bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An analysis of Taiwan's energy ecological efficiency and the effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol
Authors: Liu Yen‐Lan , Chang Kang‐tsung
Published: March 2009

This paper examines and discusses core issues relating to ecological pressure and climate policy performance in Taiwan, given Taiwan's status as a non‐signer of the Kyoto Protocol. Taiwan's CO2 emissions account for 0.9 percent of the world's total, making it the 23rd largest producer of global CO2 emissions. To better understand Taiwan's performance in energy efficiency, this study calculates Taiwan's energy ecological footprint (EEF) and its ecological debt and eco‐energy efficiency (EEE) from 1990 to 2005. These measures are then used in cross‐national comparisons of EEF and EEE between Taiwan and Annex 1 and non‐Annex‐1 countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. In addition, a regional comparison of the same indices is made between Taiwan, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The results suggest that Taiwan would experience a decline in its EEF and an increase in its eco‐energy efficiency if it were to sign the Kyoto Protocol and to implement policies for better management of energy resources. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Diagnosis and management of the overactive bladder syndrome in women
Authors: Rantell Angie , Cardozo Linda
Published: March 2009

Overactive bladder syndrome is a distressing condition that many women are reluctant to discuss. The authors provide an overview of the current best practice for diagnosing the syndrome, and discuss conservative, pharmacological and surgical options available to patients to help manage their symptoms. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Studies of Soil Moisture in the “Great Plains” Region
Authors: Alway F. J.
Published: March 2009

1. All determinations of soil moisture should be made to a depth of from four to five feet for wheat and oats, and to a depth of six or seven feet for grasses.

2. Unless all the soil under consideration is very uniform, determinations of the hygroscopic coefficient are indispensable. The determination of this value is extremely important even where the soil is uniform.

3. The storage capacity for available water of the two soil types studied, may be placed at from five to seven inches of rainfall for wheat and oat crops.

4. A better idea of the moisture conditions of the soil at Indian Head may be obtained from a casual examination in the field than from the drying and weighing of the samples, unless the hygroscopic coefficient is considered.

5. The moisture stored in the subsoil during the previous summer, and not the frost of the preceding winter, is the cause of the high yields of wheat and oats obtained in southern Saskatchewan.

6. The soil of southern Saskatchewan does not remain permanently frozen at any depth.

7. Investigations of the moisture conditions to a depth of only 12 to 16 inches are of no value and may often be entirely misleading.
Further investigations into the changes which occur during the ensilage of a green crop
Authors: Woodman Herbert Ernest , Amos Arthur
Published: March 2009

In recent communications accounts have been given of investigations which were designed to throw light on the nature and extent of the changes which occur when a green crop is converted into silage and to furnish information regarding the factors which influence the course of the fermentation and determine in a large measure the quality of the silage.
A physical theory of soil moisture relations
Authors: Wilsdon B. H.
Published: March 2009

The following is a réumé of a physical theory of soil moisture relations developed by the author in 1920 (1). On account of serious typographical and other errors in the original the essential argument is reproduced here together with some observations arising from subsequent work by other authorities.
Studies on the metabolism of the ruminant by indirect calorimetry. III. The influence of work on the energy exchange of the goat
Authors: Magee H. E.
Published: March 2009

Two objectives were in view in undertaking this research.; to ascertain the cost in energy of muscular work in the goat and to investigate the adaptability of the Douglas-Haldane method of indirect calorimetry to work experiments on this animal. It is to the results of human experiments chiefly, that the present position of the physiology of muscular exercise is due which owes comparatively little to experiments on other animals. Zuntz and his school (1) have, however, compared the effect of a fixed amount of work on men, horses and dogs, and Lusk (2) has carried out some investigations into the influence of work on the dog. The principal obstacle hitherto in the way of employing animals other than man for work investigations has been the want of a sufficiently adaptable technique. Zuntz's experiments on the horse were conducted by means of a tracheal cannula, a device that, though fairly adaptable for work experiments, is not always desirable. Lusk's experiments were carried out in his respiration calorimeter where the applicability was very limited. Boothby and Sandiford(3) and Kunde(4) have carried out metabolic investigations on dogs by means of the Benedict apparatus, but here again the device is only of limited value for work experiments, which none of these workers have apparently yet undertaken. It was believed therefore that, if the proposed experiments were a success, in addition to possessing a certain physiological value, they would open up a wide field of research of great practical significance.
The chemistry of the strength of wheat flour
Authors: Halton Philip
Published: March 2009

Wheat owes its enormous importance to certain physical properties which are absent in the flours of other cereals, chief among which is the capacity of making a coherent dough on the addition of water.

