bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of plane of nutrition in early life on subsequent live-weight gain, carcass and muscle charaterists and eating quality of meat in cattle
Authors: Morgan J. H. L.
Published: March 2009

Steer calves, underfed either from birth to 16 weeks of age, or from 16 to 32 weeks of age, recovered well on refeeding, but only the latter expressed compensatory growth.

Carcass characteristics (dressing percentage, carcass length, depth of muscle and fat at the tenth rib, yield and joint distribution of saleable meat, proportions of muscle, fat and bone) of steers underfed in early life were remarkably similar to those of continually grown steers when slaughtered at the same live weight, despite their greater age.

Plane of nutrition in early life had no apparent effect on the ultimate eating quality of meat (longissimus dorsi muscle) or on its connective tissue and fat content.
The effect of plane of nutrition on the performance and carcass characteristics of pigs slaughtered at 100 kg live weight
Authors: Walker N. , Heaney I. H. , McNally D. H.
Published: March 2009

Four equally spaced feeding levels, estimated to cover the range of commercial practice, were examined using a total of 208 pigs over the live-weight range 28–100 kg. The pigs were penned in groups of six or eight and were balanced for sex within pens. Three centres participated in the experiment contributing five, two and one replicates respectively.

Efficiency of feed conversion was not significantly affected over the range of feed intakes studied, thus daily gain was linearly related to feed intake. A 10 decrease in feed intake increased killing-out percentage by 0·3 unit and decreased backfat thickness by 1 mm at both the shoulder and mid rump. The corresponding changes in the percentages of subcutaneous fat plus skin and meat were similar in magnitude at approximately 0·85 unit.

Muscle quality was reduced with higher feed intakes but weight of liver, as increased. Details of other offal weights and carcass measurements are given.
Variation in the effects of forage rape on meat flavour in sheep
Authors: Wheeler J. L. , Park R. J. , Spurway R. A. , Ford Anne L.
Published: March 2009

The flavour of meat from sheep grazing rape (Brassica napusL.) was compared with that from grass-fed sheep in a series of experiments. The occurrence of a strong and unattractive foreign flavour and aroma was confirmed but the intensity of flavour was not consistent. The intensity was apparently unaffected by cultivar, growth stage, length of grazing period or breed or age of sheep.
Effect of sowing depth on plant establishment, tillering capacity and other agronomic characters of cereals
Authors: Hadjichristodoulou A. , Della Athena , Photiades J.
Published: March 2009

In field trials conducted over 8 years the effect of sowing depth on plant establishment, tillering capacity, plant height, grain yield, top growth weight and patterns of root development of wheat and barley was studied. Establishment, number of grainbearing tillers per established plant, plant height at maturity and grain yield and top growth weight per plot as well as per plant were reduced with increase in sowing depth from 2 to 20 cm. Seedling emergence started earlier from large seeds and from shallow sowing. Establishment from large seeds of two varieties was better, especially for deep sowing and in clay soils. Several patterns of root and tiller development were observed at various sowing depths. Varietal differences in stand establishment under field conditions were not related to plant height. It was concluded that deep sowing beyond around 10 cm should be avoided because stand and plant vigour are adversely affected.
A new laparoscopic technique for the diagnosis of pregnancy and the estimation of foetal loss in sheep
Authors: Phillippo M. , Rhind S. M.
Published: March 2009

Previous work has shown that the technique of laparoscopy in anaesthetized ewes is a practical and reasonably accurate method for the diagnosis of pregnancy between 17 and 28 days after conception and for estimating numbers of foetuses (Phillippo et al. 1972). This method in common with other reported endoscopic techniques for sheep positions the animal on its back, necessitating the use of either general anaesthesia (Roberts, 1968; Boyd & Ducker, 1973) or tranquillization and local anaesthesia (Kelly & Allison, 1976). These methods have the disadvantages of the necessity to withhold food and water for up to 24 h prior to surgery and the risk associated with general anaesthesia and the positioning of the animal. A new procedure with the sheep standing was therefore developed from the method used in cows (Mariana, 1969; Wishart & Snowball, 1973).
Summer-growing components of a pasture system in a subtropical environment. 2. Relations between pasture and animal production
Authors: Murtagh G. J. , Kaiser A. G. , Huett D. O.
Published: March 2009

Relations were developed between the carrying capacity or production of fat-corrected milk (FCM)/ha and various measures of pasture growth for six pasture treatments grown in a subtropical environment. The pasture and animal production variables were obtained from pastures grazed on a weekly rotation using stocking densities which were varied so that a target weight of leaf material remained on the pasture at the conclusion of each grazing.

Within a treatment, there was a curvilinear relation between the rate of leaf growth and carrying capacity, with the greatest efficiency of conversion at the lowest leaf growth rates. This relation generally varied between pasture treatments because of differences in grazing intensity. There was little variation in the production of FCM per cow between grazing periods within a treatment, reflecting the experimental technique of matching the stocking density to the amount of forage. Consequently FCM/ha largely mirrored the stocking density with some adjustment for differences in production per cow caused by differences in grazing intensity between treatments. Production of FCM/ha was affected more by a unit change in residue leaf yield than by a unit change in leaf yield before grazing.

