bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of clubroot and Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor. races in Finland
Authors: Linnasalmi Annikki , Toiviainen Anneli
Published: July 2018

Examination of clubroot in cruciferous vegetables in Finland in 1974—1978 revealed the disease in 81 % of the 101 communes inspected. The disease was most common in southern and central Finland, but was also discovered in the northern parts of the region in which cruciferous crops were cultivated (66 —67° N. lat.). Clubroot was found in 65 % of the 375 plant samples collected. It occurred in 68 % of the samples of the most commonly cultivated vegetable, cabbage (56 % of the material), in 63 °Jo of the cauliflower samples (22 % of the material), in 56 % of the samples of other cole species (13 % of the material) and in 64 % of the samples of cruciferous root crops (10 % of the material). P. brassicae race determinations were performed on 90 samples. The classification system of Williams (1966) was applied. The races that were isolated were 1,2, 3,4, 6 and 7. Race 2 was by far the most common, being found in 32 communes; races 3,4, 6 and 7 were each found in 9—12 communes; race 1 only in one commune. No clear differences in the occurrence of the races in the various parts of the country could be observed. A comparison is made between Williams’ and the ECD (Buczacki et al. 1975) classification systems. In addition, the pathotypes in clubroot material from Norway and Iceland were determined.
Uptake of radionuclides by spring wheat and barley from cultivated soils supplemented by contaminated sewage sludge
Authors: Puhakainen Marketta , Yläranta Toivo
Published: July 2018

After the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in April 1986, large amounts of fallout radionuclides originating from Chernobyl were measured in sewage sludge in Finland. Field experiments were performed to evaluate the amount of activity of fallout nuclides transferred from soil to spring wheat and barley grown in fields supplemented by contaminated sewage sludge and further to calculate the soil-grain transfer factors. The experiments were conducted in southern Finland on clay, clay loam and sandy loam soil. The digested sludge was spread on fields, at a ratio of 22 tons of dry matter per hectare. The sludge formed in 1986 was spread in spring 1987 on ploughed fields before the preparation of the seedbed, or in autumn 1987 prior to ploughing. The different plots were fertilized with NPK fertilizer so that the amount of available nutrients was about equal in all treatments. Application of sludge increased the concentration of 137Cs in grain 2-12 times as compared with crops grown in plots without sewage sludge addition. The transfer factor of 137Cs from soil to plant defined as Bq ha-1 in plant (grain and straw) per Bq ha-1 in soil (and sludge) varied in the first experimental years (1987 and 1988) from 20 x 10-6 to 150 x 10-6 and in the second experimental years (1988 and 1989) from 6 x 10-6 to 50 x 10-6 for sludge treated soil and from 10 x 10-6 to 60 x 10-6 and from 8 x 10-6 to 50 x 10-6 for soil without sludge addition, respectively.
The effect of growth substrate and fertilizer on the growth and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection of three hosts
Authors: Vestberg Mauritz
Published: July 2018

The effect of growth substrate in combination with two compound fertilizers or bone meal on the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) infection and growth of micropropagated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) and arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus L.), as well as maize (Zea mays L.) was studied in pot experiments. With all test plants, sand fertilized with bone meal was superior to the richer peat-based substrates in initiating rapid VA mycorrhizal infection and sporulation of the VAM fungi used. A fertilizing regime yielding plants of a sufficient size, which at the same time are mycorrhizal, is suggested.
Supplementation of native grass hay with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) hay, wilted leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) forage, wilted tagasaste (Chamaecytisus palmensis) forage or a wheat middling for young Friesian x Zebu (Boran) crossbred steers
Authors: Varvikko Tuomo , Khalili Hannele , Crosse Seamus
Published: July 2018

A 100-day experiment of a randomized block design was conducted with forty Friesian x Zebu (Boran) crossbred growing steers to compare the value of wheat middling, an agro-industrial by-product (diet W), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) hay (diet C), and wilted forages of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala, diet L) and tagasaste (Chamaecytisus palmensis, diet T) as cattle feed. These feeds were fed daily at a level of 1.5 kg (on an air dry basis) to supplement the basal diet (diet H) of native hay. A mineral supplement containing 50 g bone meal and 10 g common salt was also given daily. The steers were group-fed, but during the last two weeks at the end of the experiment the animals were housed individually in feeding pens to estimate the feed intake and apparent digestibilities of the diets. The animals were weighed at the beginning of the experiment, thereafter every two weeks, and finally at the end of the experiment. The animals consumed all the offered supplements, except for tagasaste forage, of which one third remained unconsumed. The mean daily total dry matter intake during the individual feeding period ranged from 4.0 to 5.0 kg between the diets (P
Effect of concentrate supplementation to grass silage diets on rumen fermentation, diet digestion and microbial protein synthesis in growing heifers
Authors: Aronen Ilmo , Vanhatalo Aila
Published: July 2018

