bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative performance of some faba bean (Vicia faba) cultivars of contrasting plant types. 2. Growth and development in relation to yield
Authors: Silim S. N. , Saxena M. C.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were conducted at Tel Hadya, Syria during 1985–1988 using faba bean (field bean) cultivars of three different plant types – independent vascular supply to each flower (IVS), determinate and indeterminate, sown at 22 and 44 plants/m2. The objective of the study was to determine whether yields had been stabilized and improved in the newly developed plant types.

Both determinate and indeterminate cultivars continued producing nodes late into the season, the former by producing new branches and the latter on the existing branches. Late formation of branches in determinate lines was suppressed by sowing at a high seeding density of 44 plants/m2 in contrast to the usual density of 22 plants/m2. Indeterminate lines, e.g. ILB 1814, produced the highest leaf area index (LAI), intercepted the highest photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and produced the highest total dry matter (DM). Among the determinate lines, FLIP 84–239F had a high LAI, intercepted a high PAR and produced a high DM. The IVS line, IVSFG–IVS 6, had a low LAI, intercepted a low PAR and attained a low DM. Sowing at a high density of 44 plants/m2 rather than 22 plants/m2 increased LAI and intercepted PAR, resulting in a higher DM production. Determinate lines partitioned proportionately more of the DM to the reproductive parts.

Dry matter production was strongly correlated with cumulative intercepted PAR; with r ranging from 0·90–1·00 in both 1986/87 and 1987/88. The variation in the efficiency of conversion of intercepted PAR into DM amongst cultivars was low (1·309–2·017 g/MJ in 1986/87 and 1·191·2·057 g/MJ in 1987/88). ILB 1814 (an indeterminate cultivar) and FLIP 84–239F (a determinate cultivar) had higher light use efficiencies than the other cultivars. The range in cumulative intercepted PAR was, however, high; 224·8–417·8 MJ/m2 in 1986/87 and 118·4–369·1 MJ/m2 in 1987/88. Differences in DM at maturity were mainly due to differences in cumulative intercepted PAR.

The relationship between DM at different growth stages and DM at maturity was strong; with the DM values at flowering showing the greatest correlations (r values of 0·93 in 1986/87 and 0·96 in 1987/88).
Stolon characteristics related to winter survival in white clover
Authors: Collins R. P. , Rhodes I.
Published: March 2009

Changes in the stolon carbohydrate contents (water-soluble and total non-structural) of four white clover populations were measured at the beginning and end of winter. Three of the populations were of Swiss origin - two of these were from high-altitude pastures, and the other from a valley location. Grasslands Huia was measured as a control variety. Levels of both types of carbohydrate declined during the winter in all populations. The Swiss populations from high altitudes contained the highest levels of both carbohydrate types.

An artificial freezing test was carried out on stolon segments collected from a range of clover populations (including the two high-altitude Swiss clovers) growing in field plots in January, and values of ‘lethal dose 50’ (LD50) were calculated. The two Swiss populations had the lowest LD50 values, indicating a greater intrinsic tolerance to freezing in those plants than in the other populations (of lowland temperate origin).

One of the Swiss populations, Ac3785, was grown under two temperature regimes and short daylength to determine whether its tolerance to freezing increased with time. Significant increases in tolerance occurred after 8 days at 2 °C, but plants grown at 8 °C showed no change in tolerance even after 30 days.

The results suggest that (i) stolon carbohydrate content is an important factor in the overwintering of white clover, (ii) there is a considerable amount of genetic variation in cold tolerance within white clover, (iii) artificial freezing tests can provide a method of predicting the survival of clover stolons during winter and (iv) the cold hardiness of white clover increases with time spent at temperatures near 0 °C under short daylengths.
Metabolic adaptation during lactation in winter-shorn sheep
Authors: Symonds M. E. , Bryant M. J. , Lomax M. A.
Published: March 2009

The effects of winter shearing, 8 weeks before lambing, on ewe and lamb live weight changes over the first 30 days of lactation were studied in Reading between February and March 1984. Differences in ewe body condition score (BCS) and plasma concentrations of glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), 3-hydroxybutyrate, growth hormone (GH), insulin, cortisol and thyroxine between shorn and unshorn groups of ewes were measured over the same period.

Lambs from shorn ewes grew, on average, 20% faster than those from unshorn controls even though both groups of lambs were of similar mean birth weight. There was no difference in maternal feed intake between shorn and unshorn groups, and ewe live weight and BCS decreased between the day of lambing and day 30 of lactation in all ewes. Plasma samples taken at hourly intervals for 24 h on days 12 and 27 of lactation demonstrated that shorn ewes had significantly lower plasma concentrations of insulin than unshorn controls; on day 27 of lactation, higher circulating concentrations of GH were recorded in the shorn group. There were no differences in the plasma concentrations of glucose, NEFA, cortisol or thyroxine between the two groups of ewes. It is concluded that metabolic adaptation by shorn ewes to the cold environment of a British winter during early lactation results in endocrine changes in ewes which are likely to increase the partition of nutrients towards milk production. This results in a higher lamb growth rate than in lambs reared by unshorn controls.
Persistence of tropical forage grasses in shaded environments
Authors: Wong C. C. , Stur W. W.
Published: March 2009

