bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of type of rootstock on yields of Carina grapevines (Vitis vinifera) and levels of citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb)
Authors: Edwards M
Published: March 2005

Carina grapevines grafted to the rootstocks Ramsey, Harmony, Schwarzmann, K51-32, 5BB Kober, or Richter 110 were compared with their own roots for resistance or tolerance to the citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb). Ramsey was the only rootstock of those studied which was considered resistant to the citrus nematode in the field situation. Low numbers of citrus nematode were found on or near the roots (<254 larvae/500 g soil). Ramsey can also be considered to be tolerant to the citrus nematode as Carina vines on Ramsey rootstock had the highest yield over a 3-year period (30.7-38.8 kg fresh fruit/vine). While Harmony was not resistant, having large numbers of citrus nematodes on and about the roots (947-4919 larva/500 g soil), Carina vines on Harmony yielded well in this trial (25.0-28.3 kg fresh fruit/vine), suggesting tolerance to the citrus nematode. All other rootstocks and own rooted vines maintained similar levels of citrus nematodes. However, grafted vines produced higher yields than vines on own roots. This could be due to tolerance to the citrus nematode, or to rootstocks inferring greater root density or inherent vigour than own rooted Carina grapevines. Thus, in field situations, where citrus nematodes are known to be high, Ramsey rootstock gives the best yield and, because of its resistance to the citrus nematode, also reduces the level of this nematode in the soil. K51-32,5BB Kober, Schwarzmann, and Richter 110 would all perform satisfactorily under citrus nematode pressure but would not control the nematode levels in the soil. Harmony would be the least favourable rootstock in a citrus nematode infested vineyard as it increases citrus nematode populations.
Honeybee pollination of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Authors: Goodman RD , Clayton-Greene KA
Published: March 2005

The role of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the pollination of highbush blueberries was studied in an experimental planting at Knoxfield, Victoria. Honeybees comprised 95.4% of all insect visitors to this crop, and their foraging activity made them efficient pollinators. Plants visited by bees had a greater percentage fruit set (61 v. 18%), increased fruit numbers (1156 v. 144) and more fruit by weight (1.6 v. 0.2 kg), than did plants caged to prevent access by bees and larger insects. Bird netting did not impede pollination. Flowers inside a bird-proof cage had a greater frequency of bee visitations (8.25 v. 1.5 bees/14 plants) than did plants outside the enclosure.
Cadmium concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle in Australian sheep and cattle
Authors: Langlands JP , Donald GE , Bowles JE
Published: March 2005

Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in 1663 liver, 1779 kidney and 2526 muscle samples were measured in a residue survey organised by the Australian Bureau of Rural Science at meatworks throughout Australia. Cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys were also determined in sheep ranging in age from newly born to 112 months of age which had been grazed throughout life at high or low stocking rates on an improved pasture dressed annually with superphosphate. Concentrations of Cd in the residue survey averaged (with median) 0.30 (0.11), 0.96 (0.28) and 0.03 (0.01) mg/kg freshweight in ovine liver, kidney and muscle respectively; the corresponding values in cattle were 0.18 (0.08), 0.65 (0.24) and 0.03 (0.01) mg/kg. Concentrations in liver and kidney were greater in older than in younger animals, at high than at low stocking rates, and in South and Western Australia than in other States. Cadmium concentrations increase with age because ruminants are born with a low Cd burden, and much of the Cd ingested and absorbed thereafter is retained as Cd-metallothionein in the liver and kidney. It is postulated that differences in Cd levels between geographical regions, species and stocking rate are partially due to the consumption of soil that had been fertilised with superphosphate containing Cd. Hepatic and renal Cd concentrations were highly correlated and were assumed to reflect Cd intake; correlations with copper concentrations were generally small. Eight per cent of kidneys exceeded maximum permissible Cd concentrations for human consumption (2.5 mg/kg), but only 2% of liver and 1% of muscle samples exceeded the statutory maxima (1.25 and 0.2 mg/kg respectively).
Trace element and vitamin B12 status of sheep given an oral dose of one, two or four soluble glass pellets containing copper, selenium and cobalt
Authors: Judson GJ , Brown TH , Kempe BR , Turnbull RK
Published: March 2005

We investigated the effect of an oral dose of 1, 2 or 4 soluble glass pellets containing cobalt, selenium and copper on the trace element and vitamin B12 status of sheep at pasture. Although the effective life of the pellet was intended to be 1 year, the retention of the pellet in the rumen was sometimes less than 6 months. Despite the apparently short retention period, an oral dose of 1 pellet was sufficient to provide physiologically significant quantities of copper, selenium and vitamin B12 to the animal for at least 45, 32 and 16 weeks respectively. The mean values for untreated sheep and sheep given 1 pellet were respectively 0.49 and 3.11 mmol copper/kg liver (dry matter) at week 45, 1.03 and 1.51 �mol selenium/L blood at week 32, and 1.15 and 1.82 nmol vitamin B12/L plasma at week 16. Sheep of normal copper and selenium status may be at risk of copper toxicity if given an oral dose of 2 or more pellets and of selenium toxicity if given 4 or more pellets at the same time. In sheep dosed with 4 pellets, mean liver copper and selenium concentrations exceeded, for 16 and 8 weeks respectively, the concentrations acceptable for human consumption.
Changes in take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici), Rhizoctonia root rot (Rhizoctonia solani) and soil pH in continuous wheat with annual applications of nitrogenous fertiliser in Western Australia
Authors: MacNish GC
Published: March 2005

Experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses that: (i) continuous cropping with wheat would lead to a decline in take-all, (ii) ammonium nitrogen would reduce take-all compared with nitrate nitrogen, and (iii) that both sources of nitrogen would lead to a decline in soil pH. Attempts were also made to confirm that rhizoctonia root rot would vary unpredictably in continuous wheat and would be reduced by nitrogen. Wheat was grown without nitrogen (Nil) or with sodium nitrate (SN) or ammonium sulfate (AS) for 11, 10 and 9 consecutive years at Newdegate, Esperance and Mount Barker respectively. Rates of nitrogen were 50, 25 and 45 kg ha-1 at Newdegate, Esperance and Mount Barker respectively. A decline in take-all incidence was established at Newdegate, and plots treated with AS generally had a lower take-all incidence than did plots without nitrogen or treated with SN. At Esperance, a decline in take-all incidence was established only in AS treated plots. Take-all incidence was lower in plots treated with AS than plots without nitrogen or treated with SN in 6 years out of 10 at Esperance. No take-all decline was observed at Mount Barker and take-all incidence was rarely lower in plots treated with AS than in those without nitrogen or treated with SN. All treatments reduced soil pH at Newdegate and Esperance, which were weakly buffered sites, but at Mount Barker (a highly buffered site) only AS reduced pH. Rhizoctonia root rot was not found at Mount Barker. At Newdegate and Esperance it first occurred in the eighth and fifth crops respectively. Incidence peaked at about 60% of plants being affected in the ninth crop at Newdegate and 95% in year 7 at Esperance, and then declined to less than 5% at both sites. Applications of nitrogen had no effect on incidence of rhizoctonia root rot. Yields varied considerably between sites and years. Combining results for all years at each site showed that AS increased yield at all sites and SN increased yields at Newdegate and Mount Barker compared with no nitrogen. The continued use of AS at Mount Barker eventually had an adverse effect on yield.
Response of chickpea accession to row spacing and plant density on a vertisol on the Darling Downs, south-eastern Queensland. 1. Dry matter production and seed yield
Authors: Beech DF , Leach GJ
Published: March 2005

Six accessions of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), representing both desi and kabuli types, were grown at a range of row spacings (180-710 mm) in 3 experiments on a vertisol at Dalby, south-eastern Queensland to assess their adaptation and yield potential. Row spacing and sowing density (28-1 12 seeds m-2) were confounded in 2 experiments where intra-row density was constant, but were varied independently in the third. Differences in yield between accessions were either small or not significant in 1979, with above-average water availability (mean seed yield: 253 g m-2), and in 1980, when water was severely limited (mean seed yield: 79 and 120 g m-2 in the 2 experiments). However, the proportion of seed that was machine-harvestable was highest in the commercial cv. Tyson (71%), and also at the closest row spacing (83%). Seed nitrogen concentration was about 0.5% higher in cv. Tyson than in other accessions. It declined with an increase in row spacing and was associated with a higher proportion of small seeds. We conclude that there will be scope for alternatives to cv. Tyson as new market opportunities develop. Furthermore, the flexibility in its growth pattern makes chickpea well suited to the variable moisture regime of the wheatlands of subtropical eastern Australia.
Response of chickpea accessions to row spacing and plant density on a vertisol on the Darling Downs, south-eastern Queensland. 2. Radiation interception and water use
Authors: Leach GJ , Beech DF
Published: March 2005

Interception of radiation by chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), in a year of below-average rainfall, and water use in both wet and dry years, were studied on a deep vertisol soil at Dalby, south-eastern Queensland. Measurements were made on 4 accessions (cv. Tyson, K223, CPI 56287 and CPI 56289) grown at a number of row spacings. Canopies intercepted less than 20% of incident radiation during the first 70 days after sowing (DAS) in the dry year (1980) before radiation interception reached a peak in mid-September (100 DAS) at about 70% interception in 250 mm rows. Above-ground dry matter was linearly related to intercepted radiation to the end of September (119 DAS), giving an efficiency of radiation conversion of 1.4 g DM per MJ of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation. Efficiency of conversion was marginally higher with 125 mm than with 62.5 mm intra-row spacing in rows 250 mm apart. In a wet year (1979), chickpea extracted water from below 1 m depth in the soil profile and used 356 mm water. In the dry year, only 16 1 mm water was used and none was extracted from below 1 m. K223 used water faster than cv. Tyson, and extraction was faster with close than with wide row spacing. Above-ground dry matter was produced at an efficiency of 3.4 (1980) to 4.2 (1979) g m-2 mm-I of water during the main period of growth through September, and a mean of 0.7 g m-2 seed for 2 seasons was produced per mm of water used over the whole season. The small differences in water extraction between accessions and spacing treatments were reflected during pod-filling as differences in plant water potential of 0.1-0.2 MPa during the early afternoon stress period. Chickpea appears to have poor stomata1 control over water loss, being comparable to summer legumes like soybean rather than to cowpea. We conclude that the benefit of close row spacing in enhancing radiation interception outweighs the small disadvantage from accelerated water depletion. The ability of chickpea to produce useful seed yields over a wide range of soil water availability makes it well suited for opportunistic winter cropping.
Daminozide reduces mean weight of potato tubers but fails to increase uniformity
Authors: Rogers IA , Philp BW , Twigden TK
Published: March 2005

