bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Xylitol, polyol molasses and glucose in the diet of newborn calves: II. Content of antimicrobial factors in blood and saliva, bacteria in faeces and health status
Authors: Korhonen Hannu , Alasaari Eija , Antila Matti
Published: July 2018

The concentrations of various antimicrobial factors in the saliva and plasma of newborn calves with special reference to possible effects of a diet supplemented with different sugar alcohols were studied. Eighteen calves were assigned alternately at birth to three groups, each comprising six animals. All calves were fed a pooled colostrum diet for the first four days, thereafter whole milk plus milk replacer. Concentrates and hay were given ad libitum. The diets of the different groups were supplemented with the following test substrates: xylitol, polyol molasses or glucose(control). The daily doses of each substrate were progressively increased from 0.5 to 1.0 g/kg of live weight for the last four weeks. Plasma and saliva samples were taken from all calves before colostrum feeding (day 0) and on days 1, 2, 4, 7, 21 and 35 after birth. The following factors were determined quantitatively: lactoferrin (LF), lactoperoxidase (LP), lysozyme (LZM) and immunoglobulins IgG1, lgG2, IgM and IgA (only in plasma). Further determinations included weekly counts of total aerobic bacteria, aerobic haemolytic bacteria, coliforms, lactobacilli and clostridia in faeces. Salivary LF increased from the average 0 day level of 3.6—17.0 /µg/ml in the different groups to a maximum of 38.7—55.6 µg/ml within one week, and declining thereafter slowly in all groups. LF was not found in the saliva of all calves at birth but was consistently present later on. No LF was detected in plasma. Salivary LP increased from the average 0 day level of 56.3—86.6 /µg/ml in the different groups to a maximum of 228—296 /µg/ml within three weeks and declined markedly by day 35. LP was found in all saliva samples, but the plasma concentrations were very low and not always detectable. Salivary LZM was high at birth compared to the plasma level (average 0.8—2.1 /µg/ml vs. 0.3—0.5µg/ml in the different groups).
Effect of full-fat rapeseed on digestibility and rumen fermentation in cattle
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka , Poutiainen Esko
Published: July 2018

The effect of whole crushed rapeseed on ration digestibility was determined with three bulls, average live weight 155 kg, and the effect on rumen fermentation with a heifer fitted with a rumen fistula. The basal diet (B) contained 50 % of grass silage and 50 % of rolled barley of total DM. In experimental diets 30 % of barley was replaced with crushed rapeseed fed either untreated (URS) or treated with 1.2% of Gasol solution (GRS). The feeding level was 80 g DM/kg W0.75 for the bulls and 60 g DM/kg W0.75 for the heifer. The average digestibilities of the diets were 73.9 (B), 71.6 (URS) and 72.7 % (GRS) for organic matter. There were no significant differences in apparent digestibility of crude protein or crude fibre. The digestibility of ether extract was higher (P < 0.05) and that of NFE lower (P < 0.01) on rapeseed diets. Nitrogen retentions were 28.4, 30.9 and 33.7 g/d, respectively, for the three treatments. On rapeseed diets the rumen pH was higher (P < 0.05) and the total VFA and ammonia N concentration lower (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) than on control diet. Rapeseed increased the proportion of propionic acid (P < 0.01) and decreased the proportion of butyric acid (P < 0.01) in rumen VFA. The rate of degradation of DM and CP in the rumen was slower for Gasol-treated rapeseed than for untreated rapeseed. Rapeseeds did not have a negative effect on the rate of degradation of silage or hay in the rumen determined by nylon bag method. But replacement of barley with rapeseed tended to decrease the degradation rate of silage crude protein. There were no significant differences between the treatments in blood constituents.
The effect of supplementation of grass silage with rapeseed meal or Gasol-treated barley on the performance of growing cattle
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka , Poutiainen Esko , Mikkola Timo
Published: July 2018

