bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of soil acidity and nutrient deficiencies on the growth and persistence of subterranean clover in pastures grown on sandy soils near Esperance, Western Australia
Authors: Bolland MDA
Published: March 2005

Most of the sandy soils near Esperance, W.A., were cleared of native vegetation and sown to subterranean clover in the 1950s and 1960s. Over the past 20-30 years, pH values of the topsoil (1:5, soil: water) have decreased from 6.5-7.0 to 5.0-5.5. The application of 2 t/ha of agricultural lime increased the soil pH (1:5, 0.01 CaCl2) from 5.5 to 5.8, from 4.9 to 5.6, and from 5.1 to 5.5 at three sites that had been sown to subterranean clover for 10, 20 and 40 years respectively. However, lime had no effect on either dry matter production or seed yield of subterranean clover. Additions of calcium in a further experiment also did not affect the seed yield of subterranean clover. Irrespective of the lime treatments, the addition of nutrients (phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, copper, zinc, molybdenum, cobalt, manganese and boron) significantly (P<0.05) improved dry herbage yields by a factor of 1.3, 1.7 and 1.4 at the 10-, 20- and 40-year-old sites. However, the addition of nutrients did not affect seed yields of subterranean clover. In other experiments, the omission of sulfur, potassium and, for the deepest sandy site, phosphorus reduced dry herbage yields by between 10-30%. The omission of molybdenum from treatments of the 20- and 40-year-old pasture reduced herbage yields by 21 and 16% respectively. However, omission of molybdenum in the experiment sited on the 10-year-old pasture did not affect yields. Thus, as the acidification of the sandplain soils continues, molybdenum may become deficient and may limit herbage yields of subterranean clover.
Responses of serradella and subterranean clover to phosphorus from superphosphate and Duchess rock phosphate
Authors: Bolland MDA
Published: March 2005

The responses of yellow serradella, slender serradella and subterranean clover to phosphorus from superphosphate and an apatite rock phosphate from Duchess, north-eastern Australia, were measured in a field experiment near Esperance, W.A. Over the 16 months of the experiment, dry herbage yields depended upon the phosphorus content of dried herbage. For each sampling time, the relationship between dry herbage yield and the phosphorus content of dried herbage was similar for both fertilizers and for all three species. At each rate of fertilizer application, the amount of phosphorus absorbed by the plants from the rock phosphate was less than that from superphosphate, and this limited yield. When fertilized with superphosphate, subterranean clover absorbed less phosphorus than the serradellas for each rate of fertilizer application, and this also reduced yield. Thus less phosphorus from superphosphate was required to produce serradella than was required to produce the same weight of subterranean clover. When fertilized with rock phosphate, 1982 herbage production was in the order: yellow serradella> subterranean clover>slender serradella. 1982 seed yields were: subterranean clover>yellow serradella> slender serradella. 1 983 herbage yields were: slender serradella>yellow serradella> subterranean clover. For herbage yields, for each rate of fertilizer application, this order was also dictated by the amount of phosphorus absorbed by each of the three species.
Sulfur-coated urea as a source of nitrogen for cereals in Western Australia
Authors: Mason MG
Published: March 2005

The effects of four grades of sulfurcoated urea (SCU1, 35.1% nitrogen (N) and dissolution rate in water at 38�C of 10.5%; SCU2, 36.3%N and 25.9% dissolution rate; SCU3, 36.2%N and 1 1.2% dissolution rate; SCU4, 36.8%N and 15.4% dissolution rate) were compared with those of uncoated urea as sources of nitrogen for cereals in nine field experiments in two years. In five experiments at five sites in 1978, and in two experiments at two sites in 1979, comparisons were made between fertilizers topdressed either after sowing (1978) or before sowing (1979). In two further experiments in 1979, comparisons were made between fertilizers banded with the seed or topdressed immediately before or after sowing. Supplementary data on the effect of banding were obtained from a glasshouse experiment. There were no differences between sources in three of the five 1978 experiments. At the other two sites urea was superior to SCU when 50 kg N/ha was applied 2 weeks after sowing. Applications of urea 4 or 6 weeks after sowing gave grain yields, at these sites, up to 69 and 57% higher, respectively, than earlier applications. Apparent recovery of fertilizer nitrogen in one experiment in which it was measured was greater for two SCUs (13.1 and 2l.6%, respectively) than for urea (6+9%), but this was true only for applications at sowing. Urea applied 4 and 6 weeks after sowing resulted in much higher recoveries of fertilizer nitrogen (33.9 and 49.3%, respectively) and was more effective in overcoming leaching losses than was the slow-release SCU. There were no effects of time of application before sowing in the two 1979 experiments, indicating little or no loss of ammonia through volatilization, which precluded a comparison of the effects of the three nitrogen sources used. However, uncoated urea outyielded two SCUs in these experiments, by 7.5 and 6.5% in the first experiment and 5 and 2% in the second, respectively. When uncoated urea was banded with the seed at the equivalent of 70 or 140 kg N/ha all plants in the glasshouse experiment died. SCU at the lower nitrogen rate did not affect wheat emergence or survival but a 30% reduction in plant numbers resulted at the higher rate of SCU2. In one field experiment, uncoated urea reduced plant numbers by 96% compared with 20 and 13% for SCU3 and SCU4, respectively, when applied at 75 kg N/ha. Overall, this study showed no reason to use these grades of SCU in preference to uncoated urea, except where there is a need to band urea-containing fertilizer with the seed.
Effect of stubble cover on the efficacy of some soil-incorporated herbicides
Authors: Bateman RJ , Walker SR
Published: March 2005

