bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water relationships in cotton
Authors: Hearn A B
Published: July 2017

The relative importance of various physiological responses in determining the effect of water supply on the yield of cotton is unknown, though the effects themselves are well recognized. Excess water leads to rank growth which aggravates disease and pest problems. Water stress adversely affects the production of flower buds and boll setting, and can reduce yield by reducing boll size. Both have a significant effect on the time taken for a crop to reach maturity.
Harvest-aid chemicals and practices for cotton
Authors: Cathey G W
Published: July 2017

Harvest-aid chemicals are used on more than three-quarters of the cotton acreage in the United States. They are considered to be a necessity if cotton is stripper-harvested before frost and to be advantageous if high-quality fibre is spindle-picked from rank, heavily fruited plants with a lot of green leaf. Economic benefits do not always follow their use, however; the degree of success depends largely on relationships between chemicals, techniques, plant conditions and climate.
Appropriate research in African cotton
Authors: Morton N
Published: July 2017

The results of cotton research in Africa are scattered and frequently inconclusive. Different pest control strategies, for example, have been followed in the ex-British and French colonial territories and little account has been taken of the sociological aspects of cotton-growing by peasant farmers. There is now, more than ever, a need for a pan-continental and multi-lingual approach to the problems which surround cotton-growing by the small farmer in tropical Africa.
The United Nations University and agriculture
Authors: Kwapong A A
Published: July 2017

Seven years ago UN Secretary-General U Thant called for a different kind of academic institution – one which would devote itself exclusively to problems of human and social development such as hunger, environmental decay and the ever-widening gulf between the world's rich and poor. The result has been the Tokyo-based UN University which has addressed itself to such problems by the creation of a series of international multi-disciplinary research networks.
Weather modification: hail suppression in Spain
Authors: Inés J. Aragonés de
Published: July 2017

Hail damage to agricultural and horticultural crops alone costs the equivalent of millions of dollars annually in Spain, as it does in many other hail-prone countries. The use of radar and computer technology facilitates hailstorm studies and enables the probability of hail formation to be predicted from mathematical cloud models. Modern aircraft give a much better chance of success to cloud-seeding techniques formerly dependent on rockets and ground-based generators.
Systems for the safe use of pesticides
Authors: Yates W E , Akesson N B , Brazelton R W
Published: July 2017

As experience in the use of pesticides has been gained, new technology has been developed to ensure the safety of those involved in the handling and mixing operations, and those at risk from drifting spray droplets. This article describes recent California legislation and the equipment devised to comply with it. Factors influencing terminal velocity and settling rates of spray particles are discussed, and a comparison is made of the drift fall-out from various types of spray generators.
Controlled drop application of herbicides
Authors: Taylor W A
Published: July 2017

The advantages of pesticide spraying at low volume and with controlled drop size and spectrum are, by now, widely accepted in principle. Rapid advances in sprayer design have overcome many of the physical and mechanical problems encountered. The UK Weed Research Organization has concentrated on evaluating the biological effects of these developments. In general, herbicide spraying by CDA has given encouraging results but many questions remain unanswered.
Developments in pesticide application for the small-scale farmer in the tropics
Authors: Matthews G A
Published: July 2017

Hydraulic sprayers, which have reached a high degree of sophistication, have long been seen as inappropriate for use in many countries where crops are most at risk from pest, disease and weed competition. ULV application by spinning-disc sprayer may have overcome problems of inadequate water supply, but, for many, costs are still too high. Recent developments in electrostatic sprayers could remove this final constraint to adequate crop protection for the peasant farmer.
Electronic control systems in pesticide application machinery
Authors: Givelet M P
Published: July 2017

Tractor-drawn and self-propelled crop-spraying machinery has evolved as a result of the coming together of automotive power, mechanical engineering and the post-World War II demands of a rapidly-growing agrochemicals industry. Escalating costs of pesticides and the need for greater precision in their application have led some spraying equipment designers to turn to electronic control systems. Is this recent development justified, or is it a costly and unnecessary refinement?
Crop spraying by hovercraft, kites, RPV, ATV and other unconventional devices
Authors: Johnstone D R
Published: July 2017

The need to spray crops under less than ideal ground conditions and the trend towards very low volume applications have led to a consideration of a variety of unconventional methods of spray delivery. Balloons, kites and remote-controlled model aircraft may appear far-fetched, but should not be dismissed without proper trial. Low ground-pressure all-terrain vehicles and hovercraft appear to be the most practical alternatives to tractors or aircraft in UK agriculture.
Recent developments in growth regulators for cereal crops
Authors: Batch J J
Published: July 2017

