be given to providing access to water before weighing at those cattle liveweight auctions which presently impose a fast from feed and water.
Urea, meat meal or lupins as nitrogen supplements to barley and hay diets for yearling cattle at two levels of body condition
Authors: Barker DJ , May PJ , Ridley PER
Published: March 2005

Weaner steers were fed to attain either fat score 1 or 2 by the time that they were 1 year of age. Animals at each fat score were then either slaughtered or fed ad libitum on a basal barley and hay diet containing 11% crude protein or similar diets supplemented by either urea, meat meal or sweet lupins to contain 13% crude protein in the dry matter. Those fed were slaughtered as they attained fat score 3. Compared with those starting at fat score 2, the yearlings at fat score 1 had the same daily feed intake and thus a 10% higher relative intake, grew 15% faster and required 11% less feed per kg liveweight gain. However, they required only 6% less feed per kg carcass weight gain, owing to their 1% lower dressing percentage. The diets supplemented with the three different sources of supplementary nitrogen gave similar improvements over the basal diet in intake, growth rate and efficiency, and there were no interactions between diet and fat score. It was concluded that both the National Research Council and Agricultural Research Council feeding standards underestimate the nitrogen concentration required in grain and hay diets to ensure maximum performance and efficiency by yearling cattle growing from 220 to 370 kg liveweight, and that supplements of either urea, meat meal or lupins providing an extra 2 percentage units of crude protein improve performance to a similar extent.
First calving performance of beef cattle. 1. Effects of moderate and slow growth between weaning and joining at 15 months of age
Authors: Barker DJ , May PJ , Morris CA , Ridley PER
Published: March 2005

In each of 4 years, Shorthorn and Dairy x Shorthorn heifers were fed for moderate (55 to 101 kg) or slow (1 7 to 50 kg) growth from weaning at 7 months until joining at 15 months of age. Thereafter they grazed together on improved pasture in a 430 mm rainfall Mediterranean environment. Their performance was compared until their second calving and their calves' performance until weaning. The heifers that had grown moderately prior to their first joining had 25 to 73 kg higher average liveweight and 3 to 7 mm higher ultrasonic backfat reading during first joining, a 9% higher calving rate, 14 kg higher average liveweight but a 10% lower dystokia rate at calving, and 12 kg higher average liveweight and 1 mm higher ultrasonic backfat reading at their second joining, than those that had grown slowly. Survival of dams and calves, date of first calving, calf birth weight, second calving rate, intercalving interval and date of second calving were not significantly affected by the rate of growth prior to first joining. The effect upon dams' weight at weaning (moderate 11 kg higher than slow) was significant only at P< 0.1. Most aspects of performance differed widely amongst years, but significant year x growth interactions were only found for liveweight and condition of heifers at first joining, and for weaning weight of calf. The calves of moderately-grown heifers were of significantly lower mean weaning weight than those of the slowly-grown heifers, but only in those years when the mean mid-joining weight of the moderately grown heifers exceeded 315 kg. It is suggested that high fertility and satisfactory first calf growth are not incompatible provided that growth between the heifers' weaning and first joining is limited to that which results in a mean mid-joining liveweight not more than 20 kg higher than the target weight for 90% calving.
In vivo digestibility and voluntary intake by sheep of five lines of Cenchrus ciliaris selected on the basis of in vitro digestibility
Authors: Minson DJ , Bray RA
Published: March 2005

A study is reported on the voluntary intake and digestibility by sheep of five lines of Cenchrus ciliaris when grown as swards and cut at five different stages of growth. Previous studies with C. ciliaris grown in small plots had shown large differences between lines in in vitro digestibility of plucked samples: high-digestibility line 1,63.6%; medium-digestibility lines 9, 59.9%, and 14, 61.3%; and low-digestibility lines 17, 55.9% and 29, 55.7%. When these five lines were grown as swards and fed to sheep, their mean dry matter digestibilities ranged from 60.3% for line 1 to 56.3% for line 29. There was a 0.95 correlation between the in vitro digestibility of the selections and the in vivo digestibility when grown as swards. Voluntary intake of line 1 was 9% higher than that of line 29, while intake of digestible dry matter was 16% higher. Line 1 had the highest leaf and lowest lignin percentage. It was concluded that Cenchrus ciliaris selected on the basis of a higher in vitro digestibility in small plots had superior in vivo digestibility of the dry matter and superior voluntary intake when grown in large areas.
Effect of glyphosate on the establishment, growth and nodulation of 14 pasture legume cultivars
Authors: Blowes WM , Schmalzl KJ , Jones SM
Published: March 2005

