bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequence of limiting amino acids in groundnut protein isolate for the preruminant lamb
Authors: Phillips DD , Walker DM
Published: November 2004

Preruminant male crossbred lambs, aged 2–5 days at the start of the experiment, were used in five experiments to determine the sequence of limiting amino acids in milk replacers containing groundnut protein isolate (GPI) as the sole source of protein. Experiment 1. Eight lambs were each given eight diets in an 8 x 8 change-over design. The diets contained GPI, unsupplemented with amino acids, to provide from 0.10 to 0.45 of the total energy as protein. Experiment 2. Eight lambs were used in two 4 x 4 change-over designs. The protein energy concentration of the diets after supplementation with amino acids was 0.22. In both experimental designs the GPI was supplemented with Met, Lys and Thr as a group in one diet. In experiment 2a each of these amino acids was added singly in successive diets, while in experiment 26 one of the amino acids was omitted in turn from the mixture. Experiment 3. Six lambs were each given six diets based on GPI, supplemented with Met and Lys, at six levels of protein energy (0,100-0.225) in a 6 x 6 change-over design. Experiment 4. Eight lambs were used in an 8 x 8 change-over design. The protein energy concentration of the eight diets was 0.12 after supplementation with a group of amino acids that included Met, Lys, Thr, Val, Leu, Isol, Try and Phe. In successive diets Thr, Val, Leu, Isol, Try and Phe were omitted singly and, in the final diet, these six amino acids were omitted as a group. In experiments 1-4 the dietary periods were of 3 or 4 days. Nitrogen balances were estimated and plasma urea nitrogen concentrations (PUN) measured on the last day of each dietary period. Experiment 5. Six lambs, in two equal groups, were used in a conventional balance experiment, with a 5-day preliminary and a 6 day collection period. One group was given an unsupplemented low protein diet based on GPI, the other group had a similar diet supplemented with Met, Lys and Thr. The protein energy concentration in both diets was 0.10. The sequence of limiting amino acids in GPI (based on a 1 day nitrogen balance) was Met, Lys (equally first limiting at a protein energy concentration of 0.22), Thr, Try (equally third limiting at a protein energy concentration of 0.12). A 1-day nitrogen balance (or urinary urea nitrogen excretion in experiment 4) was a more sensitive indicator of the protein quality of a diet than PUN concentrations. The 1 day collection period gave a similar estimate of nitrogen balance to that determined in the conventional 6 day balance experiment.
The intake, digestibility and utilization of a low-quality roughage by Brahman cross, buffalo, banteng and Shorthorn steers
Authors: Moran JB , Norton BW , Nolan JV
Published: November 2004

The intake, digestibility and utilization of a low quality (0.8% nitrogen) sorghum hay was studied in Brahman cross, buffalo, banteng and Shorthorn steers. Comparisons of diet utilization were made after data were adjusted for differences in liveweight and feed intake. There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) between species in voluntary feed intake, faecal excretion of organic matter, cellulose and energy, and urinary excretion of nitrogen, phosphorus and energy. Utilization of water was least efficient in the buffaloes and most efficient in the banteng. The concentrations of ammonia and volatile fatty acids in the rumens of Brahman crosses, buffaloes and bantengs were similar, but the Brahman crosses had a higher proportion of butyric and a lower proportion of propionic acid than the other two species. The bantengs had a smaller rumen fluid volume and a slower rumen fluid flow rate but all three species had similar mean marker residence times in the rumen. The results from this experiment support the view that there are few differences between cattle species in their ability to digest and utilize a low quality roughage when comparisons are made between animals of similar liveweight and feed intake.
Lupinus albus cv. Ultra and Lupinus angustifolius cv. Unicrop as protein concentrates for growing pigs
Authors: Batterham ES
Published: November 2004

Lupinus albus cv. Ultra and Lupinus angustifolius cv. Unicrop were evaluated relative to soybean meal as sole protein concentrates in wheat-based diets for growing pigs. To ensure that this comparison was on an equal protein and lysine basis, small amounts of free lysine were added to the lupin diets. The digestible energy contents of the soybean, Ultra and Unicrop meals were 15.2, 15.0 and 15.3 MJ/kg (air-dry basis) respectively. The performances of pigs fed on diets based on the Unicrop and soybean meals were similar in all parameters, except that the Unicrop diet resulted in a significantly lower dressing percentage (P < 0.01) and a slightly higher feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) when calculated on a carcass basis. Pigs fed on Ultra lupins showed significantly lower (P < 0.05) growth rates and significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratios during the 20–45 kg growth phase; and significantly lower carcass gains (P < 0.01) and higher feed conversion ratios on a carcass basis (P < 0.05) during the 20–80 kg growth phase. The dressing percentage of pigs fed on Ultra lupins was similar to that of those fed on Unicrop lupins and significantly lower than for pigs fed on soybean meal (P < 0.01). The Ultra lupins contained 3750 ppm manganese, and this may have contributed to the depressed performance of pigs on Ultra meal.
Secretion and absorption of phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract of sheep fed on four diets
Authors: Poppi DP , Ternouth JH
Published: November 2004