Because of the high cost of developing and registering new agrochemicals, plant growth regulators, hitherto small speciality crop-management aids, can now only be seen to have a commercial future in the larger markets such as are provided by ‘broad-acre’ arable crops. Temperate cereals can be manipulated at various growth stages. Existing chemicals control lodging; as yet undiscovered ones may lead to advantageous distribution of nutrients in favour of grain formation.
Selective post-emergence grass weed control in broad-leaf arable crops
Authors: Stonebridge W C
Published: July 2017

With the advent of new selective post-emergence grass killers for broad-leaf arable crops, basic changes in cropping practices are likely to occur. Complete ‘post-em’ weed-control programmes could both accelerate the trend towards close-row and broadcast seeding of, for example, soya, and stimulate the use of reduced-cost band-spraying in established wide-row crops. By selectively controlling problem grasses they should encourage the adoption of reduced or zero-tillage systems.
Combating desertification in winter rainfall regions of North Africa and the Middle East
Authors: Chatterton L , Chatterton B
Published: July 2017

Perennial pasture establishment poses particularly difficult problems when it is associated with common grazing tradition. Grazing management of perennial varieties requires light browsing on the shrubs at a rate roughly equivalent to their average annual growth. Annual pasture species offer a more realistic opportunity for revegetation and improvement of arid and semi-arid regions because their introduction would require less change to the current socio-economic environment.
Tree crops in the lowland humid tropics—a time of change
Authors: Watson G. A.
Published: July 2017

Increasing anxiety over the rapid rate of deforestation world-wide, but particularly in the humid tropics, has stimulated interest in new methods of tree-crop management which, in the short term, will undoubtedly improve the economic standing of traditional plantation crops such as oil-palm, rubber, and coconut. In the longer term, the development of more complex agro-forestry systems has much to commend it as a low-input, productive strategy, particularly suited to over-populated areas.
Use of alternative energy sources in protected agriculture
Authors: Pasternak D. , Rappeport E.
Published: July 2017

Low temperature energy sources for protected cropping include geothermal waters, waste heat from Industry, and trapped sunshine; application depends on the recovery of heat from circulating warmed water, either via the soil in which the plants are growing or via the air in the greenhouse. Soil warming pipes and ‘water-curtain’ systems of space-heating have shown promise, but heat storage, either for short periods or longer, remains a problem common to all such schemes.
Changing patterns of wine production and consumption
Authors: Ordish G.
Published: July 2017

Wine production is increasing in many parts of the world in response to a greater demand and a number of comparatively small producers are entering the trade. There have been changes in containers and closures, but quality continues to be assessed by taste in spite of considerable efforts to relate it to chemical composition. Improvements in pest, disease, and weed control have been widely embraced, while mechanical harvesting is likely to increase until the vendangeur becomes as rare as the hop-picker.
Recent advances in the chemical control of cereal rust diseases
Authors: Rathmell W. G. , Skidmore A. M.
Published: July 2017

The eradication of plant disease after the organism is established in the host tissue only became a practical possibility with the discovery, in recent years, of fungicidal compounds with systemic action. In cereals, where the application of rust-specific compounds would seldom be justified, triazoles and morpholine derivatives now offer in addition to rust control, broad-spectrum fungicidal activity and a wide range of properties which make them suitable for low-volume spray or seed-dressing applications.
Acid sulphate soils
Authors: Bloomfield C. , Zahari A. B.
Published: July 2017

Although their occurrence is sporadic, the world's total area of pyritic soils is enormous. Such soils can be virtually worthless due to an accumulation of acid sulphate resulting from the oxidation of pyrite, but techniques have been developed—based particularly on careful control of the water table—to bring them into productive cultivation. This article reviews the causes of acidity and control methods used in various parts of the world.
Bacteria and fungi as insecticides
Authors: Burges H. D. , Hall R. A.
Published: July 2017

The harmful role of insects as vectors of disease and destroyers of crops needs no emphasis. They can be combatted in many ways—by crop management techniques and by development of resistant plant strains, for example—but over the past half century increasing emphasis has been laid on the use of synthetic insecticides. These remain of crucial importance, but in recent years increasing attention has been directed to biological methods of control. This article reviews the possibilities of bacteria and fungi for destroying insects in the field and the degree of commercial success so far attained. This is an important complement to other methods of vegetative propagation discussed elsewhere in this issue by Professor J. P. Hudson.
Dormancy in weed seeds
Authors: Chancellor R. J.
Published: July 2017

It has long been known that many seeds will not germinate immediately after they have been shed but remain dormant for a considerable time before germination is possible. This article reviews the nature of dormancy and the factors that start and terminate it, with special reference to some of the common weeds of agricultural significance.
Comparison of EC and ULV formulations on Heliothis in cotton in Australia
Authors: Davies R. A. H. , Merrett R. , Mclaren N. A. , Cameron K. J.
Published: July 2017

