bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability in isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose diseases of Stylosanthes species
Authors: Cameron DF , Irwin JAG , O'Brien RGO
Published: March 2005

Field surveys for anthracnose disease in pastures and seed crops of Stylosanthes spp. detected a rapid spread of Type B disease in the wet coast region of northern Queensland in 1978, but no new pathogenic races of Type B were found. The recovery of a pathogenic isolate of Glomerella cingulata, the sexual stage of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, from a Type B isolate suggests that G. cingulata may be a significant component in the life cycle of the disease and may be involved in the development of new pathogenic races of the fungus. With Type A disease, there was evidence of differential specialization of isolates on S. humilis cv. Paterson and S. scabra cv. Fitzr0y.A seed crop of S. hamata cv. Verano was severely damaged by Type A anthracnose, but isolates from the crop produced only slight damage on plants in glasshouse inoculation tests. Plants induced to flower and seed at 8 weeks of age in a controlled environment room were no more susceptible to the seed crop isolates than plants 2, 4 or 6 weeks old.
Soil structural conditions of vineyards under two soil management systems
Authors: Cock GJ
Published: March 2005

The soil structural conditions of two management systems of vineyard soil on Barmera Sandy Loam in the Riverland of South Australia were compared. Three years of zero cultivation and weed mulching were compared with long term winter cropping and cultivation between vines. Significant increases in 1 mm dry aggregates, aggregate stability and percentage of large pores were measured under zero tillage. Significant reductions also occurred for bulk density and penetration resistance of the 6-12 cm layer of the zero-tilled soil. The results suggest that infiltration, aeration and root growth of vines would improve under a long-term program of zero tillage and weed mulching.
Effect of conserving annual pastures for hay on serum magnesium levels of lactating beef cows in a Mediterranean environment
Authors: Greathead KD , Barker DJ
Published: March 2005

Mature Friesian crossbred cows calving in April-May either continuously grazed annual pasture and received a small hay supplement in May and June, solely to prevent starvation ketosis, or had the pasture from one-third of their area conserved as hay in spring and fed back ad libitum in April, May and June. In May, deaths of cows from hypomagnesaemia occurred on the continuous grazing treatment but not on the fodder conservation treatment. Liveweight and serum magnesium levels of cows and the availability, botanical and mineral composition of the pasture on offer were therefore monitored during June, July and August. The cows on the fodder conservation treatment had higher serum magnesium levels through June, July and August. One cow on the continuous grazing treatment died of hypomagnesaemia in July, but none died on the fodder conservation treatment. After a supplement of 30 g MgSO4.7H2O and 4 kg of hay/cow.day was provided for 3 weeks in July, serum magnesium levels increased on both treatments and no further clinical cases of hypomagnesaemia occurred. Serum magnesium levels continued to increase on the continuous grazing treatment, and remained at a satisfactory level on the fodder conservation treatment and through August on pasture alone. Cation ratios (K:[Mg + Ca]) of clovers, weeds and hay at all samplings were less than 2.2, but grass sampled in July and August had cation ratios of 2.59 and 2.95, respectively. There was always a higher percentage of grass on the continuous grazing treatment. It was concluded that conservation of fodder as hay increased the serum magnesium levels of beef cows suckling calves in early winter by providing more energy and more magnesium during the period of pasture shortage in autumn-winter. Fodder conservation also appeared to contribute to increased serum magnesium levels in winter by reducing the proportion of grass in the sward.
Effects of including lupins with cereal grain rations on the production of lambing ewes during drought
Authors: Kenney PA , Smith RS
Published: March 2005

In this experiment, 520 Border Leicester x Merino ewes 2 or 6 years of age and pregnant to Dorset Horn rams were held under simulated drought conditions and fed drought rations. Similar weights of oats or wheat with 0, 15, 30, 45 or 60% lupin grain were fed from 2 weeks before till 9 weeks after lambing, in 1979. Mean improvement in production as a result of including lupins in diets was 3 kg in liveweight of ewes, 6% (per ewe lambing) in ewe survival, 24% (per lamb born) in lamb survival, 41 g/day in lamb growth rate and 0.3 kg in ewe greasy fleece weight. The major response was to the increase in proportion of lupins from 0 to 15%. Type of cereal grain did not affect these responses. Wool from all treatments except oats alone was weakest in the first 4 weeks after lambing. Wool from 4% of ewes fed wheat alone was down-graded because of the ease with which staples broke under tension. The total number of lambs born in 1980 was not affected by previous treatment, even though ewes previously fed oats in 1979 had more twins than those fed wheat and the previous feeding of lupins decreased the number of ewes bearing single lambs.
The repeatability of rearing performance of Merino and Dorset Horn ewes and its relationship with mature pelvic size
Authors: Haughey KG , George JM , McGuirk BJ
Published: March 2005