The sowing of improved tropical forages in tree plantations can increase animal productivity considerably, but planted grasses often fail to persist under grazing, resulting in unstable pastures. An experiment was conducted in Brisbane, Australia during the summer of 1989/90 to investigate whether the failure of tropical grasses to persist in shade when regularly defoliated is related to their growth habit. Two shade-tolerant grasses of contrasting growth habit (prostrate Paspalum wettsteiniiv. erect Paspalum malacophyllum)were grown in simulated swards at light levels of 100, 50 and 20% of full sunlight and defoliated every 2 or 4 weeks. Shading and frequent cutting reduced total dry matter yield equally in the two grasses. Shading also reduced tiller density. Paspalum wettsteinii persisted poorly under frequent (2-weekly) defoliation in shade. Plant survival rate of this grass was 66% in the 2-weekly defoliation-20% light transmission treatment, compared with 94% in P. malacophyllum. The poor survival of P. wettsteinii was related to its high allocation of total yield to roots, low tiller density and low total nonstructural carbohydrate yield in residual biomass after defoliation. The inability of P. wettsteinii to adjust in shade to frequent defoliation led to a continual decline in photosynthetic area and light interception, resulting in the depletion of energy reserves, increased susceptibility to Rhizoctonia fungal infection and ultimately to death. It was concluded that growth habit per se cannot be used as a simple indicator for selecting tropical grasses for shaded environments. Instead, morphophysiological adaptation to defoliation in shade was critical for plant persistence.
The dacron bag technique for comparing rumen degradability of untreated and ammonia-treated barley straw – effect of particle size and degree of replication
Authors: Pike D. J. , Owen E. , Said A. N.
Published: March 2009

Six rumen-fistulated steers were studied over six periods of 3 days at Reading University's Animal Production Research Unit. In each period, eight dacron bags comprising two replicates of the 22 factorial treatment set consisting of untreated and NH3-treated barley straw in chopped (12–54 mm) or ground (2·5 mm screen) form were placed in the rumen of each steer. Bags were left in the rumen for a given time which was one of the set 6, 9, 15, 24, 48, 72 h. Percentage dry matter (DM) disappearance from dacron bags was consistently higher for NH3-treated than untreated straw and higher for ground than chopped straw. Analysis of variance gave F ratios for period and steer which were non-significant but of similar size, showing that using fewer animals could be compensated for by using more periods. Percentage DM disappearance as a function of time was well described by the model y = a — beet. The parameter defining rate of disappearance c, was similar for the four forms of straw. Differences between straws occurred in values of a (potential degradability) and b suggesting that physical form of material put into dacron bags needs standardizing if absolute values of a are to be used (e.g. for predicting roughage intake). Experimental designs need further research.
A simple model of pH in slurry
Authors: Sommer S. G. , Husted S.
Published: March 2009

Ammonia volatilization from stored slurry or surface-applied slurry in the field is strongly affected by pH. Thus a simple, iterative model was developed to predict pH changes in slurry. Concentrations of NH4+/NH3, CO2/HCO3-/CO32-and volatile fatty acids were input data to the model. The model was validated by titrating 17 slurry samples collected from four cattle farms, seven pig farms and three biogas plants. Predictions of pH agreed well for 14 slurries with titration data in the pH interval from 4 to 10. Simulations indicated that microbial degradation of VFA to methane and carbon dioxide resulted in a pH increase if the carbon dioxide produced was lost to the atmosphere. There was little change in pH if the produced carbon dioxide dissolved in the slurry.
Diagnosis and correction of soil nutrient problems of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania
Authors: Smithson J. B. , Edje O. T. , Giller K. E.
Published: March 2009

Stages in the diagnosis of an interveinal leaf chlorosis in bean in the Usambara Mountains of northern Tanzania are described. Leaf tissue analysis, soil analysis, a 25 factorial trial with treatments of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, the trace elements copper and zinc and lime at one location and data from a series of 43 factorial trials of N, P and K demonstrated the leaf condition to be due to potassium deficiency. Large growth and yield responses to N, P and K were recorded. The responses were accompanied by greater numbers of pods and seeds/pod. The application of N and K increased leaf concentrations of the respective elements but depressed the concentrations of other major and minor elements in leaves. There were no effects of trace elements or lime.
Effect of concentration and blend of added fat in the diet on the performance of growing pigs
Authors: Patterson D. C.
Published: March 2009

