bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An examination of the sampling observations on wheat of the crop-weather scheme
Authors: Barnard M. M.
Published: March 2009

The paper gives an account of the results obtained from the data provided by the first three years of the Sampling Observations on Wheat of the Crop-Weather Scheme.

Section I describes the Sampling Observations on Wheat of the Crop Weather Scheme which have been initiated in order that the effect of weather conditions may be studied at all stages of the wheat crop’s growth from germination to maturity.

In Section II several curves are given which illustrate the progress of the wheat crop. The shoot-number curves bear a marked resemblance to one another subsequent to the period when the shoot number is a maximum in spite of the wide divergences which exist between the maximum shoot numbers themselves.

Section III indicates the statistical processes involved in the analyses given in the succeeding sections.

Sections IV-VIII are devoted primarily to discussions of the effects of various meteorological factors on specific stages of the crop’s growth. The following results have emerged:

The length of the interval from sowing to appearance above ground is shown to be largely dependent on the mean soil temperature during this interval, the relation being well expressed by a quadratic regression. The growth rates of the plants at this time are shown to be in good agreement with those which would be obtained by applying Van ‘t Hoff’s law. Neither the rainfall nor the variation in temperature during the period appear to affect its length.

Squarehead’s Master appears above ground consistently later than Yeoman, but the amount of this lag is apparently uninfluenced by variations in soil temperature.
Water requirements of African goats and haired-sheep
Authors: Maloiy G. M. O. , Taylor C. R.
Published: March 2009

A number of species of desert-dwelling ungulates (e.g. Grant's gazelle and oryx) can apparently survive desert conditions without drinking. We were interested in finding out whether goats and sheep herded in the arid Northern Frontier Region of Kenya utilized the same physiological strategies for reducing water requirements as the wild ungulates.

Using simulated desert conditions (12 h per day at22 °C alternating with 12 hper day at 40 °C) we found: (a) both goats and sheep used water amounting to about 8% of their body weight per day when water was available ad libitum; and (b) this was reduced to about half (or 4% body weight per day) when the water intake was restricted.

Evaporation was the major avenue of water loss under all experimental conditions. It was reduced from over 6% of body weight per day to about 3% in the simulated desert by restricting water intake.

Restricting water intake had no effect on the temperature regulation of goats and sheep as had been observed in the wild desert-dwelling ungulates.

It would appear that African goats and haired-sheep lack the physiological mechanisms and are not free to utilize the behavioural mechanisms involved in freeing wild desert-dwelling ungulates from their dependence on drinking water.
The effect of application rate of chemical herbicides on weed control and yield in early potatoes
Authors: Eddowes Maurice
Published: March 2009

In a series of field experiments from 1966 to 1969, on light sandy loam soils in the West Midlands, comparisons were made between two levels of application of herbicides based on urea, triazine and bipyridil compounds for weed control in early potatoes.

Under conditions of adequate nutrient and water supply, the high application rate controlled about 94%, and the low application rate about 88% of the annual weeds. At equivalent application rates, urea compounds and herbicide mixtures containing ureas, gave superior weed control to triazine compounds and herbicide mixtures containing triazines, but the ureas were apparently more phytotoxic to the potatoes.

In 1970, comparisons were made between three levels of application of ametryne and monolinuron, high, medium and low and an unsprayed control treatment.

The highest yields of potatoes were associated with the low application rates of herbicides from 1966 to 1970.

It was concluded that, on these light sandy loam soils, when irrigation is available, relatively low application rates of either monolinuron or ametryne, or mixtures of ureas or of triazines, or mixtures of bipyridils and ureas or triazines could give adequate control of annual weeds in early potatoes at low cost.
Recovery and utilization of applied nitrogen by a diallel set of progenies of Lolium perenne L.
Authors: Thomson A. J. , Rogers H. H.
Published: March 2009

Five selected clones of Lolium perenne were selfed and the ten possible diallel crosses, without reciprocals, made. The progenies were grown in a split-plot design in which whole plots comprised the four nitrogen rates (0, 225, 450 and 675 kg/ha of N) and sub-plots the fifteen progenies, square planted at 0·25 m.

The percentage of the applied nitrogen recovered, and the utilization of the nitrogen by the plant, were measured. Data were collected from four harvests in each of two consecutive years. The diallel was analysed by Griffing's (1956) Method II, Model II.

There were significant effects for nitrogen rates, progenies and their interaction for both ‘recovery’ and ‘utilization’, but years were significantly different for ‘recovery’ only. The effect of applied nitrogen was mainly linear and it was the linear effect of applied nitrogen which interacted most with the progeny effects.

Significant g.c.a. and s.c.a. effects were found but they varied between nitrogen rates and years. For ‘utilization’ the interaction nitrogen rates x g.c.a. was significant on two year means but there was no significance for the nitrogen interaction with s.c.a. The g.c.a. values obtained for both parameters did reveal some trends between the five parents.

