bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding of high producing dairy cows according to rumen undegradable protein requirements in grass silage based diet
Authors: Setälä Jouko , Syrjälä-Qvist Liisa , Poutiainen Esko
Published: July 2018

The experiment was performed with 21 Ayshire cows 4—16 weeks post calving. Cows received restricted amounts (according to calculated intake) of unwilted grass silage, preserved with a mixture of acetic acid and formalin and two kilograms of hay/cow/day. A concentrate mixture including dried and propionic acid treated barley and oats together with a mineral-vitamin mixture was given 0.3 kg/kg FCM. During the standardization period (2 weeks) protein feeding of the cows was performed according to the DCP requirements and the diet was supplemented with soybean meal if necessary. For the adaptation period (3 weeks) and the comparison period (8 weeks) the cows were divided in 3 equal groups of 7 cows (G1, G2, G3). G 1 had no protein supplement in the diet. The diets of G 2 and G 3 were supplemented correspondingly either with rapeseed meal or formaldehyde treated urea on the basis of the UDP (undegradable feed protein) requirements (G2) and the DCP requirements (G3) of the cows. Efficient protein degradabilities in the total diets during the comparison period varied from 77 to 85 % when the determinations were made with the nylon bag technique. The highest degradabilities were found for the diet of G3 and the lowest for G 2. Significantly (P < 0.05, 0.01) the highest yields of FCM and milk protein were recorded for Group2 (G2) in which the cows received protein supplement according to their UDP requirements. Using a factorial approach, conversion of protein absorbable in the small intestine to milk protein was calculated to be 66.5 ± 0.8 % when all the cows in three groups were taken into account.
Effect of red clover/timothy ratio on the protein feeding value
and the quality of silage
Authors: Syrjälä-Qvist Liisa , Pekkarinen Eeva , Setälä Jouko
Published: July 2018

Five silages having different proportions of red clover and timothy (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 0/100) were preserved in five glass-fibre silos of 0.4 m 3. Chopped red clover and timothy were mixed during ensiling and preserved with AIV II solution (80 % formic acid and 2 % orthophosphoric acid), applied at the rate of 6 l/1000kg fresh material. The timothy sward was fertilized with 100kg N/ha and the red clover with 15kg N/ha. The dry matter content in red clover was 14.5 % and in timothy 18.6%, and the crude protein content of DM 22.9 % and 11.5 %, respectively. True protein formed 75—76 % of crude protein in both herbages and the proportion of watersoluble N in total N was 32 % in red clover and 36 % in timothy. The rumen degradability of protein during the first two hours was under 10 % in both herbages; after 18 and 24h ours it was 76 % and 87 % in red clover, and 65 % and 70 % in timothy. In red clover the contents of lysine, methionine and cysteine were 5.7 g, 0.4 g and 0.9 g/16 g N, respectively, the corresponding values for timothy being 4.8 g, 0.7 g and 1.4g/16 g N. In red clover the content of water-soluble carbohydrates was 10.6 % of DM and in timothy 16.5 %; the contents of plant acids were 6.7 % and 3.5 % of DM, respectively. Red clover contained 10.9g Ca/kg DM and timothy 3.1 g Ca. The total amount of inorganic constituents was also higher in red clover than in timothy. Although the chemical composition of red clover was less suitable for ensiling than the composition of timothy, the quality of all the silages was good. During ensiling the decrease in the proportion of true protein in crude protein and the increase in the proportion of watersoluble N in total N were smaller in red clover than in timothy silage. These changes were reflected in the ruminal protein degradation, which seemed to be slower when they were small. The amino acid profile of the protein did not alter during ensiling. The ensiling losses were higher in the silages containing red clover than in the timothy silage. This conserned especially the effluent losses and surface spoilage of the feed.
Effect of nitrogen fertilization on the protein quality of timothy grass and silage
Authors: Syrjälä-Qvist Liisa , Pekkarinen Eeva , Setälä Jouko
Published: July 2018

Timothy grass given N fertilizer at the rates of 40, 80 and 120 kg N/ha was preserved in 3 glass-fibre silos of 0.4 m3. The crude protein content of DM in the grass increased with the increase of N fertilization as follows: N40 14.8 %, N80 18.4 % and N120 22.1 %, but the proportion of true protein in crude protein decreased: N40 82 %, N80 78 % and N120 76 %. The proportion of watersoluble N in the total N in the grass was: N40 27 %, N80 30 % and N120 33 %. The higher was the N fertilization level, the more rapidly was the protein of the grass degraded in the rumen. The amino acid profile of the protein was similar at all the N fertilization levels. The quality of all the silages was good. The NH3-N fraction of total N was 2.8—3.9 % and the proportion of water-soluble N in total N was 51—55 %, In silage the decrease during ensiling in the proportion of true protein in crude protein and the increase in the proportion of water-soluble N in total N were smaller than in the other silages. The rumen degradability of protein during the first two hours was also lowest in this silage.
Measuring methods for soil microbial activity and biomass
Authors: Heinonen-Tanski Helvi , Mettälä Aila , Silvo Riitta
Published: July 2018