Data from one Dorset Horn and three Merino flocks were used to examine factors influencing the ability of ewes lambing four times to successfully rear their lambs. Repeatability of rearing performance, defined as the ratio of lambs weaned:lambs born, was estimated in three flocks and the intra-class correlation estimates ranged from 0.05 to 0.17, with a mean of 0.10. Ewes rearing at least one lamb at their first lambing reared an average of 7.6% more lambs at each of the subsequent three lambings, compared with those that failed to rear a lamb at their first lambing. Mean pelvic dimensions, notably the conjugate diameter and the area of the pelvic inlet, of mature ewes, which reared lambs on three or four occasions were significantly larger in two flocks than in ewes which had poorer rearing performances (P<0.05), whereas in a third flock they were not significantly different. In the two flocks in which the significant differences were observed, mature pelvic dimensions were correlated with rearing performance at individual lambings. Rearing performance in these two flocks increased, respectively, by 16.3 and 6.3% per cm increase in conjugate diameter, and by 1.4 and 0.5% per cm2 increase in pelvic area (P<0.05). The slopes of these linear regressions were significantly greater for single than for twin-born lambs (P<0.05). The relationships between rearing performance and pelvic dimensions were also significantly curvilinear, the slopes of the regressions being significantly steeper below the mean pelvic dimensions than above them (P<0.05). Removing differences between ewes in pelvic dimensions reduced the repeatability of rearing performance. Allowing for differences in conjugate diameter reduced the repeatability in two flocks from 0.15 to 0.05, and from 0.09 to 0.08, respectively. In both flocks, allowing for differences in pelvic dimensions reduced the repeatability of rearing single lambs more than that for twin lambs.
Establishment and persistence of surface-sown and resident grasses using three pasture development methods in relation to three stocking managements
Authors: Robinson GG , Dowling PM
Published: March 2005

The botanical composition of pastures improved by three different methods (viz. fertilizer only; seed and fertilizer; and herbicide, seed and fertilizer), were compared on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. After sowing, the pastures were grazed strategically for 6 months before three continuous stocking rate treatments (5.0, 7.5 and 10 Merino wethers/ha) were applied to each treatment. After 3 years, all paddocks were continuously grazed by 10 Merino wethers/ha for a further 4 years. The establishment of sown species was improved by herbicide application and the lowest stocking rate. Of the four species sown, Phalaris aquatica showed the greatest response to herbicide application, while the cover of Phalaris aquatica and Dactylis glornerata increased at the lowest stocking rate. These factors were less critical for Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne for which differences in level of cover between improvement methods disappeared within 12 months. The effects of the strategic management treatments were inconsistent. The resident pasture failed to recover from herbicide treatment and cover and growth of most grasses was depressed by the presence of sown grasses even in the absence of herbicide. The proportion of winter-active native species in the pasture increased with increasing stocking rate.
Effect of lupin management on the yield of subsequent wheat crops in a lupin-wheat rotation
Authors: Petch A , Smith RW
Published: March 2005

Wheat was grown in a series of 1:1 rotation cycles with sweet lupins over 8 years on three sites in Western Australia. Grain yield of wheat was the main test used to compare five lupin management treatments with a control treatment, 'no-lupins'. The lupins were cut as for silage, cut as for hay, or harvested as mature grain, the stubble being burnt or removed in summer, or turned into the soil the next autumn. Nitrogen taken up in the lupins and in the wheat was measured, as well as soil mineral nitrogen in the top 10 cm in the final year. Lupin yield and nitrogen content within any year were similar over all treatments. As much nitrogen was removed in hay and silage as in mature lupins, but wheat yielded most grain after the 'silage' and 'hay' treatments, and least after 'no-lupins' or after the 'remove' and 'turn-in' stubble treatments. Nitrogen uptakes in young wheat plants point to treatment effects due to differences in nitrogen availability, but the treatments also caused different weed populations which at least partially affected wheat yields. Herbicide control of encroaching weeds in the lupins raised soil nitrate levels the following summer and increased subsequent wheat yields.
Effect of fallowing practices on the growth and yield of wheat in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Cooke JW , Ford GW , Dumsday RG , Willatt ST
Published: March 2005

The effects on crop establishment, crop development and the yield of wheat of two methods of fallow preparation, at each of three lengths of fallow were investigated over 5 years on red duplex and associated soils in north-central Victoria. The two methods of preparation were: scarifying, which involved the repeated use of a tined tillage implement; and herbicide application, which involved the repeated use of non-residual herbicides to control weeds during the fallow phase. The three lengths of fallow were winter, spring and autumn, which were approximately 10, 8 and 2 months respectively. Grain yield on the scarifier treatments was 0.26 t/ha greater (P<0.10) than on the herbicide treatments. Grain yield on winter fallow was 0.46 and 0.56 t/ha greater (Pt0.01) than on spring and autumn fallows, respectively. Crop yield was positively correlated (R2= 0.49) with soil nitrate determined at the time the crop was sown, but was independent of available soil water content determined at that time. Winter fallowing conserved 15 and 29 mm more water than did spring and autumn fallowing respectively, and mineralized 26 and 28 kg/ha more nitrogen than did spring and autumn fallows respectively. Crop establishment (No. of plants/m of row) on the herbicide treatment was 89% (P< 0.05) of that on the scarifier treatment, but this was not the reason for the reduced grain yield on the herbicide treatment. The lower yields were caused by depressed crop vigour (number of spikes/m of row) which in turn was largely a consequence of the inefficient uptake of nitrogen. The yield benefits of scarifying appear to reflect the importance of the initial two or three cultivations.
Comparison of a press wheel, seed soaking and water injection as aids to sorghum and sunflower establishment in Queensland
Authors: Radford BJ , Nielsen RGH
Published: March 2005

