bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An electric oven for drying samples from field plots.
Authors: Garner F. H. , Grantham J. , Sanders H. G.
Published: March 2009

In field experimentation the effects involved can often only be satisfactorily evaluated on the basis of dry matter yield. The size of plots usually renders the drying of the whole produce impracticable; this necessitates the determination of dry matter content by means of sampling. Since it is essential, on statistical grounds, that each plot should be separately sampled, an experiment may entail the determination of a large number of dry matter percentages. Agricultural produce is generally bulky and subject to fermentation, and therefore apparatus of a larger capacity than that usually found in laboratories is required. In the past much use has been made of uncovered gas heated hot plates, but these are unsatisfactory. Such hot plates do not lend themselves to accurate control of temperature, nor is uniformity of temperature over the plate easy to attain. It is therefore necessary either to run the risk of occasionally burning samples or to dry more slowly than is desirable. Hot plates are very wasteful of heat and the samples are unprotected during drying.
Note on an accurate wet combustion method for the determination of carbon in soils
Authors: Alpee Pauline
Published: March 2009

In April 1938 I published a method for the determination of carbon in soils (Alper, 1938). This method consists of digesting the soil with a mixture of sulphuric acid and potassium bichromate, passing the products of combustion through a heated combustion tube and absorbing the carbon dioxide produced in barium hydroxide. Digestion and absorption take place in a closed system which allows neither the escape nor entrance of carbon dioxide. The absorption flask is evacuated and separated from the digestion flask by a glass tap. During the process of digestion, as the pressure in the system increases, this tap is manipulated, allowing the escape of gas into the absorption flask. A pressure gauge in the system indicates when the tap should be opened.

The sensitivity of this mercury pressure gauge causes some difficulty in technique. It is necessary to watch the experiment throughout the digestion and to manipulate the tap constantly. In order to obviate this difficulty an improvement in the apparatus has been effected. The pressure gauge has been replaced by an elastic bladder (a child's balloon serves the purpose admirably) which is connected to the system by means of a glass ┬-piece. At the commencement of the experiment the pressure within the system is slightly less than atmospheric owing to the suction of CO2-free air through the apparatus. This causes the complete deflation of the balloon. As digestion continues the balloon becomes distended. The distension of the balloon must not be allowed to go too far as too great a pressure in the system will result in losses through leakage.
Measurement of the suction of soil water by Portland stone absorbers calibrated by a new method for determining vapour pressures near to saturation
Authors: Davidson A. L. C. , Schofield R. K.
Published: March 2009

1. A filter apparatus cannot be relied upon to give a correct reading of the suction of soil water when this exceeds about 400 cm. of water.

2. Owing to the contribution of dissolved matter to the freezing-point depression the suction in a soil of normal low salt content can only be obtained from the freezing-point depression with reasonable accuracy when it exceeds about 4000 cm. of water (freezing-point depression greater than 0–3° C).

3. Suctions in the range 400 to 4000 cm. have been measured with the aid of calibrated absorbers consisting of thin plates of Portland stone.

4. The plates were calibrated up to 1000 cm. by the application of suction through a filter, and above 1000 cm. by measuring the vapour-pressure depression by a new technique.

5. When applied direct to soil, the new vapour-pressure technique is more reliable than the freezing-point method, and can be applied to materials which do not exhibit a well-defined freezing-point.

6. A suitable soil was washed free from salts and brought to 1000 cm. suction on a filter. Measurements of the vapour-pressure depression and the freezing-point depression checked well with the thermodynamic formulae.
Use of water by cultivated plants in the field
Authors: Tulaikov N.
Published: March 2009

The problem of the use of water by cultivated plants during the period of their growth is of great scientific interest. It is certainly of prime interest for the farmers of a dry region where to secure a yield everything depends in most cases upon the problem of moisture.

When studying the problem of the use of water by cultivated plants under field conditions the importance of extremely unstable and widely varying meteorological factors is evident. The fluctuations are especially large and irregular with respect to moisture.
The lime status of soil in relation to an insect pest of sugar-cane
Authors: Turner P. E.
Published: March 2009

1. The sugar-cane in Trinidad is subject to blight, caused primarily by the sucking action on its leaves of a Cercopid, Monecphora (Tomaspis) saccharina Dist., commonly known as the “froghopper.” The intensity of the injury sustained by the cane appears to depend largely on the condition of the soil in which it is grown. An investigation has, therefore, been made of the extent to which certain soil factors are associated with the reaction of the cane to froghopper attack.

2. The data obtained show that the mechanical composition of the soil and its content of organic matter bear little relationship to the damage caused. The blighted soils differ from those blight-free, however, in that, whereas the former are devoid of calcium carbonate and, as a rule, markedly acid, the latter almost mvariably contain at least traces of this substance, and in general are alkaline or slightly acid only. These differences suggest that the lime status of the soil is a factor of primary importance.
Rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in cattle given intraruminal infusions of lactic acid with a grass silage based diet
Authors: Jaakkola S. , Huhtanen P.
Published: March 2009

Four Friesian bulls with ruminal and duodenal cannulae were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to study the effects of lactic acid (LA) on rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis. On a dry matter (DM) basis (g/kg), the basal diet comprised grass silage (700), barley (240) and rapeseed meal (60) and it was given at the rate of 7·1 kg DM/day. LA was infused continuously into the rumen at the rates of 0 (L0), 40 (L40), 80 (L80) or 120 (L120) g/kg basal diet DM.