Using the rate of leaf removal (intake plus grazing losses) per cow as an inverse index of grazing intensity, it was apparent that the use of variable stocking densities to obtain specified residue yields after grazing did not necessarily equalize the grazing intensity because the rate of leaf removal per cow varied according to the before-grazing leaf yield. Also soiling by dung caused differences in the acceptability of forage for grazing, resulting in differences in grazing intensity between pastures with the same yield and stocking density.
A comparison of spring barley grown in England and in Scotland. 1. Shoot apex development
Authors: Kirby E. J. M. , Ellis R. P.
Published: March 2009

An analysis of development of Golden Promise and Maris Mink spring barley grown in England and in Scotland was made in 1976 and 1977. In both seasons the differences between varieties at a site were small. Rates of leaf emergence and primordium production and the number of primordia formed and the number which died were almost the same at both sites in 1976. In 1977 both leaf emergence and ear initiation started later in Scotland and the rates of leaf emergence and spikelet initiation were slower. Fewer spikelet primordia were formed in Scotland than in England in 1977 but a higher proportion survived to produce potentially fertile florets. Tillers emerged at the same leaf stage of the main shoot and the frequency of tillering differed at some tiller positions between England and Scotland, but the number of tillers produced was similar at both sites.

These results show that in Scotland the effect of longer photoperiod which enhances the rate of leaf emergence and primordium production compensates for the lower temperature which slows down these processes. The lower temperature in Scotland particularly in 1977 during the period of spikelet primordium death increased the proportion of spikelets that survived.
The early weaning of pigs V. The inclusion of digestive enzymes and antibiotics in diets for pigs weaned at 6–7 lb. live weight
Authors: Calder A. F. C. , Lodge G. A. , Blair R.
Published: March 2009

1. Dry-meal diets for pigs weaned at 6–7 lb. mean live weight and 6·9 days mean age were supplemented with antibiotic, pepsin and an α-amylase preparation according to a factorial design involving sixty-four pigs on eight treatments. Antibiotic was included in the respective diets from weaning to 40 lb. live weight and the enzymes from weaning to 25 lb. live weight.

2. Antibiotic supplementation gave a 12·5% increase in rate of growth from weaning to 40 lb. P < 0·001) by reducing the incidence of scour and increasing food consumption from weaning to 25 lb. Antibiotic exerted no effect upon efficiency of food conversion.

3. Pepsin supplementation increased the incidence of scour and reduced rate of growth by 3·7% whilst being fed (P < 0·1) and by 8·6% after it was omitted at 25 lb. live weight (P < 0·01). Efficiency of food conversion was reduced by 5·5% when pepsin was fed (P < 0·05) and by 4·6% after it was omitted at 25 lb. live weight (P < 0·1).

4. α-Amylase appeared to exert little influence upon either growth rate or efficiency of food conversion except in the presence of pepsin. It appeared to counteract the harmful effects of pepsin on growth rate from weaning to 25 lb. and on food conversion efficiency from 25 to 40 lb. This resulted in a 5·5% increase in growth rate during the first period (P < 0·01) and 5·7% improvement in food conversion efficiency during the second period (P < 0·05).

5. The overall effects of antibiotic, pepsin and α-amylase supplementation upon time taken to reach 40 lb. live weight were a reduction of 5·6 days, an increase of 3·8 days and a reduction of 3·9 days, respectively.
Principal components of profitability in heavy pig carcasses
Authors: Morton J. R.
Published: March 2009

Data from between 742 and 894 carcasses of hogs and of gilts of a British Landrace line of pigs selected for lean percentage were subjected to a heritability and genetic correlation analysis and to a multivariate regression analysis of phenotypic correlations.

Although overall fatness was the most important component of carcass profitability, other components relating to carcass conformation and muscle to bone ratio remained important, particularly in gilts.

Genetic correlation of backfat thickness with carcass value was low in hogs (–0·39) and exceedingly so in gilts (–0·13). Although genetic correlations of lean percentage with carcass value were high (0·80 in hogs, 0·77 in gilts) they were no larger than those relating yield of trimmed and boned joints to carcass value, which varied between 0·70 and 0·79.

It is concluded that, with skilled butchers, joint yields as a selection criterion for carcass value are preferable to backfat thickness and as efficient as, and cheaper than, dissection.
The feeding of fresh and stored chick mashes containing cod-liver oil
Authors: Worden Alastair N.
Published: March 2009

1. Good quality cod-liver oil, produced by modern methods and containing anti-oxidants, is a highly satisfactory ingredient of the diet of young chicks whether fed fresh or stored as an ingredient of mixed mash for from 2½ to 3½ months before use at the recommended rate of 1 pint/cwt.

2. Chicks so fed had slightly better food conversion ratios and a better appearance, and slightly lower liver vitamin A levels, than those birds receiving a comparable amount of vitamin A in powdered form.

3. Chicks so fed had better food conversion ratios and appearance, a higher liveweight gain, and slightly higher liver vitamin A reserves than those receiving a powdered vitamin preparation at the recommended rate of use of 0·05 lb./cwt.

4. It may be concluded that both this form of codliver oil and the powdered preparation are reliable sources of vitamin A as such.