In field trials carried our in 1983 at Gama and Horsham (Victoria), Hart (South Australia) and York (Western Australia), the effect of two rates of glyphosate (0.54 and 1.08 kg/ha active ingredient), applied 1-8 days before sowing, on the establishment, growth and nodulation of four cultivars of subterranean clover and 10 medic cultivars was investigated. No significant adverse effects were observed on establishment, growth or nodulation even at the high rate (2x field rate) of glyphosate. The absence of any adverse effect was attributed to rapid absorption and inactivation of glyphosate in soil and possibly also the manner of seed placement below the glyphosate-treated topsoil layer.
Soil treatment, plant species and management effects on improved pastures on a solodic soil in the semi-arid subtropics. I. Dry matter and botanical composition
Authors: Russell JS
Published: March 2005

Pastures of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), temperate legumes (annual medics) and a tropical legume (siratro) were established on a solodic soil in 1973-74 at Kogan in the semi-arid subtropics of southern Queensland. The effect of soil treatments, sown pasture species and cattle stocking rates on dry matter yields and botanical composition were measured during 1974-79. Nitrogen deficiency was a key factor limiting herbage production. Increased nitrogen in the ecosystem applied as fertilizer increased mean presentation dry matter of Rhodes grass pastures from 990 to 3443 kg/ha. Use of hydrated lime and gypsum (HLG) and annual medics with Rhodes grass increased dry matter yields from 990 to 1773 kg/ha. Where HLG had been applied, the annual medics re-established from seed each autumn and early winter throughout the period studied. Siratro established well at sowing and contributed initially to herbage production but then declined to almost zero. Deep subsoiling had no significant effect on dry matter yields or siratro persistence. Applied phosphorus at 48 kg Plha at establishment significantly increased herbage yields of Rhodes grass compared with 24 kg P/ha but no significant effects at either rate were found with a further 60 kg P/ha applied as 12 kg P/ha.year. Rhodes grass, which is tolerant of high soil sodium and magnesium status, maintained frequencies above 90% in treatments where the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus were high and when grazed at 0.62 steers/ha. However, deterioration occurred where nitrogen and phosphorus were lower or grazing pressure was higher, resulting in an ingress of native grasses. Twenty-five volunteer grass species were identified, the main genera being Eragrostis and Chloris. The need for a self-regenerating annual summer-growing legume in this environment is discussed.
The effect of photoperiod on the growth and development of Echinochloa spp. Millets
Authors: Muldoon DK
Published: March 2005

Two cultivars of Echinochloa utilis, Ohwi et Yabuno, and one E.frumentacea (Roxb.) Link cultivar were grown in a glasshouse under three photoperiod regimes: naturally varying photoperiods (1 2-1 3 h), and fixed photoperiods of 14 and 16 h. Both species behaved as quantitative short-day plants although, in E. utilis, extending the photoperiod from 14 to 16 h delayed head emergence disproportionately. The delay in head emergence did not affect the relative growth rate, and longer photoperiods led to higher shoot weights; main tiller leaf number increased only slightly. The commencement of apical meristem elevation was delayed under longer photoperiods, a feature believed to be beneficial to regrowth. A time-of-sowing study in the field illustrated the effect of this short-day response upon crop development. Sixteen introduced E. utilis cultivars and 10 E. frumentacea cultivars also behaved as quantitative short-day plants. Within each species there were differences between cultivars in sensitivity to photoperiod. Some cultivars of E. utilis were very late and had abnormal head emergence at 16 h. Latitudinal effects on the performance of these cultivars are discussed.
Bioassay of the contamination of lupin seed by the mycotoxin phomopsin
Authors: Petterson DS , Peterson JE , Smith LW , Wood PM , Culvenor CCJ
Published: March 2005

Samples of seed from commercial crops of Lupinus spp. in three States were tested for the presence of phomopsin, the causative agent of lupinosis. Each of 43 samples was tested in one of two laboratories using a nursling rat bioassay, and 12 of these were tested in both. Factors that could affect reproducibility of the assay were examined. There was good agreement in assessments of toxicity between laboratories. The efficiency of extraction was found to vary from about 15% at low concentrations of phomopsin to no more than 60%. Phomopsin was detected in 17 of the 43 samples, at levels ranging from < 6 �g/kg to 360 �g/kg. Phomopsis leptostromiformis infection was detected in 25 of 31 samples of seed from Western Australia, the highest infection level being 18%. The highest levels of phomopsin were found in samples with more than 8% infection.
Reproductive performance of ewes fed sweet narrow-leafed lupin seed infected with Phomopsis leptostromiformis
Authors: Croker KP , Johns MA
Published: March 2005