The molar proportion of propionate in the rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) increased linearly (P < 0.001) and that of acetate, isovalerate, caproate (P < 0.01) and isobutyrate (P < 005) decreased linearly with an increasing rate of LA infusion. At the same time there was a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in the number of rumen protozoa. When the metabolic fate of infused LA was calculated on a molar basis, 0.21 of lactic acid was converted to acetate, 0·52 to propionate and 0.27 to butyrate.

Infusion of LA into the rumen had no effect on the site or extent of the digestion of basal diet organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). LA diets tended to have a lower microbial N flow at the duodenum (71·4 v. 85·8 g N/day) and lower synthetic efficiency in the rumen (14·4 v. 20.4 g N/kg OM apparently fermented) when compared with the control diet. The ratio of duodenal non-ammonia N to N intake was highest with the control diet and lowest with L40, the effect of the LA rate being quadratic (P < 0·05). The results suggest that propionate was the main end-product of lactic acid fermentation in the rumen with the grass silage based diet. Lactic acid had no value as an energy source for microbial protein synthesis.
The effects of different levels of N, P and K on the yields, nitrogen content and kernel weights of malting barley (var. Proctor)
Authors: Gately T. F.
Published: March 2009

The effects of N, P and K applied broadcast on yields, percentage nitrogen and kernel weights of barley were studied over two seasons.

The average yield increase over thirteen sites was 5·1 cwt and 8·2 cwt from applications of 35 lb and 70 lb/acre of fertilizer N respectively. A mean yield increase of 4·4 cwt/acre was obtained from 27 lb P at four sites where the soil phosphorus test did not exceed 2 ppm P. Potassium applied at rates varying from 0 to 168 lb K/acre increased yields at one site only and decreased them at another site.

The mean grain nitrogen percent without fertilizer N was 1·47 and applications of 35 and 70 lb N/acre gave increases of 0·06 and 0·19% respectively. The overall effects of P and K on the percent nitrogen in the grain were small.

Applications of 35 and 70 lb N/acre increased the mean 1000 kernel weights by 0·7 and 1·0 g respectively. When lodging occurred kernel weights were decreased. Fertilizer P and K had little effect on the kernel weights.

The significance of these data are discussed in relation to previous cropping and rainfall during the growing season and during the previous winter.
High level cereal diets for the growing/finishing pig. IV. A comparison at two slaughter weights (120 and 200 lb) of diets containing high levels of maize, sorghum, wheat and barley
Authors: Lawrence T. L. J.
Published: March 2009

Seventy-two (thirty-six hogs and thirty-six gilts) Large White type weaner pigs were individually and restrictedly fed four diets (as wet mashes) containing high levels (85% in the starter diets and 90% in the finisher diets) of either maize, sorghum, wheat or barley. Thirty-six pigs (nine per treatment) were slaughtered at 120 lb (54 kg approximately) live weight at the end of the period in which the starter diets were fed and the remaining thirty-six at 200 lb (90 kg approximately) live weight at the end of the period in which the finisher diets were fed.

In the starter period the growth rates and food conversion efficiencies of the pigs fed the barley- and wheat-based diets were similar but taken together were slightly superior to those of the pigs fed the maize- and sorghum-based diets. Based on determined digestible energy values the caloric efficiency of live-weight growth was significantly better for the barley-based diet than for all other diets. At a slaughter weight of 120 lb the killing out percentage of the pigs fed the maize diet was significantly higher than that of the pigs fed the barley and wheat diets. Iodine numbers of inner and outer backfats were significantly higher in pigs fed maize than in those fed sorghum and wheat and in those fed barley compared with those fed wheat. There were no other differences in carcass measurements or in the percentages of lean, fat and bone dissected from the carcasses. However, the pigs fed barley had (1) significantly smaller middle regions and (2) as percentages of the total tissue within the body, significantly less fat in the middle region but significantly more fat in the shoulder region, than did any of the other pigs.

In the finisher period the pigs fed the barley- and wheat-based diets grew significantly faster and converted their food and digestible energy of that food significantly more efficiently than did the pigs fed maize and sorghum. The caloric efficiency of live-weight gain was also significantly greater for the barley-fed pigs compared with those fed wheat. When slaughtered at 200 lb live weight, with the exception of backfat iodine numbers, where identical differences to those recorded at 120 lb were found, there were no significant differences in carcass measurements. On dissection the barley-fed pigs had significantly more lean and significantly less fat in the carcass than did any of the other pigs.
Physiological reactions of rams exposed in the hot room at various temperatures
Authors: Rathore Ashok K.
Published: March 2009

Two pairs of rams with different degrees of scrotal cover were subjected to hot room temperatures ranging from 26.7 to 4.5 °C to study the effect of elevated ambient temperatures on rectal temperature, respiration rate, scrotal length, flank temperature, scrotal temperature and intra-scrotal temperature.