Three field experiments were conducted near Kingaroy in south-eastern Queensland to determine the effect of sorghum stubble on the efficacy of the pre-plant, soil-incorporated herbicides pendimethalin, trifluralin and vernolate. Herbicides were applied to three stubble ranges (1 1 to 36% cover) in experiment 1, to stubble levels of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% cover in experiment 2, and approximately 0, 25 and 50% in experiment 3. In experiment 3 the effectiveness of incorporation with stubble mulch machinery consisting of chisel plough with attached rod weeder was compared with that achieved by conventional incorporation methods of coronet tines with mounted harrows and offset discs followed by tines and harrows. Treatment effects were examined by analysis of variance and by linear correlations between stubble cover and herbicide efficacy. Good to excellent weed control was achieved by all herbicides at stubble levels up to 50% cover with incorporation by stubble mulch machinery. Trifluralin efficacy was aided by stubble cover in one experiment. Incorporation by stubble mulch machinery was at least as effective as conventional methods.
Comparison and estimation of glucosinolate levels in Australian rapeseed cultivars
Authors: Mailer RJ , Wratten N
Published: March 2005

Seven cultivars of rapeseed grown at four sites in New South Wales were evaluated for glucosinolate content. Two samples of each cultivar were further subjected to gas chromatographic analysis to determine the proportions of individual glucosinolate components and 'canola' acceptability. Glucosinolate concentrations varied between cultivars and sites and a significant site x cultivar interaction was found. Some cultivars regarded as being of the 'canola' type did not satisfy the requirement that concentration of the major glucosinolates in seed be less than 30 �mol/g at all sites. The glucose test which was used to measure total concentration of glucosinolates was in good agreement with the gas chromatographic technique which measures the concentrations of individual glucosinolates.
Supplementation to improve the production of yearling steers grazing poor quality forage. 1. The effects of forage type and a cottonseed meal supplement
Authors: Smith GH , Warren B
Published: March 2005

Yearling Hereford steers grazed on either oat stubble or dry annual pasture and were supplemented with daily rations of 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 or 1000 g/steer of pelleted cottonseed meal. Steer growth rates increased with increasing level of supplement from 500 to 961 g/steer.day on the oat stubble and from 128 to 613 g/steer.day on the dry pasture. The growth responses appeared to be not only due to the metabolizable energy ofthe supplement, but also due to greater forage consumption. Compensatory growth during the 3 months after cessation of supplementation reduced the advantage of the supplementary feeding only slightly. The cottonseed meal supplement was chosen after a preliminary experiment which compared the influence of four protein supplements on the ad libitum intake of a low-quality roughage by weaner lambs. The supplements (pelleted cottonseed meal, pelleted lupins, soybean meal, and rolled lupins) improved consumption of roughage by 67, 49, 46 and 35%, respectively. An in vitro determination of ammonia and amino acid production from these supplements showed that pelleted cottonseed meal and soybean meal are most resistant to degradation.
Supplementation to improve the production of yearling steers grazing poor quality forage. 2. The effects of oats, supplementary nitrogen, lupins and cottonseed meal
Authors: Smith GH , Warren B
Published: March 2005

Four supplements were compared in an experiment in which yearling Hereford steers were grazed on mature annual pasture for 84 days and fed, at levels of 0, 300, 600 and 900 g/steer.day, supplements of pelleted cottonseed meal, lupins, oats + isobutylidene diurea (IBDU) or oats alone. The supplements increased growth rates from - 2 14 (no supplement) to 321, 119, 47 and 47 g/steer.day respectively (900 g/ steer.day). The cottonseed meal supplement produced significantly better growth rates than the other three supplements, the responses to which did not differ significantly. During a period of 111 days after supplementation, when all steers were lot-fed as one group prior to slaughter, there was substantial, but not complete compensatory growth and a significant inverse relationship between growth during supplementary feeding and growth during the next 111 days. There were, however, no significant differences in growth during lot-feeding, carcass weights, dressing percentages or carcass fatness associated with the previous supplementary feeding treatments. The effects of five different supplements (including the four mentioned above) on the intake of a poor quality roughage by weaner lambs were compared in a preliminary pen-feeding experiment. The supplements (pelleted cottonseed meal, lupins, oats + IBDU, oats + urea, and oats alone) significantly improved roughage consumption by 26-49%. There were no significant differences between supplements.
Effects of nitrogen and lime on growth of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham on a red-yellow podzolic soil in south-eastern Queensland
Authors: Sivasupiramaniam S , Akkasaeng R , Shelton HM
Published: March 2005