The effects of three phosphorus supplements on the metabolism of phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract of sheep were examined. One group of sheep was fed on a low phosphorus (P-L) diet and three other groups on diets supplemented with monosodium orthophosphate (P-MSOP), meat and bone meal (P-MBM) or bran (P-ORG). The total phosphorus (TP), ultrafilterable phosphorus (UP) and nucleic acid phosphorus (NP) in the digesta were measured. There was a large net secretion of phosphorus into the rumen and the first quarter of the small intestine, and net absorption from the remainder of the small intestine of all sheep. The relative concentration of phosphorus in the omasum suggested considerable omasal secretion and a subsequent abomasal absorption of phosphorus, but this was considered to be largely an artefact. There were no consistent differences between diets in the net secretion and absorption of TP at sites along the gastrointestinal tract. Sheep fed on the P-L diet secreted more phosphorus per unit of phosphorus intake than sheep on the other diets. Most UP was present in the abomasum and cranial small intestine where the pH was lowest. The concentration of UP fell precipitously in the small intestine, which suggested that this was the major form of phosphorus absorbed and that there was a high degree of complex formation at the higher pH. The concentration of NP was relatively constant, and the lowest NP/TP ratios were found in the cranial small intestine. NP formed in the rumen was mainly degraded in the cranial small intestine. NP represented half the TP in the colon of sheep fed on diet P-L. The results indicate that the form of phosphorus supplement did not influence phosphorus metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract.
Biocrystallization of mineral material on forage plant cell walls
Authors: McManus WR , Anthony RG , Grout LL , Malin AS , Robinson VNE
Published: November 2004

Seventeen mature roughage plant materials (10 grasses, 7 legumes) were chemically analysed for cell wall content and other fractions. The nature and distribution of the less soluble mineral depositions found on structural elements of the mature plants was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and electron optical techniques. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis of the ash fractions of the dry matter (DM), cell wall (cw) and acid detergent matter (ADM) of five grasses, and of the DM of three legumes, the cw of five legumes and the ADM of two legumes, showed the plant structures examined to be highly mineralized. DM, cw and ADM fractions showed different patterns of mineralization. Within each chemical fraction fibres had elemental compositions similar to those found in general fields of the same fraction. This suggests that a general pattern of mineral deposition occurs during plant growth. Cell wall ash fractions of both grasses and legumes were shown to be relatively high in calcium and phosphorus and, in the case of grasses, silicon. Following acid detergent extraction, there was a major increase in the amount of silicon underlying the calcium and phosphorus-rich (and, in grasses, silicon-rich) hemicellulose fraction. Examination of the cellulose fibre matter of lucerne and of wheat straw after potassium permanganate extraction but not ashing showed silicon to be the dominant element in the external layer. Eight plant roughages, yielding 20 specimen fractions (cw, ADM, lignin) were examined by X-ray diffraction. Four plant cw materials were examined by transmission electron microscopy. At least two crystalline forms of calcium and phosphorus, hydroxylapatite and Whitlockite, were shown to exist in cw ash. α-Quartz, in rod and tube-like structures, was also identified in cw ash and ADM ash. These findings are discussed in terms of the concept of the plant as a solar still.
The effects of sheep treading and grazing on pasture and soil characteristics of irrigated annual pastures
Authors: Witschi PA , Michalk DL
Published: November 2004

The two experiments reported examined the effects of sheep treading on pasture growth and soil characteristics on autumn-irrigated subterranean clover-Wimmera ryegrass pastures and their subsequent influence on winter production. Treading only (experiment 1) increased the bulk density of soil by 40% as the stocking rate increased from 0 to 39.2 sheep ha-1. This caused a 33% reduction in late winter production (July), the decline (675 kg ha-1) being due mainly to a reduction in the proportion of ryegrass in the pasture. The combined impacts of treading and grazing (experiment 2) proved more detrimental to subsequent pasture recovery. At the July measurement, treading reduced production by 20% when the stocking rate was increased from 0 to 19.6 sheep ha-1, while the combined effect produced a 58% loss in yield. In addition to stocking rate, the length of the pre-grazing establishment period proved critical, with greater compaction evident in plots stocked 24 h after irrigation. This compaction affected the botanical composition, significantly more ryegrass being present in compacted plots, although increased tillering was encouraged by intense defoliation at high stocking rates which intensified this effect.
Embryo transfer in the Angora goat
Authors: Moore NW , Eppleston J
Published: November 2004