The presence of significant additive and non-additive genetic variation is discussed in relation to a plant breeding programme.
Developmental characteristics of grass varieties in relation to their herbage production: 1. An analysis of high-digestibility varieties of Dactylis glomerata at three stages of development
Authors: Davies I.
Published: March 2009

Two cocksfoot varieties, Be 6394 and Be 6392, selected for high in vitro digestibility (IVD) were compared with S. 37 under sward conditions. The pattern of extension growth in reproductive tillers, the associated changes in N and water-soluble carbohydrates content (WSC), and IVD of individual plant organs were studied.

Ten days after the mean date of head emergence, the most digestible plant organs were the leaf blades and the inflorescences; the lower internodes had the lowest IVD. At the mature hay stage the ranking was leaf blades > upper sheaths > inflorescence > lower internodes > upper internodes. At each stage N content was highest in the upper portions of the reproductive tiller, whilst the highest WSC content was found in the basal internodes.

After completion of extension growth in the lower three of the five or six internodes which showed appreciable extension at flowering, there were markedly greater increments in weight per unit length in Be 6394 and Be 6392 than in S. 37. The WSC content of the stem was higher in Be 6394 and Be 6392 than in S. 37. The IVD of the lower internodes declined more rapidly in S. 37 than in Be 6394 and Be 6392.

Results are discussed in relation to formulating a model for improved nutritive quality in conservation crops, and in relation to the height of harvesting such crops.
Effect of harvest frequency on yield, quality and variability of indeterminate cowpea seed
Authors: Nangju D.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were conducted at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, for four seasons to evaluate the effect of harvest interval on yield, quality and viability of indeterminate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) seeds. Decreasing harvest frequency from every week to every 4 weeks reduced seed yield, quality and viability. Rate of yield losses was highest at close spacing and intermediate at wide spacing during the first rainy season, and lowest at wide spacing with supplementary irrigation during second rainy season. Time of harvest study conducted with six cultivars indicated that these yield losses were attributable to reduced seed weight and increased pod losses after mature pods were exposed to weathering for more than 1 week. The reduction in seed quality and viability was associated with a high degree of fungal and bacterial infection in the seed. Varietal differences in resistance to weathering were noted among the cultivars tested. TVu 2616 P-O1D, that has thick, leathery pods and smooth, tan seed coat was the most resistant to weathering.
Lactic dehydrogenase activity in buffalo (Bos-bubalis) bull semen and seminal plasma in relation to various physical characteristics
Authors: Tuli R. K. , Singh Mehar
Published: March 2009

In anaerobic glyoolysis lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) is the terminative enzyme in the sequence of reactions that promote the breakdown of sugars to lactate. The LDH activity of cattle semen and seminal plasma together with its relationship with various characteristics of semen have been reported (Stallcup & Hayden, 1960; Roussel & Stallcup, 1965). Such work in respect of buffalo semen is not available, although there are some reports on LDH activity of spermatozoa and seminal plasma (Singh & Sadhu, 1972; Chauhan & Srivastava, 1973). The present investigation was undertaken to determine the LDH activity of buffalo whole semen as well as of seminal plasma and to find correlations with some physical characteristics of semen.
Inbreeding in synthetic varieties of field beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Wright A. J.
Published: March 2009

A model which takes account of heterosis for total seed yield and autofertility was used to trace the evolution of the expected average inbreeding coefficient (F) of a synthetic variety of field beans under multiplication. In every case, the value of F rapidly approached an equilibrium value which depended largely on the amount of cross-fertilization and very little on the higher seed total set or amount of selfing on less inbred plants. There was no indication of any fluctuation in F from generation to generation when the proportion of cross-fertilization was constant. The possibility of reducing the coefficients of inbreeding of generations likely to be used on the farm (syn-4 and later) by hand pollination instead of open pollination of the parents and by promoting cross-pollination by artificial increases in numbers of bees or adjustment of environmental factors during multiplication were examined. Although the method of parental pollination had little effect, induced increases in bee activity led to significant reductions in F when the ambient frequency of bee pollinations was low. The generation at which this procedure gave the maximum effect was the final generation of seed increase (syn-3), but an alternative would be for farmers to use bees on the first commercial crop. In any case, only seed from crops with adequate bee pollination should be used to sow commercial crops.

As the breeding system was shown to be effectively very similar to one in which all plants are equally self-fertile, it should be possible to take account of the number (n) and coefficients of inbreeding (F0) and interrelationship (r0) of the parents, and to predict the yield of advanced generations using formulae given by Busbice (1969, 1970).
Detection of components of genetic variation and genotype x environment interaction in spring wheat
Authors: Singh S.
Published: March 2009

Ninety triple test cross (TTC) families and 32 varieties of spring wheat (used as parents in TTC programme) were raised in three randomized blocks in 1977–8 and 1978–9 to detect additive, dominance and epistatic components of genetic variation and genotype x environment interaction at both micro- and macro-environmental levels for five quantitative traits: final plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, 100-kernel weight and grain yield per plant. Epistasis was an important element for yield per plant in both years. But, absence of significant epistasis was observed for two component traits of yield, namely, spike length and number of spikelets per spike, in these 2 years. Dominance was directional in all cases. Additive gene effects were most sensitive to micro- as well as to macro-environmental differences.
Effect of sedimentary pyrites and Zn application on yield, Zn and Ca nutrition of rice and wheat crops and on amelioration of saline sodic soil
Authors: Tiwari K. N. , Pathak A. N. , Upadhyay G. P.
Published: March 2009