Different wheats make loaves of different size and texture, a strong wheat being denned by Humphries and Biffen(1) as one which yields flour capable of making large well-piled loaves. From this definition it is seen that the conditions required of a strong flour are two, the first being that there must be a sufficiency of sugar or other materials available for fermentation and consequent production of gas in the dough, the second, that there must be some substance present in the flour which is capable of retaining a sufficiency of the gas so generated. The constituent of wheat flour in virtue of which its dough possesses this quantity of gas retaining power is the gluten. Many workers have attempted to explain strength in terms of the relative amounts of gliadin and glutenin in the gluten, or on the percentage of gliadin in the flour.
Studies in the metabolism of the ruminant by indirect calorimetry. IV. The influence of food on the energy exchange of the goat
Authors: Magee H. E.
Published: March 2009

The effects of food ingestion on the total energy exchange of man and of the dog have been fairly completely worked out. Lavoisier was the first to show that the oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide production were increased by ingestion of food. Rubner, in addition to confirming these observations of Lavoisier, showed that the heat given off from the body after food was equal to the heat evolved from the foodstuffs actually oxidised within the body and thus established the agreement between direct and indirect calorimetry. He showed, further, that the increase in heat production was greatest after protein food. This specific effect of protein food he designated the “specific dynamic action.” The work of Rubner has been continued by, amongst others, Magnus-Levy, Benedict, and Lusk. The latter showed that the specific dynamic action of proteins is due to the special stimulating effect of certain amino-acids on the tissues and that the increased heat production after fat and carbohydrate ingestion is due to plethora of oxidisable molecules round the living body cells. Recently Wood and his school (1) have carried out investigations on the metabolism after food in pigs.
Studies in the absorption and excretion of certain Minerals by poultry: IV. An analysis of available data, with a discussion of some theoretical aspects
Authors: Tyler Cyril
Published: March 2009

The available data on calcium, phosphorus and carbonate balance experiments with laying and non-laying birds have been collected and condensed. From this condensed data the following relationships have been derived:

(1) Calcium excretion is a function of calcium intake.

(2) Phosphorus excretion is a function of phosphorus intake.

(3) Carbonate excretion is a function of carbonate intake.

(4) Carbonate/calcium ratio of the excreta is a function of carbonate/calcium ratio of the intake.

(5) Calcium/phosphorus ratio of the excreta is a function of calcium/phosphorus ratio of the intake.
A study of food intake and production in grazing ewes Part I. The measurement of food intake
Authors: Owen J. B. , Ingleton Jean W.
Published: March 2009

The problems involved in estimating the food intake of the grazing animal are considered and an account is given of studies made on eighteen Clun ewes and six Hampshire × Clun wethers. Results are given from sixty-eight observations on the relationship between food intake and a fraction dissolved in the faeces when a milled sample is left to stand in 0·2N-HCl for 18 hr. Using, in addition, data from grazing ewes subjected to total faeces collection during winter and spring 1959–60 it is concluded that 4 consecutive days of collection give a reasonable estimate of faecal output, and that where similar groups of sheep are grazing on the same pasture at the same time it is unnecessary to convert faeces output data to intake figures in order to compare intake-production relationships between individuals within a group. Where, however, comparisons are to be made between individuals or groups of sheep grazing different pastures at different times then it becomes necessary to allow for differences in food-faeces ratios; for this purpose the dissolved fraction discussed here is likely to prove a useful faecal indicator eliminating many disadvantages of earlier methods and some of the seasonal bias inherent in other indicators at present in use.
Studies in Sampling Technique: Cereal Experiments. I. Field Technique.
Authors: Clapham A. R.
Published: March 2009

Preliminary experiments carried out in the summer of 1928 had indicated that sampling methods might be used to obtain a satisfactorily precise estimate of the yield of small cereal plots(1). It was thought desirable to test the method more thoroughly, and to compare the estimates with figures obtained by large-scale methods. Accordingly samples were taken from all the plots of the three Rothamsted cereal experiments of 1928, the plots later being harvested with a binder in the ordinary manner. Samples were also taken from the 16 plots of a small experiment on barley at Wellingore, Lines., but no direct measurement of total yield was made for these plots. There were 210 plots in all, but of these 50 were sampled in four sections, corresponding with minor differences in manurial treatment; so that the total number of plots dealt with amounted to 360. The large-scale method, however, treated each of the 50 as a single plot, and thus provided only 210 yield figures.
Digestibility trials with poultry: IV. The digestibility of certain varieties of oats: V. The digestibility and feeding value of bulrush millet
Authors: Halnan E. T.
Published: March 2009

1. Digestibility trials with oats, carried out with White Leghorn cockerels, indicate that certain varieties of oats are more suitable as sources of food nutrients for poultry than others.

2. In the trials carried out, Grey Winter oats proved more suitable than Black Bountiful or Scotch Potato oats for poultry feeding.

3. The suitability of varieties of oats for poultry feeding appears to be linked with the fibre content, and thin husked varieties appear to be most suitable for this purpose.

4. Oats do not appear to be very palatable to poultry.
The nutrition of the bacon pig. VIII. The value of lawn-grass cuttings in the feeding of bacon pigs
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Evans E. E.
Published: March 2009

The results of digestion trials carried out some years ago in this Institute have led to the belief that at least 6–7 lb. of young, leafy grass is needed to replace 1 lb. of ordinary pig meal in the rations of bacon pigs. More recent farm-scale feeding trials at the Harper Adams Agricultural College have given rise to the conclusion that no more than 1¼ lb. of young grass is required for this purpose when the pigs are receiving, in addition to the grass, a basal allowance of 2½ lb. of balanced meal per head per day.
The dispersion and mechanical analysis of heavy alkaline soils
Authors: Joseph A. F. , Snows O. W.
Published: March 2009

1. The form of the dispersion curve obtained by single dispersion treatment below μ/x varies greatly with different soils and with the same soil saturated with different bases. There is no connection between the proportion of very fine material (e.g. below 0·5μ) and other important soil properties. The proportion of the very fine material determined in this way would not, therefore, afford any indication of the “colloid” properties of the soil. If the proportion of fine material were estimated by a decantation method the results might be substantially modified.

