bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The production and utilization of winter grass
Authors: Hughes G. Pearson
Published: March 2009

The investigations that have been in progress at the Grassland Research Station, Stratford-on-Avon, on the management of grassland for the production of winter pasturage are discussed as four experiments, E 62, E117, E 86 and E158.

Exp. E 62 was concerned solely with herbage production, while the remaining three have taken into account the performance of the beef animal under such pasture treatment.

The maintenance of condition in the animal has proved possible over a number of winter seasons from 1948 to 1953, sufficiently so to warrant investigation of the means of providing as abundant pasturage as possible at this time of year from latesummer and autumn rested swards. The importance of integrating a system of winter utilization with summer production has become evident in the course of the work, and the necessity of upkeeping sward condition, more especially the grass-legume balance, has been realized. The use of alternate drills of grass and lucerne shows considerable promise in this respect. Intensive utilization and production has taken place from such seedings at all seasons without serious sward deterioration.

The development of a grazing system for outwintering cattle destined to be fattened on summer pastures would provide a means whereby such cattle would be fed with as little attention and labour demand as is consistent with good stock management. With the need for cheapening of costs in beef production methods in Britain attention might well be paid to the methods outlined in the light of the experimental data presented.
Fertility in Clun Forest sheep
Authors: Williams S. M.
Published: March 2009

The ages of the Clun ewes considered in the survey were ranged from between 1 and 4 years in practicbreeding ally every case. They had thus not attained their maximum fertility which probably occurs at the age of from 4 to 6 years. A consideration of the fertility in the breeding flocks does not provide an estimate of the maximum for this breed, which can only be obtained from older draft ewes which are used in crossbreeding flocks with the object of fat lamb production.

Barrenness is relatively unimportant in ewes, but affects approximately one-third of all breeding ewe lambs each year. Abortion was insignificant amongst ewes but was more common amongst ewe lambs.
The effect of season on the composition of the blood of lactating and non-lactating cows as revealed from repeated metabolic profile tests on 24 dairy herds
Authors: Rowlands G. J. , Little W. , Manston R. , Dew Sally M.
Published: March 2009

Blood samples were taken from groups of lactating and non-lactating cows on three occasions from each of 24 commercial dairy herds sampled eight herds at a time at 6-weekly intervals throughout 1972. The blood samples were analysed for packed cell volume, blood glucose and haemoglobin, and for the serum concentrations of albumin, total protein, urea nitrogen, Ca, inorganic phosphate, Mg, K, Na, Cu, and Fe.

Clear seasonal patterns were evident for packed cell volume and the mean concentrations of urea nitrogen and haemoglobin each of which were highest during the summer months. The effect of season on the concentrations of the other constituents was smaller. Mean values of packed cell volume, haemoglobin and Fe were consistently higher in the non-lactating cows than in the lactating cows. Mean concentrations of Mg were lower in the blood of non-lactating cows throughout the year; Cu concentrations followed a similar trend in the autumn and winter.

There was evidence of overall herd differences regardless of season, in particular for Cu, globulin, Fe and urea nitrogen concentrations.
The effect of sodium chloride supplementation of a sodium adequate hay on digestion, production and mineral nutrition in sheep
Authors: Moseley G. , Jones D. I. H.
Published: March 2009

Four groups of six 18-month-old wethers were fed a diet of hay ad libitum with a pelleted ground barley supplement for 70 days. The control group received no further dietary supplements and the sodium content (0·46%) was above that recommended by published standards. Groups 2, 3 and 4 received supplements of sodium chloride, mixed and pelleted with the barley, to provide a final dietary concentration of 1·7, 2·5 and 3·1% sodium respectively.

Dry-matter intake, dry organic-matter intake and digestible organic matter in dry matter (DOMD) were significantly reduced (P < 0·01) at the highest sodium intake. There was a reduction in live-weight gain and efficiency of utilization of digestible organic matter with increasing sodium chloride supplementation, with significant differences (P < 0·05) between the highest and lowest sodium intake groups.

There were no consistent or significant changes in the serum concentrations of sodium or potassium following sodium chloride supplementation, but serum calcium and magnesium levels were significantly lowered as a result of sodium chloride supplementation.

Sodium chloride supplementation improved the apparent availability of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium but reduced that of phosphorus and nitrogen. The retention of Na, K, Mg, P and N was lower at the highest sodium intake but Ca retention was higher. Urine volume and excretion of Na, K, Mg, Ca, P and N increased with sodium chloride intake.
Production and survival of tillers of wheat and their contribution to yield
Authors: Ishag H. M. , Taha M. B.
Published: March 2009

The effect of sowing date and nitrogen on tillering patterns, survival and contribution of reproductive tillers to grain yield of standard and Mexican wheat cultivars were studied for two seasons.