A field experiment was conducted on a saline sodic soil at Kanpur to study the effects of sedimentary pyrites and Zn on the yield, Zn and Ca utilization by rice and wheat crops and on the amelioration of saline sodic soil. The grain yield of the first crop of rice increased from 1·55 t/ha for the ‘control’ to 3·44 and 4·01 t/ha with the 40 and 80% gypsum requirement pyrites treatments. The grain yield of succeeding wheat and rice crops also increased significantly owing to pyrites residues. The favourable effect of pyrites on crop yield was associated with an appreciable decrease in the pH, electrical conductivity and exchangeable and soluble sodium content of the soil resulting in greater utilization of Zn and Ca by the crops. Zinc applications also greatly increased grain yield and Zn uptake by the crops. The higher levels of pyrites with adequate N, P and K fertilizers but without Zn did not give yields that were obtained by adding 11 kg Zn/ha.

Significant yield responses were observed in the succeeding wheat and rice crops to Zn residues from the higher Zn treatments. The ‘pyrites+Zn’ treatment was most effective in decreasing the Na content and enhancing Ca uptake which increased the Ca/Na ratio in plants. The Zn treatment alone also decreased soil pH, electrical conductivity and exchangeable Na.
Spacing and nitrogen studies in pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium)
Authors: Rao B. R. Rajeswara , Singh S. P.
Published: March 2009

Pyrethrum flowers are widely used in different insecticidal formulations for controlling household insects and crop pests. The quick knock-down effect on insects, the low mammalian toxicity and the rapid decomposition of pyrethrins in the soil make it an ideal and safe insecticide. The flower yield in pyrethrum is influenced by plant population density and phosphate fertilizer application (Nair, 1955; Kroll, 1962, 1963; Parlevliet, Muturi & Brewer, 1968a, b). Parlevliet et al.(1968a, b) recommended a spacing of 60 × 30 cm whereas Nair (1955) suggested a spacing of 75 × 60 cm for obtaining higher flower yields in this crop. The present investigation was made to compare the effects of different spacings and rates of nitrogen application on the flower and pyrethrin yields of pyrethrum.
The metabolic changes which occur in sheep transferred to lush spring pastures II. Changes in the acid-base balance of the whole animal
Authors: Annison E. F. , Lewis D. , Lindsay D. B.
Published: March 2009

1. Acid-base changes were observed in the blood of some sheep after turning them out to lush spring grass.

2. These changes were observed in animals previously fed a diet of hay plus concentrates. No changes were found in animals previously fed hay alone.

3. Reasons are given for believing the acidosis observed was a consequence of feeding on lush pasture, and not a consequence of the exercise and excitement involved in rounding up sheep for sampling.
Studies in beef production I. The effects of level of feeding and of breed on the growth and fattening of spring born cattle
Authors: Brookes A. J. , Hodges John
Published: March 2009

1. The sources of calves for rearing for beef are discussed and the dependence of the beef industry upon the dairy industry demonstrated.

2. An experiment designed to compare the effects of four levels of feeding on the growth rate, conformation, economy of food conversion and type of carcase produced, of three breeds of spring-born steers, Hereford, Dairy Shorthorn and Friesian, is described. The levels of feeding are high or moderate in the calf stage, each followed by high or moderate feeding in subsequent winters.

3. The results on growth and time of fattening are given and discussed.

4. The calves fed on a high level were almost twice the weight of those fed on a moderate level at 8 months old.

5. The well-reared calf had an advantage over the moderately reared calf for the rest of its life.

6. Although calves which had been reared moderately showed a marked improvement in growth rate when subsequently fed on a higher level they did not reach the weight of calves fed well throughout at 2 years old.

7. The level of feeding in the calf stage had little effect upon the time of fattening provided that the level of feeding in the winter periods of subsequent life was on a high level.

8. When subsequent feeding was on a moderate level in the winter months, the calf reared well initially fattened on grass a year earlier than the moderately reared animal.

9. The high-moderate treatment is shown to be the most satisfactory from many points of view. On this treatment a minimum of concentrates is used in the production of beef.

10. The moderate-moderate cattle may be too heavy for present-day requirements when finished off grass at 3½ years old.

11. Cattle which were fed on a high level in winter from 8 to 14 months put on less live weight in the following summer than those fed moderately. A live-weight gain of about 1 lb. a day in winter would appear to be satisfactory if the cattle are to make good use of grass in the following summer.

12. These main feeding treatment effects applied to the three breeds used.

13. The Friesians were heavier than Dairy Shorthorns or Herefords as calves, and the live weight at most ages was in descending order Friesians, Dairy Shorthorns, Herefords.

14. The growth rate of Friesian steers was higher than that of the other two breeds at most stages of life, but the difference between Dairy Shorthorns and Herefords was negligible.