2. Under the same conditions of dispersion sodium soil is better dispersed than ammonium. Sodium carbonate should therefore be the best medium for mechanical analysis.

3. No case has been met with where the proportion of clay found is affected to an important degree by the use of hydrogen peroxide.

4. With no soil tried was the number of decantations reduced by the use of acid pre-treatment; those examined gave the same clay content i f sufficient puddlings with sodium carbonate were used with or without acid.

5. No method has been found whereby certain soils can be dispersed i n a single operation as is required in the pipette method. In some cases this is due to gypsum, but there are others in which the cause of the difficulty of dispersion is not yet known.

6. In the cases examined sodium carbonate gives a higher result than ammonia when using the International pipette method.

7. For Sudan soils decantation methods appear essential, hydrogen peroxide unnecessary, acid pre-treatment not essential, and sodium carbonate better than ammonia. We are of opinion that the same holds good for many other soils.
A study on the vitamin A activity of carotene in green fodder
Authors: Ray Sarkar B. C. , Sen K. C.
Published: March 2009

1. With the object of determining the vitamin A value of carotene in different green fodders, an investigation has been undertaken to study (i) the relation between the chemically determined carotene and its biological activity as compared with that of standard carotene, (ii) the purity of apparent carotene from different sources, (iii) absorption of carotene in rats, and (iv) the relative efficiency of the standard carotene and preformed vitamin A.

2. Biological tests have shown that the chemical method of assay is a fair index of the true carotene content in green fodders, and carotene in the form of an extract is quite as effective in the system as that present in the plant tissues. β-Carotene appears to be predominant in these materials.
Effects of seven factors on the growth and yield of winter barley grown as a third consecutive take-all susceptible crop and of growing the barley after oats or a fallow
Authors: Jenkyn J. F. , Carter N. , Darby R. J. , Gutteridge R. J. , Mullen L. A. , Plumb R. T. , Ross G. J. S. , Todd A. D. , Widdowson F. V. , Wood D. W.
Published: March 2009

In experiments at Rothamsted in 1984–86, seven factors, each at two levels, were tested in factorial combination on winter barley (cv. Panda) grown as a third take-all susceptible crop. The factors were seed rate, a growth regulator prior to stem extension, amounts of N in spring, ‘winter’ nitrogen, an autumn insecticide, a fungicide applied to the seed (‘Baytan’) and a programme of fungicide sprays in spring and summer. Sowing 50% more seeds than normal increased the number of ears/unit area but had no effect on mean grain yield because grains were smaller. There were, however, significant, but unexplained, interactions between seed rate and the fungicide ‘Baytan’ applied to the seed. A growth regulator applied prior to stem extension had little effect on crop growth and no significant effect on grain yield. If sufficient N was applied in April there was little benefit from applying ‘winter’ N (30 kg/ha in November and again in February/March) except in 1985 when the amount of NO3-N in the soil, measured in the previous October, was lowest. Insecticide sprays applied in autumn to control the aphid vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) had no significant effect on grain yield but infectivity indices were below the threshold needed for treatment in each year. On average, ‘Baytan’ applied to the seed increased grain yield by 0·28 t/ha and this was associated with decreases in the severity of take-all. Over the three years, programmes of fungicide sprays, applied during spring and summer, increased grain yield by 0·92 t/ha but the mean response was largest where most N was applied.

The experiments also allowed the importance of interactions between different agronomic factors to be examined. A combined analysis of grain yields for all three years (based on 192 plot values) showed that only six 2- or 3-factor interactions, out of the 73 estimated, were significant (P < 0·05). Two of these interactions reflected variable responses to ‘winter’ N and fungicide sprays in the three years and three of the remaining four involved ‘Baytan’.

Additional plots of barley grown after oats had little take-all and yielded 1·14 t/ha more grain than similarly treated plots grown after barley. These responses were obtained despite evidence that oat residues had adverse effects on the growth of barley seedlings. Additional plots of barley grown after a bare fallow also had little take-all and gave even larger total yields (grain plus straw) than did barley after oats but the mean yield of grain was less than after oats because more of the dry matter after a fallow was straw. In 1984, when take-all was relatively slight, plots after a fallow gave even less grain than plots after barley (−0·77 t/ha) despite producing 2·12 t/ha more dry matter in grain plus straw.
Biochemistry of waterlogged soils. Part III: Decomposition of carbohydrates with special reference to formation of organic acids
Authors: Subrahmanyan V.
Published: March 2009

(1) In absence of decomposing organic matter addition of nitrate led to no loss of nitrogen.

