bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrothermal treatment of sprout-damaged grain: I. Effects on the technological quality of wheat
Authors: Westermarck-Rosendahl Christina , Salovaara Hannu
Published: July 2018

Two sprout-damaged wheat lots with the falling number values of 91 and 65 were heat-treated by immersing the grain in water of temperatures of 80, 85, 90 and 100°C, followed by rapid chilling in water. The purpose of the treatment was to suppress the excess a-amylase activity in the outer layers of the kernels. The a-amylase activity following the treatment was measured by the falling number test. The increase in the falling number value was the greater the longer the treatment lasted and the higher the water temperature was. Processing lasting 30 sec at 80, 85, 90 and 100°C increased the falling number value of the one lot from 91 to 105, 117, 133 and 238 and of the other lot from 65 to 69, 70, 98, 163, respectively. As the falling numbers increased the wet gluten content of the samples decreased. These changes had a negative correlation. The gluten quality showed heat damage when the amount of gluten had dropped by about 5 and 2 precentage units in the lots with the falling numbers 91 and 65, respectively. This occurred at processing of the lot of better quality for 70, 20, 13 and 6 sec in the order of increasing temperature. The corresponding durations for the other lot were above 60, 30, 20 and 6 sec. During these treatments the falling number values rose from 91 to 104—129 and from 65 to 70—71. These results were confirmed by farinogram and extensigram determinations and by baking tests. The same processing conditions affected more severely the lot having the better initial quality than the lot with greater sprout damages.
Flowers visited by honey bee in southern Finland
Authors: Käpylä Markku , Niemelä Paavo
Published: July 2018

A list of nectar and pollen sources of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) in southern Finland based on 44 500 flower records is presented. Only the common wild and cultivated species are included, 139 species altogether. The flowering times are shown with an accuracy of two weeks. The most important food sources during spring (April—May) are Salix spp., and Tussilago farfara: during early summer (late May and June) Salix spp., Taraxacum officinale, Acer platanoides, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Barbarea vulgaris, Ribes spp., Malus domestica, Sorbus aucuparia, and Geranium sylvaticum; during mid-summer Trifolium repens, T. hybridum, Rubus idaeus, Tilia cordata, Epilobium angustifolium, and Cirsium arvense; during late summer and early autumn Calluna vulgaris, Arctium tomentosum, Sonchus arvensis and Leontodon autumnalis.
Injury to currants during mechanical harvesting and subsequent fungal infection
Authors: Tahvonen Risto
Published: July 2018

Mechanical harvesting did not cause significant damage to blackcurrants. Redcurrants suffered extensive injuries, which gave rise to dieback. In addition to mechanical injuries, the pathogen Botrytis cinerea Pers. aggravated bieback of the branches, and severely inhibited healing of the wounds. In wounds on both red- and blackcurrants, the commonest fungus was Alternaria tenuis auct. This fungus did not inhibit healing of the wounds, indeed it appeared to reduce the incidence of B. cinerea wound infection. The wounds contained 19 other fungal species and genera of no pathogenic importance. In a colder-than-average autumn, B. cinerea infection was more severe, and dieback during the subsequent season more extensive than usual. A methyl thiophanate application made in a cold autumn after harvesting reduced the incidence of B. cinerea in wounds, and little dieback resulted the following year. In mild autumns maneb and dichlofluanid reduced dieback, too. When the harvesting was followed by a cold autumn, mechanical harvesting reduced the following year’s yield compared with hand-picking.
Pakettipellot, niiden käyttö ja hoito Keski-Suomessa vuonna 1974
Authors: Hokkanen Heikki
Published: July 2018

Keskisuomalainen pellonvaraustila ei ominaisuuksiltaan paljoa poikkea alueen muista maatiloista. Koko valtakuntaa ajatellen erot maan eri osien välillä nimenomaan peltojen koossa ja sijainnissa ovat kuitenkin niin suuret, että kovin laajoihin yleistyksiin ei tämänkään tutkimuksen pohjalta voida mennä. Tutkimusalueella pakettipeltopalstat ovat enimmäkseen suhteellisen pienialaisia, avo-ojin varustettuja ja nurmen jälkeen paketoituja. Palstat sijaitsevat yleensä erillään muista pelloista, ja ne näkyvät useimmiten korkeintaan yhteen asumukseen. Yleiselle maantielle niistä näkyy hieman alle puolet ja vesialueelle vajaa kolmannes. Valtaosalla tiloista asutaan vakituisesti, ja ainakin osan vuotta asuttuna niistä on 91.7 %. Pellonvarauslain suomia peltojen käyttömahdollisuuksia on alueella käytetty hyväksi vähän, vain palstojen metsittäminen ja kotitarveperunan ja -juureksien viljely olivat jokseenkin yleisiä käyttötapoja. Noin puolella palstoista oli ollut jonkinlaista käyttöä kesällä 1974. Metsitys oli useimmiten kohdistunut pienimpiin ja syrjäisimpiin palstoihin, mikä onkin hyvin pellonvarauslain hengen mukaista. Muu käyttö kohdistui lähinnä tiloille, joilla oli muutakin toimintaa, ja palstoille, jotka sijaitsivat edullisesti. Niinpä laiduntaminen kohdistui usein palstoihin, joille oli kylvetty nurmi ja joita muutenkin hoidettiin, ja kotitarveviljely puolestaan asuttujen tilojen lähellä päärakennusta sijainneisiin palstoihin. Suurinta osaa pakettipelloista ei hoidettu mitenkään vuonna 1974. Yleisin hoitomenetelmä oli niitto — lähes kolmannes palstoista niitettiin. Pieni osa niistä kynnettiin, ja joitakin palstoja kulotettiin tai käsiteltiin torjunta-aineilla. Noin viidesosalle palstoista oli kylvetty nurmi paketointiaikana. Hoitotoimenpiteet, varsinkin niitto, ajoittuivat kuitenkin yleensä huonosti rikkakasvien leviämistä ajatellen. Hoito keskittyi lähinnä suurikokoisille, näkyvillä paikoilla sijainneille palstoille, mikä myös hyvin vastaa toimenpiteistä annettuja (minimi) ohjeita.
Green fodder from energy forest farming
Authors: Näsi Matti , Pohjonen Veli
Published: July 2018

