bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problems involved in the cultivation of maize for fodder and ensilage. I. The choice of variety
Authors: Bunting E. S. , Willey L. A.
Published: March 2009

Since the introduction of silos and associated techniques of ensilage production in the late 1870's, maize has been the principal silage crop in the United States. Many British authorities agree that maize is a ‘splendid silage crop, highly nutritious, heavy yielding and easy to cut and handle’ (Bond, 1948, see also Watson & Smith, 1956; Woodman & Amos, 1944) but, nevertheless, it is very rarely grown in Britain for silage. In this country, as in most countries of Western Europe, the predominant aim of maize cultivation has been to produce succulent green fodder for direct feeding to animals during time of drought and consequent grass shortage. The acreage grown in England is small, but in Western Germany in 1955 there were about 100,000 acres of fodder maize (Becker, 1956), while in France, in 1954, the acreage exceeded 500,000 (Desroches, 1955). Recently in Western Europe considerable interest has been shown in the possibilities of maize as a silage crop, and within the past few years preliminary results have been reported from Holland (Becker, 1956; Anon. 1954, 1955); Denmark (Bagge & Hansen, 1956); Belgium (Lacroix, 1955; Ledent, 1955); Germany (Jungehulsing, 1955; Schell, 1954); France (Desroches, 1955), and Switzerland (Bachmann, 1952).
Post-natal growth changes in the skin follicle population of the New Zealand Romney and N-type sheep
Authors: Carter H. B. , Tibbits Janet P.
Published: March 2009

Quantitative aspects of skin follicle population growth and maturation in post-natal life from birth to 16 months have been studied in four groups of N-type and non-N New Zealand Romneys. The following characters were observed on skin biopsy specimens from a standard position on the mid-side in all cases: total and primary follicle population density; ratio of secondary to primary follicles ; primary and secondary fibre diameter; primary/secondary fibre diameter ratio ; and the incidence and degree of primary and secondary fibre medullation.

No important differences were found between the genotypes examined in any of these characters except primary fibre diameter , the primary/ secondary fibre diameter ratio ; and the incidence and degree of primary and secondary fibre medullation. These characters individually, but especially in combination, appear of great diagnostic value at all post-natal ages in discriminating N-type from non-N genotypes, in terms which reduce the number of assumptions necessary on the relations between the fibre types of the staple and the follicles of origin in the skin.
The relative performance of inbreds and open-pollinated populations of spring-sown onions
Authors: Dowker B. D. , Fennell J. F. M.
Published: March 2009

First (I1), second (I2) and third-generation (I3) inbreds were compared with openpollinated spring-sown onion populations in field trials at five sites over 2 years. The open-pollinated populations were earlier maturing and gave higher yields and a lower proportion of bullnecked plants than the inbreds but the latter had a lower proportion of unmarketable double bulbs. The mean level of expression of each character differed considerably between individual trials. The effect on sprouting within each year resulted from factors operating prior to storage; bulbs from all sites were stored at Wellesbourne in a common environment yet large differences in the proportion of sprouted bulbs from different sites occurred by the following spring.

Interactions were found between the type of population (inbred and open-pollinated) and the macro-environment. Inbred populations showed a greater linear response to environment for yield, skin colour and proportion of bullnecked plants, but were less responsive for percentage of double bulbs.

The results are discussed in relation to the evaluation procedures for inbreds.
The voluntary intake of oat straw by adult cattle as affected by the method of dietary presentation of a concentrated solution of urea, minerals and vitamins
Authors: Bass Jean M. , Hemingway R. G. , Fishwick G. , Parkins J. J.
Published: March 2009

Three experiments were conducted to assess the effects of several methods of dietary presentation of 250 g/day of a fully soluble liquid supplement (LS) on the voluntary intake of oat straw by non-productive cows fitted with a rumen fistula (Expt 1), pregnant beef cows (Expt 2) and lactating beef cows (Expt 3). In each case the cows received fixed daily amounts of barley (2 kg for Expts 1 and 2; 3 kg for Expt 3). LS contained (g/kg) about 1100 crude protein (as urea), 30 calcium, 15 phosphorus and 50 salt plus trace elements and vitamins. In Expt 1, provision of LS in either the drinking water, or via the rumen fistula or sprayed on to the straw increased voluntary straw intake by about 12%. In Expt 2, provision of LS, whether by spraying on the straw or in a molasses lick, increased straw consumption, but giving LS in the drinking water did not. In both Expts 1 and 2 the digestibility of the oat straw was not significantly affected by the dietary supplement, any increases in metabolizable energy intake being reflexions of increased intakes. In Expt 3 there was no difference in the voluntary intake of oat straw by group-fed lactating beef cows offered LS in either the drinking water or as a molasses lick.