The effects of press wheel compaction at sowing, seed soaking before sowing and water injection at sowing on the establishment of grain sorghum and sunflower were compared in nine experiments at nine sites. Press wheel compaction always hastened the emergence of sorghum, but seed soaking and water injection each hastened emergence in only three of eight experiments. The press wheel always improved final sorghum establishment, but seed soaking and water injection had no effect. Press wheel compaction hastened the emergence of sunflower in seven of nine sowings but delayed emergence in the other two; seed soaking hastened emergence in six and water injection in four of nine sowings. In 10 sowings, the press wheel increased final sunflower establishment in seven, and reduced it in one; seed soaking increased establishment in two and water injection in one. Various quantities of water injection (0, 40, 80 and 160 ml/m of row) were tested in relatively dry seedbeds at two sites. Additional increments of water gave slightly faster emergence, but amounts of 0- 160 ml/m gave the same final establishment of both sorghum and sunflower.
Almond pollination studies: pollen production and viability, flower emergence and cross-pollination tests
Authors: Hill SJ , Stephenson DW , Taylor BK
Published: March 2005

During 1978-80, flower emergence was recorded on 12 almond cultivars (Prunus dulcis) at Angle Vale, South Australia. Early flowering cultivars showed a larger annual variation in flowering period (2-3 weeks) than late flowering cultivars (0-2 weeks). In the same period, pollen production ranged from 30 to 122 mg per 100 flowers and in vitro pollen germination ranged from 76.1 to 99.0%. Pollen production and in vitro germination differed significantly between cultivars. Hand-pollination of Nonpareil with pollen from each of eight other cultivars resulted in significantly higher nut set than with open-pollinated or self-pollinated flowers. In contrast to Nonpareil, hand-pollination of Chellaston with pollen from five other cultivars resulted in significantly higher nut set compared with self-pollinated Chellaston but not compared with open-pollinated Chellaston. The potential increase in almond yield due to improved pollination is discussed.
Salinity and climatic effects on the yields of citrus
Authors: Cole PJ , McCloud PI
Published: March 2005

A multiple linear regression analysis of salinity and climate against yield of Valencia and Washington Navel Oranges was performed for the period 1945-79 on data from irrigated orchards in Sunraysia, Berri, Waikerie and Mypolonga. Principal component analysis was utilized to reduce the number of climatic variables introduced into the multiple regression analysis. High temperatures and high evaporation during flowering and fruit set (November and December) were associated with reduced yields in Sunraysia, Berri and Waikerie, possibly by increasing flower and fruit drop, and by reducing fruit set. At Mypolonga, the coolest location studied, high temperatures were associated with increased yields. Salinity was negatively associated with yield at Mypolonga, Waikerie and Berri, the locations of highest salinity. No effects were observed at Sunraysia. It was not possible to deduce a critical level of salinity in irrigation water that is associated with yield loss or the magnitude of yield loss from the statistical analyses. However, we did observe that salinity during the irrigation season prior to harvest was associated with decreased yields, while only at Mypolonga was salinity in the year of harvest a significant variable in the analyses.
Effects of low density polyethylene liners and high-density polyethylene wraps on quality, decay and storage life of lemon and tangor fruits
Authors: Sharkey PJ , Little CR , Thornton IR
Published: March 2005

Winter-maturing Lisbon lemons (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.) and Ellendale tangors (Citrus reticulata x Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) which had been dipped in fungicides and waxed, developed less than 10% rot but remained fresh for only 2-3 months in cool-storage at 10�C and 80-90% RH. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) wraps delayed loss of firmness and peel coloration of tangors and lemons for 5 and 8 months respectively, in cool-storage, but both citrus developed unacceptable levels of rotting within 4 months of harvest. Perforated low-density polyethylene liners were less effective than HDPE wraps for preserving fruit condition but they extended the storage life of lemons until early January (6 months) without incurring levels of decay greater than 10%. However, tangors cool-stored in liners became unsaleable after only 3-4 months owing to loss of acidity and flavour.
Effects of saline drinking water on growth and water and feed intakes of weaner heifers
Authors: Saul GR , Flinn PC
Published: March 2005

Nine groups of four Hereford heifers (mean � s.e. liveweight 223 � 3.1 kg), drank water containing either high (650 ppm) or low (10 ppm) magnesium concentrations combined with varying levels (5000,7000,9000, 11 000 ppm) of total soluble salts (TSS) for 79 days. At each level of TSS, high magnesium treatments were obtained by replacing 2550 pprn sodium chloride with an equal amount of magnesium chloride. A control group drank water containing 10 pprn Mg and 2 10 pprn TSS. All animals werq kept in feedlots and fed on hay ad libitum. Mean daily maximum temperature and mean daily evaporation during the experiment were 23�C and 4.6 mm, respectively. At the various TSS levels, the presence or absence of high levels of magnesium did not significantly affect liveweight gain, feed intake or animal health which suggests that the adverse effects of sodium and magnesium are similar. However, during the first 51 days of the experiment, heifers drinking water containing 11 000 pprn TSS and 650 ppm Mg lost weight and ate less than all other groups. Compared with control animals, those drinking water containing more than 5000 pprn TSS showed reduced liveweight gain (P<0.05) and feed intake during the first 5 1 days of the experiment, but this effect diminished as the experiment progressed. Overall, a TSS level of 5000 ppm caused a large but non-significant reduction in liveweight gain (36.3 v. 25.9 kg) over the 79-day period while a level of 11 000 ppm reduced liveweight by 49% (36.3 v 18.5 kg, P < 0.05)
Performance of breeding ewes on lucerne-subterranean clover pastures
Authors: Hall DG , Wolfe EC , Cullis BR
Published: March 2005