Increase in room temperature caused increase in intra-scrotal temperature, but there was no significant difference between the two pairs.
Serum citrate levels in sheep
Authors: Suckling G. W. , Cutress T. W.
Published: March 2009

The source, control and function of serum citrate is not at present well understood. In human beings, however, a relationship between raised serum citrate levels and periodontal disease has been reported (Tsunemitsu, 1963; Simon et al. 1968). Two forms of periodontal disease have been described in sheep (Duckworth et al. 1962; Salisbury, Armstrong & Gray, 1953; Cutress & Ludwig, 1969), and are at present being studied by this organization. As part of the investigation into these conditions in sheep in New Zealand, serum citrate levels of animals from affected and unaffected flocks were determined during a period of 1 year. The results obtained showed considerable variations in serum citrate levels of the animals tested but a periodontal disease–serum citrate correlation was not found.
Note on a remarkable correlation between grain and straw, obtained at Rothamsted
Authors: Mackenzie Winifred A.
Published: March 2009

A Unique correlation has recently been obtained from some experimental data at Rothamsted. In the autumn of 1924 a set of 47 unmanured plots were laid out in Sawyer's Field, and were sown with wheat to test the uniformity of the fertility of the soil. The plots were each ·098 acre. The produce of grain and straw from each was recorded, and an examination of the figures showed that the straw yield recorded for plot 1 A was much lower than one would have expected under normal circumstances. A careful enquiry into the matter revealed that by an oversight a weighing of straw had been removed from the scales before the weight had been entered in the record. As it was impossible to verify the exact value of the missing entry, the yields from this plot were omitted from all statistical reductions of the data, leaving 46 plots upon which to base an estimate of the various statistics.

The soil was found to be very variable in fertility, the average yield of total grain per plot being 149·57 lb., with a standard error of 6·39 lb. and the average yield of total straw per plot was 194·35 lb., with a standard error of 7·55 lb.

The grain and straw yields of the 46 plots are shown in the accompanying diagram. The very close association between the total weight of grain and total weight of straw is evident. The amount of the relationship was measured by correlating the 46 pairs of values.
The food capacity of cattle
Authors: Murray J. Alan
Published: March 2009

For the purposes of this article the “food capacity” is taken to be the amount of total dry matter consumed when the animal is offered as much as it cares to eat. This has been estimated from the results of a variety of experiments collected by the author for the purpose.

The evidence quoted shows that the food capacity of steers is subject to a nearly uniform acceleration of 40 lb. per month per month from birth up to the age of 12 or 14 months, after which it remains approximately constant. It cannot therefore bear any simple relation to the live weight of the animal.

In the case of steers the average constant rate of consumption was about 18 lb. of total dry matter, per head, per day, throughout the period from 1 to 4 years of age; in the case of milk cows it is probably about twice as great, viz. from 30 to 40 lb.

The food capacity of steers has been much exaggerated by various scientific writers. In Kellner's tables it seems to be implied that the capacity varies as the live weight and that it may be as much as 64 lb. per head per day, i.e. 3½ times as much as was found in the experiments under review.
The chemistry of basic slags
Authors: Vanstone Ernest
Published: March 2009

1. Two basic slags differing widely in solubility and phosphate content have been treated for long periods with boiling ammonium chloride solution.

2. The low-grade slag lost 70 per cent. of the total lime and very little phosphoric acid; a residue with nearly 40 per cent. phosphate was obtained from an 18 per cent. slag.

3. The high-soluble slag also lost a large percentage of the total lime but large amounts of phosphoric acid were also found in solution. The residue from the 30 per cent. slag after 24 hours' treatment contained nearly 46 per cent. phosphate.

4. It is shown that a silico-phosphate is present in the high-soluble slag, but not in the low-grade slag.

5. The solubility in citric acid of the phosphates in the various residues has been determined.

6. The value of basic slags in supplying exchangeable calcium is discussed.

7. The effect of hydrofluoric acid on the slag residues has been investigated.

8. Experiments with fluorspar slags are described which confirm the view that the phosphate present is fluorapatite of very low solubility in citric acid.
Investigations on yield in the cereals: IV. The action of the seed drill
Authors: Engledow F. L.
Published: March 2009

A regular optimum spacing among plants is the theoretical ideal. Regularity is difficult to secure and the ever varying optimum is not determinable. But earlier investigations have shown that field crops of corn are marked by extremely high fluctuation in population density along the rows of plants; and further, that in this fluctuation lies an important limitation to potential yield. Wider knowledge of this limitation is being sought. The experiments have clearly confirmed plant density fluctuation as a characteristic of field crops (of wheat). Measures of this fluctuation and analyses of its nature and causes are the subject of the paper.

In relation to plant development and yield, fluctuations in density or spacing from point to point along the row, are the most important features associated with drill action. These have been measured by counts, both of seeds and of plants, on unit lengths of row. Such “census” counts are described in detail for four normal fields. Plant counts were made periodically. In general a unit length of one foot of row was adopted. For analytical purposes the refinement of a per-inch count proved necessary.