Giving LS sprayed on the straw, or incorporating it into a molasses lick to housed animals, are convenient and practical methods of supplementing ruminant diets to increase their voluntary straw consumption. Inclusion of LS in drinking water gave inconsistent results, but the method warrants further investigation.
Methods of analysing yield from trials in which the produce is graded according to diameter
Authors: Chapman Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2009

A study was made of the relationship between yields in particular size grades of carrots and onions and the number of plants per unit area with a view to providing adjustments to yields for differences in plant densities. It is concluded that the relationship for individual small grades cannot be fitted consistently by a single mathematical equation but that estimates of yields in small grades are best obtained by fitting a common equation to the accumulated yield at the limits of the grade and obtaining the yield by difference. Eleven previously published equations which have been shown to fit the relationship between total yield and plant density for a number of crops are compared with one newly developed for graded produce. It was found that the latter,

where y = yield/ha, ρ = number of plants/m2 and A, B and C are constants, generally leads to the best fits when a large range of densities is present, but it is argued that, for adjustment of yields for small differences in densities such as are obtained in variety trials, a simpler equation such as a second degree polynomial is equally effective.
Tolerance of lentil, barley and oats to boron in irrigation water
Authors: Chauhan R. P. S. , Asthana A. K.
Published: March 2009

An experiment to determine the effect of concentration of boron in irrigation water on tissue Ca/B ratio and yield of lentil, barley and oats is described and the results discussed. Tissue Ca/B ratio is a better index for detecting B toxicity in plants. The grain and straw yield of lentil and barley decreased on and beyond 3 and 6, and 6 and 8 mg B/1 in irrigation water, respectively, but there was no effect on green fodder yield of oats.
Relation of shape of canopy to interception of radiation and yield of wheat
Authors: Dhillon G. S. , Kler D. S.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were made at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during 1974–5 to 1978–9 to study the possibility of improving wheat yield by more efficient use of radiant energy through modification of the shape of the canopy under varying levels of fertilizers, irrigation and seed rates. The results showed substantial yield increase by sowing half the seed and fertilizers in one direction and half in rows at right angles, giving a spacing of 22·5 × 22·5 cm, thereby intercepting more light, which showed a significant direct relationship with yield, but there were negative correlations with soil temperature. The increase in row spacing decreased the yield. With 33% extra fertilizer than the local recommendation, sowing the crop in two directions gave 0·96 t/ha (33·4%) higher yield, whereas none of the other sowing methods showed significant increase. Mixing varieties to form a prismatic canopy gave higher yield than the mean of the varieties sown alone. Irrigating the crop more than thrice did not prove beneficial. North-south row direction tended to improve yield compared with east-west rows. Seed rates varying from 50 to 200 kg/ha showed neither significant effect, nor interaction with canopy shape except in 1978–9 when 150 kg seed/ha showed yield improvement over 100 kg/ha.
The effect of seed inoculation with Rhizobium and Azotobacter on yield and quality of lentils (Lens esculenta)
Authors: Sanoria C. L. , Mallik M. K.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments with chick peas (Rawat & Sanoria, 1977) and peas (Sanoria & Ram, 1979) showed a synergistic effect of a particular Rhizobium and Azotobacter on yield and quality of seed. Isolates of R. leguminosarum revealed differences in the yield and quality of lentil grown in pots and in the field (Mallik & Sanoria, 1980). As there is no evidence in the literature regarding the simultaneous use of Rhizobium and Azotobacter on lentil (Lens esculenta), this study was undertaken to assess their effect on the yield and quality of lentil in field.
The skin thickness of cattle in Northern Rhodesia
Authors: Walker Charles A.
Published: March 2009

The role of the skin of cattle in heat toleration has exercised many and has produced almost as manyopinions as workers. Brody (1945) pointed out that tropical cattle had a considerably larger surface area than the temperate breeds due to the looseness and folding of the skin. Bonsma, van Marle & Hofmeyr (1953) suggested on the basis of work on the Africander that a thick skin was necessary, presumably to repel the heat rays. Other workers have laid stress upon hair colour and thickness of coat, together with skin pigmentation. Worstell & Brody (1953) considered that cattle do not sweat, but Dowling (1955 a, b) found evidence that they did.
A study of subclinical worm infestation in sheep: Part II. The ‘tolerance’ level of infestation
Authors: Spedding C. R. W. , Brown T. H.
Published: March 2009

1. The live-weight gain of lambs initially infected at five different levels was compared with that of similar but worm-free animals, under conditions of set-stocking at a high rate per acre.

2. Over a period of 9 months the worm-free controls gained 67·7% more weight than the total infected group, but the live-weight gains of the five levels did not appear to be related to their original infection or to their egg counts.

3. Although a few nematode eggs were detected in the faeces of some control lambs, reinfection was negligible under the conditions of this experiment.

4. It was concluded that a marked depression of productivity may be associated with an egg count as low as 114 e.p.g. in sheep 4–7 months of age.
Soil and plant factors limiting the availability of copper to a beef suckler herd
Authors: Jarvis S. C. , Austin A. R.
Published: March 2009

Hypocuprosis has been diagnosed for 4 years in calves of a beef suckler herd at Warren Farm, Berkshire. The copper (Cu) contents and distribution in the soil at that site, as well as changes in herbage Cu throughout the 1979 grazing season, were examined. The herbage Cu concentration was always less than 7·5 μg/g and decreased markedly to 3·0 μg/g during July. Serum Cu contents of both untreated cows and untreated calves also decreased markedly, but at a much earlier stage than the decrease in herbage concentration. One untreated calf developed severe anaemia, but recovered when treated with Cu Ca EDTA. Although changes in the coefficient of absorption of dietary Cu were caused by changes in S and Mo contents, the calculated availability of Cu was dominated by the Cu content per se. Thus the calculated availability remained relatively high during the period when serum concentration decreased.