(2) On addition of small quantities of fermentable matter such as glucose there was (a) rapid depletion of nitrates and oxygen, but no denitrification, and (b) increase in acidity, carbon dioxide and bacteria. The greater part of the soluble nitrogen was assimilated by microorganisms or otherwise converted and the greater part of the added carbohydrate was transformed into lactic, acetic and butyric acids.

(3) The organic acids were formed from a variety of carbohydrates. Lactic acid was the first to be observed and appeared to be formed mainly by direct splitting of the sugar. It decomposed readily, forming acetic and butyric acids. Some acetic acid was formed by direct oxidation of lactic acid, with pyruvic acid as the intermediate product. All the acids were, on standing, converted into other forms by micro-organisms.
Genetics of resistance to cotton-leaf curl in Sakel cotton (Gossypium barbadense)
Authors: Siddig Mohamed A.
Published: March 2009

Diallel crosses, without reciprocals, were made between two strains resistant to leaf curl and two susceptible strains as part of a breeding programme for leaf curl resistance. F1, F2, F3 and backcross progenies were studied. Results revealed that leaf curl resistance, previously described as polygenic, is controlled by a major dominant gene designated as Vr1. The presence of minor modifier genes was also indicated.
The Organic matter in heavy alkaline soils
Authors: Joseph A. F. , Whitfeild B. W.
Published: March 2009

1. Sudan soils are very low in organic matter, the total organic carbon being usually less than 1 per cent. In the Gezira, the humus carbon is about 40 per cent, of that of the total.

2. Humus preparations purified as far as possible could not be obtained ash-free. Specimens of humus from widely different sources contain nearly the same proportion of carbon.

3. Humus solutions (in very dilute alkali) keep fairly well in the dark. They also keep in bright sunlight if air is excluded. The use of standard solutions for colorimetric purposes is justified if not kept too long.

4. Field studies show that the humus content of good soil is greater than that of poor, and that there is a marked inverse connection between salt and humus content.

5. The above conclusion does not apply to the depth distribution of these constituents. In the Gezira, the maximum humus content is found at the fourth foot and the maximum salt content is found at about the same depth.

6. The total nitrogen content of the soils studied is low, usually about 0·03 per cent. About one-fifth of this is humus nitrogen, and the carbon-nitrogen ratio is about twelve to one.
Studies in mineral metabolism. VIII. Comparison of phosphorus partition in the blood of calf foetus, sheep foetus, and lambs, with corresponding maternal blood
Authors: Malan A. I.
Published: March 2009

In regard to phosphorus partition, the same general relationship holds between the blood of lambs and of the mother ewes, as between the blood of calves and the mother cows. Total phosphorus is about twice as high in lamb blood as in maternal blood, inorganic phosphorus about twice as high, and organic acid-soluble phosphorus about three times as high. A considerable proportion of an acid-insoluble phosphorus fraction, probably nuclein, may be present in the red corpuscles of lamb blood and may even be present in foetal blood. The organic acid-soluble fraction is confined to the corpuscles, both in young blood and adult blood, but i n one case of a six-month calf foetus a small proportion was noted in plasma.
Nitrogen fixation by soil microorganisms
Authors: Krishna P. G.
Published: March 2009

From the results presented it may be permissible to point out the following:

Fungi are responsible for the fixation of very small quantities of nitrogen, while theAzotobacterandB. amylobactergroups are the important nitrogen fixers in the soil.

B. amylobacteris able to fix from 4 to 5 mg. of nitrogen per gm. of dextrose consumed.

B. amylobacterhas an optimum range ofpH. between 6·0 and 7·0, and Azotobacter between 7·0 and 8·4.

Azotobacterutilises the organic acids produced during the fermentation of dextrose as sources of energy for nitrogen fixation in the absence of dextrose.B. amylobaclerdoes not, or does only to a limited extent, utilise such products.

Large quantities of dextrose do not favour an efficient nitrogen fixation, as large quantities of the organic acids produced effect the reaction of the media rendering the organisms inactive.

The nitrogen fixing organisms seem to be equally well represented in the heavy and light soils.
Results of crossing the Rhode Island Red and White Leghorn Breeds of poultry
Authors: Dudley F. J.
Published: March 2009

An account has been given of an experiment in cross-breeding carried out at the Northern Breeding Station of the National Poultry Institute at Rease-heath, Cheshire.

The breeds used for crossing were the Rhode Island Red and the White Leghorn. Much care was taken to ensure that the birds were of good quality and were from outbred stocks.

Fertility was at a high level of about 90 ―. It was significantly lower for White Leghorn × Rhode Island Red matings (88·3 ―) than for the pure White Leghorn matings (93·7 ―).

Cross-mating had little effect on hatchability of fertile eggs. The fertile eggs from Rhode Island Red dams hatched better than those from White Leghorn dams. A suggestion is made that this may be associated with a difference of porosity in the eggs of the two breeds.
The sugar content of bull semen and its reduction during storage
Authors: Anderson James
Published: March 2009

The mean sugar content of bull semen was 470±11·7 mg. %. There was no relationship between the sugar content and the volume of the ejaculate, the number of sperm per c.mm., the initial motility and the maintenance of high motility during storage.

