bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extractable aluminium, iron and manganese in mineral soils: I Dependence of extractability on the pH of oxalate, pyrophosphate and EDTA extractants
Authors: Niskanen Raina
Published: July 2018

Al, Fe and Mn in two mineral soils were extracted by 0.05 M and 0.02 M oxalate and pyrophosphate and 0.02 M EDTA solutions the pH of which was adjusted to values ranging from 1.7 to 11.0. The extractability of metals tended to decrease as the pH rose and as the deprotonation of extractant acid, expressed as pKa values, progressed. The reduction in extractability of metals by oxalate was rather steep at pH > 4, whereas the extractability by pyrophosphate remained moderate at a wider pH range. The extractability of metals by EDTA (pH 3.6—7.3) was lower than that by oxalate and pyrophosphate. Extractability was lower in the absence of the studied oxyacid anions and with 0.01 M KCI as the supporting electrolyte at a pH between 2 and 11 than in their presence.
Competition and yield performance in mixtures of oats and barley - nitrogen fertilization, density and proportion of the components
Authors: Jokinen Kari
Published: July 2018

Competition and yield performance in mixtures of barley and oats were evaluated from addition series experiments (three experiments) in 1983 and in 1984. Three doses of nitrogen fertilization (10 kgN/ha, 40 kgN/ha and 80 kgN/ha) were applied. In the first year the components were Agneta barley and Veli oats and in 1984in addition to the previous combination also Ida barley and Veli oats were included. The competitive relationship between components was analysed by replacement series model and by regression analysis. The results showed that the dominant component according to the regression analysis was also dominant according to the indices of the replacement series model independently of density and proportion. Barley was generally more competitive than oats. The dominance of barley usually increased with increasing nitrogen fertilization, especially in the mixture of Agneta and Veli. All the yield components of the barley plants increased with the decreasing proportion of barley in the mixture. In 1983, some mixtures overyielded significantly (p
Effects of yeast culture supplement on digestion of nutrients and rumen fermentation in cattle fed on grass silage barley diet
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka
Published: July 2018

The effects of including yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae plus growth medium; 5 x 106 organisms/g) on the digestion of dietary constituents in the rumen and total digestive tract were studied in a pair of monozygote twin bulls. The animals were fitted with cannulae in the rumen and in the proximal duodenum. A diet of grass silage, barley and rapeseed meal (445, 445 and 90 g/kg total dry matter (DM)) was fed, with and without addition of 10 g per day of yeast culture (YC), in two treatment sequences. The addition of YC had no effect on the mean values of rumen pH, ammonia N concentration or molar proportions of volatile fatty acids. Also, the postprandial changes in rumen fermentation pattern were similar when the diet did and did not contain the YC supplement. The peak concentration of lactic acid 1 h after feeding tended to be higher in cattle receiving the YC diet (13.9 v 6.0 mmol/l). Apparent digestibility of organic matter (OM) (mean 0.780) and the proportion of OM digestion occurring in the rumen (mean 0.603) were not affected by YC. Likewise, there was no effect on rumen or total digestion of cell wall carbohydrates, and the results for the degradation of hay DM in the rumen and for particle-associated carboxymethylcellulase and xylanase activities indicated that YC had no effect on the rumen environment that could affect fibre digestion. Supplemental yeast did not affect the rate of microbial N synthesis (28.0 and 28.6 g/kg OM apparently digested in the rumen). The results indicate that the addition of YC to the diet is not likely to improve the efficiency of digestion and fermentation in the rumen of cattle given a diet based on grass silage and barley.
Effect of dietary fish meal on the palatability and fatty acid composition of pork
Authors: Valaja Jarmo , Suomi Kaija , Alaviuhkola Timo , Immonen Irma
Published: July 2018

The effect of graded levels of dietary fish meal was studied with growing pigs in two trials. Test diets contained fish meal 0, 2.7, 6.5 and 13 % in trial 1 and 0, 2,5 and 10 % in trial 2. In trial 2, diets containing 5 or 10 % of fish meal were divided into four different treatments, where fish meal was withdrawn from the diet 7, 5, 3 or 0 weeks before slaughter. There were no significant differences in performance results between the treatments in trial 1. The contents of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids C22:5 and C22:6 in the pork fat were analyzed in both trials and they increased linearly with increasing level of fish meal in the diets (trial 1 and 2) (p
Identification of barley cultivars using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis
Authors: Roininen Janne , Nissilä Eero , Puolimatka Matti , Pulli Seppo
Published: July 2018

Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was applied to cultivar identification. Three different extractions methods were used to extract and fractionate the seed storage protein subunits from crushed single seeds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Fifty-four genotypes including breeding lines and released cultivars were analysed and grouped according to the variation found in their protein banding patterns. In the first extraction, eight genotypes showed unique hordein subunit composition whilst remainder fell into 11 groups of 2 to 8. The other two extractions were carried out to characterize those genotypes producing identical banding patterns when using the first method. Relative mobility (REM) values for hordein bands were determined. Genetic background was found to strongly effect the determination of hordein composition of barley genotypes. Those genotypes with largely common ancestry showed often similar hordein composition and were difficult to identify whereas genotypes possessing unique hordein banding patterns had clearly exceptional pedigree. The effect of the row-type on hordein banding pattern was not clear as both two-row and many-row barleys were found to produce identical patterns. Intra-cultivar hordein polymorfism was found in three cultivars.
The effect of drying and partial neutralization of grass silage on voluntary intake by sheep
Authors: Sormunen-Cristian Riitta
Published: July 2018