The determining for the numbers of different soil microbial groups has some technical difficulties because of biological reasons. Therefore the measuring of cell components or metabolic activity of soil micro-organisms is often preferred. The different measuring methods for determining the numbers of micro-organisms or microbial cell components or microbial enzymatic activities will be shortly reviewed.
Evaluation of various types of forest biomass and wood processing residues as feed for ruminants
Authors: Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

Eight digestibility trials were performed with rams to evaluate the nutritive values of energy willow leaves (Salix Aqualica), whole short rotation trees (S. Aquatica, S. dasyclados), forest biomass, consisting of branches, foliage and browses, entire hardwood, hydrolysed birch tree pulp and dissolving pulp. The chemical composition of the materials varied according to the leaf-to-wood ratio and the degree of hydrolysis of the pulp. The leaves had high protein contents and low crude fibre contents but remarkably high contents of acid detergent fibre (ADF). The materials containing wood had a high crude fibre content, 41—54 %, as had also both pulps, 44—75 %, but the ADF content was on average 17.4 %-units higher than the content of crude fibre. The lignin content was high in the wood-containing materials (29—34 %) and also high in one of the leaf pulps. The digestibilities of the leaf pulps varied considerably, from 42 to 61 % for DM. The forest biomass had organic matter OM digestibility varying from 20 to 39 %. The digestibility was affected by the ratio of foliage to wood in the material. Hydrolysed wood pulp had poor digestibility, 38 % for OM, but the digestibility of dissolving pulp was comparable to that of good quality roughage, 75 %. The leaf pulps and dissolving pulp had FU values of 0.48—0.69/kg DM. Forest biomass and hydrolysed birch pulp had low values, 0.22—0.34 FU/kg DM. Various energy evaluation systems were compared in the feed value calculations. The fibre correction system gave very low values. Tree foliage and cellulosic wastes with a low lignin content can be utilized as ruminant feed but the possibilities of disposing in this way of cellulosic wastes with high lignocellulosic contents are very limited.
Damping-off of sugar beet in Finland: III Effect of temperature and disease forecasting
Authors: Vestberg Mauritz
Published: July 2018

The effect of temperature on the severity of damping-off of sugar beet was studied under controlled conditions. The disease incidence increased with increasing temperature. When the time up to emergence in a finesand soil was characterized by low temperatures (8°C night, 15°C day), a period of 14—21 days immediately after emergence caused a strong increase in disease incidence. In peat soil, even 7 days was enough to initiate such an increase. In neither of the soils used did three days of high post-emergence temperature cause any marked disease increase. When the pre-emergence period was characterized by high temperatures (15°C night, 25°C day) the disease was at a high level and in the very fine sand soil could not be lowered by lower temperatures. In the peat soil, however, a constant, low postemergence temperature significantly inhibited the development of the disease. The possibilities of damping-off forecasting by comparing the disease incidence in pot experiments to damping-off in the field seemed rather limited. When the temperature is taken into account, a negative prognosis may be possible. The basis of such a prognosis is the determination of the inoculum potential of the soil.
Acid-neutralizing capacity of Finnish mineral soils
Authors: Hartikainen Helinä
Published: July 2018

The acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC) was determined graphically from curves obtained in HCI titration (at a constant ionic strength I = 0.1) and was expressed as a quantity of acid (meq kg-1) needed to reduce the soil pH to 3.8. The relationship between ANC3.8 g and soil characteristics was studied statistically. In 84 soil samples, ANC3.8 ranged from 12 to 184 meq kg-1. The average ANC3.8 was highest in the heavy clay soils and lowest in the non-clay soils, but the differences between the various textural soil groups were not significant. In all soil groups the initial pHCaCl2 was relatively the most important factor explaining the variation in ANC3.8. Organic C was also a significant variable; this was considered to indicate the importance of cation exchange reactions of organic matter in acid-buffering. With the exception of heavy clay soils, oxalate-soluble Al significantly explained the variation in ANC3.8, suggesting that dissolution of Al hydroxides acted as a sink for H+ ions and contributed to the neutralizing capacity at the reference pH of 3.8.
Effect of liming and N fertilization on growth, macronutrient content and uptake by mixed stands of three clovers and timothy
Authors: Jokinen Raili
Published: July 2018

Mixed stands of clovers and timothy grew well in unlimed (Ca0) acid soil (pH(CaCl2) 4.8). The highest total yield of red clover-timothy was obtained at a low lime level (Ca1 = 12g /pot CaCO3). The yield of red clover alone responded to liming similarly. The reducing effect of N fertilization (2000 mg/pot N as NH4NO3) on the yield of clovers was greatest in the first growing season (cuts 1 to 4) without lime, and in the second growing season (cuts 5 to 7) with lime (Ca1 = 12g /pot, Ca2 = 24g/pot). Liming without N fertilization promoted the growth of timothy only in the two first cuts; N fertilization increased the yield at all lime levels. Liming increased the Ca content of clovers, but there were no differences between lime levels. Mg and K showed a decreasing trend. N fertilization did not affect the nutrient content of clovers. A good quality of clover yield reguired adequate amounts of other fertilizations than N. In timothy, the Ca content increased slightly at all lime levels; the N and K contents increased by N fertilization. The N uptake by red clover was highest at the Ca, level, by white clover and alsike clover at the Ca0 level. The proportion of clover was larger than that of timothy of the uptake of N, P, Ca and Mg. When N was applied, the uptake of K showed an opposite direction.
Replacing protein supplements in barley-based diets for growing pigs with free lysine and methionine
Authors: Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