Grass silage was offered ad libitum to 16 Ayrshire cattle in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment lasting 196 days. The silage was supplemented with barley preserved with 0.85 % of propionic acid (PAB) or 1.28 % Gasol solution (GB) 45 g DM/kg W0.75. Four of the animals in PAB and GB groups received no protein supplement(NPS) and four of the animals in both groups received extracted rapeseed meal as protein supplement(RSM). RSM was fed according to UDP (undegradable feed protein) requirements. The average age of the animals at the beginning of the experiment was 86 days and the average liveweight 106 kg. The average daily gains were 1066 and 1070 g/d for PAB and GB groups and 1012 and 1124 g/d (P < 0.01) for NPS and RSM groups. In feed intake and feed conversion there were no significant differences between the groups. Supplementation of silage barley diet with RSM increased the digestibility of organic matter from 71.1 to 73.5 % (P < 0.05), of crude protein from 62.8 to 67.4 % (P < 0.05) and of crude fibre from 57.2 to 60.2 % (P < 0.05). Both barleys were well preserved and there was no deterioration during the storage. The degradation rates of DM, crude protein and starch determined by nylon bag method were lower in GB than in PAB. Crude protein disappearances in 9 hours were 46.6 % for GB and 76.4 % for PAB. The utilization of absorbed protein calculated by factorial method averaged 0.566 ± 0.01 in the four different groups. Plasma urea N level was higher (P < 0.05) in the RSM than in the NPS group. The proportion of acetic acid in the rumen VFA was lower (P < 0.05) and that of propionic acid higher (P < 0.01) in the RSM than in the NPS group. PAB resulted in a higher (P < 0.05) proportion of propionic acid in rumen VFA than did GB.
Leaf protein from green pulse crops and nutritive value of legume protein concentrates for poultry
Authors: Näsi Matti , Kiiskinen Tuomo
Published: July 2018

Leaf protein concentrate (LPC) samples were prepared from four pulse crops, goat’s rue, pea, field bean and Persian clover. Their proximate composition was 42.5— 53.4 % crude protein, 2.1—7.9 % ether extract and 1.0—3.0 % crude fibre. The lysine content was 4.1—4.8 g/ 16 g N, that of sulphur amino acids 2.0—2.8 g and that of threonine 4.5—4.8 g. The contents of tannins varied from 2.2 to 5.5 %. The nutritional values of the LPC samples were assesed in digestibility and balance trials with male chickens of 16—18 weeks, LPC composing 25 % of the diets. LPC from pea had the highest digestibilities of organic matter (70.3 %), crude protein (77.6 %) and carbohydrates (54.9 %), while LPC from Persian clover had the lowest (P < 0.01). The true digestibilities of crude protein for goat’s rue, pea, field bean and Persian clover were, respectively, 70.0, 82.2, 69,7 and 56.8 % (P < 0.01). The digestibilities of nutrients in the present LPC samples were rather low compared to their minimal crude fibre content. A reason for this may be the contents of tannins. The AMEN values for the LPC’s of goat’s rue, pea, field bean and Persian clover were, respectively, 10.79, 13.15, 9.80 and 9.18 (P < 0.01). The gross energy metabolization ranged from 42.6 to 57.0 %.
Experiments on direct isolation of Pythium spp. from Finnish sugar beet soils
Authors: Vestberg Mauritz
Published: July 2018

Pythium spp. were successfully isolated directly from sugar beet soils by the method of Ricci et al. (1976). The isolates obtained were divided in to four groups on the basis of morphological and growth habit characters. The groups showed large differences in in vitro pathogenicity. The importance of some factors affecting the estimation of Pythium propagule density is studied and discussed.
Consumption and production of herbs in Finland
Authors: Hälvä Seija
Published: July 2018

A study on the consumption and production of spice and medicinal herbs in Finland was carried out in 1983. There are approximately 150 commercial herb plant growers in Finland. Most of the farmers grow leafy herbs; only ten percent grow seed (botanically also fruit) spices e.g. caraway and mustard. The total cultivation area for leafy herbs is 30 hectares; for dill 14 and for parsley 12 hectares. Seed spices are grown on 130 hectares, most of this is devoted to mustard. Finland is almost self sufficient for fresh dill and parsley, but dry herbs are mostly imported. Self-sufficiency of caraway is 40 % and mustard 20 % while the other herbs and spices are also mostly imported. The total herb and spice import in 1982 was approximately 30 million Finnmarks, half of which was for the import of the so-called exotic spices. The total import of those herbs that could be cultivated in Finland was 17 million FIM. The most promising of these being mustard, garlic, chamomile, mints, dill and parsley.
Rapeseed meal of low- and high-glucosinolate type fed to growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Näsi Matti , Alaviuhkola Timo , Suomi Kaija
Published: July 2018