The experiment was carried out to provide information on the effect of drying and partial neutralization of direct cut grass silages on voluntary intake by sheep. It was designed as a 4 x 4 latin square comparison of four dietary treatments with four castrated Finnish Landrace rams. The DM content of the dried silage was 81.6 %. There were two levels of neutralization in the experiment: either 8 or 16 g of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) was mixed with the silages. The lower level of neutralization raised the silage pH from 3.95 to 4.36 and the higher level took it up to 5.57. Both the drying of silage and the addition of 16 g of NaHC03 produced a significant (P
The nutritive value of industrial by-products for poultry
Authors: Kiiskinen Tuomo
Published: July 2018

The metabolizable energy (ME) and partly also the digestibility of several industrial by-products, mainly originating from grain, were determined in trials with adult cockerels. Five experiments were performed using a conventional total collection procedure, and test ingredients were substituted for 25-40 % of the basal diet. The nitrogen-corrected apparent (AMEn) and true (TMEn) metabolizable energy values of distillers’ dried grains (DDG) and distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) derived from barley, wheat and rye varied from 7.85 to 11.8 and from 7.98 to 12.0 MJ/ kg DM, respectively. The highest MEn values were observed in the dehulled barley-derived products. The digestibility of crude protein (CP) was 62-83 and that of carbohydrates 25-50 %, the latter being lowest for feeds originating from whole barley grain. The results indicated that distillers’ feeds derived from dehulled grain, especially barley, are satisfactory energy sources for poultry diets. Dried barley protein (BP 1, CP 38 %), oats protein (CP 44 %) and distillers’ solids (CP 58 %) from the integrated ethanol starch process, as well as dehulled barley and oats proved to be excellent energy feeds containing AMEn 14.9, 18.6, 15.0, 14.2 and 14.6 MJ/kg DM, respectively. The TMEn values for BPI and dehulled grains were 15.3, 14.4 and 14.8 MJ/kg DM. Supplementation with enzymes did not significantly improve the ME value of dehulled barley. The AMEn values for barley protein (BP2, CP 27 %), barley bran and barley molasses obtained from the starch process, and wheat feed meal from the milling industry, were 13.3, 8.52, 13.5 and 10.6 MJ/kg DM, respectively. The lowest ME values were obtained for samples of wheat bran, dried potato pulp and malt sprouts: AMEn 6.09, 6.23 and 6.01; TMEn 6.15, 6.07 and 6.01 MJ/kg DM, respectively.
Repeatability of subjective grading in fur animals I. Grading of live foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
Authors: Kenttämies Hilkka , Käyhkö Harri
Published: July 2018

Repeatabilities of subjective grading were studied for colour and body size in silver foxes, and for general appearance in various colour types of the fox. Statistically significant differences between scoring times were found for each trait. However, the judge factor had the greatest effect on scores for colour and body size in silver foxes. There were differences between the mean scores in general appearance given for the various colour types. Colour tended to be easier to judge than body size or general appearance. The coefficients of repeatability were 0.74 for colour, 0.55 for body size and 0.57 for general appearance. The repeatabilities among the various judges were 0.68-0.82 for colour and 0.51-0.59 for body size. Among the various colour types the ”silver types” seemed to be easier to judge than the ”golden types”. The repeatabilities were 0.57 to 0.59 vs, 0.50 to 0.55 for general appearance.
Effect of dietary vitamin A level on performance, vitamin A content in the liver and leg weakness of growing finishing pigs
Authors: Alaviuhkola Timo , Suomi Kaija , Schulman Axel
Published: July 2018

A total of 160 piglets, females and castrates, were divided at weight of 25 kg into four groups in order to study the effects of dietary vitamin A supplementation. The groups were balanced according to initial weight, sex and litter origin. The same basic mixture, consisting of barley and commercial protein concentrate with all minerals and vitamins except vitamin A, was used in feeding of all the piglets. The vitamin A activity of the mixture, however, was 646 IU/kg. Special vitamin A premixes were prepared by using a commercial product providing the four final four diets with 0, 1000, 3000 and 50000 IU/kg. Three piglets were sacrificed at the beginning of the trial to determine the content of liver vitamin A. It was found to vary between 7.3 and 10.2 mg/100 g fresh liver. There were no differences between the groups in daily gain,feed: gain ratio or carcass quality. A histological examination ofleg joints did not reveal an increased frequency of osteochondrosis in pigs fed with a high level of vitamin A. Growing finishing pigs, having adequate liver stores of vitamin A at 25 kg of live weight, grew without showing any visible signs of deficiency up to 100 kg weight with no vitamin A additions. However, the liver vitamin A analysis at slaughter showed that the recommendation for vitamin A in practical pig feeds should be higher than 1000 IU/kg. In the present experiment, 3000 HJ/kg was found to be a sufficient level.
Influence of dietary supplementation on serum vitamin A and D concentrations and their seasonal variation in horses
Authors: Saastamoinen Markku , Juusela Johanna
Published: July 2018