The decrease in serum Cu may have occurred as the result of a differing availability of Cu in ensiled and grazed herbages. However, coincident with the decrease in serum Cu was a high concentration of Fe in the grazed herbage which was largely associated with the surfaces of the leaves. It is therefore possible that the development of Cu deficiency immediately after the animals started to graze was precipitated either through an interaction between Cu and Fe in the animal, or because of a reduced availability of Cu through an interaction with ingested soil.
Volatile fatty acid proportions and lactic acid metabolism in the rumen in sheep and cattle receiving silage diets
Authors: Chamberlain D. G. , Thomas P. C. , Anderson Fiona J.
Published: March 2009

A total of 21 rumen-cannulated wether sheep and six rumen-cannulated Ayrshire cows were used in a series of experiments to investigate fermentation in the rumen in animals given silage diets and the nominal metabolism of silage lactic acid. Dietary experiments with sheep (three experiments) and cows (two experiments) given diets consisting of formic acid–preserved perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) silages, in some cases with supplements of rolled barley, were conducted to investigate the ruminal concentrations of lactic acid and of volatile fatty acids (VFA) after feeding. Ingestion of silage was followed by a short-lived peak in lactic acid concentration in the rumen and by a subsequent increase in the concentration of propionate or propionate and butyrate. Butyrate production was more evident in cattle than in sheep. Taken as an average over a 6 h period of sampling the proportions (m-mol/mol total VFA) of acetate, propionate and butyrate in the rumen in animals given silage alone were typically 590–600, 210–250 and 70–150 respectively. When silage was supplemented with barley, in both sheep and cattle, the proportion of propionate was reduced and the proportion of butyrate was increased. In one experiment with sheep these changes in fermentation pattern were shown to be accompanied by an increase in the number of rumen protozoa from 2·78×105/ml to 18·66·105/ml (P<0·01). However, in a subsequent experiment it was shown that defaunation led to an increase in the proportion of butyrate in the rumen.

Twelve estimates were also made with sheep of the metabolism of lactic acid infused into the rumen in a single dose of 20–50 g. These experiments showed that both (L+) and DL-lactio acid were metabolized equally rapidly with a half-life of approximately 25 min. In faunated animals the major products of fermentation were propionate with a small amount of butyrate. In defaunated animals lactate metabolism was slowed and the major product of fermentation was butyrate.

In vitrostudies of lactate fermentation were carried out using strained liquor and isolated bacterial and protozoal fractions from the rumen of sheep receiving silage diets. The rates of lactate disappearance (μg/mg protein/h) were 50 and 22·2 for the rumen liquor and bacterial fraction, respectively, which were significantly (P<0·05,n= 5) less than the rate of 294·7 for the protozoal fraction. Rumen liquor, bacterial and protozoal fractions yielded a similar mixture of fermentation end-products, propionate accounting for approximately 60% of the VFA produced.

The results are discussed in relation to the metabolism of silage lactic acid in the rumen, the production of VFA and the yield of ATP for microbial cell synthesis. It is concluded that the pathways of lactate fermentation are regulated by the rumen microbial population and that protozoa may have an important role in the regulation of lactate fermentation.
The use of generalized lattice designs in potato variety trials (some preliminary results)
Authors: Fielding W. J. , Killick R. J.
Published: March 2009

Generalized lattice designs (a member of the class of incomplete block designs) have been used in 13 potato variety yield trials over 3 years. Results from these designs are shown to be generally more precise than from comparable complete block designs.
Relationships between a P-sorption index, extractable Fe and Al and fluoride reactivity in the soils of an area of mid-Wales
Authors: Loveland P. J. , Wright P. S. , Dight R. J.
Published: March 2009

The soils of on area around Llangadog (mid-Wales) have been systematically sampled on a grid basis at 0–8 cm and 30–35 cm depths.

A P-sorption index was determined for these samples as were Fe and Al extractable by both 0·1 M K-pyrophosphate solution and 0·2 M-NH4-oxalate solution at pH 3. The reactivities of the soils with 1 M-NaF solution at pH 6·8 and pH 8 were also measured.

The results were stratified in terms of parent material, soil classification at subgroup level and soil series, and correlation coefficients calculated between the P-sorption index and the other variables (singly and in combination).

Only pyrophosphate-extractable Fe, i.e. ‘organically bound’, correlated reasonably well with the P-sorption index. However, the correlation was such that tolerably good estimates of P-sorption in an agronomic context could be made from pyrophosphate-extractable Fe values only for previously uncultivated brown podzolic soils (Manod series).