Field and glasshouse experiments were conducted on an acidic red-yellow podzolic soil of low nitrogen status from south-eastern Queensland to examine the use of nitrogen and lime in promoting leucaena growth. In the field, application of 25 kg nitrogen ha-l at planting increased shoot dry weight by 77, 88, 52 and 51% at weeks 5, 15, 32 and 52 respectively. Equivalent responses to lime (2.5 t ha-1) were 8, 3 1, 64 and 74% respectively. In the glasshouse, shoot, root and nodule dry weights were increased by nitrogen application rates of 50, 100 and 200 kg ha-1. Number, size and dry weight of nodules were suppressed at the highest rate (400 kg ha-1). Nitrogen concentration in youngest fully expanded leaves was increased to over 5% by nitrogen, and a critical nitrogen content of 4.5% (90% of maximum growth) is suggested. Inexplicably, lime application reduced shoot, root and nodule weights at high nitrogen applications. The apparent partial effectiveness of commercial leucaena Rhizobium and the implications of starter nitrogen and lime for leucaena establishment are discussed.
Nodulation studies on legumes exotic to Australia: Lupinus and Ornithopus spp
Authors: Gault RR , Corbin EJ , Boundy KA , Brockwell J
Published: March 2005

In a series of glasshouse and field experiments, the symbiotic characteristics of 24 lines of Lupinus and Ornithopus species and 20 strains of Rhizobium lupini were defined. Rhizobium lupini inoculant established readily in several soils and lupins grown in the field responded to inoculation by improved nodulation, growth and yield. It is concluded that lupin crops sown on new land need to be inoculated to achieve optimum yield. At three sites, field-grown lupins responded to increasing rates of inoculation up to the rate recommended by the inoculant manufacturer. At two of the sites there was no further response to higher rates, but at the third there was a continuing response up to 125x (inoculation rate). Lupin seed was preinoculated, using gum arabic adhesive, up to 33 days before sowing without significant loss of viability or nodulating capacity of the inoculant. Seed coating with several materials did not improve inoculant viability on preinoculated seed. In glasshouse experiments, hostxstrain interactions in nitrogen fixation were frequent and substantial. They occurred at three levels of taxonomic relationship, viz, between the genera Lupinus and Ornithopus, between different species within the same genus, and between different lines of the same lupin species. Hostx strain interactions were also observed in field experiments but were less frequent and smaller than in the glasshouse. These observations have implications for the 'single-strain inoculant policy that applies to the manufacture of commercial lupin and serradella inoculant in Australia.
Manipulation of buried seed reserves by timing of soil tillage in Mediterranean-type pastures
Authors: Forcella F , Gill AM
Published: March 2005

Environmental requirements for seed germination and seedling growth vary appreciably among pasture species. Therefore, it is possible that the botanical composition of pastures may be manipulated by timely seasonal exposure of the soil-seed reserve to conditions that promote germination differentially. This possibility was examined in two Mediterranean type pastures in which plots were tilled once per year, each in a different month, for 2 years. For several pasture species, effects were estimated with respect to numbers of soil seeds, numbers of emergent seedlings and canopy coverage. Individual species showed specific behaviour patterns. Seeds of sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and wireweed (Polygonum aviculare) maintained abundant seed in the soil, those of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were less persistent, and seeds of red brome (Bromus rubens) and silvergrass ( Vulpia spp.) occurred only seasonally in the soil-seed pools. Mature plants of red brome, silvergrass and subterranean clover attained dominance only in summer and early autumn-tilled plots. Annual ryegrass was more abundant when soil was cultivated in late autumn and early winter, whereas sorrel and wireweed were significant only in plots ploughed in winter. Thus botanical composition may be altered radically by time of tillage, and this has several practical implications for pasture management and weed control.
Dry matter accumulation and changes in forage quality during primary growth and three regrowths of irrigated winter cereals
Authors: Muldoon DK
Published: March 2005

Selected cultivars of oats (3), barley (2), wheat (3), cereal rye (1) and triticale (3) were grown under irrigation at Trangie, N.S.W., in 1978 and 1980. Dry matter accumulation and changes in the moisture, nitrogen and phosphorus content and dry matter digestibility of forage were monitored at intervals of about 21 days during uninterrupted primary growth (June-September 1980). In a split-plot design the crops were cut at 80 days, 80 and 122 days, and 80, 122 and 164 days after sowing. Regrowth was sampled on two or three occasions to determine dry matter yield and quality. Most cultivars accumulated 16-20 t/ha of dry matter by the end of sampling in late September; cereal rye only yielded 14 t/ha. Early maturing Minhaffer oats produced the highest yield when uncut but regrew poorly after cutting. Under a 42-day cutting interval oats and barley yielded 12-13 t/ha, winter wheat yielded 10-11 t/ha and triticale yielded 10-1 2 t/ha. The nitrogen and phosphorus content of all forages decreased linearly during primary growth. Oats and wheat had similar digestibilities and these began to decrease rapidly 40-50 days before head emergence (mid-August). The early maturing barley and triticale cultivars had lower digestibilities than oats. Regular cutting maintained the nitrogen content and digestibility of all cultivars above 2.7% and 72% respectively. Dry matter accumulation was described by mathematical equations which allowed cultivars to be compared under different cutting regimes. They also allowed dry matter and digestible dry matter yields from different systems of cutting to be predicted for irrigated cereals in western New South Wales.
Response to nitrogen and potassium of tomatoes grown in sand culture
Authors: Huett DO
Published: March 2005