An experiment involving 40 adult trotters and saddle horses was conducted during a period of one year in order to investigate the influence of vitamin A (retinol) and D (25-(OH)D) supplementation on serum vitamin concentrations and the seasonal variation of the serum concentrations of these vitamins. Vitamin supplementation was started either at the beginning or in the middle of the indoor (winter) feeding period. Supplementation lasted from the beginning of September or January to the end of May. According to the results, neither the dietary vitamin supplementation nor the length of the grazing period had any consistent effect on the serum vitamin concentrations. Neither was there any systematic seasonal variation in the serum retinol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.
The effect of supplementation of liquid and crystalline lysine to barley-distillers solids diet on the performance and carcass quality of pigs
Authors: Valaja Jarmo
Published: July 2018

The response to dietary lysine of liquid or crystalline form was examined in pigs fed on cereal protein dietsover the range of live weight from 25.0 to 95.0 kg. Forty individually fed growing pigs (20 gilts and 20castrated males) were allocated to four isonitrogenous diets consisting of barley, undehydrated distillers solids and a mixture of minerals and vitamins with lysine supplementation of 0.9 or 3.2 g pure lysine per kg DM in liquid or crystalline form to provide 7.1 or 9.1 g/FU total lysine, respectively. The pigs were given feed on a restricted scale twice daily. A high level of lysine supplementation significantly increased the growth rate and improved the feed conversion efficiency (p
Reduction of sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen transport on vegetated buffer strips
Authors: Uusi-Kämppä Jaana , Yläranta Toivo
Published: July 2018

The largest source of phosphorus and nitrogen in surface waters is cultivated soils. The effects of ten-meter wide grass buffer strips (CBS) on sediment and nutrient losses from cropped soil plots have been studied forone year at the Agricultural Research Centre in Finland. The GBS plots were compared to plots without vegetated buffer strips (no- VBS). The GBSs decreased loads of total solids, phosphorus and nitrogen by an average of 23, 6 and 47%, respectively. The grass buffer strips were effective in autumn but not in spring. Thirty-eight percent more soluble phosphate phosphorus was leached from the GBS plots than from the plots without GBSs, because of their inefficiency in spring.
The effect of disinfectants on fungi in pure culture and on different surface materials
Authors: Koponen Hilkka , Avikainen Hanna , Tahvonen Risto
Published: July 2018

The effect of eight disinfectants was tested on 11 fungi. The concentrations recommended by the manufacturers were mostly used in the present trials. Five and 15 min treatment times were too short for most preparations. The best efficacy was achieved at 60 min treatment lime. In pure cultures, all disinfectants tested were most effective against Pythium sp. Overall, the most effective preparation was Desinfektol EL which was effective against all fungi tested at 5 min treatment time. Wood surfaces were more difficult to disinfest than metal and plastic surfaces. Rhizoctonia solani and Verticillium dahliae were highly susceptible only to Desinfektol EL, and NaOCl controlled Pythium sp. and Botrytis cinerea. None of the preparations controlled completely the other test fungi. On metal surfaces the most effective disinfectants were Desinfektol EL and NaOCl; moderately effective were lobac P and Menno-Ter-forte. Korsolin was the least effective preparation. Verticillium dahliae and Phomopsis sderotioides were difficult to kill. The easiest fungi to disinfest were Pythium sp., Rhizoctonia solani, B. cinerea, Fusarium avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. oxysporum, Mycocentrospora acerina and Phoma foveata. Fungi grown on plastic surfaces were best controlled with Desinfektol EL. Also NaOCl, Menno-Ter-forte and lobac P were effective. Korsolin was the least effective preparation. The easiest fungi to eradicate were Pythium sp. and R. solani. The most difficult fungi were V. dahliae and P. sderotioides. Both peat and clay deteriorated the efficacy of the disinfectants except for Desinfektol EL.
Nutritive value of wet distillers' solubles for pigs
Authors: Valaja Jarmo , Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

Digestibility and nitrogen (N) metabolism were studied to evaluate the nutritive value of wet barley distillers’ solubles (DSB) from an integrated starch-ethanol process for pigs. Eight castrated male pigs (live weight 72-103 kg) were used in a 8 x 3 cyclic change-over design, where the diets were arranged factorially 2x2. The corresponding factors were the protein source (DSB or soya bean meal (SBM)) and the protein level (131 or 162 g crude protein (CP)/kg dry matter (DM)). Faeces and urine were collected in total. The four diets comprised barley, barley starch, minerals and vitamins with either DSB or SBM as the main source of protein. The digestibility of CP(p
Lactic acid fermentation of fish offal and chicken by-product with different starter cultures
Authors: Lassén T. Mikael
Published: July 2018

Lactic acid fermentation was evaluated as a method to preserve fish and chicken by-products. Herring (Clupea harengus) by-products (viscera and heads) and chicken by-products (heads, viscera, feathers, feet and discarded whole chickens) were minced, mixed with 5% dextrose and inoculated with 108 colony forming units (cfu)/g of four different lactic acid bacteria cultures. The by-product was fermented at 25°C and evaluated for pH, % produced lactic acid, redox potential and odour during four weeks' storage. In herring offal, pH decreased from 6.8 to 4.2 in one week and stabilized at about 4.3. In the same time, 2.0% to 3.2% lactic acid was produced and concentrations stabilized from 2.5% to 4.0%. In chicken offal, pH decreased to a stable level of 4.4, and 3.2% lactic acid was produced after one week of fermentation. A negative and stable redox potential was achieved after one week of fermentation in both herring and chicken offal.
Comparison of production results between blue foxes housed with and without platforms
Authors: Korhonen Hannu , Niemelä Paavo
Published: July 2018