Protein metabolism and utilization, and performance were examined in pigs kept on diets with two protein levels, 15 and 17 % crude protein(cp), and supplementation with free L-lysine and DL-methionine. In the 5 x 5 Latin square balance trial, 15 and 17 % cp diets were fed with and without supplementation with 2 g lysine/kg feed and one 15cp diet with both lysine and 0.7 g methionine. The diets had 120 and 136 g DCP/FU, lysine 7.8, 9.4 and 11.0g/kg and sulphur amino acids 4.4, 5.0 and 5.1 g/kg. Nitrogen retention was 13 % higher on the 17 % cp diet than on the 15 % cp diet (P > 0.05). The lysine supplementation improved N retention by 4.3 % on the 15 % cp diet and supplementation with the two amino acids improved it by 2.5 % (P > 0.05 %). Urinary urea excretion on the 17 % cp diet was 17—12 %higher than on unsupplemented 15 % cp diet, and on the diets with amino acid supplementation it was 7—8 % lower (P < 0.05) than on the diets without. In the first feeding trial with 500 pigs, the higher-protein diet gave 7.4 % better daily gains. The diet with 15 % cp supplemented with lysine gave only 2.3 % better gains than the basal 15 % cp diet. The difference in feed conversion efficiency (FCE) between protein levels was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The second feeding trial was a comparison of 17 % and 15 % cp diets in which the lysine and sulphur amino acid levels had been equalized by supplementing the 15 % cp diet with lysine and methionine. The pigs were fed on a grower diet with 18 % cp to 50kg live weight and afterwards the experimental diets were fed separately to the gilts and castrates. The pigs grew similarly on the two diets, 783 vs. 780 g daily. The FCE was better on the lower-protein diet and lower in the gilts then the castrates. The gilts gave better carcase quality than the castrates and the lower-protein diet tended to give better carcase quality. The rather poor response to supplemental free amino acids in the present study seems to indicate limitation of inadequate supply of other amino acid.
Distillers feeds from various grains as protein sources for pigs
Authors: Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

The nutrient digestibility and protein utilization of distillery feeds derived from dehulled barley, rye and wheat were studied with growing pigs receiving one of eleven diets in which the protein sources were BDDGS, RDDGS, WDDGS, BDDG, BDS or SBM. In a second trial BDDGS and BDDG were compared with the same feeds treated prior to cooking with cellulase enzyme. The diets, consisting of barley and distillers feed, were fortified with L-lysine and DL-methionine to achieve levels of 13.0 % DCP, 0.80 % lysine and 0.56 % S amino acids. The distillery by-products contained crude protein 24.8—41.5 %, crude fat 6.3—9.5 %, crude fibre 7.1 10.3 %, ADF 18.2—22.9%, NDF 33.3—43.7 % and ADL 8.7—11.3 % on a dry basis. Their lysine content was 0.43—1.36 % of DM and their S amino acid content 0.58—1.36 %. The digestibilities of organic matter and crude protein were 56—83 and 56—79 %. DDGS from rye had low digestibilities and barley distillers solubles high. The cellulase treatment decreased the OM and CP digestibilities by 6.4—10.4 and 15.3—15.4 % units, respectively. FU/kg DM varied from 0.63 to 0.84 and DCP from 177 to 405 g/FU. The N retention of the BDDGS, RDDGS, WDDGS, BDDG, BDS and SBM diets was, respectively, 21.7, 21.1, 24.2, 23.0, 17.7 and 24.6 g/d (P < 0.01) and the biological values were 55, 60, 59, 56, 55 and 66. The daily gains varied from 700 to 762 g. The data indicated that distillery by-products could replace soybean meal quite satisfactorily as a protein source in amino acid-fortified diets.
45Ca mobility and distribution during ripening and maturation of Rutgers and RIN tomatoes
Authors: Howard L. R. , Uusi-Rauva A. , Laine J. J.
Published: July 2018

Radioisotope 45Ca was used to examine changes in levels of bound and soluble calcium during tomato fruit ripening, and the distribution of calcium in different regions of Rutgers and Rin (non-ripening) tomato tissue. Levels of cell wallmiddle lamella bound 45Ca decreased readily in pericarp tissue during ripening of Rutgers tomatoes with only as mall decrease being observed in RIN fruit. No significant increase in soluble 45Ca was observed for either genotype during ripening. Decreasing levels of bound and soluble 45Ca were observed from calyx to blossom end of pericarp tissue in Rutgers and RIN fruits. Low levels of bound 45Ca were found in the inner locular walls at an early stage of tomato ripening. The implication of low levels of cell wall bound calcium in relation to catabolic changes associated with ripening are discussed.
Control of manganese deficiency in sugar beet by placement of a manganated compound fertilizer
Authors: Erjala Matti
Published: July 2018