The study examined the yield, chemical composition and nutritive value of energy tree leaves under one year rotation, and considered the methods and results in the entire tree utilization. The proportion of leaves was 31 % for Salix cv. Aquatica and 16 % for S. viminalis of the total biomass yield. The dry matter yield of leaves amounted to 3—5 tn DM/ha. The average chemical composition of willow leaves was as follows: dry matter 27 %, ash 7.7 %, crude protein 19.5 %, ether extract 4.9 %, and crude fibre 14.1 %. The content of tannins was 4.1 % in willow leaves and 3.4 % in alder leaves. Fertilization had a significant effect on the ash and protein contents of willow leaves. Crude fibre content of alder leaves was higher compared to willow leaves. In vitro digestibility of willow leaves was 64 % for organic matter and pepsine-HCI soluble protein was 65 % on average. Fertilization improved the digestibility 6—8 %-units. Calcium content of willow leaves was 10g/kg DM, phosphorus 3g/kg DM and magnesium 2.8 g/kg DM. The amount of trace elements was considerably high. On account of the high content of protein and minerals willow leaves are a considerable source of feed for domestic animals or wild ruminants. The harvesting and conservation of leaves is still a technical question that has to be resolved.
Storage fungi of cabbage and their control
Authors: Tahvonen Risto
Published: July 2018

Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. was found in 40—100 %, in most cases 60—80 %, of the stored cabbages examined during 1975—80. The correlation between the B. cinerea—% and the trimming losses was highly significant when storage lasted for more than 5 months. The trimming losses in infected cabbage lots were 30—50%, while in healthy lots they were only 10—20 %. The numbers of B. cinerea remained constant on the same lots, irrespective of the duration of storage. The fungus caused a considerable amount of spoilage at rather low storage temperatures of—0.5—0°C. Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.) Wiltshire, Plenodomus lingam (Tode ex Fr.) Höhnel, Typhula brassicae (Berg, ex Fr.) Vang, Whetzelinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) Korf & Dumont, and an otherwise unidentified fungus, which presumably belonged to the Basidiomycetes and was only found growing on living cabbages, were present in small numbers or else were significant pathogens in individual stores in certain years only. Spraying with benomyl or thiophanatemethyl one or two weeks before harvesting decreased to a highly significant degree the numbers of B. cinerea on the cabbages, the commercial quality increasing by 8—25 %. Spraying during the growing season did not affect the numbers of any of the other storage pathogens.
Formaldehyde content of milk: 1. Cows fed on protein concentrates treated with different amounts of formaldehyde
Authors: Syrjälä-Qvist Liisa , Setälä Jouko
Published: July 2018

The formaldehyde content was determined on the milk of four dairy cows fed on protein concentrates treated with increasing amounts of formaldehyde 1)0, 2) 0.8, 3)2.4 and 4)4.0 g HCHO/100 g crude protein. The experiment was arranged according to a 4X4 Latin square design and each test period lasted 10 days. The average milk yield of the cows during the experiment was 9.4kg/day. The protein concentrate was a mixture of soybean meal, skimmed-milk powder, meat-bone meal, brewer’s grains, molasses, molassed beat pulp and urea, and the basic feeds were hay, straw and barley. The HCHO-treated protein constituted 42-50 % of the total crude protein of the diet. The daily amounts of formaldehyde received by the cows on the different diets were: 1)0g, 2)2.9 g, 3) 5.1 g and 4) 14.6g, and the formaldehyde contents per kg of milk were, respectively, 1)0.2 mg, 2)0.3 mg, 3) 0.6 mg and 4) 1.7 mg. Thus the milk samples contained formaldehyde even when the protein had not been treated. Of the formaldehyde added to the feeds, only 0.06-0.07 % was found in the milk. The formaldehyde content of the milk reached a constant level within the first two days of the test period.
The effect of the source of nitrogen on protein fractions and their proportions in barley grains
Authors: Lallukka Ulla , Varis Eero , Repo Ritva
Published: July 2018

The effects of fertilizer nitrogen, preceeding leguminous crop in rotation, and mixed cropping of barley with field beans on the protein fractions in mature barley grains were studied with the material collected from three experiment sites in southern Finland. With an increase in nitrogen application, the total N in grains as well as nitrogen in the different Osborne fractions increased. The relative amounts of protein fractions changed: prolamin increased, glutelin remained fairly constant, and salt-soluble fraction decreased. The preceeding leguminous crops, pea and field bean, increased the nitrogen content in barley as well as the proportion of prolamin N. The share of prolamin N in barley following leguminous plants was higher than in barley following oats, where the similar total N content was due to fertilizer nitrogen. In mixed cropping of barley and field beans prolamin N in harvested barley grains also increased with the increased total nitrogen due to an increase either in fertilizer application or in the share of field bean in the mixture. In this case there was no clear difference in the proportions of prolamin N between the treatments. The proportions of salt-soluble fractions were slightly higher and that of storage protein lower in Finnish barleys studied than in the results from other studies, where Central European cultivars with larger grains were used.
Relationship between phosphorus intensity and capacity parameters in Finnish mineral soils: II Sorption-desorption isotherms and their relation to soil characteristics
Authors: Hartikainen Helinä
Published: July 2018