Diets with added fat at 25, 50 and 100 g/kg were formulated with four blends of beef tallow: soya oil, namely 100:0, 75:25, 50:50 and 0:100. An additional diet had no added fat (control diet) to give an experimental design of (3 × 4) + 1. A total of 96 individually penned pigs was used (mean initial and final live weights of 22·4 and 87·5 kg, respectively). The experiment was carried out during the period July 1985 to February 1986 at the Agricultural Research Institute, Hillsborough. Equal numbers of boar and gilt blocks were used and the pigs were fed individually to a scale to give equal amounts of digestible energy: live weight0·75 Neither concentration of fat nor blend of fat had any significant effect on the rates of live weight or carcass weight gain. Increasing concentration of fat significantly improved the carcass feed conversion ratio (P < 0·001), but the blend of fat had no significant effect. Neither killing-out yield nor the intake of digestible energy per unit of carcass gain was significantly affected by the concentration of added dietary fat nor the blend of fat. Fat treatments did not significantly affect the lean plus bone content of the ham joint, drip loss from or the depth of colour of the longissimus dorsi or the weight of flare fat. No evidence was found of synergistic effects between the fat and nonfat components of the diet nor between fats within the blends of fat on growth, digestible energy consumed per unit of carcass gain and carcass attributes. Boars had a more efficient conversion of feed to carcass gain than gilts (P < 0·01).
Effluent from grass silage for finishing pigs
Authors: Patterson D. C. , Kilpatrick D. J.
Published: March 2009

A total of 52 individually penned pigs (mean initial and final live weights (LW) of 31·7 and 81·5 kg, respectively) was used in a randomized block experiment at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, in 1984. The treatments were based on dietary regimes which comprised a control diet in which meal was offered at 86 g dry matter/k W0·75 per day or diets in which silage effluent was substituted for part of the allowance of meal of the control diet at 125, 175, 225 and 275 g/kg on a dry matter basis to give 0·125, 0·175, 0·225 and 0·275 effluent diets. There was also a negative control diet in which meal was offered at 850 g/kg of the rate of feeding of the control diet. Each of these dietary treatments included water available ad libitum. In a further treatment, effluent was substituted for 225 g/kg of the meal allowance of the control treatment on a dry matter basis, but additional water was not offered. The treatment based on the 0·275 effluent diet was omitted from the first four replicates.

Some refusals of diet occurred at the higher rates of effluent feeding, with mean refusals of 7, 11 and 21 g/kg, respectively, for the 0·175, 0·225 and 0·275 effluent diets on a dry matter basis. Significant linear and quadratic contrasts (P <0·01) were found for daily LW gain, feed conversion ratio and total liquid intake. The quadratic response curves for daily LW gain and feed conversion ratio had relatively flat peaks, optimum values occurring at concentrations of effluent in the diet of 95 (S.E. 17) and 99 (S.E. 15) g/kg, respectively. From the response curves, performance in terms of LW gain and feed conversion ratio was equal, or superior, to that obtained with the control diet at concentrations of effluent of up to 190 (S.E. 33) and 199 (S.E. 30) g/kg, respectively, but deteriorated at higher concentrations of effluent.

Additional water was consumed at all rates of inclusion of effluent. However, from the quadratic equations, the total consumption of liquid was lower with diets containing effluent at up to 161 g/kg of diet than with the control diet.
Control of manganese deficiency in field peas grown for seed or human consumption
Authors: Knott C. M.
Published: March 2009

The effect of foliar applications of different formulations of manganese on pea yield and ‘marsh spot’, a seed defect which reduces quality of peas (Pisum sativum) grown for human consumption or seed was evaluated in nine experiments in the East of England from 1992 to 1994. Sprays, at dose rates recommended by the manufacturer, were applied to field peas, cvs Maro or Bunting, on three occasions at the four node pea growth stage, first pod and 14 days later, or on two occasions at first pod stage and 14 days later. Although the sites selected had a previous history of marsh spot in pea crops, there were no visual foliar symptoms of manganese deficiency in peas grown in any year at any site. Applications of manganese did not increase yields compared with untreated peas and there was no effect on maturity. Marsh spot was negligible in untreated peas at sites where soils had the lowest levels of manganese (22 and 44 mg/kg), thus soil analysis for manganese may be inappropriate as a guide to prediction of marsh spot problems. The three spray programmes, which included an early application of manganese at the 4–5 node stage, gave no statistically significant improvements in marsh spot control. There was a good correlation between amounts of manganese applied and reductions in marsh spot, and manganese sulphate, 31% w/w at 3·1 kg/ha applied as a split dose, achieved the best control. An exception was the manganese carbonate 50% w/v formulation which may have been poorly assimilated by the plant. Chelated manganese as MnEDTA 6·4% w/v at the rates recommended by the manufacturer was inadequate for control of marsh spot in all years.
Dwarfism does not modify mean area per leaf and light interception in indeterminate autumn-sown white lupin
Authors: Harzic N. , Huyghe C.
Published: March 2009

The effect of dwarfism on leaf number and size was investigated on six pairs of tall and dwarf nearisogenic lines of indeterminate autumn-sown white lupins (Lupinus albusL.). Dwarfism reduced mainstem height by 41% and first-order branch length by 22%. It also slightly decreased the number of leaves on the mainstem and first-order branches without affecting the time of flowering. Leaf size was not reduced. Logistic equations were used to analyse differences in the patterns of light interception by leaf canopies relative to thermal time from sowing during the growth of seven dwarf lines and three tall cultivars sown on different dates. The genotypes studied had long periods of low light interception during their early growth. No differences were found between most of the equation parameters for dwarf and tall genotypes. Only the proportion of light intercepted at flowering differed and this was explained by differences in flowering time. The dwarf character did not limit the ability of the crop canopies to intercept light. It is concluded that the character can be introduced into a wide range of genetic backgrounds without deleterious effects.
The effect of the length and severity of feed restriction on weight, carcass measurements and body composition of goats
Authors: Mora O. , Shimada A. , Ruiz F. J.
Published: March 2009