Maximum number of tillers/plant, 3·2–4·5, was observed after 40 and 27 days from sowing for 1970–1 and 1971–2 respectively. The number of ears/plant was 1·4 at the end of the growing season. Varieties differed in tillering, and LRN10 and Giza 155 produced more reproductive tillers than Falchetto and Mexipak. Nitrogen application increased tillering efficiency, i.e. ratio of fertile to total tillers produced. Only 26% of tillers appearing in the axil of the first true leaf (T1) and 10% of tillers in the axil of the second true leaf (T2) survived to produce ears. The high mortality of tillers was attributed to high air temperature prevailing during the growth period (33 °C by day; 18 °C by night). Eared tillers did not die and were self supporting because of the photosynthesis by the ear.

Grain weight/tiller was positively correlated with tiller dry weight at heading, r= 0·76–0·96. Main shoots contributed about 81% of the total grain yield and 19% came from T1 and T2 tillers.
Crop–weed competition studies in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Yadav S. K. , Singh S. P. , Bhan V. M.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were made during the rainy seasons of 1979 and 1980 at Hissar, India, to study the effect of time of weed removal on the yield of groundnut. Removing weeds from 2 to 8 weeks after sowing led to significantly larger yields than that of plots which were not weeded. Maximum pod yield in both years was obtained when weeds were removed 4 weeks after crop sowing.
Effects of applied nitrogen on grass leaf initiation, development and death in field swards
Authors: Joy Pearse P. , Wilman D.
Published: March 2009

Effects of three levels of N application and four intervals between harvests on field swards of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were studied during 6-week periods in summer and spring. Ryegrass was compared with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in spring and autumn.

The application of N increased the rate of production of leaf primordia, the number of leaf primordia per tiller, the length of the shoot apex, the rate of development of primordia into unemerged leaves, the number of leaves emerging, the number of live, emerged leaves per tiller, the leaf extension rate and weight of blade emerging and the net gain, per tiller per day, in blade length and weight. The application of N tended to reduce the number of unemerged leaves per tiller and the length of apex per primordium. Applied N retarded leaf death (whether measured as numbers, length or weight) during the first 2–3 weeks after application and accelerated death subsequently. During the 1st week of the summer periods, the net gain in green blade length and weight per tiller was doubled by 22 kg N/ha and trebled by 66 kg N (compared with nil). During the final fortnight of the summer periods, the net gain in green blade length and weight was less with the 6-than with the 3- or 2-week interval, and, in the case of the 6-week interval, the positive effect of applied N on the rate of development of primordia into unemerged leaves and on the number of leaves emerging had been lost.

The ryegrass had more leaf primordia and unemerged leaves per tiller than the fescue, and a faster rate of development of primordia into unemerged leaves and of unemerged into emerged leaves.

A ryegrass leaf spent a broadly similar length of time in each of the three stages, primordium, unemerged leaf and fully expanded live leaf, and about half as long as one of those stages as an emerging leaf. At nil N a leaf developed to about 6000 times its starting length (as a newly-formed primordium) in 67 days in summer; at high N a leaf developed to about 10500 times its starting length in 53 days. The percentage increase in length per day was greatest during the unemerged leaf stage.
The reaction of celery (Apium graveolens L.) to infection by celery mosaic virus
Authors: Walkey D. G. A. , Ward C. M.
Published: March 2009

Commercial Celery Cultivars Varied in their response to inoculation by celery mosaic virus. The most severe symptoms occurred in self-blanching cultivars, but a high level of resistance was found in some non self-blanching cultivars such as Solid White and Fordhook. The resistance in these cultivars was confirmed in glasshouse tests.
Population studies with wheat: II. Propinquity
Authors: Hudson H. G.
Published: March 2009

An investigation of the problem of propinquity has shown that the yield of any unit of 6 in. of drill row of wheat is significantly affected by the number of plants in adjacent units. The “competition correlation”, which measures the intensity of this effect, is greatest with medium plant densities, and low and often insignificant for units of high or low plant density.

Competition is primarily underground for water, soil nutriments and soil air; of these, competition for water is most important in determining yield.
Dietary protein content and the subsequent body composition and food intake of pigs
Authors: Wyllie D. , Owen J. B.
Published: March 2009

Forty Large White × Wessex pigs were fed from 7 to 27 kg live weight, on diets containing either 28 or 14% crude protein. From 27 to 113 kg live weight the pigs were fed a common dietad libitum. Pigs from each treatment were killed at 27, 54, 82 and 113 kg live weight and the chemical composition was determined. From 7 to 27 kg and from 27 to 113 kg live weight, daily gain, food intake and food conversion efficiency were similar for the two treatments.

At 27 kg, pigs on the lower protein diet were fatter and contained less lean tissue. Between 27 and 54 kg live weight the pigs previously on the higher protein diet deposited a much greater amount of fat than the pigs on the lower protein diet, so that by 54 kg the pigs initially on the lower protein contained less fat. At 82 and 113 kg live weight the pigs given the lower protein diet initially also tended to contain less fat. These findings are discussed with particular reference to the voluntary energy intake of growing pigs.
Palatability of cross-bred beef
Authors: Moore V. J. , Bass J. J.
Published: March 2009

The effect on palatability of crossing Angus with other beef breeds has been studied. Purebred Angus and Jersey × Angus crosses were significantly more tender and of a higher general acceptability than the Simmental × Angus and Limousin × Angus crosses. The possible cause of tenderness differences amongst the cross-breeds is discussed.
Soil erosion in north Norfolk
Authors: Evans R. , Nortcliff S.
Published: March 2009