The nutritive value of five lots of rapeseed meal (RSM) from Brassica campestris or B. napus with different levels of glucosinolates (GL) was investigated in a digestibility and balance trial with a 5 x 5 Latin square design and in a growth trial with 140 growing-finishing pigs. The RSM’s were prepared from the cultivars: Span-Torch, Sigga, Gulliver and Topas, and a heat-treated RSM was also studied, their total GL contents (µmol/g defatted meal) being 42, 11, 98, 27 and 8, respectively. Cv. Sigga had yellow hulls and a lower ADF content than the other cultivars. The hat-treated RSM had a reduced lysine content. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in organic matter or crude protein digestibilities between the RSM’s with different GL levels or the RSM’s prepared from B. campestris and B. napus, when RSM was used as the only protein supplement at a level of 20—25 % in a barley-based diet. Heat treatment reduced the organic matter and crude protein digestibilities (P < 0.01). Nitrogen retention and protein utilization were lower (P < 0.01) on the diet supplemented with heat-treated RSM than on the diets with the other RSM’s but otherwise there were no significant differences between them (P > 0.05). In the growth trial supplementation with HGL-RSM Gulliver (14 % in diet) caused some palatability problems and this led to reduced performance (P < 0.05), but there were no differences between the other groups receiving 14—15 % RSM and the SBM control group (P > 0.05). The carcass quality was similar in all the groups. The weight of the thyroid gland was higher in the pigs receiving RSM than in the SBM controls, by 6—57 % (P < 0.05). In the present study a fairly high RSM supplements from cultivars with a moderate high GL content could be used in the diet of growing pigs without impairing their performance, when the diet was formulated on the basis of the digestible nutrients of RSM. Heat-treated RSM, with protein of low rumen degradability, is of poor value in pig feeding due to the low digestibility and availability of its protein.
Number of extractionsin determination of effective cation-exchange capacity
Authors: Niskanen Raina
Published: July 2018

The number of successive extractions with 1 M KCI needed for adequate estimation of effective cation-exchange capacity was studied with four mineral soils. The effective CEC estimated as the sum of equivalents of exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, H and Al extracted by four successive treatments ranged from 57 to 206 meq/kg soil. In three cultivated soils, 63—90 % of CEC was saturated by Ca and Mg, in the fourth soil (a deeper layer virgin soil), 60 % of CEC by exchangeable H and Al. By two successive treatments often minutes duration with 50ml of 1 M KCI, the equivalent sum of exchangeable cations extracted amounted to 83—92 % of effective CEC in cultivated soils and 67 % of that in virgin soil; >90 % of exchangeable Ca and Mg, 78—97 % of Al, 48—62 % of H and 28—64 % of Na were extracted. By three successive treatments the equivalent sum amounted to 79—96 % of effective CEC, by the single treatment of 30 minutes duration with 100ml of 1 M KCI to 57—79 %. Two successive extractions with 1 M KCI may be enough for estimation of effective CEC in cultivated mineral soils with high degree of saturation by exchangeable Ca and Mg. Soils with high degree of saturation by exchangeable acidity require three successive extractions.
Nurmirehun sulavuuden arvioiminen raakakuitu- ja raakavalkuaispitoisuuden perusteella
Authors: Korva J. , Tuori M.
Published: July 2018

Tutkimuksessa laskettiin nurmirehujen orgaanisen aineen ja raakavalkuaisen sulavuuden riippuvuuksia raakavalkuais- ja raakakuitupitoisuuksista regressioanalyysin avulla. Aineisto käsitti 26 osin julkaisuista kerättyä säilörehujen ja heinien in vivo-sulavuuskoetta, jotka on tehty Viikissä (Helsingin yliopisto), Tikkurilassa (Maatalouden tutkimuskeskus) ja Ultunassa (ruotsalaisen Kivimäen aineisto). Aineiston perusteella timotei-nurminatavaltaisen nurmen säilörehu- ja heinäsatojen orgaanisen aineen sulavuutta voidaan arvioida yhtälöllä OMD = 92.0—139.3/CP—0.0126 * CF2 (R2 = 0.91, RSD = 2.2) ja raakavalkuaisen näennäistä sulavuutta yhtälöllä CPD = 91.8—288.4/CP (R2 = 0.89, RSD = 2.9), missä CP = raakavalkuaispitoisuus ja CF = raakakuitupitoisuus (% kuiva-aineesta).
Urea treatment of barley grain. Effect on storage properties and fungal growth
Authors: Hannukkala Asko , Huhtanen Pekka
Published: July 2018