The mean percentage reduction in sugar after 24 hr. for undiluted semen stored at 10° C. was 23·85 ·1±76%. There was a significant positive correlation between the sugar reduction and initial motility, and a highly significant positive correlation between sugar reduction and the concentration of sperm. The negative correlation between reduction in sugar and the period for which good motility was retained on storage was not significant.
Investigations on Nigerian root and tuber crops: response of cassava cultivars to potassium fertilizer in Western Nigeria
Authors: Obigbesan G. O.
Published: March 2009

The response of three cassava cultivars to potassium fertilizer was studied in field experiments during 1972–3, 1973–4 and 1975–6. They included the local cultivar 53101 and the improved cultivars 60506 and 60447 which were F1 hybrids involving the local strain (53101) and cultivar 42074. In locations known to be low in potassium, the cassava cultivars showed only low response to K fertilizer with optimum performance at about 60 kg K2O/ha, but the local cultivar 53101 had apparently not reached its maximum tuber production even at 120 kg K2O/ha. This cultivar gave higher tuber yield increases (10–18 kg dried tuber) per unit weight of potash than the 60506 cultivar (6–10 kg dried tuber/kg K2O) while cultivar 60447 produced about 18 kg/kg K2O. Unfertilized 60506 produced average yields equivalent to those obtained from the heavily fertilized 53101 cultivar. Cultivar 60506 gave the highest dry-matter content. The improved cultivars retained more leaves than the local strain. K fertilizer enhanced the utilization index (storage root/top ratio) of the cassava cultivars.
Alkali treatment as a method of processing whole grain for cattle
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Greenhalgh J. F. D.
Published: March 2009

Whole barley grains were soaked in dilute sodium hydroxide solutions or sprayed with concentrated solutions, then incubated in bags in the rumen of sheep. Rate of digestion was increased by the alkali, and spraying with 35 g NaOH/kg was concluded to be the optimum treatment. Whole barley treated in this way was as well consumed and digested by cattle as rolled barley, and better digested than untreated whole grain, but promoted a rumen pH one unit higher. Oats, wheat and maize were also treated successfully, as judged by digestion in bags. Urea added with NaOH remained stable; treated grain could be stored at 19% moisture without deterioration.
Stratification, covariance and weight gain in experiments with repeated observations
Authors: Roberts E. A.
Published: March 2009

The use of weight gain in long-term experiments can produce serious bias in treatment comparisons unless the initial weights of treatment groups are equal or nearly so. When observations are repeated on the same experimental unit, covariance analysis of the data for each occasion produces treatment comparisons adjusted by the regression on the covariate at that time; polynomial trends in these adjusted comparisons with time can be easily calculated even though the regression on the covariate varies with time.
Breed and environmental effects on lamb production in Nigeria
Authors: Buvanendran V. , Adu I. F. , Oyejola B. A.
Published: March 2009

Two indigenous breeds of sheep in Nigeria, the Yankasa and Uda and crosses of these with exotic breeds, were evaluated for lamb weights at birth, 3 months and 6 months of age and for adult ewe weight. The cross-bred lambs were significantly (P < 0·05) heavier than the indigenous breeds at all ages. Differences among the indigenous breeds were not significant. Mature ewe weight was 40·8 kg in the cross-bred and 36·0 and 31·1 kg in the Uda and Yankasa respectively, differences between all breeds being significant (P <0·05). Lamb productivity (lamb weight per kg of ewe metabolic body weight) estimates demonstrated that the differences between breeds were small.

Least-squares estimates of effects of environmental factors on lamb performance showed that type of birth and age of dam were important for lamb weights at the three ages. Season and sex also had significant effects on birth and 6-month weights respectively. Correction factors for lamb weights were derived from least-squares estimates.

The correlation coefficient between birth and 3-month weight was significant in all breeds and ranged from 0·39 to 0·55. Three-month and 6-month weights were highly correlated with estimates of correlation coefficients ranging from 0·71 to 0·74. Repeatability estimates of birth, 3·month, 6·month and ewe weights, all as traits of the ewe in the Yankasa, were 0·25, 0·21, 0·09 and 0·48, respectively.
The effect of row width on the yield of three potato varieties
Authors: Allen E. J.
Published: March 2009

Two experiments axe described which investigated the effect of two row widths, 68·6 cm and 137·2 cm, on the total and graded yields of three potato varieties, Majestic, Up-to-Date and King Edward, grown at a wide range of seed rates.

Numbers and yield of small (< 3·81 cm) tubers were reduced by wide rows but effects were less on larger tubers and yields of large tubers (> 5·08 cm) were even increased by wide rows at high seed rates. Row width had least effect on King Edward, which produced the most tubers.