An experiment was designed to examine the reproductive performance of Merino ewes fed sweet narrow-leafed lupin seed infected with Phomopsis leptostromiformis and containing small quantities of the toxin phomopsin. Two groups of mature ewes were supplemented with lupin seed with either a low (2%) or a high (21%) level of Phomopsis infection at a rate equivalent to 500 g/sheep.day for a period from 14 days before the start of joining until day 17 of joining. A third group received no supplement. The percentages of lambing ewes with multiple births were marginally increased (P<0.10) in the supplemented ewes (14.3, 27.5 and 26.2% for the unsupplemented and the 2 and 21% Phomopsis infected seed groups, respectively) while the percentages of lambs born were 99.0, 93.6 and 112.8% for the unsupplemented and the 2 and 21 % Phomopsis-infected seed groups, respectively. Supplementation of ewes with lupin seed containing a relatively high level of Phomopsis (21%), but a low quantity of phomopsin, did not depress reproductive performance.
Effect of tillage practices on the fate of hard seeds of subterranean clover in a ley farming system
Authors: Taylor GB
Published: March 2005

In a rotation of 1 year pasture/l year crop, a subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Daliak) pasture was either left untilled or subjected to minimum or conventional tillage. One set of tillage treatments was imposed in each ofthree crop years while another set of treatments was imposed in only the first crop year. Regenerating clover plants were prevented from setting seed. In the first crop, 44% of the clover seeds were buried below 2 cm of soil by minimum tillage; this proportion was 65% in the conventional tillage treatment. In the first pasture regeneration year, seedling densities were highest in the no-tillage treatment. Conversely, there were more residual seeds in the tilled treatments and, in the second and third pasture regeneration years, this led to higher seedling densities than in the no-tillage treatment. The effects of tillage were more marked in the conventional than in the minimum-tillage treatment. Clover establishment was improved by repeat tillage operations which returned some of the buried seeds closer to the soil surface. Although more seedlings overall were obtained from the no-tillage treatment, the disadvantage of fewer seedlings in the tilled treatments was offset by the spread of seedling establishment over a number of pasture years. This spread, which would be more marked with harder-seeded cultivars, could be desirable in environments in which clover seed production is unreliable.
Fungi associated with root rot of subterranean clover in Western Australia
Authors: Wong DH , Barbetti MJ , Sivasithamparam K
Published: March 2005

Field trials were conducted during 1982-84 to determine the severity of root rot, and the identity and pathogenicity of the fungi associated with root rot of subterranean clover at five locations in the south-west of Western Australia. At all sites, there was moderate to severe root rot and seedling emergence was greatly reduced. Pythium irregulare and Fusarium oxysporum were the fungi most frequently isolated from diseased roots. F. avenaceum, P. irregulare, P. spinosum and R. solani were highly pathogenic to subterranean clover seedlings. F. oxysporum and P. medicaginis were less pathogenic and F. acuminatum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, one isolate of M. phaseoli, and W. circinata were only weakly pathogenic. Ceratobasidium sp. (AG K), F. sulphureum, one isolate of M. phaseoli, P. coloratum, and R. cereale were non-pathogenic. This is the first record of pathogenicity of F. acuminatum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, M. phaseoli and P. spinosum on subterranean clover in Western Australia. P. clandestina was detected at all sites.
Effect of nitrogen and cobalt application on herbage and seed yields of serradella and subterranean clover
Authors: Bolland MDA
Published: March 2005

The response of serradella and subterranean clover to soil applications of cobalt in the absence and presence of regular applications of nitrogen fertilizer was measured in a field experiment on a nitrogen-deficient soil near Esperance, Western Australia. In an ancillary experiment, also sited near Esperance on a nitrogen-deficient soil, the responses of three serradella species and two cultivars of subterranean clover to regular applications of nitrogen were measured. Yields of herbage and seed were used to measure the response to the fertilizer treatments. Neither serradella, nor subterranean clover responded to cobalt application. However, in winter, herbage yields of serradella were markedly improved by regular applications of fertilizer nitrogen. Yield increases were three- to eight-fold, depending on the species. However, by springtime, there was no herbage response of serradella to fertilizer nitrogen. Seed yields of serradella and yields of subterranean clover at any harvest were unaffected by regular applications of nitrogen. It is concluded that low winter temperatures limit the rate of symbiotic nitrogen fixation for serradella which in turn limits dry matter production.
Effect of fallowing practices on runoff and soil erosion in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Cooke JW
Published: March 2005

The effect on runoff and soil loss of four methods of preparation of fallow was investigated at each of three sites in north-central Victoria. There was a chemical fallow treatment (uncultivated) and three scarified treatments (smooth, medium and rough cultivation). When the results from the three sites were combined, there was 10.7 mm runoff from the uncultivated treatment, 5.1 mm from the smooth, 0.8 mm from the medium and 0.3 mm from the rough scarified treatments. Soil loss from the uncultivated treatment was 103 g/m2 compared with 87 g/m2 from the smooth, 22 g/m2 from the medium and 13 g/m2 from the rough treatment. The concentration of sediment in the runoff was negatively correlated (R2 = -0.56 to -0.98) with runoff. It ranged from 1.21% (w/w) for the uncultivated to 5.06% (w/w) for the rough scarified treatment. The results show that a regimen of minimum scarification to produce a rough surface, and then use of herbicides to control weeds, reduces soil loss compared with either an uncultivated or a smoothly cultivated soil surface.
Calcium nutrition of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) on Cockatoo Sands of the Ord River Irrigation Area
Authors: Bell MJ
Published: March 2005