At 3 sites in South Australia daminozide reduced mean potato tuber weight by 9-13% (P<0.05). Total yield of potatoes was reduced by 6-11%, although the effect was significant (P< 0.01) at only 1 site (Purnong Landing, reduction 11%). There were no effects of daminozide on tuber number, uniformity of tuber weight, specific gravity of tubers (at 1 site) or yield of ware grade tubers (80-350 g fresh weight). However, daminozide increased yield of grades (90-130 g) by 40% and decreased yield of grades (260-350 g) by 32% (P<0.05). In achieving these results, rates of 0.85, 1.7, 3.4 and 6.8 kg a.i. ha-l of daminozide were about equally effective. We conclude that, unless there is a market requirement for tubers of 90-130 g in weight, daminozide should not be used for the cultivars Sebago, Exton and Coliban if haulms are killed by herbicide or disease from 15 to 30 days before natural plant senescence. Stem length and leaf area index were reduced early in the season by daminozide, but late in the season leaf area index was increased.
Milk yield responses by dairy cows in mid-lactation to changes in feeding levels
Authors: Grainger C
Published: March 2005

The reduction in milk production following a decrease in feeding level was compared with the increase in milk following an increase in feeding level of cows. Forty cows in their 5th month of lactation were allocated to 2 groups and offered either ad libitum pasture or restricted in their grazing so that, after 32 days, the difference in daily milk yield between the groups averaged 3 L/cow. Cows in each group were then offered cut pasture in stalls for 4 weeks to obtain mean daily intakes of either 14.4 or 10.2 kg DM/ cow The reduction in yield of milk energy (0.133 MJ/MJ metabolisable energy intake) following the decrease of intake from 14.4 to 10.2 kg DM/cow.day was similar to the increase in yield of milk energy (0.140 MJ/MJ metabolisable energy intake) following an increase in intake from 10.2 to 14.4 kg DM/cow.day. We conclude that, for cows in mid-lactation, the decrease in milk production following a decrease in feeding level is similar to the increase in milk production following an increase in feeding level. This implies that increases in milk production due to increased feeding can be predicted from experiments which measured reductions in milk production.
A survey of the ability of tropical legumes in the genus Stylosanthes to trap larvae of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Ixodidae)
Authors: Sutherst RW , Wilson LJ , Reid R , Kerr JD
Published: March 2005

Stylosanthes viscosa and S. scabra cvv. Fitzroy and Seca have previously been shown to trap host-seeking larvae of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus and could provide a means of controlling cattle ticks in improved pastures. We assessed the ability of 229 accessions from 22 species of the genus Stylosanthes to trap larvae of B. microplus or to prevent them from ascending plant stems. The 3 species that were most effective were S. viscosa, S. scabra and S. guianensis. Only accessions which produced sticky secretions were able to trap tick larvae, but the extent of this ability was related primarily to the density and length of bristles on the stems rather than to the degree of stickiness. The highest percentages of larvae were trapped when stylo stems had short, dense bristles of average stickiness or long sticky bristles of average density. These features were also most effective at preventing larvae from ascending stems. A high density of fine, non-glandular hairs, in conjunction with average stickiness, also prevented larvae from ascending stems.
Effect of stubble management technique on soil and fertiliser nitrogen recovery by wheat sown after rice
Authors: Bacon PE , Hoult EH , McGarity JW , Alter D
Published: March 2005

Effects of rice stubble and nitrogen (N) fertiliser management strategies on soil and 15N labelled fertiliser recovery by wheat were studied in 2 microplot experiments in the field. In 1 experiment, rice stubble which received 113 kg N ha-1 as 15N labelled (NH4)2SO4 was treated in 1 of 4 ways: (i) burnt, no till; (ii) incorporated 6 weeks before wheat sowing; (iii) incorporated at wheat sowing; or (iv) retained on the soil surface, no till. Burning, instead of incorporating rice stubble at wheat sowing, increased N uptake by wheat by 47% and the uptake of residual 15N applied to the previous rice crop from 1.2 to 2.1 kg N ha-1. Retaining rice stubble on the soil surface increased recovery of residual 15N to 2.5 kg ha-l. In a second experiment, 60 plots within a rice paddy were fertilised with 100 kg N ha-l while another 60 were not fertilised. Fertilised plots produced 21 t ha-l of stubble while unfertilised plots produced 11.5 t ha-1. The 2 stubble levels were factorially combined with 5 stubble management treatments - the 4 treatments mentioned above plus a burn with tillage treatment. 15NH415NO3 was applied at sowing, tillering, or as a 50: 50 split between sowing and tillering. Tillage, with or without stubble burning, reduced yield (by 0.7 t ha-l), and uptake of N from soil (by 12 kg N ha-1) and from fertiliser (by 10 kg N ha-1) compared with the no till treatments. Increasing quantities of rice stubble on plots where stubble was incorporated at wheat sowing significantly reduced wheat performance and increased the proportion of N derived from fertiliser. Delaying N application also increased the proportion of wheat N derived from fertiliser. In the intensive rotations reported in the study, management strategies with no till, and with or without stubble burning, increased wheat uptake of both soil and fertiliser N, and this maximised yield.
Survey of farm management practices of the northern wheat belt of New South Wales
Authors: Martin RJ , McMillan MG , Cook JB
Published: March 2005