15. The Herefords finished earlier than the Dairy Shorthorns and Friesians when fattened in yards or on grass.

16. There was some indication (Brookes, 1954) that husk and ringworm caused less trouble with cattle which had been well reared than with those moderately reared.
The effect of potassium type and breed on the dry-matter percentage and specific gravity of the red blood cells and plasma of sheep
Authors: Mounib M. S. , Evans J. V.
Published: March 2009

1. The red cells of sheep's blood containing a high concentration of potassium were found to have a higher dry-matter content and specific gravity than the red cells of sheep's blood with a low potassium content.

2. While the diet and age of the animal affected the dry-matter content and specific gravity of the plasma, they did not have a noticeable effect on the results obtained for the red blood cells.

3. Breed influenced the measurements for both the red blood cell and plasma.

4. In the three breeds of sheep examined an inverse relationship existed between the dry matter content of the red blood cells and of the plasma.

5. There is evidence that a correlation exists between the haemoglobin type of animal and the dry-matter content and specific gravity of the red blood cells.
The early weaning of pigs IV. Comparisons of levels of antibiotic and sources of protein in diets for pigs weaned at 9 lb. live weight
Authors: Lucas I. A. M. , Calder A. F. C. , Smith H.
Published: March 2009

In Exp. 1 groups of piglets weaned at about 9 lb. live weight were fed one of three 29% protein diets up to 26 lb. live weight. These diets A, B and C contained 42, 20 and 0% dried skim milk, 15, 25 and 32% white fish meal and 22, 34 and 47% rolled oat groats, respectively. At 26 lb. all pigs were changed over to a standard 17% protein diet.

The replacement of about one-half of the dried skim milk in diet A with white fish meal and rolled oat groats caused 4% faster growth from 9 to 26 lb. live weight, but the replacement of all the dried skim milk caused growth over the same weight range to be slower by 6%. The quadratic component of these treatment effects was significant at P < 0·0·25. The slower growth with the diet containing no dried skim milk was associated with a lower daily consumption of feed, and the improved growth rate with the intermediate skim milk level was probably associated with an improvement in food conversion efficiency. Treatment differences in food conversion efficiency before 26 lb. live weight, however, were not statistically significant. There were no significant carry-over effects of treatments upon performance from 26 to 50 lb. live weight.

In Exp. 2 piglets weaned at about 9 lb. live weight were fed individually up to 40 lb. live weight. From 9 to 26 lb. antibiotic levels of 22, 45, 67 and 90 mg./lb. feed were compared, but from 26 to 40 lb. all pigs were fed a standard diet containing 18 mg. antibiotic/lb. In diets fed before 26 lb. the antibiotic was a mixture of 3 parts by weight chlortetracycline: 1 part by weight procaine penicillin. From 26 to 40 lb. live weight the antibiotic fed was chlortetracycline.

Before 26 lb. live weight increases in antibiotic level caused average increases of up to 5% in growth rate and 4% in food conversion efficiency. Taken in conjunction with previous results the improvement in growth rate in favour of the highest antibiotic level was significant at P < 0·05.

There were no carry-over effects of antibiotic level on growth rate from 26 to 40 lb., but there was the suggestion of a linear trend whereby each increase in antibiotic level fed before 26 lb. caused a decrease in food conversion efficiency between 26 and 401b. (P = 0·10).

The results are discussed in relation to financial economies which may be made in diets for early weaned pigs.
The use of progesterone and serum gonadotrophin (P.M.S.) in the control of fertility in sheep. II. Studies in the extra-seasonal production of lambs
Authors: Gordon I.
Published: March 2009

Section 1

1. A total of 189 ewes, of various breeds and crosses were used in slaughter experiments conducted in anoestrum during 1953–6. The ewes were of mixed ages, and included four lambs, aged 52–71 days.

2. Ewes received P.M.S. in different combinations with progesterone to induce co-incident oestrus and ovulation. Progesterone was employed in three forms, as a solution in oil, as a micro-crystalline suspension and as fused pellet implants. One hundred ewes were injected with the oil solutions, eighty-five with the suspensions and four received the pellet form of the hormone.

3. The percentage of ewes that came in oestrus (oestrous response) was higher in those treated for a 5-day period than in those treated for a 3-day period with progesterone in oil P.M.S. being administered 2 days after the final progesterone injection. The oestrous response in ewes receiving progesterone over a 13-day period was no higher than in those treated over 5 days.

4. 172 ewes' tracts were examined for ovulations. In those sheep (excluding the four young lambs) which came in oestrus, all had ovulated. Ovulation was apparently inhibited in some ewes which received progesterone in suspension form. The ovulation rate following treatment with 700 i.u. whole serum P.M.S. was higher than that where 750 i.u. purified serum was employed.

5. Forty-one of the ewes which came in oestrus were slaughtered 41–120 hr. after estimated onset of oestrus. Seventy-six of the ninety-two ova shed by these animals were recovered. 81·3% of recovered ova were cleaved. Of thirty-four ewes slaughtered 61–120 hr. after oestrus, thirty-two (94·1%) yielded one or more apparently normal fertilized ova. There was no evidence that fertility in the Suffolk rams employed in matings decreased to the point where it might affect conception in out-of-season breeding.
The effect of ground water-level on the yield of some common crops on a fen peat soil
Authors: Nicholson H. H. , Firth D. H.
Published: March 2009

An account is given of a field experiment in the control of ground water-level in a Fen peat soil, together with its results on the yields of crops in a six-course rotation.