Yield response of Virginia Bunch peanuts to calcium fertilization was investigated on Cockatoo Sands of the Ord River Irrigation Area. Shallow incorporation of 1000 kg/ha limestone (90% CaCO3) before planting produced maximum yields of sound mature kernels. Additional top-dressings of calcium as gypsum at flowering produced no significant effects on yield. The residual value of calcium fertilizer was investigated under a cropping regimen of a peanut crop every year. Yields at the highest total soil calcium level tested (440 ppm) produced only 86% of maximum yield obtained with additional gypsum applications at flowering, and 7.5% of kernels produced from these plots exhibited 'dark plumule� symptoms of calcium deficiency. Presence of some residual limestone in large granules, by reducing availability of calcium for uptake by pods, may have produced these effects. There were highly significant positive linear relationships between kernel calcium content and total soil calcium, and between kernel calcium content and germination percentage. Highly significant negative relationships between soil and kernel calcium contents and presence of 'dark plumule� symptoms were also established.
Tolerances of wheat cultivars to post-emergence wild oat herbicides
Authors: Lemerle D , Leys AR , Hinkley RB , Fisher JA , Cullis B
Published: March 2005

Sixteen spring wheat cultivars were tested in southern New South Wales for their tolerances to the recommended rates, and three times the recommended rates, and three times the recommended rates of barban, diclofop-methyl, difenzoquat and flamprop-methyl in 1978 and 1979. Differences between cultivars in their tolerances to barban and diclofop-methyl were identified in the grain yield responses to three times the recommended rates of these herbicides. Crop damage was more severe in 1978 than 1979. Olympic, Shortim, Teal and Warimba were consistently susceptible to barban, while Condor, Cook, Egret and Oxley were more tolerant than the other cultivars. The differences between cultivars treated with diclofop-methyl were smaller and variable. However, Lance, Teal and Tincurrin were the most sensitive whilst Cook, Kewell and Oxley showed the greatest tolerance. Visual assessments of crop damage did not accurately reflect crop tolerance, therefore grain yield should be used to identify susceptible cultivars.
Resistance to grain protectants in field populations of the sawtoothed grain beetle in southern Queensland
Authors: Collins PJ
Published: March 2005

Resistance of field strains of Oryzaephilus surinamensis L. (sawtoothed grain beetle) to grain protectants was assessed using commercial dose rates of protectant in treated grain bioassays. Grain protectants tested were: chlorpyrifos- methyl, 5 and 10 mg/kg grain; methacriphos, 10 and 18 mg/kg; pirimiphos-methyl 4 mg/kg; fenitrothion, 12 mg/kg, plus carbaryl, 8 mg/kg; fenitrothion, 12 mg/kg, plus bioresmethrin, 1 mg/kg, plus piperonyl butoxide, 8 mg/ kg; pyrethrins, 3 mg/kg, plus piperonyl butoxide, 24 mg/kg. About 10% of farms surveyed and about 42% of merchant premises were infested. Most of the insects originating from farms were effectively controlled by all grain protectants. However, some strains showed less than 100% adult mortality and some progeny production when treated with: chloropyrifos-methyl at 5 mg/kg; pirimiphos-methyl; and pyrethrins plus piperonyl butoxide. In contrast, for all strains obtained from the premises of grain merchants, none of the grain protectants, except methacrifos at 18 mg/kg, caused complete adult mortality whilst fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos-methyl at 5 mg/kg and pyrethrins plus piperonyl butoxide failed to completely suppress progeny production in some strains. A composite strain showed no mortality with fenitrothion at 12 mg/kg after five generations of laboratory selection.
Soft-rot erwinias and stem rots in potatoes
Authors: Peltzer S , Sivasithamparam K
Published: March 2005

Isolates of Erwinia carotovora pv. atroseptica, E. carotovora pv. carotovora and E. chrysanthemi from Western Australia, all produce stem rots in potato when provided with their specific environmental requirements. The pathogenicity of E. chrysanthemi was highly variable. A high inoculum level (3x 107 colony forming units/ml) was required for rapid rotting by E. chrysanthemi pv. zeae.
Amino acids in bee-collected pollens from Australian indigenous and exotic plants
Authors: Rayner CJ , Langridge DF
Published: March 2005

The protein and amino acid contents of bee-collected pollens from 10 indigenous and 16 exotic Australian plants were determined. Crude protein content showed a large variation with a range from 9.5% for Pinus radiata pollen, to 36.9% for Banksia ornata pollen. Pollens which were found to have high protein contents are those which are also highly favoured by apiarists whereas those with low protein content are considered to be nutritionally inferior pollens. The amino acid pattern for pollens from both indigenous and exotic plants indicated that, generally, the levels of amino acids in the pollens were above the bees' requirements. Tryptophan appeared to be the first limiting amino acid in Australian pollens for honeybees.
Growth and carcass characters of the South Australian Merino and its crosses with the Booroola and Trangie Fertility Merino
Authors: Kleemann DO , Ponzoni RW , Stafford JE , Cutten IN , Grimson RJ
Published: March 2005