A survey of management practices on wheat farms in northern New South Wales was carried out on 50 farms between 1983 and 1985 and was supplemented by a questionnaire mailed to 750 growers in 1985. Information was collected on crop rotation, tillage practice, fertiliser use and weed control practices. Data were collected from 1 paddock on each farm and included: wheat grain yield and quality, available soil water and nutrients at sowing, wild oat density, and incidence of soil-borne diseases. The 3-year average grain yield in survey paddocks was 2.2 t/ha. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting grain yield and protein in 1985. Of the variation in wheat grain yield, 74% was explained by variation in available soil water at sowing, available soil nitrate at sowing, sowing date and wild oat density. Grain protein content declined with increasing available soil water and phosphate at sowing and with earlier sowing, but increased with available nitrate at sowing. Agronomic practices aimed at maximising wheat grain yield, in the presence of a deficiency ofavailable soil nitrate, are likely to result in a reduction of grain protein content. Likewise, responses to application of nitrogenous fertiliser are likely to be inversely related to available soil water at sowing. The mean gross margin for 1984 and 1985, based on $100/t of wheat grain, was $128. The mean gross margin for the least profitable 20% of paddocks was $37, and $253 for the top 20%. New varieties of wheat and herbicides were readily adopted by farmers. On the other hand, adoption of nitrogenous fertiliser use was slow, considering the widespread and long-standing deficiencies of nitrogen in cropping soils of the region. Crop rotation and tillage practices have changed only marginally since the late 1940s. The results of this survey indicate that the usefulness of soil testing for predicting fertiliser requirements could be improved by taking into account levels of available soil water, weed competition and sowing date and by using multiple regression analysis.
Evaluation of fungicides, applied at sowing, for control of blackleg in rapeseed
Authors: Ballinger DJ , Salisbury PA , Dennis JI , Kollmorgen JF , Potter TD
Published: March 2005

The effects of 4 fungicides, applied at sowing, on the severity of blackleg disease of rapeseed were studied in the field. The systemic triazole fungicide flutriafol, coated on superphosphate fertiliser and applied as an in-furrow treatment at 250 g a.i./ha, was the most effective treatment and gave appreciable disease control and markedly increased yields. The fertiliser treatment was much more effective than a fungicide-coated sand granule treatment (also at 250 g a.i./ha). When applied as fertiliser, triadimefon (250 g a.i./ha) and procymidone (2.5 kg a.i./ha) were much less effective than flutriafol (250 g a.i./ha). When applied as granules flutriafol (2 kg a.i./ha) gave the best control of disease, and increased yields over the nil fungicide treatment (4.4 v. 3.41 t/ha, P<0.05). Triadimefon (2 kg a.i./ha) was less effective than flutriafol and diniconazole (2 kg a.i./ha) had no effect on disease. Seed dressings of the 4 fungicides were phytotoxic, and had little effect on blackleg.
Evaluation of rates of flutriafol for control of blackleg of rapeseed
Authors: Ballinger DJ , Salisbury PA , Kollmorgen JF , Potter TD , Coventry DR
Published: March 2005

The effect of flutriafol, applied at sowing as fungicide coated superphosphate, on the severity of blackleg disease of rapeseed was studied in the field. Fungicide rates from 50 to 200 g a.i./ha reduced disease severity and markedly increased yields. With blackleg resistant cultivars, economic yield responses were achieved even when disease severity was low.
Seed size influences the coleoptile length of wheat
Authors: Cornish PS , Hindmarsh S
Published: March 2005

Variation in coleoptile length within and between 2 cultivars of semidwarf wheat (Triticum aestivum) was related to seed size. Seeds of cvv. Banks and Kite were separated by sieving for width into the size classes of >2.75, 2.75-250, 2.50-2.25 and 2.25- 2.00 mm. The mean grain weights of ungraded samples were 43.1 mg (Kite) and 34.3 mg (Banks), and for the subsamples were 52.4, 37.9, 30.4 and 20.7 mg (Kite) and 41.4, 33.2, 25.8 and 19.1 mg (Banks). The effect of size class on coleoptile length was significant (P<0.01). Over both cultivars, coleoptile length declined by 0.37 mm per mg reduction in seed weight. Kite produced the longer coleoptiles overall, 87.5 mm compared with 59.0 mm for Banks. However, only 3.3 mm of this difference can be accounted for by the mean difference in seed weight (8.8 mg) and the effect of seed weight on coleoptile length (0.37 mm/mg). Genetic differences, apart from adult plant height, appear to explain most of the difference in coleoptile length between the cultivars. There was considerable genetic variability within genotypes. In Banks, with seed width >2.75 mm (41.4 mg per seed), the lengths of coleoptiles ranged from 24-89 mm (mean 65.1 mm), suggesting considerable scope for the selection of genotypes with longer coleoptiles.
Effect of metalaxyl on the control of Phytophthora crown rot of almonds
Authors: Wicks TJ
Published: March 2005