Fluctuation in seeds deposited per foot may be illustrated by the data from one of the fields. The mean was 18·0 and the standard deviation was 7·2. In aggregate the field could be regarded as consisting of five equal portions (quintiles of the per-foot distribution) for which:

Number of seeds per foot = 5·0–12·2; 12·2–15·0; 15·0–18·0; 18·0–22·3.

Equivalent seeds rates (bushels per acre) = 1·42; 2·00; 2·35; 3·11; 3·70.

The distribution per inch, determined by a specially devised method, is illustrated for two fields in Diagram I. Four equal aggregates (quintiles of per-foot distribution) from one and the same acre had the widely different seedings displayed in Diagrams II and III.
Fertilizer and soil P uptake by maize, as affected by soil P level, granule size, and solubility of phosphate sources
Authors: Terman G. L. , Allen S. E.
Published: March 2009

Two greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to evaluate labelled concentrated superphosphate (CSP) and labelled dicalcium phosphate (DCP) alone and in mixtures for maize grown on soils low, high and very high in available P. On the low P soil yield of dry forage, total uptake of P and uptake of fertilizer P increased linearly with 0, 20, 40 and 80 ppm of P applied as the various fine and granular sources varying widely in P water solubility. Hence, all of these criteria were highly correlated and suitable for evaluating effectiveness of the P on the low P soil. On the soil high and very high in P, only uptake of fertilizer P, which also increased linearly with rate of application, was suitable for evaluating the sources. Total uptake of fertilizer P decreased with increase in soil P level, but relative differences among granular sources were similar at the three soil P levels. Effectiveness of the P fertilizers decreased markedly with decreasing water solubility of the granular sources on all soils; the same trend was true for the fine sources at high soil P levels.

Actual uptake of fertilizer P or percentage recovery of labelled P applied was a better basis for source evaluation at high soil P levels than were calculated A values. There was little advantage in this study of labelling with 32P for P source evaluation at the low soil P level over use of multiple rates of the unlabelled fertilizers. However, labelling was essential at the higher soil P levels.
Nutritional stress and pre-implantation embryonic mortality in Merino sheep, 1966
Authors: Edey T. N.
Published: March 2009

Mature Merino ewes (108) which had been hand-mated to fertile rams received the following treatments: 1, submaintenance nutrition days 7–14 (34 ewes); 2, submaintenance nutrition days 20–27 (40 ewes); 3, control (34 ewes).

The ewes were in fat condition, and gained weight before mating and throughout pregnancy except when on the submaintenance treatment. Their overall ovulation rate was 180·6%. The percentages of ova not represented by lambs at term were 30·6, 37·5 and 41·0 for groups 1–3 respectively, the differences being non-significant.

Loss of ova in multiple ovulators was not significantly different from that in single ovulators and there was no relationship between body weight and prenatal loss. Nine post-mating oestrous cycles longer than 21 days were distributed through all groups in a pattern which bore no apparent relationship to nutritionally-induced embryo mortality. A higher proportion of ewes remained barren when re-mated after long than after normal-length oestrous cycles.
Experiments on vernalisation
Authors: Bell G. D. H.
Published: March 2009

1. The effect of low-temperature treatment on some varieties of wheat, barley and oats has been found to be profoundly affected by the time of sowing of the treated grain.

2. Winter sowing showed the least vernalisation effect, while in the spring the stimulative action became more pronounced as far as earing acceleration is concerned, as the sowing was made progressively later. This was particularly marked in winter varieties.

3. Developmental studies of the control and vernalised plants showed the stimulative action on early growth and growing point development in the winter varieties.

4. Tiller counts on control and vernalised plants of three winter wheat varieties demonstrated the fact that each variety was stimulated to earlier tiller production, but in two of the varieties this resulted in a reduction of surviving ears at harvest.
Cotton-seed treatment with sulphuric acid
Authors: Christidis Basil G.
Published: March 2009

1. Several authors have previously reported that the sulphuric acid treatment of the cotton seed resulted in: (a) earlier germination, (b) higher percentage of seeds germinating, (c) higher yield of seed cotton per acre, and (d) better and more uniform planting (this paper is not concerned with the disinfecting effect of this process).

2. A series of experiments, both in the laboratory and under field conditions have been carried out to determine whether the above statements are in agreement with actual experimental data.

3. In so far as the rate of germination is concerned, it was found that: (a) untreated seeds often show a smaller percentage of germination than seeds treated with sulphuric acid for various time-intervals, particularly when tested in the laboratory; (b) cotton seed treated with the reagent for from 5 min. to 2 hr. or even 5 hr. in some cases, does not show any decrease in its germinative value as determined by laboratory tests. In field trials seeds treated for 5 or 12 hr. practically do not germinate at all, whereas the 2 hr. treatment often shows a small decline in germination; (c) an enormous difference in the rate of germination has been revealed between the laboratory determinations on the one hand and the field determinations on the other.
The performance of Santa Gertrudis, Sahiwal, Brahman and crossbred animals in the Intermediate Savannahs of Guyana: I. General
Authors: Mahadevan P. , Harricharan H. , Springer B. G. F.
Published: March 2009