The relationship between P intensity and capacity parameters in 104 mineral soil samples was studied by means of sorption-desorption isotherms of two types. In the isotherm A the P exchange was expressed as a function of P concentration in the initial solution, in the isotherm B as a function of P concentration in the final equilibrium solution. Both isotherms conformed to the equation y = a + bx, where y stands for the amount of P sorbed or desorbed and x the P concentration in the solution. In the isotherm A the constant a is the intensity factor expressing the amount of water soluble P at a given soil-solution ratio. The term a in the isotherm B, on the contrary, was only poorly related to water soluble P in soil. In both isotherms the slope b of the line seemed to be most effectively affected by oxalate extractable Al. The relative importance of oxalate soluble Fe appeared to be greater in affecting the effectiveness of sorption-desorption reactions than in affecting the buffer reactions. However, the slope b of both isotherms was found to be a semi-intensive parameter: it was quite markedly dependent also on soil characteristics which control the level of water soluble P in soil. The ratio of the term —a to b (termed as EBS or EPC), expressing the zero point of net P exchange, varied from 0.003 to 13.89 mg P per liter, the lowest values tending to be in the heavy clay soils and the highest ones in the non-clay soils. The practical significance of this quantity was discussed.
Susceptibility of spring wheat cultivars and breeding lines to Septoria nodorum Berk.
Authors: Karjalainen Reijo , Laitinen Aino , Juuti Tapio
Published: July 2018

Screening techniques for detecting the susceptibility of spring wheat cultivars and breeding lines to Septoria nodorum Berk. were studied in trials carried out in southern Finland. Small screening plots were artificially inoculated with the pathogen and subsequent observations showed that the early cultivars Apu, Ulla, Hja 21600 and the late cultivar Tähti were the most susceptible. The rank correlation between field assessments from naturally infected plots and assessment from artificially inoculated small screening plots was moderately high. The correlations between 1000 grain weight and disease severity were negatively significant in some susceptible cultivars, but also in some resistant cultivars A weak positive correlation between 1000 grain weight and disease severity was observed in some resistant and also in some susceptible varieties. Although our results do not show consistent trends we conclude that the use of small screening plots is an effective means of detecting differences in symptom expression among breeding lines and cultivars.
Damping-off of sugar beet in Finland: II. Disease control
Authors: Vestberg Mauritz , Tahvonen Risto , Raininko Kyösti
Published: July 2018

In pot and field experiments carried out in 1979-1981, the systemic funqicide hymexazol prevented satisfactorily soil borne damping-off of sugar beet caused mainly by the fungus Pythium debaryanum auct. non Hesse. The results with the combination hymexazol + thiram were still better. This treatment gave very good protection against the disease up to about two to three weeks after emergence, increased the yield on the average by 5-10 % and produced considerably thicker and denser stands. Thereafter a large number of beets may have become infected, but no great damage was caused as only few died. Band spraying at emergence using hymexazol with a large amount of water as well as spraying into the seed furrow prevented the outbreak of the disease almost completely. Liming had little effect on damping-off.
Comparison between Ayrshire, Friesian and Finnish cattle dairy cows on home - produced feeds
Authors: Ettala Elsi
Published: July 2018

An experiment with Ayrshire(Ay), Friesian (Fr) and Finnish cattle(Fc) animals on home produced feeds under same kind of conditions is conducted at North Savo Experimental Station in the years 1979-87. The test animals (40 Ay, 40 Fr, 16 Fc) was taken by random sampling when they were calves. One half of the animals of each race receives silage-grain feeding, the other half hay-grain-urea feeding. The growth rate of the calves was equal in the beginning but later on the Friesian animals grew fastest and the Finnish cattle animals most slowly. The average milk yield of the first lactation year was at the same level in the Friesian groups and in the Ayrshire hay-group. The first milk yield of the Ayrshire silage-group was a little lower than of those mentioned before and clearly lower in the Finnish cattle groups. The milk yields were a consequence of the feed consumptions of the animals. In the second lactation year the feed consumptions and the milk yields have increased distinctly. There are not to be found differences in the conception rates depending on races.
Rapeseed meal and urea as a protein source for growing bulls on alkali-treated straw-based feeding
Authors: Syrjälä-Qvist Liisa , Tuori Mikko
Published: July 2018