Fluoride reactivities at both pH values were poor predictors of P-sorption in these soils. Fluoride reactivity at pH 6·8 and oxalate-extractable Al, which have both been proposed as indices of the amounts of ‘poorly-ordered’ Al compounds in soils, failed to group these soils in similar ways. Doubt exists therefore as to whether these variables are measures of the same (or similar) property in these soils.
Determination of fixed ammonium in soil
Authors: Bremner J. M.
Published: March 2009

1. A method of determining fixed ammonium in soil based on estimation of the difference in the amounts of ammonium released on treatment with N-HF:N-HC1 and with N-KCI has been investigated and compared with the hydrofluoric acid method of Rodrigues and the alkaline distillation method of Barshad.

2. Results obtained by the N-HF:N-HCl procedure with profile samples of various soils indicated that 3–8% (average, 5·6%) of the nitrogen in the surface soils and 9–44% (average, 21·5%) of the nitrogen in the subsoils examined was in the form of fixed ammonium. Rodrigues's method gave much higher values and Barshad's method gave much lower values.

3. Studies on the forms of nitrogen in soil profiles showed that the proportion of soil nitrogen released by acid hydrolysis as total-N and α-amino-N decreased with depth in the profile, whereas the proportion liberated as ammonium by acid hydrolysis increased with depth. They also showed that a considerable amount of the ammonium released by acid hydrolysis was derived from fixed ammonium in clay minerals.

4. It was found that the proportion of soil nitrogen dissolved by N-HF:N-HCl increased with depth in the profile, whereas the proportion dissolved by neutral and alkaline reagents used to extract soil organic matter decreased with depth. On the average, 23·2% of the nitrogen in the surface soils and 47·4% of the nitrogen in the subsoils was dissolved by a single treatment with N-HF:N-HCl at room temperature for 24 hr.

5. The reliability and significance of the results obtained by the N-HF:N-HCl method are discussed.
Relation of diurnal temperature and humidity ranges to egg production and feed efficiency of New Hampshire hens
Authors: Squibb Robert L.
Published: March 2009

The effect of environment on the production and size of eggs, feed efficiency and mortality of New Hampshire hens in individual cages was studied simultaneously in five areas of Guatemala having temperatures covering a range of 0°–45° C. with variable humidities.

While birds housed in the tropical lowlands did show visible signs of thermo-stress, there were no significant differences in egg size, production, feed consumption, mortality and body weight between areas or between groups within areas. The inconsistency of these data with other published reports is explained on the basis of the observed extremely wide diurnal range for temperatures and humidities. An attempt is made to present accepted physiological phenomena in the form of a working hypothesis wherein the diurnal temperature range is related to the fowl's tolerance to thermo-stress.
Comparison of different levels of all-meal feeding for fattening pigs
Authors: Braude R. , Mitchell K. G. , Cray A. S. , Franke A. , Sedgwick P. H.
Published: March 2009

1. Results are reported of an experiment carried out under commercial conditions to obtain information on the effect of four different levels of allmeal feeding on the performance and carcass grading results of fattening pigs.

2. There were four treatments. All pigs were given the same meal mixtures and were fed dry and ad lib. up to four different daily maximums, namely, 6½, 6, 5½ and 5 lb. meal/pig/day. There were five pens of nine group-fed pigs on each treatment, involving a total of 180 pigs. The pigs were on experiment from approximately 8 weeks of age to bacon weight. Comprehensive carcass measurements were made on all pigs.

3. The results showed that as the level of feeding was decreased, the growth rate of the pigs, back fat thickness and belly thickness were reduced, and the depth and breadth of eye muscle were increased, while the efficiency of food utilization, carcass dressing percentage and carcass length were not markedly affected. Commercial grading results similarly improved as the level of feeding was reduced.

4. It was concluded that under the conditions prevailing, the maximum daily meal allowance should be of the order of 5½ lb./pig in order to obtain relatively satisfactory carcass grading.

5. Subdivision of the carcass measurement and commercial grading data according to sex of pig showed that in general at each level of feeding the carcasses of the female pigs were superior to those of the male animals.

The possibilities of segregating pigs according to sex during fattening as a means whereby undue retardation in the growth rate of the females might be prevented without adversely affecting their carcass grading, was discussed.
Studies of the chemical composition of kales and rapes. II. The rapes
Authors: Jones D. J. C.
Published: March 2009

1. Three varieties of giant rape, two broad leaved Essex rapes, Hungry Gap Kale and Rape-Kale, were grown at two centres in mid-Wales. They were sampled in the early winter period and the samples divided into separate leaf and stem samples. These samples were used to calculate leaf to stem ratios on a green and dry-matter basis.

2. The levels of the proximate constituents, silica, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chlorine, total sulphur, sulphate sulphur and ‘organic’ sulphur were determined in the dried samples. Whole plant values were calculated from the leaf and stem values with the appropriate leaf to stem ratios.

3. The leaf values for ether extract, crude protein, silica-free ash, silica, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chlorine, total sulphur and ‘organic’ sulphur are higher than the corresponding stem values. For dry matter, crude fibre, nitrogen-free extractives and sodium the reverse is found, whilst for sulphate sulphur there is no definite distribution.