A total of 711 embryos was collected from 121 Angora does mated to Angora bucks. They were transferred to 667 feral recipient does, of which 361 kidded, producing 378 kids. Donors were treated with 36, 40 or 45 mg of an equine anterior pituitary extract (HAP) or 1500 i.u. pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) given at the end of a period of progesterone treatment (12 mg/day by intramuscular injection), while the recipients were either untreated, or their time of oestrus was controlled by progestagen-impregnated intravaginal pessaries or by the prostaglandin analogue 'Estrumate' (I.C.I.). All 121 donors exhibited oestrus after treatment, and 104 (86%) were in oestrus 48–60 h after the final injection of progesterone. Donors were naturally mated by allowing them free access to bucks, hand-mated at 12-h intervals, surgically inseminated into the uterus, or inseminated into the cervix; and in does treated with HAP the proportion of recovered eggs fertilized were respectively 88, 79, 65 and 32%. Seven does received PMSG. They were all hand-mated, and 46% of eggs recovered were fertilized. The mean numbers of corpora lutea in does treated with HAP and PMSG were 10.4 ± 0.9 and 13.7 ± 2.2, and it is suggested that the low rate of fertilization following PMSG was due to an excessive ovulatory response. Treatment with pessaries and Estrumate effectively controlled the time of oestrus in recipients and, overall, there was little difference between the proportions of treated and untreated recipients which kidded (58 v. 50% recipients kidded). Embryos were recovered from donors 3½–5½ days after they were first observed in oestrus, and they were transferred to recipients first observed in oestrus 48 h before to 48 h after their respective donors. The kidding rate of does which received day 3½ embryos was less than that of those which received older embryos (28 v. 55%), but the degree of asynchrony between respective donors and recipients had no effect upon survival.
The influence of the lucerne bud mite (Eriophyes medicaginis Keifer) on the growth of annual and perennial Medicago species
Authors: Ridland PM , Halloran GM
Published: November 2004

Studies were made of the influence of E. medicaginis on the growth of 11 wild or cultivated lines of perennial Medicago, embracing seven species, and one cultivar of each of the annual species M. littoralis and M. truncatula. Mite infestation of the perennial species caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in shoot dry weight of six of the 11 lines. It did not significantly influence leaf number and generally did not reduce stem length. However, it caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in petiole length in most of the lines. Mite infestation of annual species caused highly significant (P < 0.01) reductions in shoot dry weight and produced leaf symptoms similar to some of those observed on the perennial species. Mites reproduced on all species, but to a greater extent on the perennials than the annuals. There were no significant differences in either mite or egg numbers per seedling amongst the perennial species, 26 days after infestation with 10 mites per seedling. The occurrence of symptomless plants bearing high mite numbers amongst the perennial species, M. coerulea, M. falcata, M. glutinosa, M. hemicycla and M. quasifalcata, suggested the presence of physiological tolerance to the mite within these species.
Formaldehyde treatment of concentrate diets for sheep. III.* Absorption of amino acids from the small intestine
Authors: Faichney GJ , White GA
Published: November 2004

The effects of formaldehyde treatment of barley/soybean meal diets on the flow of amino acids to the small intestine, their release and absorption there, and their levels in jugular plasma were studied at four protein levels in fistulated crossbred sheep.
There were substantial losses of amino acids during passage through the stomach at the highest protein level which were prevented by formaldehyde treatment; the net gains of amino acids observed with the lower protein diets were enhanced by treatment. There were no statistically significant effects of treatment on the proportions of the individual amino acids apparently absorbed in the small intestine, but a tendency for the values to decrease for the highest protein diet suggested that this diet was overtreated. This was confirmed by calculation of the true digestibilities in the small intestine: the true digestibility of true protein in the small intestine was 0.74 for the treated high protein diet and 0.81 for all the other diets. Of the individual amino acids, only lysine was adversely affected by treatment; however, despite reduced intakes, the net absorption of lysine was equal to or greater than that achieved with the untreated diets at all but the lowest protein level. Formaldehyde treatment was associated with substantial increases in the concentration of ε-N-methyl-lysine in plasma. As the amount of protein absorbed from the small intestine increased to about 110 g/day, the concentrations in plasma of the amino acids normally present in protein declined to a minimum or remained steady; thereafter, except for lysine, the concentrations increased.

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*Part II, Aust. J. Agric. Res. 28: 1069 (1977).
The effect of pre- and post-natal nutrition on the growth of beef cattle. 2. The effect of severe restriction in early post-natal life on growth and feed efficiency during recovery
Authors: Tudor GD , O'Rourke PK
Published: November 2004

The growth of Hereford calves, from dams fed on either a submaintenance or an above-maintenance diet over the last trimester of pregnancy, was controlled from 4 to 200 days of age. During a subsequent period they were either held in yards on a high quality ration and fed to appetite or allowed to graze pasture. The influence of restricted growth commencing on the fourth day after birth on subsequent liveweight gain and feed efficiency was studied. Restricted nutrition for c. 200 days (mean gain 0.05 kg day-1) did not impair the capacity of the calf to resume normal growth when grazing or when fed on a high quality ration. Calves that had been restricted and allowed to recover in yards did not demonstrate compensatory growth, although they did exhibit growth rates (0.87 kgday-1) equivalent to those of the unrestricted controls (0.90 kg day-1). Calves that had been restricted and allowed to recover on pasture grew faster (0.50 kg day-1) than unrestricted controls also finished on pasture (0.36 kg day-1). During the recovery period, restricted calves were more efficient in converting food into liveweight gain than unrestricted calves. However, when compared over the same liveweight range, this trend was not apparent.
The effect of pre- and post-natal nutrition on the growth of beef cattle. 3. The effect of severe restriction in early post-natal life on the development of the body components and chemical composition
Authors: Tudor GD , Utting DW , O'Rourke PK
Published: November 2004