A 4 x 4 latin square experiment was carried out with four growing heifers, each with a rumen cannula and a simple T-cannula inserted in the proximal duodenum. The purpose was to study the effects of the supplementation of concentrate to grass silage on rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis and digestion of organic matter (OM), fibre components and N. The diets were composed of grass silage alone (S); grass silage and barley (SBU, 50:50 % on dry matter (DM) basis); and grass silage, barley and protein concentrate based either on rapeseed meal (SBR), or meat and bone meal (SBM) (50:40:10). To make the diets isonitrogenous, 23 g of urea was given with the SBU diet. The supplementation of concentrates, irrespective of their type, increased the average rumen ammonia-N and total concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and decreased the molar proportion of acetate. Inclusion of concentrates in the diet had a negative effect on the digestibility of cell wall constituents. The production of microbial protein and the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were not affected by the diet. It appears, therefore, that the supply of nitrogenous constituents for rumen microbes through ruminally degraded protein was adequate in silage feeding, and that no extra benefit, at the utilized level of application, was gained by the supplementation of any of the concentrates.
Effects of partial replacement of barley with rapeseed oil or birch wood in comparison to barley and oats on the performance and blood metabolites of lactating cows
Authors: Tesfa Alem Tsehai , Tuori Mikko , Syrjälä-Qvist Liisa , Kaustell Kaisa
Published: July 2018

Barley was partially replaced with either rapeseed oil (RSO), unextracted steamexploded birch wood (W1) or extracted steam-exploded birch wood (W2), and fed to 10 lactating cows (5 multiparous and 5 primiparous cows) in comparison to rolled barley and oats. The experiment was designed in two balanced 5x5 Latin squares. The experimental periods lasted for 4 weeks and the cows were fed with a fixed amount of 8 kg (air dry basis) concentrate in two equal portions. Timothy dominant unwilted grass silage was provided ad libitum. The nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites, milk yield and composition were studied. Grass silage intake decreased by replacing barley with RSO and increased with W 1 and W2. Oat feeding also increased silage intake compared to barley feeding. Oat feeding decreased the digestibility ofthe organic matter (OM) compared to barley. No significant difference was observed between diets in plasma concentrations of insulin, free fatty acids, acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate and glucose. Replacing part of the barley with RSO increased milk yield by 1.3 kg and 0.87 kg compared to oats and barley feeding, respectively. Replacement of barley by low energy birch wood decreased milk yield. Both RSO and oat feeding decreased milk protein content. Milk urea concentration was elevated by oats and depressed by RSO and birch wood. RSO and oat feeding decreased the short chain fatty acid content of milk, with a concomitant increase in stearic and oleic acids.
The effect of chloride and nitrogen on nitrate accumulation and yield in beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. conditiva)
Authors: Salo Tapio , Pietola Liisa , Jokinen Raili
Published: July 2018

A pot and a field experiment were conducted to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen and chloride fertilizer levels on the nitrate content of beetroot. The yield and dry matter content were also determined. Sulphate fertilization was used as a control to chloride fertilization. There was a considerable decrease in the nitrate content of beetroots during the growing season. High nitrogen fertilization caused nitrate accumulation in both experiments. Chloride had a significant decreasing effect on the nitrate accumulation towards the middle of the growing period in the pot experiment. In the field experiment, chloride also decreased nitrate accumulation towards the middle of the growing period, soon after additional application of ammonium nitrate limestone (13.8 % NH4-N; 13.7 % NO3-N). Chloride tends to decrease nitrate accumulation only at an early stage of root development when nitrate is not the only source of nitrogen in the soil. The yield was higher on high nitrogen supply, in the pot experiment also on chloride application. Nitrogen decreased the dry matter content, but chloride had this effect only in the field experiment.
A perspective for setting the research priorities for the productivity of future crop production in Finland
Authors: Peltonen Jari
Published: July 2018

The author proposes that future research work on crop production should concentrate on alleviating the problems associated with overwintering and frost, early summer drought and rainy autumn in order to enhance the competitiveness of field crop production in Finland. Further, more detailed knowledge on the crops is required to understand the genotypic differences in potential yield formation in order to optimize management practices. Increasing the nitrogen (N) fixation efficiency of leguminous species should be considered as an important target. Naked oats, sunflower, and leguminous plants might be advantageous species for future crop production in Finland. The bioenergetic implications of increasing crop productivity are discussed.
Repeatability of subjective grading in fur animals III. Grading of live blue foxes in different environmental conditions
Authors: Kenttämies Hilkka , Smeds Kerstin
Published: July 2018

Association between repeatedly scored body size and fur characteristics were studied in live blue foxes. Gradings in cages and outside cages in lamplight and daylight were also compared. Colour tended to be easier and clarity more difficult to evaluate than the other traits. Differences between judges in accuracy of grading were greater than between various grading environments. The grading was more reliable outside cages than within cages. The most uniform results were obtained when the same judge graded the animals in the same environmental conditions.
The effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on the growth and root colonization of ten strawberry cultivars
Authors: Vestberg Mauritz
Published: July 2018