Barley harvested at three different moisture contents (22, 25 and 32 %) was treated with varying levels of urea (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 % on fresh weight basis) and stored aerobically in experimental silos of 400 liters. The chemical composition of barley was analysed before treatment and after 12 months of storage. Fungal contamination of grain samples was analysed. Application of 1.5 % or more urea effectively preserved the grain for 12 months. At the highest moisture content, 1.0 % of urea did not prevent deterioration during storage. The average recovery of dry matter was 97.1 %, of nitrogen 93.9 %. Ammonia was released from hydrolysis of urea. The degree of hydrolysis increased with increasing moisture content of barley. Raising the levels of urea from 1.0 to 2.5 % significantly increased the quantity but tended to decrease the proportion of urea hydrolysed. Representatives of 33 genera of fungi and unidentified actinomycetes were present in the grain lots examined. Most fungi were found only occasionally and their incidence declined towards the end of storage. The grain stored at the highest moisture level (32 %) contained more fungi and less actinomycetes than other seed lots. All urea treatments reduced the number of fungi on seeds. Urea concentration of 2 % or more eliminated Fusarium- and Aspergillus species on all moisture levels. Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (Sacc.) Bain, and other species of Scopulariopsis were the most commonly encountered fungi after urea treatment. The total number of Scopulariopsis ssp. exceeded 100 % and the amount remained high for 40 weeks of storage until a rapid decline towards the end of storage. Urea treatment also favoured the occurrence of actinomycetes.
Transformation of the rheological properties of a soya oil-in-water emulsion as a result of the addition of salt substitutes
Authors: Lahtinen Seppo
Published: July 2018

The influences of 1.00 % wt/wt NaCl, Morton Lite Salt (50 % wt/wt NaCl and 50 % KCI) and Mineral Salt (65 % NaCl, 25 % KCI and 10 % MgSO4 • 7H2O) on the rheological properties of an emulsion containing 1.0 % sodium alginate, 1.0 % acetylated distarch adipate, 68 % water and 30 % oil were compared at a pH value 4.5 by means of a coaxial cylinder viscometer. An empirical model composed of two exponential terms was used to describe the rheological behavior under a constants hear rate. The addition of any of the three salts increased the essential mechanical parameter values remarkably. The influences of Morton Lite Salt and Mineral Salt were quite similar and different from that of NaCl. When xanthan gum replaced sodium alginate in the emulsion, small decreases were observed in some of the parameter values owing to salt addition. No differences existed between the influences of salts in that case.
Blossom beetle (Meligethes aeneus Fab.) as a yield factor in turnip rape (Brassica campestris L.)
Authors: Tulisalo Unto , Wuori Tuomo
Published: July 2018

Over the period from 1972—1982 the incidence of blossom beetles and their effect on yield formation in rape were studied infield trials and cage experiments at the Agricultural Research Centre, Vantaa, near Helsinki. The beetles migrated to the winter rape stands in May, when maximum daily temperatures rose above + 15°C, and the migration to the spring rape stands occurred about three weeks later. The population peak in both winter and spring rapes occurred just before flowering. During the 1970’s the diminishing cultivation of winter turnip rape, the chief host of the blossom beetle, together with an increase in the extent of spring rapes resulted in the reduction of beetle populations to such low levels that intensive control measures were not required until 1981. It appears that the blossom beetles are gradually adapting themselves to the developmental rhytm of spring turnip rape. In the cage experiments beetles were maintained on the plants a) from the seedling stage to flowering, b) from flowering to maturity and c) from the seedling stage to maturity, starting with populations of 5, 15 or 25 beetles/plant. In the first treatment the beetles had no significant effect upon yields, as the plants were able to compensate for the injuries. In the other treatments even the lowest population density reduced yields. The larvae, too, contributed to the yield loss. Apparently a vigorous stand can tolerate large numbers of beetles up to a few days before flowering, provided they are promptly destroyed after that. In the field trials, yield losses caused by natural populations of beetles ranged from 0—34 %. Even lower incidences than 2 beetles/plant caused measurable losses in yield. The injured plants produced fewer siliquas than the control plants, but tended to compensate by increasing seed number and seed weight. The trial results confirm that the threshold level, 1 beetle/plant at the early bud stage, should be followed. On the other hand they clearly demonstrate that the threshold level is essentially dependent upon the growing conditions and time of injury. For fully effective control generally two applications of insecticide are needed. The best control strategy in the future will probably involve a comprehensive regional application eg. in two to three year sequences in order to prevent the beetle populations from building up to excessive levels.
Environmental and genetic variation in protein content of peas under northern growing conditions and breeding implications
Authors: Karjalainen Reijo , Kortet Salme
Published: July 2018