Pasture production, ewe and lamb growth, ewe wool production and diet quality were studied on lucerne-subterranean clover pastures at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Lucerne was sown at rates of 0.75 to 3.0 kg/ha, and the pastures were rotationally grazed with Border Leicester x Merino ewes at 9.6 or 12.7 sheep/ha, the ewes lambing in August- September. Lucerne density declined by 45% over the 3 years on all treatments. The clover cultivar sown, Woogenellup, had low persistence, particularly at 12.7 sheep/ha. The density of lucerne had little effect on annual wool and lamb production, although the ewes grew faster on the denser lucerne in summer and the sparser lucerne in winter. At 12- 7 sheep/ha, there was an extra 19% total lamb weight by the end of November and an extra 22% of finer wool (1 �m) annually, but the fleeces had a higher proportion of wool tenderness. The major limitations of the lucerne-subterranean clover pastures to sheep production were the low quality of the diet in early summer, and low pasture production in late winter. In early summer the lucerne was rapidly consumed, leaving only moderate quality clover and grass residues, which limited lamb growth, while in winter pregnancy toxaemia occurred, fleeces were tender and wool growth was low, particularly during a drought in 1976.
Effect of month of birth and first summer's nutrition on the productivity of Merino wethers
Authors: Marshall T
Published: March 2005

Liveweight and greasy wool production of Merino wethers born in either mid-May, late June or early September in each of 2 years and subjected to three nutritional regimes (high, normal and low) over their first summer were studied over 4 years. Differences in liveweight of up to 9.0 kg between treatments due to month of birth persisted for 48 months while liveweight differences of as much as 15 3 kg due to nutritional treatment lasted only 24-30 months. Similarly, differences in greasy wool production of up to 0.8 kg between times of birth lasted for the duration of the study but differences between first summer nutritional treatment, although as much as 1.1 kg at the first adult shearing, persisted for only 2 years. The results strongly indicate that, in the high rainfall Mediterranean environment of southern Western Australia, sheep born late in the season will be of lower liveweight and will produce less wool than sheep born early in the season.
A pneumatic-powered spraying secateur for use in commercial orchards and vineyards
Authors: Carter MV , Perrin E
Published: March 2005

This paper describes a simple pneumatic-powered spray-control device, incorporating a piston valve and spray nozzle, which enables wounds to be treated with a biocide while pruning with a standard pneumatic secateur. The pattern of spray deposited on targets, and rate of delivery, are consistent with the requirements for protecting pruning wounds from invasion by vascular pathogens such as Eutypa lata and Chondrostereum purpureum. Field tests in two commercial apricot orchards have shown that the unit was reliable and durable in normal service and acceptable to operators accustomed to using pneumatic-powered pruning equipment.
Effects of seedling age and size on chloride accumulation by juvenile citrus seedlings treated with sodium chloride under glasshouse conditions
Authors: Sykes SR
Published: March 2005

Chloride accumulation by juvenile citrus seedlings treated with sodium chloride for 56 days, using either nutrient solution culture (50 mM NaCl) or pot culture (75 mM NaCl) techniques under glasshouse conditions, was investigated in relation to seedling age. Ranking of cultivars on the basis of leaf chloride concentrations varied according to the age of seedlings examined. Leaf chloride concentrations of 6-, 5-, 4- and 3-month-old seedlings of eight cultivars examined in solution culture decreased with seedling age and were negatively correlated with seedling dry weight within some cultivars. Cultivar differences in leaf chloride concentrations, which occurred for all age groups, were negatively correlated with shoot growth and seedling dry weight for 5-month-old seedlings only. Leaf chloride concentrations of seedlings treated with NaCl in pot culture also changed with the age of seedlings (5, 17- and 29-monthsold) and varied between cultivars, with significant cultivar x age interactions. The effect of seedling size on chloride accumulation was investigated using nutrient solution culture. Six-month-old seedlings of four varieties were treated with NaCl (50 mM) for 56 days. Two size classes were obtained by growing seedlings at two densities before salt treatment. Small seedlings had greater shoot chloride concentrations than equivalent large seedlings and cultivar ranking, based on shoot chloride concentrations, changed with seedling size. Cultivar differences in leaf chloride concentrations were negatively correlated with seedling growth and dry weight for small seedlings but not for large seedlings. Seedling size had no effect on root chloride concentrations. The results suggest that screening very small seedlings for chloride exclusion is not feasible since rankings based on leaf chloride concentrations did not agree with documented data for grafted trees. There appeared to be a critical or threshold seedling age or size at or above which rankings for shoot chloride accumulation by good chloride excluders were consistent with documented field data. The results are discussed in relation to screening citrus hybrids for chloride exclusion under glasshouse conditions.
Evaluation of some annual Trifolium spp. under irrigation
Authors: Kelly KB , Mason WK
Published: March 2005