The success of insecticides depends not only on their intrinsic physiological activity but on the way in which they are formulated. In recent field trials in Australia synthetic pyrethroid insecticides formulated as water-based emulsifiable concentrates (EC) were compared with oil-based ultra low volume (ULV) formulations for control of bollworm (Heliothis) on cotton. Contrary to expectation, EC formulations gave the better results under typical conditions for very low volume spraying in Australia.
Perspectives on the adaptation of pasture legumes to tropical farming systems
Authors: Humphreys L. R.
Published: July 2017

The potential for the increased use of pasture legumes in the tropics has excited the imagination of many scientists. Substantial resources have been directed in the past three decades to finding adapted plants and to understanding how these may be incorporated in farm practice [1]. The expectations of these programmes are directed to increased animal production and sometimes to the stabilization of cropping systems.
Towards improved ruminant nutrition
Authors: Cumming G. J. , Graham C. A.
Published: July 2017

The importance of ruminants in the world agricultural economy needs no emphasis. Greater understanding of the complex digestive processes peculiar to the rumen suggests various ways in which the effectiveness of ruminant nutrition can be substantially increased.
Current developments in pig breeding
Authors: Bichard Maurice
Published: July 2017

Although pig rearing on a subsistence basis is still important in many countries, the industry is rapidly becoming both larger and more sophisticated in many parts of the world. This article reviews the ways in which existing scientific knowledge—especially in genetics—can be applied to meet exacting market demands and what further progress can be expected.
The effects of weed control technological change on rural communities
Authors: Miller Stanley F.
Published: July 2017

Weed control ranks as one of the most time consuming and expensive activities of agricultural production. Since the control of weeds is a major production activity of agriculture, the method employed affects the community at large. The interrelation and linkages between technological change in weed control and the rural community is the topic of this paper.
Reproductive losses in the faba bean
Authors: Peat W. E.
Published: July 2017

It has long been known that seed yields of the faba bean (Vida faba L.) are highly variable, and that a major determinant of this variability is the number of pods produced per plant. All known reports have shown that the total number of flowers initiated is always substantially greater than the eventual number of pods reaching maturity. Mechanisms which control the survival or loss of buds, flowers, and developing pods are, therefore, of direct importance in determining the productivity of the crop.
The natural rubber industry
Authors: Barlow C.
Published: July 2017

Natural rubber is an important manufacturing raw material. It is used primarily in vehicle tyres, but is also contained in many other products including foam articles, tubing, footwear, and belting. It is produced by the tree Hevea brasiliensis, in tropical areas with a well distributed annual rainfall of at least 1800 to 2000 mm (figure 1 and Table 1). It provides the main livelihood of over 22 000 000 persons in these places, and benefits additional workers through its manufacture in industrial countries.
Farmer acceptance of improved potato storage practices in developing countries
Authors: Rhoades Robert E. , Booth Robert H. , Potts Michael J.
Published: July 2017

The introduction of a new technology to farmers in developing countries frequently necessitates complementary changes in related traditional practices. This has been particularly true where post-harvest knowledge and technology has lagged behind the rapid acceptance of modern, high-yielding varieties. This paper describes the diffusion of low-cost potato storage practices among Philippine farmers, a case study which has wider implications for international efforts to reduce post-harvest losses in developing countries.
Smallholder mechanisation: man, animal or engine?
Authors: Morris J.
Published: July 2017

The importance of mechanisation in improving agricultural productivity needs no emphasis, but the most appropriate system depends very much on local socio-economic factors. In western countries, where labour is scarce and expensive, the tractor and an associated range of implements may well be the most attractive choice on the basis of cost-benefit analysis. However, in many Third World countries—where quite different socio-economic situations prevail—the use of animal power, or even simply of human power using improved hand implements, may be the more attractive.
Hypomagnesaemia in dairy cattle
Authors: Whitaker D. A.
Published: July 2017

Hypomagnesaemia, in both its acute and chronic forms, is a serious and economically important disease of dairy cattle, especially under modern conditions of intensive production in relatively cool climates. This article reviews the cause of the disease and the principles and practice of current methods of treatment.
Nitrogen from the atmosphere to the crop
Authors: King P. P.
Published: July 2017

During the middle decades of this century large-scale intensive agriculture relied heavily on the availability of cheap synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers. Little attention then had to be paid to the cost of the energy involved in the manufacture and use of fertilisers, but in recent years this factor has become of major importance. This article reviews the practical implications of the energetics of chemical and biological fixation of nitrogen and the utilisation of nitrogen by various crop plants. It reaches a number of interesting conclusions, including one that even if biotechnology made nitrogen-fixing cereals available, they would not necessarily be competitive with normal cereals produced by traditional methods. This is, however, not necessarily true of grass.
Britain's uncertain future in the international hop market
Authors: Ilbery Brian W.
Published: July 2017