5. Chicks hatched in early December grew better and maintained their vitamin A reserves for longer than comparable chicks hatched in early March.
The influence of superphosphate on the legume content of the diet selected by cattle grazing Stylosanthes-native grass pastures
Authors: McLean R. W. , Winter W. H. , Mott J. J. , Little D. A.
Published: March 2009

The addition of superphosphate increases the legume content of grass-legume pastures and the growth rate of beef cattle (Shaw, 1978). It has generally been assumed that the increase in beef production following the application of superphosphate is related directly to greater amounts of legume in the pasture consumed (Norman, 1970; Shaw, 1978) but there is no direct evidence on this subject. This paper reports a study of the influence of small quantities of superphosphate on preference for legume by cattle grazing Stylosanthes-native grass pastures.
Growth, mineral nutrition and water use by potato crops
Authors: Asfary A. F. , Wild A. , Harris P. M.
Published: March 2009

In a 2-year field experiment with potatoes measurements were made at successive harvests of the dry-matter yield of leaves and tubers and of the length of the root system. Experimental treatments were 150 kg N/ha, control plots receiving no N, and each with or without irrigation.

In both years the crop gave increased yields with fertilizer N and irrigation. Fertilizer N increased the weight of leaves and embryonic tubers as early as 6 weeks after planting; it had little effect on water use. Irrigation, which was applied only in the mid-season after water deficits of about 100 mm had developed, increased yields and water use. Highest uptake rates of N, P and K (g/m2/day) occurred 4–6 weeks after crop emergence when they reached 0·62, 0·071 and 0·88 respectively. At harvest the tubers contained (g/m2) N: 8·7–21·1, P: 1·5–2·8 and K: 11·7–27·2. Uptake of all three nutrients was increased by application of N fertilizer and by irrigation.

The average root length for all treatments throughout the season in both years was 12 km/m2 of soil surface, with 84% in the top 30 cm of soil. From values of inflow of water and NO3–-N1 calculated from depletion of successive 15 cm deep soil horizons, roots below 30 cm depth were substantially more active than those nearer the soil surface. During most of the growing season about half the nitrate reached the roots by mass flow.

During crop growth NO3–-N concentration in the soil decreased to less than 10 μg/cm3 to 30 cm depth. Summation of crop N and soil NO3·N indicated net mineralization rates of soil N of between 0·07 and 0·17 g/W/day (average 012 g/m2/day). At final harvest the residue of N of about 9–10 g/m2 on plots that received N fertilizer, included crop residues, NO3–·N left in the soil and leaf fall.
The inheritance of milk production characteristics
Authors: Rendel J. M. , Robertson Alan , Asker A. A. , Khishin S. S. , Ragab M. T.
Published: March 2009

1. An analysis has been made of milk records from 3109 cattle of the six main dairy breeds in England and Wales.

2. The correlation between measurements on separate lactations declined as the time interval between the lactations increased. The average correlation was 0·38 for 70 days' milk yield and 0·48 and 0·55 respectively for milk yield and fat content in the 305-day lactation.

3. The heritabilities of the three measurements measured by daughter-dam regression were found for heifer lactations to be 0·36, 0·43 and 0·43 respectively. On second lactations, they were 0·09, 0·24 and 0·42.

4. As a consequence of the low heritability of the second lactation yield, the average yield of the first four lactations proved to have no more value as a prediction of a cow's breeding merit for yield than did her heifer yield.

5. In agreement with other workers, we found that 70-days yield was an excellent guide to the total lactation (r~ 0·80), and that it could be used as a guide to early selection.

6. There was some indication that the correlation between yield and fat content in the same lactation was more strongly negative in heifers and in the Channel Island breeds. The overall genetic correlation on first lactations was found to be − 0·66 ± 0·20, rather more strongly negative than has been found previously.
Altitudinal effects on Stylosanthes guianensis at a low latitude site: 1. Flowering
Authors: Ison R. L. , Humphreys L. R.
Published: March 2009

Five selections of Stylosanthes guianensis var. guianensis with a short-day flowering response were grown at three sites at altitudes of 10, 280 and 1000 m on the island of Bali, Indonesia at latitude ca. 8° 30′ S. Mean site temperature was ca. 6 °C lower at the highest site whilst mean short-wave radiation was lowest at the intermediate site.

Date of 50% floral initiation (FI) varied from 1 February to 21 June, when daylength (sunrise to sunset plus half civil twilight) decreased from 12·85 to 12·00 h. FI was independent of site for cv. Graham and cv. Cook, but at 1000 m it was 14 and 77 days earlier for cv. Endeavour and cv. Schofield respectively relative to the 280 m site. Little flowering of cv. Schofield occurred at 10 m, and it is suggested that cool temperatures promoted an increase in the critical photoperiod for this cultivar, or that warm temperatures inhibited flowering. FI was delayed at 1000 m in CPI 34906.