The production results of farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) housed in cages with and without resting platforms were compared. No differences in weight gain or reproductive performance were found between the groups. However, locomotor activity prior to the breeding season tended to be slightly lower in animals provided with platforms. Platform use during the period of winter fur development (Oct-Nov) varied for the different platform constructions, being highest in wooden U-type platforms placed 30 cm from the cage roof (54.1% of observations on platforms) and lowest in the corner platform type (12.6%, p
Predicting herbage mass of Phleum pratense L. pastures with a disk meter
Authors: Virkajärvi Perttu , Matilainen Kaisa
Published: July 2018

A simple disk meter was calibrated for predicting the herbage mass (HM) of rotationally grazed pastures dominated by Phleum pratense L. in 1991-1992. A total of 696 paired observations were made on disk height (DH) and HM > 4 cm. The samples were classified for three different statuses: spring growth, post grazing and aftermath. In 1991 three different disk weights (c. 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 kg/m2) were compared and the lightest disk was chosen for further studies in 1992. The variation in HM was adequately explained by linear models. There were only small differences between the predictive ability of different disk weights, the lightest disk having the highest r2 values. Post grazing and aftermath samples could be pooled, whilst spring growth samples needed a separate model. Year had no significant effect on the parameters of any model. The models chosen were: spring growth HM = -406.7 + 113.4(DH); r2 = 0.95, post grazing and aftermath HM = -629.1 + 122.1(DH); r2 = 0.88. The disk meter is a potential tool for predicting the HM of rotationally grazed timothy pastures.
Cumulative compaction of a clay loam soil by annually repeated field traffic in autumn
Authors: Alakukku Laura , Elonen Paavo
Published: July 2018

The cumulative effects of annually repeated field traffic on soil properties and barley yield were investigated in a field experiment on clay loam. Experimental traffic was applied with a tractor-trailer combination prior to autumn ploughing for four successive years. The trailer single axle load was 5 Mg, The loading intensity was 0, 100 and 300 Mg km ha-1, and both standard and low-profile trailer tyres were used. The effect of early summer irrigation on the yield was also studied. The yield and nitrogen uptake of the crop were determined for four successive years. Soil penetrometer resistance was measured annually after the second loading. The traffic compacted the soil to 0.35 m depth. On average, soil compaction reduced barley yield by 5% and nitrogen uptake by 7%. No annual cumulative increase in the compaction depth or yield reductions was found. Probably only the first loading compacted the subsoil, because the soil was drier than field capacity in the 0.2-0.3 m layer in the following autumns. The use of trailer low-profile tyres did not reduce the depth of compaction or yield losses. On average, early summer irrigation increased grain yield by 34% and nitrogen uptake by 25%, but it did not significantly decrease yield or nitrogen uptake reductions due to compaction.
Feed, energy and protein intakes of horses - A review of Finnish feeding trials
Authors: Saastamoinen Markku
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feed, energy and protein intakes of horses engaged in different performances by reviewing results and data concerning feed consumption in 17 feeding trials with a total 356 horses, conducted between 1972 and 1992. The dry matter intake was found to average 1.6-1.8% of body weight for working horses and pregnant mares, and 2-3.5% for lactating mares. According to the results most of the exercising horses could be fed with energy and protein amounts currently recommended for moderate work. In Standardbred trotters, the average energy intake corresponded to the current requirements for light work. The individual variation in energy consumption among horses engaged in work of the same intensity was considerable, and seemed to be larger for Finnhorses than for warmblooded horses. The establishment of new nutrient requirements and feeding recommendations separately for trotters and riding horses of these two breeds, i.e. Finnhorses and warmblooded horses, seems justified.
The effect of disinfectants on fungal diseases of potato and vegetables
Authors: Koponen Hilkka , Avikainen Hanna , Tahvonen Risto
Published: July 2018

Treatments of one and ten minutes were too short for all disinfectants against fungi in peat and plant debris. The best effect was achieved with a treatment of 90 min. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was the most effective and Korsolin and Virkon S were the least effective in the control of Fusarium culmorum and F. oxysporum. Virkon S (2%) was the most effective against Mycocentrospora acerina and Phoma foveata. Soaking for 15 min and 60 min in a disinfection suspension eradicated Botrytis cinerea and P. foveata totally from the contaminated plastic pots. Fusarium spp. were the most difficult fungi to disinfect and these were best controlled with formaline, lobac P, Menno-Ter-forte and sodium hypochlorite. lobac P, formaline, Menno-Ter-forte, Taloset and Virkon S were the most effective disinfectants against club rot (Plasmodiophora hrassicae). Washing under running water was not sufficient to eradicate club rot. Against Rhizoctonia -induced damping off of cauliflower the most effective disinfectants were formaline and Virkon S.
Erosivity factor in the Universal Soil Loss Equation estimated from Finnish rainfall data
Authors: Posch Maximilian , Rekolainen Seppo
Published: July 2018