The total world area devoted to production of hops is only 88 000 hectares, but it is nevertheless a crop of considerable economic importance because of the demands of the brewing industry. This dependence creates problems arising from changing tastes among beer-drinkers and new techniques of fermentation. Hop-growing is, therefore, a very competitive business, as is exemplified here by an analysis of the causes of the present plight of the British industry.
Global apiculture: a new outlook
Authors: Crane Eva
Published: July 2017

Apiculture has always benefited from the fact that the social organization of the honeybee interests scientists. In the tropics, especially, the management of bees will be capable of much improvement when their behavioural patterns are more extensively studied and better understood. This in turn will lead to a higher economic return from apiculture. At present there is still a geographical imbalance, with the majority of research workers in temperate zones and the greatest unsolved problems in the tropics. It seems likely, however, that the next decade or two will see an increased diversification of research effort, resulting in our knowledge of bees in the tropics beginning to approach that of those in temperate zones.
Intercropping–-what are the advantages?
Authors: Fordham R.
Published: July 2017

Intercropping is defined as the growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same area of land. Although widely practised, particularly in tropical regions, it has often been considered to be a primitive form of farming that would in time be replaced by sole cropping. However, in spite of the emphasis of research and development on the intensification of monocrop systems, the practice of intercropping remains widespread and evidence is accumulating to indicate that in many situations it may represent a more efficient use of natural resources.
African food production: research against time
Authors: Hartmans Ermond H.
Published: July 2017

In Asia the introduction of improved agricultural techniques has effected what is now commonly called the Green Revolution. A similar drive is urgently needed to arrest the current alarming decline of agricultural productivity in Africa. To this end the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture has since 1967 conducted a comprehensive programme of research concentrating on problems peculiar to Africa and, no less important, devising methods of ensuring that the results can be utilized by small and medium farmers familiar only with traditional methods.
Protein deposition in animals
Authors: Buttery Peter J.
Published: July 2017

The deposition of proteins in tissues of farm animals is a consequence of the balance of the rates of protein synthesis and degradation tissues. This turnover contributes to the energy costs of protein deposition. Protein metabolism is strongly influenced by the hormonal status of the animal and this is being exploited currently by the use of several hormones and hormone-like substances as growth promoters.

Numerous factors control the extent of and rate of protein deposition in animals. This review is limited to a few selected areas which have special relevance to the production of edible protein by farm animals.
Plant hormones: the outlook for their application
Authors: Nowak J. , Lawson G. W.
Published: July 2017

In the current concern for increasing food production the investigation of, and practical use of plant regulators offers one of the most promising lines for future development. This article reviews the current use of growth substances in horticulture and other branches of agricultural practice and suggestions are made for their further application in farming, plant breeding, and in environmental protection.
The Soviet chemical industry's response to agriculture's needs
Authors: Hanson Philip
Published: July 2017

Soviet agriculture uses a wide range of products from the chemical industry, including plastic bags, polythene sheets, etc; pesticides and herbicides; mineral fertilisers; and feed additives for animal fodder, at present heavily dependent on grain. This article concentrates on the last two.
Intensive tilapia culture: A scope for the future in food production in developing countries
Authors: Balarin J. D.
Published: July 2017

The rearing of fish in enclosures is an age-old method of increasing and varying human diet, especially in Asia. Only comparatively recently, however, has this been seriously considered as a large-scale commercial venture. In this context the tilapia, indigenous to Africa, has characteristics that make it of particular interest to fish-farmers in developing countries.
The control and prevention of bovine brucellosis
Authors: Nicoletti P.
Published: July 2017

Bovine brucellosis is one of the most important economic and zoonotic diseases in the world. The incidence has been decreased in many countries through organized campaigns but has increased in others. The trends toward larger herds and greater cattle commerce have complicated control efforts. In most countries, emphasis should be placed on vaccination since it is the most practical method of control. Control should be an acceptable philosophy since few countries can afford eradication programmes, due to limitations of resources and needed animal protein.
Crop rotations in India, with special reference to soil nitrogen conservation
Authors: Subbiah B. V.
Published: July 2017

Systems of crop rotation developed to avoid impoverishment of the soil have long been empirically practised in many parts of the world. With the availability of cheap nitrogenous fertilizers these practices tended to be replaced by monocrop systems, but the steep rise in the price of such fertilizers since 1973 has revived interest in rotations including nitrogen-fixing legumes, especially in the less wealthy countries.
Pesticides of microbial origin
Authors: Misato T. , Yamaguchi I.
Published: July 2017

Although the selective activity of certain antibiotics against a wide range of plant pests and diseases has been known for many years, relatively little use has been made of them in agriculture. In this field, serious interest in them is at present largely restricted to Japan. There blasticidin S and kasugamycin are used to control blast disease in rice and polyoxins and validamycins against rice sheath blight. This article examines the reasons for this lack of interest and reviews recent achievements.
The world citrus crop
Authors: Reitz Herman J.
Published: July 2017