The effects of restricted growth of cattle both before and after birth, of the method of their realimentation, and of sex on (1) body and carcass composition, (2) the weights of visceral components, (3) the weights of selected individual muscles and bones, and (4) the heights of the animals at the withers and pelvis were ascertained. Castrate male and entire female cattle were slaughtered when their liveweights reached 400 and 370 kg respectively. Other male and female calves were slaughtered at 200 days of age following a controlled feeding period on either a high or a low plane diet. Although pre-natal nutrition significantly (P < 0.05) affected the height of the calves at 3 days of age, it had no lasting effect on this or other components. When adjusted to the same empty body weight or carcass weight, animals restricted in growth then intensively realimented had (P < 0.01) more fat and less protein, water and ash than animals unrestricted in growth and later fed intensively. Animals finished on pasture had (P < 0.01) less fat and more protein, water and ash than the intensively finished calves, but their composition was unaffected by the controlled feeding treatments. Significant differences (P < 0.01) between restricted and unrestricted animals in the percentage water or protein in the fat-free mass at the end of the controlled feeding period were eliminated when the animals had recovered. The weights of visceral components, individual muscles and bones were not influenced by the level of nutrition during the controlled feeding period. Animals finished on pasture had (P < 0.01) more blood, heavier livers, heavier individual muscles and bones than the intensively finished animals. They also had (P < 0.01) lighter fasted liveweight, empty body weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage and heavier wet rumen-reticulum contents than the intensively finished cattle. Although the pasture finished animals were (P < 0.01) shorter at 200 and 300 days of age than the intensively finished animals, they were (P < 0.01) taller just prior to slaughter. It is suggested that meat-producing animals can overcome restrictions imposed on growth immediately after birth to attain marketable weight on either pasture or intensive feeding.
The effect of water restriction on some physiological responses of steers during enforced exercise in a warm environment
Authors: Schmidt PJ , Yeates NTM , Murray DM
Published: November 2004

Two groups of steers, accustomed to drinking either once daily in the afternoon every other day or twice daily, were subjected to enforced exercise in a warm environment for four consecutive days. Animals in the restricted watering group were exercised both 42 h (days 1 and 3) and 18 h (days 2 and 4) after having access to water. Control animals watered twice daily commenced exercise 2 h after watering on all four days. On days 1 and 3, the restricted group exhibited higher rectal temperatures and lower respiratory rates with exercise than the control group. On days 2 and 4, restricted animals displayed both lower rectal temperatures and respiratory rates than control animals. Measurements of sweating rate and feed intake are reported. These data suggest that neither evaporative heat loss from the skin nor body heat production was implicated in the lower rectal temperature response of restricted animals on days 2 and 4. It is suggested that the lower rectal temperatures of restricted animals during exercise on days 2 and 4 may be related to their greater water intakes at the afternoon watering on days 1 and 3.
Acid phosphatase activity of intact roots and phosphorus nutrition in plants. 1. Assay conditions and phosphatase activity
Authors: McLachlan KD
Published: November 2004

This veries sets out to investigate the possibility of developing root phosphatase activity as an indicator of plant efficiency in obtaining phosphorus from low phosphorus situations. This paper examines the effect of substrate pH, temperature, reaction time, microbial contamination and phosphorus nutrition on the expression of phosphatase activity of plant roots. Rye, wheat, buckwheat and subterranean clover plants have been used. Phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.4.1) activity measured by p-nitrophenyl phosphate (PNPP) assay was essentially the activity of the plant root. Increased acidity in the substrate, on its own, did not hydrolyse PNPP nor did microbial contamination significantly affect the plant value. Temperature and reaction time were positively related to the assay value, least variation in assay values occurring with substrate temperatures of 20�C and reaction times of 60-120 min. Optimum pH for phosphatase activity lay in the range pH 5-6. Deficient plants had greater activities than sufficient ones. There was no evidence of alkaline phosphatase activity with phosphorus deficiency. In wheat, the phosphatase activity increased within the first 4 days of plants being deprived of phosphorus and reached its peak in 8 days. Some of the phosphatase was soluble, but most was associated with the root itself. There was evidence that it could be strongly adsorbed on cellulose nitrate filters.
Growth, yield components and seed composition of two soybean cultivars as affected by manganese supply
Authors: Heenan DP , Campbell LC
Published: November 2004

The influence of manganese nutrition on growth and yield of two soybean cultivars (Lee and Bragg) was studied in sand culture. Increasing the manganese concentration from 1.0�M to 275�M reduced vegetative growth and grain yield in both cultivars, the reduction being greater for Bragg than for Lee. The reduction in grain yield at high manganese levels resulted mainly from a reduced individual seed weight and a lower number of pods, with a slight reduction in the number of fertile nodes. There was no effect of high manganese supply on oil and protein levels or on the germination percentage of harvested seed. Manganese deficiency reduced vegetative growth, advanced flower initiation and pod formation, and decreased the grain yields of both cultivars. The reduced seed yield was mainly due to a reduction in the number of pods per plant and the individual seed weight. Manganese deficiency also reduced the concentration of oil in the seeds, but there was no effect on seed protein level or on the germination percentage cf harvested seed. Seed manganese concentration increased with the supply of the nutrient, but no difference in concentration was found between the two cultivars.
The influence of odour and taste on the food preferences and food intake of sheep
Authors: Arnold GW , Boer ESde , Boundy CAP
Published: November 2004