Mortality rates, calving intervals, age at first calving, generation intervals and animal productivity of Santa Gertrudis, Sahiwal, Brahman and crossbred animals were determined from 11 years' data collected at the Ebini livestock station in the Intermediate Savannahs of Guyana. These data were condensed and analysed and recommendations made as to the most important factors influencing animal production in the Intermediate Savannahs.
A short note on the metabolizable energy values for broiler chicks of two varieties of field beans (Vicia faba L.) harvested in 1969
Authors: Edwards D. G. , Duthie I. F.
Published: March 2009

In a previous publication (Edwards & Duthie, 1971) the metabolizable energy values for broiler chicks of 11 samples of winter-sown Throws M. S. field beans from the 1968 harvest were reported. The samples had been grown at different locations in England which represented a variety of soil types. The mean ‘classical’ and nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy values were 2–40 ± 0–09 kcal/g and 2–26 ±0-11 kcal/g respectively, with as much as 27 % difference between the highest and lowest individual values.
Effect of nitrogen and zinc on yield, protein content and quality of wheat in Egypt
Authors: Youssef S. A. M. , Abdel-Rahman A. Y.
Published: March 2009

Grain yield, plant height, spike length, grain weight per spike, 100-kernel weight, protein quantity and quality of Mexipak wheat grown with four rates of applied nitrogen (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg N/ha) and five rates of applied zinc (0, 1·25, 2·5, 5·0 and 7·5 kg Zn/ha) were measured. All these attributes were affected significantly by nitrogen fertilization in a linear manner. Differences among rates of applied zinc were significant for grain weight per spike, 100-kernel weight, grain yield and protein quantity and quality.
The effects of induction of parturition in sows using an analogue of prostaglandin F2α
Authors: Walker N.
Published: March 2009

A total of 124 pregnant multiparous sows were allocated to either control or treated groups. The treated sows were given 175 μg of an analogue of prostaglandin F2α (I.C.I. Ltd compound no. 80996) on day 113 of gestation. Gestation lengths for the control and treated groups were 116·3 ± 1·44 and 114·0 ± 0·31 days respectively. Two thirds of the treated sows farrowed between 24 and 32 h following administration of the drug. The number of live and stillborn pigs per litter did not differ between the two groups but birth weights were significantly higher in natural than in induced farrowing litters (1·36 v. 1·26 kg). Piglet mortality up to 10 days of age was significantly less in control litters (0·74 v. 1·61). The subsequent reproduction of sows was not affected by treatment with the prostaglandin analogue
A comparison of gastrointestinal transit time in ten species of mammal
Authors: Clemens E. T. , Stevens C. E.
Published: March 2009

The efficiency of digestion and absorption is dependent upon the rate at which digesta moves through the gastrointestinal tract. The following report describes the gastrointestinal transit for digesta markers given to ten species of mammals fed the same diet.
A comparison of some small-scale tests for bread-making quality used in wheat breeding
Authors: Blackman J. A. , Gill A. A.
Published: March 2009

Twenty-five winter wheat varieties and breeders' lines including hard and soft texture, good or poor bread and biscuit-making types were grown at two locations in the U.K. in 1977 to provide the test samples. Small-scale tests of bread-making quality including extensometer, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation volume, residue protein, urea dispersible protein and Pelshenke tests, were compared with loaf volumes and loaf scores.

Averaged over the two sites, a modified extensometer test and the SDS test gave the closest correlation with loaf volume and loaf score and were only poorly correlated with Hagberg Falling Number and percentage protein. The SDS test gave the closest correlation between sites followed by the extensometer readings; loaf volume and score had much lower values. The SDS values and extensometer readings give a better measure of the genetic differences in protein quality of varieties than loaf volume and score, being less affected by growing conditions. With its small sample size and high throughput, the SDS sedimentation volume is likely to be the most useful screening test for wheat breeding programmes.
An investigation of resistance to the white potato cyst-nematode
Authors: Dale M. F. B. , Phillips M. S.
Published: March 2009

The inheritance of resistance to Globodera pallida was studied in seedling progenies derived from Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena CPC 2802 (H3) and S. vernei and compared with resistance to G. rostochiensis derived from S. tuberosum ssp. andigena CPC 1673(H1). The resistance of CPC 2802 was originally thought to be due to a major gene (H3), but results presented here demonstrate that it and that derived from S. vernei are inherited in a similar manner quite distinct from the major gene inheritance from CPC 1673 (HI). It is concluded that the resistances derived from CPC 2802 and S. vernei are both polygenic in nature. These findings are discussed in relation to breeding policy and screening methods.
Results from factorial experiments testing amounts and times of granular N-fertilizer, late sprays of liquid N-fertilizer and fungicides to control mildew and brown rust on two varieties of spring barley at Saxmundham, Suffolk 1975–8
Authors: Widdowson F. V. , Jenkyn J. F. , Penny A.
Published: March 2009

Experiments with spring barley at Saxmundham, in each year from 1975 to 1978, compared two varieties (Julia v Wing), two amounts of granular N-fertilizer (50 v 100kg N/ha) and two times of applying it (seed bed v top-dressing), a liquid N-fertilizer spray (0 v 50 kg N/ha), mildew fungicides (with and without) and a rust fungicide (with and without), in factorial combination (26).