In Finland, manganese deficiency in sugar beet has traditionally been controlled by spraying the foliage with manganese sulphate. According to field experiments, placement of an acid compound fertilizer seems to provide a new possibility of controlling manganese deficiency of sugar beet in heavily limed fields. In 1-year experiments carried out in 1984—1985 in seven fields which showed slight symptoms of manganese deficiency, conversion from top dressing to the placement technique alone increased the availability of soil manganese to sugar beet. The availability was, however, best safeguarded only when manganese (0.7 %) was added to acid compound fertilizer and applied by the placement technique. Placement of manganese (25—30 kg/ha MnSO4; Mn 26 %) together with acid compound fertilizer increased the root yield by 2.0 tons (+ 7%) per hectare in average compared to placement of manganese-free compound fertilizer. The new method of application did not have a significant effect on the quality of sugar beet.
Studies on fertilization of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): I Herb yield of dill and basil affected by fertilization
Authors: Hälvä S. , Puukka L.
Published: July 2018

Fertilization of dill and basil was studied in 1984 and 1985 in Helsinki, both basic fertilization and N top-dressing being included. The total N doses were 0, 0.15, 0.3, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6 kg N/100 m2 for dill and 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6 kg N/100 m2 for basil. The optimum basic fertilization for dill and basil was a compound fertilizer of the rate (NPK) of 0.4—0.16—0.68 kg/100 m2. In one year basil received a benefit from N top-dressing corresponding to total application of 0.8 kg N/100 m2. Estimating the yield by the amount of N fertilizer indicated that dill yield would increase up to the fertilizing rate of 1.15 and basil yield up to 1.0 (in 1985) or 1.50 (in 1984) kg N/100 m2 after which the herb yields will decrease. The dry matter content of dill decreased and the nitrate concentration of both dill and basil increased as the fertilization increased. Basil was severely damaged by fungus diseases, the more fertilization was applied.
Selenium in long term feeding and the frequency of White Muscle Disease in cattle in Finland during the years 1978—1985
Authors: Westermarck Hakon W.
Published: July 2018

Selenium deficiency was established in 1961 as the primary cause for WMD in Finland. This started the propylactic treatment with mineral salts containing 0.1 ppm Se as Sodium selenite in Finland officially in 1969, the first in the world. The incidents of WMD decreased from 1.06 % in 1978 to 0.66 % in 1984. If in heifers only from 18 907 cases, 7.9 % to 11 328 cases, 4.6 %, in 1984. The decrease of WMD cases reflects a better Se status in cattle as a whole, and has also contributed to an increase in the Se content in animal products. Even though Se insufficiency was established to be important for animals, the significance of Se for human beings was disregarded, until the consequences of the deficiency in man was demonstrated by T. Westermarck in 1977.
A simulation study for optimizing the use of dairy bulls in breeding programs
Authors: Juga J. , Syväjärvi J. , Vilva V.
Published: July 2018

Different breeding program alternatives in dairy cattle population were studied by simulation. Traits studied were milk production and a low heritability trait that is negatively correlated with milk production, e.g. fertility. The variable factors in the study were the number of young bulls to be tested, the number of daughters per bull in progeny testing, the number of tested bulls to be used and the weights for selected traits in an overall index of the bull’s breeding value. The influence of variable factors on genetic response in milk production and fertility was studied by calculating the average of real genotypic values on both traits for all cows born in the same year and having a complete first lactation record. This was done for a 25 year period. The population structure used in simulation was like the Finnish milk recorded Ayrshire population in which there are ca. 250000 cows. The genetic response in milk production was improved by increasing the selection intensity amongst bulls. The negative effect of selection for milk yield on fertility could be decreased by giving the fertility a larger indexed weight. If the milk production had a weight of 1 and genetic correlation between traits was —0.20 then increasing the weight of fertility from 0.1 to 0.3 did not affect significantly the response in milk production.
The effect of dietary inclusion of barley, unmolassed sugar beet pulp and molasses on milk production, digestibility and digesta passage in dairy cows given silage based diet
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka
Published: July 2018