The responses of sheep to the odour and/or taste of a range of naturally occurring chemical compounds were examined in five experiments. Thirty-two odours were tested as contaminants of a chaffed hay ration. Only six odours significantly influenced feeding behaviour over 72 h. There was evidence of adaptation to odour because the sheep lost an initial dislike for four odours (cedarwood oil, tannic acid, propionic acid and amyl alcohol), and developed a liking for butyric acid. The odours of five substances were disliked throughout the 72 h test period (glycine, wintergreen oil, peppermint oil, aniseed oil, 5-hexene-1-ol). The voluntary food intake of hay by normal sheep was significantly increased by the odour of butyric acid and amyl acetate, and depressed by the odour of coumarin and glycine, whilst that of anosmic sheep was unaffected. The responses to the taste of different concentrations of 13 compounds in solution was studied in two test systems. The overall ranking of substances was similar for both systems. Water was preferred to solutions of acetic, citric, quinic, malonic, succinic and aconitic acids at concentrations above 0.5% and of tannic acid above 0.05 %. Sheep appeared to show a marked liking for citric, malonic and quinic acids at certain concentrations. Odour of solutions influenced the preferences of three substances. Anosmic sheep generally had much higher solute intakes than normal or agustatory sheep. Small quantities (1.5 to 5.0 % of the dry matter) of eight chemical constituents of herbage plants were added separately to a cocksfoot hay. None of them increased food intake, and significant depressions in intake were obtained with 1 .5 % coumarin, 1.0 % gramine and 5.0 % tannic acid, 1.5 % malonic acid and 2% glycine. Sheep that were both anosmic and agustatory were affected in the same way as normal sheep, which showed that sensory stimuli were not involved. In vitvo digestibility was drastically depressed by tannic acid and gramine, slightly by coumarin, but was unaffected by the other contaminants. The possible effects of these compounds on the rumen and general tissue metabolism of sheep are discussed. The five substances that reduced intakes in the above experiment were fed to normal, anosmic, agustatory, and asensory (both anosmic and agustatory) sheep at four concentrations. The intake of anosmic sheep was higher for all compounds but only tannic acid and gramine reduced intake in all types of sheep, increasingly so with increasing concentration.
Spikelet development and grain yield of the wheat ear in response to applied nitrogen
Authors: Whingwiri EE , Kemp DR
Published: November 2004

Wheat plants in an irrigated field crop were fertilized with 0 (N0), 3 (N3), 10 (N10) or 30 (N30) kg nitrogen ha-1 week-1 for 10 weeks, commencing 12 days after sowing, till the flag leaf reached maturity. Nitrogen significantly increased tiller numbers, dry matter and grain yields per plant. Maximum plant size resulted from the N30 treatment, but maximum grain yields per plant from the N10 treatment. Total spikelet numbers increased with increasing nitrogen supply up to the N30 treatment, and this was due to increased rates of spikelet primordia production. Nitrogen treatments had almost no effect on the duration of spikelet primordium formation. Only two ear-bearing tillers were produced in the N10 and N30 treatments, and none in the others. Tiller apices had a similar, or in the case of the second tiller of N30 plants a 29% higher, rate of spikelet primordia formation to that of the associated main shoot, and all apices formed terminal spikelets at a similar time. The second tiller did not initiate primordia production until 25% of final spikelet numbers were present on the main shoot apex. The higher grain yield per plant in the N10 than in the N30 treatment was due largely to more grains per fertile spikelet on the tillers of N10 plants. It was speculated that the poorer performance of tillers on N30 plants was due to mutual shading of shoots and/or poorer nitrogen nutrition of the tiller apices owing to the method of nitrogen application. It was concluded that nitrogen supply affected grain yield per ear more by influencing the ability of florets to set grain than by varying spikelet number.
Methods of rhizobial inoculation and sowing techniques for Trifolium subterraneum L. establishment in a harsh winter environment
Authors: Hely FW , Hutchings RJ , Zorin M
Published: November 2004

Placement of Rhizobium trifolii by vertical band spraying of commercial inoculant in suspension with adsorbing clay and fine lime in the soil, above the fertilizer and below the seed of Trifolium subterraneum L., resulted in better seedling nodulation and establishment on low-fertility problem soils over a wide range of soil moisture conditions, when compared with conventional drill-sowing of inoculated, lime-coated seed. Spray inoculation was especially effective in areas where low winter temperature put substantial stress on development of the symbiotic associations. Seed pelleting required favourable soil moisture to permit movement of the bacteria from the pellet to the rhizosphere. The combination of banded spray inoculation with fungicidal seed dusting significantly increased both the numbers and size of nitrogen-fixing nodules on seedlings, and also young plant growth and winter survival. It is concluded that this technique of simultaneous fertilizer application, seed-bed inoculation and sowing of fungicide-dressed seeds greatly increases the options available in commercial practice, particularly in the harsh winter climate of the Southern Tablelands region of New South Wales.
Effect of aluminium on growth and nutrient uptake of cabbage, lettuce and kikuyu grass in nutrient solution
Authors: Huett DO , Menary RC
Published: November 2004