Leaf diseases were assessed and grain weighed and analysed for % N each year. Thousand-grain weights were measured in 1977 and 1978.

Yields were small in 1975 and 1976 because little rain fell in summer, but larger in 1977 and 1978, years with average rainfall.

Mildew was most severe in 1975 and least in 1978, brown rust most severe in 1975 and 1978 and practically absent in 1976. Granular N-fertilizer was best applied to the seed bed in all years, whether or not leaf diseases were controlled. Late sprays of liquid N-fertilizer increased yield less than equivalent amounts of seed-bed N, but increased % N in grain more. However, because they also decreased grain size, less of the N applied as a liquid was recovered by grain than was recovered from granules given earlier. The mildew fungicides increased yields by ca. 0·25 t/ha in 1975 and 1977, but decreased them in 1976. They had little or no effect on % N in grain, but increased grain size in 1977. The rust fungicide, benodanil, increased grain yields each year and especially in 1978 (0·37 t/ha). It had no effect on grain % N, but consistently increased grain size and so enhanced grain yield and N uptake.
A comparative study of non-protein nitrogen supplements for sheep
Authors: Offer N. W. , Evans R. A. , Axford R. F. E.
Published: March 2009

A basal diet, or the basal diet supplemented with equi-nitrogenous amounts of either ammonium lactate, ammonium acetate or urea was fed to four re-entrant cannulated sheep in a randomized block design.

Collections of duodenal digesta were carried out automatically for a continuous period of 4 days following a 10-day equilibration period for each sheep on each diet.

Supplementation with non-protein nitrogen increased the passage of total amino acids to the duodenum and increased the proportion attributed to microbial protein. It improved pre-duodenal digestibility of modified acid-detergent fibre and increased post-abomasal digestibility of non-ammonia nitrogen, dry matter and gross energy.

Supplementation with non-protein nitrogen increased the energetic efficiency of microbial protein production in the rumen.

Ammonium lactate and acetate were safe and effective sources of non-protein nitrogen for dietary supplementation.

Supplementation with ammonium lactate led to a greater passage of microbial protein to the duodenum than did equi-nitrogenous supplements of urea or ammonium acetate.
The effect of Sclerotinia stem infection on morphine production and distribution in poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) plants
Authors: Laughlin J. C. , Munro D.
Published: March 2009

The incidence of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary infection in poppies (Papaver somniferum L.) was assessed 9 days before dry maturity in a field experiment which incorporated the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer and fungicidal sprays. Infection occurred mainly on the lower stem in the leaf axils.

Nitrogen fertilizer (100 kg N/ha) had no effect on the incidence of Sclerotinia infection but phosphorus fertilizer (100 kg P/ha) increased the incidence from 19% of plants infected to 39%. Fungicides (2 kg benomyl, 50% a.i., plus 2 kg mancozeb, 80% a.i./ha) applied at 10-day intervals from flowering till harvest reduced the incidence of Sclerotinia infection to one third that of non-sprayed treatments.

Sclerotinia infection occurred late in the crop and had little effect on the dry-matter yields of terminal main-stem capsules, lateral branch capsules or stem and leaves but it did influence the distribution of morphine within the plant. The morphine concentration of terminal capsules was lowered by 13% but the concentration of lateral capsules increased by a similar amount giving a total capsule morphine concentration and yield which was similar in both infected and non-infected plants.

The morphine concentration of the stem and leaves of infected plants was 75% greater than that of uninfected plants but the overall morphine concentration of total plant was similar in both infected and non-infected plants. This distribution pattern was interpreted as a result of the restrictive influence of Sclerotinia infection on the vascular system which disrupted the normal translocation of morphine.
The utilization of dietary energy by steers during periods of restricted food intake and subsequent realimentaion
Authors: Ledger H. P. , Sayers A. R.
Published: March 2009

Groups of Bos indicus (Boran) and Bos taurus (Hereford) × Bos indicus steers were kept at constant live weights of 185, 275 and 450 kg for periods of up to 24 weeks. Maintenance of these live weights was achieved by control of the daily ration of a diet having an energy concentration of 10·477 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg d.m. AS time progressed it was noted that less of the diet had to be fed daily to maintain constant live weight. Body composition of steers slaughtered at 0, 12 and 24 weeks showed that the live weights had been maintained by the compensating effect of empty body weight gains and digestive tract content-weight losses.

No significant differences were found between slaughter groups for the energy values of the boneless carcass meat nor the internal deposits of empty digestive tract, omental and mesenteric fat. It was therefore concluded that there had been a progressive increase in the efficiency of energy utilization for the production of edible meat.

The percentage reduction of daily food intake from 3 to 24 weeks necessary to maintain the prescribed live weights ranged from 51·8% for the 185 kg Borans to 17·9% for the 450 kg ¾ Boran × Hereford cross-breds.