Soil erosion in a field in north Norfolk is described. Gullies formed, one up to 2 m deep, 5 m wide and 214 m long, and from this gully about 450 t of soil was eroded. Other gullies and rills deposited about 275 t of soil. In the large (61 ha) field the area subject to erosion was small, about 2·5%. The soil, slope, cultural and rainfall factors which caused erosion are discussed. Erosion in this field is not a rare phenomenon and crop yields will be affected if erosion continues. A solution to the problem is suggested.
Nutritive value and the genetic relationships of cellulose content and leaf tensile strength in Lolium
Authors: Wilson D.
Published: March 2009

1. The leaf tensile strength of individual plants of a population of Lolium (multiflorum x perenne) perenne was measured on four occasions, October and December 1963 (160 plants) and January and March 1964 (73 of the 160 plants). All plants had been chosen for the good uniform vegetative growth they had exhibited over several seasons. The cellulose content of the 14 weakest and 14 strongest plants in October and of all 73 plants in March was determined.

2. There was a wide range in leaf strength, maintained from October to March, within the population. In October all 14 weakest plants had lower cellulose content than the 14 strongest and from these two groups six plants of low leaf strength and low cellulose content and six of high leaf strength and high cellulose content were selected as parent plants for divergent selections. In March there was a positive highly significant (P < 0.001) phenotypic correlation between leaf strength and cellulose content (r = +0.58).

3. Two diallel crosses were performed, one within the six parents of low leaf strength and low cellulose content and the other within the six high parents. Leaf strength and cellulose data was obtained from progeny and from parental ramets in October 1964 and high overall heritabilities for both characters (approx. 0.8) calculated from achieved advances and parent/progeny regressions. Selection for high leaf strength and high cellulose content was more effective than for low.
The growth and development of a crop of bulrush millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.)
Authors: Begg J. E.
Published: March 2009

The growth and development of a crop of Bulrush millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.) was evaluated by a series of ‘first’ harvests at weekly intervals during the growing season. A final harvest was taken at the end of the season to measure the regrowth.

Tillers emerged from the second, until the 5th week after emergence where full light interception was recorded. Then a marked increase in dry-matter production, internode elongation and leaf area index occurred and a peak growth rate of 44 ± 4 g. of dry matter per square metre per day was recorded during the 9th week. General flowering occurred during the 13th week and at 16 weeks the crop yielded 21,735 kg. of dry matter per hectare.

Regrowth yields were high following defoliations made at an early vegetative stage when the apical meristem was below the cutting height and then declined as internode elongation raised increasing numbers of apices above the cutting height. Extensive areas of the stand died when defoliated as it approached its period of maximum growth rate.
Studies of the skeleton of the sheep V. Radiographic and chemical investigations of the skeleton of Scottish Blackface ewes and wethers on three hill farms in Scotland
Authors: Benzie D. , Cresswell E. , Duckworth J. , Hill R. , Boyne A. W.
Published: March 2009

1. Studies on the mineralization of the skeletons Scottish Blackface wethers and breeding ewes have been carried out on three widely scattered and differing Scottish hill farms using field radiography and bone-ash analysis.

2. Regular small autumnal improvements in the density of the ewes' skeletons were detected by in vivo radiography using the right radii although, in general, the radii of the ewes were at all times considered to be in good condition (for Scottish Blackface sheep on the hill) and underwent no marked resorption (as judged from in vivo radiographs) during pregnancy and lactation. This was contrary to what was expected in view of the results of previously reported laboratory experiments (Benzie et al. 1955, 1956, 1959) and also in view of commonly held beliefs that hill pastures are, in general, deficient in calcium or phosphorus, or both of these dietary factors.

3. There were few significant flock differences (both ewes and wethers) for the values assigned to the radiographs or for the results of skeletal ash determinations even though the flocks were maintained in widely separated and differing locations and husbandry systems.

4. It is suggested that further field work along these lines may be of great value to the obtaining of a clearer understanding of the ewe: hill pasture relationship.
The osmotic pressure and the concentration of some solutes of the intestinal contents and the faeces of the cow, in relation to the absorption of the minerals
Authors: van Weerden E. J.
Published: March 2009

In the cows' intestine there is no isotony with the blood serum. In the upper part of the small intestine the chyme is strongly hypertonic but as it passes along the intestinal tract to the large intestine it becomes more and more hypotonic. The hypertony in the small intestine is not due to inorganic elements but is caused by organic non-electrolytes.

In the large intestine hypotony is the result of strong selective absorption of sodium against a concentration gradient.This is an important aspect of the sodium metabolism of the cow. Chlorine is also absorbed from the large intestine against a concentration gradient.
Population dynamics in fourteen lowland breeds of sheep in Great Britain
Authors: Wiener Gerald
Published: March 2009

The flock books of fourteen Lowland breeds of sheep were examined to study flock size, flock age, the number and source of rams used, the extent to which flocks differ in genetic importance within their breeds, the effect of geographical location on flock attributes, and changes in breed organization over a period of time.