Some of the interactions between low pH, aluminium and calcium were reflected in the growth and nutrient uptake response of cabbage, lettuce and kikuyu in nutrient solution. Kikuyu growth, in contrast to cabbage and lettuce, was relatively unaffected by aluminium excess and a pH reduction from 4.6 to 4.0 in solution. The tolerance of kikuyu to aluminium was not associated with lower aluminium concentrations in roots, but with markedly lower concentrations in tops. Cation uptake by roots and tops of all species was reduced in the presence of aluminium or at pH 4.0. Aluminium concentration In roots was higher at pH 4.6 than 4.0, consistent with a lowering of net charge density of aluminium ions as pH is increased. The aluminium concentration in tops was higher at the lower pH. When 0.5 mM calcium (control level) was used in the culture solution, the concentration of calcium was markedly lower and that of magnesium was markedly higher in kikuyu as compared with cabbage and lettuce. When 12.5 mM calcium was used at pH 4.6 in the absence of aluminium, the root yield of cabbage and lettuce was greater and the top yield of kikuyu was lower than the control. This latter treatment overcame the inhibitory effect of aluminium on the yield of cabbage and lettuce roots and the yield of cabbage tops. The 12.5 mM calcium treatment had no effect on aluminium concentration in roots, but reduced the concentration in tops for all species. The magnesium concentration in roots and tops was similarly reduced. Aluminium caused an increase in the concentration of phosphorus in roots of cabbage and kikuyu, but had no consistent effect on the concentration in tops.
Factors affecting the growth of Pennisetum purpureum in the wet tropics. II. Uninterrupted growth
Authors: Ferraris R , Sinclair DF
Published: November 2004

Six plantings of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) were made at 2-monthly intervals in the wet tropics of Queensland and grown for 6 months, ratooned and grown for a further 6 months. Yields of crop fractions were taken at monthly intervals. Dry matter yield attributes were all positively and significantly correlated with each other, and negatively correlated with nitrogen and phosphorus percentages. Stem height was strongly associated with total and stem dry matter yields. Time trends in dry matter yields could be well described by logistic growth curves. It was found that dry matter yields were linearly and significantly related to crop age, degree days, radiation receipt, energy-degree days, cumulative evapotranspiration and moisture stress-free days. The crop was well adapted to the environment and could be grown and harvested year-round for agro-industrial purposes.
Changes in pasture and animal production resulting from the use of windbreaks
Authors: Lynch JJ , Donnelly JB
Published: November 2004

The effect of windbreaks was studied in an experiment in which sheep were grazed continuously at 15, 30 and 37.5 ha-1 for five years. The paddocks were either square or rectangular in shape with fences of sheet iron or wire. In the square paddocks the sheet iron fences acted as a windbreak providing protection for plants and animals. In the first two years when rainfall was well below average, sheep in sheltered paddocks at 37.5 sheep ha-1 had marginally higher production than sheep in the other treatments, while at 15 sheep ha-L the productivity of the sheltered sheep was markedly higher. During the remaining three years, there were no large differences between treatments in herbage or animal production at the lowest stocking rate, while at the highest stocking rate sheep in sheltered paddocks had substantially higher production than those in unsheltered treatments. At 30 sheep ha-1 there was also increased plant and animal productivity from sheltered paddocks during the last two years of the experiment. This experiment is one of the first to show the effect of a windbreak on grazed pastures. The results indicate that shelter may have an important place in increasing pasture and animal production in the temperate areas of Australia.
The utilization of spear grass (Heteropogon contortus). IV. The nature and flow of digesta in cattle fed on spear grass alone and with protein or nitrogen or sulfur
Authors: Hunter RA , Siebert BD
Published: November 2004

Digestion studies were carried out with steers fed on low quality spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) alone and supplemented with either urea and sulfur or cottonseed meal. Urea and sulfur were administered by continuous infusion and cottonseed meal by direct addition to the rumen once daily. Supplementation with either non-protein nitrogen or true protein resulted in a significant increase in digestible organic matter intake without any apparent change in the apparent digestibility of the diet. Digestible organic matter intakes were 1.48, 1.88 and 2.28 kg day for spear grass, spear grass plus urea and sulfur and spear grass plus cottonseed meal respectively. On all diets there was a net gain of nitrogen in the stomach, highlighting the role of recycled nitrogen in the digestion of low quality feedstuffs. Thirty-five g of non-amonia nitrogen per day (2.7 g/100 g organic matter digested in the stomach) reached the intestine when the diet was spear grass alone, 46 g (3.0 g/100 g dry organic matter) when the supplement was urea and 72 g (3.8 g/100 g) when the supplement was cottonseed meal. The result demonstrates the limitations of supplements of urea in improving the nitrogen status of animals fed on a basal diet of low quality (low energy) roughage.
The effect of three different growth rates on feed utilization of cattle
Authors: Murray DM
Published: November 2004