The effects of different rates of application of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) on several parameters of growth and development were investigated in plants of the determinate tomato cultivar Sunny grown in sand culture. Parameters included fruit set, yield of fresh fruit, fruit firmness, yield of dry matter and nutrient accumulation. Three levels of N applied until first fruit set and three levels of N applied after first fruit set were compared in the presence of two levels of K in a factorial experiment. The soil solution concentrations of N were N/5, N/1 and 2N (N/1 = 8.07 mM N as NO3-) and the K concentrations were K/5 and K/1 (W1 = 3.26 mM K+). The treatments were supplied in a complete nutrient solution every two days. Low N increased the time to fruit set, reduced dry matter yield in leaf, stem, roots and fruit and fresh fruit yield. A reduction in all yield parameters was recorded, irrespective of whether N was low during the pre- or post-fruit set period. Low K and doubling the standard N level had no effect on any fruit set or yield variables. These treatments had no effect on the time from transplanting to fruit maturity or on the temporal spread of harvest. A combination of the lowest N and K levels produced the softest fruit while the highest N and K combination produced the firmest fruit. High levels of N increased the concentration of N in leaf, stem and fruit and the magnesium (Mg) concentration in leaf and fruit but reduced the K concentration in fruit.
Growth and carcass characteristics of ram, cryptorchid and wether Border Leicester x Merino lambs: effects of increasing carcass weight.
Authors: Lee GJ
Published: March 2005

The growth and carcass characteristics of first-cross Border Leicester x Merino ram, cryptorchid and wether lambs were compared over a range of slaughter weights (35-55 kg). Lambs were offered feed ad libitum after weaning. The growth rate of wether lambs (221 g/day) was less (P< 0.01) than that of rams and cryptorchids (308 and 280 g/day respectively, P = 0.076). The dressed carcasses of the wether lambs were approximately 2 percentage units heavier than those of the ram and cryptorchids, but this difference was partly due to the weight of the testes. Across all sex groups, dressing percentage increased by 0.46 percentage units per kg increase in carcass weight. The carcasses of rams and cryptorchid lambs tended to be leaner than those of wethers. Fat score distributions, based on export standards, were such that wethers scored higher (fatter) than rams and cryptorchids (P< 0.05). There was a significant sexx carcass weight interaction with GR tissue depths. Above 17 kg carcass weight, tissue depth of wether lambs was greater than those of the other sex types. Of 12 families assessing consumer acceptability (taste, smell, size, fatness and tenderness) of leg roasts, the majority showed no preference for any of the sexes.
Contamination of white wool by melanin-pigmented fibres when pigmented and white sheep graze together.
Authors: Fleet MR , Stafford JE , Dawson KA , Dolling CHS
Published: March 2005

Various densities of black sheep (0, 2%, 9.5%, 21.4% and 50%) were run with white sheep for a period of 10 weeks. The groups were yarded on average once weekly. The number and lengths of melanin-pigmented wool and kemp fibres were measured in carded wool samples from the white fleeces. All groups containing black sheep produced white wool with higher levels of pigmented fibres (an increase of 8- to 64-fold) than the control group (P< 0.05). The extent of contamination of white wool by pigmented fibres increased with the density of black sheep. Both pigmented wool and pigmented kemp fibres occurred frequently in the contaminated wool samples and the fibres mainly had lengths less than 10 mm. The results provide evidence of the risks involved in the practice of including pigmented sheep in white sheep flocks.
A chemical treatment for maize seed to control the germination of teliospores of Ustilago maydis.
Authors: Jones DR
Published: March 2005

Experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of thiram and other fungicides as seed disinfestants for the control of teliospores of Ustilago maydis. Exposure to thiram inhibited teliospore germination only temporarily. Bawsan 'L', containing the fungicide 2-(thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole (TCMTB), was the most effective chemical tested. It completely inhibited the germination of teliospores with 18 h exposure, and it also had a fumigant action. Tests with maize seed contaminated with teliospores indicated that complete control could be achieved after treatment with 100 ml Bawsan 'L'/100 kg of seed and that, at this rate of application, seed could be stored for at least 12 months without any deleterious effect on seedling emergence.
Effects of nitrogen application before sowing, compared with effects of split applications before and after sowing, for irrigated wheat on the Darling Downs.
Authors: Strong WM
Published: March 2005

On a nitrogen (N) deficient soil on the Darling Downs, yield of irrigated wheat was increased by the application of N as anhydrous ammonia at rates up to 150 kg/ha before sowing. Nitrogen applied at 150 kg/ha before sowing did not increase grain protein concentrations, 300 or 400 kg/ha of N being needed. Nitrogen applications before sowing and during tillering were usually more effective in promoting yield than dressings applied after tillering or applied as several suboptimal dressings between tillering and flowering. Tillering was enhanced by N applied either before sowing or during tillering, whereas application after tillering increased grain size and protein concentration in the grain. Split applications involving equal quantities of N applied to soil before sowing as anhydrous ammonia and to the foliage at tillering as urea solution produced similar grain yields as when the same amount of N was applied before sowing as anhydrous ammonia. Similarly split applications, when equal quantities of N were applied before sowing and after sowing at tillering and boot, were as productive as where all the N was applied before sowing. All urea foliar sprays caused leaf burning, which became evident the day after application. Split N applications were as effective as one application before sowing in increasing the quantity of N contained in grain and generally more effective in increasing the quantity of N in straw. Splitting the N application invariably increased grain protein concentration, and this would seem its chief advantage for irrigated wheat over applying all the N before sowing.
Effects of a triadimefon-lindane seed treatment on the germination, seedling morphology and emergence of wheat.
Authors: Cornish PS
Published: March 2005