All breeds taken together showed that 46% of the 2649 flocks involved had less than fifty breeding ewes and 15% had more than 200. 43% of flocks were less than 5 years old and 18% were over twenty. A third of all flocks used only one ram and 9% used five or more. All breeds were found to be arranged in a hierarchy such that only a small number of flocks in each breed supplied the majority of the rams and in particular the rams used by rambreeding flocks. The ‘top’ flocks were among the largest and oldest in each breed. Flocks in the ‘native’ region of each breed we e generally larger and older than those elsewhere, but for other flock attributes the differences between regions were more peculiar to breeds. The general pattern of breed organization appeared to apply at widely differing periods of time.
The influence of turning on the hatchability of hens' eggs I. The effect of rate of turning on hatchability
Authors: Robertson I. S.
Published: March 2009

Eggs were incubated at various frequencies of turning (tilting through 90°) and their hatchability compared with eggs incubated as controls at 24 turns per day evenly distributed throughout the 24 hr. The turning treatments were: 0, once in 2 days, 2, 6, 12, 48, 96, 144, 192 and 480 turns per day.

Differences in hatch of fertile eggs between the treated and control eggs at each level of turning were obtained and used to indicate the trend of hatchability in response to varying turning frequency and also the optimum rate of turning. This was observed to be 96 turns per day. Nil or few turns per day gave very poor results and at very high frequencies (up to 480x) hatchability decreased only slightly relative to the turning frequency.
Studies on calcium and magnesium in the alimentary tract of sheep I. The distribution of calcium and magnesium in the contents taken from various parts of the alimentary tract
Authors: Storry J. E.
Published: March 2009

1. The distribution of calcium and magnesium in the contents of the reticulo-rumen sac, omasum, abomasum, small intestine, caecum and colon of the sheep was studied by means of ultrafiltration through collodion membranes.

2. In all organs except the abomasum considerable proportions of calcium and magnesium existed in a non-ultrafilterable form. In the abomasum where the pH is normally between 2 and 3 there was virtually no bound calcium or magnesium. The proportion of ultrafilterable calcium in the small intestine appeared to be dependent on the pH of the digesta, low pH values favouring higher proportions of ultrafilterable calcium. With magnesium this correlation was less obvious and appeared to be upset by unknown factors in the animals consuming a fresh grass diet.

3. From calculations it is postulated that the concentrations of ultrafilterable calcium and magnesium in rumen fluid are insufficient for these elements to be absorbed as freely diffusing ions, whereas in the abomasum and duodenum the concentrations of ultrafilterable calcium and magnesium are in favour of a net uptake from the gut.
Use of carcass measurements to predict total edible meat in Mexican commercial cattle
Authors: Butterworth M. H. , Díaz J. A. , L.  , Hoystad E.
Published: March 2009

Carcass measurements have been used by various authors to predict total edible meat content of carcasses.

Measurements were made on 180 commercial quality cattle of different phenotypes and sexes in a commercial slaughterhouse in Monterrey, N.L. Measurements were carcass weight, length, forequarter depth, side circumference, length of leg, length of forearm, leg shape, area of m.l.d. and total dissected meat. Multiple regressions were computed for both linear and allometric equations using a CDC 3300 computer.

It was found that in both forms of the equation carcass weight accounted for the majority of the total variance (97·0% and 96·8% for the linear and the allometric forms respectively). Various measurements of forequarter depth improved the goodness of fit only slightly as did circumference of side and length of forearm.
Leaf tissue remaining after cutting and regrowth in perennial ryegrass
Authors: Davies Alison
Published: March 2009

When one or two leaves were removed out of the three or sometimes four present on each tiller of five genotypes of perennial ryegrass grown in nutrient solution, it was found that the relative growth rate (RGR) was not much less than that of untreated plants. The removal of lower leaves had no effect on RGR. Removal of all leaf blades depressed RGR. It is suggested that the results obtained indicate that the plant has the capacity to compensate for loss of leaf tissue by increased activity in the remaining leaves. Leaf appearance rate and tiller production were found to be the attributes most sensitive to the defoliation treatments imposed, and the degree to which leaf appearance rates were affected by defoliation was found to be a good indicator of the regrowth capacity of the different genotypes. Evidence was obtained linking high regrowth potential with high relative increases in the proportion of plant material allocated to new shoot growth.
Food preferences after weaning of artificially reared lambs
Authors: Davies D. A. R. , Lerman P. M. , Crosse Margaret M.
Published: March 2009

A food preference trial was carried out in which 21 artificially reared lambs were offered ad libitum a choice of eight foods for a period of 4 weeks commencing at 28 days of age.

Growth rate and total food intake were highly variable but the lambs agreed substantially on what they liked and disliked. Soya-bean meal was the most preferred food throughout the experimental period. Flaked maize was very unacceptable for the first 12 days (up to 40 days of age) but after that its popularity rose steadily and considerably. Fish meal was quite popular at first but after 12 days had become the least preferred food and remained so for the remainder of the time.