South Australian Merino (M) and highly fecund Booroola (B) and Trangie Fertility (TF) Merino strain rams were mated to M ewes to produce M, B x M and TF x M progeny. At 4-5 months of age (24-kg slaughter group), TF x M and M lambs were heavier than B x M lambs (25.3 and 24.8 kg respectively, v. 228 kg). Similar proportional strain differences were observed at 14-1 5 months of age (38-kg slaughter group), except that, in one year, no difference was observed between the M and B x M strains, resulting in a strain x year interaction (P<0.05). When adjusted for age, TF x M carcasses were heavier than those of B x M at the first slaughter and heavier than those of B x M and M strains at the second slaughter. B x M and TF x M strains had the same fat depths and eye muscle areas, when compared at the same age, but B x M had greater fat depths and larger eye muscle areas than TF x M, relative to carcass weight; values for M were less than those of B x M and TF x M, with and without carcass weight as a covariate. Similarly, ranking of the strains did not change for carcass length, leg length and depth of thorax with and without carcass weight as a covariate. Carcasses of M lambs were longer than those of B x M, TF x M being intermediate. No differences were observed among progeny of FF and + + Booroola sires for the 12 variables measured. We conclude that carcasses of B x M and TF x M high fecundity cross Merino strains have greater depths of fat at both the same age and same carcass weight than those of the South Australian Merino, and suggest that the effect of the Booroola F gene on the characters measured is negligible. The implications of the results to the sheep industry are discussed.
Effects of lupin grain and type of cereal grain on the value of a hay supplement in the diet of lambing ewes during drought
Authors: Kenney PA
Published: March 2005

Two flocks of Border Leicester x Merino ewes, due to lamb at different times (early or late winter), were fed drought rations of either wheat or oat grain, with or without lupin grain, and with or without hay, from 2 weeks before to 6 weeks after lambing. All ewes were offered an estimated 8.7 and 14.5 MJ ME/head.day when pregnant and lactating, respectively. Lupins, when included in the diet, replaced 25% of cereal grain ME; and hay replaced 14% and 20% of cereal grain ME for pregnant and lactating ewes, respectively. Treatment rations had no effect on liveweight or condition of the ewes. Effects on lamb birth weights, growth rate to 17 days, numbers weaned, ewe milk production after 29 days lactation and ewe fleece weights were as follows. Feeding oats, in comparison to wheat, improved growth rate (30 g/day), numbers weaned (16 per 100 ewes lambing) and fleece weight (90 g). Feeding lupins improved birth weight (0.2 kg), growth rate (20 g/day), numbers weaned (12 per 100 ewes lambing), milk production (18 ml/h) and fleece weight (70 g). Feeding hay improved growth rate (17 g/day) but decreased fleece weight (160 g). There were no interactions between treatments. Treatment rations did not affect fertility in the year following feeding.
Direct drilling tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) into kikuyu and paspalum pastures
Authors: Hill MJ
Published: March 2005

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were direct-drilled into paspalum and kikuyu pastures at Camden (1980-83) and Bega (1 982) in New South Wales. Prior to sowing, pastures were either slashed or slashed and sprayed with herbicide. In 1980, paraquat (0.28 kg a.i./ha) and glyphosate (0.5 kg a.i./ha) were compared with slashing-only at a March sowing. In 1982 and 1983, glyphosate only was compared with slashing, and grasses were sown on four occasions at 5-week intervals from late January or mid- February to early June. Seedlings were counted and weights of individual seedlings were measured at about 5 weeks after sowing, and pasture yield and species composition were measured 10 weeks after sowing, at the end of winter, and on selected plots, in winter in the following year. In 1980, plant density and dry matter yield at the first harvest of prairie grass and tall fescue was better from plots treated with glyphosate than from those treated with paraquat or slashed-only. However, plant density and dry matter yield of ryegrass was unaffected by preparation. In 1982 and 1983, plant densities 5 weeks after sowing increased with the use of glyphosate, and with later sowing. Prairie grass was least sensitive to sowing time establishing similar populations of between 50 and 150 seedlings/m2 from February to May. Tall fescue only established satisfactory seedling populations (50 to 200 seedlings/m2) at April and May-June sowings with glyphosate; it required suppression of competition, and low temperatures for faster growth than kikuyu and paspalum. The use of glyphosate reduced total pasture production during the first 10 weeks from 5 to 3 t/ha, but the contribution of sown grasses was increased. Winter production was greatest from sowings in March and April. Italian ryegrass always produced significant quantities of dry matter at the first cut and in winter; tall fescue was never productive in the first year. Persistence of prairie grass and tall fescue from 1982 sowings until 1983 was good, and highest tiller densities of 300-400 and 800 tillers/m2 respectively occurred from April sowings with glyphosate. Between June and September 1983, prairie grass and tall fescue from these plots produced about 3 and 2 t/ha of dry matter respectively. As seedling vigour declined from Italian ryegrass to prairie grass to tall fescue, conditions required for successful establishment became more stringent. Persistence and production of perennials was excellent if sown at the right time to encounter favourable temperatures, and competition was suppressed. Mixtures thus established need to be assessed on a paddock scale under grazing to determine their final viability.
Competition between Wimmera ryegrass and narrow-leafed lupins
Authors: Arnold GW , Weeldenberg J , Grassia A
Published: March 2005