Association of protein content in peas with climatic factors was studied on data based on official cultivar trials at six locations in southern Finland in 1978—1985. Correlation and step-wise multiple linear regression methods were used to define the main climatic variables affecting protein content. Correlation studies showed that protein content was significantly and positively associated with temperature sum and mean June temperature and significantly negatively correlated with July precipitation. Regression analysis indicated that climatic factors accounted for 25 %—70 % of the total variation in protein content. Temperature sum and precipitation in July were the most important independent variables explaining protein variation. The role of environmental factors for protein variation and its implications for the improvement of protein content by plant breeding is discussed.
Studies on fertilization of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): II Oil yield of dill affected by fertilization
Authors: Hälvä S. , Huopalahti R. , Mäkinen S.
Published: July 2018

The influence of different levels of basic fertilization and nitrogen top-dressing on the herb and oil yield of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) was studied in 1984 and 1985 in Finland. The total nitrogen doses were 0, 15, 30, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg/ha. The crop in 1984 yielded 12 000—34 000 kg/ha fresh dill herb and 10.3—21.1 kg/ha essential oil. The figures in 1985 were 10600—21 000 and 9.4—16.6 kg/ha, respectively. Of the 22 volatile components identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, the four most abundant compounds were analysed quantitatively. These compounds were a-phellandrene, 3,6-dimethyl-2,3,3a,4,5,7a-hexahydrobenzofuran, β-phellandrene and limonene, composing 70—95 % of the total aroma content. The optimum basic fertilization for the herb yield proved to be a compound fertilizer of the rate of 40-16-68 kg NPK/ha. The small nitrogen doses (30—40kg N/ha) gave also good results in respect to oil yield and the amount of 3,6-dimethyl-2,3,3a,4,5,7a-hexahydrobenzofuran, the most important aroma compound in the dill herb.
Spring wheat mixtures in northern crop production: Quality characteristics
Authors: Salovaara H. , Karjalainen R.
Published: July 2018

Mixtures of two or three spring wheat cultivars (Tähti/Kadett; Tähti/Kadett/ Tapio) were grown on experimental plots and the resulting crops were analyzed by selected procedures to indicate breadmaking quality. The quality tests included tests on the protein content, sedimentation values and rheological properties of doughs. Comparisons between mixtures and the means of pure components did not show any definite variations in terms of major quality characteristics. The quality of mixtures appears to be predictable from the performance of the pure components. The present study suggests that mixtures give equal quality compared with pure stands.
Release of phosphorus, aluminium and iron in fractionation of inorganic soil phosphorus
Authors: Niskanen Raina
Published: July 2018

Release of phosphorus, aluminium and iron by a modified Chang and Jackson procedure was studied in five mineral soils. Quantities of aluminium and iron released during the procedure and extracted by acid ammonium oxalate were compared. The extractability of P, Al and Fe by 1 M NH4CI and that of Al and Fe by alkaline 0.5 M NH4F was poor. Proportions of P extracted by 0.5 M NH4F (0.2—10.4 mmol/kg soil) and 0.1 M NaOH (0.1— 9.8 mmol/kg soil) were related to the molar ratio of oxalate-extractable iron and aluminium. P extracted by 0.25 M H2SO4 amounted to 2.1—12.2 mmol/kg soil. Al extracted by 0.1 M NaOH (7—174 mmol/kg soil) and 0.25 M H2SO4 (17—112 mmol/kg soil) amounted to 55—94 % and 16—245 % of oxalate-extractable Al, respectively. Fe released by 0.1 M NaOH (1—10 mmol/kg soil) and 0.25 M H2SO4 (30—196 mmol/kg soil) amounted to 1—13 % and 62—272 % of oxalate-extractable Fe, respectively. In total, 91—309 % of oxalate-extractable Al and 70—285 % of oxalate-extractable Fe were released by NaOH and H2SO4.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of potatoes in Finland
Authors: Seppänen Esko
Published: July 2018