In the latter part of the experiment the foods could be classified into a more popular group comprising soya-bean meal, rolled barley and two proprietary pelleted diets, and a less popular group comprising fish meal, flaked maize, whole oats and sugar-beet pulp.

It is argued that in order to be acceptable diets should not be coarse and either should not contain fish meal or have the flavour disguised.
Effects of seed size on growth, development and yield of monogerm sugar beet
Authors: Scott R. K. , Harper F. , Wood D. W. , Jaggard K. W.
Published: March 2009

Samples of monogerm sugar-beet seed which had been cleaned but not processed, contained fruits weighing 2–27 mg and true seeds weighing 0·2–5·0 mg with seed weight averaging about 20% of fruit weight. Increasing fruit size by round hole sieving resulted in progressively greater percentage emergence. Radiography revealed that one reason for this improvement was that more locules were completely filled, and fewer contained shrivelled seeds or were empty. Commercial processing of one seed lot eliminated some but not all of the empty fruits or those containing poorly developed seeds.

In the field, seedling size and root:shoot ratio increased with increasing seed size. Thus at equivalent plant densities, sugar yields were less from the smallest seed than from other grades because of the combined effects of less total growth and a less efficient partitioning of assimilates. Although improvements in establishment with increasing size grading were progressive, sugar yield at comparable plant densities was greater only from medium grades relative to the smallest grades, whilst yields from large and medium grades were similar. This difference was maintained irrespective of length of growing season or plant density.
Relative efficiency of urea, nitrification inhibitor treated urea and slow release nitrogen fertilizers for rice (Oryza sativaL)
Authors: Rajale G. B. , Prasad R.
Published: March 2009

A field experiment was made on a sandy clay loam soil during the rainy seasons of 1967 and 1968 to study the relative efficiency of urea, N-serve treated urea, AM-fertilizer, IBDU fertilizer and nitrogen-enriched coal for the rice variety IR-8. Nitrogen-enriched coal supplied very little nitrogen to rice. All other materials were superior to urea. Largest yield of rough rice and nitrogen uptake was obtained with IBDU. The yield of rough rice given by AM-fertilizer was equal to that with IBDU in 1968; in that year both AM-fertilizer and N-serve treated urea supplied as much N to the crop as IBDU. Yield of straw showed no significant difference between these three materials in either year. Ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen in soil at flowering and at harvest of the rice was most in plots receiving IBDU followed by those receiving AM-fertilizer, N-serve treated urea and urea. Mineral nitrogen in plots receiving N-enriched coal was only slightly more than in control plots.
The influence of lamb genotype on the milk production of Blackface ewes
Authors: Peart J. N. , Doney J. M. , MacDonald A. J.
Published: March 2009

The milk intakes of single-born Texel x Blackface and of pure-bred Blackface lambs suckling Blackface ewes was measured using a lamb-suckling technique. The shapes of the lactation curves were similar but the mean milk intake of the Texel x Blackface lambs was substantially greater than that of the pure-bred lambs at all points on the lactation curve. The Texel x Blackface lambs attained a mean maximum daily milk intake of 2418 g and the pure-breds 2075 g; mean total milk intakes during an 84-day period were 157 and 128 kg, respectively. Mean birth weights were 5·08 and 4·98 kg and the subsequent mean daily live-weight gains were 364 and 344 g, respectively, for the Texel x Blackface and pure-bred lambs. It is concluded that lamb genotype had a substantial and significant influence on the milk production of the ewes.
A possible effect of cyanogenic glucoside in sorghum on animal requirements for sulphur
Authors: Wheeler J. L. , Hedges D. A. , Till A. R.
Published: March 2009

A significant proportion of the sulphur (S) ingested by animals grazing Sorghum spp. may be utilized to detoxify hydrogen cyanide liberated after the forage has been ingested. In 1973 young sheep grazing a sorghum x sudangrass hybrid were given access to salt licks containing < 0.1 % (control) or 18 % S; in two experiments the live-weight responses to S were 32% (P < 0.05) and 18% (P > 0.05). In 1974 sheep grazing forage fertilized with 84 kg N/ha and given access to licks containing 8.5% S gained 32 % more live weight than controls with 0.1 % licks. Those with S on forage fertilized with 168 kg N/ha gained 88 % more (P < 0.01). Gypsum applied as a fertilizer (0 or 21 kg S/ha) did not affect the response.
Skin follicle development in Cheviot × Dorset Horn cross foetuses
Authors: Derbyshire Marjorie B.
Published: March 2009

Skin samples were used to evaluate the developing skin follicle population of Cheviot × Dorset Horn cross foetuses. The follicle population was studied from the first appearance of skin follicles (55 days' gestation) to the end of gestation. The pattern of development of primary and secondary follicles is described, and compared with the data available for other breeds. The occurrence of secondary follicle branching, previously confirmed only in the Merino, is described, and the ‘prenatal check’, an important feature of follicle development which had not previously been investigated in prenatal studies, is briefly discussed.
Influence of storage time on earliness of sprouting and tubering in Dioscorea rotundata yams
Authors: Onwueme I. C.
Published: March 2009