Continuous rainfall data recorded for many years at 8 stations in Finland were used to estimate rainfall erosivity, a quantity needed for soil loss predictions with the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The obtained erosivity values were then used to determine the 2 parameters of a power-law function describing the relationship between daily precipitation and erosivity. This function is of importance in erosion modeling at locations where no breakpoint rainfall data are available. The parameters of the power-law were estimated both by linear regression of the log-transformed data and by non-linear least-square fitting of the original data. Results indicate a considerable seasonal (monthly) variation of the erosivity, whereas the spatial variation over Finland is rather small.
Effects of a short laying rest on postrest egg production and egg quality
Authors: Kiiskinen Tuomo , Hakatie Hilkka
Published: July 2018

Two factorial trials, each including three commercial laying hybrids, were conducted to study the effects of a short laying rest on postrest performance of hens and on egg quality. A total of 1800 hens laying at 65% on an average (70 wks of age) were subjected to one of the following treatments: no rest (control, C) or feeding only whole-grain barley (WB) or fasting (F, Trial 1 only) until the rate oflay dropped to 0%, after which the birds were returned to the previous all-mash diet. The second laying period was six months. Egg production of the WB and F hens ceased within one week on an average and the birds were out of production for 10 days. Laying intensity during the second production period did not differ significantly between the treatments in each trial, but egg weight and daily egg mass production increased as a result of the rest treatments. The laying rest procedures reduced feed intake, improved feed efficiency and increased live weight significantly. Egg shell and albumen quality traits were significantly better in the laying rest groups than in the controls. Significant differences in performance and egg quality between the hybrids were mainly ascertained in Trial 2. The results suggest that a short laying rest is a feasible means of improving egg quality towards the end of the laying period. It can be accomplished successfully by feeding whole-grain barley.
Milk peptides; effect on the enzymatic hydrolysis of sodium caseinate
Authors: Haque Zahur U. , Antila Pirkko
Published: July 2018

Sodium caseinate (NaCN) was hydrolyzed using Rhozyme 41 (Rh41), Neutrase (Neu) and plasmin (PL) to obtain peptide preparations termed; Na-Cas-P-Rh41, Na-Cas-P-Neu, and Na-Cas-P-Plasmin, respectively. Indigenous whey peptides (IWP) were obtained from fresh sweet whey, at different levels of ufconcentration, by a precipitation method described earlier. These peptide fractions were then used to observe their effect on the activity of some proteases. All peptide preparations depressed enzyme activity. Na-Cas-P-Rh41 was the most powerful inhibitor of enzyme activity and decreased the activity of trypsin, Rh41, Neu. and PL by 15, 32, 50, and 14%, respectively. IWP markedly depressed activity of Rh41. The degree of uf-concentration of whey from which IWP was obtained was directly related to degree of inhibition.
The influence of some starter cultures and GDL on the formation of biogenic amines in dry sausages
Authors: Maijala Riitta , Eerola Susanna , Hill Pauli , Nurmi Esko
Published: July 2018

The influence of five common starter cultures and glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) on the formation of histamine, tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermine and spermidine in dry sausages was studied. Sausages were manufactured in a pilot plant from two different batches of raw material. No major differences were observed between the starter cultures studied in the biogenic amine levels detected during ripening. The lowest levels of histamine were detected in sausages fermented by GDL and Staphylococcae with or without lactic acid bacteria as a starter culture. In pure culture studies performed with a turbidometric method in MRS broth, non-starter lactic acid bacteria isolated from sausages were found to be more sensitive to acidic conditions than the starter strains used in the study. The addition of 2% histidine to MRS broth resulted in a tremendous increase in histamine production (from 1-2 to 6000 ppm). However, in histidine-fortified MRS broth with GDL addition, only 54 ppm of histamine was formed. According to these results, the pH decrease caused by GDL addition decreases histamine formation in dry sausages and in MRS broth. The differences in pH decrease may be one reason for the very varying concentrations of histamine detected in retail dry sausages.
Testing the modified CREAMS/GLEAMS model for pesticide concentration in soil
Authors: Salo Simo , Posch Maximilian , Rekolainen Seppo
Published: July 2018

The accuracy of simulating the trifluralin concentrations in a clay soil and in a loamy sand soil with the modified CREAMS/GLEAMS model has been tested by comparing them with observed values. The simulated concentrations in the soils were in good agreement with those observed in the first weeks after application. In the long run the simulated concentrations decreased faster than the observed ones. In addition, the sensitivity of the model to variations of two pesticide parameters has been analyzed: the pesticide adsorption coefficient for organic carbon and the pesticide degradation rate expressed as half-life in soil. The variation in the two pesticide parameters had a considerable effect on the model output. Especially large were the effects of the adsorption coefficient on the pesticide concentration in the percolated water leaving the root zone.
Time saving method for protoplast isolation, transformation and transient gene expression assay in barley
Authors: Jenes Barnabas , Puolimatka Matti , Bittencourt Pedro , Pulli Seppo
Published: July 2018