Six bacterial and 18 fungal diseases are reviewed. Six and 28, respectively, of their causal organisms are presented. The occurrence and economic effects of these diseases are estimated.
The Returns to Investment in Agricultural Research in Finland 1950—1984
Authors: Sumelius John
Published: July 2018

This study attempts to estimate the value marginal product and the marginal internal rate of return for agricultural research in Finland. Based on production function analysis, different Cobb-Douglas and linear models are specified and estimated. A variable for the research input is measured through the flow of public expenditures for research and university-level education in 1950—1984. In addition, a stock of research capital consisting of funds accumulated since 1920 is constructed and included in the models. The estimates of elasticity with respect to public research are used to compute rates of return. State expenditures for extension agencies are also taken into account on the cost side. It is concluded that the stock of research capital estimates are more believable than the flow estimates, because of difficulties in identifying an appropriate lag. Based on the stock estimates, the value marginal product for public research during the period studied seems to have been 1.83—1.91. The conclusion implies that additional public investment in agricultural research would have annually returned by 183—191 % over the inflation rate. The marginal internal rate of return for public research is calculated to have been 20—62 % depending on the length of the lag (4—10 years).
The effect of inoculants and cellulase on the fermentation and microbiological composition of grass silage: II Microbiological changes in the silages
Authors: Rauramaa Aino , Setälä Jouko , Moisio Tauno , Sivelä Seppo , Heikkilä Terttu , Lampila Martti
Published: July 2018

Four experimental silages were made into bunker silos by adding lactic acid bacteria and cellulase enzyme. The control silages were made without any additives and with AIV II solution (80 % formic acid, 2% orthophosphoric acid). The microbial compositions of the experimental silages were studied in five microbial groups; (1) total count of bacteria, (2) lactic acid bacteria, (3) Clostridia, (4) coliform bacteria and (5) fungi (yeasts and moulds). At the beginning of the fermentations enteric bacteria and lactic acid bacteria were increasing. Inoculation of the silage decreased the growth of enterobacteria compared with silages made with cellulase or without additives. This effect was further increased by using AIV II solution. Heterolactic fermentations started in the silages made with cellulase, inoculants and no additives, when initial reducing sugars, primarily glucose and fructose, were fermented. In good ensiling conditions only a few butyric acid forming Clostridia and small amounts of moulds and yests were found. Yeasts existed mostly in silages made with cellulase and with inoculation.
The in vivo growth and development of micropropagated Elatior begonias (Begonia x hiemalis): I. Study on the effect of lighting and substrate
Authors: Roivainen Päivi
Published: July 2018

Micropropagation is an efficient way to produce pathogen-free Elatior begonias. However, certain problems arise when these plants are used in commercial pot plant production. The plants grow too luxuriantly, the root collars remain thin and flowering is delayed. To investigate the impact of the growing method, an experiment with different sources of supplementary light and different substrates was arranged in spring 1987. The following Elatior begonia cultivars were studied: ’Afrodite’, ’Afrodite Special’,'Afrodite Rosa’, ’Mandela’, ’Barbara’, ’Connie’, ’Marja’ and ’Sirene’. Four different lamp types were used: high pressure sodium lamps (Airam SNaKd 330 W), high-pressure mercury lamps (Airam HgLX 400W), high-pressure metal halide lamps (Philips HPI/T 375 W) and, as a control treatment, incandescent lamps of 100W. The plants were potted in B2-peat (Sphagnum peat with moderate fertilization and medium sieving grade), B2-peat (3 parts) plus perlite (1 part) or B2-peat (2 parts) plus perlite (2 parts). The plants lighted with SNaKd or HgLX lamps were the highest, the broadest and the first to reach anthesis and the sale stage. The plants in the control group were the smallest and the last to reach anthesis and the sale stage. The effect of the substrate on the time required to reach anthesis and the sale stage was clear only in the cultivar ’Afrodite Special’; when potted in peat-perlite 2 + 2, its plants flowered 2 weeks later than in other substrate mixtures. The height and the width of the plants were not greatly affected by the substrate. None of the lamp types or substrates clearly increased the number of flower buds or the diameter of the root collar. The proportion of saleable plants varied with the cultivar, lighting and substrate. In most cultivars it was below 50 %. The chief factors reducing saleability were luxuriant growth, weak flowering and oblique growth habit.
The effects of intraruminal infusions of sucrose and xylose on nitrogen and fibre digestion in the rumen and intestines of cattle receiving diets of grass silage and barley
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka
Published: July 2018