The duration of the phase from FI to flower appearance (FA) varied from 29 to 75 days according to selection and to site, and was negatively related to mean temperature, radiation, and maximum temperature for cv. Graham, cv. Cook, and CPI 34906 (but not for cv. Endeavour). Number of nodes at FA in this determinate species generally reflected growing conditions in the pre-flowering phase and was positively associated with age at FA in plants of particular varieties.
Survey of rats and mice and their ectoparasites in relation to cultivated areas in the vicinity of Alexandria governorate, Egypt
Authors: Gaaboub I. A. , Widaatalla A. E. E. , Kelada N. L.
Published: March 2009

Six species and subspecies of rats and mice, Arvicanthis niloticus, Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus frugivorus, R. rattus alexandrinus, R. rattus rattus, and Mus musculus, were found associated with cotton, wheat, maize, sugar-cane, vegetables, fruit and berseem in the vicinity of Alexandria, Egypt. A. niloticus comprised 42·2% of all species collected. Maize, wheat, cotton and berseem were infested most. The lowest infestation was recorded in the fruit fields. Infestation in sugar-cane and vegetables was intermediate. R. norvegicus, M. musculus, R. rattus frugivorus, R. rattus alexandrinus and it. rattus rattusformed 23·9, 16·7, 10·4, 4·2 and 2·7% of the species collected respectively. Of the seven crops investigated, only two (cotton, wheat) were not infested with R. rattus rattus, but all were plagued with some species of rodents. The abundance of these rodents in fields seemed to be positively correlated with temperature and relative humidity. Winter represents a definite off-season for all species recorded.

Six species of fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, Ctenocephalides felis felis, Leptopsylla segnis, Pulex irritans and Echidnophaga gallinacea), three of sucking lice (Polyplax abyssinica, P. spinulosa and Hoplopleura capitosa), five of parasitic mites (Ornithonyssus bacoti, Laelaps echidnina, L. keegani, Androlaelaps zulu and Haemolaelaps sp.) and the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sanguineus were recovered from the rodents. Fleas (especially X. cheopis) and lice generally showed a certain degree of host specificity. A close relationship has been shown to exist between the abundance of fleas and lice and the abundance of some rodent hosts and climate. However, no definite host specificity or relation to climate was shown by infestation with mite species. Only B. sanguineus sanguinetie was recovered from S. rattus frugivorus during July, October and December; from R. rattus alexandrinus during November; and from R. rattus rattus during September. Its rate of infestation did not exceed one specimen per rodent host.
The effect of temperature and method of feeding on the diestibility of two milk substitutes and on the performance of lambs
Authors: Penning P. D. , Penning Ines M. , Treacher T. T.
Published: March 2009

The effects of temperature and method of feeding on the intake characteristics and digestibilities of two milk substitutes were examined.

Forty Finnish Landrace x Dorset Horn lambs (20 males and 20 females) were fed one of two milk substitutes from 3 to 25 days of age when they were slaughtered and chemical composition of the empty body was measured.

The two milk substitutes contained 30% fat in the dry matter as butter fat (diet B), or tallow and coconut oil (diet TC).

The diets were offered at either 34°C (W) or 5 °C (C) and three methods of feeding were used. The diets were given: ad libitumcold (AL1), four feeds to appetite per day either warm or cold (AL2W and AL2C) and four feeds restricted to an intake of 62 g D.M./kg live weight0·5 either warm or cold (RW or RC).

Digestibilities of the milk substitutes were not affected by the temperature at which they were offered or the feeding regime used. Diet B had an apparent dry-matter digestibility of 97·6% and diet TC 92·5%. The fat digestibility of diet TC was 13·6 units lower than diet B and this affected the digestibility of all the other dietary components.

Lambs tended to consume more of diet B and grow faster.

Lambs on treatment AL1 consumed 21% more milk substitute than those on treatment AL2.

The composition of the body-weight gain was found to alter with rate of gain.

The temperature at which the milk substitutes were offered had only a minor effect on the performance of the lambs. The type of milk substitute and feeding regime used had a greater influence on both lamb intake and growth.
Fat-Tailed Awassi and German Mutton Merino Sheep Under Semi-Arid Conditions. 1. Total Body Water, its Distribution and Water Turnover
Authors: Degen A. A.
Published: March 2009

The total body water (TBW), its distribution and water turnover were measured in native fat-tailed Awassi sheep, a breed well adapted to desert conditions, and in imported German Mutton Merino (GMM) sheep, a breed that evolved in a temperate climate, under semi-arid conditions.

TBW (tritiated water space;TOH space), extracellular fluid volume (SCN-space) and plasma volume (T·1824 space) were measured during the summer while these sheep grazed natural pasture that remained as dried stem-cured hay and in the winter while they grazed lush natural pasture. No differences were found between the breeds in any of the measurements in both seasons. Within both breeds, the percentage TOH and SCN-spaces were larger in the summer whereas the percentage T·1824 space remained the same.