The ways in which Wimmera ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) affects the growth and yield of narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius) were studied in two experiments at Baker's Hill, W.A. (average annual rainfall 650 mm). In the first experiment, Uniharvest lupins and Wimmera ryegrass were grown alone and together starting at two dates. The three rates of ryegrass produced similar biomasses (total dry matter) at maturity (about 8000 kg/ha) but lupin grain yield decreased significantly with ryegrass sowing rate. One effect of ryegrass at the highest sowing rate was to alter the distribution of dry matter in the lupin canopy so that, at the end of the growing season, there was a lower percentage of leaf in the lower part of the canopy and this was associated with less light being received. Water stress in lupins at the end of the growing season was higher at the later planting with ryegrass. A multiple regression analysis showed that 74% of the variation in lupin grain yield between plots was due to variation in lupin height and biomass, and ryegrass tiller numbers in October. Lupins had little effect on ryegrass yield; although there were fewer tillers in the presence of lupins, weights of tillers were higher. In the second experiment, the effects of 38 ryegrass plants/m2 on growth of both Uniharvest and Unicrop lupins grown at a density of 40 plants/m2 were studied. Lupin biomass was unaffected until October but was then reduced significantly by the ryegrass, which yielded 4000 kg/ha dry matter. Grain yield was reduced because fewer pods were produced on lateral branches in both varieties, and on main stems in Uniharvest. The experiments showed that in good growing seasons, in high rainfall areas, lupins will yield grain even when grown with very high densities of ryegrass.
Yields of perennial grasses growing in mixtures with annual species and the effect of perennials on total yields
Authors: Hill BD
Published: March 2005

Fifteen perennial grass cultivars were compared in cutting trials in the medium rainfall (about 700 mm/year) area of central New South Wales. The perennial grasses were shown to have different growth patterns. Siro 1146 phalaris (Phalaris aquatica x P. arundinacea), Brignoles cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and Demeter fescue (Festuca arundinacea) had the highest dry matter yields in late spring and summer. The phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) cultivars Special Select, Sirosa, Sirocco and El Golea had the highest yields in autumn and winter, while Kangaroo Valley perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and the cocksfoot cultivars, Berber, Brignoles and Currie, yielded well in spring. When the total yields of pastures containing perennial grasses and annual species were compared with the total yields of annual species alone, it was found that the perennials generally did not increase yields when present at relatively low plant densities (5-20 plants/m2) and growing with a vigorous annual species component. When present at higher plant densities (over 20 plants/ m2) perennial grasses only increased total yields in autumn and winter when soil moisture was low and annual species did not grow well. The probable effects on animal production of including perennial grasses in pasture mixes are discussed and it is concluded that the perennials are most likely to be beneficial in late spring and summer when annuals become less palatable and have lower digestibility.
A column winnower for small-sample seed cleaning
Authors: Greenaway JB , George DL
Published: March 2005

The construction and operation of a column winnower capable of cleaning a seed sample in 10-20 s is described. Samples are processed rapidly because the machine is self- cleaning and the fan operates continuously. The latter is achieved by using a by-pass valve for the air flow. The winnower was able to clean seed samples from many species including sunflower, grain sorghum, pigeonpea and wheat. It would have particular application in plant-breeding programs which need to handle many seed samples rapidly and efficiently each generation. The advantages of this winnower are speed, convenience and versatility.
Assessment of methods of re-seeding subterranean clover near Esperance, Western Australia
Authors: Bolland MDA
Published: March 2005

In 1979 and 1980, three methods of re-seeding subterranean clover were investigated near Esperance, Western Australia: seeding just before the break to the season (dry-seeding), and seeding after the break, after killing the emerging pasture by mechanical cultivations or with herbicides. Sowing subterranean clover into a cereal stubble just prior to the break of the winter growing season, followed by continuous grazing after emergence to pr, vent overtopping of the clover seedlings, was he most economical method. It did not involve costs associated with the other methods (ploughing and scarifying, or herbicides and spraying), it produced between five and twenty times as much dried herbage in winter as was produced by the other methods, and had twice the sheep-carrying capacity in winter. The differences in clover seed yields between the three methods were not statistically significant, but yields were reduced by about 30% when grazing of dry-seeded treatments in cereal stubble was delayed until 6 weeks after emergence of seedlings, because of a 30% decrease in the number of clover seedlings.
Tolerances of wheat cultivars to pre-emergence herbicides
Authors: Lemerle D , Leys AR , Hinkley RB , Fisher JA
Published: March 2005