The results suggest that much wider rows than have hitherto been used for potatoes may be justified and lead to only small reductions in ware yields.
The reaction of three spring barley varieties exposed to epidemics of Rhynchosporium secalis of varying intensity and duration
Authors: Rowling R. H. D. , Jones D. G.
Published: March 2009

Three spring barley varieties, Proctor, Vada and Mosanne, were inoculated with Rhynchosporium secalis(Oudem.) J. J. Davies at Growth Stages 3, 7, 10·1 and 10·5 (Large, 1954). The treatments included single inoculation at each growth stage and multiple inoculations at two, three and four of the above growth stages. There was no effect of inoculation oil the number of fertile tillers. Thousand-grain weight was reduced in all seven inoculation treatments in Mosanne but only the quadruple inoculation adversely affected the other two varieties. Numbers of grains of both Mosanne and Vada were reduced by treatments which included an inoculation at ear emergence but Proctor was affected only by the quadruple inoculation. In terms of disease assessment Mosanne was very susceptible and Proctor moderately resistant but Vada, with symptom scores only slightly better than Mosanne, exhibited a degree of tolerance which was reflected by the grain weight results in which small increases were recorded. This tolerance mechanism, possibly acting through compensation in this variety, is compared with compensation reported in wheat.
N use by winter wheat established in cultivated and direct-drilled soils
Authors: Leitch M. H. , Vaidyanathan L. V.
Published: March 2009

Summarys

Labelled fertilizer N (15N depleted ammonium sulphate) was used to investigate both soil and fertilizer N use by winter wheat established in contrasting seed beds, these being soil cultivated to 20 cm depth or left undisturbed. The crop's response to, and recovery of, a range of N levels from 0 to 280 kg/ha given as a divided application in spring, were measured over two seasons. It was found that during the first season the direct-drilled wheat took up, on average, more fertilizer N but less soil N than wheat in cultivated soil, probably through differences in organic-matter mineralization. The different cultivation systems produced similar grain yields at all rates of applied N; however, when no fertilizer N was given, dry-matter production and soil-N uptake by the crop in the undisturbed soil were substantially less than by the crop in the cultivated soil. Crop recovery of the fertilizer N at harvest was between 29 and 40% of that given. After harvest, an average of one third of the applied fertilizer N was found in the top 60 cm of the soil profile. In the following season on the same plots a second winter wheat crop, receiving no fertilizer N, was drilled. At harvest there was shown to be an increase in grain yield and soil- and fertilizer-N uptake at the higher srates of N given in the previous season. In spite of this the recovery of the labelled residues was small, no more than 6% of the original application, or 15% of the residues remaining in the soil, irrespective of cultivation system.
Irrigation of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) in the Sudan
Authors: Farah S. M.
Published: March 2009

In one experiment during 1972 and 1973 five irrigation regimes of every 4, 6, 8 and 10 days and according to stomatal opening, as estimated by the infiltration method, were compared, using an early-maturing variety Zankawa and a late-maturing variety G51. In both experiments early crop growth was checked by the shortest and the longest irrigation intervals.

Late growth, on the other hand, was promoted by the shortest intervals in both seasons. Thus the highest yield in 1972 was obtained from the 4–day regime, followed by the infiltration method, then progressively greater yields with shorter intervals. In 1973, however, the shortest interval resulted in the lowest yield, which was significantly less than the other treatments, which showed a similar trend to those of 1972.

In a second experiment during 1974 and 1975 a medium-maturing variety 22/9/1 and a late–maturing variety 44/E were added to those of the previous experiment. Watering every 4 and 6 days were eliminated and watering every 12 days added, during the early growth period. Each of these regimes was given irrigation every 6, 8, 10 and 12 days during the late growth period. The early-maturing varieties yielded best when irrigated every 12 days in the early stages, and every 10 days in the late stages, whereas the late-maturing varieties yielded best when irrigated every 10–2 and 8 days in the early and late stages of growth, respectively.
The effects of winter nutrition on the subsequent live-weight performance and intake of herbage by beef cattle
Authors: Wanyoike Margaret M. , Holmes W.
Published: March 2009

Thirty-six Friesian and Friesian cross-bred cattle about 11 months old were fed to grow at the rates of 0·50 (low) and 1·08 (high) kg/day in a 12-week winter feeding period and then turned out on high quality pasture. For 12 weeks after turning out the ‘low’ and ‘high’ animals gained weight at 1·17 and 0·90 kg/day respectively. There was a negative correlation (– 0·57, P < 0·01) between winter and grazing live-weight gain.

On two occasions herbage intake was estimated. Average intake of ‘low’ animals was 12% higher than of ‘high’ animals although herbage digestibility, estimated from faecal N, was similar for the two treatments. Differences in live-weight gain on pasture between treatments were largely accounted for by differences in intake.

The low rate of winter growth did not have any significant effects on age at slaughter, carcass weights or grades attained by the restricted animals.
Influence of rest interval, grazing duration and mowing on the growth, mineral content and utilization of a lucerne pasture in a subtropical environment
Authors: Leach G. J.
Published: March 2009

The influence of rest interval and grazing duration on herbage production of dryland lucerne (Medicago sativa L., cv. Hunter River) pastures was studied in a 6-year experiment on a black earth in subtropical southern Queensland. Rest intervals (R) of from 32 to 60 days were combined with grazing durations (G) of 4, 8 or 16 days, or with mowing (M), in the following treatments: (1) R32-4, (2) R32-G16, (3) R44-G4, (4) R44-G16, (5) R56-4, (6) R40-G8, (7) R36-M, (8) R48-M and (9) R60-M. Grazing was with sheep at a rate equivalent to 20/ha on a year-round basis. Amounts of dry matter of lucerne and of volunteer species on offer were measured prior to grazing or mowing, and some measurements of the residue remaining after grazing were made. Chemical composition of representative lucerne samples was also determined.