Comparison with published estimates for maintenance of live weight showed that after 24 weeks at constant live weight the 185 and 275 kg Borans and the 450 kg ¾ Borans needed 50·5, 37·9 and 34·2% less and the 275 kg Hereford × Boran cross-breds and 450 kg ¾ Herefords 40·8 and 37·9% respectively less food than estimated.

Correction for age effects on the fasting metabolic rates of the 185 and 275 kg weight groups reduced the difference between theoretical and actual maintenance requirements from 50·5, 37·9 and 40·8% to 37·3, 29·3 and 33·8% respectively.

Attention is drawn to the need to differentiate between the live-weight maintenance needs of fast and slow growing animals which may be of similar live weights but differing ages.
The nitrogen economy of winter wheat
Authors: Austin R. B. , Ford M. A. , Edrich J. A. , Blackwell R. D.
Published: March 2009

In a field experiment with 47 wheat genotypes, plant samples were taken at anthesis and maturity and analysed for nitrogen. Taking means over all genotypes, the plants contained at anthesis 83 % of the total present at maturity, while at maturity 68 % of the plant nitrogen was present in the grain.

There was significant genetic variation in most of the component attributes determining nitrogen uptake. At anthesis, the heaviest plants contained most nitrogen. Because the nitrogen concentration in the leaves (average 2·8%) was much greater than in the stems and ears (average O8 %) and the leaves comprised, on average, 37 % of the plant weight at anthesis, variation in leanness was the main cause of variation in the nitrogen content of plants of a given weight. During grain filling, plants which lost the most dry weight from their stems and leaves took up the least nitrogen.

It is suggested that the strong positive correlation between the accumulation of dry matter and of nitrogen, both until anthesis and during grain filling, occurred because both carbon assimilation and nitrate reduction depend on energy made available from chloroplasts. In addition, assimilate is required to sustain the growth of roots which is necessary for continued nitrate uptake.

The results show that it should be easier for breeders to select for high nitrogen uptake from among heavy than from among light genotypes. However, although dwarf genotypes tended to be light, none of the correlations found was strong enough to render it impossible to produce dwarf genotypes capable of giving high yields of high-protein grain.
Estimation of abdominal fat in laying hens, turkeys and broilers using calipers
Authors: Rose S. P. , Michie W.
Published: March 2009

Measurements were taken on 36 laying hens, 46 growing female turkeys and 36 broiler chickens using modified abdominal fat calipers to determine the prediction of abdominal fat in different classes of poultry. Four pairs of caliper measurements were taken on each bird by three operators (layers and turkeys) and one operator (broilers). The live laying hens and the plucked turkey carcasses were also scored for fatness. The caliper measurements were significantly related to the proportion of abdominal fat (g abdominal fat/kg body weight) in all three groups of birds. The correlation was greater in laying hens (0·81) and turkeys (0·76) than in broilers (0·51). There were significant operator effects upon the prediction of abdominal fat. In each case the measures obtained by two practised operators gave better prediction of abdominal fat than those from an unpractised operator.
Studies of the cattle of Northern Rhodesia: II. The apocrine gland population of the skin of Northern Rhodesian cattle and its connexion with the heat toleration coefficient
Authors: Walker C. A.
Published: March 2009

An investigation has been undertaken to study the apocrine gland population of the skin of the three indigenous breeds of cattle native to Northern Rhodesia, and a comparison made between them and the Africander.

It was found that the Angoni had the greatest density of glands/sq.cm. and that this density agreed closely with mean figures quoted for Bos indicus. The Barotse and the Tonga, both Sanga types, had significantly lower gland density, but were both significantly greater than the Africander which is a relict Zebu form.

Dowling's finding that the decrease in the density of the glands with age is due to the ‘spread’ of the constant number laid down at birth by the growth of the skin was confirmed.

A very close correlation between the density of the apocrine glands and the heat toleration coefficient was established.

From a consideration of previous work, it is concluded that the density of the apocrine gland population is only one of the factors concerned in the control of thermo-neutrality by cattle; in this there is some disagreement with the conclusions reached by Australian workers.
Variations in Motor Activity and in Food and Water Intake over 24 h Periods in Pigs
Authors: Ingram D. L. , Walters D. E. , Legge K. F.
Published: March 2009

Groups of weaner pigs, and single animals, were observed in a temperature-controlled room isolated from external noise and light for periods of up to 4 weeks. Continuous records were made of motor activity, food intake and water consumption.

In the presence of a cycle of 12 h light and 12 h dark at 25 °C groups of pigs were most active in the light and took most of their food towards the end of the light period. Single pigs also tended to be more active in the light, but the rhythms were less marked, and one animal was most active during the dark period.

In continuous light, rhythms of activity and ingestion tended to collapse after only a few days, particularly in pigs which were kept by themselves. When the ambient temperature was increased to 35 °C during 12 h light and decreased to 25 °C during 12 h dark, a group of pigs was most active in the dark.
Observations on reproduction in a pedigree herd of Large White pigs
Authors: Perry J. S.
Published: March 2009

1. The information analysed in this report is taken from records of the Compton herd of Large White pigs over a period of about 4 years.