Two experiments were done in Mexico (1992–93) to determine the response of goats to different periods of feed restriction on liveweight, organ weights and tissue composition. In each, the weight, body condition and daily dry matter intake (DM1) of two groups of 12 female, adult, non-lactating, non-pregnant, Nubian crossbred goats were recorded for 7 weeks (stabilization period; SP), to allow the animals to reach and maintain their liveweight and body condition. At the end of the SP the animals in Expt 1 (RP1) were feed restricted for 18 weeks and for 36 weeks in Expt 2 (RP2). Animals were divided into three groups receiving either 100 (FL1), 80 (FL2) or 60% (FL3) of the levels of DM1 previously observed. At the end of each experimental period all animals were slaughtered, carcass weights were recorded and viscerae were weighed.

A sample of the soft tissues was chemically analysed. There were no significant changes in body condition in either experiment (P > 0·05). None of the feeding levels had an effect on carcass weight or the chemical composition of soft tissues (P > 0·05). Liver weights (as a proportion of slaughter weight) were significantly different among goats fed at different feeding levels in both experiments. The results of this study show the adaptation capacity of adult goats to medium and long term malnutrition, and the importance of the liver as a source for the generation of energy and for sustaining protein turnover. This could be especially important for goats grazing in arid and semiarid zones where dry periods can last for months and feed availability is therefore sometimes limited.
Efficacy of pest control strategies in Louisiana sugar cane: a preliminary survey
Authors: Ogunwolu E. O. , Reagan T. E. , Damann K. E.
Published: March 2009

Although the first or second clonal cuttings of heat-treated sugar cane were widely used for seed, differences were not detected among crop years or locations in the incidence of ratoon stunting disease. Sugar-cane mosaic virus (SCMV) disease was widespread in all areas surveyed; however, the plant cane crop had a lower incidence of SCMV than the first or the second ratoon crop. The estimated cane yield was increased approximately 19·4 t/ha by heat treatment during the 2-year survey period.

The management system used to control the sugar-cane borer (SCB), Diatraea saccharalis (F.), was effective regardless of the crop year or area surveyed. Season-long SCB control was achieved by the use of two (1981) or three (1982) properly timed applications of insecticide and the use of a SCB moderately resistant variety resulting in an average of 6–9% bored sugar-cane internodes.

Poor weed management, particularly with johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers.), accounted for much of the reduction in cane yield (P < 0·01); the estimated yields of the second ratoon crop were substantially altered, particularly those of farms surveyed in the Bayou Lafourche area.
Irrigation and nitrogen requirements of sugar beet in a Mediterranean environment
Authors: Metochis Chr. , Orphanos P. I.
Published: March 2009

Sugar beet has never been grown commercially in Cyprus. Sugarcane was grown in the Middle Ages but its cultivation has since gradually declined, and none has been grown in the last 200 years (Aristidou, 1986). Recently a research programme was undertaken to assess the feasibility of growing sugar beet so that imports of sugar may be reduced. Sugar yields of up to 20 t/ha (165 t fresh roots/ha) were obtained in a coastal area (Akhelia) when the crop was sown in November and harvested in July–September (Hadjichristodoulou, 1984, 1987). Because the period April–October is practically rainless, the crop has to be irrigated, but with November sowing full advantage is also taken of the winter rainfall.
The spread of the calibration set in near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Wetherill G. Z. , Murray I.
Published: March 2009

Frequently in near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, a calibration is developed using very restricted data sets, e.g. material from one season, a small area or of a limited type: consequently, the predictions may have limited validity. This paper describes the use of both restricted and wide calibration sets for the prediction of crude protein in grass, silage and hay. Results show that predictions from the wider calibration sets are often as good as or better than predictions from restricted calibration sets. Therefore the use of wide calibration sets should be considered much more frequently in near-infrared reflectance.
Pre-maturity gradients in shoot size and in number and size of florets for spring barley treated with mepiquat chloride
Authors: Waddington S. R. , Cartwright Phyllis
Published: March 2009

Effects of mepiquat chloride on gradients of shoot growth within spring barley plants (cv. Koru) were determined in two small-scale field experiments. Mepiquat chloride was applied at either the lemma primordium stage or the late carpel primordium stage of spike development in the main shoot. The shoot dry weight, stem length, spike length, number and size of florets and floret developmental score were measured for all shoots, over the period from the lemma primordium stage of main shoot spike development to the late milk stage of grain development.

Lemma primordium mepiquat chloride increased the size and developmental score of later-formed shorter shoots pre-anthesis while delaying the spike development of the main shoot and other longer shoots by up to 4 days. The overall effect was to produce plants with a reduced range of shoot and spike sizes from the end of floret initiation in the main shoot until maturity. In addition, there was a slight increase in the number of shoots per plant in both experiments. Gradients of carpel development and carpel width along the spike were reduced in all treated spikes by the time of floret abortion in the main shoot but the effects were more noticeable in shorter shoots. The number of florets initiated per plant was increased by 21–22%. All shoots contributed to the larger number of florets but again the major additions came from the shorter shoots. The few extra florets initiated in longer shoots were lost during abortion of distal florets while the 2–5 extra florets on shorter shoots were retained to give extra grains at maturity.