Ten strawberry cultivars, four early maturing, three late maturing and three “special” cultivars, were inoculated with six strains of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi in a pot experiment. Growth effects and colonization of the VAM fungi were studied. Three strains, Glomus macrocarpum V3, G. mosseae Rothamsted and G. sp. V4, were highly efficient, causing significant growth increases in most cultivars. ’Jonsok’ showed the highest mycorrhizal dependency index, 648, and ’Ostara’ the lowest, 269, for the mean response of all six fungi. The fungal strains which increased shoot growth the most also increased the runner plant formation the most. Early cultivars showed higher colonization percentages than late maturing cultivars. Sporulation of the introduced VAM fungi was on average more abundant in early and special cultivars than in late cultivars. Root colonization and strawberry shoot dry weight correlated significantly in most cultivars, but the correlation between colonization and runner formation was generally poor.
Effects of grinding, pelleting and expanding on nutritive value of barley in pig diets
Authors: Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

Nutrient digestibility and protein utilization responses ofgrowing pigs to different processes of barley were evaluated. The assayed treatments of barley were grinding methods: hammer milling (FIM) and rolling (RM), pelleting (FIP, RP), expanding (HE, RE) and their combination (HEP, REP). The study comprised a 8 x 8 Latin square designed digestibility and nitrogen balance trial with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The average grist size of HM barley was smaller and wider than that of RM. Pelleting and expanding reduced the grist size and made the distribution wider compared to untreated ones. HM compared to RM achieved improved pellet quality, but expanding had no effect on pellet durability. Only small differences were found in the proximate composition or sugar content indicating a gelatinization degree of differently processed barleys. Grinding method had no effect on organic matter (OM) digestibility, whereas RM improved protein (CP) digestibility (P
Accumulation of dietary fish fatty acids in the body fat reserves of some carnivorous fur-bearing animals
Authors: Rouvinen Kirsti , Mäkelä Jaakko , Kiiskinen Tuomo , Nummela Seppo
Published: July 2018

Body fat composition of the mink (Mustela vison), polecat (Mustela putorius), and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) was studied. The animals were fed a wet diet, supplemented with 5 % lard (LA) or fish oil (FO) for 5-6 months. At pelting, five animals per dietary group were sampled. Dietary levels of cetoleic (C22:1ω11), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, C20:5ω3), and docosahexaenoic (DHA, C22:6ω3) acids were 0.4, 0.3, and 0.5% in the fat of the LA diet, and 7.6, 4.2 and 4.3% in the FO diet, respectively. In the FO diet, EPA and DHA accumulated especially in the liver and heart, while cetoleic acid showed the highest affinity to the heart muscle and subcutaneous fat. The highest levels of EPA were found in raccoon dogs and polecats fed the FO diet. The mean EPA levels ranged from 6.7-9.3% in the liver fat and 7.2-8.0% in the heart muscle fat. In the mink, the corresponding values were 2.7% and 3.9%, respectively. DHA levels were the highest in the liver fat of the polecats, being 18.5% in the FO diet. In addition, the liver in raccoon dogs fed the FO diet (13.8%) differed significantly from themink (9.4%). The differences in the accumulation of these long-chained marine fatty acids were apparently caused by species differences in the efficiency of their peroxisomal β-oxidation.
The effect of disinfectants on Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica on different surface materials
Authors: Koponen Hilkka , Manninen Merja , Harju Pirkko , Avikainen Hanna , Tahvonen Risto
Published: July 2018

The effect of seven disinfectants on Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica was tested on metal, plastic and wood surfaces in laboratory trials. lobac P was the most effective disinfectant in the control of E. carotovora on clean and dirty surfaces. Ipasept and Menno-Ter-forte were effective on plastic surfaces, but dirt reduced their efficacy. The least effective preparations were Deskem-1, Virkon S and Korsolin. lobac P, Korsolin and Virkon S were the most effective disinfectants against C. michiganensis. The efficacy of Ipasept and Menno-Ter-forte was reduced by dirt. The least effective preparation was Deskem-1.
Position Dependent Control (PDC) of plant production
Authors: Haapala Hannu E. S.
Published: July 2018

The aims of this work were to get answers to the following three questions: (1) What are the potentialities of coordinate-based field crop production? (2) What are the requirements for the method of attaching field crop information to a coordinate system? (3) What are the possible solutions? The work was focused on the effects of positioning quality. In PDC (Position Dependent Control) positioning is needed to target the inputs and to relate inputs and outputs accurately to each other. Systems analysis was used to accomplish a mathematical model of the position dependent control system. The model developed describes a system which consists of models for the positioning method and the target. An accuracy requirement of ±5 meters for N-fertilization was set with the developed model. The results from Keimola gave information on the variability of soil and wheat yield. Regressions for individual input variables and multiple regressions calculated for whole sample lines (á 50 m) were low (r2
Effect of seed dressing treatment of Streptomyces griseoviridis on barley and spring wheat in field experiments
Authors: Tahvonen Risto , Hannukkala Asko , Avikainen Hanna
Published: July 2018

The effect of seed dressing with the antagonist Streptomyces griseoviridis on root rots and yields of wheat and barley was studied in field experiments. In long-term field experiments, where different levels of soil-borne inoculum of root rots were maintained with different crop sequences, seed treatment with the antagonist increased yields slightly on average over all experimental years. However, variations between years, crops and crop sequences were considerable. The highest yield increases were in excess of 600 kg/ha, whilst treatment occasionally resulted in slight yield losses. In experiments in which seed naturally infested with Fusarium spp. was used, seed treatment with S. griseoviridis increased yields of wheat but not those of barley. Seed dressing with an organomercurial fungicide resulted in higher yield increases than the biopreparate.
Micropropagation of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)
Authors: Yao Yingmou
Published: July 2018