Between the ages of 3 1/2 and 10 months, 12 bulls took part in an experiment in which 1) Tower rapeseed meal or 2) urea plus rapeseed meal was used as a protein source in a diet based on dry alkali-treated straw. In group 1 the rapeseed meal composed 32 % of a concentrate mixture also containing barley, oats, molassed beet pulp and minerals. The average daily consumption of rapeseed meal was 1.2 kg/animal and it contributed 58 % of the digestible crude protein supply. In group 2 urea composed 2 % of the concentrate mixture and the average daily consumption was 84 g/animal. In this group urea contributed about 38 % and rapeseed meal 20 % of the digestible crude protein supply. The palatability of the concentrate mixture was good in both groups. The average daily intake of alkalitreated straw was 2.3 kg/animal or 0.77 kg dry matter/100 live weight kg. Treated straw was the only roughage received by the animals from the age of6 months. Up to that age the animals also received hay, on average 840 g per animal and day. The average daily live weight gain in group 1 was 1072 g/animal and in group 2 it was 1111 g; the carcass weights in the respective groups were 169 kg and 176kg, and the feed conversion rates were 4.08 f.u. and 4.16 f.u./kg live weight gain. The differences between the group were not significant (P > 0.05). Almost all the animals showed pathological changes in their inner organs, which may mean that alkali-treated straw sounds not to be suitable as the only roughage source for growing bulls.
PAG electrophoregrams of wheat cultivars grown in Finland
Authors: Sontag Tuula , Salovaara Hannu
Published: July 2018

The polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (PAGE) patterns of gliadins of 9 spring wheat cultivars (Apu, Drabant, Taava, Tapio, Ulla, Kadett, Luja, Ruso and Tähti) and of 5 winter wheat cultivars (Aura, Ilves, Linna, Nisu and Vakka) were determined. Most of the samples studied had specific gliadin PAGE patterns, indicating that electrophoregrams obtained with the procedure employed here can be used for identifying wheat cultivars grown in Finland. Only two cultivars, Taava and Ruso, which are close relatives, possessed similar PAGE patterns. The procedure uses a commercial vertical electrophoresis apparatus and thin gels. Up to 28 samples could be electrophoresed in three hours and analyzed after staining. The procedure can be applied in the identification of wheat cultivars currently grown in Finland.
Gasol-treated barley for pigs
Authors: Alaviuhkola Timo , Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

Moist barley (GB) preserved with Gasol additive (containing formaldehyde, acetic acid, isobutyric acid and lignosulphonates) was evaluated as pig feed. A digestibility trial was conducted as a 3 x 3 Latin square, in which dried barley (DB) was replaced with GB at two levels, 50 and 100 %. The performance and carcase properties were examined in a feeding trial with 48 growing pigs fed on either DB or GB supplemented with protein concentrate. Gasol barley showed no signs of deterioration during storage (DM 79 %, average application level 1.0 %). The lysine content was lower in GB than in DB, 2.3 vs. 3.9 g/16 g N and sulphuric amino acids and threonine were also lower. GB had lower digestibilities for OM, CP and NFE: 78.9, 68.8 and 86.9 % vs. 82.0, 75.6 and 88.6 in DB (P > 0.05). The amino acid digestibilities of the GB averaged 88 % of the values of the DB diet (P > 0.05). The estimated feed values for GB and DB were, respectively 1.05 and 1.09 FU/kg DM and 85 and 86 g DCP/FU. On the GB diet, the pigs gained significantly less (P < 0.01) than on the DB diet (589 vs. 703 g/d) and FCE was poorer, 3.46 vs. 2.89kg DM/kg gain (P < 0.01). The firmness of the fat and colour of the lean were inferior in the pigs fed on GB (P > 0.05). The results showed that Gasol is unsuitable for preserving grain intended for pig feed if the grain is uncontaminated, but moulded barley can be treated with Gasol to reduce the detrimental effects of the fungal toxins.
Metabolism of selenite, selenomethionine and feed-incorporated selenium in lactating goats and dairy cows
Authors: Aspila Pentti
Published: July 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the metabolism of inorganic and organic Se sources at different dietary Se levels in lactating goats and dairy cows. The study consists of two experiments on goats dosed singly, either orally with grass sprayed with Na275SeO3 one week before cutting, intraruminally (I.R.) with Na275SeO3, or intravenously (I.V.) with Na275SeO3 or 75Se-selenomethionine. Follow-up periods were from 15 to 28 d long. Dietary Se levels were 0.05, 0.22 and 0.34 mg/kg DM. Values for 75Se absorption, excretion in milk, urine and faeces, 75Se activity in plasma, erythrocytes and hair are presented. In another experiment lasting 539 d, 48 dairy cows were fed either Na275SeO3 or grass silage sprayed with Na275SeO3 one week before cutting. Dietary Se levels were from 0.03 to 1.8 mg/kg DM. Se content in milk, plasma and erythrocytes, and GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes and plasma are given. True absorption of 75Se was 63 % and 65 %, and excretion of 75Se in milk 4 % and 7 % in the goats dosed I.R. with Na275SeO3 and orally with 75Se-labeled grass. The effect of dietary Se content was non-significant. After I.V. dose, 3.6 % and 33 % of 75Se was excreted in milk in goats dosed with Na275SeO3 and 75Se-selenomethionine, respectively, Na275SeO3 being eliminated mainly via urine. In cows receiving selenium as Na275SeO3, milk contained 0.011, 0.011, 0.016 and 0.020 mg Se/l at dietary Se levels 0.11, 0.17, 0.42 and 0.68 mg/kg DM, respectively. In cows receiving Se-sprayed silage, milk Se content was 0.023, 0.020, 0.029 and 0.040 mg/l when the diet contained 0.09, 0.20, 0.45 and 1.20 mg Se/kg DM. Se incorporated into silage was more efficient (p
Nitrogen fertilization of winter wheat in spring in Finland: comparison of calcium ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate, and the effect of split application
Authors: Mohammadi Oili , Ristimäki Leena , Vermeulen Stephan , Viikari Esko
Published: July 2018