The fungicide Ridomil (5% a.i. metalaxyl), applied at 100 g per tree in spring, winter and autumn in a shallow circular trench around and close to the trunk, prevented the development of trunk cankers and reduced the incidence of dead almond trees caused by Phytophthora cambivora. Metalaxyl prevented infection of healthy trees but did not rejuvenate trees that were declining at the time of application. Bioassays and chemical analysis of soil showed that most of the metalaxyl was concentrated in the top 10 cm of soil. In some soils, 20 mg metalaxyl/kg soil was detected 46 weeks after application.
Merino ewe and lamb performance in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales following joining in March-April or June-July
Authors: Davies HL , Devaud E
Published: March 2005

A March-April joining of Merino ewes was compared with a June-July joining in central New South Wales at a low stocking rate on subterranean clover based pastures over 3 years. In all years, ewes joined in June were heavier (P < 0.05) than ewes joined in March (55 v. 52 kg). Liveweights at the start of lambing and liveweight change from joining to lambing were also high and favoured the later lambing group. The proportion of ewes lambing (97% March v. 93% June) and proportion of ewes twinning (29% March v. 20% June) were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but consistently favoured the March-April joining. Perinatal mortality was low (9.4% March v. 7.1% June) and not significantly different between the 2 groups, but was consistently lower in the June joined group. Number of lambs weaned per 100 ewes joined was also not significantly different, but was higher each year in the March joined group (1 13% March v. 105% June). The growth rate of the lambs (both singles [24% greater, 248 v. 200 g/day] and twins [37% greater, 2 13 v. 155 g/day]) was consistently in favour of March joined ewes. Mean greasy fleece weights of the ewes were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but were in favour of the late joined group (4.83 v. 4.50 kg). Time of joining significantly affected liveweights and greasy and clean fleece weights of the progeny at the shearing in the year following their birth in favour of March joining. These data suggest that, despite a nutritional advantage to the ewes in late pregnancy and milder weather at lambing with a June-July joining, a March- April joining is the preferred option on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales.
Slaughter weights, carcass weights and dressing percentages of five breeds of sheep slaughtered in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sharaby MA , Suleiman IO
Published: March 2005

Data for slaughter and carcass weights of 1350 Najdi, Awassi, Barbary, Turkish, and Merino cross ram lambs were collected at Bureidah abbatoir, Central Saudi Arabia. Within age groups, Awassi and Turkish lambs had the heaviest mean slaughter and carcass weights, followed by Merinos, Najdi and then Barbary. Pooled breed averages for slaughter and carcass weights increased with age. The dressing-out percentage ranged from 54.8 to 56.8%, but differences between most of the breed-age groups were not significant. The percentages of lambs slaughtered at different ages varied according to breed. Mean slaughter weights varied from month to month, both within and between breeds. Carcass weight was not affected by month of slaughter. Regressions of carcass weight on liveweight indicated significant differences between breeds and were used to develop equations for predicting carcass weight and dressing-out percentage.
Responses by wheat to lupin, soil amelioration and fertilizer treatments in a solodised solonetz soil
Authors: Gardner WK , McDonald GK
Published: March 2005

Disruption of the junction of the A-B horizons of a yellow duplex soil did not affect moisture extraction or grain yield of wheat grown in the Southern Wimmera, and it is unlikely that this zone represents a serious impediment to root growth. However, improving soil fertility, either by growing lupins or by placing nitrogen and phosphorus in the A2 horizon, did increase yields. Following lupins in 1983, wheat yield increased from 4.3 to 55 t/ha in 1984,andfrom 3.1 to3.7 t/ha in 1985. This response was greater than that due to deep placement of nitrogen and phosphorus (0.3 t/ha in 1984,0.4 t/ha in 1985), probably because of improved root growth as a result of less root disease. There were consistent responses to foliar applications of copper and interactions with other treatments; the greatest responses occurred in situations of improved nitrogen nutrition.
Density multiply maturity interactions for grain yield in sunflower
Authors: Wade LJ , Foreman JW
Published: March 2005

Variation in grain yield response to density (10 000, 30000, 50000, 70000, 90 000 and 110 000 plants/ha), of 2 sunflower hybrids differing in maturity (Hysun 11 and Hysun 30), was examined over a range of yield levels provided by 9 locations. While the interaction between hybrid, density and site was statistically highly significant, its value for commercial recommendations was limited. Optimum yields by each hybrid at each yield level did not differ significantly from yields at densities of 50000 plants/ha. When combined with Victorian and southern Queensland data, the responses were consistent over sites, years and times of sowing. This suggests that valid agronomic recommendations over regions may be based on data for 1 region, providing a suitable data set covering the range of yield expectations is obtained. The regression technique, which related grain weight per plant to area per plant, enhanced the sensitivity in data analysis, simplified data presentation, and provided a framework for interpreting differences between hybrids in density response.
Inhibition of mechanical transmission of virus by sap, and infection of Cucurbita ecuadorensis with papaya ringspot virus type W
Authors: Herrington ME , Teakle DS , Greber RS , Brown PJ
Published: March 2005