Two male cattle (live weight 240 kg) fitted with rumen and simple T-piece duodenal cannulas were given a basal diet of 12 kg of silage (227 g/kg DM, 25.7 g N/kg DM), 1 kg of rolled barley and 100 g of mineral mixture. In addition to the basal diet, 0, 450 or 900 g/d of either sucrose or xylose was continuously infused intraruminally. The amount of organic matter (OM) entering the duodenum (P < 0.001) and excreted in the faeces (P < 0.01) was linearly increased with the increased sugar infusion. The proportion of digestible OM apparently digested in the rumen averaged 0.694, and did not differ (P > 0.05) with the level or type of sugar. Rumen ammonia concentration and molar proportions of isovalerate were decreased (P < 0.001) with increased sugar level. The decrease in the ammonia concentration was slightly less (P < 0.05) with xylose than with sucrose. Molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate were not affected by the sugar level but sucrose produced a lower (P < 0.05) proportion of acetate and higher (P < 0.01) proportion of butyrate than did xylose. There was a net loss of N (11.6g/d) between the mouth and duodenum when the basal diet was consumed alone but a net gain (21.6 g/d) with the high level of sugar infusion. Microbial N flow at the duodenum, measured on the basis of RNA purine bases, increased linearly (P 0.05) for sugar levels of 0, 450 and 900 g/d, respectively. The amount of microbial N produced was closely related to rumen ammonia concentration (r—0.86; P < 0.001) and outflow of water at the duodenum (r 0.83; P
Breeding of a protein pea ideotype for Finnish conditions
Authors: Hovinen Simo
Published: July 2018

The characteristics of protein pea (Pisum sativum L.) adapted to cultivation in Finnish conditions were specified. Ideotypes for pure and mixed stands were defined separately. Factors affecting seed yield, protein yield and protein content were determined. Efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation in the varieties was evaluated at two nitrogen application levels, 16 and 80 kg/ha. Selection methods for increasing protein content were discussed. The commercial varieties bred during the programme were presented. The effect of the gene af on different characteristics of the pea was the central object of the studies. The ideotype of peas for cultivation in Finland has to be of the afila-type. This concerns cultivation in both pure and mixed stands. Afila-peas gave seed yields and protein yields as high as the leafed ones. The lodging of afila-peas throughout the generative growth phase was less than that of the conventional leaf types. In mixed cropping the most suitable afila-peas generally formed almost completely unlodged stands together with cereals. The best seed yields were given by the varieties with a stem height of 61 to 94 cm. Due to competition, the corresponding height in mixed stands ranged from 80 to 100 cm. For the same reason, varieties to be used in mixed stands must possess a fairly large seed size and fast growth rate after emergence. The optimum flowering period lasted from 19 to 28 days. The varieties must be early, with a growing time from 91 to 101 days. Late varieties are not adapted to northern conditions, giving low yields and poor quality. The mean yield of the varieties was 4500 kg/ha in pure stands. The high nitrogen application level of 80 kg/ha did not increase pea yield in comparison with the 16 kg/ha level. In contrast, it enhanced the protein content by 1 % and the protein yield slightly. In mixed stands the mean total yield was 4700kg/ha. The hectare yields of crude protein reached levels of 990 and 900 kg respectively. Early varieties tend to have a low protein content. The protein content ranged from 15.4 to 27.6 per cent in the unselected line material. A negative, although weak correlation was found between seed yield and protein content. A variety with the highest protein yield must exceed the average level both in seed yield and protein content. The varieties with the highest protein yields had a content of 23—27 per cent.
Additional costs to Finnish dairy farms due to occupational safety and health
Authors: Klen Tapio
Published: July 2018