This paper describes the effect of three different growth rates from 300 to 440 kg liveweight on feed utilization of Angus steers. The growth rates studied were high (H, 0.8 kg/d), low (L, 0.4 kg/d) and high-maintenance (HM, 0.8 kg/d, followed by a period during which liveweight was held constant). Animals were offered a variable amount of a pelleted concentrate ration, together with a fixed amount (0.9 kg) of oaten straw daily. The DM intakes of both dietary components were related to a number of different indices of animal performance. Differences between treatments were found in DM intake per unit liveweight gain (H < L < HM), empty body weight gain (H < L, HM) and carcass weight gain (H < L, HM). DM utilization was similar in the three treatments, however, when carcass gains were corrected to a common level (18 %) of dissectible fat in the carcass. Carcass energy gains were calculated from the results of chemical analyses and related to DM intake. DM was converted to carcass energy more efficiently in the H than in either the L or HM treatments. An analysis of dietary protein utilization showed that the efficiency of carcass protein storage in the three treatments was similar.
Barley grass as a source of pathogenic variation in Rhynchosporium secalis
Authors: Ali SM
Published: November 2004

The pathogenic variability of 150 isolates of Rhynchospovium secalis collected in southern Australia was examined on 20 biotypes of barley grass (Hordeum lepovinum). The isolates were differentiated into 20 pathotypes on the basis of the reactions of the barley grass. The genetic basis of resistance and susceptibility of barley grass to R. secalis was determined from F2 progeny of crosses among three resistant and two susceptible biotypes of barley grass. The resistance genes identified were all dominant.
Maize stripe disease in Australia
Authors: Greber RS
Published: November 2004

Maize stripe disease occurs commonly in maize and sweet corn (Zea mays L.) crops of coastal Queensland. Other natural hosts include wild sorghum (S. verticilliflorum (Steud.) Stapf), Johnson grass (S. halepense (L.) Pers.), Sudan grass (S. sudanense (Piper) Stapf) and S. sudanense x S. bicolor hybrids. Additional experimental hosts were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), triticale (x Triticosecale) and teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana Schrad.). After an incubation period of c. 10 days, Peregrinus maidis (Ashm.) transmitted the disease for up to 22 days. Minimum acquisition time was below 4 h, minimum transmission feed time less than 1 h and 24 % of individuals transmitted after 48 h acquisition. A purification procedure used chloroform clarification, polyethylene glycol precipitation and then a sucrose gradient separation in which two and sometimes three bands were located. A specific antiserum was produced and reacted like an East African antiserum. It produced two lines in gel-diffusion serology with partially purified preparations, one of which was confluent with the line from infective sap. No virus-like structures were consistently found in sap or thin sections of diseased plants or insects.
Corrigendum - Effects of watering technique and pot size on response of soybean cultivars to applied zinc
Authors: Hunter MN , Byth DE , Edwards DG , Asher CJ
Published: November 2004

Effects of two watering techniques and three pot sizes on the growth of two soybean cultivars in a soil (vertisol) of low zinc status were studied in the glasshouse. Plants responded more to applied zinc when supplied with a constant water table (cwT) than when irrigated by the more common watering-to-weight method. The cwT technique accentuated zinc response through stimulation of growth in plants supplied with zinc, not because of intensified zinc deficiency. Nodule production was also greater in cwT-treated plants than in plants regularly watered to weight. Experimental precision was not significantly different in three experiments, despite differences between them in soil quantity per pot (1500, 750 and 375 g) and plants per pot (three, two or one). The advantages of the c w ~ system, and its use with a single plant growing in 375 g of soil as the test unit, are discussed in relation to screening soybeans for reaction to zinc deficiency.
Growth and carcass characteristics of crossbred and straightbred Hereford steers. I. Post-weaning growth
Authors: Thompson JM , Barlow R , Johnston B , Nicholls PJ
Published: November 2004

Post-weaning growth characteristics were examined in 28 Hereford, 27 Brahman x Hereford, 23 Simmental x Hereford and 26 Friesian x Hereford steers which were grazed on pasture in a central coastal environment at Paterson, N.S.W. Sixty-seven steers from a 1973 calving were allocated to three groups to be slaughtered when the mean liveweights of the Herefords were approximately 270, 370 and 470 kg. Thirty-seven steers from a 1974 calving were allocated to two groups to be slaughtered when the average liveweights of the Herefords were 470 and 570 kg. Average daily liveweight gains of the crossbred steers were greater (average 19%) than the Hereford steers from weaning to the four slaughter weights (P < 0.05). Of the crossbreds, the Brahman cross steers grew faster than the Simmental cross steers (P < O.05), although the difference was not significant at the highest slaughter weight. The growth advantage of the crossbreds was mainly realized in the periods of slow growth (mean growth rate of 320 g/day) during the late summer, autumn and winter months. During these periods the Brahman cross steers grew faster than the Herefords by an average of 89% (P < 0.05) and the Simmental and Friesian cross steers grew 39% faster than the Herefords (P < 0.05). In the periods of fast growth (mean growth rate of 667 g/day), during the spring and early summer months, there was no significant difference between the sire breeds in growth rate (P > 0.05).
Grain yield responses to applied gibberellin in normal-height and semi-dwarf wheats
Authors: Rahman MS , Flood RG , Halloran GM
Published: November 2004