A protocol for micropropagation of sea buckthorn was developed starting with shoot tips or meristems from plants up to 18 years old. Among the different media used, the best medium for both initiation and multiplication was the woody plant medium (WPM). 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) was the most suitable growth regulator with an optimal concentration of 0.10-0.25 mg/l for initiation and 0.4-1.0 mg/l for multiplication. On WPM medium with BAP, the average rate of multiplication in Erlenmeyer flasks was 3.3-4.0 shoots per explant per month and in test tubes 2.0-3.0 shoots. Moreover, most explants produced several to tens of adventitious buds which grew into shoots. Explants rooted spontaneously in the multiplication medium at a frequency of about 33%. With this method, explants of different origins have been successfully propagated in vitro; and rooted young plants which had developed root nodules were produced both in the greenhouse and in the field.
Winterhardiness of some winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), rye (Secale cereale), triticale (x Triticosecale) and winter barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars tested at six locations in Finland
Authors: Hömmö Leena , Pulli Seppo
Published: July 2018

The winterhardiness of 24 winter wheat, 13 rye, 5 triticale and 11 winter barley varieties of different origins was tested at six locations in Finland in 1989-1992. The survival ability of the cultivars, their resistance to snow mould (Microdochium nivale) and the correlations between these traits and the growth habit and growth stage were determined. The trials were grouped on the basis of variety ranking, and the differences between the varieties within each group were studied by the analysis of variance. Statistically highly significant differences between varieties were found in all cases. The wintering conditions during the trials were very variable, and this brought about differences in the ranking of cultivars in different trials. In most cases the genotypic-environmental interactions could be explained by the different genetic systems controlling the tolerance to various winter stresses and changes in their intensity.
Erwinia carotovora contamination of Finnish seed potatoes and the prevalence of bacterial subspecies and serogroups
Authors: Harju Pirkko , Kankila Jyrki
Published: July 2018

Symptomless contamination with the rot-inducing bacterium Erwinia carotovora was detectable by the tuber incubation method in 82% of the commercial seed potato stocks surveyed. E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica (Eca) was more common than E. carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc ) among the tuber contaminants. In a four-year survey of ten meristem-based seed stocks, recontamination with both Eca and Ecc occurred typically during the second field generation, but three stocks remained free of detectable contamination throughout the survey period. The first blackleg symptoms occurred typically during the third field generation. The serogroup distribution of Finnish Eca isolates was different from that reported from other countries. The predominant serogroup, I, constituted only 74% of all Eca isolates, since serogroups XXXV and XLI occurred relatively frequently. Serogroup I was more common among isolates from diseased stems than among those from latently contaminated tubers. The results also suggest that serogroup I is more dominant in the southern than in the northern parts of the country.
Peptides in fermented Finnish milk products
Authors: Kahala Minna , Pahkala Eero , Pihlanto-Leppälä Anne
Published: July 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the rate of proteolysis and peptide profiles of different Finnish fermented milk products. The highest rate of proteolysis was observed in Biokefir, while the greatest change in the rate of proteolysis was observed in Gefilus®. Differences in starters and manufacturing processes reflected on the peptide profiles of the products. Most of the identified peptides originated from either the N- or C-terminal region of β-casein or from the N-terminal region of αs1-casein.
Removal of cholesterol during milk fat fractionation by supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Kankare Veikko , Alkio Martti
Published: July 2018

Milk fat contains compounds such as aroma substances which we may want to enrich, as well as compounds such as cholesterol which we may want to remove. The utilization of SC-CO2 extraction for enriching or removing such compounds has been studied on a pilot plant scale, with the most recent experiments focusing on the removal of cholesterol. It was found that more than 99% of milk fat cholesterol could be removed using an extraction system equipped with a silica gel column. The extraction was performed under a constant pressure of 320 bar and at a constant temperature of 52°C. The results show that the removal of cholesterol and milk fat fractionation based on the molecule size of triglycerides can be achieved simultaneously.
A response analysis of wheat and barley to nitrogen in Finland
Authors: Sumelius John
Published: July 2018

A nonlinear Mitscherlich function was found to be superior to quadratic and square root functions in estimating yield response to nitrogen based on a Finnish sample of barley. Nonnested hypothesis testing (J-test) indicated the Mitscherlich functional form to fit the data better than the quadratic form based on this sample. In the analysis of the crop response for spring wheat the Mitscherlich functional form could not be proved superior by a J-test. The inferred profit maximizing nitrogen fertilization levels based on the Mitscherlich functional form exceeded the quadratic polynomial forms and were lower than the inferred levels using square root specifications. Implementing 100% nitrogen price increases or 50% producer price reductions lowered the profit maximizing nitrogen application doses by 20-24%, according to the Mitscherlich specification.
Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Gamasina) in Finnish apple plantations with reference to integrated control of phytophagous mites
Authors: Tuovinen Tuomo
Published: July 2018