Mean total amount of lucerne on offer declined from 10·8 to 7·2 t/ha/year between the first 2 years and the last 2 years, whereas total amount of volunteer species, principally grasses, increased from 3·0 to 18·2 t/ha/year over the same period. This difference was partly due to lower utilization of volunteer species. The decrease in amount of lucerne was due to loss of plants, and treatment effects arose through differences in the degree to which amounts from individual surviving plants increased to compensate for stand thinning. Concentrations of mineral elements in lucerne were always above critical levels for plant and animal growth.

Treatment R40-G8 maintained the largest amounts of lucerne on offer to the end of the experiment, with treatments R32-G4 and R32-G16 then having least. Large amounts of grass were associated with 4-day grazing, and to a lesser extent with short rest periods. The results confirm the need for a minimum rest period between grazings in a subtropical environment and also show the need for grazing to control excessive grass growth as well as lucerne if lucerne productivity is to be ensured. Some requirements which would lead to more successful management of lucerne in the subtropics are discussed.
A critical limit for the response of rice and wheat to applied zinc in Tarai soils
Authors: Sakal R. , Sinha H. , Singh A. P. , Thakur K. N.
Published: March 2009

The DTPA-extractable Zn in 28 Tarai soils was found to be significantly correlated with Bray's ‘percent yield’ values for rice and wheat. The critical limit of ‘available’ Zn, below which responses of both crops to applied Zn may be expected, was 0–53 mg Zn/kg soil. On the basis of this critical limit, it may be inferred that in the 16 Zn deficient soils, rice and wheat yields would respond markedly to zinc application. The magnitude of crop response in these soils was greater in rice (39–244%; mean value 117%) than in wheat (33–101%; mean value 60%).
The response of two soya-bean varieties to the loss of apical dominance at the vegetative stage of growth
Authors: Tayo T. O.
Published: March 2009

In three pot experiments and one field trial, the apical portion of the main stem of two soya-bean varieties (cv. Hampton and cv. Bossier) were removed at 3 weeks or 5 weeks after sowing in order to evaluate the response of the plants to the loss of apical dominance.

The results showed that early loss of apical dominance in Hampton (an indeterminate variety) led to increased vegetative development but shorter plants, higher dry-matter accumulation and increased seed yield through the production of more and/or heavier pods. On the other hand, apical debudding of Bossier (a determinate variety) during the vegetative stage evoked no significant beneficial response and in the case of field debudding at 3 weeks after sowing, plant height was decreased and seed yield was significantly reduced.

The response of soya bean to the loss of apical dominance therefore seems to be a function of the stage of vegetative development when the loss occurs as well as the growth habit of the variety.
Postnatal changes in some skin and wool characteristics associated with vitamin A blood concentration
Authors: Guirgis R. A. , Ashmawy G. , El-Ezz S. S. Abu
Published: March 2009

The present work was carried out on 24 coarse-wool Barki and ⅝ Merino–⅜ Barki ram lambs to study the effect of vitamin A supplementation on some skin and wool characteristics. Lambs, at the age of 6 months, were allotted to three groups receiving no vitamin A supplement, 50000 i.u. and 100000 i.u. of vitamin A/head monthly. Blood samples were taken monthly for the assessment of vitamin A in the plasma. It was found that vitamin A in the plasma ranged from 42·4 to 17·50 and from 41·67 to 50·03/ μg/100 ml in the control and treated groups respectively, from the start of the experiment till the end at the age of 17 months.

Vitamin A supplementation caused increments in external diameters, of primary and secondary follicles in Barki and primaries in ⅝ Merino, higher than those encountered in internal diameters. An increase in staple length and clean fleece weight of ⅝ Merino and a slight increase in Barki fibre diameter was observed in vitamin-A-supplemented animals.
Effect of inoculant endomycorrhizal fungi on white clover growth in soil cores
Authors: Hall I. R.
Published: March 2009

The growth of Huia white clover was followed in undisturbed and unsterilized soil cores containing a normal endomycorrhizal fungal population which had been inoculated with one of eight additional endomycorrhizal fungal isolates. Most of the endophytes significantly stimulated growth over filtrate controls at some stage in the experiment. Glomus mosseae, G. tenue and Gigaspora margarita produced large growth increments over a range of applied phosphorus levels. The inocula also contained a filtrable agent that was capable of reducing the growth of white clover.
The technique of weighing bullocks on summer grass
Authors: Hughes G. Pearson , Harker K. W.
Published: March 2009

The investigations carried out refer to the relative degree of accuracy obtained when weighing grazing bullocks at different times during the day. An endeavour was made to find a time when animals could be weighed with the minimum of disturbance in their grazing habits and when the weights recorded had the minimum day-to-day variation.

It is suggested that weights recorded early in the day when the animals are generally of a constant habit have day-to -day variations comparable to those obtained after overnight fasting.