TBW and water turnover were measured in these breeds in eight trials while the sheep grazed native pasture in the autumn, winter and spring, shrubs in the winter and legumes in the summer. Water and shade were freely and easily accessible throughout the grazing period. The TBW was found to be consistently lower in the Awassi, indicating a higher energy reserve. The water turnover in 1/24 h/kg wt.0·82 was found to be higher in the GMM in all trials; the differences ranged between 3 and 28%. However, in only two out of the eight trials were the differences significant. Thus, the water turnoverwas only slightly lower in the Awassi although this breed evolved under Middle Eastern arid and semi-arid regions.
The effect of pasture type incubated and basal ration ingested on rate of digestion in nylon bags
Authors: Lemerle C.
Published: March 2009

Controversy exists in the literature concerning the validity of the nylon bag technique for investigating the nutritive value of feeds (Pidgen, Balch & Graham, 1980; Marten, 1981). Avariety of factors have been implicated in affecting results such as sample size, fineness of grinding and positioning of bags in the rumen. In addition basal ration has been shown to affect results (Lindberg, 1981 a, b; Siddons & Paradine, 1981). ørskov & Hovell (1978) showed that rate of digestion of hay in nylon bags was faster when the animals were fed on Pangola (Digitaria decumbena) hay rather than on sugar cane with its high sucrose content. In further work Ganev, ørskov & Smart (1979) reported that vegetable proteins degraded at a faster rate when incubated in nylon bags in sheep receiving dried grass rather than whole barley as their basal ration.
The effects of liming and soil pH on carbon and nitrog contained in the soil biomass
Authors: Adams T. McM. , Adams S. N.
Published: March 2009

The C and N in the biomass of soils from eight grassland field experiments where lime had been applied was determined by the chloroform fumigation method. Lime application increased C and N in the biomass by approximately 30% overall, although there was no effect at two sites. In the unlimed plots basal CO2 production, biomass C, and flush of mineral N production (FN) increased with soil pH. Biomass C and FN were correlated with total N content but not with organic C.

Differences in the apparent C/N ratio of the biomass were found in unlimed soils of pH ≤ 4·5 and in those of pH > 4·5, the ratios being 4·2 and 5·8 respectively. For limed soils the ratio was 5·2. It is probable that the chloroform fumigation method is not suited to soils of very low pH, and that the C/N ratio obtained in soils of pH < 4·5 is artificially low.
Field experiments with nitrophosphates
Authors: Lewis A. H.
Published: March 2009

The results of seventy-one field experiments to compare the effects on crop yields of the phosphate in Billingham nitrophosphates and in superphosphate are reported. The experiments tested nitrophosphates from a manufacturing process in course of development. The 1950 and 1951 products contained less water-soluble P2O5 and slaked less easily in water than the 1952 product.

All three Billingham nitrophosphates gave rather bigger increases in yields of grass and about the same increases in yields of swedes as superphosphate. The 1950 and 1951 products gave about 70% of the increases in yield given by super-phosphate on potatoes but the 1952 product gave about 90% of the increase with superphosphate. There was no evidence that powdery Billingham nitrophosphate was any more effective than granular material.

It is concluded that the phosphate in the 1952 Billingham nitrophosphate is, for practical purposes, as effective as that of superphosphate.

A continental nitrophosphate tested in 1952 gave poorer results than Billingham nitrophosphate. This product contained little water-soluble P2O6 and slaked very slowly in water.

Comment is made on the apparently poor average response of British grassland to phosphate fertilizer.
The nutritive value of calluna vulgaris IV. Digestibility at three, seven and fourteen years after burning
Authors: Smith Allan N. , Thomas Brynmor
Published: March 2009

1. The digestibility of samples of heather of 3, 7 and 14 years of age has been determined.

2. The experimental technique was the same as that used in the previous digestibility studies of heather.

3. The digestibility of the organic matter, and of all its components other than crude fibre and ether extractives, was found to decline with advancing age. This decline became apparent in heather of 7 years of age.

4. Gross digestible energy values were determined for the three ages of heather under investigation. Starch equivalents derived from these values proved to be lower than starch equivalents calculated in the usual way.

5. Confirmation of earlier conclusions concerning the value of heather as a source of energy has been obtained.
The effects of supplementary phosphorus on the voluntary consumption and digestibility of a low phosphorus straw-based diet given to beef cows during pregnancy and early lactation
Authors: Bass Jean M. , Fishwick G. , Hemingway R. G. , Parkins J. J. , Ritchie N. S.
Published: March 2009

Two similar experiments were conducted in consecutive years using a total of 26 pregnant beef cows. The two groups of 13 cows were given 2 kg molassed sugar-beet pulp (SBP)/day for the last 16 weeks of pregnancy and 3 kg SBP/day for the first 6 weeks of lactation with oat straw ad libitum. One group was given 250 g of a fully soluble liquid supplement (LS) containing urea, phosphoric acid, calcium and sodium chloride, trace elements and vitamins poured on to the SBP. The other group received no supplementary phosphorus but was given the same amounts of supplementary nitrogen (as crystalline urea) and calcium (as calcium carbonate) together with the same amounts of sodium chloride, trace elements and vitamins as were present in the LS. The LS provided 3.7 g P/day. The overall mean phosphorus intakes of the two groups were about 5.5 g (unsupplemented) and 10.5 g P (LS)/day.

During pregnancy, reduced phosphorus intakes did not affect either the voluntary intake or digestibility of the straw. There was, however, a reduction in the blood phosphorus concentration for the cows which did not receive LS.

After calving, the voluntary straw intake, digestibility of straw organic matter, metabolizablo energy intakes and blood phosphorus concentrations of the cows which received no phosphorus supplement were severely reduced. Using the present data and that from an earlier, similar experiment, a highly significant relationship was established between blood phosphorus concentration and voluntary straw intake during the period 5.6 weeks after calving for those cows with a blood phosphorus concentration below 1.0 mmol P/l. This relationship was voluntary straw intake (kg D.M./day) = 1.55 + 5.01 × blood phosphorus concentration (mmol/1).