Application of mepiquat chloride at the late carpel primordium stage had little effect on gradients of spike size or on number, size and development of florets.
Response of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) to Mg and K application on some alfisols and inceptisols of northern Nigeria
Authors: Elkased F. A. , Lombin G. , Nnadi L. A.
Published: March 2009

Fertilizer work in the savannah soils of northern Nigeria has been largely confined to the two most limiting nutrients N and P. The gradual shift towards continuous intensive cultivation coupled with the introduction of improved crop varieties and better crop management has necessitated the consideration of other elements, such as magnesium. The widespread use of K fertilizer in the absence of Mg fertilization may have an adverse effect on Mg availability in view of the well-known ionic antagonisms between Mg and K in plant nutrition (Jacob, 1958; Welter & Werner, 1963). Plants require greater amounts of Mg than normal to prevent deficiency under conditions of high soil K (Ulrich & Ohki, 1956; Kabu & Toop, 1970). Therefore soils hitherto considered to be adequately supplied with Mg may well be suffering from induced Mg deficiency under the present fertilizer programme which involves only K as the major cation. Tobacco is an important cash crop generally rated as a high Mg demanding crop (Adams & Pearson, 1967). The growth characteristics of the crop (enormous leaf development and rapidity of plant growth) make it an excellent crop to study. The abnormality in growth of tobacco, now known as sand drown, was first observed on tobacco grown on sandy soils, especially during periods of excessive rainfall. The abnormality was later found to be due to Mg deficiency.
The effect of system of harvesting grass for silage on the output of silage and milk per hectare
Authors: Small J. C. , Gordon F. J.
Published: March 2009

Four systems of harvesting grass for silage were evaluated in terms of in-field losses, in-silo losses and milk output per hectare. The systems were: single-chop flail harvester direct cutting (SCD); doublechop flail harvester direct cutting (DCD); mown with a rotary mower and picked up with a precisionchop harvester either immediately (PCU) or after wilting until the dry-matter concentration had increased by approximately 100 g/kg (PCW). The in-field and in-silo losses were measured at each of three consecutive harvests during 1984 and during the following winter the resulting silages were evaluated through eight British Friesian cows in a balanced change-over design experiment using four periods each of 5 weeks duration.

There was a greater quantity of herbage ensiled with the two direct cutting systems (SCD and DCD) than with the systems involving pre-mowing and picking up with the ensiled yields, being 12·4, 11·8, 10·8 and 10·8t OM/ha for the SCD, DCD, PCU and PCW systems respectively. These differences were only partly reflected in greater mechanical in-field losses with the pre-mown systems.

Losses during the in-silo period tended to be greater with the wilted than the unwilted silages being 98, 76, 83 and 132 g/kg OM with the SCD, DCD, PCU, and PCW systems, respectively.

Animals offered the PCW silage tended to have a higher silage organic-matter intake and had a significantly higher milk yield than those offered the other silages with fat corrected milk yields being 25·1, 24·5, 24·5 and 25·9 kg/day for the SCD, DCD, PCU and PCW systems, respectively. Milk outputs per hectare, at 30·3, 27·8, 25·7 and 240 for the SCD, PCD, PCU and PCW systems respectively, was lowest for the PCW treatment.
Effect of condensed tannins inLotus pedunculatuson the nutritive value of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) fed to sheep
Authors: Waghorn G. C. , Shelton I. D.
Published: March 2009

A feeding trial was undertaken in Palmerston North, New Zealand in 1991, to determine the extent to which condensed tannins (CT) inLotus pedunculatuswere able to affect the nutritive value of ryegrass (which does not contain CT) for sheep. The trial involved three groups of 11 male cryptorchid sheep held in metabolism crates so that intakes, digestibilities and nitrogen balances could be measured over a 42-day feeding period. One group was fed freshly cut ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.) as a sole diet (Grass group) and the other two groups were given a mixture of about one third freshly cut lotus and two thirds ryegrass (dry matter (DM) basis). This mixture containedc. 1·8% CT in the DM. One group given the mixed diet was drenched twice daily with polyethylene glycol (PEG; PEG group) to bind and remove the effects of the CT from the diet, whilst those not drenched were designated the ‘Tannin’ group. Intakes of all groups were constrained to that of the Grass group of sheep.