On apple tree leaves, the most abundant predatory phytoseiid species were Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans), comprising 39% of specimens found in surveys in 1985 and 1989, Phyloseius macropilis (Banks), 32%, and Paraseiulus soleiger (Ribaga), 18%. Amblyseius subsotidus (Beglyarov) and A. reductus Wainstein occurred occasionally in relatively high densities, whereas Anlhoseius rhenanus (Oudemans), A. suecicus (Sellnick), A. richteri (Karg), A. bakeri (Carman), A. viktorovi Wainstein, Paraseiulus taihii (Athias-Henriot) and P. triporus (Chant & Yoshida-Shaul) occurred rarely and always in low densities. On unsprayed trees, the mean density of phytoseiid mites was 1.2 mites/leaf. On sprayed trees, none or only a few phytoseiids were found, but the density of the European red spider mite Panonychus ulmi (Koch) was much higher than on unsprayed trees. Indigenous phytoseiid mites appeared to be capable of maintaining the P. ulmi population level under the economic threshold on unsprayed apple trees. The presence of the common prey mites, P. ulmi, the rust mite Aculus schlechtendali (Nalepa), or tydeid mites was not necessary for the presence of phytoseiid mites. Relatively high numbers of E. finlandicus, P. macropilis and P. soleiger were found, although prey mites were scarce. Many deciduous trees and bushes support high populations of phytoseiid mites. The highest numbers were found on Aesculus hippocastani, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Ribes nigrum. Rubus odoralus, Sorhus aucuparia, Tilia spp. and Ulmus glabra. E. finlandicus occurred most commonly and in the highest densities, followed by P. macropilis, P. soleiger, P. triporus and A. rhenanus. E. finlandicus can immigrate rapidly from adjacent vegetation into an orchard after harmful spraying if suitable plants are present, and tall trees appeared to be more important than low bushes as natural sources of phytoseiids for aerial dispersal. In acaricide tests, flubenzimine was effective against P. ulmi, but it was harmful to E. finlandicus and P. macropilis. A single treatment with clofentezine and hexythiazox, although effective against P. ulmi, was harmless to E. finlandicus and P. macropilis, but repeated sprays of both acaricides significantly reduced the density of phytoseiids. The fungicides dithianon and bitertanol were harmless to phytoseiids, but dichlofluanid was harmful. Triforine sprays also reduced the numbers of phytoseiid mites, but the effect was only temporary. It had a 75% effect on P. ulmi winter eggs when sprayed just before hatching. Dichlofluanid was effective against P. ulmi and A. schlechtendali.
The influence of fertilization and environment on some nutritionally important quality criteria in vegetables - a review of research in the Nordic countries
Authors: Evers Aino-Maija
Published: July 2018

To understand the phenomena caused by nutrient applications on the quality of vegetables, some research has been done in Finland and in Scandinavia during the last decades. Purpose of this review is to evaluate this data against the information available on genetic and environmental factors. Genotype and light intensity highly affect the vitamin C content of plants. Optimal nitrogen level has a small effect, but excess of nitrogen decreases vitamin C content. Genotype, developmental stage of the plant, adequate photosynthesis, vigorous growth and relatively high temperature increase the carotene content of carrots. The effects of fertilization on the carotene content of plants have been contradictory and warrants more research. No research results could be found of the effects of fertilization or growing practices on the vitamin B content even though vegetables are an important source of vitamin B in diets. Increasing nitrogen fertilization, genotype, low light intensity, low temperature and drought increase the nitrate content of vegetables, but the levels are low in vegetables grown in the Nordic countries, except in lettuce grown under glass with the aid of lights during the dark season. The effect of fertilization on the sugar content is small, and the effect on dietary fibre warrants further study.
Control by arbuscular endomycorrhizae of Pratylenchus brachyurus in pineapple microplants
Authors: Guillemin Jean-Philippe , Gianinazzi Silvio , Gianinazzi-Pearson Vivienne , Marchal Jean
Published: July 2018

Pratylenchus brachyurus (Godfrey) Filip & Schurr-Steekh. has been reported in association with pineapple roots and is considered as an important pathogen on pineapple. Microplants of Queen Tahiti, Smooth Cayenne and Spanish varieties were inoculated with Glomus sp. (LPA21) and/or P. brachyurus at transplanting from axenic conditions or one month later. The presence of the nematode did not affect shoot growth of endomycorrhizal plants. Late P. brachyurus inoculation did not influence growth of nonmycorrhizal plants while early pathogen application caused reductions in nonmycorrhizal plant growth. Nematode number per g of root was significantly decreased for endomycorrhizal plants when pathogen was introduced at outplanting or one month later. Nematode inoculation affected endomycorrhizal colonization estimated by non vital staining for the Queen Tahiti and Spanish varieties but did not alter development of metabolically active arbuscules in roots of the three varieties. P concentration of endomycorrhizal shoots was higher for all treatments and P. brachyurus tended to decrease mineral concentration of nonmycorrhizal plants with early nematode application.
Effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza on the growth and development of micropropagated Annona cherimola plants
Authors: Azcón-Aguilar Concepcion , Encina C.L. , Azcón R. , Barea Jose Miguel
Published: July 2018