This study was conducted to establish a rapid method for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) protoplast isolation to provide an easy-to-use procedure for the transformation and primary investigation of new gene constructs by transient gene expression assays. Protoplasts were successfully isolated from the chopped embryo and scutellum parts of mature barley seeds by digesting three hours with an enzyme mixture. Isolated protoplasts were washed in W5 washing solution, sieved through plastic meshes and then cleaned on sucrose gradient. The suitability of these directly from embryo-scutellum complexes derived protoplasts for transient gene expression studies was determined by transforming the protoplasts using the PEG (polyethylene glycol) method. Plasmid pAct1-F containing the rice Act1 promoter linked with the gus coding sequences and the nos polyadenylation signal was used in the transformation. After the PEG treatment protoplasts were cultured on KPR culture medium and the transient gus expression was assayed 24-36 hours after transformation. Up to 6% of the transformed protoplasts showed gus expression after treating the protoplasts with X-gluc. The results of this study show that the protoplasts isolated directly from dissected mature barley scutellum-embryo complexes could be used to investigate transient gene expressions in barley. This procedure requires negligible time prior the transformation experiment and so can be done in a very short time compared to the protoplast system based on a suspension culture.
The effect of increasing nitrogen dose, growth regulator and variety on seed and stalk yields, and some quality aspects of fibre flax
Authors: Savikurki Riitta
Published: July 2018

The effect of nitrogen, growth regulator and variety on seed and stalk yields and on the quality of fibre flax was studied at Kesälahti and at the Viikki Experimental Farm of the University of Helsinki, Finland, in 1987-89. The varieties tested were the domestic ‘Aino’ and the Dutch ‘Belinka’ and ‘Natasha’. Increasing the nitrogen supply from 6 kg/ha to 30 kg/ha inproved stalk yield significantly. The effect of the largest nitrogen dose on stalk yield was dependent on growth regulator treatment and weather conditions. Growth regulator treatment increased stalk yield when the nitrogen supply was further increased from 30 kg/ha to 60 kg/ha. On the untreated stand, the effect of nitrogen fertilization was less strong. Increasing nitrogen supply from 6 kg/ha to 60 kg/ha increased branching of the stalk, crop height, technical length and thickness of stalk, lodging, 1000 seed weight and protein content. The average stalk yield at both experimental sites was 4110 kg DM/ha. In the wet and cool growing season of 1987, growth regulator treatment significantly reduced stalk length, lodging and seed yield but increased stalk yield. In the dry growing season of 1989, growth regulator treatment increased stalk length, too. The domestic variety, ‘Aino’, was the earliest but it lodged easily. Its stalk yield was the lowest, on average 3400 kg of DM/ha. There was no difference between the Dutch varieties, ‘Belinka’ and ‘Natasha’, both of which are suitable for growing in Finland.
Effect of feeding by Metadelphax propinqua (Fieber)(Homoptera, Delphacidae) on barley
Authors: Raatikainen Mikko , Raatikainen Terttu , Vasarainen Arja
Published: July 2018

The effect of feeding by the Turkish Metadelphax propinqua on barley was investigated in Finland. The number of M. propinqua nymphs and the length of their feeding period on barley did not have any major effects on the barley plants. M. propinqua males had a greater effect on the properties of barley than did the nymphs. The effect of M. propinqua females on the barley was much greater than that of either the nymphs or males. Their number and the length of feeding time lowered the length and weight of plants, the number of grains, the grain yield and the 1000-grain weight
Input substitution and technological development on Finnish dairy farms for 1965-1991: Empirical application on bookkeeping dairy farms
Authors: Ryhänen Matti
Published: July 2018

The study presents an attempt to gain a better understanding of the input substitution and technological development on Finnish dairy farms. The dual approach of the neoclassical production and cost theory is applied. A system of derived demand and cost functions is estimated using a representative dairy farm data and panel data of bookkeeping Finnish dairy farms. The flexible translog cost function is utilized to solve the empirical research problem. The cost function study is chosen, because it makes it possible to study production of farms operating in the area of decreasing average costs. According to the results, inputs are for the most part substitutes with each other. With the existing production technology, the substitution of inputs for other inputs is inelastic. The own price elasticities are also inelastic. Technical change is purchased feed-saving and other inputs-using. The average annual rate of technical change was 1.3 percent. The new production chains resulting from technical change have made it possible to increase the size of dairy farms. Increasing the size of dairy farms should be allowed so in order to make it possible to utilize the advantages related to the economies of size.
Arrangement of experiments for simulating the effects of elevated temperatures and elevated CO2 levels on field-sown crops in Finland
Authors: Hakala Kaija , Mela Timo , Laurila Heikki , Kaukoranta Timo
Published: July 2018

The experimental plants: spring wheat, winterwheat, spring barley, meadow fescue, potato, strawberry and black currant were sown or planted directly in the field, part of which was covered by an automatically controlled greenhouse to elevate the temperature by 3°C. The temperature of the other part of the field (open field) was not elevated, but the field was covered with the same plastic film as the greenhouse to achieve radiation and rainfall conditions comparable to those in the greenhouse. To elevate the CO2 concentrations, four open top chambers (OTC) were built for the greenhouse, and four for the open field. Two of these, both in the greenhouse and in the open field, were supplied with pure CO2 to elevate their CO2 level to 700 ppm. The temperatures inside the greenhouse followed accurately the desired level. The relative humidity was somewhat higher in the greenhouse and in the OTC:s than in the open field, especially after the modifications in the ventilation of the greenhouse and in the OTC:s in 1994. Because the OTC:s were large (3 m in diameter), the temperatures inside them differed very little from the surrounding air temperature. The short-term variation in the CO2 concentrations in the OTC:s with elevated CO2 was, however, quite high. The control of the CO2 concentrations improved each year from 1992 to 1994, as the CO2 supplying system was modified. The effects of the experimental conditions on plant growth and phenology are discussed.
Resistance to potato virus A and potato virus Y in potato cultivars grown in Finland
Authors: Valkonen Jari P. T. , Palohuhta Jukka P.
Published: July 2018