Eighteen annual species (38 lines) of the genus Trifolium were sown in 1982 as nursery plots to evaluate their potential under irrigation at Kyabram in northern Victoria. A wide range in plant habit, plant growth and flowering time was observed both within and between species. This experiment was used to select species for further agronomic evaluation; those selected were T. balansae CPI45856, T. purpureum cv. Paratta, T. resupinatum cv. Maral and the subterranean clover species T. brachycalycinum cv. Clare, T. subterraneum cv. Woogenellup and T. yanninicum cv. Trikkala. Pure swards of T. balansae, T. resupinatum and a mixture of subterranean clover cultivars were sown on five occasions in 1983. The first four sowings were established by irrigation on 7 February, 28 February, 21 March and 11 April; the fifth was sown on 20 June. T. purpureum was included only on 28 February and 20 June. Establishment was low (35% of germinable seed sown) at the first two times of establishment, when temperatures and evaporation rates were high. Early establishment increased the productivity of all species, by increasing autumn-winter production with only slight indications of a decline in spring growth. Spring productivity of T. resupinatum was superior to all other species. Irrigation into early summer maintained the growth of T. resupinatum but not of the other species. Data on growth rates, in vitro dry matter digestibility and nitrogen content are also presented.
Evaluation of insecticide residues and droplet drift following aerial application to cotton in New South Wales.
Authors: Wilson AGL , Harper LA , Baker H
Published: March 2005

In a study to determine the extent of off target drift from aerial spraying, insecticides were applied to cotton crops in various strengths of crosswind by an aircraft fitted with rotary atomizers. Both water-based and oil-based sprays were applied, at 20 and 2 litres/ha respectively. Compared with the mean insecticide deposit across a 16-m target swath, in seven runs, the mean recoveries of insecticide 15, 165 and 3 15 m downwind from the edge of the swath were 6.8, 0.13 and 0.002% respectively. Deposition on plants was nearly twice that on the ground, but the proportional decline downwind was similar. Counts of droplets deposited on paper targets fixed to masts showed that the dispersing cloud of water-based spray contracted more rapidly than did that of the oil-based spray, probably because of greater evaporation of the former. The results indicate that a 300-m wide buffer zone between target crops and areas susceptible to contamination should be adequate under most conditions.
The control of Phytophthora root rot of avocado with fungicides and the effect of this disease on water relations, yield and ring neck.
Authors: Whiley AW , Pegg KG , Saranah JB , Forsberg LI
Published: March 2005

Avocado trees (cv. Fuerte) were protected from root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi by foliar metalaxyl. Protected trees had higher xylem water sprays with phosethyl-A1 or soil applications of potentials and showed faster and more complete recovery from water stress during the evening than un treated root rot affected trees. protected trees had greater fruit yields and there was a correlation between the incidence of the physiological disorder ring neck and xylem water potential in trees.
Damage and loss in yield of wheat crops caused by the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker)
Authors: Wright DE
Published: March 2005

Damage and loss in yield of wheat crops caused by the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminlfera (Walker), during the major locust plague in the spring of 1984 were assessed. Although severe plant defoliation was observed, yield was affected more by the timing of the attack than by the severity of leaf damage. Major losses in yield occurred both through leaf damage near anthesis and by severing of the whole ear during the milky ripe stage, though losses were insignificant if defoliation alone occurred more than 12 days after anthesis. The implications for control are discussed.
Growth responses of young Merino wethers to ad libitum feeding of oat grain mixed with either lupin seed or a urea solution
Authors: Butler LG , McDonald CL
Published: March 2005

Groups of 10 Merino weaners or hoggets were offered ad libitum 1 of 5 grain mixtures: oats alone (9.1% crude protein, CP), oats mixed with lupins (CP 12 or 15%), and oats sprayed with a urea solution to increase total nitrogen to an equivalent of 12 or 15% CP. In experiment 1, each grain mixture was fed with 10% milled cereal hay to sheep in pens for 98 days; in experiment 2 the sheep grazed wheat stubble for 84 days. In experiment 1, the liveweight gains of weaners and hoggets fed the lupin or urea mixtures were greater by 53-69% and 58-120�/o, respectively, than the daily 9.4 and 54.1 g/head gained on oats alone (P< 0.05). In experiment 2, liveweight gains of sheep fed these mixtures were, with 1 exception, greater by 95-1 54% than the 69.0 and 58.3 g/head gained daily by sheep fed oats alone (P< 0.05). Addition of urea to oats at the higher level (15% CP) tended to depress intake and liveweight gain, compared with the 12% CP level, and the effect was greater among hoggets. Wool production paralleled feed intake and liveweight gain. It is concluded that the daily growth rates of 90 to 130 g/head resulting from treatment of oats with up to 1.5% urea can be similar to those from oat-lupin mixes of equivalent CP (daily 85-150 g/head).
Effect of growth stage at cutting on yield and quality of lucerne cultivars from different dormancy groups in northern Victoria
Authors: Slarke RH , Mason WK
Published: March 2005