The genus Citrus and its relatives in the Rutaceae family are believed to have originated in southeastern Asia. Travellers, emigrants, and traders carried the more edible selections westward, establishing them in Africa and southern Europe by the 10th century AD. Christopher Columbus reported distribution of seeds in America on his second voyage in 1493. Citrus has been cultivated in Japan for many centuries since its introduction from China. Today it exists in every tropical country and in those portions of all subtropical countries where winter temperatures fall no lower than about—9 C. It is a crop very adaptable to soils, terrain, planting, and cultural arrangements, and over 100 nations reported citrus production in 1980.
The role of urea in the nutrition of ruminants fed low quality roughage diets
Authors: Hunter R. A. , Vercoe J. E.
Published: July 2017

It has been known for half a century that urea can usefully supplement the diet of ruminants, but only comparatively recently has there begun to be a clear understanding of the dietary circumstances in which this is advantageous. Urea acts not directly but as a source of nitrogen for the synthesis of protein by micro-organisms in the rumen, and its effect on growth—often reducing loss of weight rather than actually increasing it—depends on, among other factors, the concentration of biodegradable nitrogen in the basic diet and the resistance of forage to digestion. Sulphur metabolism and genetic factors are also involved.
A basis for improving the dried pea crop
Authors: Heath M. C. , Hebblethwaite P. D.
Published: July 2017

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) continue to play an important but changing role in the agricultural and food industries. Although the vining pea industry has made considerable advances during the post-war era, it is the dried pea crop which is currently attracting most attention–-particularly in Europe. Unfortunately, this crop, in common with other grain legumes, is beset by many agronomic and inherent physiological problems.
Oak wilt for Europe?
Authors: Gibbs J. N. , Liese W. , Pinon J.
Published: July 2017

The devastation caused in recent years by Dutch elm disease, which has transformed the landscape in the worst afflicted areas of Europe [1], has directed attention to the dangers posed by other tree diseases. One cause for concern is oak wilt, endemic among red oaks in the USA, a disease with marked similarities to Dutch elm disease. This article reviews research designed to prevent the introduction of infection in imported timber and to provide an assessment of the potential for damage should the disease ever establish a foothold in Europe
Water availability and crop growth in arid regions
Authors: Gregory P. J.
Published: July 2017

Although the world area of irrigated land is increasing steadily, it is not normally feasible to irrigate the arid and semi-arid zones in which some 600 million people live. Here, the production of crops depends on maximizing the use by plants of the limited water available. This article reviews the principal factors involved and the management techniques necessary to use them to the best advantage.
Tissue culture propagation of trees
Authors: Wilkins C. P. , Cabrera J. L. , Dodds P. , Dodds J. H.
Published: July 2017

Conventional methods of tree propagation; whether vegative or from seed, are often slow and difficult. Such shortcomings often pose a barrier to the rapid genetic improvement of many economically important tree crops. This article reviews current developments in the use of tissue culture technology as a tool in tree propagation, breeding, and improvement.
Nutrition and aquaculture
Authors: Matty A. J.
Published: July 2017

Although fish farming has been practised for many centuries, it has largely been carried out on an empirical basis in relatively small units. In recent years, however, aquaculture has been systematically studied as a potential source of substantial quantities of animal protein. This article reviews the nutritional requirements of the fish species that have been most closely studied in this respect.
The key role of food imports in dietary improvement in developing countries - and their cost
Authors: Mollett J. A.
Published: July 2017

Statistics collected over the last twenty years show a significant increase in the per capita daily calorie supply of even the poorest countries. For many, however, this represents not an improvement in domestic agriculture, actually often in decline, but an increase in imports. This article reviews worldwide changes in the food import/export balances of the developing countries and concludes that more attention must be devoted to agriculture itself rather than to paying for food imports by the export of industrial products.
Cereal yields in theory and practice
Authors: Gilland Bernard
Published: July 2017

From calculation of the efficiency of photosynthesis it is possible to estimate the theoretical maximum yields of cereal crops. These can then be compared with actual yields obtained under the most favourable conditions and with average yields recorded in various countries. It is possible also to estimate the average yield response to nitrogen fertilizer and thence to assess the potential return from its application, having regard also to environmental considerations.
Barley
Authors: Jenkins G.
Published: July 2017

The future of cereal farming in the face of falling prices and rising costs is uncertain, but it seems certain that barley will continue to play a major role in temperate regions. This article reviews recent developments, especially in the relative merits of winter and spring sowing, and indicates where improvements are most urgently needed.
Some major banana diseases in the Philippines and their control
Authors: Juan M. O. San
Published: July 2017