Ten dairy cows in early lactation were given five different supplements with grass silage ad libitum according to two 5x5 Latin square designs. The supplements consisted of barley (Ba), unmolassed sugar beet pulp (SBP) and molasses (Mo) on dry matter (DM) basis as follows: (A) Ba 1000g, (B) Ba 667 g and Mo 326 g, (C) Ba 417 g, SBP 410 g and Mo 163 g, (D) SBP 983 g and (E) 656 g SBP and 326 g Mo per kg. The lower fat content of SBP and molasses than of Ba was balanced with rapeseed oil. These supplements were fed at the level of 6 kg DM/d. In addition, 1 kg of rapeseed meal was given as a protein supplement. No differences in silage DM intake between the Ba and SBP supplements were found, but inclusion of a high level of Mo depressed silage and total DM intake. Cows given SBP supplements yielded 1.1kg (P < 0.01) more milk and 32 g (P < 0.05) more protein than those given Ba supplements. Milk fat concentration was lower (P < 0.001) on SBP (46.0 g/kg) than on Ba diets (49.1 g/kg) and thus there was no difference in the yield of fat corrected milk(FCM) and milk fat between the two supplements. Inclusion of 2 kg of DM of More reduced the milk (P < 0.001), FCM, fat and protein yields (P < 0.01) compared to diets without molasses. Supplement C increased (P < 0.05) the milk yield compared to the other diets but the milk composition was not affected. The effect of supplements on the digestibility of the ration was determined using acid insoluble ash as a marker. The apparent digestibility of organic matter averaged 0.743 and was not significantly affected by the diet. Digestibility of neutral detergent fibre was higher (P < 0.001) for SBP diets (0.680) than for Ba diets (0.596). Similar differences were observed in the digestibility of other fibre components. However, the digestibility of the silage was not affected by the treatment. Feeding SBP diets resulted in lower (P < 0.001) digestibility of crude protein than did Ba diets. Metabolizable energy (ME) of SBP diets tended to be used more efficiently for milk synthesis than ME of Ba diets. Inclusion of Mo in Ba or SBP did not reduce the efficiency, although the milk yield was decreased. The passage rate of liquid was determined with CoEDTA and that of particles with Cr-labelled straw. The average mean retention time of liquid ranged from 18.0 to 19.9 h and that of particles from 36.8 to 37.7h. Neither time was affected by the treatment. The passage rate of particles from the rumen ranged from 0.045 to 0.048 and that of liquid from 0.096 to 0.104, irrespective of the diet.
Induction of defence reactions in plants
Authors: Thordal-Christensen Hans , Gregersen Per L. , Andersen Jan B. , Smedegaars-Petersen Viggo
Published: July 2018

Induced local resistance presumably involves the same mechanisms in the plants as resistance elicited during normal plant-pathogen interactions. In many cases resistance elicitors from pathogens have been found to be non-specific, i.e. unrelated to race-cultivar specificity. Thus, existence of specific resistance suppressors has been suggested to make the virulent races able to infect. In other cases specific resistance elicitors have been indicated to exist in a virulent races, by which the race specific resistance may be accomplished. At our Department resistance has been induced in the barley—powdery mildew interaction by use of double inoculation procedures. Both virulent and avirulent races of barley powdery mildew can induce resistance, but avirulent races show an increased resistance induction ability in relation to virulent races from 12 hours after inoculation. In barley plants wheat powdery mildew induced more resistance than barley powdery mildew 1 to 8 hours after inoculation. Induced resistance was mainly localized to the epidermal cells attacked by the inducer, but an effect was also present in the surrounding epidermal cells. The energetic consequences of resistance in barley to barley powdery mildew have been found to be reflected in an increased respiratory rate at the time of infection attempt. Further, these energy costs appeared to reduce grain yield by 7 %. The expression of resistance in barley is thought to involve de novo synthesis mRNAs and proteins, which makes it possible to apply gene technological methods to study induced resistance. Research of this kind is in progress at our Department, which hopefully will give information on the mechanisms of resistance triggering and resistance expression.
The biological control of seed-borne Alternaria brassicicola of cruciferous plants with a powdery preparation of Streptomyces sp.
Authors: Tahvonen Risto , Avikainen Hanna
Published: July 2018

The effectiveness of a powdery preparation of a Streptomyces sp. isolate as a seed dressing agent against seed-borne Alternaria brassicicola on different Brassica species was investigated in the study. The preparation was made by freeze-drying and milling the biomass produced in a fermentor into a form suitable for use as a dusting agent. Seed dressing was 80—90 % successful in controlling damping-off from seeds artificially infected with A. brassicicola. The effectiveness of dressing remained unchanged on seeds stored under dry conditions for 5—6 weeks, but subsequently decreased slowly and was ca. 50 % six months after dusting. Streptomyces dressing controlled, in a manner comparable to chemical dressing with thiram, damping-off caused by Alternaria fungi on seedlings which were grown from commercial seed lots of different origin. The results of biological control of damping-off did not vary in the peat lots of different origin whose natural disease suppressivity varied considerably. The control result was the same or better than chemical dressing with thiram. The acidity of the substrate (pH 4.8—8.6) had no effect on the effectiveness of biological control. The results obtained against Alternaria damping-off were the same in other substrates clay, fine sand and mull as in peat.
The effect of inoculants and cellulase on the fermentation and microbiological composition of grass silage: I Biochemical changes in the silages
Authors: Rauramaa Aino , Setälä Jouko , Moisio Tauno , Heikkilä Terttu , Lampila Martti
Published: July 2018

The effect of the inoculation and the adding of the cellulase enzyme on the fermentation of sugar-rich, direct cut grass were studied. The control silages were made by using AIV II solution and no additives. The silages were prepared from the first cut on a farm scale in the summer of 1985. Generally all four silages were organoleptically good. The results showed only minor differences in the fermentation between untreated and inoculated or enzyme silages. The quality of fermentation, however, was improved in inoculated and enzyme silages. The quality further improved by using the AIV II solution. This was supported by the changes in the pH, ammonia, buffering capacity, redox potential, temperature and finally by a better digestibility of organic matter.
The in vivo growth and development of micropropagated Elatior begonias (Begonia x hiemalis): II. Study on the effect of chlormequat and ancymidol
Authors: Roivainen Päivi
Published: July 2018