4. There are no significant differences in composition between the main groups of varieties, and the rape-type kales are very similar to the other rapes in this respect.
Effects of oxalic acid ingestion by sheep. I. Small doses to chaff fed sheep
Authors: Watts P. S.
Published: March 2009

Small doses of oxalic acid were given to sheep and typical results in sheep receiving 3 and 6 g. per day are given in detail. Little was excreted in the faeces, although sufficient calcium was present in the faeces to combine with 12 times the amount of oxalate present. The blood urea value rose, the blood calcium fell and there was an increase in the CO2combining power. Only very small amounts of oxalic acid were found in the tissues after death. Sheep receiving the larger dose showed typical acute changes in the kidneys with deposition of crystals. Nevertheless, little evidence of renal failure or actual obstruction was obtained, the volume of the urine being maintained and the urea concentration remaining normal.
The growth and development of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) under tropical field conditions
Authors: Littleton E. J. , Dennett M. D. , Elston J. , Monteith J. L.
Published: March 2009

The CO2 exchange of leaves, pods and peduncles was measured in cowpea crops grown at Ibadan, Nigeria, using a portable infra-red gas analysis system. Most leaves had maximum rates of photosynthesis (Pm) of about 1·4 mg CO2/m2/sec and maintained this value for 20 days from full expansion. Early leaves had slightly slower rates. Pm decreased when leaf temperature exceeded 35 °C. The maximum efficiency of photosynthesis, ɛm, was about 2 g CO2/E (0·045 mol CO2/E). ɛmdecreased with temperature for leaves, but increased for pods. The latter response probably results from the effect of the high CO2 concentrations within the pod on the ribulose disphosphate carboxylation reaction. Water shortage reduced Pm but not ɛm. Pods and peduncles had a slightly negative CO2 exchange rate at light saturation but this was considerably less than the rate of CO2 evolution in the dark.
The relationship between yield of milk solids of dairy cows and response to change in plane of nutrition
Authors: Broster W. H. , Broster Valerie J. , Clements A. June , Smith T.
Published: March 2009

A study is reported of the effect of initial potential for milk production of individual cows on the change in milk output consequent upon a change in amount of feed allowed per day. In this study equal initial rations and equal changes in ration were imposed on all cows. The main conclusion was that the greater the initial yield of milk, of milk fat, of solids-not-fat (SNF) or the SNF content of the milk of a cow the greater was the effect of a change in feed allowance on that attribute. It is argued that the effects are large enough to warrant consideration in practical feeding systems.
Fat-tailed Awassi and German Mutton Merino Sheep Under Semi-Arid Conditions: 2. Total Body Water and Water Turnover During Pregnancy and Lactation
Authors: Degen A. A.
Published: March 2009

The total body water (TBW) and water turnover of fat-tailed Awassi ewes, a dairy breed well adapted to desert conditions, and of German Mutton Merino (GMM) ewes, a mutton breed that evolved in a temperate climate, were measured during the 3rd, 4th and 5th months of pregnancy and during the 1st month of lactation. Measurements were taken under grazing conditions with unrestricted water in a semi-arid region.

Both breeds of sheep lost weight during this period. The percentage of TBW increased, especially during the 5th month of pregnancy when the GMM increased their TBW by 5·2% and the Awassi by 1·0%. It was concluded that the nutritive intake was not sufficient to supply the increased energy demands and that the ewes were mobilizing body solids, the GMM at a faster rate.

The GMM ewes turned over about 20% more water per kg wt.0·82 during pregnancy and lactation than did the Awassi ewes. There was little difference in water turnover between the control and pregnant sheep within either breed during gestation. During lactation the experimental Awassi increased their water turnover by 29% over the control Awassi and the experimental GMM increased their water turnover by 26% over the control GMM. In both breeds the increase in water turnover during lactation was smaller than that found in other lactating semi-arid ruminants and the increase in water turnover during pregnancy and lactation was smaller than that recommended by the Agricultural Research Council (1965).
Development of resistance of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) to Du-Ter
Authors: Attal Z. M. El , Moustafa Omayma K. , Abdallah M. D.
Published: March 2009

The rate of development of resistance to Du-Ter in Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) has been determined. The results show that true resistance to Du-Ter could not be induced throughout 33 successive generations. Also, it was found that the rate of development of resistance to DDT in the DDT + Du-Ter strain after being selected with DDT + Du-Ter pressure for 17 successive generations was 11·5- and 43-fold that in the DDT strain. It is concluded that the application of DDT and Du-Ter mixture, having dissimilar modes of action, considerably controls the development of resistance to DDT.
The timing of parturition in dairy cattle
Authors: Edwards Sandra A.
Published: March 2009

The time of parturition was recorded for 522 Friesian cows. Calvings were evenly distributed throughout the 24 hours with no bias towards day or night calving. Cows about to enter their third or subsequent lactation, but not younger cows, showed a significantly lower incidence of calving during the hours when milking was occurring. Possible mechanisms which would account for this rinding are discussed.
Varietal Responses in Spring Barley to Natural and Artificial Lodging and to a Growth Regulator
Authors: Stanca A. M. , Jenkins G. , Hanson P. R.
Published: March 2009