The seasonal variations in rainfall are presented in terms of potential evaporation and soil moisture deficit. The effect of the water-level on the moistness of the soil above it is indicated. Even in a wet summer, drying was perceptible within 18–20 in. of the ground water-level between successive falls of rain.

The fluctuations of the ground water-levels are discussed. Those of the high water-levels were chiefly due to individual incidences of rain causing rises short in duration, but sufficient in the case of water-levels within 20 in. of the surface to cause total waterlogging and surface ponding. Those of the deep water-levels were most influenced by evaporation, with steady and persistent falls during any rain-free period.

The deterioration of the physical condition of the soil over high water-levels is shown in the result of sieving tests. In 6 years the loss of tilth over waterlevels within 20 in. of the surface was very marked and was discernible over those as low as 30 in.

The possibilities of effectively using high ground water-levels occasionally in soils in good condition are shown by the results with celery and potatoes.
Influence of feeding pattern on the biological efficiency of high-yielding dairy cows
Authors: Johnson C. L.
Published: March 2009

An experiment has been made to study the effect of the pattern of distribution of a fixed amount of production compound on milk yield, milk composition and live-weight change in the first 20 weeks of lactation and any carry-over effects on performance in the remaining part. Adult British Friesian cows of predicted high yield potential were randomly allocated to a graded (G) or flat-rate (F) system of feeding.

There was no significant effect of treatment on milk yield, milk composition or yield of milk constituents in the experimental period or in the whole lactation.

Live-weight changes were not significantly different between treatments at any stage of lactation. Calculated energy balances showed losses until the 4th week of lactation. Thereafter positive balances occurred but it was not until the 9th week for treatment G and the 15th week for treatment F that the original zero balance was restored. The total balance was in good agreement with live-weight gain for treatment F but not for treatment G.

Calculated efficiencies of utilization of metabolizable energy for milk production (Klo) were variable throughout lactation and lower than the currently accepted standards.
Studies on some growth attributes of Osmanabadi goat kids
Authors: Siddiqui M. F. , Bonde H. S. , Rotte S. G. , Deshpande K. S.
Published: March 2009

Birth weight in goats is of prime importance as it provides a base for further physical and physiological development. Growth and subsequent production and reproduction traits are closely related to birth weight.

Very little work has been reported on Osmanabadi goats. The present investigation considers birth weights and growth rates of Osmanabadi goat kids.
Wool yield and characteristics of Dorset, Leicester and Sunffolk breeds and their ‘DLS’ cross
Authors: Fahmy M. H. , Vasely J. A.
Published: March 2009

Greasy fleece weight (12 months growth) and wool samples from hip and shoulder regions were taken on 15 Dorset, 20 Leicester, 20 Suffolk and 17 DLS ewes (a cross of ½ Dorset, ¼ Leicester, ¼ Suffolk obtained by mating DL rams to DS ewes and DS rams to DL ewes). The purpose of the study was to compare wool production and characteristics of the first generation of DLS with that of the three breeds of origin. Wool production of DLS was 3·58 kg, 8·8 and 14% higher than that of Suffolk and Dorset, but 11% lower than that of Leicester (P< 0·01). The percentage of clean wool was highest in Leicester (78·3%), followed by DLS, Dorset and Suffolk (76·1, 74·3 and 70·5%, respectively). The average fibre diameter of the DLS and Leicester was 38 /m, 4 /m thicker than that for Suffolk and Dorset (P < 0·01). Average fibre length was 15 cm in DLS and Dorset, 6 cm shorter than in Leicester, and 3 cm longer than in Suffolk (P < 0·01). The variability in fibre diameter and length was highest in Leicester, followed closely by DLS.
Growth, development and yield of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in the lowland tropics: 5. Effect of planting configuration
Authors: Tayo T. O.
Published: March 2009

In two field trials in 1982, the seeds of pigeon pea (cv. Cita-1) were planted at three configurationsof0·6 x 0·2m;0·4 x 0·3 m and 0·35 x 0·35m(on 14 April and 24 June)giving the same projected population density of 83 000 plants/ha for each configuration, in order to evaluate the best planting configuration for maximum productivity of the crop.

In the first trial, the 0·35 x 0·35 m configuration developed the highest magnitude of vegetative characters whilst the 0·4 x 0·3 m configuration had the highest number of seed-bearing pods, although seed yield was similar in all the treatments. In the second trial, the 0·4 x 0·3 m configuration developed the highest magnitude of growth and yield characters and thereby out-yielded the other two configurations.

The results show that in the early planting of pigeon pea, population density per se is most important in determining seed yield whereas planting configuration also becomes important in late planting where plant size is reduced as a consequence of the prevailing local conditions.
The study of kemp succession in the adult fleece of two coarse-wool breeds of sheep in relation to the birthcoat
Authors: Guirgis R. A. , Kazzal N. T. , Zaghloul A. M.
Published: March 2009

A study of the birthcoat and its relation to kemp succession in the adult fleece of coarse-wool Awassi and Hamdani sheep was carried out, as an aid to early selection. Lambs were covered, at the age of 2 months up to 15 months, by fixing patches of canvas on six body positions.