Bananas are an important crop in the Philippines, providing fruit for both local consumption and export. It is, however, grown in the face of several major disease problems, the nature of which are here reviewed. Successful production depends on a strictly maintained programme of integrated pest and disease management.
Physiology of seed ageing
Authors: Matthews S.
Published: July 2017

The ageing of seeds is a matter of considerable practical significance as it initially results in reduced vigour and eventually in a fall in germination. This article reviews the physiological factors involved and methods by which the potential of seed lots can be reliably determined.
Cassava: a basic food of Africa
Authors: Hahn S. K. , Janet Keyser
Published: July 2017

Although cassava is a staple crop for one-eighth of the world's population, it is virtually unknown outside the tropics. There, however, it is very important as a subsistence crop which can be relied on to produce a reasonable yield over a very wide range of climatic conditions. Since its foundation in 1967, IITA has devoted a great deal of effort to developing improved strains of the crop and better methods of cultivation and disease control.
The prospects for small scale irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Kay M. G. , Stephens W. , Carr M. K. V.
Published: July 2017

The importance of large-scale irrigation projects in the drought-prone areas of Africa needs no emphasis. But by their very nature, such schemes have to be the subject of negotiation between governments and take a considerable time to complete. This article draws attention to the fact that a multiplicity of smaller schemes, supported by non-governmental agencies, can also make a significant contribution.
Soil nutrients and take-all
Authors: Hornby David
Published: July 2017

Take-all has long been a problem for cereal producers, increasingly so as intensive systems have been developed. Although there is no satisfactory method of control where consecutive cereals are grown, the available evidence indicates that losses from the disease can be reduced by strict regulation of fertilizer application, having regard to local conditions.
Interferon in veterinary medicine: the present position and future prospects
Authors: Werenne John
Published: July 2017

Since its discovery in 1957 interferon has had a rather uneven history. Originally identified as an antiviral drug, it later became of interest as an antitumoral agent. In both respects progress was hampered for many years by the limited amount of material available for research, but this has been overcome by the use of biotechnological methods introducing the interferon gene into microorganisms. This has permitted investigation of its possible uses in veterinary medicine.
Clever seeds and successful germination
Authors: Osborne Daphne J.
Published: July 2017

Seeds have a remarkable capacity to remain imbibed but dormant until the environmental conditions are favourable to germination and growth: in some instances this dormancy may persist for many years. This article reviews the way in which the mechanisms essential for survival are preserved within seeds, and the biochemical mechanisms which come into play when germination eventually starts.
Sodium and research in farm animals: problems of requirement, deficit, and excess
Authors: Michell A. R.
Published: July 2017

There is no doubt of the biological importance of salt in the physiological processes of all animals. Nevertheless, there is great uncertainty about the level of salt intake necessary to maintain the health of farm animals in varying circumstances such as pregnancy and lactation. It appears that published recommendations are far too high, which is not only misleading from the veterinary point of view but is reflected in exaggerated estimates of human requirements.
Agricultural significance of selenium
Authors: Gupta Umesh C. , Watkinson J. H.
Published: July 2017

Selenium (Se) deficiency in livestock and humans is more prevalent and of greater concern than Se toxicity and is the major focus of current research. Many regions of the world produce deficient cereals and forages for stock feeds. Deficiency can be prevented by adding Se to the feeds, dosing stock, foliar spraying the forages and cereals, and by adding Se to the soil with fertilizer. Two human diseases in China respond to Se, and other diseases elsewhere have recently been linked with low Se.
Models and mechanisms in the growth and development of wheat
Authors: Porter J. R.
Published: July 2017

From sowing to harvest the growth and development of crops is influenced by a number of climatic and soil factors which interact in a very complex way. The complexity is not such, however, as to preclude the possibility of developing a simulation model of the growth and development of crops designed both to evaluate the relative importance of the various control factors involved, or the possibility of predicting the future course of growth on the basis of known parameters.
The economic importance of chilling injury
Authors: Wilson J. M.
Published: July 2017

Damage done by chilling at susceptible phases in the growth of plants is one of the most serious causes of reduced crop yields. While some success had been achieved in breeding chill-resistant varieties of a number of crop plants, progress has been slow because of the practical problem of measuring chill injury within a reasonable space of time. Very recently the technique of chlorophyll fluorescence analysis has been devised as a quick and cheap method of assay.
Tropical Pasture Technology for Marginal Lands of Tropical America
Authors: Toledo José M. , Nores Gustavo A.
Published: July 2017

CIAT's Tropical Pastures Program is concerned with solving the problems of low productivity in acid, marginal, and frontier lands by developing new, low-input technology based on adapted germplasm. Its tropical pasture germplasm collection is the world's largest for acid soils in tropical humid and sub-humid areas.
Efficient Use of Temperate Grasslands; Lessons from the United Kingdom and New Zealand
Authors: Peel Stephen
Published: July 2017