The effects of seed treatment with Erex (a triadimefon-lindane fungicide and insecticide, Bayer Australia Ltd, Botany, N.S.W.) on the germination, seedling morphology and emergence of three wheat (Tritium aestivum) cultivars were studied in soil in a controlled environment. Erex had no effect on germination, but at all rates of application (75, 150,450 g/100 kg) it delayed emergence. The cultivar Banks was particularly affected. The lengths of the coleoptile, first true leaf, and subcrown internode were shorter in seed- lings treated with Erex. The percentage of seedlings which failed to emerge was correlated with coleoptile length. Banks had the shortest coleoptile in both treated and untreated seedlings and this appeared to explain its greater sensitivity to Erex.
Effects of fungicide treatments on scald (Rhynchosporium secalis (Oud.) J. Davis) infection and yield of barley in Western Australia.
Authors: Khan TN
Published: March 2005

Application of fungicides (benomyl and triadimefon) to early sown barley (cv. Clipper) in 1979 and 1980 reduced the incidence of scald and greatly increased grain yield. Fungicide applied to the young crop 4-6 weeks after sowing was ineffective but applications at 10 and 12 weeks indicated that economic returns from the use of fungicides could be obtained. In subsequent experiments on cv. Stirling, an application at the 6-7 leaf stage gave the most consistent grain yield increase, ranging from 15 to 48% (225-937 kg/ha). Triadimefon was found to be more effective in reducing scald than was benomyl but gave no greater yield increases. Controlling scald by multiple application of fungicide increased harvest dry weight, number of heads/m2, number of grains/head and 100-seed weight, and prevented lodging in at least two trials. A single application, though it may be economic, offers only partial control of scald, and resistant cultivars are therefore necessary to achieve full yield potential in scald-prone areas.
Growth and yield of lychee cultivars in subtropical Queensland.
Authors: Menzel CM , Chapman KR , Paxton BF , Simpson DR
Published: March 2005

Four lychee (Litchi chinensis) cultivars (Bengal, Gee Kee, Tai So and Wai Chee) were grown in subtropical coastal southern Queensland. Yields after 8 years varied from 0.1 to 28.5 kg/tree (equivalent to a maximum of 6.6 t/ha at a density of 230 trees/ha). Wai Chee was superior to Gee Kee under all conditions and to Bengal and Tai So when flowering was reduced after warm wet winters or when fruiting was reduced during hot, dry springs.
Grazing management and nematode parasite control in cattle in the temperate climatic zone of Australia
Authors: Axelsen A , Waller PJ , Donald AD , Dobson RJ , Nadin JB
Published: March 2005

Over 2 years, 1979 and 1981, yearling cattle were grazed from July to December/January on phalaris- or annual ryegrass-based pastures that had been previously grazed by either weaners, cows or cattle drenched every 2 weeks. All yearlings had previously been drenched at weaning in autumn, and from July were either set-stocked, or moved once or twice on to pastures previously grazed by cows. The experiment was conducted at Ginninderra. near Canberra. If a portion of the pasture was saved in winter for grazing in early spring, increased liveweight gains were observed while yearlings grazed the saved area. However, the greater gains during this period were not enough to compensate for previous weight losses or lower gains, so that saving pasture was no better than set-stocking over the total period. In 1979, a year of low rainfall and pasture growth, yearlings drenched 2-weekly gained no more weight than undrenched yearlings, despite much lower worm burdens. In 1981, with average pasture growth, yearlings drenched in July before moving on to pastures previously grazed by cows, and drenched again in September, gained as much weight as those drenched every 2 weeks and significantly more than those undrenched and set-stocked. It is recommended that weaners or yearlings should be moved in July on to improved pastures of low infectivity (obtained by previous grazing with cows or sheep). If combined with one or two drenches, this single move would be as effective for optimising weight gains as more complicated management schemes.
Effect of dietary energy concentration, protein:energy and lysine:energy ratios on growth of pigs in the humid tropics
Authors: Kuan KK , Mak TK , Farrell DJ
Published: March 2005

Forty-eight Landrace x Large White x Duroc pigs were used in each of two experiments to study the effect of diets with different protein and 1ysine:energy ratios on growth between 20 and 50 kg and on growth, and subsequent carcass characteristics, between 40 and 85 kg. The eight treatments in each experiment comprised a 2x4 factorial design. The factors were digestible energy (DE) of 12.6 and 14.2 MJ/kg diet and four crude protein and lysine levels at each dietary energy level. The diets were based on combinations of traditional feed ingredients and local agricultural byproducts. Daily feed allowance (g) was calculated in both experiments by the formula: 110 Wkg.0.75, where W is liveweight. Pigs given high-energy diets grew faster, with a better feed conversion ratio, than those given the low-energy diets. In both experiments, growth rate of pigs was faster and feed conversion efficiency improved linearly (P<0.05) with increasing protein:energy ratio. Mean feed and DE intakes were the same on all treatments within an experiment. For pigs at 85 kg, killing-out percentage declined with increasing protein : energy ratio. Eye muscle area increased and back-fat thickness decreased as the protein and lysine contents of the diets increased. It appears that a protein (g):energy (MJ DE) ratio of about 15.1 for growing pigs, and 12.7 for finishing pigs, optimises performance. Corresponding total lysine (g): energy (MJ DE) ratios were 0.7 1-0.77 and 0.63-0.64, respectively.
A comparison of purebred and strain-cross New Hampshire hens as dams
Authors: Polkinghorne RW
Published: March 2005