Phenotypic expression of resistance to potato Y potyvirus (PVY) and potato A potyvirus (PVA) was tested in 24 potato cultivars and an advanced breeding line using graft-inoculation under controlled conditions in the glasshouse. Resistance phenotypes were determined based on symptom expression and systemic infection detected with DAS-ELISA. Tubers were harvested from the PVA-inoculated plants and tested for PVA with ELISA. Sixteen potato cultivars expressed hypersensitive resistance (HR) to the strain group YO of PVY. Ute expressed extreme resistance (ER) to PVY (strain groups YO and YN) and PVA, and eight cultivars (Amazone, Bintje, Fambo, Posmo, Record, Rosamunda, Saturna and Van Gogh) expressed ER to PVA. These cultivars produced no PVA-infected tubers (tubers of Record were not tested). Matilda and Nicola expressed HR to PVA. The tubers of graft-inoculated Matilda produced no PVA-infected shoots, whereas shoots from Nicola tubers developed necrosis and severe mosaic symptoms and were PVA-infected based on results from ELISA. Comparison with purified PVA antigen (using ELISA) indicated that the secondarily infected shoots of the 14 PVA-susceptible cultivars contained 206-804 ng of PVA antigen per gram of leaf tissue.
Release of soil phosphorus during runoff as affected by ionic strength and temperature
Authors: Yli-Halla Markku , Hartikainen Helinä
Published: July 2018

Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) from two cultivated clay soil samples (Vertic Cambisols) was extracted under conditions simulating the variation in the properties of surface runoff water in the field. DRP was extracted at three temperatures (5, 15 and 25°C), and at different ionic strengths by using deionized water and CaCl2 solutions (0.00005-0.005 M) as extractants. The solution-to-soil ratio varied from 50 to 2000 1 kg-1. Sorption to and desorption from the soils were studied at different temperatures and ionic strengths by determining quantity-intensity (Q/I) plots at the solution-to-soil ratio of 50 l kg-1, and the results were fitted to a modified Langmuir equation: Q = QmaxI/(1/K + I)-Q0 where Q is P sorbed or desorbed, Qmax = maximum P sorption, I = P concentration in the equilibrium solution, K = sorption/desorption equilibrium constant, and Q0 = instantly labile P. The desorption of DRP was depressed by increases in the CaCl2 concentration of the extractant and promoted by widening of the solution-to-soil ratio. At the solution-to-soil ratio of 50 l kg-1, the increase in the temperature from 5 to 25°C raised the DRP release to water from 12.6 to 20.7 mg kg-1 in the Aurajoki soil and from 1.8 to 3.4 mg kg-1 in the Jokioinen soil. In the Aurajoki soil, the constant Q0 of the Langmuir equation responded to the changes of ionic strength and temperature in the same way as did DRP extracted at wide solution-to-soil ratios. However, the P release capacity of both soils was underestimated by the constant Q0.
Potential economic effects of climate change on Finnish agriculture
Authors: Kettunen Lauri
Published: July 2018

In the assessment of the economic effects of climate change, changes in returns and costs have to be taken into consideration. Changes in returns are mainly caused by changes in the yield level. Costs are determined by various factors. Harvesting conditions may improve as the temperatures are higher. However, an increasing need for disease and pest control results in higher costs. Various extensive studies have indicated that rising temperatures with the CO2 fertilizing effect increase the crop potential in Finland. From the economic point of view an increase in yield level is highly significant, because the increase in costs remains quite small, A 10% increase in the yield level raises the farm income by about 6%. Because agriculture is supported in many ways either directly or indirectly, the rise in income level may be offset by lowering the support. Consequently, farmers may not benefit from an increase in the yield level, but the benefit will go to the state economy. However, an increase in the yield level resulting from rising temperatures is advantageous to the national economy, regardless of whether the benefit goes to the farmers or to the state.
In vitro production of cattle blastocysts in chemically defined medium with or without insulin supplementation
Authors: Bredbacka Kristiina , Bredbacka Peter
Published: July 2018

In this study we evaluated the use of a chemically defined medium in the production of blastocysts from bovine oocytes fertilized in vitro. As culture medium we used CRI-PVP, a modification of CRlaa medium with bovine serum albumin replaced by polyvinylpyrrolidone. After 168 h of culture (192 h after insemination) 8.7%, 10.5 and 12.8% of the cleaved embryos developed to the blastocyst stage in the presence of 0, 2 or 200 nM insulin, respectively. The supplementation of 200 nM insulin tended to increase cell numbers in morulae and blastocysts (P=0.10). It is concluded that CRI-PVP can be used as a chemically defined medium in the production of blastocysts from bovine 1-cell embryos. However, further modifications are needed, and the insulin concentrations used may be below the optimum for blastocyst production.
Detection of bovine foetal DNA from amniotic fluid using the polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Peippo Jaana , Bredbacka Peter
Published: July 2018