Annona cherimola Mill., cherimoya, is a tropical plantation crop of interest in fruit culture. Micropropagation techniques have been developed due to the need to increase productivity through clonal selection. Because of the mycorrhizal dependence exhibited by this crop for optimal growth and the recognized role of mycorrhiza establishment for the survival and development of most of the plants produced in vitro, the effect of mycorrhiza inoculation on the development of micropropagated plants of Annona cherimola was investigated. Mycorrhizal inoculation was assayed at two different stages of the micropropagation process: (i) immediately after the in vitro phase, before starting the acclimatization period, and (ii) after the acclimatization phase, before starting the post-acclimatization period under greenhouse conditions. Plantlet survival was about 50 % after the acclimatization period. Plant growth and development profited remarkably from mycorrhiza establishment. Most of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) assayed greatly increased shoot and root biomass and leaf area. Micropropagated Annona plants seem to be more dependent on mycorrhiza formation for optimal growth than plants derived from seeds. The greatest effects of AMF on plant growth were observed when they were introduced after the acclimatization period.
The effect of colostral immunoglobulin supplement on the passive immunity, growth and health of neonatal calves
Authors: Nousiainen Juha , Korhonen Hannu , Syväoja Eeva-Liisa , Savolainen Sami , Saloniemi Hannu , Jalonen Harry
Published: July 2018

Neonatal dairy calves were randomly allotted to three colostrum feeding regimens with increasing intakes of immunoglobulins (Ig) on the first day of life. The control group was fed one litre of pooled colostrum (Ig intake 19.5 g). In two experimental groups, the pooled colostrum was supplemented with 0.5 or 1.5 litres of commercial Ig-concentrate, giving a total Ig intake of 52.7 and 119.0 g, respectively. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels increased linearly (p < 0.001) on day 2 post partum with the increasing Ig intake. The calculated mean Ig-absorption rate was 61% and decreased linearly for IgM (p = 0.051) and IgG (p = 0.078) with increasing Ig intake. At the highest Ig intake, serum IgG remained above 10 g/l during 30 days post partum. In the experimental groups, serum IgM and IgA decreased sharply during the first week of life and were relatively constant thereafter. In the control group, however, there was an increase in serum IgM after one week post partum, perhaps due to the in situ production of Ig. With the increasing Ig intake there was a small and non-significant tendency for better live weight gain (p = 0.286) and a lower incidence of diarrhoea (p = 0.421) during the first four weeks of life. It is concluded that the Ig-product tested is well absorbed during 24 hours post partum and it can be used either as a supplement to maternal colostrum when its quality is poor, or as a substitute when colostrum is not available.
Soil properties affecting weed distribution in spring cereal and vegetable fields
Authors: Erviö Raimio , Hyvärinen Seppo , Erviö Leila-Riitta , Salonen Jukka
Published: July 2018

The incidence of weed species in 482 cereal and 224 vegetable field plots in southern and central Finland was investigated. The occurrence of the 16 most common weed species was related to soil properties. Chenopodium album L., Lamium spp. L. and Fallopio convolvulus (L.) Löve were more abundant in clay than in coarse mineral or organic soils. Elymus repens (L.) Gould, Erysimum cheiranthoides L., Lapsana communis L., Myosolis arvensis (L.) Hill and Poa annua L. thrived better in coarse than in clay soils. Polygonum lapalhifolium L. and Rumex spp. L. were more abundant in organic than in mineral soils, and Lamium spp. was not found at all in organic soils. Rumex spp., Poa annua and Polygonum lapalhifolium had higher densities at the lowest pH level, < 5.2. Lamium spp. and Myosolis spp. thrived at the highest pH levels. Poa annua and Spergula arvensis were most common in soils where the extractable calcium concentration was below 1000 mg l-1 soil.
Predicting body weight from body measurements of pre-pubertal Ayrshire heifers
Authors: Mäntysaari Päivi
Published: July 2018

The relationship between heart girth, wither height, body length and body weight in 3- to 9.5-month-old pre-pubertal Finnish Ayrshire heifers gaining 600-650 g/d was analysed (experiment I). Regression analysis showed that heart girth was the trait most highly correlated to body weight (R2 = 0.969). Including body length or wither height as a second term in the regression, increased R2 values only slightly. When the relationship between heart girth and body weight was used to predict the body weight of heifers reared at two feeding levels (experiment II), the precision of prediction was affected by the plane of nutrition. Actual body weight for a given heart girth was slightly higher on the high than on the low feeding level. It is, nevertheless, concluded that the equations presented in the paper can be used to estimate accurately the body weight of pre-pubertal (95-140-cm heart girth) Ayrshire heifers gaining 550-700 g/d.
Comparison between the use of open and walled platforms by juvenile blue foxes (Alopex lagopus)
Authors: Korhonen Hannu , Niemelä Paavo
Published: July 2018

The current European recommendations require that platforms in the cages of farm foxes should have solid sides. The present study aimed to clarify how such a obstructed view affects platform use in farmbred blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Experimental groups with open (16 males, 14 females) and walled (16 males, 14 females) platforms were compared from weaning to pelting. Both platform types were 110 cm long x 30 cm wide. Walled platforms had 23 cm high walls at the ends and rear, but open ones were without walls. Data were collected by daytime scanning observations and 24-h video recordings. Results for both sexes were parallel, showing that foxes significantly (p
Developing scenarios of atmosphere, weather and climate for northern regions
Authors: Carter Timothy R.
Published: July 2018