Two purebred New Hampshire strains and their reciprocal crosses were investigated as dams when mated to White Leghorn sires. Considerable heterosis was found in the strain-cross New Hampshire hens for the production characters measured, and no important reciprocal effects were detected. As no disadvantages were detected in the performance of progeny, it was concluded that appropriately chosen strain-cross hens can be used as a means of increasing the productivity of breeder dams.
Factors affecting the productivity of irrigated annual pastures. 1. Time of first irrigation in late summer-early autumn
Authors: Stockdale CR
Published: March 2005

The influence of time of first irrigation (mid-February, early March, or late March) on the productivity of an annual pasture was studied for 3 years in northern Victoria. Beginning the irrigation of annual pastures in late summer instead of at the normal time of late March- April provided additional herbage in autumn and winter and did not adversely affect herbage production in late winter-early spring; up to 2.3 t/ha DM of additional herbage was obtained by mid June and 4.3 t/ha DM over the whole season. Earlier irrigation also increased the subterranean clover content of the pasture, resulting in herbage that was lower in digestibility and higher in nitrogen content than that in the other treatments. The benefit of early irrigation in increasing clover content may be offset by invasion by weeds. In this experiment, a potential weed problem in the earliest irrigation treatment appeared at the beginning of year 3.
Factors affecting the productivity of irrigated annual pastures. 2. Defoliation by dairy cows
Authors: Stockdale CR
Published: March 2005

The influence of grazing intensity on the productivity of an irrigated annual pasture was studied for 3 years in northern Victoria. Lax-, medium- and hard-grazing intensities were described by post-grazing pasture heights of 7.2, 5.2 and 3.0 cm, respectively. Also, one instance of variable grazing frequency occurred, in winter of year 1. Hard-grazed plots produced 1 3 and 17% less herbage in years 1 and 2, respectively, than did lax- and medium-grazed plots, which produced similar amounts of herbage. When the interval between grazings was extended, the variation in productivity was reversed; lax grazing resulted in 9% less total production than heavier grazing. In years 1 and 2, there was little effect of grazing treatment on botanical composition until spring, at which time there was a marked reduction in the amount of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) in the hard-grazed plots, with a concomitant increase in grass content. There were no significant effects of grazing intensity on the amounts of weeds in either year. However, in year 3, weeds were important contributors to pasture production early in the season. This, together with reduced clover seed reserves and increased incidence of disease in subterranean clover with hard grazing, suggests that the long-term regenerating ability of an annual pasture may be impaired if severely grazed at regular intervals.
Changes in mimosine, phenol, protein and fibre content of Leucaena leucocephala leaf during growth and development
Authors: Tangendjaja B , Lowry JB , Wills RBH
Published: March 2005

In actively growing stems of Leucaena hucocephala, new leaves were tagged weekly. All leaves were harvested after 10 weeks and analysed for mimosine, tannin, flavonol glycosides, protein and neutral detergent fibre. Mimosine was highest in the young leaf at 45 g/kg dry weight and declined to 2 g/kg in 10-week-old leaf. Protein also decreased from about 31 to 14g/100 g during development but there were no substantial changes in fibre, tannin or phenolic concentrations.
Comparison of winter cereal, oilseed and grain legume crops on the Darling Downs, Queensland
Authors: Harbison J , Hall BD , Nielsen RGH , Strong WM
Published: March 2005

Performances of 18 winter cereal, grain legume and oilseed crops were compared on the Darling Downs in 1976 using cultural practices appropriate for each. All crops, except for faba bean, which had a lower population than desired, established satisfactorily. The season was characterised by twice the average number (55) of heavy frosts, although only safflower appeared to be adversely affected. Heavy rain around maturity caused lodging of the prostrate crops lathyrus and field pea, some pod shattering of most grain legumes, and delays in machine-harvest, due to waterlogging, of almost all crops. Barley and canary seed were affected by powdery mildew during August and early September but recovered after rain in mid-September. Later rainfall promoted the diseases Alternaria carthami in safflower and Puccinia sp. in vetch, reducing grain yields in both crops. Except for chickpea, all grain legumes nodulated effectively. Lathyrus produced more larger ( >3 mm diameter) nodules than any other grain legume while lentil and vetch had many small (<2 mm) nodules. At floral initiation, more herbage DM was produced by triticale and oats than all other crops except barley and fieldpea. The most productive grain legumes were fieldpea, lathyrus and lentil. All oilseeds produced similar quantities of herbage DM, which were greater than those for grain legumes but less than those for cereals. Nitrogen concentration in herbage increased in the order: cereals < oilseeds <grain legumes. Machine-harvested grain yields of cereals were generally higher than those of oilseeds or grain legumes but delayed harvest caused large grain losses for many oilseeds and grain legumes. Pod shattering and crop lodging caused large yield losses in rapeseed and field peas, respectively. Lupins (cv. Ultra) produced more harvestable grain (1.6 t/ha) than any other grain legume, rapeseed, safflower or canary seed. An even higher grain yield (3.9 t/ha) was measured at a nearby site on an acid soil. Of the other grain legumes, lentil and lathyrus appear to be poorly adapted for this region while faba bean and vetch appear moderately well suited.
Nitrogen availability in a Darling Downs soil following cereal, oilseed and grain legume crops. 2. Effects of residual soil nitrogen and fertiliser nitrogen on subsequent wheat crops
Authors: Strong WM , Harbison J , Nielsen RHG , Hall BD , Best EK
Published: March 2005