At Kyabram, Victoria, the effects of growth stage at cutting on dry matter (DM) yield and quality of lucerne was determined during the warm season haymaking period for cultivars with contrasting winter dormancy characteristics. Growth stages at cutting were pre-flower bud, flower-bud, 10% bloom and full bloom. Cultivars were winter non-dormant CUF 101 and Pioneer Brand 572, semi-winter dormant Pioneer Brand 581 and winter dormant Pioneer Brand 545. Cultivar responses or interactions between cultivar and growth stage at cutting were not significant (P>0.05) for dry matter yield, crude protein or in vitro digestibility. Cutting of the pre-flower bud stage, compared with cutting at the 10% bloom stage, reduced DM yield by 18% (16.4 v. 13.5 t/ha), but increased crude protein content of the lucerne from 19.3 to 24%. The total protein yield per hectare was not affected by cutting stages from pre-flower bud stage to 10% bloom. Cutting lucerne at the flower bud stage rather than at 10% bloom gave increased protein content and digestibility with only a moderate yield decline. However, more frequent cutting was unsatisfactory as it decreased the density of the stand and increased the proportion of weeds and so could not be recommended.
Recovery of pasture seed ingested by ruminants. 3. The effects of the amount of seed in the diet and of diet quality on seed recovery from sheep
Authors: Jones RM , Simao Neto M
Published: March 2005

We determined how the recovery, rate of passage and viability of pasture seeds fed to sheep were affected by the quality of the associated diet and by the proportion of seeds in the diet. Penned sheep were fed basal diets of low (45%), medium (60%) and high digestibility (70%). A proportion of each diet (20%) was milled, and on 1 day half of the milled feed was replaced by a mixture of seeds of carpet grass (Axonopus afinis), Pensacola Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum), Kenya white clover (Trifolium semipilosum) cv. Safari and shrubby stylo (S. scabra) cv. Seca. Seed was fed at 3 levels; 12 000, 18 000 and 24 000 seeds of each species. Faeces were collected for 5 days after feeding the seed and germination tests carried out on seed washed out from the faeces. The proportion of seed in the diet had no effect on percentage seed recovery or on the viability of recovered seed. However, only 10% of ingested seed was recovered with the low quality diet, compared with 28% with the medium and high quality diets. Less Seca seed was still in pods with the low quality diet (6%) than with the medium and high quality diets (11%).
Changes in germinable seed levels in soil beneath pastures near Townsville, North Queensland
Authors: McIvor JG
Published: March 2005

Germinable seed levels in the soil at the start of the growing season were measured in pasture plots near Townsville for 5 years from 1978. The plots were sown to Urochloa and Stylosanthes species and were either grazed by steers throughout the year or during the dry season only. For 1 pasture, additional measurements were made of the distribution of seeds with depth in the soil and of variation throughout the year in seed levels. There were seeds of 88 species in the soil, although many (49%) were present in only small numbers (< 10/m2). The most common were Fimbristylis spp., Stylosanthes hamata, Hedyotis galioides, Echinochloa colona, Sporobolus australasicus, Eragrostis spp., Epaltes australis, and Phyllanthus tenellus. Total seed numbers ranged from 11 000 to 36 000 per m2; the plots grazed throughout the year had more seeds in 1981, but all other year-grazing regime combinations were not significantly different. For individual species there was more variation, and the differences between years were much greater than were those between grazing regimes. There was little or no relationship between seed numbers and pasture composition and yield. More than 90% of the seeds were in the top 5 cm for all plant groups (legumes, grasses, sedges and forbs). Patterns of change during the year in germinable seed numbers were observed in 7 species. Seed numbers were at their maximum in all species at the start of the growing season. In 2 species (S. hamata and E. australis), there were always some seeds present, but, in the other 5 (E. colona, Alternanthera sp., Bacopa floribunda, Fimbristylis spp. and H. galioides), seed was not detected in at least 1 of the years.
Effect of insecticide treatment for control of buffalo fly on weight gains of steers in coastal central Queensland
Authors: Bean KG , Seifert GW , Macqueen A , Doube BM
Published: March 2005

The effect of controlling buffalo fly, Haematobia irritans exiua, upon liveweight gain of cattle in coastal central Queensland was assessed during 3 experiments in the fly-activity seasons of 1976- 77, 1977-78 and 1978-79. In each experiment, the weight gains of 2 herds of growing steers that carried natural buffalo fly infestations were compared with those of 2 similar herds that were treated with insecticide to reduce fly numbers. Insecticide was applied as a spray during the first 2 experiments and portion of the third; chemically impregnated eartags were used thereafter. Average fly burdens per animal on untreated cattle were 324, 470 and 172 in successive expriments. Based on counts made prior to each insecticide treatment, buffalo fly populations on steers were reduced by 52, 64 and 77% respectively and resulted in corresponding increases in average liveweight gain of 15% (0.084 kg/day), 11% (0.087 kg/day), and 4% (0.018 kg/ day) in treated herds. The effect of the treatment on weight gain was statistically significant in the second experiment only, when fly populations were highest. There were no differences between breeds in their response to treatment. The results indicate that regular treatment of steers to control buffalo fly does not necessarily promote significant weight gains in this area.
Use of herbicides for selective removal of Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees from a Pennisetum clandestinum pasture
Authors: Campbell MH , Kemp HW , Murison RD , Dellow JJ , Ridings H
Published: March 2005