Grassland is by far the largest single land use in the world and its efficient utilization is correspondingly important. This article assesses current levels of production from grass in the UK and New Zealand and the efficiency of the use of grassland as a resource. It indicates particular areas in which improvement might be expected.
The Potential for Enhancing the Salt Tolerance of Wheat and Other Important Crop Plants
Authors: Gareth Wyn Jones R. , Gorham John
Published: July 2017

Although the improvement of rainfed agriculture is receiving increasing attention, irrigation is generally recognised to be a key factor in arid and semi-arid regions. However, in many areas irrigated agriculture faces a serious challenge from progressive salinization and alkalinization. Furthermore, in many regions the supply of cheap, good quality irrigation water is severely limited. There is thus great pressure to utilize poorer quality brackish water and/or inferior soil for productive agriculture.
Prawn Farming Today: Opportunities, Techniques, and Developments
Authors: Wickins J. F.
Published: July 2017

The recent global rise in production of farmed prawns can only be described as phenomenal. Further substantial increases are expected within the next five years particularly from Indonesia, Brazil and Bangladesh. This article provides a personal overview of current production methods, recent advances and trends in culture research and development, and the most significant biological, environmental, and social considerations for the future of the industry.
Soybeans
Authors: Howell Robert W.
Published: July 2017

The rapid increase in importance of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and soybean products in world agriculture is a major phenomenon of the last 50 years. Beginning about 1940 soybean production and use increased rapidly, first in the United States and recently in other parts of the world. Soybean production now ranks near the top of non-cereal sources of calories and protein.
The Need for a Greater Understanding in the Application of Pesticides
Authors: Young Brian W.
Published: July 2017

The full value of modern pesticides can be realised only by use of application methods which bring them effectively and economically in contact with their targets. Yet after half a century of the use of synthetic pesticides understanding of the formation and structure of sprays, and the behaviour of droplets on impaction, is still far from adequate. Different techniques, although widely accepted, can lead to conflicting conclusions.
Interspecific Hybridization in Sunflowers: an Illustration of the Importance of Wild Genetic Resources in Plant Breeding
Authors: Laferrière Joseph E.
Published: July 2017

This article reviews past successes and future potential of the use of interspecific hybrids in the breeding of cultivated Helianthus annuus, with emphasis on the necessity for conservation of non-cultivated germplasm. The topics discussed include resistance to diseases and other pests; the development of male-sterile lines for hybrid seed production; introduction of genes for various agronomic traits, such as drought resistance and cold tolerance; and attempts to change the chemical composition of the harvested crop.
Poultry Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Wilson R. T.
Published: July 2017

The importance of poultry as a source of meat and eggs in developing countries is generally recognised, but present levels of production and consumption in Africa are disappointing. This article reviews the factors involved and concludes that there is a need for research designed to improve the traditional methods of small producers rather than seeking to impose modern Western methods on communities too backward to make effective use of them.
Methods of Applying Micronutrient Fertilizers to Correct Deficiencies of Crops
Authors: Mortvedt J. J.
Published: July 2017

In recent years intensive farming and the greater use of marginal lands have led to increasing incidence of deficiencies of micronutrients. This article reviews ways in which micronutrients can be made available to crops – either in the preparation of the soil or during growth – according to local circumstances. The form in which the micronutrients is applied is of critical importance for correcting the deficiency most effectively and economically.
Present and Future Utilization of By-products in the Feeding of Ruminants in Hungary
Authors: Gáspár Margit , Horváth Peter
Published: July 2017

The economic importance of the cost of feeding stuffs in the raising of farm animals needs no emphasis. This article reviews the progress of a large-scale research programme launched in Hungary in 1981 to explore the prospects for making greater use of agricultural and industrial by-products – such as wheat straw, beet slices, and maize stubble – for feeding stock. Although the Hungarian situation is not typical – the ratio of pigs to cows is 4.33:1 compared with a world average of 0.66:1 – many of the substitutes evaluated are potentially relevant to the rearing of ruminants everywhere.
High Technology Options for Sheep Shearing: Improved Shearing Devices
Authors: Hudson P. R. W.
Published: July 2017

Wool production is a very important factor in the Australian economy, representing $3 billion in exports. Nevertheless, rising production costs and growing competition from manmade fibres necessitate increased attention to all aspects of productivity if the industry worldwide is to remain viable. As some 80 per cent of labour content is involved in harvesting wool, improvements in the shearing process potentially offer particular opportunities for economies. This article reviews the results of a widely based Australian research programme which has investigated the fundamental physics of wool severance, especially in terms of energy requirement, leading to improved design of shearing devices incorporating more efficient motors and novel cutter materials. Subsequent articles will review the process of automated mechanical shearing and chemical and biological defleecing.
High Technology Options for Sheep Shearing: II – Automated Mechanical Shearing
Authors: Hudson P. R. W.
Published: July 2017