Two dryland wheat crops were grown in 1977 and 1978 following each of 18 cereal, oilseed, or grain legume crops grown in 1976 on a black earth soil on the Darling Downs of Queensland. Combined grain yields of the two crops following the grain legumes fieldpea, lathyrus, lentil and lupin cv. Ultra were higher (P< 0.05) than those following all cereal and oilseed crops except canary seed, safflower and rapeseed cv. Torch. Urea (0-90 kg/ha N), applied to wheat in 1977 on a site adjacent to the crop comparison experiment, had little effect on grain yield in that year. However, in 1978, wheat responded to residues of these applications up to the 50 kg/ha N rate. Variation in wheat yields following the 18 crops appeared to be related to nitrogen (N) supply. The quantity of N assimilated into wheat grain was directly related to the quantity of soil mineral N to a depth of 1.2 m when the 1977 crop was planted. This varied from 37 kg/ha N after oats to 160 kg/ha N after lathyrus. Efficiency of recovery of soil mineral N by the 1977 wheat crop was very low, due probably to the unavailability of N in top soil during the dry winter. Poor availability of N in the top soil was also the most likely cause of a similarly low recovery of fertiliser N applied to the 1977 wheat crop. There was a better apparent recovery of N by the second wheat crop; soil mineral N levels for all treatments had declined to between 17 and 28 kg/ha N after crop harvest. In spite of a low overall efficiency of N uptake by wheat in 1977, more N was assimilated into the grain following legumes (27-39 kg/ha) than following cereals (1 6-2 1 kg/ha), even when fertilised with up to 90 kg/ha N (19 kg/ha). The presence of mineral N in subsoil layers (0.3-0.9 m) following legumes was considered responsible for relatively high grain yields and N uptakes of the following wheat crop in this season of limited growing-season rainfall. Protein concentration of wheat grain was generally higher following grain legumes than following all cereals or oilseeds except safflower. Grain protein concentration was increased by the application of N fertiliser, but fertilised wheat in 1977 generally showed a lower protein content than wheat following grain legumes. However, the second wheat crop following most legumes (except lathyrus) showed a protein content similar to the second wheat crop following N fertiliser application.
Organic materials applied as seed treatments or foliar sprays fail to increase grain yield of wheat
Authors: Miers DJ , Perry MW
Published: March 2005

Organic materials derived from fish, seaweed or bacterial cultures, and being sold as 'natural' aids to crop production, were tested for their effects on wheat yield in Western Australia. Six products based on seaweed (Seasol powder and liquid, Kelpak 66), fish (Eco, 10.8.8, Crop Booster) or bacterial culture (Cytozyme Seed Plus), and Complesal, an inorganic nutrient spray, were tested as seed treatments or foliar sprays. Thirty-two replicated field trials (plot size 100 m2) were conducted over 3 years using recommended rates of fertiliser and 'commercial' weed and pest control practices. No statistically significant increases in grain yield were detected from the use of any product in any trial. Average treatment grain yields in 18 trials in 1982 ranged from 99.4 to 10 1.2% of the control and in 12 trials in 1983 from 96.2 to 99.3% of the control. The results give no indication that, at the application rates used, organic materials applied as seed dressings or foliar sprays can increase the grain yield of cereal crops in commercial cultivation.
Relationship between temperature and flowering in almond
Authors: Rattigan K , Hill SJ
Published: March 2005

Records of flowering in 12 almond cultivars over 7 years, together with temperature records from a standard climate station, were used to estimate the chilling requirement for dormancy break in flower buds and the heat sum requirements for floral development in each cultivar. Hourly temperatures were estimated from daily minimum and maximum temperatures. A continuous function relating hourly temperatures to rate of chilling was used to calculate daily chill unit accumulations. Requirements of 220-320 chill units were estimated and calculated heat sum requirements ranged from 5300 to 8900 growing-degree-hours above 4-5�C. These requirements were used to estimate the dates of 50% flowering for 1958-84.
Tillage practices and the growth and yield of wheat in southern New South Wales: Lockhart, in a 450 mm rainfall region
Authors: Mason IB , Fischer RA
Published: March 2005