Both Awassi and Hamdani birthcoats had high halo hair grades. The animals played the dominant role in affecting different traits of the birthcoat which indicated the importance of genetic factors in further development of the birthcoat. The birthcoat of both types of lambs showed only coarse (plateau) and less coarse (saddle) fibre type arrays.

Hamdani had more kemp as Gt and G2 (first and second generations respectively) than Awassi sheep. The shed Gx following the different fibre type arrays, showed some overlapping between plateau and saddle. The same arrays of the birthcoat behaved differently on the different positions, where generally the anterior positions had less kemp than those posteriorly. Percentages of shed fibres were 100, 17·14, 2·38 and 0·35 of halo hairs, super sickles, sickles and chalky curly tips respectively in Awassi. Corresponding figures were 100, 29·26, 5·87 and 7·73 in Hamdani. In Awassi, halo hairs, of the birthcoat, showed a relatively high correlation (P < 0·01) with G1 kemp on the hip and britch. Within saddle array, in Awassi, the correlation between halo hairs and Gx kemp showed the highest values (P < 0·01), whereas in Hamdani the correlation between super sickles in the birthcoat and G2 kemp showed medium values (P < 0·05).

Selection of high halo hair grade lambs, in the birthcoat, that have saddle arrays, with high percentage of sickle fibres in Awassi and with low percentage of super sickles in Hamdani, would result in low percentages of kemp in the adult fleece. High halo hair grades would be necessary for early survival of lambs.
Studies on the starch values of swedes, fodder beet and grass silage and on the complementary value of grass silage and roots when fed together to ruminants
Authors: Dodsworth T. L.
Published: March 2009

1. Two digestibility trials were carried out to determine the s.e. and t.d.n. of swedes, fodder beet and grass silage when fed alone and when each kind of root was fed with silage at separate feeds. In addition, fodder beet and silage were fed together at the same feed.

2. The results were examined to determine if the feeding of roots and silage together in the diet, but at separate feeds, had led to any complementary effect.

3. No complementary effect was found when swedes and silage were fed at separate feeds.

4. A negative complementary effect was found when fodder beet and silage were fed at separate feeds.

5. The s.e. and t.d.n. values of the fodder beet plus silage at each feed were significantly higher than when the two foods were given at separate feed times.

6. The s.e. and t.d.n. of the swede dry matter were higher than the standard figures published. An explanation is given.

7. The nutritive value of the fodder-beet dry matter was not higher than that of swede dry matter.

8. The results of the digestibility trials are compared with some calculated results from a cattle feeding trial.
The relative value of water-soluble and ammonium-citrate-soluble phosphorus for wheat production
Authors: Palmer B. , Jessop R. S.
Published: March 2009

Wheat production in Australia relies heavily on superphosphate to maintain maximum grain yields. The current rock-phosphate supplies for superphosphate manufacture are derived from Nauru and Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean; these supplies are anticipated to last only for the next 10–20 years. The supplies of ‘A’ grade ore (apatite) which can be used directly for superphosphate production are greatly overshadowed by large amounts of lower grade rock phosphate which is high in total phosphate but low in apatite. This material is termed ‘C’ grade rock and, to date, it has found little use in Australian agriculture.
The digestibility of wheat straw treated with sulphur dioxide
Authors: Ben-Ghedalia D. , Miron J.
Published: March 2009

Two digestion trials were performed with sheep in order to assess the effect of the sulphur dioxide treatment on the digestibility of wheat straw in vivo. In the first trial, untreated and SO2-treated straw served as the major components of the diets. Sulphur dioxide partly solubilized the cell wall (CW) material of the straw, decreasing its content from 78·5 to 55·9%. The digestibility of the residual CW was increased from 49·2 to 77·8%, whereas the digestibility values of the cell-soluble fraction (CS) were unaffected by the treatment: 55·8 and 57·8% for the untreated and treated straw, respectively. Apparent digestibility of the organic matter (OM) was increased by the treatment from 46 to 65%.

In the second trial SO2-treated wheat straw was fed together with concentrates at a D.M. ratio of 30/70, and the digestibility of the OM and CW was determined.

CW and OM digestibilities of the treated straw were not affected by 70% concentrate in the diet and the respective values were 77·0 and 65·5%, very similar to those found in the first trial. The reason for the in vitro–in vivo discrepancy is discussed.
Intercropping studies in geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L. Her. ex Ait)
Authors: Rao E. V. S. Prakasa , Singh Munnu , Rao R. S. Ganesha , Rao B. R. Rajeswara
Published: March 2009