The effectiveness of calcium nitrate (CN) and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) as N sources for winter wheat in spring was studied in seven field trials in Southern Finland, in the province of Uusimaa. The experiments were carried out on clay soils in 1986—1989. Nitrogen dressings of 120—150 kg ha-1 were broadcasted either as a single application or split into two applications. The two applications were in most cases 30—40 and 90 —110 kg ha-1. The single or the first split application was given in the beginning of the growing season and the latter application at the end of tillering. The grain yields obtained by a single N application of 140—150 kg ha-1 ranged from 2 610 to 7 550 kg ha-1 and the protein content of grains from 9.4 to 14.5 %. The nitrogen form of the fertilizer had no significant effect on the grain yield and on the protein content of grains. Splitting the nitrogen increased the grain yield by 400 kg ha-1 and the protein content of grains by 0.8 percentage points.
Seasonal dynamics and primary production of the flora in a winter rye field in Finland
Authors: Halinen Päivi , Raatikainen Mikko
Published: July 2018

The total weed seed storage in the plough layer of 20 cm was 93 965 seeds/m2, of which 36 taxa were defined. The proportion of seeds of annual and winter annual species in soil was 89.6 %. The number of rye seeds emerging in autumn was 614 per m2 and weeds 224 per m2. The total number of weeds was 381/ m2 when the calculation was based on the time of maximal appearance. 0.3 % of the total amount of weeds emerged. Rye and Elymus repens were the dominant species in the above-ground vegetation, whereas the biomass of the other weeds remained poorly developed because of marked shading from these two. The maximum biomass of the living above-ground vegetation, 614 g/m2, was achieved in the middle of August (12. VIII). Net above-ground primary production, measured by the harvesting method, was 664 g/m2 · year and underground production 190 g/m2 · year, giving a total production of vegetation and detritus of 854 g/ m2 · year. The net efficiency of the primary producers was 0.7 %.
Effects of thermal processing on digestibility and protein utilization of rapeseed meal of medium and low glucosinolate type in diets for growing pigs
Authors: Näsi Matti , Siljander-Rasi Hilkka
Published: July 2018

The nutritive value of rapeseed meals (RSM) from Brassica campestris, 0 and 00-cultivars, with medium (25—55 μg/g defatted meal) and low (0.05), although 00-RSM’s tended to have higher OM and CP digestibilities compared with 0-RSM; pooled mean values being 0.638 vs. 0.715 for OM and 0.715 vs. 0.775 for CP. RSM treated for ruminant escape protein had the same or better digestibility than untreated RSM; pooled average values being 0.669 vs. 0.680 for OM and 0.746 vs. 0.757 for CP. This observation has practical importance since the same treatments of RSM could be employed for meals to be used in diets of both ruminants and pigs. In these experiments, the protein utilization was efficient and differences between the dietary treatments were small and insignificant. Heat treatment (Opex) did not decrease protein utilization despite a small reduction in lysine content.
The EC-Scandinavian agricultural trade changes - causes and consequences
Authors: Kuhmonen Tuomas , Strijker Dirk
Published: July 2018

This article examines the changes in the mutual agro-food trade between the EC and Scandinavian countries Finland, Norway and Sweden in 1960—85 by using the concept of “Revealed Comparative Advantage”. The agricultural policy actions of the EC have weakened the mutual trading position of Scandinavia very strongly in basic temperate agricultural products but improved it in other types of agro-food products. The massive supports and trade regulations of the EC have also increased its mutual competitiveness in agro-food compared to all traded items. In recent years are direction of agricultural policy has started in the EC from price support and increasing productivity to production cutbacks and direct income support. This seems to be the same path as the Scandinavian countries had to take earlier.
Effect of moderate and severe drought stress on the pre-anthesis development and yield formation of oats
Authors: Peltonen-Sainio P.
Published: July 2018

Greenhouse experiments were conducted at the University of Helsinki, Department of Crop Husbandry in 1989 and 1990 to provide information on the effects of drought stress on the developmental rate of the panicle, formation and abortion of florets, and formation of yield components in two oat cultivars, both adapted to the northern marginal growing conditions. Moderate water deficit and severe drought stress did not affect the developmental rate of the panicle, but the pre-anthesis and post-anthesis architecture changed considerably; leaves unrolled later, the number of green leaves was lower, the internodes lengthened less, and the inflorescence was shorter as a consequence of water deficit. Drought stress decreased the number of fertile florets in the panicle significantly, in the lower clusters of branches in particular. In the cultivar “Puhti”, 57 % of the fertile florets aborted as a consequence of moderate drought stress and 89 % as a result of severe drought stress when compared to well-watered individuals, while in “Virma”, a cultivar of significantly higher yield potential, 80 °lo and 90 % of the fertile florets wilted, respectively. In addition, water deficit caused considerable losses in all the morphological characteristics measured. Further implications of these results for yield formation are discussed.
Compensatory growth after feed restriction during the rearing period in pigs
Authors: Valaja Jarmo , Alaviuhkola Timo , Suomi Kaija , Immonen Irma
Published: July 2018

The compensatory growth after feed restriction was studied in an experiment with 120 pigs which were divided into two test treatments: control (C) and restricted (R) feeding. During the first period, from the age of seven weeks to 25 kg of live weight, R pigs were fed twice and C pigs three times the maintenance level. During the second period, from 25 kg to 100 kg of live weight, both treatments were given the same amount of feed from 1.4 to 3.2 feed units/pig/day. The daily feed intake of R pigs was significantly lower (p
Responses to organic and inorganic selenium in the performance and blood selenium content of growing pigs
Authors: Suomi Kaija , Alaviuhkola Timo
Published: July 2018