Micropropagation is an efficient means of producing pathogen-free Elatior begonias. However, the growth of the micropropagated plants can be too luxuriant, flowering is often delayed and the root collars remain thin, all unwanted growth habits in commercial production. To study the effect of growth retardants, an experiment was arranged in spring 1987, in which chlormequat and ancymidol were used on the micropropagated Elatior begonia ’Afrodite Limelight’. Both growth retardants were sprayed at three concentrations: 500, 1000 or 1500 ppm of chlormequat and 37.5, 50.0 or 62.5 ppm of ancymidol. Spraying was performed once, twice or three times. Plants not receiving any growth retardants were used as controls. The time taken to reach anthesis and the sale stage differed significantly between treated and untreated plants only in the begonias sprayed twice with 1000 ppm chlormequat, which reached anthesis one week later than the controls. Both of the growth regulators reduced the growth in height, and ancymidol also reduced the growth in width. The flower stalks were significantly shorter in plants treated with ancymidol or two or three times with chlormequat than in the controls. No differences were observed in the number of branches, flowers or flower buds, or in the diameter of the root collar. The greatest proportions of saleable plants were obtained by spraying once with 500 or 1000 ppm chlormequat or leaving the plants untreated. The concentrations of ancymidol were too high, since the plants treated with this growth regulator were extremely compact and unsaleable.
Herb yield and essential oil of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) at different locations
Authors: Hälvä S. , Huopalahti R. , Franz CH.
Published: July 2018

A study on the effect of growing site on the growth of the dill herb at three locations (Helsinki, Sahalahti, Inari) in Finland and at Freising, West Germany, was carried out in 1985. The growing medium was fertilized peat of the same quality at each location. Dill (’Dura’) was sown twice, in early spring and 2—3 weeks later at all growing sites. The herb crop was harvested just when the first flower buds had developed. The later sowings gave significantly larger yields than the earlier ones. The herb yields were largest at the most southern location. The fresh yield was the larger the more rain there was, and the warmer the growing season was. The significantly highest oil contents were recorded in the herb of the later sowings at Freising and Sahalahti. Otherwise, no differences in the oil content were recorded. The correlation between the oil content and degree days was positive. The total amount of components responsible for the aroma varied between 4.5 and 7.9 mg/g dry weight. The amount of essential oil and that of a typical aroma compound in dill, 3.6-dimethyl-2,3,3a,4,5,7a-hexahydrobenzofuran, were not significantly affected by the location.
Resistance of cruciferous crops to turnip root fly
Authors: Ruuth Per
Published: July 2018

Cruciferous crops have been investigated for resistance to turnip root fly (Delia floralis Fallén) in northern Sweden. Resistance variation has been demonstrated in field trials by observations of wilting symptoms, differences in green mass yield, root damages, surviving plants and number of eggs. Laboratory methods for resistance studies and plant selections in controlled environment are presented, and a method for rearing of flies is described. The definitions of antixenosis, antibiosis and tolerance are discussed, and suggestions for resistance breeding presented.
Targets in the breeding of spring wheat
Authors: Juuti Tapio
Published: July 2018

Growing conditions in Finland determine the earliness, protein content and reliability of the falling number as the targets for breeding spring wheat. It has not been possible to increase the earliness of spring wheat varieties from that of the local varieties cultivated before breeded varieties. On the other hand, breeding has improved the earliness to yielding capacity ratio successfully, and the ratio will be improved further in the near future. The declining trend of the average protein content in the spring wheat yields, which has caused problems in the last decade, now seems to have been corrected. The breeding material includes cultivars with a high protein content and a better ratio of protein content to yielding capacity than the varieties now cultivated. As far as the falling number is concerned, some upcoming cultivars are better adaptable to the Finnish growing conditions than the present varieties.
Adaptation of red clover to the long day environment
Authors: Pulli Seppo
Published: July 2018

Five known varieties and five local strains of red clover from the latitudes 60 to 66°N were studied in greenhouse conditions. Photoperiods during the growing period were 12, 16 and 20h day, night temperatures 17°and 14°C and light intensity 21.2 klux. The plants were cut three times. Flowering, height development and shoot DM yield were assessed at each harvest. The number of shoots and leaves per plant and leaf area per plant were determined at the second harvest and root size at the third harvest. After the second harvest one replicate of each strain under the three light regimes was placed at +4°C under an 8-h light regime at 10 klux for 26 days. For assessment of plant response to hardening conditions, chemical analyses were performed on roots for TNC, long-chain fatty acids and proline. The study showed that the adaptation of red clover to certain daylength conditions influences plant behaviour with respect to its growth, development and hardening. The present study on daylength and growth together with developmental and chemical analysis are useful for breeding.
Initial material for solving the main problems encountered in breeding winter rye in the northwestern zone of the USSR
Authors: Kobylyanskij V. D.
Published: July 2018