Eight varieties of spring barley differing in their morphology and resistance to lodging were grown in a trial as main plots which were split for seven treatments: a natural control (C), a control with plots which were mechanically supported (S) and four artificially induced lodging treatments: permanent early lodging (PEL); temporary early lodging (TEL); permanent late lodging (PLL) and temporary late lodging (TLL). The seventh treatment (GR) was an application of the growth regulator BAS 09800W. In comparison with S, treatments PEL, TEL, PLL and TLL reduced grain yield by 38–1, 24–8, 22–0 and 13–9 % respectively. Natural lodging in C plots reduced the yield of the two weakest strawed varieties, Guilden and Jupiter, by 8 and 10% respectively in comparison with treatment S. Yields (C) of these two varieties were increased by GR which had no effect on the yield of other varieties, but reduced grain size in some cases. Treatment GR significantly reduced but did not eliminate natural lodging in weaker strawed varieties and reduced the length of the top four internodes. Lodging reduced grain size in terms of 1000–grain weight and sieving fractions and increased the content of husk and protein. Lodging susceptibility was positively correlated with plant height but showed no clear relationship with the number of vascular bundles, stem diameter, wall thickness, or with the content of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose in the basal internodes. Lodging resistance appeared to be closely associated with short basal internodes.
The development of calves reared on varying amounts of whole milk
Authors: Tibbits Janet P.
Published: March 2009

The response of calves to varying amounts of whole milk, as revealed by two experiments at the University of Reading farm at Sonning, is considered as a study of growth and development.

In the first experiment, which had been carried out between 1944 and 1951, seventy-five Shorthorn calves were divided into three groups (A, B and C) reared on 90, 65 and 40 gal. respectively. The treatments produced significant and prolonged differences in live weight.

A second experiment, carried out between 1952 and 1954, consisted of twenty-eight Shorthorn and twenty-eight Friesian calves in four groups (I–IV) reared on 100, 79, 57 and 35 gal. respectively. Very much less response to the treatments was found in live weight, and the effects on thirteen body measurements were even smaller, though still statistically significant. A marked difference in the response of the two breeds was apparent, the Shorthorns showing greater treatment effects in live weight and most of the body measurements.
The effect of the age of the hen on the porosity of the egg
Authors: Bolton W.
Published: March 2009

1. The rate of loss of weight has been determined for eggs from aged hens and from pullets by methods which used both an incubator at 102° F. and a desiccator at room temperature.

2. For both lots of eggs the weight loss per unit area of shell was about three times greater in the incubator than in the desiccator.

3. For the same method the eggs from the aged hens lost one and a half times as much weight per unit area as the eggs from pullets.
Rhizosphere soil nitrogenase (C2H2reduction) as influenced by the nitrogen management in intermediate deep water rice
Authors: Rao J. L. N. , Reddy B. B. , Rajaramamohan Rao V.
Published: March 2009

In a field experiment, the influence of different forms and methods of application of urea nitrogen on the rice rhizosphere soil nitrogenase was evaluated under simulated intermediate deep water situations. Nitrogenase was high when the soil received small amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus with a water level of 20–25 cm. Moreover, during and after the flash floods the nitrogenase activity was considerably increased. There was a significant reduction in the nitrogenase activity when the nitrogen was applied to the shallow water through urea briquettes, but when it was applied either behind the plough or between the rows, the activity was stimulated. Increased water level of about 50 cm for prolonged periods considerably reduced the nitrogenase activity. Results indicate that the method of application of urea nitrogen and the water level influenced the rhizosphere soil nitrogenase activity under intermediate deep water situations.
Effect of zinc on nodulation and nitrogen fixation in chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.)
Authors: Yadav O. P. , Shukla U. C.
Published: March 2009

Number of nodules and leghaemoglobin content of nodules increased with increasing Zn application up to 7·5 μg/g soil. Dry-matter yield and N fixation increased with Zn up to 10 μg/g soil. Both nodulation and N fixation decreased at higher levels. Soil N content showed an initial depletion but increased during the late season. Critical lower and upper levels for maximum N fixation were 1·75–2·5, and 10–14 μg of DTPA extractable Zn/g soil, respectively. In the present studies 5–10 μg Zn/g soil was sufficient for maximum N fixation in chickpea.
Genetics of morphological characters related to plant type in peas (Pisum sativumL.)
Authors: Gupta K. R. , Dahiya B. S. , Singh K. P.
Published: March 2009

Genetic analysis for eight morphological traits, number of days from sowing to first flower, to complete pod filling, and to first mature pod, height of plant from the ground to the first fruiting node, distance between the first and last fruiting nodes, number of nodes from the ground to the first pod-bearing node, average internode length and number of flowers per axil, was done by following numerical and graphical approaches in a nine parental half diallel. Components as well as the graphical approach showed the importance of non-additive gene effects for height of plant from the ground to the first fruiting node, number of nodes from the ground to the first pod-bearing node and number of days from sowing to first mature pod, while for other traits additive genes were important. The high performance of number of nodes from the ground to the first pod-bearing node and number of flowers per axil was governed by recessive alleles while other traits were governed by dominant alleles. Consequently for developing an efficient plant type hybridization between parents like P23, EC109182, EC109196, LMR200 and LMR8 is advocated. Leafless segregants from the present set of crosses which exhibited potential for high yield in national tests have been isolated.
Effects of various planting and harvesting times on the yield, HCN, dry-matter accumulation and starch content of four cassava varieties in a tropical rainforest region
Authors: Kayode G. O.
Published: March 2009

Results of a 2-year study in a rainforest zone of south-western Nigeria to determine the effects of various planting and harvesting times on the yield, HCN, dry-matter accumulation and starch contents of cassava showed that times of planting and harvesting significantly affected all the variables studied. May planting gave highest yield arid starch contents, which suggests that large-scale production of cassava for industrial starch and human consumption should be planted in the month of May.