An experiment was carried out with 36 growing pigs in order to compare their responses to organic selenium and inorganic selenium. No significant differences were found in daily gain, feed/gain ratio or carcass quality of growing pigs fed with 0.1 mg inorganic Se or the same amount of Se bound in yeast. Neither were there significant differences in the content of Se in the liver and serum between these Se sources. The amount of 0.4 mg yeast selenium in the feed increased the Se level in the serum and liver significantly as compared to a lower level ofsupplementation (0.1 mg) (p
Sex diagnosis of ovine and bovine embryos by enzymatic amplification and digestion of DNA from the ZFY/ZFX locus
Authors: Bredbacka Peter , Peippo Jaana
Published: July 2018

A PCR-based sex determination assay for sheep and cattle embryos was developed using mouse embryos for optimizing the protocol. Samples were lysed either enzymatically or by alkaline treatment followed by enzymatic amplification of DNA from the ZFY/ZFX locus. Sex diagnosis could be done after the digestion of the amplified product by restriction endonucleases. Ovine and bovine embryos could be sexed from biopsies as small as 1-4 cells. Some embryos were split into 2-4 sections, which were amplified separately. Blind trials with such samples demonstrated that the method was highly accurate, even when embryo biopsy was done under farm conditions. The protocol involves an in-built control. This eliminates the need for autosomal control primers, which often inhibit the amplification of the Y-chromosome-specific DNA, especially when a small amount of template is used.
Effect of seedbed methods and time of harvest on the yield and nutritive value of some forage crops grown on Vertisol at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
Authors: Tedla Abate , Airaksinen Helena , Mohamed-Saleem M. A.
Published: July 2018

The influence of the improved drainage broadbed and furrow (BBF), as opposed to the traditional flat seedbed over the growing season on the dry matter yield and nutritive value of Avena sativa, Vigna unguiculata, Lablab purpureus, Vida dasycarpa, Trifolium steudneri and Sesbania sesban were studied on Vertisol. Up to 7 t/ha dry matter yield was recorded for Avena sativa and Lablab purpureus when planted on Vertisols with improved drainage. Dry matter yield of forage crops also increased with advance in stage of maturity or subsequent harvests. On both improved and traditional flat seedbed methods, the chemical analysis of forage crops showed similar declines in crude protein content and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) levels as the maturity of forage crops progressed.
Evaluation of conditions for fermentation of fish offal
Authors: Lassén T. Mikael
Published: July 2018

Conditions for the lactic acid fermentation of fish offal were evaluated regarding the effect of substrate concentration (2, 5 and 10% dextrose), preacidification with lactic acid (initial pH of 6.8, to 6.5 or 6.0), and inoculum size of Lactobacillus plantarum (107 , 108 and 109 colony forming units (cfu)/g). pH and lactic acid production were monitored during a two-week storage period. A small-scale silo for fermenting fish offal was also constructed, and measurement of redox potential was evaluated as a means to estimate bacterial growth conditions. The most favourable conditions for fermentation, manifested by a low and stable pH and high lactic acid production, were achieved with an inoculum size of 108 cfu/g and 5% dextrose. Preacidification did not affect final pH. Redox potential was shown to give a reliable estimate of growth conditions for bacteria under anaerobic conditions by rapidly falling to below -550mV in silage with a high lactic acid concentration.
Leaching and uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus from cow slurry and fox manure in a lysimeter trial
Authors: Kemppainen Erkki
Published: July 2018

The effects of soil type, spreading time and use of a nitrification inhibitor (Didin) on the leaching and uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus from cow slurry and fox manure were studied in a lysimeter trial during 1989-1992. The runoff volume and leaching of total nitrogen in peat soil were double those in fine sand soil. There was no essential difference in the leaching of nitrate nitrogen, but the amount of ammonium nitrogen leached from peat soil was 50-fold and that of organic nitrogen about 3-fold the amounts leached from fine sand soil. The amount of total phosphorus leached from peat soil was 23-fold and that of soluble phosphorus 39-fold the amounts leached from fine sand soil. There were only minor differences between cow slurry and fox manure in the leaching of nitrogen. The least nitrogen was leached after manure application in May. Didin did not have any significant effect. In peat soil, significantly more phosphorus leached from fox manure than from cow slurry. Spreading time had no effect on phosphorus leaching. Considerably higher barley grain yields were harvested from peat soil than from fine sand soil. Fox manure proved to be a much more effective fertilizer than cow slurry. In the first experimental year, December spreading resulted in a lower yield than other spreading times. Of the total nitrogen applied in manure, 24-41% was recovered in barley yield (grain+straw) and 4-21% in runoff; the figures for phosphorus were 6-51% and 0-2,6%, respectively.
Selenium concentration of Finnish foods: Effects of reducing the amount of selenate in fertilizers
Authors: Ekholm Päivi , Ylinen Maija , Koivistoinen Pekka , Varo Pertti
Published: July 2018