The main problems encountered in breeding winter rye in the northwestern region are: winterhardiness, lodging resistance, disease resistance and grain quality. Winterhardiness in the northwest of the USSR depends on the resistance of rye to snow mould. Varieties from the USSR (Vyatka, Falenskaja, Udinskaja, Narymskaja 23 and some others) and Austria (Lungauer Tauern, Schlager) as well as many varieties from Finland present valuable material for breeding for winterhardiness. The breeding of short-strawed varieties was promoted considerably by the use of donors with the dominant type of inheritance of the short straw characteristic (EM-1, k-10028) and many forms and varieties created on their basis. Nine commercial varieties with a high yield potential and winterhardiness were bred. Short-strawed donors resistant to powdery mildew and brown rust (Imering 4, Fletera 2, Immunnaja 5), unique in their kind and very valuable, were bred by introgression of the genes for resistance, which had been discovered in the populations of wild species and older varieties. A strategy of breeding rye for disease resistance is suggested. In breeding to improve grain quality, a gene bank of varieties, in which the stability of high grain quality is retained, is valuable. Some varieties have a protein content in the grain of 10 %, with a lysine content in the protein of 4 % or more (Marienhofer, Wieselburger, Kisvardai). Four short-strawed analogues of commercial varieties (Ural’skaja HI, Tchishminskaja HI, Kustro HI, Stalrug HI) are close to the variety Otello as to their baking qualities. The material presented on the inheritance of characteristics contributes to the selection of donors when new varieties are bred.
History, recent development and uses of Finnsheep
Authors: Maijala K.
Published: July 2018

The use of Finnsheep (F) as experimental animals on fertility has created interest in the origin of it and its prolificacy. Linguistic and archeological evidence indicate that wool has been used in Finland for 2 000 years and that sheep have been kept for over 1 000 years. The ancestors of F may have arrived either with Finns from the present Russia, where the short-tailed and prolific Romanov breed is found, or with Vikings or western settlers from Scandinavia, where there also are short-tailed breeds. Finnish terms concerning weaving (mainly Slavic loans) speak for the former, the sheep husbandry terms (mainly Germanic loans) for the latter source. In the 16th and 18th centuries, foreign breeds were imported to western Finland, but they were not accepted by farmers. When animals from northeastern Finland were mainly used as foundations for the herd book work, the present F may stem mainly from the original stock. The breed has long been kept in small flocks and thus been subject of inbreeding and weak selection. Since the establishment of herd book and production recording the live and fleece weights as well as litter sizes have increased. Wool was the main product until the 1920’s, but meat has been most important during the last 60 years, excepting war times. Presently one aims at effective utilization of its versatility, i.e. for meat, handicraft wool, luxury furs, and forest and landscape management.
Performance of crossbreds of Polish Merino dams with F1 rams: Finnsheep x Polish Merino. C. Preliminary results of reproductive performance of ewes
Authors: Osikowski M. , Borys B. , Osikowski M. A.
Published: July 2018

The investigations were carried out on the basis of the first three reproductive cycles of ewes born in the same year. The experimental flock consisted of 100 ewes progeny of Polish Merino (PM) dams and F1 rams: Finnsheep (F) x PM; there were also 32 purebred PM used as controls. The crossbred ewes, with 25 % of F genotype, had a much better reproductive performance (117 % vs. 96 % in the PM), mainly due to a much higher prolificacy (152.2 vs. 133.6 %) and improved fertility (by 3.1 %) and the percentage of lambs weaned (higher in the crossbreds by 3.4 %).
Studies on the structure of hair-forming groups in Finnsheep
Authors: Wojcikowska-Soroczynska M. , Sztych D. , Swiderek A.
Published: July 2018

Recognition of hair-forming groups in the skin of sheep was dealt with by many scientists on almost all breeds of sheep in the world and in some particular countries. To the few breeds not yet investigated up to now in this respect belongs Finnsheep (F), and this substantiates the present attempt. The histological analysis was performed on skin sections taken by the biopsy method from 7 F of the Experiment Station Koluda Wielka. Upon fixing and staining skin preparations by the method generally applied, the microscopic examination of kinds of groups, number of primary (P) and secondary(S) follicles per 1 mm2 (nS/mm2 +nP/mm2) in all kinds of groups as well as density of follicles, i.e.nS/nP per 1 mm2, was carried out. In microscopic pictures of skin, documented by means of photographs, superiority of triple groups, the share of which amounted to 74.2 %, has been found. The share of quadruple groups was 11.4 %, of double groups 8.6 % and of hexal groups 5.1 %. The mean density of follicles, measured by the number of primary and secondary follicles per 1mm2 of skin, amounts to 14.1, which results from the share of 2.0 primary + 12.2 secondary follicles per 1 mm2. The value of the nS/nP ratio in particular groups was as follows: the highest ratio was for the triple group (6.0), in the double group it amounted to 5.8, in quadruple group to 5.6 and in the hexal group to 5.3. Thus, the mean density for this sheep breed amounts to 5.84. Differences in the above values between singles and groups appeared to be small and not proved statistically. The obtained results concerning the studied F skin traits are characteristics for the hair cover of longwoolled type.
Milk production in Finnsheep and Romanov breeds
Authors: Boylan W. J. , Sakul H.
Published: July 2018