The harvesting time experiment shows that cassava tuber will continue to increase until the 24th month, although, because of increasing demand for land, it will not be economic to leave cassava on the field for more than 15 months. For optimum starch and dry-matter accumulation, cassava should be harvested between 12 and 15 months.
The water balance of post-monsoonal dryland crops
Authors: Angus J. F. , Hasegawat S. , Hsiao T. C. , Liboon S. P. , Zandstra H. G.
Published: March 2009

Six dryland crops (mungbean, cow pea, soya bean, groundnut, maize and sorghum) and two rice cultivars (C·171·136 and IR 36) were grown under rainfed and irrigated conditions on a dryland site with a clay loam soil at the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines. After the first 30 days of growth there was no effective rain, and the rainfed crops encountered different water deficits. Crop productivity, leaf area, plant water status, root distribution, and soil water use were measured.

Neither rice cultivar yielded seed under rainfed conditions, but all other crops did. With mungbean and cow pea there was little difference between the yields under rainfed and irrigated conditions, but groundnut, soya bean, sorghum and maize gave higher yields under irrigation.

The rainfed crops extracted different amounts of stored soil water, ranging from 100 mm for IR 36 to 250 mm for groundnut. The different amounts were associated with different growth durations, rooting depths and rates of soil water depletion from within the root zone. Biological productivity of the six rainfed crops with the C 3 photosynthetic pathway was linearly related to transpiration, which was estimated from soil water extraction and soil evaporation. Biological productivity per unit of transpiration for the two crops with the C 4 pathway was 2·2 times higher than for those with the C 3 pathway. The different seed yields of the rainfed crops were due to differences in harvest index and the chemical composition of seeds, as well as to biological productivity.

The results are discussed in relation to the potential for growing dryland crops after rice in rice-based cropping systems.
Long-term saline drinking and female reproductive performance in Magra and Marwari sheep of the Indian desert
Authors: Mittal J. P. , Ghosh P. K.
Published: March 2009

Singh & Taneja (1978a, 6, 1981) have reported on several aspects of salinity tolerance in Indian desert sheep breeds, for example, maintenance of body weight, feed and water intake, body water compartments and blood characteristics. No report is available in the literature on the effect of varying levels of salt intake from drinking water on reproductive performance in these animals. The earlier reports on salinity tolerance in sheep have been almost wholly based on the animals' response to different levels of sodium chloride in synthesized drinking waters. It is, however, generally agreed that the upper limit of total salt tolerance in sheep depends not only on the concentration of the most abundant salt constituent in the drinking water (usually sodium chloride), but also on the concentrations of the other constituents. Divalent cations (calcium and magnesium) and anions (sulphates and carbonates) in the water are believed to be more toxic than the monovalent cations and anions (sodium and chloride).
Jaws of adult culled ewes
Authors: Richardson Carol , Richards M. , Terlecki S. , Miller W. M.
Published: March 2009

The jaws of 481 adult culled ewes were examined visually and radiographically for dental abnormality and changes in skeletal structure; the findings were correlated with ante-mortem body condition score and breed. Only two ewes had normal buccal morphology; the remainder of the sample showed a range of abnormalities which included loose and missing teeth, gingival hypertrophy, food-filled gingival pockets, ridging and shearing of the occlusal surfaces. There was a general loss of bone structure. Dental abnormality was not strongly correlated with breed but showed a significant relationship with radiographic assessment of bone density. Body condition did not appear to be adversely affected by dental disease. Skull dimensions and dental pad position were strongly associated with breed. The state of the incisor teeth alone was a poor indicator of cheek tooth condition.
Changes in the cell wall components of laboratory silages and the effect of various additives on these changes
Authors: Morrison I. M.
Published: March 2009

A series of laboratory silages were prepared and opened after 2, 20, 60 and 150 days. The silages were made without any additive and with formaldehyde, formic acid, hexanoic acid, benzoic acid or sulphuric acid. The cellulose, hemicellulose, acetyl, alkali-labile phenolic acids and core lignin were determined in all silages as well as the composition of the hemicelluloses. In all the silages, the core lignin remained unchanged while the cellulose content only decreased by up to 5%. Large losses of acetyl residues and alkali-labile phenolic acids were observed in all the silages and losses of 10–20% of the hemicelluloses were found. The losses of hemicellulose were not uniform. The arabinose side chains were preferentially cleaved relative to the xylose residues. It was shown that part of the loss of carbohydrate could have been caused by the acidic conditions in the silage as well as by microbial activity. The silages made using the acidic additives with the highest pKa values lost the greatest proportion of carbohydrate. The implications of these results on rumen activity are discussed.
Body temperature, respiration and pulse rate in Corriedale, Marwari and Magra sheep in the Rajasthan desert
Authors: Mittal J. P. , Ghosh P. K.
Published: March 2009