The original two supplementation levels of selenium in multinutrient fertilizers (Se 16 and 6 mg kg-1 fertilizer as sodium selenate; started in 1985) were reduced to one (6 mg kg-1 fertilizer) in 1991. The 16 mg supplementation level was intended for use in cereal production. Due to the lowering of the level of Se application, the Se content of spring cereals (spring wheat, oats and barley) has decreased more than that of any other food in the monitoring programme. The present level, 0.1 mg kg-1 for cereal grains, is about 40% of the concentrations common in 1990. The Se concentrations have decreased less in other foods than in cereals. The present Se concentrations in milk products, meat and liver are about 70, 60 and 50%, respectively, of the concentrations in 1990. The average daily human Se intake was 0.08 mg day-1 at an energy level of 10 MJ in 1994. Animal protein is the main source of Se. About 40% of the intake comes from meat, 24% from dairy products and eggs, and 11% from fish.
Relationship between bull dam herd characteristics and bias in estimated breeding value of bull
Authors: Uimari Pekka , Mäntysaari Esa A.
Published: July 2018

The objective of the study was to relate estimated breeding values (EBVs) of the parents’ 305-days protein production and the bull dam herd-year characteristics to the empirical bias in pedigree indices (difference between the pedigree index and the final proof) of young bulls. Two animal model evaluations were carried out; one included records up to 1990 and the other up to spring 1992. The final data set included 242 bulls with pedigree indices, final proofs, parents’ EBVs, production and herd information (the size, the average production and the intraherd standard deviation) of the dams. The average empirical bias in pedigree indices was 13.6 kg. The correlation between the final proof of the bull and the EBVs of the bull sire or dam were 0.45 and 0.17, respectively. The low correlation with bull dam EBV indicates the unreliability of the bull dam EBVs. Size of the herd and the standard deviation of production in the herd when bull dam produced its third lactation were correlated with the empirical bias in pedigree index. Pedigree indices of the bulls coming from small herds with high intraherd standard deviation were more biased than those from the big herds with low intraherd standard deviation. The best bulls, when grouped according to their final proofs, were sons of the highest EBV sires. EBVs of bull dams did not differ in the highest and the lowest final proof groups, but the dams of the best bull group had a higher first lactation record than the dams of the other bull groups.
Abundance, species composition and daily pattern of bees visiting field bean, goat’s rue and turnip rape in southern Finland
Authors: Varis Anna-Liisa
Published: July 2018

Visits of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and bumblebees (Bombas spp.) to flowers of field bean (Vida faba L.), goat’s rue (Galega orientalis Lam.) and spring turnip rape (Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera DC.) were studied to get some basic knowledge about the species composition, abundance and daily rhythm of bees visiting these plants. The studies were made under field conditions. Only pollinating specimens were counted. Both on field bean and goat’s rue 44% of the visitors were honeybees, on turnip rape the proportion of honeybees was 96%. Field bean was visited by Bombas subterraneus (L.)/B, hortorum (L.) as well as by B. lucorum (L.). These species were also present on goat’s rue; the most numerous bumblebee species on this plant, however, was B. lapidarius (L.) which was also the only bumblebee species visiting turnip rape. The total number of bees was highest on goat’s rue. The visits of honeybees began on field bean at noon and were most numerous in the afternoon. On goat’s rue, the numbers were smaller in the mornings, whereas turnip rape was visited at a rather constant rate throughout the day. On field bean, the numbers of B. subterraneus/B. hortorum increased and those of B. lucorum decreased towards the afternoon. On goat’s rue, these species were present in the morning and in the afternoon. B. lapidarius was present on goat’s rue during the whole day, but on turnip rape only in the mornings. On the basis of these results and earlier investigations it is concluded that the numbers of natural pollinators are rather low to assure adequate pollination in turnip rape and large field bean areas under the conditions in southern Finland. If the growing of goat’s rue becomes more prevalent, its pollination requirements need further studies.
Effects of plant species and harvesting system on grassland production in northern Finland
Authors: Nissinen Oiva , Hakkola Heikki
Published: July 2018

The dry matter yields and forage quality of seven grassland plant species and mixed stands which included three cutting regimes (pasture 4-5 cuts, silage 2-3 cuts, hay and aftermath) were studied at two locations in northern Finland, Ruukki (64°40’N) and Rovaniemi (66° 35’N). Increased cutting frequency lowered the total dry matter yields of all plant species. Production of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis L.) swards was significantly reduced by taking four or five cuts instead of one or two cuts. Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) and meadow grass (Poa pratensis L.) showed only a minor interaction with harvesting regimes and were less affected by the cutting frequency. The increased cutting frequency raised the crude protein content, this causing the highest protein yields despite the smaller dry matter yields. The inclusion of red clover in seed mixtures had a favourable effect on the crude protein content of grass swards. Stands of sown plants decreased and the proportion of weeds in yields increased with time, reflecting the suitability of plant species to various cutting regimes. Meadow fescue and meadow grass with rapid regrowth had a positive effect on sward density and also caused less invasion of weeds when the cutting frequency was increased.
Effects of milk fat, unhydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils on fat metabolism of growing pigs: I. Growth, feed utilization and carcass quality in pigs fed different fats and oils
Authors: Suomi Kaija , Alaviuhkola Timo , Valaja Jarmo , Kankare Veikko , Kemppinen Asmo
Published: July 2018

Two trials were conducted to study the effects of different dietary fats on the performance, carcass quality and meat quality of 75 crossbred growing pigs. The experimental diets contained 14.3% butter oil (BO), low erucic acid rapeseed oil (RO), sunflower oil (SO) or partially hydrogenated sunflower oil (HSO). The cream (CR) content of the diets was 29.4%. The dietary fat addition comprised about 36% of the net energy content of the diets. The fatty acid composition of the dietary fats had a clear influence on the fatty acid composition of the adipose tissue of the pigs. Vegetable oils (RO and SO) increased the unsaturated fatty acid content of the adipose tissue and decreased the firmness of the backfat compared to the effects by milk fat (80, CR) (p
Effects of milk fat, unhydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils on fat metabolism of growing pigs: II. Changes in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Authors: Kemppinen Asmo , Jauhiainen Matti , Kankare Veikko , Valaja Jarmo , Alaviuhkola Timo , Aro Antti , Antila Pirkko
Published: July 2018