Condensed tannins in the lotus had a major effect on the digestion of ryegrass. When the forages were immature, apparent digestibility of nitrogen (N) was substantially reduced in the Tannin sheep (65·3%)compared to the PEG (77·5%) and Grass (77·9%) groups (P< 0·001). With mature forages, the respective values were 48·8, 62·5 and 53·7% (P< 0·01). Rumen ammonia concentrations and plasma urea concentrations were also reduced by CT. Condensed tannins reduced DM digestibility by 3·7 percentage units (P< 0·05) mainly through the effects on N digestion. Concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate in rumen liquor were not affected by treatment, but CT reduced the proportions of the minor volatile fatty acids (VFA; isobutyrate, valerate and isovalerate). Treatment did not affect liveweight gain (131—164 g/day), or wool growth from mid-side patches, and N retention was not reduced by CT, so that the nutritive value of the forage was maintained despite the reduction in N digestibility. The principal finding was that CT inLotus pedunculatuswere able to affect the digestibility of both grass and lotus when fed together, and that as little as 1·8% of CT in the dietary DM had a substantial effect on rumen function.
A comparison of nitrate leaching under clover-based pastures and nitrogen-fertilized grass grazed by sheep
Authors: Ruz-Jerez B. E. , White R. E. , Ball P. R.
Published: March 2009

Nitrate leaching was measured under three pastures – perennial ryegrass and white clover, a herbal ley comprising a mixture of legumes, non-aggressive grasses and deep rooting herbs, and perennial ryegrass fertilized with 400 kg N/ha per year as urea – from 1989 to 1991 at Palmerston North, New Zealand (latitude 40° S). The pastures were regularly mob-grazed by sheep at a stocking rate which varied with the amount of feed available. Drainage was estimated from a daily soil water balance and accumulated over 10 day intervals. Nitrate concentrations in the drainage were measured as the volume-averaged concentrations in the soil solution between 30 and 45 cm depth during these intervals. Although the N applied as fertilizer to the grass was 2·5 times greater than the N estimated to have been fixed by the clover-based pastures, the leaching loss from the former was 6–7 times greater than from the latter. The stocking rate on the grass pasture averaged over each year was only 1·2–1·4 times that on the two clover-based pastures. Leaching from urine patches was estimated to account for 55% of the total N leached from the clover-based pastures, but only 25% of the total leached from the N-fertilized grass.

The amount of NO3-N leached should be related to the cumulative drainage to determine whether the average nitrate concentration exceeds the environmental safety limit of 10 mg NO3-N/1. In 1989, when the total drainage was 215 mm, 21·5 kg N/ha would have had to be leached for the concentration to exceed the limit and none of the pastures did so. In 1990, when the total drainage was 270 mm, the critical amount to be leached was 27 kg N/ha which was exceeded by the Grass + N400, but not by either the Grass-clover (5.8 kg N/ha) or the Herbal ley (7·3 kg N/ha). The utilization of N was more conservative in the clover-based pastures than in the N-fertilized grass.
Influence of stem apex on crosses between subspecies of Vicia faba L.
Authors: Toynbee-Clarke Gillian
Published: March 2009

Crosses and reciprocal crosses were made between English material of Vicia faba major × Vicia faba equina and minor.

Half the major type plants had the stem apex removed before pollinations commenced. Apical dominance affected the success of crosses between major × equina, minor. On higher nodes and, on lower nodes when the apex was removed, there was no evidence of unilateral incompatibility. All crosses produced seed.
Physiological analysis of the growth, development and yield of oil-seed sesame
Authors: Saha S. N. , Bhargava S. C.
Published: March 2009

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a crop of great antiquity which is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, South and North America and to some extent in Russia for edible oil and for animal feed purposes. The average yield in India is only about 235 kg/ha. Even under good management practices the seed yields usually remain poor and, therefore, commercial prospects of sesame production are not good.
The fungicidal properties of certain spray-fluids, VI
Authors: Goodwin W. , Martin H. , Salmon E. S.
Published: March 2009

1. The action of various forms of sulphur—ground sulphur, flowers of sulphur and colloidal sulphur—as fungicides against the hop powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca Humuli) was tested in a number of experiments.

When ground sulphur or flowers of sulphur was wetted by a soft soap solution and applied to the mildew patches in the form of a spray, the fungicidal action was always very marked and, under the conditions of the experiments, became complete with suspensions containing 5 gm. sulphur per 100 c.c. of 0·5 per cent, soft soap solution. Owing, however, to the settling of the sulphur particles during the process of spraying, the amount of sulphur actually applied to the fungus was not strictly in accordance with the strength of the suspension.

2. Striking differences in fungicidal action were obtained when gelatine or saponin were used in place of soft soap as a spreader. Spreaders of an acid nature, viz. gelatine and saponin, inhibited the fungicidal action. With alkaline spreaders other than soft soap, e.g. lime casein and soda casein and the dry-mix sulphur lime, the alkaline reaction favoured the fungicidal action of the sulphur.
Laterite and lateritic soil in Sierra Leone, II
Authors: Martin F. J. , Doyne H. C.
Published: March 2009

1. A study has been made of the formation of lateritic soils in Sierra Leone and the composition is given of some of the intermediate and final products formed.

2. The detrital soils in Sierra Leone appear on the whole to contain a higher proportion of alumina to silica than the residual soils.