Future changes in atmospheric composition and consequent global and regional climate change are of increasing concern to policy makers, planners and the public. However, predictions of these changes are uncertain. In the absence of single, firm predictions, the next best approach is to identify sets of plausible future conditions termed scenarios. This paper focuses on the development of climate change scenarios for northern high latitude regions. Three methods of scenario development can be identified; use of analogues having conditions similar to those expected in the study region, application of general circulation model results, and composite methods that combine information from different sources. A composite approach has been used to produce scenarios of temperature, precipitation, carbon dioxide and sea-level change for Finland up to 2100, as part of the Finnish Research Programme on Climate Change (SILMU). Tools for applying these scenarios in impact assessment studies, including stochastic weather generators and spatial downscaling techniques, are also examined. The SILMU scenarios attempt to capture uncertainties both in future emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols into the atmosphere and in the global climate response to these emissions. Two types of scenario were developed: (i) simple “policy-oriented” scenarios and (ii) detailed “scientific” scenarios. These are compared with new model estimates of future climate and recent observed changes in climate over certain high latitude regions.
Uptake of heavy metals by plants from airborne deposition and polluted soils
Authors: Yläranta Toivo
Published: July 2018

The concentrations of sulphur, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium in spring wheat grain and straw, Italian rye grass, timothy and lettuce were studied in a three-year field experiment conducted in southern Finland near a copper-nickel smelter and at nonpolluted control sites. A pot experiment with copper- and nickel-contaminated soils and with a nonpolluted soil as the control was conducted to determine the copper and nickel concentrations in soils phytotoxic for plants. Forty, 200 or 1000 mg of copper or nickel as cloride was added to 2 litres of soil. The nickel and copper concentrations in the shoots of oats were measured. The zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and nickel concentrations varied between different plant species and also between experimental years. Near the smelter, the uptake of nickel by different plant species was very effective, as was copper uptake by lettuce, timothy and Italian rye grass. The same applied to the zinc and cadmium uptake of plants grown on plots. Nickel, cadmium and copper were easily accumulated by plants from air deposition. In the pot experiment, high nickel concentrations in soil were more phytotoxic for oats than were high copper concentrations. In acidic soil, nickel and copper concentrations lower than 20 and 100 mg/kg of soil, respectively, decreased the dry matter yield of oats shoots. Liming clearly decreased copper and nickel phytotoxity. In the most highly contaminated soil, the addition of Cu 20 mg/kg of soil decreased the yield of oats shoots.
Finnish embryo transfer breeding program “ASMO” description of the goals and a summary of the results of initial selection
Authors: Mäntysaari Esa A. , Thuneberg-Selonen Terhi , Hyppänen Kaija , Juga Jarmo
Published: July 2018

In 1990 the organizations responsible for Finnish dairy breeding established an open nucleus multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) breeding program called ASMO. The aim was, besides to test effectiveness of MOET, to improve the protein to fat ratio in milk produced by Finnish Ayrshires but without sacrificing the progress in protein yield. The relative weights of traits were such that equal importance was assigned to protein % and protein yield. Negative weight was assigned to fat % to ensure it remained unaltered. The MOET work continued until 1994 after which the performance of selected animals has been monitored. During the five years the scheme operated, 276 cows were flushed for embryos, and 2751 embryos were recovered, of which 1810 were transferable. More than 1600 embryos were transferred to recipients, and 813 calves were born. Eighty bull calves were sold for the artificial insemination test scheme. In December 1995 the first 125 ET daughters were evaluated with the national animal model program. Their mean estimated breeding values (EBVs) were +0.13 for protein % and -0.18 for fat % compared with the genetic base of progeny tested sires born in 1986-1988, and the protein yield EBVs were 12 kg above the genetic base. Despite the efficiency of selection, the program was discontinued in 1994. Due to the difficulty of maintaining sufficient control over donor animals, there were fewer than expected embryos per flush and also too few flushes per donor.
Effect of glycine and alanine supplementation on development of cattle embryos cultured in CRlaa medium with or without cumulus cells
Authors: Bredbacka Kristiina , Bredbacka Peter
Published: July 2018

The effect of alanine (1 mM) and glycine (10 mM) supplementation on bovine embryo development in vitro was investigated. Presumptive bovine zygotes, produced by in vitro maturation and insemination of oocytes, were cultured for 144 h in CRlaa medium in the absence (Experiments 1 and 2) or presence of cumulus cells (Experiment 3). In Experiment I, the proportion of morulae and blastocysts of cleaved embryos in glycine-supplemented medium was not different from that of the control medium (34% in both media); however, the cell numbers of morulae and blastocysts were significantly higher in the glycine-enriched medium (69.5 vs. 53.3, P = 0.016). In Experiment 2, addition of alanine did not improve the formation of morulae and blastocysts (13% vs. 21% in control medium), and the mean cell numbers in morulae and blastocysts were lower than those in the control group (34.3 vs. 68.7, P = 0.007). In the presence of cumulus cells, the combined supplementation of glycine and alanine increased the proportion of morulae and blastocysts over that in the control medium (31% vs. 14%, P = 0.003).
Effects of feed processing on the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in pig diets containing wheat bran or wheat middlings
Authors: Valaja Jarmo , Siljander-Rasi Hilkka , Mäkinen Markku
Published: July 2018