Tubers of Dioscorea rotundata yam obtained from the same harvest were stored at room temperature (25–30 °C). After storage for various durations, tuber samples were taken and used as planting material. The number of days to sprouting, for head pieces and non-head pieces alike, decreased with increasing storage time up to 159 days. Heads sprouted earlier than non-heads. The number of days to formation of new tubers also decreased with increasing storage age of the parent tuber up to 226 days. The interval from sprouting to tubering was constant up to 106 days of storage, decreased rapidly between 106 and 226 days, and thereafter remained constant. The implications of these results for off-season yam production are discussed.
Studies in Soil cultivation. VI. The physical effect of sheep folding on the soil (With five text-figures.)
Authors: Keen B. A. , Cashen G. H.
Published: March 2009

1. The consolidation in a light soil produced by sheep folding has been investigated.

2. The soil affected extended to a depth of 10 cm., the maximum compression occurring at a depth of 3–4 cm.

3. The consolidation produced was not totally destroyed by ploughing and was still apparent 5 weeks later when the seed was drilled.
Some observations on the relationship between subjective and objective estimates of yield
Authors: Charlton D. , Whiteley K. J.
Published: March 2009

A comparison of objective and subjective appraisals of the yield of Australian greasy wool sale lots is reported.

Results suggest that although the overall agreement between the two systems of appraisal is good, the subjective estimate of an individual sale lot will only lie within ± 6% of the objective estimate in 95% of cases.
The location and persistence of ammonia (aqueous, anhydrous and anhydrous + ‘N-serve’) injected into a sandy loam soil, as shown by changes in concentrations of ammonium and nitrate ions
Authors: Page E. R.
Published: March 2009

Aqueous and anhydrous ammonia were injected into a sandy loam soil, using equipment fitted with commercial injector knives. Ammonium and nitrate concentrations around the injection slits were sampled at intervals in three experiments, from March to November, December to September, and June to December.

The depth of placement and pattern of distribution of ammonium nitrogen resulting from the two designs of injector knife employed were measured.

The rate of disappearance of ammonium nitrogen was followed, and the process described by a computer program which took account of soil temperature. The rate of decay of both aqueous and anhydrous ammonia could be described approximately by assuming a decay rate of 1% per day at 0 °C and Q10of 2·1. When 1·5% ‘N-serve’ was added to anhydrous ammonia the rate of decay was approximately halved.

The distribution pattern of nitrate ions in the soil was less well defined than that of ammonium ions. When ‘N-serve’ had been added to anhydrous ammonia nitrate concentrations were much depressed for the whole duration of the experiment. The conversion of ammonium to nitrate nitrogen in this soil appeared to be inefficient. The nitrate concentrations found in the soil were consistent with a conversion rate of one-third and with the predictions made by a leaching model using the local meteorological data.

The implications of the findings are discussed.
The effect of certain feedingstuffs on rumen ciliate protozoain vitro
Authors: Michalowski T.
Published: March 2009

Meadow hay and mixed food containing 13·3 or 26·9% of concentrates were used for culturing ciliates taken from the rumen of water buffalo. The culture medium was the sterilized rumen fluid or a solution of mineral salts. The cultures were mixed every 24h and one-half of the contents of each culture flask was transferred to an equal volume of fresh medium containing the appropriate food.

Anoplodinium denticulatumand seven species ofEntodiniumwere the only protozoa which survived until the end of the experiment, but to maintain them on food containing 26·9% of concentrates an alkaline or neutral medium was required. Using rumen fluid and mineral medium the total number of protozoa was on average, respectively: 2·7 x 103and 2·2 x 103/ml in cultures on hay only; 9·4 x 103and 17·5 x 103/ml in cultures on food containing 26·9% of concentrates; and 14·0 x 103and 17·;8 x 103/ml in cultures on food containing 13·3% of concentrates.Entodiniumformed 66·6 and 72·5%; 95·5 and 91·8%; and 96·1 and 97·7% of the total counts. In cultures on hay alone there were 33·4 and 27·5% ofAnoplodinium denticulatum, while they formed only 4·5 and 8·2% and 3·9 and 2·3% in cultures on food containing 26·9 and 13·3% of concentrates respectively.

The relation between number of ciliates and composition of food only partly agreed with the relation found previously under natural conditions. Changes in pH of the medium would appear to be the chief cause.
The effect of abomasal infusion of urea on nitrogen retention in goats
Authors: Fujihara T. , Tasaki I.
Published: March 2009

There is evidence that a large volume of saliva containing a significant quantity of urea is poured into the rumen, and also that blood urea is diffused into the rumen through the ruminal epithelium (Houpt, 1959; Weston & Hogan, 1967). Egan (1965) reported that, with sheep fed a low protein cereal hay, cellulose digestion in the rumen was increased by abomasal urea infusion. Furthermore, the utilization of recycled urea nitrogen has been investigated in sheep (McIntyre, 1971) and cattle (Vercoe, 1969) using the intraruminal and intravenous infusion techniques. The objective of the present experiment was to determine whether or not the abomasal administration of urea to adult goats fed a low quality hay would influence the nitrogen retention in the body.
The effects of nitrogen and energy supplementation on the voluntary intake and digestion of heather by sheep
Authors: Milne J. A. , Christie Alison , Russel A. J. F.
Published: March 2009