Fifty mainly crossbred growing pigs were fed diets composed of a basal feed (2% fat) and supplemented 30% gross energy in the form of butter oil, cream, low erucic acid rapeseed oil (LEAR), sunflower oil or partially hydrogenated sunflower oil for 88 days in order to evaluate the effects of different food fats on their serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The levels of serum total cholesterol in the animals fed butter oil (3.47 mmol/l) and cream (3.48 mmol/l) were significantly (p
Stability of feed enzymes in physiological conditions assayed by in vitro methods
Authors: Inborr Johan , Grönlund Anne
Published: July 2018

A series of in vitro incubations were carried out to investigate the stability of two enzyme preparations in conditions similar to those in the upper gastrointestinal tract of monogastric animals. The two enzyme products, one crude xylanase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum (Multifekt K) and the other a specifically manufactured feed enzyme (Avizyme SX®), were subjected to incubations at low and neutral pH with and without proteolytic enzymes (pepsin and pancreatin). Wheat gluten was employed together with the crude xylanase to investigate its potential as a stabilising agent. Due to the buffering effect of Avizyme SX®, incubations were carried out with (pH 2.5) and without (pH 3.2) addition of either citric or hydrochloric acid. Incubation of the crude xylanase at low pH followed by incubation at neutral pH resulted in negligible loss of xylanase activity whereas β-xylosidase recovery fell to 57 per cent of the initial value (P
Micronutrient concentration of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) grown on different soils in a pot experiment
Authors: Erviö Raimo , Sippola Jouko
Published: July 2018

The uptake of micronutrients, B, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo and Zn, was studied in a pot experiment. The micronutrient concentrations of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) ranged as follows: B 4.9-11.1, Co 0.01-2.30, Cu 2-15, Mn 29-225, Mo 0.01-1.79 and Zn 23-75 mg kg-1 DM. The micronutrient concentration of plant was compared with the AAAc+EDTA-extractable concentration in soil by soil type. The copper and zinc concentrations of ryegrass correlated stongly with the respective concentrations of all four soil type groups. The respective correlations of boron and manganese were good except in the silt soil group. Cobalt correlated best in coarse mineral and clay soils and molybdenum in clay and organic soils. Boron, cobalt, manganese and zinc concentrations of ryegrass were the higher the lower the soil pH was. In the whole material the following correlations were found between the micronutrient concentrations of ryegrass and soil: boron 0.58***, cobalt 0.68***, copper 0.70***, manganese 0.19**, molybdenum 0.69*** and zinc 0.90***. The results indicate that interpretation of micronutrient soil test data may be more accurate when soil type is considered.
Leaching of nitrogen in barley, grass ley and fallow lysimeters
Authors: Yläranta Toivo , Uusi-Kämppä Jaana , Jaakkola Antti
Published: July 2018

The leaching of nitrogen from fallow, fertilized and unfertilized spring barley, and grass ley was studied in a 4-year lysimeter experiment tcarried out on clay, silt and sand soils, and Carex peat. The experimental factors included also irrigation and treatments where the nitrogen fertilizer was applied in the first year as 15N-labelled ammonium nitrate. During four years, 41-66% of the nitrogen applied in the first growing season was recovered in plants harvested. Most of it, 91-96%, was taken up in the year applied. Mostly, the water drainage was lowest in silt and sand soils. The irrigation increased clearly the leaching of nitrogen almost in all treatments. Crops decreased the drainage of water through the lysimeters and the leaching of nitrogen, grass more than barley. The effects of plants and irrigation were similar in all soils, but most marked in sand. The largest amount of nitrogen was leached in irrigated, fallowed sand, 440 kg ha-1, during four years. The majority of the leached nitrogen was nitrate. Only in peat soil a significant amount of nitrogen was leached in some another form. The leaching of 15N-labelled fertilizer during four years was highest in sand, 2.3 kg ha 1 of N or 2.3% of the nitrogen applied in the first experimental year.
Milk protein polymorphism in Swiss dairy cattle
Authors: Taha Fawzy , Puhan Zdenko
Published: July 2018

Individual cow milk samples from (a) 208 original Swiss Simmental (OSS), (b) 220 of their crosses (Simmental cattle = FV) with American Red Holstein (RH), (c) 215 original Swiss Brown (OSB) and (d) 390 of their crosses (Brown cattle = BV) with American Brown Swiss (BS) were genotyped for the variants of milk caseins (Cn) and β-Lactoglobulin (β-Lg). In addition, the association between κ-Cn genotypes and milk yield was studied. Reasonable differences in the allele frequencies were found between the breeds. Compared to pure-bred OSS, crossing with RH resulted in a decrease in the frequencies of αs1-Cn C, β-Cn B and κ-Cn B and in an increased frequency of β-Lg B. Within OSB, increased crossing with BS resulted in a decrease in the frequencies of αs1-Cn C and β-Cn B and in increased frequencies of κ-Cn B and β-Lg B. A significant association between the κ-Cn locus and milk yield could only be shown for the OSS breed.