In the first article of this trilogy [1], the cost-price squeeze facing the Australian woolgrower was advanced as the motivation for spending more than $3 million p.a. on the Australian Wool Harvesting Programme. The first article summarized the use of technology to improve wool severing devices. This article addresses the progress of a novel technology – the use of robots to shear sheep.
Sorghum – Present Status and Future Potential
Authors: House Leland R.
Published: July 2017

Sorghum is the staple food for some 600 million people in the semi-arid tropics. In temperate zones of China also it is used as a food but elsewhere primarily for feed. Sorghum is generally grown in areas too dry for maize but the yield capability of the two crops is similar.
The Role of White Clover in United Kingdom Pastures
Authors: Frame John
Published: July 2017

Although white clover has long been used in UK agriculture, its use has steadily declined in recent years in favour of grass pasture heavily fertilized with nitrogen. This article argues the case for a return to grass/white clover swards in the face of rising fertilizer costs, and outlines the underlying principles of the pasture management systems involved.
International Networks and Their Potential Contribution to Crop and Soil Management Research
Authors: Greenland D. J. , Craswell E. T. , Dagg M.
Published: July 2017

Agricultural research networks are playing a key role in the coordination of international efforts to develop improved technologies for food production by farmers in developing countries. This paper reviews the role of these networks in making possible the evaluation, adaptation, and extrapolation of crop and soil management studies, and so improving the efficiency of much agronomic and soil research. The advantages which may be gained by national agricultural systems from participation in international networks are described, as well as problems.
Tobacco
Authors: Nielsen M. T.
Published: July 2017

Despite concern about health hazards, tobacco is still not only the most widely grown non-food crop but annual production is rising: the last two decades have seen a 50 per cent increase worldwide. In many countries it is of major economic importance but because it is mostly grown on small plots using cheap labour, mechanisation and the use of herbicides for weed control is not usually rewarding, though the chemical control of insect pests is widely practised. For the small producer, the development of new resistant varieties is particularly important.
Yam Production and its Future Prospects
Authors: Hahn S. K. , Osiru D. S. O. , Akoroda M. O. , Otoo J. A.
Published: July 2017

The yam is an important food crop, especially in the so-called ‘yam zone’ of West Africa: total world production is about 19 million tonnes per annum, some 70 per cent of it grown in Nigeria. Although regarded as mainly a source of carbohydrate, some species are nearly as rich in protein as rice or maize. The increasing acceptability of smaller tubers provides an opportunity for extending the area of cultivation but much more research is still needed on methods of propagation, disease control, and post-harvest storage.
The Indigenous Cattle and Buffalo of South East Asia: their Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Moran J. B.
Published: July 2017

Cattle and buffalo play an important role in the agriculture of South East Asia, providing both milk and meat and also traction for ploughing and transport. The native breeds vary considerably in their characteristics, not only in their inherent qualities but in their response to varying systems of management, some very primitive. Improvement is clearly possible by cross-breeding, but it appears that this is most likely to be achieved within existing native breeds, than by introducing exotic ones developed to thrive under very different circumstances.
Present Role and Future Potential of Goats in Semi-Arid Regions of India
Authors: Misra R. K.
Published: July 2017

Semi-arid regions in India account for one fourth of its territory. It is not suitable for crops because of scanty and irregular rainfall, but it is a rich repository for animal agriculture, particularly goats. The economic exploitation of this region is feasible by creating high-yielding germ plasm and development of forage forestry systems for their sustenance and production.
Irrigation Issues in Swaziland 2: Small-Scale Projects
Authors: Carr M. K. V.
Published: July 2017

This is the second of two papers which discusses current irrigation issues in Swaziland, a relatively poor developing country in southern Africa. In the first, developments in large scale commercial irrigation schemes were considered [1]. In this, an important irrigation settlement scheme is described, together with small-scale government-supported and farmer-initiated schemes. Among other factors, the importance of secure systems of land tenure is examined. Finally, general conclusions are drawn regarding the role of irrigation in agricultural development in Swaziland and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa.
Insect Neurosecretory Cells: A Target Site for Insecticides?
Authors: Osborne M. P.
Published: July 2017

The neurosecretory cells are responsible in insects for the coordination and control of bodily functions such as feeding, metabolism, excretion, reproduction, and development. They do this by releasing substances called neurohormones into the body fluids. Many insecticides have been shown to have neurophysiological and potentially lethal effects upon neurosecretory cells. Many of the neurohormones are peptides, some similar to, if not identical with, peptides produced by nerve cells in vertebrates. It is possible that peptides unique to insects could be exploited for the development and production of safer and more specifically acting insecticides.