3. The soils described are all reddish or yellowish red soils, light in texture and generally containing a high proportion of stones. They are acid in reaction and have a definite lime requirement. The mineral constituents are low, especially the potash and the exchangeable calcium. i. Soluble phosphorus is readily removed from a solution by these soils.
Effectiveness of dog rabies vaccination programmes: comparison of owner-charged and free vaccination campaigns
Authors: DURR S. , MINDEKEM R. , KANINGA Y. , DOUMAGOUM MOTO D. , MELTZER M. I. , VOUNATSOU P. , ZINSSTAG J.
Published: March 2009

We investigated the percentage of dogs that could be vaccinated against rabies by conducting a pilot campaign in N'Djaména, Chad. Owners were charged US$4.13 per dog vaccinated, and 24% of all dogs in the three city districts covered by the campaign were vaccinated. Total campaign costs were US$7623, resulting in an average of US$19.40 per vaccinated dog. This is five times more expensive than the cost per animal vaccinated during a previous free vaccination campaign for dog-owners, conducted in the same districts. The free campaign, which vaccinated 2605 more dogs than this campaign, cost an additional US$1.45 per extra dog vaccinated. Campaigns in which owners are charged for vaccinations result in lower vaccination rates than in free campaigns. Public health officials can use these results when evaluating the costs and benefits of subsidizing dog rabies vaccination programmes.
Structure Along Arithmetic Patterns in Sequences of Vectors
Authors: CANDELA P.
Published: March 2009

We discuss a new direction in which the use of some methods from arithmetic combinatorics can be extended. We consider functions taking values in Euclidean space and supported on subsets of {1, 2, . . ., N}. In this context we present a proof of a natural generalization of Szemerédi's theorem. We also prove a similar generalization of a theorem of Sárkőzy using a vector-valued Fourier transform, adapting an argument of Green and obtaining effective bounds.
Impact of Arabian Sea pollution on the Bay of Bengal winter monsoon rains
Authors: Krishnamurti T. N. , Chakraborty Arindam , Martin Andrew , Lau William K. , Kim Kyu‐Myong , Sud Yogesh , Walker Gregory
Published: March 2009

Accumulation of pollution over the southern Arabian Sea has been documented in numerous studies that followed the INDOEX field project of 1992. In this paper, we show several examples of this feature from the MODIS/CALIPSO data sets. We identify this feature as the Bombay Plume that makes its way into the Arabian Sea from the west coast of India. A second part of this work is on modeling the impacts of pollution. We use a NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model to carry out many comparative forecast simulation experiments that include the pollution based on MODIS and control runs that utilize climatological estimates of pollutions. The model invokes both the direct and indirect effects of aerosols. Our observations are as follows: (1) The Arabian Sea experienced above normal rain during these periods for the MODIS experiments as compared to the control. (2) The most interesting feature is the divergent outflow center, in the upper troposphere, over polluted regions of the atmosphere over the Arabian Sea as a consequence of tropospheric aerosol heating. (3) An important related feature is a compensating downward lobe with a divergent inflow in the upper troposphere center over the Bay of Bengal. (4) The presence of this downward lobe over the Bay of Bengal relates to a reduction of winter monsoon rains over the southeast coast of India. (5) We also show evidence of similarly reduced winter monsoon rains in raingauge data over the southeast coast of India during high‐pollution events ascertained from MODIS data.
Identification ofIRAK1as a risk gene with critical role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jacob Chaim O. , Zhu Jiankun , Armstrong Don L. , Yan Mei , Han Jie , Zhou Xin J. , Thomas James A. , Reiff Andreas , Myones Barry L. , Ojwang Joshua O. , Kaufman Kenneth M. , Klein-Gitelman Marisa , McCurdy Deborah , Wagner-Weiner Linda , Silverman Earl , Ziegler Julie , Kelly Jennifer A. , Merrill Joan T. , Harley John B. , Ramsey-Goldman Rosalind , Vila Luis M. , Bae Sang-Cheol , Vyse Timothy J. , Gilkeson Gary S. , Gaffney Patrick M. , Moser Kathy L. , Langefeld Carl D. , Zidovetzki Raphael , Mohan Chandra
Published: March 2009

A combined forward and reverse genetic approach was undertaken to test the candidacy of IRAK1 (interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase-1) as an X chromosome-encoded risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In studying ≈5,000 subjects and healthy controls, 5 SNPs spanning theIRAK1gene showed disease association (Pvalues reaching 10−10, odds ratio >1.5) in both adult- and childhood-onset SLE, in 4 different ethnic groups, with a 4 SNP haplotype (GGGG) being strongly associated with the disease. The functional role of IRAK1 was next examined by using congenic mouse models bearing the disease loci:Sle1orSle3. IRAK1 deficiency abrogated all lupus-associated phenotypes, including IgM and IgG autoantibodies, lymphocytic activation, and renal disease in both models. In addition, the absence of IRAK1 reversed the dendritic cell “hyperactivity” associated withSle3. Collectively, the forward genetic studies in human SLE and the mechanistic studies in mouse models establishIRAK1as a disease gene in lupus, capable of modulating at least 2 key checkpoints in disease development. This demonstration of an X chromosome gene as a disease susceptibility factor in human SLE raises the possibility that the gender difference in SLE may in part be attributed to sex chromosome genes.
Sequence memory for prediction, inference and behaviour
Authors: Hawkins Jeff , George Dileep , Niemasik Jamie
Published: March 2009