Dilutions of Cucurbita ecuadorensis sap were mixed with dilutions of sap from C. maxima infected with papaya ringspot virus type W (PRV-W), and the mixtures mechanically inoculated to seedlings of C. pepo cv. Small Sugar or Cucumis sativus cv. Supermarket. Plants inoculated with C. maxima sap plus C. ecuadorensis sap (at 1/8 when C. pepo was the test plant, or 1/16 when C. sativus was the test plant) showed reduced infection compared with plants not receiving C. ecuadorensis sap. The reduction caused by C. ecuadorensis sap was greater at a lower virus concentration (1 g infected C. maxima/400 mL sodium-potassium phosphate buffer 0.1 mol/L) than at a higher virus concentration (1 g/25 mL). It was concluded that C. ecuadorensis sap contains an inhibitor of infection, that tissue derived from this species should be diluted at least 1 g/ 10 mL buffer before use in inoculations, and that C. pepo, which was 5 times more sensitive than C. sativus, should be used as the test seedling in reisolations. When C. ecuadorensis, C. maxima and the F1 (C. maxima x C. ecuadorensis) were inoculated on their cotyledons with a severe isolate of PRV-W, symptoms were expressed on at least 1 plant of each species and the F1, and the virus was reisolated in seedlings of C. pepo cv. Small Sugar from the uninoculated leaves of all plants. Severity of symptoms and the proportion of plants infected at reisolation were least for C. ecuadorensis, intermediate for the F1 and most for C. maxima. This is the first report of infection of C. ecuadorensis by PRV-W.
The effectiveness of rock phosphate fertilisers in Australian agriculture: a review
Authors: Bolland MDA , Gilkes RJ , Antuono MFD'
Published: March 2005

Plant responses to apatite rock phosphates and Calciphos, a calcined calcium iron-aluminium rock phosphate fertiliser, have been measured in many pot and field experiments in Australia, but there is no consistent view of the agronomic effectiveness of these fertilisers. Quantitative indices of the effectiveness of freshly applied rock phosphates relative to freshly applied superphosphate (relative effectiveness or RE values) have been calculated from the data for 164 Australian pot and field experiments on the basis of the substitution value of the rock phosphates for superphosphate. RE values range from <0.1 to 2.5, with the mean value for apatite rock phosphates being 0.26 compared with 0.42 for Calciphos. Statistical analysis of the data demonstrate that variations in RE values were primarily due to systematic differences in experimental design and fertiliser solubility, and not to differences in soil pH, plant species, the capacity of the soil to adsorb P and mean annual rainfall. All RE values >0.4 were obtained from experiments in which only 1 or 2 levels of fertiliser were applied to soils that were poorly responsive to applied P; thus it was not possible to define the complete response curves required to obtain precise values of RE. In most cases, RE values were < 0.4 for experiments in which several levels of fertiliser P were applied to highly P-responsive soils so that complete response curves were defined and precise values of RE estimated. The effectiveness of previously applied rock phosphate (i.e, residual value) remained low and approximately constant for several years after application, being 5-30% as effective as freshly applied superphosphate for the various experiments. The corresponding average value of the relative effectiveness of superphosphate declined by 40% in the first year after application, by a further 15% in the second year, and by a further 30% over the remaining 6 years. However, the magnitude of these declines in relative effectiveness differed substantially between individual sites. The residual value of both the superphosphate and rock phosphate fertilisers appears not to have been systematically influenced by soil type, soil pH, the capacity of the soil to adsorb P, mean annual rainfall, and whether the fertilisers were topdressed or were incorporated. However, there is a need for additional experiments to investigate the influence of these factors on fertiliser effectiveness. It is concluded that, on the basis of published data, rock phosphate fertilisers cannot be regarded as economic substitutes for fertilisers containing water-soluble P for most agricultural applications in Australia. This is because, relative to freshly applied superphosphate, the fertiliser effectiveness of rock phosphates is low in the year of application and it remains low in subsequent years so that uneconomical, very high rates of application of rock phosphate are required.
Supplementation of steers grazing Stylosanthes hamata pastures at Katherine, Northern Territory
Authors: Winter WH
Published: March 2005

Native perennial grass pastures were oversown with Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano at 3 fertility levels, i.e, without fertiliser or with suboptimal levels of superphosphate or rock phosphate. Brahman steers, of varying ages, grazed the pastures and their responses to fertility level and direct supplementation with phosphorus and sulfur were determined over 4 years. Phosphorus supplementation doubled liveweight gains during the early and late wet season periods to about 0.9 and 0-7 kg/day, respectively. Pasture fertility level did not affect gains in the early wet season in most years but superphosphate increased the late wet season gains by about 0.1 kg/day. Small weight losses usually occurred in all treatments during the early dry season, with losses increasing with animal age. Weight losses were highest during the late dry season, particularly for the older, phosphorus supplemented, steers. This response was attributed to size rather than to age or supplementation per se. Sulfur supplementation had no effect upon liveweight gain or upon the pastures at any time. In unfertilised pastures, Verano increased to about 25% of the dry matter composition whilst pastures fertilised with superphosphate and rock phosphate became legume dominant after 2 and 3 years, respectively. Fertiliser also increased the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur concentrations in the forage, particularly the Verano, with superphosphate more effective than rock phosphate. In pastures where steers were supplemented with phosphorus there was a higher proportion of the naturalised legume Alysicarpus vaginalis and a lesser quantity of forage on offer. Blood inorganic phosphate and rib cortical thickness were reliable indicators of responsiveness of steers to phosphorus supplementation when measured during, or immediately after, the period of active growth.
Effects of defaunation of the rumen and supplementation with amino acids on the wool production of housed Saxon Merinos. 3. Cottonseed meal and hydroxymethyl-methionine
Authors: Cottle DJ
Published: March 2005