Twelve spring wheat cultivars were tested in southern New South Wales for their tolerances to the recommended rates and three times the recommended rates of trifluralin, pendimethalin, tri-allate and chlorsulfuron. Recommended rates of these herbicides did not affect the emergence or grain yield of any cultivar. However, differences between cultivars in their tolerances to trifluralin, pendimethalin and chlorsulfuron at three times the recommended rate were identified. The extent of the reduction in emergence and/or grain yield varied with herbicide and season, and there was also a herbicidexseason interaction. Durati, Songlen and Tincurrin were the most susceptible cultivars to trifluralin, and Teal was the most tolerant. Yield losses from trifluralin were more severe in 1979 than in 1980 or 1981. The differential between cultivars treated with pendimethalin was smaller and more variable; Tincurrin was the only cultivar with a yield reduction in more than one season. Durati, Songlen and Shortim were the only cultivars affected by chlorsulfuron. A reduction in crop emergence of a cultivar treated with trifluralin or pendimethalin did not correlate consistently with any grain yield loss, and reductions in emergence were always greater than yield loss.
Nitrogen fertilizer requirements of irrigated potatoes on the Atherton Tableland, North Queensland
Authors: Laurence RCN , Armour JD , Shepherd RK , Loader LR , Dwyer MJ
Published: March 2005

Seven field experiments were carried out during 1980 and 1981 to determine the nitrogen fertilizer requirements of potatoes grown in basaltic krasnozem soils in North Queensland. Rates of 0, 40, 80, 160 and 320 kg nitrogen/ha were compared in all experiments. Comparisons of urea and ammonium nitrate as fertilizer forms and basal and split application methods were also carried out in four of the experiments. Total yields of fresh tubers from nil-nitrogen plots varied from 18.1 to 29.7 t/ha and nitrogen applications increased these yields at all sites to levels varying from 136 to 325% of the control plots. Ninety-eight per cent of maximum yields calculated from quadratic functions were produced by rates of basally applied urea nitrogen varying from 108 to 205 kg/ha. These rates were poorly correlated with relative yields and topsoil (0-20 cm depth) nitrate nitrogen but were well correlated with nitrogen in 20-50 cm depth. Nitrogen application increased the average tuber weights from 135 to 179 g but reduced the specific gravity of tubers. Splitting nitrogen applications reduced average tuber weights.
Sandplain lupins (Lupinus cosentinii) as a summer feed for yearling steers
Authors: Morcombe PW , Ryan WJ , Allen JG
Published: March 2005

The response of 9-month-old Angus steers, grazing sandplain lupins during summer and autumn and fed oat and oat plus urea supplements, or grazing hay made from the lupins and fed no supplement, was studied in two experiments. In the first experiment there were 3.3 t DM/ha present at the start of grazing. Average daily weight changes over 84 days were -0.548, -0.274 and 0.333 kg/day (P<0.05) for steers fed 0, 1 and 2 kg oats/steer.day respectively. The steers grazing lupin hay averaged -0.417 kg/day. There were 8.4 t DM/ha present at the start of the second experiment and the daily weight changes by steers fed 0, 2 and 6 kg oats plus urea/head.day were - 0.012, 0.524 and 0.952 kg/day (P<0.05), respectively. The steers grazing lupin hay gained 0.215 kg/day. No obvious clinical signs of lupinosis were observed in either experiment. However, in the first experiment the lupins were toxic, liver damage occurred and lupinosis may have contributed to the lower growth rates. In both experiments steers not fed a supplement made compensatory weight gains during winter and spring, when all steers were run together on mixed clover-grass pasture.
Nodulation of subterranean clover growing in permanent pastures on acid soils in North-Central Victoria
Authors: Jones HR , Curnow BC
Published: March 2005

A survey ofclover at 44 sites in permanent dryland pastures in North-Central Victoria, highlighted poor nodulation of subterranean clover.In 1982 and 1983 respectively only 40 and 62% of plants were effectively nodulated 8-10 weeks after germination of the clover. Clover root rot was also present in both years, 64% of plants being affected in 1982 and 14% in 1983. Nodulation was negatively correlated with the incidence of root rot and with the percentage of exchangeable aluminium in the soil and positively correlated with the percentage of exchangeable calcium in the soil. The number of Rhizobium trifolii in the soil was not correlated with any of the soil factors measured.
Effect of phosphorus application on seasonal changes in nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of four perennial Stylosanthes accessions
Authors: Probert ME , Williams J
Published: March 2005