Geranium (Geraniaceae) is an important aromatic plant grown for its light yellow to light brown or green coloured volatile essential oil obtained bysteam distillation of the green overground biomass. Geranium oil is extensively used in many perfumery formulations. The crop is generally raised from rooted cuttings whose initial slow growth leaves a large portion of land uncovered. Under identical situations in many other crops, it has been observed that growing grain or fodder legumes as intercrops resulted in monetary or yield advantages (Willey, 1979a,b; Mead & Willey, 1980; Rajeswara Rao & Singh, 1982, 1983; Rajeswara Rao & Sadaphal, 1983). The objective of the present investigation was to study the feasibility of growing a short-duration leguminous intercrop during the initial lag phase of geranium in such a way as not to affect the yield of geranium.
Effect of growth regulators and nitrogen on the growth, number and size of seed tubers and yield of potatoes
Authors: Sekhon H. S. , Singh M.
Published: March 2009

Field investigations conducted at Ludhiana (India) showed that the foliar application of 2-chloroethyltrimethyl-ammonium chloride (CCC) (50% a.i.) at 300,600 and 900 ml/ha about 5 weeks after planting did not depress plant height. The dose of 600 ml CCC/ha was most effective and increased seed yield by 1·31 and 0·74 t/ha over the control (water spray) in 1978–9 and 1979–80, respectively. The corresponding increases in total yield were 1·37 and 0·86 t/ha. However, in 1980–1 when CCC was applied 3 weeks after planting even the lower dose of 300 ml/ha depressed the plant height. Then the treatment of CCC increased significantly the number of tubers of seed size and seed yield by decreasing the ‘ware’ yield but did not influence the total yield. The yields of potatoes were not affected signifioantly by the application of N-dimethyl amino succinamic acid (B 9) and succinic acid (SA).

In an experiment where the interaction of nitrogen and CCC was studied both factors not only increased the seed yield but also increased the total yield. However, there was no interaction between nitrogen and CCC.
Effect of calibration practice on correction of errors induced in near-infrared protein testing of hard red spring wheat by growing location and season
Authors: Williams P. C. , Cordeiro Helena M.
Published: March 2009

Statistics are presented to illustrate the influence of growing season and location on the accuracy of NIR testing of hard red spring wheat for protein. The influence of season was greater than that of growing location, and highly significant errors are likely to occur if protein is predicted in samples from one growing season using a calibration based on samples from another season. The same was true to a lesser extent if samples from one growing location were analysed using calibrations based on samples drawn from different areas. There was evidence that some growing areas were less susceptible than others to the seasonal influence, whereas certain seasons (e.g. 1976) exerted more influence than others. Errors in predicting protein were considerably greater than errors in predicting moisture. The development and use of universal constants incorporating samples from a wide range of location and several seasons effectively counteracted the influences of both season and location, and universal constants have been developed for use in the NIR instruments of leading manufacturers, for hard red spring and durum wheats, and barley. The concept and principle of 2·point calibration using normalized mathematical treatment of the log 1/R signal is discussed and its efficiency in providing a stable calibration for the prediction of protein in hard red spring wheat has been demonstrated.
Some effects of type and rate of application of N fertilizer, and stage of growth at which it was applied, to winter wheat on a Gault Clay soil
Authors: Wedgwood R. B.
Published: March 2009

Soils derived from Gault Clay in the eastern region of England are notorious for giving very variable yields of wheat. Whereas in recent years yields on other soil types have increased remarkably, largely owing to the use of high-yielding varieties and increased use of nitrogen (e.g. Holbrook, Osborne & Ridgman, 1982), yields from Gault Clay soils have remained at much the same level as the best crops of 30 years ago.
Upward flux of water and deep-placed P in relation to soil texture, water table depth and evaporation rate
Authors: Sharma P. K. , Sinha A. K. , Chaudhaby T. N.
Published: March 2009

Upward flux of water and deep-placed (8–10 cm) P was studied in columns of sandyloam and silty clay loam, with water tables of 60 and 90 cm, each subjected to potential evaporation rates of 2–2 and 7–5 mm/day, for 15 days. An amount of 300 mg P/kg soil, labelled with 20 /tCi 32P/g P, was applied as diammonium hydrogen orthophosphate.

Evaporation losses increased with increase in potential evaporation (PE) and decrease in depth to water table in both soils, but the ratio of actual to potential evaporation (AE/PE) decreased with increasing PE, indicating that the evaporative losses in both the soils were mainly controlled by their hydraulic conductive properties. Under no circumstances did AE equal PE. Evaporation, in general, was higher from sandy loam than from silty clay loam.

Corresponding to water flux, total upward P flux increased with increasing PE and decreasing depth to water. In the sandy loam, with 2–2 mm PE/day, 21 % of the deepplaced P moved to the soil surface with the 60 cm water table, against 5 % with the 90 cm water table. Under 7–5 mm PE/day, 39% P migrated to the surface with the 60 cm water table, but no 3aP was detected at the surface with the 90 cm water table. In the silty clay loam, however, P movement was much restricted.
Reproductive disturbances caused by feeding protein-deficient and calcium-deficient rations to breeding pigs
Authors: Davidson H. R.
Published: March 2009

(1) Previous work suggests that there are two types or degrees of foetal atrophy. In one case, so far only reported in rats, the atrophy extends to all members of a litter and produces complete sterility. This has been shown to be connected with a pathological condition of the uterine tissues brought about by the absence of vitamin E.

Even when vitamin E is in optimum supply, however, there remains a certain amount of foetal degeneration ranging from 7 to 14 per cent, which must arise from causes other than vitamin E starvation.