In experiment 1 six groups, each of 10 superfine Merino wethers were individually penned indoors and hand-fed chopped lucerne hay with either control pellets, cottonseed meal pellets (CSM) or cottonseed meal plus hydroxymethyl-methionine pellets (CSMEP). Following their shearing, the 6 groups in experiment 2 were hand-fed 1 of 3 chopped lucerne hay:oat rations [75: 25,50: 50,25: 75% (w/w)]. Each sheep was also fed either control pellets (25 g/day) or CSMEP pellets (75 g/day) in a cross-over design experiment. In both experiments, the rations were fed at maintenance level and were offered 3 times a week. Half of the sheep had no rumen ciliate protozoa. In experiments 1 and 2, wool production was measured during a 4 and 6 month period respectively. In experiment 1, defaunation resulted in a 6% increase in clean wool production on the unsupplemented chopped lucerne hay ration. Inclusion of CSM and CSMEP pellets resulted in clean wool growth responses of 16% and 19% respectively. Unacceptable increases in fibre diameter were associated with the increased wool production. In experiment 2, the clean wool response to defaunation was highest (12%) on the 75% chopped lucerne hay ration, when the control pellet was fed. Inclusion of the CSMEP pellet resulted in clean wool growth responses of 0.73, 0.98 and 0.99 g/day in sheep fed on the 75,50 and 25% chopped lucerne hay rations respectively. The wool production responses due to the CSMEP pellet were associated with increases in fibre diameter (0.3 �m), length (4 mm/year) and length/diameter ratio (0.4 �m/day.�m) of the wool grown. It was concluded that CSMEP pellets are best fed with a mixed ration containing more grain than chopped lucerne hay. The wool growth response to feeding hydroxymethyl-methionine was considered uneconomic.
Effects of cottonseed meal, methionine analogues and avoparcin on the wool production of young, grazing wethers
Authors: Cottle DJ
Published: March 2005

A series of experiments were conducted which aimed to develop a feed supplement that was more cost-effective at increasing wool growth in sheep than those currently available commercially. In experiment 1, young wethers grazing cereal stubble for 1 month were offered ad lib. blocks containing sorghum, urea and sodium bentonite (buffered Goldenpro, average intake 66 g/day), ad lib. blocks containing molasses, lupins and urea (Ultrapro 30, average intake 52 g/day), or pellets containing cottonseed meal (CSM, 50 g/day) plus hydroxymethyl- methionine (MEP, 3 g/day). Changes in liveweight were similar in all sheep fed supplements but liveweight losses in unsupplemented wethers were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in supplemented wethers. In experiment 2, supplementation of Merino weaners grazing ryegrass-subterranean clover pastures with 37.5 g/day of a pellet containing CSM plus MEP (plus vitamins and minerals) for 3 months resulted in increases in wool growth (+ 7%) and liveweight gain (+38%) compared with wethers fed control (vitamins plus minerals) pellets. In experiment 3, Merino hoggets grazing a ryegrass-subterranean clover pasture were rotationally supplemented for four 6-week periods with 37.5 g/day of CSM plus methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA), CSM plus avoparcin (AV), CSM plus MHA plus AV and 12.5 g/day of control pellets. The sheep grew 11, 18 and 12% more clean wool respectively when fed CSM plus MHA, CSM plus AV and CSM plus MHA plus AV compared with control pellets. The additional wool grown in response to the CSM plus AV pellet was valued at approximately twice the cost of the pellets. Although economic responses to supplementation were obtained, the response levels were well below those obtained in post-ruminal, amino acid infusion studies and conflict with data from pen-feeding experiments.
Apparatus for urine collection from female cattle in metabolism crates
Authors: Magner T , Sim WD , Bardsley DH
Published: March 2005

An apparatus that allows urine collection from female cattle is described. A vinyl bag, which fits over the vulva, has a hose attached at the bottom to direct urine flow to a collection bottle. The bag deflects faeces into collection trays, thus preventing urine contamination. The bag is attached to the animal with 'Velcro' strips glued on with contact cement. The main advantages of this device are the lack of a cumbersome harness, its lightness and the ease of detachment and replacement (if required).
Renovation of Yarloop subterranean clover pastures with Trikkala
Authors: Little DL , Beale PE
Published: March 2005

Pastures containing the oestrogenic subterranean clover, Yarloop, were renovated and sown to Trikkala subterranean clover at the rate of 9 kg ha-1 germinable seed. The resultant pastures were continually grazed at either 7, 9 or 12 ewes ha for 6 years. Control Yarloop pastures were grazed similarly. Trikkala established at approximately 50 plants m-2 and represented 80% of all clover present in the year of sowing. Six years later Trikkala was successfully persisting at all stocking rates in terms of clover dry matter in spring (Trikkala 77%, Yarloop 23%), soil seed reserves in spring (Trikkala 450-1000 kg ha-1, Yarloop 300-450 kg ha-1) and plant density in spring (Trikkala 600-1000 plants m-2, Yarloop 200 plants m-2). Over the 6 years of the trial the proportion of Trikkala and Yarloop approached an equilibrium of 75% Trikkala to 25% Yarloop in all agronomic data collected. Compared with the control Yarloop pastures, the renovated Trikkala pastures maintained a greater clover percentage at all stocking rates. Available dry matter at the high stocking rate was consistently greater in the Yarloop pastures during winter and spring. At the low and medium stocking rates available dry matter tended to be greater in the Yarloop treatments for the first 2 years but was similar for both treatments in the latter 3 years. Clover scorch disease in the Yarloop pasture was controlled by spraying with a fungicide. Trikkala pastures were not sprayed and suffered minimal damage from the disease. Trikkala should perform better relative to Yarloop where clover scorch is a problem. It is concluded that Trikkala subterranean clover can successfully replace Yarloop subterranean clover in pastures previously dominated by Yarloop.
Variation in seed glucosinolate concentrations of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. + Coss.)
Authors: Palmer MV , Sang JP , Oram RN , Tran DA , Salisbury PA
Published: March 2005