These results, obtained with individually fed, housed cattle, tend to suggest that a total phosphorus intake of only about 10.12 g P/day (of which 3.7 g was in the form of phosphoric acid) was adequate to maintain normal blood phosphorus concentration and voluntary straw intake and digestibility by these beef cows over the last 16 weeks of pregnancy and the first 6 weeks of lactation. This should be contrasted with the results of a similar experiment conducted earlier which clearly indicated that a daily intake of about 12 g P/day derived solely from sugar-beet pulp and oat straw was markedly inadequate.
A study of the effects of oak defoliation on understory plants
Authors: Haile A.
Published: March 2009

A great portion of south-western Colorado and the other western states of the U.S.A. is covered with gambel oak (Quercus gambelii). Gambel oak was determined by Brown (1958) to be an important component of the mountain brush type in Colorado. It occurs in pure stands as well as in association with pinyon pine, juniper, ponderosa pine, aspen, and spruce on several million hectares. Ranges covered with gambel oak have relatively low grazing capacity and low availability of the understory vegetation for grazing animals. Jeffries (1965), studying the effect of gambel oak on range forage production, indicated that herbage yield under the oak canopy was less than that of grasses growing in the open. The restriction in forage growth under the oak is attributed to the shading effect rather than the competition for moisture. Therefore, removal of gambel oak would be likely to improve the ranges.
Morphological changes in a brown earth soil in response to applications of pig slurry
Authors: Lea J. W. , Gibbst D. A. , Lawrence N. G.
Published: March 2009

Literature dealing with disposal of farm wastes is mainly concerned with smell, heavy metal toxicity, nutrient accumulation and soil physical conditions. Soil is required to filter and absorb the solid material and release a filtrate free from pollutants while remaining relatively unaltered. The importance of soil type in reducing pollution potential is recognized but little study has been made of the effect of pollutants on soil morphology. This paper reports changes observed in a fine silty and fine loamy typical brown earth of the Rheidol series on terrace gravels after treatment with pig slurry. It is concluded that pig slurry spread at the rate of 50 m3/ha per week will cause this permeable soil to deteriorate under an average rainfall of 1117 mm/year unless rest periods are given.
Gibberellic acid as a media additive for in vitro propagation of potato (Solatium tuberosum L.)
Authors: Firman D. M.
Published: March 2009

Vegetative multiplication of potato is used routinely to produce disease-free seed tubers and to multiply new potato varieties for trials. The conventional methods of vegetative propagation using virus-tested stem cuttings allow production of 800–900 plants from a single plant in 3 years (Hussey & Stacey, 1981). Use of in vitro propagation allows much more rapid rates of multiplication of new varieties of potatoes (Wooster, 1984). Axillary buds taken from a few tubers can be multiplied to 500 plants within 4 months by repeated subculturing of nodal cuttings on artificial media in sterile conditions.
Assessment of the effect of ratooning pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in the lowland tropics
Authors: Tayo T. O.
Published: March 2009

Pigeon pea (variety Cita-1) was sown on ridges at two plantings in the early and late seasons of 1983 at the University of Ibadan, Two to three weeks after the plants reached maturity and the pods had been harvested by hand-picking, the plants were either ratooned by cutting off the tops at a height of 30 and 60 cm or left intact.

At the end of the first and second regrowths, the plants ratooned at 30 and 60 cm had performed better than those left intact in terms of growth and yield characters as well as seed yield. However, the plants ratooned at 30 cm performed best followed by those ratooned at 60 cm. The total seed yield from the planting was 3–6 times higher than if the crop had been harvested once.

It would seem that ratooning at 30 cm would give the highest returns from a single planting under the prevailing lowland tropical conditions.
The influence of sowing depth and seed press wheel weighting on seedling emergence of crisp lettuce
Authors: Wurr D. C. E. , Fellows Jane R.
Published: March 2009

The effects on emergence and growth of crisp lettuce seedlings as a result of sowing seeds at different depths and pressing them into the furrow bottom with a weighted seed press wheel were examined in three similar experiments in 1982, 1983 and 1984. Sowing depth had a considerable effect on percentage seedling emergence and the spread of emergence times but the pattern of response varied from year to year and appeared to be related to differences in soil moisture content. The most uniform emergence and the highest level of emergence were achieved by sowing shallowly (< 10 mm) with rainfall almost immediately after sowing then keeping the soil moisture content close to field capacity for 2 days. When rainfall or irrigation were delayed, drilling 15–20 mm deep gave more consistent results. Effects on seedling weight and variability of weight were associated with the time and uniformity of seedling emergence. Later emerging seedlings were lighter and a wide spread of emergence times gave seedlings of variable weight. There was virtually no effect on emergence of using additional weights on a seed press wheel.
The incidence ofStreptococcus bovisin cattle
Authors: Higginbottom Constance , Wheater D. W. F.
Published: March 2009

1. The numbers ofStreptococcus bovisin the rumen of a heifer and a steer, each having a permanent rumen fistula, were shown to remain relatively constant within the range 105to 107per ml. rumen liquid (strained rumen contents) over a period of more than 3 years.