During summer the morning (08.00 h) to afternoon (15.00 h) increases in rectal temperature, respiratory rate and pulse rate of free grazing Marwari and Magra sheep (rams) of the desert areas of north-western India were compared with those of Corriedale rams, which are being imported into India to improve the productivity of local stock through cross-breeding. Basal (morning) values for all three measurements were similar in the three breeds. While the afternoon values in respect of all three characters were significantly higher than the morning values in all the breeds, the increases were greatest in the Corriedales.
Diseases of winter oil-seed rape: occurrence, effects and control
Authors: Rawlinson C. J. , Muthyalu G.
Published: March 2009

The results of observations begun in 1973 and of disease surveys carried out on winter oil-seed rape crops on ten farms in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire between 1975 and 1978 are reported. The major diseases encountered in the surveys, namely downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica (FT.) Tull.), canker (Leptosphaeria maculans (Desm.) Ces. & de Not.), light leafspot or scorch (Pyrenopeziza brassicae Sutton & Rawlinson) and grey mould (Botrytis cinerea Fr.) are discussed in relation to diseases of rape grown elsewhere and the results of experiments on disease control reported. Symptoms of virus infection and root disease were rare.

Early (before stem extension) use of two applications of benomyl (1·2 kg a.i./ha) decreased the incidence and severity of light leaf spot and canker and increased yield by up to 33%. Benomyl plus thiram seed treatment (5 and l·5ga.i./kg) was less effective than a benomyl foliar spray. In field experiments differences in severity of light leaf spot and canker explained a substantial part of variation in yield but downy mildew did notaccount for further variation.
The association between altitude, environmental variables, maize growth and yields in Kenya
Authors: Cooper P. J. M.
Published: March 2009

A Kenya Highland maize was planted at three altitudes, 1268, 1890 and 2250 m. Development rate, dry-matter accumulation and leaf area production were recorded during vegetative growth, together with grain formation and dry-matter accumulation in the primary cob. Rainfall, insolation, soil and air temperatures were continuously recorded at all sites. Maize developed faster at low warm altitudes, the rate being dependent on soil and air temperature. During vegetative growth, this relationship could be satisfactorily explained by an integrated temperature, but during the reproductive phase, some allowance had to be made for over optimal temperatures at low warm altitudes. Altitude had little effect on crop leaf area at any particular development stage, but leaf area production rates were closely related to leaf emergence rates. Before establishment of complete ground cover, large differences in dry-matter accumulation rates were observed which appeared related to rate of leaf area production. Once full ground cover was established, crop growth rates became much more similar. Potential number of grains per embryonic primary cob was greatest at low altitudes, but the final number of grains per cob at harvest was greatest at high altitudes. Rate of increase of grain weight was constant and very similar at all sites until growth stopped abruptly at 69, 83 and 96 days after tasselling at low, medium and high altitudes respectively. Rate of accumulation and partition of total dry matter in the primary cobs was similar at all sites, but owing to greater duration of development at high altitudes, dry matter per cob increased with altitude. Large yield differences were found at harvest, yield decreasing with decreasing altitude. Yield differences were mainly due to variations in number of grains per plant, although grain size also contributed. In this and other trials it was shown that the number of grains per plant at harvest was closely related to the mean thermal growth rate (expressed in units of g/plant/growing degree day) during the grain site initiation period.
Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers for wheat and barley in a semi-arid region
Authors: Krentos V. D. , Orphanos P. I.
Published: March 2009

Nineteen NP experiments were carried out with wheat and barley mostly in the Mesaoria plain of Cyprus over the period 1968–78. The fields were fallowed over the season preceding the experiments. Rainfall ranged from 68 to 405 mm. Kyperounda, a tall durum wheat, Pitic 62, a semi-dwarf aestivum wheat, and Athenais barley were the test varieties. No yield was obtained when rainfall was below 100 mm. Athenais barley consistently outyielded the wheat varieties, particularly Kyperounda, by up to 200% presumably because of earlier heading, which helpedthe crop to escape drought to a certain extent.

Kyperounda wheat and Athenais barley mostly responded to 35 kg N/ha but Pitic 62 benefited from up to 70 kg N/ha. Fertilizer N not taken up in a year of extremely low rainfall remained in the soil and was available to the following crop.

Response to P was more marked when rainfall was below 250 mm being linear over the rates tested (highest rate 26 kg P/ha). Athenais barley responded to P more than the other varieties. Bicarbonate-soluble soil P was between 1 and 10 mg/kg.

Since rainfall is unpredictable it is recommended that 20–40 kg N/ha be applied atseeding together with 13–26 kg P/ha. A similar amount of N should be top dressed in late January. The higher amount refers to the semi-dwarf Pitic 62 wheat and could be increased further if the December-January rainfall, which normally constitutes 40% of the total, is high. These rates refer to crops grown after fallow. For continuous growing the rates would probably have to be increased.