Yield responses to applied gibberellic acid (GA3) were measured in four normal-height (gibberellin-sensitive) and three semi-dwarf (gibberellin-insensitive) wheats (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.). Application was made to the head and leaves of the primary tiller separately at heading and jointly at heading and anthesis. The general effect of applied GA3was to decrease grain yield per head, mainly by decreasing the grain number. Increased yield was, however, obtained with two normal-height wheats due to increased grain number, when GA3was applied to the leaves alone at heading and jointly to the leaves and head at anthesis. There was a general decrease in the mean grain size of semi-dwarf wheats with all applications, while the response of the normal-height wheats ranged from little change to a significant increase. Thus distinct group differences between normal-height and semidwarf wheats in yield response were not apparent.
Selenium concentration in the blood of ruminants grazing in Northern New South Wales. 2. Relationship with geological, pedological and other variables
Authors: Langlands JP , Bowles JE , Smith AJ , Donald GE
Published: November 2004

Selenium concentrations in blood from cattle from 794 farms in northern New South Wales were classified on the basis of underlying parent material, soil type, altitude and rainfall. Blood selenium concentrations declined from west to east, and with increasing rainfall and altitude; low concentrations were particularly evident on both acid and basic igneous rocks. There were significant differences between basalts in different locations and between particular plutonic bodies. Cattle grazing on soils with contrasting and gradational profiles generally had lower selenium concentrations than those grazing on soils with uniform profiles. Podzolic soils and chocolate-prairie and kraznozem-chocolate soil associations were present in areas with low blood selenium concentrations.
The influence of weather on the quality of tropical legume pasture during the dry season in Northern Australia. II. Moulding of standing hay in relation to rain and dew
Authors: McCown RL , Wall BH
Published: November 2004

Naturally desiccated legume pasture is valuable forage in the dry season but is very vulnerable to moulding, which drastically reduces its acceptability to cattle. At a network of sites in the wet-dry tropics of Australia, trends in mouldiness of standard leaf 'litter' samples were monitored in relation to rain, dew, and rates of drying. Although heavy dews occurred frequently at some sites, only the immediate top layer of fallen leaf moulded. This had a very small effect on the mouldiness of the bulk sample. Appreciable moulding occurred only after at least 2 mm rain, but in some cases there was no mould growth after over 10 mm rain; the amount of rain accounted for only 23 % of the variation in mouldiness. The duration of wetness of the leaf litter, as indicated by the duration of 95 % relative humidity 10 cm above the ground after rain, accounted for 91 % of the variation in mouldiness. At the more humid sites, material which was exposed for several weeks before rain moulded more rapidly after rain than did recently exposed material, even though at the time of rain there were no visible differences. Differences in causation of moulding of conventional hay and of 'standing hay' are discussed.
The importance of ammonia in proteinaceous attractants for fruit flies (Family: Tephritidae)
Authors: Bateman MA , Morton TC
Published: November 2004

The responses of the Queensland fruit fly to food-based lures were studied, with particular emphasis on the importance of ammonia as an attractant or repellent. Certain solutions of ammonium bicarbonate were found to be highly effective attractants for the Queensland fruit fly, provided they were tested in traps in which the retention of the flies did not depend on their contacting the bait solution. The attractancies of such solutions were found to be strongly dependent on concentration and pH, and mean attractancies more than five times that of the commercial protein hydrolysate used as a standard were obtained. Highest attractancies were associated with ammonia evolution rates in the region 5-25 �l ammonia (s.t.p.) h-1 100 ml-1 of solution; rates above 400 �1 ammonia (s.t.p.) h-1 100 ml-1 appeared to be repellent. The addition of a mixture of amino acids to the ammonium bicarbonate solutions under these trap conditions had no significant effect on their attractancy; but the addition of the standard protein hydrolysate to a 0.001 M solution of ammonium bicarbonate, with pH adjusted to 8.5, produced an outstandingly effective lure, with a mean attractancy almost nine times as great as the standard hydrolysate alone at its normal pH of 4.8. Subsequent experiments showed that simply raising the pH of the standard protein hydrolysate to 8.5 caused a similar high attractancy, which could be due in part to the marked rise in ammonia production from endogenous sources. Protein hydrolysate solutions showed pronounced increases in both ammonia production and fruit fly attractancy when microorganisms were allowed to flourish. No such increases occurred when the microorganisms were inhibited with a preservative. Evidence is also presented which indicates that carbon dioxide is mildly repellent to the Queensland fruit fly.