In the second case a partial degree of foetal atrophy has been widely observed by different workers to occur in many different classes of mammals. Average figures for this type quoted for the pig vary from about 2 to about 20 per cent, and the residual degeneration just referred to in the rat appears to be of this nature. The present investigation was carried out to determine the effect on this second type of a deficiency in the diet of protein and of calcium. Evidence is submitted to support the conclusions which follow.

(2) Partial foetal atrophy in sows is not due to a deficiency of protein in the ration.

(3) Calcium deficiency is not the major factor in producing this type of foetal atrophy though it may be a contributory cause.
The influence of nitrogen, phosphate and potash on the secretion of nectar. part II
Authors: Ryle Margaret
Published: March 2009

1. The1951 clover experiment. No significant effects on the mean yield of nectar were obtained, but the higher dose of phosphate significantly increased the frequency of zero samples during August, the main flowering and sampling period; so also did the higher dose of potash in the presence of high nitrate. In general those treatments which depressed nectar secretion resulted in a larger proportion of flowers opening before mid-August. Accelerated flower production appeared to result from more rapid growth during August.

2. The 1952 clover experiment. The treatment effects on quantity of sugar per floret were compared with those on final stem weight. Treatment effects on sugar/floret on particular sampling occasions were compared with the effects on relative ‘growth rate’ during the preceding period. Additional phosphate always resulted in greater and more rapid growth, but it only reduced the nectar yield in the presence of the highest level of potash. In the presence of low doses of potash nectar secretion was consistently poor. Additional potash did not increase the nectar yield if it resulted in greater or more rapid growth; if it did not affect size or growth rate it increased the nectar yield. Clonal differences in nectar production were greater than treatment ones.

3. The responses of the four species used in this series of experiments are compared. The results of other workers on the effects of fertilizer treatments on nectar production are discussed in relation to those reported here. If the balance between different fertilizers and their effects on growth are considered, as well as nectar yields, contradictions between the results of various workers can be explained. It is suggested that when potash tends to limit growth nectar secretion is likely to be consistently poor, but that when growth tends to be limited by nitrogen or phosphate a relative surplus of potash will promote good secretion.

Reference is made to work on the relation of the sugar supply in plants to nectar secretion and on the relation of fertilizers to the sugar supply. Tentative recommendations are made which require confirmation in field tests.
A method of estimating the cold hardiness of cereals by measuring electrical conductance after freezing
Authors: Jenkins G. , Roffey A. P.
Published: March 2009

A technique is described in which cereal seedlings after germination and hardening under controlled conditions in a growth chamber were subjected to freezing in tubes immersed in a solution of ethylene glycol. Susceptibility to freezing was estimated by measuring electrical conductance on the linear 0–100 scale of a standard ‘Avometer’ using platinum probes inserted near the base of the lamina of the first leaf. The use of the technique is illustrated by two experiments with winter barley cultivars chosento represent a wide range of winter hardiness. Although significant cultivar differences in mean conductance existed prior to freezing, adequate differentiation was obtained by measurements after freezing only. The differentiation of these cultivars on mean conductance values after freezing was well correlated with their established winter hardiness.

It is concluded that the technique is sufficiently sensitive for the preliminary screening of early generation material but that, because of significant cultivar × hardening-duration interactions, advanced breeding lines should be tested over a range of hardening and freezing regimes.
Grading monogerm sugar-beet seed and its influence on performance
Authors: Longden P. C. , Scott R. K. , Wood D. W.
Published: March 2009

From monogerm sugar-beet seed as harvested non-viable fruits have to be eliminated, multigerm ones rejected and the size made sufficiently uniform for use in precision drills. Seed which had been gently rubbed to remove some of the cortex was graded for diameter, thickness and by aspiration, either singly or in combination. Effects of grading were determined by laboratory germination tests, radiography and field sowings in which seedling emergence and crop growth and yield were recorded.

Grading by thickness was effective in removing multigerm fruits. Grading by aspiration and diameter rejected non-viable seed and reduced the variation in size. By combining all three grading methods, samples of seed of 80% germination and 90% monogermity were produced, provided the seed lot as threshed gave at least 50% germination. True seed weight increased with fruit diameter but only the first aspiration was effective in removing light true seeds. Radiography showed that both aspiration and, to a less extent, grading by diameter were effective in removing most empty fruits but neither eliminated those with shrivelled seed. The field experiments confirmed that increase in fruit diameter or aspiration gave more seedlings. Even at uniform, high plant density, sugar yields were less from the smallest (less than 3 mm diameter) than from the other grades of seed. The initial aspiration also improved sugar yield but further aspiration decreased yield.
A note on fleece cotting (felting) in sheep
Authors: Ryder M. L. , Gabra-Sanders Thea
Published: March 2009

A Scanning Electron Microscope was used to measure wool fibre diameter, the number of cuticular scale edges, crimp wavelength, the number of shed fibres, and the number of fibre loops in normal and cotted fleeces. The main difference observed was the greater number of loops in the cotted wools. There was no evidence of an increased number of shed fibres in the cotted fleeces.