Alternatively, it is suggested that cattle at grass should be weighed after fasting overnight. In this case the fast should follow ‘the-end-of-evening’ grazing and water should be provided in the fasting yard.
Effects of age and state of incisor dentition on body composition and lamb production of sheep grazing hill pastures
Authors: Sykes A. R. , Field A. C. , Gunn R. G.
Published: March 2009

Fifty-nine Scottish Blackface female sheep were used to measure the effects of age and state of permanent incisor dentition on the loss of body reserves during pregnancy and lactation and on the ability to replenish them during the dry period, while grazing hill pastures. There were 27 6½-year-old sheep (11 with sound mouths and 16 with broken mouths), 16 5½-year-old sheep (with all permanent incisors clipped to gum level) and 16 2½-year-old sheep. Samples of sheep from each group were slaughtered at the beginning of pregnancy and in mid-lactation, and samples of those with broken mouths and of 5½-year-old and 2½-year-old sheep at the end of the subsequent dry period. Carcasses were dissected into soft tissue and skeleton fractions and the changes in chemical composition of the former are presented. The sheep were weighed at approximately monthly intervals; lamb birth weights and growth rates to 6 weeks of age were recorded.

There was no evidence that broken mouth or the clipping of the teeth impaired the ability of sheep to maintain body weight in early pregnancy, but there was evidence that sheep with broken mouths lost most weight in late pregnancy. There was also evidence that sheep with broken mouths may have poor milk yields as judged by the growth rates of their lambs but more data are needed to establish this conclusion.

The young sheep were most able and the sheep with the broken mouths least able to resist catabolism of their soft tissue protein during pregnancy and lactation. The losses amounted to 18, 20, 21 and 30% in the 2½-year-old, 5½-year-old and 6½-year-old sheep with sound mouths and with broken mouths, respectively. The young sheep replaced their protein reserves more rapidly than the sheep with broken mouths. It is suggested that the ability to restore body protein may be related to maturity.

There was evidence for a redistribution of protein in the body of undernourished sheep in mid-lactation. The soft tissues were overhydrated at this time but much of the fluid which accumulates during pregnancy had apparently cleared.
Studies with lucerne (Medicago sativa)—row distances and “smother” crops
Authors: Garner F. H. , Sanders H. G.
Published: March 2009

As a result of one detailed experiment and four demonstrations carried out on the University Farm at Cambridge the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. Lucerne drilled at a constant seed rate per acre, in narrow rows (3½ and 7 in.), gave a greater yield per acre than when drilled in rows 10½ and 14 in. in width. Over a four-year period the yield of dry matter per acre from narrow rows was half a ton more than from wide rows. No evidence was obtained that weed infestation is reduced by narrow drilling.

2. The broadcasting of 5 lb. of trefoil per acre at the time the lucerne was drilled had no effect on the total yield or on weed infestation.

3. Wild white clover broadcast at the rate of 2 lb. per acre at the time of drilling the lucerne slightly reduced the yield of lucerne in the first harvest year, but subsequently it served to secure some control of weeds, and thereby favoured the persistence of the lucerne. Differences in yield associated with sowing wild white clover were, however, slight.

4. Commercial cocksfoot broadcast at the rate of 10 lb. per acre at the time of drilling the lucerne led to very considerable increases in total yield (nearly 3 tons per acre of dry matter over a four-year period). The increments were obtained principally during the spring growth, and some loss of lucerne plants was suffered, so that in a very dry summer the total aftermath yield was slightly reduced. Since cocksfoot almost completely controlled weeds and its mixture with lucerne was very suitable for hay or for silage, it is regarded as a plant that may be included in a lucerne ley with advantage.
Studies on the metabolism of fowls: III. The determination of the comparative nett energy of Sussex ground oats and white maize meal for fattening cockerels
Authors: Deighton T. , Hutchinson J. C. D.
Published: March 2009

1. The comparative nett energy for fattening of Sussex ground oats and white maize meal have been determined on Light Sussex cockerels by difference experiments with a direct calorimeter.

2. The mean values for nett energy per gram dry matter, nett energy/ metabolizable energy, metabolizable energy per gross feed energy and digestible energy per gross feed energy were as follows:

3. There was no significant difference in the utilization of metabolizable energy from the two cereals. The higher nett energy of the white maize meal was due to its higher digestibility.

We again welcome the opportunity of expressing our indebtedness to Mr G. A. Childs for his assistance in carrying out the experiments.
A repeated cross between inbred lines of poultry
Authors: Greenwood Alan W. , Blyth J. S. S.
Published: March 2009

In view of the present interest in the development of commercial poultry flocks by crossing inbred lines, at least two questions of importance arise. One is, how well does a successful cross between two inbred lines repeat itself with successive generations of the particular parental lines involved? The other, bound up with the manifest degenerative change that seems to be the fate of most inbred lines, is related to the possibility of determining minimal and/or optimal degrees of inbreeding necessary to produce commercially satisfactory offspring.

As a preliminary to a major investigation of these problems it would perhaps be useful to record briefly observations on small groups of pullets derived from such a cross, which has been repeated at intervals over 11 years within the Centre's flock of Brown Leghorn fowls, and to compare them with the parental lines.