In 3 experiments near Candelo, New South Wales, the effectiveness of tetrapion, glyphosate and 2,2-DPA in selectively removing Eragrostis curvula (agronomic type Tall Chloromelas) from a Pennisetum clandestinurn pasture was determined by applying each at various rates in each season of the year in 1981-82 (experiments 1 and 2) and in 1983 (experiment 3). Experiment 4 examined the effect of the herbicides on 3 cultivars of P. clandestinum when applied in each season in 1983-84. Tetrapion (2.25 and 3.00 kg/ha a.i.) was the most effective herbicide in killing E. curvula and promoting P. clandestinum in experiments 1 and 2, but, in experiment 3, glyphosate and 2,2-DPA were equally effective in killing E, curvula at 3 (glyphosate) and 2 (2,2-DPA) of the 4 application times. The differences between the results of the experiments were attributed to the herbicide being leached faster by the higher rainfall and being immobilised by the greater amounts of dead foliage of E. curvula in experiment 3. Despite occasional success in killing E. curvula, glyphosate and 2,2-DPA could not be considered for selective use as both were much more phytotoxic to P. clandestinum than tetrapion (experiment 4). Time of application had little influence on the selectivity of tetrapion, the least effective being May-June. In experiments 1 and 2, E. curvula was still well controlled by P. clandestinurn 5 years after the application of tetrapion. Pennisetum clandestinum cv. Crofts was more tolerant of tetrapion than were cvv. Whittet or Common.
Effect of ryegrass root residues, knockdown herbicides, and fungicides on the emergence of barley in sandy soils
Authors: Blowes WM
Published: March 2005

Poor seedling emergence of 30 000 ha of winter crops occurred in Western Australia in 1984 after herbicides were used to kill weeds prior to sowing. In pot experiments to determine the possible cause(s), the emergence of barley seedlings was reduced by the presence of both herbicide treated and untreated ryegrass root residues in the soil. Fumigation of the soil with methy1 bromide or the application of a fungicide soil drench restored seedling emergence in the presence of ryegrass root residues, but benomyl drench was less effective than methyl bromide fumigant or furalaxyl soil drench. The effects of the residue, fumigant and furalaxyl were consistent in the 3 soils used but soif type affected the severity of the problem. In the presence of ryegrass root residues, Pythim species colonised the large roots and subsurface hypocotyl of barley seedlings. Metalaxyl seed dressing reduced the colonisation of barley seedlings by Pythim species and restored seedling emergence.
Estimation of cashmere production from cashmere fibre length in goats
Authors: McDonald BJ
Published: March 2005

Length was measured in situ on 1329 male and female goats and significant (P< 0.01) linear relationships between cashmere length and the weight of cashmere produced was found in all age groups and sexes. Values ofR2ranged from 0.50 to 0.75, suggesting that cashmere length is a reasonable independent variable for predicting cashmere production. Pooling data provided significant (P< 0.01) linear regressions of cashmere production (g) on length (mm) for one group composed of 18-, 21-, 33-month wethers, 9- month bucks and non-pregnant and pregnant does (y = 2.03x - 16.86), and another group composed of 5- and 9-month does (y= 1.51x- 10.99). The 6 regressions developed from this study provide the basis of a simple inexpensive method of estimating cashmere production in groups of goats within a flock.
Effect of lupins and wheat on the yield of subsequent wheat crops grown at several rates of applied nitrogen
Authors: Rowland IC , Mason MG , Hamblin J
Published: March 2005

The responses of wheat to various rates of application of nitrogen fertiliser were compared following lupins (WL) or wheat (WW) in the previous year. Results covered 10 sites and trials were carried out between 1979 and 1984. giving 26 site-year comparisons. The trials were on sandy or duplex (sand over clay) soils. The overall yield of WL was greater than WW on 21 occasions (significant in 10 cases, P < 0.05), less than WW on 2 occasions (both significantly) and there was no difference on 3 occasions. When no nitrogen was applied the advantage of WL was 41% (WL 1.20 t/ha and WW 0.85 t/ha). The response to nitrogen differed between trials; over all trials a quadratic model best described the responses. There were significant interactions between rotation and nitrogen rate in 10 comparisons. In 4 of these cases, response to nitrogen with WW was greater than with WL and these response curves approached I another but did not meet, indicating that both residual nitrogen from the lupins and some other benefit from the lupins were involved. In 5 cases the greater response on WW resulted in convergence with the WL response curve, suggesting that residual nitrogen explained all of the benefit of lupins. In these cases the amount ofnitrogen fertiliser required to bring the yield of WW to that of the WL without nitrogen ranged from 20 to 47 kg N/ha, with a mean of 37 kg N/ha. Parallel response curves were observed In 12 cases, indicating involvement of factors other than residual nitrogen in the response to lupins, e.g. disease cleaning effects or slow release of nitrogen throughout the season. The type of response could not be related to particular site characteristics. When quadratic coefficients were averaged to give 'average response curves', similar rates of applied nitrogen were required for maximum yields in both WW and WL, and the maximum yields were 1.23 t/ha for WW and 1.41 t/ha for WL. The average advantage of WL over WW, in the absence of nitrogen fertiliser. was 350 kg/ha.
Sulfur deficiency in rice grown on the alkaline soils of the Ord Irrigation Area, Western Australia
Authors: Russell JS , Chapman AL
Published: March 2005