The effects of feed processing on the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acid and the utilisation of nitrogen (N) in diets containing wheat by-products were studied in five castrated male pigs (live weight 40-109 kg). A T-cannula was surgically fitted into the caecum of the pigs at a live weight of 27 kg using the steered ileo-caecal valve technique. The experiment was conducted with a 6 x 5 cyclic change-over design in which six diets were arranged 2x3 factorially. The corresponding factors were type of wheat by-product in the diets: wheat bran (152 g/kg) or wheat middlings (328 g/kg), and method of feed processing: steam pelleting, expanding or extrusion. The other dietary feed ingredients were barley and soya bean meal. The feed-processing method or dietary wheat by-product had no effect on the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and crude protein. The pigs on diets containing wheat middlings tended to retain more N per intake (p
Composition and cross-sectional area of muscle fibre types in relation to daily gain and lean and fat content of carcass in Landrace and Yorkshire pigs
Authors: Ruusunen Marita , Sevon-Aimonen Marja-Liisa , Puolanne Eero
Published: July 2018

The muscle fibre-type properties of longissimus were compared between Landrace and Yorkshire breeds and between the sexes in an attempt to shed light on the relationship of these histochemical parameters to animal growth and carcass composition. Muscle fibres were classified into three groups, type I, type lIA and type 11B, using the myosin ATPase method. At a given live weight, the cross-sectional area of type I fibres (CSA1) was smaller (p
Genetic parameters for growth traits in pigs estimated using third degree polynomial functions
Authors: Sévon-Aimonen Marja-Liisa , Sternberg Kristina , Ojala Matti
Published: July 2018

A total of 8745 purebred Yorkshire and Landrace pigs extracted from Finnish progeny test station data was analysed. The pigs were weighed weekly during the test. A third degree polynomial function, age = f(weight), was fitted separately for each pig and was used to describe the growth patterns of individual pigs. Their live weight at the inflection point (LWip) was 72 kg, age at the inflection point (AGEip) 126 d, and maximum daily gain (DGmax) 1111 g/d, on average. The average daily gain from 30 to 90 kg (ADG30-90) was 957 g/d and in the smaller weight ranges (30 to 50, 50 to 70 and 70 to 90 kg) the average daily gains were 829, 1042 and 1046 g/d, respectively. Genetic parameters for growth and carcass traits were estimated using REML with an animal model. The heritability estimates (h2) for LWip , AGEip and ADG30-90 were 0.08, 0.33 and 0.23, respectively, and for smaller weight ranges from 0.14 to 0.21. Fast growing and lean animals had higher LWip than others and the rg between LWip and ADG30-90 DGmax and M% was 0.58, 0.73 and 0.57, respectively. The rg between ADG30-90 and M% was close to zero.
Universally primed polymerase chain reaction analysis of Fusarium avenaceum isolated from wheat and barley in Finland
Authors: Yli-Mattila Tapani , Mironenko Nina V. , Alekhina Irina A. , Hannukkala Asko , Bulat Sergey A.
Published: July 2018

Twenty-two Fusarium avenaceum isolates from Finnish wheat and barley were analysed using the chain reaction with universal primers (UP-PCR). Each isolate could be distinguished from others by UP-PCR products on polyacrylamide gels. The isolates tested were clustered into two main groups and further into several subgroups by UP-PCR profiles and phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic relationships of these groups are discussed. No clear correlation was found between the groups and host plant preference or the geographic origin of F. avenaceum isolates. Pathogenicity tests showed differences between F. avenaceum isolates, but two isolates, one from wheat and the other from barley, were the most aggressive in wheat and barley. This fungus, usually known as a weak pathogen of cereals and other crops, has thus probably not evolved in respect to its ability to damage wheat or barley.
Influence of sodium and potassium fertilization on the sodium concentration of timothy
Authors: Peltovuori Tommi , Yli-Halla Markku
Published: July 2018

Sodium (Na) concentration of forage crops grown in Finland, particularly that of timothy, is much lower than is recommended in the feed of cattle. A pot experiment was carried out on clay, loam and organogenic soils to find out the effect of Na application (0, 200 or 400 mg dm-3 of soil, one application) on the concentration of Na, K, Ca and Mg of timothy and the effect of K fertilization (0, 100 and 200 mg dm-3 for each three harvests) on the efficiency of Na application. Added Na elevated the Na concentration in all harvests on all soils. The magnitude of the effect (organogenic soils≥loam>clay) was opposite to the K supplying power of the soil. Potassium fertilization suppressed the effect of Na application substantially and Na concentration was elevated remarkably only when the K concentration of the plants fell to or below the deficiency level (approximately 15 g kg-1). According to a cation exchange experiment, nearly all added Na remained in the soil solution. Still, the apparent utilization of added Na remained below 4% on all soils, demonstrating the natrophobic nature of timothy. Sodium fertilization of timothy seems to be an ineffective way of increasing the Na content of forage at least on soils of a good K status or when applied with ample K fertilization.