2. Length of gestation period: close concentration about the mean of 114·17 days; no apparent relationship between litter size and extremely long or short gestation period. There was no difference in the average duration of pregnancy as between old and young sows, nor was there any evidence of a characteristic tendency to long or short pregnancies in individuals. The incidence of stillbirths appears to be independent of the length of the gestation period.

3. The number of pigs born, alive or dead, ranged from 3 to 24, the average being 13·12. The average number of pigs born alive was 12·4 and the average number weaned was 8·1.

4. The average number of pigs born rose with successive pregnancies to a maximum of more than 15 in the 6th and 7th litter and declined thereafter. The average number born alive reached a maximum of more than 14 in the 5th litter and declined thereafter, the decline being less marked among pigs born alive than among all pigs including stillbirths, apparently because embryonic mortality (before parturition) bears more heavily on the litters of older sows, whereas the incidence of stillbirths is not related to age (or to the ordinal number of the litter).

5. The incidence of stillbirths was studied in relation to litter size, the data being compared with similar data recorded elsewhere. The proportion of stillbirths was higher among female piglets than among males. The reverse was true in litters of less than average size, and the possible significance of this difference between smaller and larger litters is discussed.

6. The foetal sex ratio appears to bear no relation to the ordinal number of the litter or to its size.

7. The reasons for discard of sows which have been culled during the period under review have been recorded and are briefly discussed.
Evaluation of critical limit of zinc in calcareous soils for predicting response of maize to applied zinc fertilizer
Authors: Sakal R. , Singh A. P. , Singh B. P.
Published: March 2009

Zinc deficiency is widespread in Indian soils (Kanwar & Randhawa, 1974). The critical limit of Zn varies for different soils and crops (Katyal, 1978). There is no information on the critical value of Zn in calcareous soils of Bihar for maize, a major food crop of this region, and the present study was planned to determine this so that responses to applied Zn could be predicted.
Effect of plant spacing and application of nitrogen fertilizer on herb and essential oil yields of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini Stapf. var. motia)
Authors: Rao E. V. S. Prakasa , Singh Munnu , Rao R. S. Ganesha
Published: March 2009

A field experiment was conducted for 2 years during the crop seasons of 1980–2 to study the effect of diverse plant spacings and rates of nitrogen application on the yields of herb and essential oil of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini Stapf. var. motia). The results indicated that at closer plant spacings of 30 × 30 cm (110 000 plants/ha) and 45 × 30 cm (74000 plants/ha), palmarosa responded to higher amounts of N fertilizer (240 kg N/ha/year). It was suggested that a plant spacing of 30 × 30 and 45 × 30 cm and application of 240 kg N/ha/year result in high essential oil yield of palmarosa.
A study of interaction of additive, dominance and epistatic gene effects with micro- and macro-environments in two tomato triple test crosses
Authors: Singh R. P. , Singh S.
Published: March 2009

Sixty families of each of two tomato triple test crosses (S 120 × EC 61747 and EC 31513 × Pusa Ruby) were raised in completely randomized blocks in two replications with two fertilizer levels. Perkins & Jinks' (1971) analysis was used to detect and measure the interactions of additive, dominance and epistatic effects of genes with micro- and macro-environments for flowering time, maturity period, number of branches, final height, number of locules, number of fruits per plant, yields per plant and weight per fruit. Additive and dominance gene effects were almost equally sensitive to micro- and to macro-environments. The j and l type epistasis was more sensitive to the environments than the i type epistasis.
Excretion patterns of 3-hydroxy-4(1H) pyridone (DHP) by steers fed a high energy and a high-fibre diet supplemented with Leucaena leucocephala
Authors: Elliott R. , Brandon Janelle R. , Kenny G. J. , Evans T. R.
Published: March 2009

Daily supplements of dried Leucaena leaf meal (500 g/head) were offered for 3 weeks to steers in metabolism cages. The steers had previously been fed diets of oaten chaff (5 kg/head/day) ormclasses and urea (4·5 kg/head/day) with restricted forage (2 kg/head/day). Excretion rates of the primary degradation product of mimosine, 3-hydroxy-4(1H) pyridone (DHP) by steers fed the two diets were compared. These compounds appeared in urine on the 1st day after Leucaena feeding had commenced and output remained fairly constant after 4 days. Mean weekly urinary outputs (g) of DHP from steers fed the oaten chaff or molasses + urea diet were 13·45 and 7·50 respectively. These levels corresponded to 0·23 and 0·13 of the amounts ingested. When steers were fed the molasses + urea diet, DHP continued to appear in urine up to 5 days after Leucaena had been withdrawn from the diet. On the oaten chaff diet no DHP was detected after 3 days following withdrawal of Leucaena.

The effects of casein or formaldehyde-treated casein supplements on the output of urinary DHP by steers fed oaten chaff plus Leucaena was evaluated in a second experiment which ran concurrently. The animals were fed the test diets for 3 weeks before collections were made. Mean DHP outputs (g/day) from animals fed the control diet, control diet plus casein or control diet plus formaldehyde-treated casein were 1·89, 2·21 and 2·44 respectively.

These results confirm substantial degradation of DHP and that the extent of degradation can be affected by the dietary regime in which Leucaena is fed.