Nutrient and acidification effects of sulfur (S) on the growth of flooded rice on Cununurra clay from the Ord Irrigation Area, Western Australia. were studied in pot experiments. An acute S deficiency in the surface horizon of Cununurra clay was found. This deficiency was extreme on virgin soil but was also evident on cropped soil that had received substantial amounts of S as superphosphate and ammonium sulfate in the past. The major effect of an application of elemental S on rice growth was as a nutrient. Irrigation water appears to be an important source of nutrient S in this remote area where annual atmospheric accessions of S are estimated to be about 1 kg ha-1. The S content of Ord irrigation water from Lake Argyle is relatively low (mean � s.e. sulfate3 = 1.7 � 0.05 mg L-1) by world standards. Nevertheless. in this study, 62% of the S added with the Ord irrigation water was recovered in the plant tops. This indicates that factors which determine the amount of irrigation water applied are likely to affect the field incidence of S deficiency. In particular, decreased usage of irrigation water during the December-March wet season (when average rainfall is 630 mm) may increase the likelihood of S deficiency in rice.
High phosphorus concentrations in seed of wheat and annual medic are related to higher rates of dry matter production of seedlings and plants
Authors: Bolland MDA , Baker MJ
Published: March 2005

Seed of 2 cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and 1 burr medic (Medicago polymorpha) with increasing phosphorus (P) concentrations (wheat 1.4-3.7 g P/kg dry matter, medic 3.3-7.9 g P/kg dry matter) were collected from field experiments with variable levels of applied superphosphate (wheat 0- 577 kg P/ha, medic 0-364 kg P/ha) in south-western Australia. These seeds were used in further experiments to examine the effect of seed P concentration on the subsequent dry matter (DM) production of seedlings and plants in 3 glasshouse pot experiments and 1 field experiment. Seed of the same size (wheat, 35 mg/seed; medic, 3.6 mg/seed) but with increasing P concentration produced substantially higher DM yields in the absence or presence of freshly applied superphosphate P up to 28-35 days after sowing in the pot experiments and 67 days after sowing in the field experiment.
Resistance and tolerance of grapevine rootstocks to plant parasitic nematodes in vineyards in north-east Victoria
Authors: Edwards M
Published: March 2005

Three grapevine rootstock trials in North-East Victoria, Australia, were sampled over several summers to determine nematode populations and the resistance or the tolerance of some commonly used winegrape varieties and rootstocks to plant parasitic nematodes. Rootstocks on which nematodes failed to reproduce or reproduced poorly were considered resistant, rootstocks which supported high populations of nematodes with no apparent effect on yield were considered tolerant. Susceptible rootstocks supported high numbers of nematodes and yielded poorly. The varieties studied were: Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon; and the rootstocks were: Harmony, Richter 110, Schwarzmann, ARG No. 1, 5A Teleki, Rupestris du Lot, 5BB Kober, SO4, Ramsey, K5 1-32 and 1202. The plant parasitic nematodes found on the trial sites were root-knot (Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood) and citrus (Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb) nematodes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and ARG No. 1 were susceptible to the root-knot nematode. Harmony exhibited tolerance to the citrus nematode and was a good host, allowing a large population to build up. Ramsey appeared to be resistant to the citrus nematode, at least in the Cabernet Sauvignon rootstock trial at Wahgunyah.
The influence of surface incorporated lime on subsurface soil acidity
Authors: Conyers MK , Scott BJ
Published: March 2005

The aim of this study was to establish whether surface incorporated liming materials could reduce subsurface acidity. Three sites on the southwest slopes of New South Wales, between Wagga and Albury, were sampled at 2 cm depth increments to 16 cm, 5 years after the liming materials were applied. Limestone and dolomite had been applied at 0,2 and 8 tlha in 3 replicates. At 2 t/ha the effect of the liming materials on pH was largely confined to the depth of incorporation. At 8 t/ha substantial pH increases occurred to 6 cm or more below the depth of incorporation. In general, the movement of Mg>Ca> HCo3 (pH), and was consistent with the soil's ability to hold those cations and to neutralize alkalinity respectively. Agriculturally realistic liming rates are not likely to ameliorate subsurface soil acidity on the south-west slopes of New South Wales.
Effect of plant density and row spacing on the yield of chickpea (cv. Tyson) grown on the Darling Downs, south-eastern Queensland
Authors: Beech DF , Leach GJ
Published: March 2005

Growth and yield of chickpea, Cicer arietinum cv. Tyson, were studied at 4 row spacings (180, 360, 530 and 710 mm) and 4 plant population densities (14, 28, 42 and 56 plants m-2) in factorial combination in a wet and a dry growing season on a vertisol at Dalby, south-eastern Queensland. In both years, row spacing had only a small effect on above-ground dry matter production and yield, and there were no significant interactions between row spacing and plant population density. Above-ground dry matter production increased significantly with increase in plant population density for about 120 days after sowing. Seed yield increased significantly from 104 to 126 g m-2 in the drier season (106 mm rain, May-October) with increase in plant population density from 14 to 56 plants m-2. In the wetter season (286 mm rain, May- October), the corresponding trend in yield was from 262 to 287 g m-2. The response was attributed chiefly to larger seed size in the wet year, and higher harvest index in the dry year. We conclude that a density of at least 40 plants m-2 is required to attain maximum seed yield in southeastern Queensland. Although row spacing had no significant effect on yield, our earlier research indicated potential benefits from narrow row spacing, particularly for mechanised crop production.