In this paper, we propose a mechanism which the neocortex may use to store sequences of patterns. Storing and recalling sequences are necessary for making predictions, recognizing time-based patterns and generating behaviour. Since these tasks are major functions of the neocortex, the ability to store and recall time-based sequences is probably a key attribute of many, if not all, cortical areas. Previously, we have proposed that the neocortex can be modelled as a hierarchy of memory regions, each of which learns and recalls sequences. This paper proposes how each region of neocortex might learn the sequences necessary for this theory. The basis of the proposal is that all the cells in a cortical column share bottom-up receptive field properties, but individual cells in a column learn to represent unique incidences of the bottom-up receptive field property within different sequences. We discuss the proposal, the biological constraints that led to it and some results modelling it.
Epistatic Interactions betweenOpaque2Transcriptional Activator and Its Target GeneCyPPDK1Control Kernel Trait Variation in Maize
Authors: Manicacci Domenica , Camus-Kulandaivelu Letizia , Fourmann Marie , Arar Chantal , Barrault Stéphanie , Rousselet Agnès , Feminias Noël , Consoli Luciano , Francès Lisa , Méchin Valérie , Murigneux Alain , Prioul Jean-Louis , Charcosset Alain , Damerval Catherine
Published: March 2009

Association genetics is a powerful method to track gene polymorphisms responsible for phenotypic variation, since it takes advantage of existing collections and historical recombination to study the correlation between large genetic diversity and phenotypic variation. We used a collection of 375 maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) inbred lines representative of tropical, American, and European diversity, previously characterized for genome-wide neutral markers and population structure, to investigate the roles of two functionally related candidate genes, Opaque2 and CyPPDK1, on kernel quality traits. Opaque2 encodes a basic leucine zipper transcriptional activator specifically expressed during endosperm development that controls the transcription of many target genes, including CyPPDK1, which encodes a cytosolic pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase. Using statistical models that correct for population structure and individual kinship, Opaque2 polymorphism was found to be strongly associated with variation of the essential amino acid lysine. This effect could be due to the direct role of Opaque2 on either zein transcription, zeins being major storage proteins devoid of lysine, or lysine degradation through the activation of lysine ketoglutarate reductase. Moreover, we found that a polymorphism in the Opaque2 coding sequence and several polymorphisms in the CyPPDK1 promoter nonadditively interact to modify both lysine content and the protein-versus-starch balance, thus revealing the role in quantitative variation in plants of epistatic interactions between a transcriptional activator and one of its target genes.
Allergic hypersensitivity to topical and systemic corticosteroids: a review
Authors: Baeck M. , Marot L. , Nicolas J.‐F. , Pilette C. , Tennstedt D. , Goossens A.
Published: March 2009

Corticosteroids, which are potent anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulator agents used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases including allergic diseases, can in some cases produce immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reactions. This review summarizes the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of such reactions, including related diagnostic issues. It also presents a detailed analysis of the proposed immunological mechanisms including underlying cross‐reactions.
Seasonal dispersal of pests: one surge or two?
Authors: PAULSON M. D. , HOUSTON A. I. , MCNAMARA J. M. , Payne R. J. H.
Published: March 2009

Many agricultural pest species occur in seasonal metapopulations with a period of asexual reproduction. We use evolutionary theory to predict timing of dispersal for such species, and identify four sequential phases: no dispersal, dispersal from initially occupied patches, dispersal from later colonized patches, and no dispersal. The third type of phase occurs only when reproductive rates are relatively high; we speculate that this could explain why among aphids there can be either one or two waves of dispersal during a season, depending on the species. Our model also explains other features of aphid biology, including a summer crash in colony size, and a decline in the number of colonies towards the end of each reproductive season. The presence of an additional surge of dispersal becomes more likely as season length increases, and does not require further evolution. This could have profound implications for pest management during future climatic warming.
Using Case‐parent Triads to Estimate Relative Risks Associated with a Candidate Haplotype
Authors: Shi Min , Umbach David M. , Weinberg Clarice R.
Published: March 2009

Estimating haplotype relative risks in a family‐based study is complicated by phase ambiguity and the many parameters needed to quantify relative risks for all possible diplotypes. This problem becomes manageable if a particular haplotype has been implicated previously as relevant to risk. We fit log‐linear models to estimate the risks associated with a candidate haplotype relative to the aggregate of other haplotypes. Our approach uses existing haplotype‐reconstruction algorithms but requires assumptions about the distribution of haplotypes among triads in the source population. We consider three levels of stringency for those assumptions: Hardy‐Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE), random mating, and no assumptions at all. We assessed our method's performance through simulations encompassing a range of risk haplotype frequencies, missing data patterns, and relative risks for either offspring or maternal genetic effects. The unconstrained model provides robustness to bias from population structure but requires excessively large sample sizes unless there are few haplotypes. Assuming HWE accommodates many more haplotypes but sacrifices robustness. The model assuming random mating is intermediate, both in the number of haplotypes it can handle and in robustness. To illustrate, we reanalyze data from a study of orofacial clefts to investigate a 9‐SNP candidate haplotype of theIRF6gene.