The aims of this study were to evaluate the amount of amniotic fluid required for diagnosis of sex, milk protein and microsatellite variants by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to review methods for isolating DNA from the amniotic cells. Uterine and foetal tissues were used as controls, and milk protein and microsatellite variants to check contamination of maternal cells in the PCR. The results showed that the samples do not need to be purified after DNA release from the amniotic cells and that as little as 0.5-1.5 ml of amniotic fluid is sufficient for reliable diagnosis by PCR.
Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in wet wheat protein and soya bean meal for growing pigs
Authors: Mäkinen Markku , Siljander-Rasi Hilkka
Published: July 2018

A study was conducted on four castrated male pigs to determine the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids in wheat protein (WP), a wet by-product of the starch and gluten industry, and in soya bean meal (SBM). The pigs were fitted with a steered ileo-caecal valve cannula at a liveweight of 35 kg. They were assigned to two semi-purified wheat starch based diets, with either WP or SBM as a sole protein source, and fed according to a three-period reversal design. The diets were formulated to contain 140 g CP/kg DM, 11.3 MJ net energy/kg DM and similar amounts of lysine, methionine and threonine. The CP content and the lysine and threonine contents in CP were lower in WP than in SBM. Nearly half of the DM in WP was starch, and the crude fibre content of the product was very low. The apparent ileal and total tract digestibilities of CP were very similar in both the WP and SBM diets. The AID of methionine was higher in WP (88.2%) than in SBM (84.6%) diets (P
Occurrence of common scab in potato tubers after foliar treatment with glycinebetaine under glasshouse conditions
Authors: Tuomola Elina , Rita Hannu , Kuisma Paavo , Somersalo Susanne , Pehu Eija , Jokinen Kari , Valkonen Jari P. T.
Published: July 2018

A single foliar spray with 2.5 mM glycinebetaine (GB) was applied on potato (Solatium tuberosum L.) cvs. Matilda, Sabina and Saturna grown in a sand bed infested with Streplomyces scabies (Thaxter) Waksman & Henrici at tuber initiation. A period of drought was maintained after GB treatment to enhance scab infection. Logit models were used to compare scab incidence in all harvested tubers (n = 622) and the type of scab in the symptomatic tubers (n = 382), whereas the tuber surface areas covered with scab lesions were compared using ANOVA. A 10 g increase in tuber weight increased the odds of scab incidence by 11.3%. Scab incidence was lowest in Sabina and highest in Matilda. Raised scab and superficial scab were common in all cultivars, but pitted scab developed only in a few tubers of Sabina and Matilda. Among the scabby tubers, the incidence of raised scab was highest in Sabina and lowest in Saturna. The mean surface area covered with scab was 32.8% in Matilda, 11.7% in Saturna and 7.5% in Sabina. Treatment with GB slightly reduced the severity of scab symptoms, as shown by the reduction in the proportion of tubers with raised scab among the scabby tubers (odds 0.60). No effect on the incidence of scab or the tuber area covered with scab lesions was detected following GB treatment.
Effects of cage size and obstructed view from cage on use of resting platforms by farmed silver foxes
Authors: Mononen Jaakko , Harri Mikko , Ahola Leena
Published: July 2018

The effects of cage size and an obstructed view from the cage on the use of wooden non walled resting platforms by juvenile male (n=10) and female (n=15) silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were assessed in a 10 week experiment. The degree of the view and the free floor area of the cage varied between the five types of cage used. Each animal spent 2 weeks in each type of cage and their behaviour was videorecorded for a 24-h period in each 2-week period. The foxes spent 59 ± 13% of their daily time on the platforms. Use declined from 72 ± 13% in September to 35 ± 21% in November. Males used the platforms more than did females. In late October and early November, the foxes in cages with an obstructed view from the floor made more use of the platforms for both active behaviour and resting than did those in cages with an unobstructed view from the floor. The larger the free floor area of the cage, the less the silver foxes used the platforms during activity in mid-August and mid-September. One probable function of the platform is to offer the foxes an observation and resting place with an open view in all directions.
Production of fungal volatile organic compounds in bedding materials
Authors: Lappalainen Saana , Pasanen Anna-Liisa , Pasanen Pentti , Kalliokoski Pentti
Published: July 2018

The high relative humidity of the air and many potential growth media, such as bedding materials, hay and grains in the horse stable, for example, provide suitable conditions for fungal growth. Metabolic activity of four common agricultural fungi incubated in peat and wood shavings at 25°C and 4°C was characterized in this study using previously specified volatile metabolites of micro-organisms and CO2 production as indicators. The volatile organic compounds were collected into Tenax resin and analysed by gas chromatography. Several microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), e.g. 1-butanol, 2-hexanone, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, 1-octen-3-ol and 1-octanol were detected in laboratory experiments; however, these accounted for only 0.08-1.5% of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). Emission rates of MVOCs were 0,001-0.176 μg/kg of bedding materials per hour. Despite some limitations of the analytical method, certain individual MVOCs, 2-hexanone, 2-heptanone and 3-octanone, were also detected in concentrations of less than 4.6 μg/m3 (0.07-0.31% of TVOC) in a horse stable where peat and shavings were used as bedding materials. MVOC emission rate was estimated to be 0.2-2.0 μg/kg x h-1 from bedding materials in the stable, being about ten times higher than the rates found in the laboratory experiments. Some compounds, e.g. 3-octanone and 1-octen-3-ol, can be assumed to originate mainly from microbial metabolisms.