Effects of tillage treatments on the wheat crop were compared during a 3-year cropping phase on a red-brown earth which had previously supported subterranean clover. Direct-drilled wheat after long and short herbicide fallows yielded as well as wheat after cultivated fallow, and differed only in terms of small reductions (averaging 12%) in early plant growth. Non-fallow direct-drill crops had, compared with fallow crops, significantly less soil water (34 mm) and mineral nitrogen (30 kg/ha) at sowing in the first season, but not in later ones. However, they always showed reduced early plant growth, averaging 28% less than cultivated crops, and despite a subsequent narrowing of relative differences in growth gave significantly lower (15%) grain yields in the two wetter seasons; only in the second year, a severe drought causing very low yields, did they produce yields equal to those of fallow plots. The use of narrow combine points in direct drilling, giving incomplete soil disturbance, gave yields equal to those obtained with standard points and complete disturbance of the soil surface. However direct drilling with retained stubble - gave lower yields in a wet season. Averaged over 3 seasons, cultivated fallow yielded 2.54 t/ha, herbicide fallow 2.41 t/ha and non-fallow direct drill with stubble burning 2.17 t/ha. It was concluded that non-fallow direct-drill yields suffered because of reduced presowing water storage and reduced early growth, the latter effect was of less final consequence when the spring was dry.
Effect of deep ripping, the previous crop, and applied nitrogen on the growth and yield of a wheat crop
Authors: Delroy ND , Bowden JW
Published: March 2005

The response, to ripping and nitrogen application, of a wheat crop which has grown after a 1 -year crop of wheat, lupins and pasture was measured in terms of tops growth, nitrogen uptake, rooting depth and grain yield. Although there were limitations to the data set used, a graphical method demonstrating separation of the effects of treatment on soil nitrogen status and nitrogen use efficiency was compared using the classical analysis of variance. Ripping increased the rate of root extension and this caused the more efficient use of fertiliser nitrogen early in the season. Compensatory nitrogen uptake took place late in the season on the unripped plots. However, grain and tops yields were significantly greater on the ripped plots. The major effect of a previous crop of lupins was to increase the nitrogen status of the plots, although early in the season the efficiency of nitrogen use was also improved. A dry finish to the season turned a statistically non-significant ripping x nitrogen x species interaction for tops growth into a significant negative interaction for grain yield.
Field reactions of maize varieties commonly grown in Australia to boil smut caused by Ustilago zeae
Authors: Nuberg IK , Allen RN , Colless JM , Darnell RE
Published: March 2005

The reactions of 62 hybrid maize varieties and 24 inbred lines to infection by boil smut (Ustilago zeae) were studied in the field in the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons. Plants were artificially inoculated and the incidence of disease (DI) was assessed on the plant as a whole and at particular loci (ears, axillary buds above and below the ears, tassels and leaves). A disease severity rating (DSR) was developed based on the mass of galls at various loci relative to plant mass. Of the 86 hybrids and inbreds tested, inbred 25, with a high DI overall and severe disease at all infection loci, was the only variety found highly susceptible to disease. Nevertheless, significant (P < 0.05) differences in susceptibility were detected among other hybrids and inbreds. Thirty-six of the major hybrid varieties were classified by cluster analysis into those with low overall DI (20 hybrids averaging 1.4%), moderate DI (12 hybrids, 5.0%) or high DI (4 hybrids, 9.8%). Hybrids with high DI included GH128, GH390, QK694 and Hycorn 1. Two DSR classes were apparent, high (11.0) and low (6.1). No hybrid had both high DI and high DSR. The hybrids General and PX75 had moderate DI and high DSR, while 9 hybrids had high DSR with low DI. Insufficient data were available for a similar classification of the remaining 26 hybrids. Hybrid E368 had a high DI. Among 13 inbred lines, 12 occurred in a low DI class (average 2.3%) and one in a high DI class (A691N, 14.6%). Only one low DSR class was apparent. Insufficient data were available for a similar classification of the remaining I I inbreds, but GN7, HBc and 25 had high DI, while Y 1 had virtually no disease. Disease incidences at most of the infection loci were highly correlated within varieties, except between ear and tassel or leaf incidences, and leaf and tassel incidences, for which no correlation was apparent. No positive correlation could be found between husk cover of mature ears and boil smut incidence in the ears. Except for the locally selected inbred 25, hybrids and inbreds developed in Australia from old open pollinated varieties had about the same disease incidence and severity as material introduced from the U.S.A. over the last 20 years. An evaluation of screening methods indicated that whorl inoculation increased DI on average only from 0.8 to 2.2%. Disease incidence decreased progressively as sowing date was delayed from November to February.
Cyanamide advances the maturity of table grapes in central Australia
Authors: McColl CR
Published: March 2005

In the hot subtropical desert of Central Australia, a 25 mg/ml cyanamide solution was applied to Sultana H4 and Cardinal grape vines immediately after pruning on 2 May, 30 May, 27 June or 25 July, 16, 12, 8 and 4 weeks prior to the usual time of budburst, about 22 August. Both cultivars responded to cyanamide, the vines bursting bud 2-4 weeks after application. Vines treated on 2 May and 30 May suffered frost damage and produced negligible crops; those treated on 27 June and 25 July flowered significantly earlier than untreated vines, despite slow growth in July and August. Fruit ripening in Sultana H4 was advanced by 4, 3 and 2 weeks by cyanamide applications on 30 May, 27 June and 25 July, respectively. Ripening in Cardinal was advanced by 3.5 and 2.5 weeks by cyanamide applications on 27 June and 25 July, respectively. The ability to advance maturity has significant implications for commercial table-grape production in the region.