The Finn, Romanov and several U.S. sheep breeds were machine milked to obtain information on several measures of milk production and milk composition. Data were obtained over at wo year to four year period utilizing 146 purebred ewe records and 165 crossbred ewe records. The level of milk production for a 130 day lactation period for the breeds evaluated was generally low compared to traditional European dairy breeds. The least-squares overall mean for milk yield was 68.8 liters. The Suffolk (80.5 liters) and the Rambouillet (75.3 liters) were superior. The Targhee, Dorset and Lincoln breeds followed in order for milk yield. The Finn (64.0 liters) and Romanov (39.1 liters) were lowest. Finn sired crossbred ewes had the highest level of milk production (84.4 liters) in a four breed diallel mating design of Finn, Dorset, Lincoln and Rambouillet breeds. A value of 15.4 % was found for heterosis in milk production.
Breeding sheep with 4 teats in a flock in Devon, England
Authors: Davies D. A. R.
Published: July 2018

A survey of British breeds and crossbreeds revealed that they contained ewes with extra teats, in many cases even functional. In one flock, a crossbred mix of three breeds, some selection for 4 teats had taken place and 79 of 147 ewes had 4 teats and 2 ewes had 6 teats. Length of the extra teats varied up to a 09:1 ratio relative to the rear. 38 of the 79 ewes had a ratio between 0.6:1 and 0.9:1. The distance from front to rear was generally between 0.2 and 0.5 of that from side to side. In 1986 the 147 ewes were divided into 5 unequal size family groups, A (51), B (53), C (21), D (6), each group mated to one ram with 4 teats, and group E (12) to a ram with 2 teats but whose dam had 4. The mean teat number for the ewes in the groups was 3.26, 2.95, 2.70, 4.00 and 3.76 resp., and for their offspring 3.84 (91), 3.06 (95), 3.4 (37), 3.3 (12) and 3.1 (9), More detailed analysis of the larger groups, A,B and C, showed that the proportion of lambs with 4 teats from 4 teated ewes was 0.96, 0.76 and 0.88, resp., and that in groups A and B the proportion of lambs with 4 teats from 2 teated ewes was 0.78 and 0.31 respectively. Milk production of 14 ewes with well developed fore teats was measured in the first 10 days of lactation using the oxytocin technique. The mean yield of the front teats was only 0.057+ 0.010 of the rear, indicating the wide variation and the limited production of the population at present in the flock.
Changes in the content of milk components during lactation and their influence on lamb rearing of Finnsheep
Authors: Charon K. M.
Published: July 2018

The analysis of milk component content determined by Milkoscan apparatus was carried out on 59 ewes of Finnsheep (a total of 880 records for each component). Lactations differed in fat (F), protein (P) and lactose (L) content, but the differences were statistically significant (P
The accumulative effect of Finnsheep breeding in crossbreeding schemes
Authors: Fahmy M. H.
Published: July 2018

Finnsheep (F) was used in a crossbreeding project to improve overall productivity of the DLS breed. Productive and reproductive traits of seven crossbred combinations ranging from 1/8F to 7/8F breeding were compared to those of the two parental breeds. Suffolk rams were used to mate all ewes (361) for five parturitions (1312 records). Ovulation rate (OR) and litter size (LS) at birth for all the groups increased progressively as F breeding increased. The 4/8F ewes weaned the heaviest litters. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated ranged from 18 % to 29 %. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F ewes. Total kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8F followed by F whereas that of DLS was lowest. The 4/8F exhibited 25 % heterosis (H) in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed. The linear regressions of OR (b = .24), of LS at birth (b = .14) and at weaning (b = .08) on proportion of F breeding in crosses were significant. The regressions were quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. The crosses showed positive H in grease fleece weight (GFW), the highest being expressed by the 4/8F and 5/8F crosses. Significant linear relationships were observed between F breeding and GFW (2nd shearing), fiber thickness and variability in both fiber length and fiber thickness, whereas the relationships of F breeding with GFW (3rd and later shearings), clean wool percentage and fiber length were quadratic. Most of the crosses exhibited positive H particularly in clean wool percentage and in staple and fiber length. H was often highest in the 4/8F cross. Genetic group of dam had a significant effect on age at slaughter, leg, loin and kidney fat as a percent of the carcass, lean, fat and bone percent of the 12th rib and fat thickness over loin-eye muscle. A significant linear relationship existed between most of these carcass measurements and the proportion of F breeding in the lambs’ dam.
Evaluation of water and ammonium acetate tests as indices for available P in limed soils
Authors: Hartikainen Helinä
Published: July 2018

The water and acid acetate extractions as predictors of the P uptake by plants were compared in a two-year pot experiment and a simultaneous incubation test. The accuracy of these methods was dissimilarly affected by individual cultivation measures, such as the addition of nutrient salts and liming. In contrast to acetate-extractable P, the water-soluble P proved to be sensitive to the salt addition reducing the water extraction test values markedly. On the other hand, in limed soils the water-soluble P seemed to be more closely related to the P uptake by plants than the acetate-extractable P which tended to overestimate available reserves.