In three experiments the effects of amount and source of nitrogen and energy supplements, and their frequency of feeding, on the voluntary intake and digestion of winter-quality freeze-stored heather (digestibility of organic matter 45%, N content 1·3%) by Scottish Blackface castrated male sheep were examined. The continuous infusion of 0·5gN/day as urea or casein increased voluntary intake by 29% and digestibility of organic matter by 11 percentage units but higher amounts of N supplement gave no further responses. The continuous infusion of a supplement containing 100 g sucrose/day and 3 g N/day as urea gave similar responses in voluntary intake and digestibility of heather to those obtained when N alone was infused. A reduction in the frequency of feeding of the sucrose: urea supplement reduced the response in intake of digestible OM of heather but intakes of digestible OM were higher when an isocaloric supplement of starch: urea was given at the same frequencies (thrice and once daily). The results are discussed in relation to the use of ruminal NH3concentrations to assess the responses in voluntary intake to N supplementation and the balance required between the nitrogen and energy in the supplement. I t is concluded that the nitrogen and energy supplements could improve the nutrition of sheep grazing heather moorland in winter.
Studies on the aerobic deterioration of whole-crop cereal silages
Authors: Woolford M. K. , Bolsen K. K. , Peartt Lesley A.
Published: March 2009

As a result of the treatment of made whole-crop barley silage with antimicrobial agents which are specifically inhibitory to fungi or bacteria, it was shown that the subsequent aerobic deterioration was essentially caused by yeasts. These microorganisms were instrumental in the rise in pH, the increase in temperature and the loss of dry matter observed. The filamentous fungi, like one group of bacteria (the streptomycetes), apparently had no part in the process. Bacteria, such as the lactobacilli and particularly proteolytic bacteria, may have had a role in the terminal stages of deterioration, although it was considered more likely that the yeasts again were involved.

The whole-crop wheat silage employed in this work was stable in air, a factor attributed to the combined antimicrobial effects of butyric acid present and the relatively high dry-matter content.
Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the activities in sheep liver of some enzymes of glucose metabolism
Authors: Smith R. W. , Walsh Ann
Published: March 2009

The activities of some enzymes that regulate the gluconeogenic-glycolytic pathway were measured in sheep liver during late pregnancy, at three stages of lactation and after the lambs were weaned. Of the gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activities were unchanged throughout pregnancy and lactation and were similar to the values for non-breeding ewes. The activity of fructose diphosphatase increased 2 times and that of pyruvate carboxylase increased 5–7 times during late pregnancy and in early lactation.

In the glycolytic sequence phosphofructokinase activity declined by about 50% during lactation. Pyruvate kinase activity declined by about 40% at the end of pregnancy but throughout lactation it was similar to the value for non-breeding ewes. Hexokinase activity was very low in all animals.
Reproductive performance in a semi-wild cattle herd (Bos indicus)
Authors: Reinhardt V.
Published: March 2009

Reproductive performance was assessed in a semi-wild Boran cattle herd living on a grassland ranch in Kenya. Male calves copulated with cows a long time after they were weaned naturally. Up to the age of 16 months they were prevented from mating by adult bulls. Female calves conceived at the average age of 25 months and they had their first calves at about 34 months. Calving interval ranged from 304 to 801 days and averaged 430 days. Calving interval of managed Boran cattle living on the same ranch as the semi-wild herd averaged 494 days with a range of 306–798 days. It is concluded that in herds which are permanently accompanied by adult males artificial weaning and the continuous shift of animals between different cattle groups is not a prerequisite for good reproductive performance.
Modification of water balance of dryland wheat through the use of chlormequat chloride
Authors: De R. , Giri G. , Saran G. , Singh R. K. , Chaturvedi G. S.
Published: March 2009

In field trials made for two years in the dry period of a semi-arid tract under natural precipitation at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, overnight seed-soaking of wheat in 0·5% solution of 2-chloro-ethyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride (CCC) prior to sowing increased the grain yield. When treated with foliar application of the chemical in concentrations ranging between 40 and 1000 mg/1, wheat plots yielded better than did the untreated control, but no consistency was noted between the concentrations or stages of their application. The benefit from CCC was due to more root growth, increased stomatal resistance and higher leaf water potential. Treated plants extracted more water from deeper soil layers, increasing their water-use efficiency.
The effect of fungal colonization on the morphine production of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) capsules
Authors: Laughlin J. C. , Munro D.
Published: March 2009

Abnormally low concentrations of morphine in capsules of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) in the 1970–1 season were associated with heavy fungal colonization. The effect of fungal colonization on the morphine production of capsules was later studied in a series of field, glasshouse and in vitroexperiments.

In a field experiment morphine concentration of severely colonized (> 30% surface cover) intact capsules was 20% less (P <0·01) than slightly colonized (< 10% surface cover) capsules. Colonization of these field-grown capsules was generally localized in the top half and the morphine concentration of the top half was about 20% less than the bottom half for all colonization categories. In contrast, glasshouse-grown capsules were free of fungal colonization and the top and bottom halves had similar morphine concentrations.