2. The numbers ofStrep. boviswere little affected by the change in diet from stall-feeding (oats, beans, hay and straw) to grass or vice versa.

3. There was a slight increase in the numbers ofStrep. bovisfollowing each meal when the animals were stall-fed, but no appreciable variation in numbers throughout the day when the animals were at grass.

4.Strep. bovishas also been isolated from the rumen of freshly slaughtered cattle and sheep from different parts of the country, from the rumen of goats and calves and from the faeces of cattle, goats and in small numbers associated withStrep. equinusfrom horse dung.

5.Strep. boviswas found in the contents of the omasum, large intestine and caecum of three cattle, but in the small intestine of only one of these animals. Very small numbers ofStrep. boviswere detected in the abomasal contents of only four of twelve animals examined.

6. The characteristics of these strains ofStrep. bovishave been described. The synthesis of an iodophilic polysaccharide byStrep. bovishas been demonstrated.

7. A possible role ofStrep. bovisin the decomposition of starch and other carbohydrates in the rumen is discussed.
Effect of Sesamum phyllody disease on the longevity and fecundity-cum-fertility of its leaf-hopper vector, Orosius albicinctus Distant (Cicadellidae: Homoptera)
Authors: Kooner B. S. , Sidhu H. S. , Bindra O. S.
Published: March 2009

Sesamum phyllody is a serious disease of sesame (Sesamum orientale L.). The disease is mainly spread by the leaf–hopper vector Orosius albicinctus Distant (Ghauri, 1966). The biology and bionomics of the hopper was worked out by Bindra & Singh (1970). The relative fecundity–cum–fertility and longevity of the hopper on the diseased and healthy plants were studied to supplement the existing information.
A comparison of the root and shoot growth of winter barley and winter wheat, and the effect of an early application of chlormequat
Authors: Bragg P. L. , Rubino P. , Henderson F. K. G. , Fielding W. J. , Cannell R. Q.
Published: March 2009

In a field experiment where winter wheat and winter barley were sown on the same date, the patterns of root growth of the two species were similar, with a few roots reaching a depth of at least 120 cm. Roots senesced sooner in barley, in association with earlier maturity of the shoots and grain. The number of shoots and leaf area index of the barley were greater than for the wheat, but rates of dry-matter production until anthesis of the barley were similar in both species. The grain yield of wheat was about 10% heavier than for barley. Where chlormequat had been applied in early December at the 3- to 4-leaf stage, when shoot apices of both species were still vegetative, root density of the winter wheat in the following March and April was slightly greater than for untreated plants, but the difference disappeared later. For winter barley there was no effect of chlormequat on root growth until July when root length tended to be greater at depth after the chlormequat treatment. The chlormequat treatment significantly shortened stem length, but did not significantly affect the number of shoots, crop dry weight or grain yield of either species.
Specific gravity of tubers in relation to productivity of some sweet potato genotypes
Authors: Ray P. K. , Mishra S. , Mishra S. S.
Published: March 2009

In the recent past, specific gravity of tubers has been considered an easy means of estimating yield potential of sweet potato cultivars (Bryant, 1979) and their quality characters like starch value and dry-matter content (Ishikawa & Sakai, 1973). Bryant (1979) separated sweet potato tubers with low and high specific gravity at planting time by determining whether or not they floated in water, and observed that the floaters gave 20% higher yield than the sinkers. As this simple test claimed to hold promise for selecting higher-yielding sweet potato genotypes, it was decided to scan its usefulness at the College of Agriculture, Dholi, where a large collection of sweet potato germ plasm is being maintained for research needs.
The nutrition of the bacon pig: VII. the chemical composition, digestibility and nutritive value of different types of swill
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Evans R. E.
Published: March 2009

An account has been given of recent work on the chemical nature of war-time swill and on the best methods of using this product so as to ensure the maximum replacement of concentrates, consistent with economical live-weight gains, in the rations of bacon pigs.

Three different types of swill have been submitted to investigation: (1) a meat-rich military camp swill, characteristic of the material available during the first 18 months of the war; (2) processed urban swill, commonly known as concentrated swill; and (3) dried, balanced swill. In addition, the results of an investigation into the variation in composition of household and restaurant swill are also given.

The different types of swill have been examined from the standpoints of (1) main ingredients, (2) chemical composition, both organic and mineral, (3) digestibility, when fed to bacon pigs, and (4) nutritive value in comparison with mixtures of common pig foods. The keeping qualities of processed urban swill and dried, balanced swill have also been investigated, and attention has been devoted to the problem of the seasonal variations of urban swill in respect of main ingredients, chemical composition and feeding value.
Some effects of fertilizer interactions on growth and composition of the potato plant
Authors: Knowles Frank , Watkin J. E.
Published: March 2009

1. An account has been given of the percentages of nutrients in the dry matter and weights of nutrients in tops, tubers and roots of potato plants throughout growth under six fertilizer treatments.