Detailed analysis of the seeds of 128 individual plants of an Indian mustard accession, PI 183117, grown at a field site with adequate soil sulfur, revealed a wide variation in both the composition and total concentrations of seed glucosinolates. An apparent somaclonal variant of the same accession is also reported. Selection of seeds from this variant resulted in the isolation of plants with significantly lower seed glucosinolate levels and a greatly reduced variability in both content and proportions of the major seed glucosinolates, compared with the parental line. Averaged over the field experiment, and 2 glasshouse experiments (the second with 2 soil sulfur levels), the reduction in total glucosinolate concentration was 22%. Neither the effect of additional sulfur, nor its interaction with the test populations, was significant. Assuming that the variation in total seed glucosinolate concentration between plants within the selection was entirely environmental, the lower limit of the broad sense heritability in the original accession was estimated as 29.5%. Additional genetic variation appears to be necessary to reduce the seed glucosinolate content to the maximum level specified under the 'Canola' standard for rapeseed.
Effect of scald (Rhynchosporium secalis (Oud.) J. Davis) infection on some quality characteristics of barley
Authors: Khan TN , Crosbie GB
Published: March 2005

The effect of scald (Rhynchosporium secalis (Oud.) J. Davis) infection on 1000-grain weight, percentage of plump grains, test weight, grain brightness and protein content of barley cultivars was examined in 6 field experiments. Thousand-grain weight was most adversely affected by scald, showing reductions ranging from 4 to 19% due to scald infection. Percentage of the plump grains was reduced by 3 to 30% depending upon the variety. Percentage protein was also reduced in 2 instances but test weight was not affected. In 2 experiments, grain brightness was greater in the nil fungicide plots than plots treated with fungicide. Reductions in quality characteristics were generally associated with grain yield losses. Implications in relation to quality receival standards are discussed.
A simple wick method for watering potted plants which maintains a chosen moisture regime
Authors: Toth J , Nurthen EJ , Chan KY
Published: March 2005

A simple method for maintaining a chosen moisture regime in potted plants is described. It has been evaluated using 2 soil types: a self-mulching clay and an alluvial sand. The technique is reliable and inexpensive to set up and use.
The effectiveness of prophylactic sterilisation of beehive materials by gamma radiation
Authors: Oldroyd BP , Reinganum C
Published: March 2005

Honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies hived in beehive materials that had been sterilised by gamma irradiation had an average weight gain of 29.3 kg while those housed in untreated hives had an average gain of 27.1 kg.Bees sampled from both the treated and untreated colonies were examined for the presence of Nosema apis and virus, causitive organisms of stress related diseases, at the end of the season. No significant differences were found. The slight increase in weight (2.2 kg) of the sterilised colonies was not sufficient to justify the cost of prophylactic sterilisation of beehive equipment.
Ram mating performance in Border Leicesters and related breed types. 3. Relationships of ram serving capacity, testis diameter, liveweight, breed and age with flock fertility
Authors: Barwick SA , Kilgour RJ , Fowler DG , Wilkins JF , Harvey WR
Published: March 2005

Relationships of ram serving capacity (a measure of serving frequency in pen tests), testis diameter, liveweight, breed and age with flock fertility were studied in 40 rams joined individually for 7 days at high ewe:ram ratios. Rams were either Border Leicester, BLI (a high prolificacy line derived from the Border Leicester and Merino and since released as the Glen Vale breed) or BLI x Border Leicester, and aged either 1.5 or 2.5 years. Joinings were over 2 periods, 2-9 April or 16-23 April. Breed, age, period and interaction effects were also examined. On average (± s.e.), the number of ewes with mating marks in 7 days increased by 2.03 ± 0.52 ( P < 0.001) per serve per hour of serving capacity and by 0.40 ± 0.18 ( P < 0.05) per kg liveweight. Relationships with pregnancy rate in marked ewes differed between classes of rams. Larger testes were of most benefit when rams were of high serving capacity ( P < 0.0 1 ) or low liveweight (P<0.01). Only serving capacity was related to number of ewes pregnant, the number increasing by an average (± s.e.) of 1.73 ± 0.57 ewes per serve per hour (P<0.01). This suggests that a ram's capacity for more frequent service was more important to fertility than was extra testicular tissue. BLI x Border Leicester, BLI, and 2.5-year-old Border Leicester rams impregnated 30-40% more ewes than did 1.5-year-old Border Leicester rams. We estimate that the 1.5-year-old Border Leicester rams could be satisfactorily joined to about 46 ewes and the other rams to about 60 ewes.