In a field experiment studying the effect of fungicides, 2 kg benomyl (50% a.i.) + 2 kg mancozeb (80% a.i.)/ha were applied as a spray at 10-day intervals from flowering till 1 month after commercial harvest and plants were harvested at weekly intervals from 10 days after full bloom. The mean dry-matter yield of sprayed capsules was 11% greater (P <0·01) than non-sprayed with a similar trend for morphine concentration and morphine yield. In addition, the sprayed treatment significantly reduced the area covered by sporulating lesions on the surface of the capsule after dry maturity. This superficial fungal cover had a NNE orientation in both sprayed and non-sprayed capsules.

In an in vitroexperiment using capsules from the field fungicide study, fungi were isolated from the interior of green capsule wall tissue as early as 17 days after flowering. Colonization increased with successive harvests and culturing of fungi from the interior of capsule wall tissue showed the presence of fungi in both sprayed and non-sprayed capsules with no difference in the degree of colonization.

Two of the major fungi isolated from the field experiment were identified as Dendryphion penidllatum (Corda) Fr. and Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler and the individual effect of these was assessed in an in vitro experiment using ground capsule material. D. penidllatuvi and A. alternata reduced the morphine concentration of ground capsules in 24 days to 7 and 11% respectively of non-inoculated controls.
The Amounts and Distribution of some Phosphorus and Nitrogen Compounds in wheat During Growth.
Authors: Knowles Frank , Watkin J. E.
Published: March 2009

An account has been given of the lipin, phytin and inorganic phosphorus, and of the protein and non-protein nitrogen present in the wheat plant, from seven weeks before ear emergence until the crop was harvested

The percentages and amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen so combined, together with their distribution between straw and ear, have been discussed.

Relationships between phytin phosphorus and protein nitrogen, and between lipin phosphorus and non-protein nitrogen, have been indicated.
A Study in Sampling Technique with Wheat.
Authors: Kalamkar R. J.
Published: March 2009

(1) The edge rows give significantly higher yields than the inside rows, indicating thereby the inadvisability of using edge rows in yield trials.

(2) The variation between rows is very much greater than within rows. Different parts of the same drill row should therefore not be regarded as subject to independent error. The present investigation emphatically confirms Clapham's conclusions on this point.

(3) A slight advantage may be gained by the subdivision of the area to be sampled, without additional labour.

(4) In order to study the effect of the structure of a sampling unit of given size five types of unit have been examined. Of these, method (1), in which the “sampling unit” consists of four parallel half-metre lengths on adjacent rows, appears to be the most precise, and may be recommended on the basis of this trial. The half-metres within such sampling units appear to be negatively rather than positively correlated, and a significantly lower sampling error is obtained in consequence.
Investigations on Nigerian root and tuber crops. Influence of nitrogen fertilization on the yield and chemical composition of two cassava cultivars (Manihot esculenta)
Authors: Obigbesan G. O. , Fayemi A. A. A.
Published: March 2009

The results of field experiments on the influence of nitrogen fertilization on the yield components, starch and prussic acid content of two of the cassava cultivars recommended for cultivation in Nigeria are presented. The two cultivars 53101 (local) and 60506 (improved) were harvested at 9, 12 and 15 months. In general, the improved cultivars appeared to respond better to N fertilization, but high rates of N (150 kg N/ha) tended to reduce the yield performance of the two cultivars. The local cultivar produced maximum yields of 31·5, 37·5 and 55·7 fresh tuber t/ha with 60 kg N/ha at 9, 12 and 15 months, respectively, while the improved cultivar gave maximum yields of 31·5 and 48·4 t/ha with 120 kg N/ha at 9 and 12 months, respectively, and 64·1 t/ha with 90 kg N/ha at 15 months. By allowing the crop to grow up to 15 months, the starch yield was more than doubled and about three times the yield obtained at 9 months. The 53101 strain seemed to produce maximum starch yields with 60 kg N/ha while the 60506 type tended to give maximum starch yields with 90 kg N/ha. Influence of N treatments was significant up to 12 months of age but not at 15 months.

The HCN content of both cultivars diminished considerably with the age of the plant, dropping at 15 months to about half the level at 9 months. While the HCN concentration of the local cultivar tended to increase with higher N-fertilization, that of the improved cultivar diminished, particularly at 12 months after planting. At 15 months however, the HCN content of both cultivars rose with increasing N. fertilization.
Effect of water deprivation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in sheep
Authors: Singh N. P. , More T. , Sahni K. L.
Published: March 2009

The problem of sheep grazing in the deserts of Rajasthan is that animals do not get drinking water for 2–3 days at a time. Studies carried out at this Institute, on water deprivation in sheep, have indicated that sheep deprived of water for 72 h did not show any adverse effect on wool yield, in spite of the fact that water deprivation reduced feed intake (More & Sahni, 1972). The present experiment is a part of extensive studies carried out on water deprivation with particular reference to sheep production. The paper describes the influence of water deprivation on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in sheep.