2. Manurial treatment affected dry-matter content of tops but not of tubers.

3. Balanced manuring, as represented by N2PK treatment, resulted in tubers in which nitrogen content of dry matter declined with age. The effect of the K was to lower the nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium contents, to increase chlorine content of all parts of the plant, and to maintain a much higher and more constant concentration of potassium in tops and roots. With unbalanced manuring the nitrogen content of the tubers was more constant.

4. Manuring with nitrogen only raised the content of potassium in the dry matter of all parts of the plant.

5. Nitrogenous manuring, whether alone or in combination, raised the nitrogen content of the dry matter of all parts of the plant, a smaller proportion of which was present as protein. Calcium and chlorine contents were lowered.

6. Phosphate manuring in conjunction with nitrogen depressed the concentration of potash in the dry matter of all parts of the plant.

7. N2P plants were the first to attain their maximum uptake of all nutrients, namely, about 7 weeks from appearance above ground, at which time N2PK plants had absorbed only 40% of the quantities finally noted.

8. No losses of elements were observed in the plants which received balanced manuring (N2PK), but losses of calcium and chlorine occurred in all other plants, amounting on the average to 25 and 37% respectively, but being highest in N2P plants. A significant loss of potassium occurred in N2 plants and a highly suggestive loss of phosphorus occurred in N2P plants.
A study of fecundity in the domestic fowl: the behaviour of persistency in individual hens
Authors: Greenwood Alan W. , Blyth Janet S. S. , Galpin Nancy
Published: March 2009

1. Individual birds have a characteristic date for the termination of the egg laying cycle.

2. The date of cessation of production at the end of the pullet year is not a reliable indication of the bird's potentiality in this respect.

3. The longer the birds are retained the greater is the chance of distinguishing the true date.

4. Individual dates for the termination of the cycle occur at so many points throughout the total range (from July to December) that this must either indicate a multiple factor situation or that the genes involved show a considerable range of expression.
Water uptake by soya-bean roots as affected by their depth and by soil water content
Authors: Willatt S. T. , Taylor H. M.
Published: March 2009

A field experiment was made to determine water uptake patterns of soya beans and water use and to compare relative effectiveness of roots at various depths in the profile.

Depth of water extraction by the root systems increased with rooting depth. Water uptake rates decreased with soil water content at all soil depths and the soil water content at which roots extracted almost no water increased with depth. The maximum rate of uptake of the deep roots was greater, per unit of length, than shallow roots.
Soil properties in relation to the occurrence of grass sickness in horses
Authors: Stewart A. B.
Published: March 2009

Any conclusions drawn from the foregoing results will of course apply only to the necessarily limited range of soils in one county. This range is limited geologically and the Aberdeenshire soils belong largely to the class of light to medium acid soils of low base status. The results for these soils indicate that:

(a) The occurrence of grass sickness is not confined to soils of any particular geological origin.

(b) The range of textural conditions in the soils examined is a wide one covering loams, sands and peaty types with a few moderately heavy soils. There does not appear to be any relationship between soil texture and the incidence of grass sickness.

(c) The soils examined all fall into the class of acid soils and in only a very few—about 5 to 10%—could the addition of lime be considered unnecessary from the general agricultural point of view. As against this there are no striking abnormalities in the ratios of exchangeable or readily soluble cations in the soils, which might serve as a clue to the occurrence of grass sickness. Although little is known of the actual magnesium, manganese and strontium requirements of hay and pasture plants, the range of values covered in the soils examined is sufficiently wide to make it very unlikely that there is any relationship between the incidence of grass sickness and the magnesium, manganese or strontium contents of the soil. In view of the relatively widespread acidity in the soils examined, the possibility of a relationship between the occurrence of grass sickness and soil acidity has to be borne in mind. It would be of value to find out if grass sickness occurs to an appreciable extent on limestone soils, or on soils which have been systematically limed and which have pK values in the neighbourhood of 7.

(d) The majority of the soils are, from the general agricultural point of view, somewhat low in readily soluble or available potash and phosphate, but against this about 30% of the soils have satisfactory phosphate contents and about 20% of the ordinary surface soils and 46% of the top 2 in. samples, in which occur the bulk of the plant roots, have satisfactory potash contents. It does not appear likely therefore that the occurrence of grass sickness is to be related directly to the phosphate and potash contents of the soil. As far as reserves of the common plant foods are concerned there is likewise no abnormality which could account for the disease.
Observations on the haemoglobin level of cows and sheep
Authors: Allcroft W. M.
Published: March 2009

The haemoglobin values for the blood of clinically normal cows and ewes over England and Wales are very similar, with a mean value around 11·5 g. per 100 ml. Although the extreme range is wide, about 8–17 g., the distribution of values is such that the common normal range may be taken as 9·5–13·5 g. per 100 ml. There is no striking difference in age groups.

Metabolic disorders such as ‘milk fever’ and ‘grass tetany’ in cows and ‘pregnancy toxaemia’ in ewes have no specific effect on haemoglobin level. Chronic hypoglycaemic ketosis of the dairy cow leads to progressive anaemia in which levels down to 6 g. per 100 ml. were found. Border or Northumbrian ‘pining’ of sheep is accompanied by an even more pronounced progressive anaemia, values as low as 3·2 g. per 100 ml. being encountered.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr F. J. Salt and the direction and interest of Dr H. H. Green in the main programme from which the protocols were drawn.