Four perennial Stylosanthes accessions (S. hamata cv. Verano, S. scabra cv. Seca, cv. Fitzroy and CPI558 18) were grown for 4 years on a red earth soil in the semi-arid tropics with fertilizer phosphorus applications of 0 to 40 kglha. The concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in plant shoots were measured at monthly intervals from January to July in one season, with less intensive sampling in the other years. Some measurements were also made of N and P concentrations in litter. Phosphorus concentrations in shoot, leaf, stem and litter increased with increasing rate of application of P, but N concentrations in plant tissue were virtually independent of the rate of P application. The concentrations of both N and P in the shoots of all accessions declined during the growing season. Differences in nutrient concentrations between Verano and the S. scabra accessions were relatively small. Even without application of P, these legumes always had substantially higher concentrations of N and P than the native grass Heteropogon contortus, and could be expected to provide an improved diet for grazing animals.
Effects of trifluralin, benomyl and metalaxyl on the incidence and severity of root disease in annual Medicago spp., and evaluation of cultivars for resistance to root rot
Authors: Bretag TW , Kollmorgen JF
Published: March 2005

The herbicide trifluralin increased both the incidence and severity of root rot in four Medicago truncatula cultivars and reduced their dry matter production. In glasshouse studies with a naturally infested soil from Kaniva, medic root disease was controlled by soil incorporation of metalaxyl but not by soil treatment with benomyl. The known biological activity of metalaxyl suggests that the fungi responsible for the root rot were Peronosporales. The same fungicides failed to control medic root diseases in a field trial at Dooen in 1984. Medic cultivars varied in their susceptibility to root rot, some having moderate resistance, although none were immune. The susceptibility rankings established in glasshouse tests with naturally infested soil were supported by field observations. The results show that there is potential for control of medic root diseases by selecting resistant medic cultivars.
The effect of stubble management on the availability of 15N-labelled residual fertilizer nitrogen and crop stubble nitrogen in an irrigated black earth
Authors: White PJ , Vallis I , Saffigna PG
Published: March 2005

Field experiments on an irrigated alkaline black earth soil of the Darling Downs, south-east Queensland, examined transformations of nitrogen (N) and its subsequent availability for the growth of wheat after stubble had been removed, mulched or incorporated. Two crop sequences were used: sorghum-3- month fallow-wheat (S-W); and wheat-7-month fallow-wheat (W-W). The crops were grown in microplots enclosed by steel cylinders (75 cm diam. and 35 cm deep) to a depth of 30 cm. For the initial crop, some plots were fertilized with l5N-labelled ammonium sulfate and others with unlabelled ammonium sulfate (50 kg N/ha). After harvest of the initial crop, labelled stubble was added to unlabelled soil, either as a mulch or incorporated, and unlabelled stubble was similarly added to soil labelled with residual 15N from the fertilizer application. Uptake of 15N by a test wheat crop and distribution of 15N in the soil-plant system were then determined. In the test crop fertilized with unlabelled urea (50 kg N/ha), incorporation of stubble depressed plant growth and N uptake by 35% in the S-W sequence but had no effect in the W-W sequence. Residual fertilizer 15N in the soil was more available to the test crop than was 15N in retained stubble (6 v. 2% and 12 v. 6% for the S-W and W-W sequences respectively). However, the test crop obtained only 0.9-1.2% of its total N uptake from residual fertilizer N and 0.4-2.9% from the stubble of the initial crop. The effects of stubble management on the availability of N from these two sources were small. If suitable rates of N fertilizer are applied, it is unlikely that crop yields will be adversely affected by stubble retention in this subtropical environment.
Responses of some crop plants to correction of subsoil acidity
Authors: Pinkerton A , Simpson JR
Published: March 2005

The effects of subsoil acidity and lime incorporation on plant growth were examined for several crop species (wheat, rape, lucerne and phalaris) growing in reconstituted soil profiles. The pH levels of the profiles had been differentially lowered because they had been under improved subterranean clover pastures for various periods up to 55 years. Acidities in the upper layers differed by at least one pH unit and the depth of the acidified horizons reached 60 cm in the most severely affected soil. All species showed good root growth in soil from 'unimproved' native pasture. Root growth was much poorer in the more acid profiles, particularly between 10- and 40-cm depths, where CaCl2-extractable aluminium was high (> 6 �g g-1). Liming throughout the profile reduced exchangeable aluminium (to about 1 �gg-1) and increased root lengths in the most acid profile by about 60% (0-40 cm depth), so that root lengths then approached those in the 'unimproved' soil. Liming increased shoot yields of all crops except phalaris. The increase was greatest for lucerne (400%), with smaller increases for wheat (39%) and rape (26%). Liming the surface horizon (0- 10 cm) had little effect on most species, but substantially improved root length and shoot yield of lucerne (75 and 300% respectively). The agronomic implications of these findings in crop establishment and drought resistance on acidified soils are discussed.