The additional costs incurred by work safety measures to dairy farms were estimated by interviewing 95 dairy farmers and inspecting with them production buildings, machines and the need for personal protective devices at a commune. The present value of the implemented safety and health improvements rose to FIM 22 000 per farm in 1983. About FIM 17000 were due to the tractors, FIM 3 000 to the cow houses and FIM 2 000 to other machines and tools than tractors. The protective equipment of tractors caused the annual maintenance cost of FIM 4 350 and cow house FIM 650, if the interest rate were 10 %. The annual total cost was over FIM 6 000. The replacement value would have been about FIM 31 000 in 1983. If all deficiences still remaining in 1983 had been corrected at once, the total cost would have been about FIM 12000 per farm, which leads to an annual cost of FIM 3 100. As for still remaining deficiencies, the study suggested need for an annual cost of about FIM 1 500 due to personal protectors. Half of this sum was due to need for the acquisition of personal safety equipment for forest work. Correcting the safety and health deficiencies of the cowshed and agricultural machines would produce each an annual cost of about FIM 800 per farm. The present value of the labor protection investments in 1983 was FIM 22 000 per farm, and there still remained need to invest an additional FIM 12000 in order to eliminate the remaining deficiencies. So, the theoretical total of the annual maintenance cost would have been FIM 6 600—9 200 per farm depending on the interest rate. Because the study concerned only one commune, the results cannot be generalized to the whole country.
Growing techniques of potato from true seed in Finland
Authors: Ahonen Seija , Lamminsivu Helena
Published: July 2018

The suitability of three production methods for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) from true seed (TPS)were studied in field conditions at the University of Helsinki, Department of Horticulture. The production methods were direct field sowing, planting 4-week old seedlings raised in peat pots and planting seedlings and covering them with floating polypropylene mulch. The cultivars were Explorer and Pan American Seed Company varieties numbers 2928 and 4000. Also tested were the cultivars 2909, 2928, 3018, 4000, 4016, 4048 and 4147. Floating mulch promoted vegetative growth, but also promoted the propagation and spreading of Phytophtora infestans spores. The best yield was obtained with pot-raised seedlings without mulching (3.38 kg/m2), the second best yield with mulching (2.69 kg/m2) and the lowest yield with field-sowing (2.33 kg/m2). More small tubers were obtained under floating mulch than without mulching. Of the seven Pan American Seed Company cultivars tested, 4047 and 4016 gave the best yield, 4.1 and 4.0 kg/m2. In sensory tests none of the three cultivars (3018, 4047 and Explorer) proved to be better than or equal to the taste of the common vegetatively propagated Finnish potato variety called Pito.
The results of six-row barley breeding and the genetic origin of varieties released
Authors: Aikasalo Reino
Published: July 2018

This article deals with the results achieved in the breeding of six-row barley at Hankkija Plant Breeding Institute since the beginning of scientific barley breeding in the 1910s, with special reference to earliness and genetic origin of the varieties. In Finland, barley is grown in the northern border of plant production up to the 67th parallel. Through centuries it has been an important cereal but a rapid expansion in the acreage occurred only in the mid-1970s. Today the acreage of barley is close to 700,000 hectares. Most of the crop is used for feed, the rest for malting. Adaptation to Finnish conditions, with a short growing season and acid soils, has always been the major aim inbreeding. The genetic basis for the beginning of barley breeding was locally adapted landraces which had reached Finland from east and west. The landraces showed extensive genetic variations. Through selection, a total of eight varieties three four-row, one six-row and four two-row varieties were developed. The most important was the extremely early variety Olli which has been an important variety not only in Finland but also in Canada. After the variation of landraces was fully utilized, the positive characteristics of different varieties were combined by crossings. A total of eight six-row varieties have been developed since Olli. These varieties are presented in brief. It is worth noticing that all the varieties are nearly totally of Scandinavian origin. The extremely early variety Olli is included in the pedigree of all the eight varieties released since Olli (1927). The percentage of wide crosses is minimal. However, in spite of the narrow gene pool, breeding work has produced several successful varieties which have covered are markable proportion of the total barley acreage. This may be a result of good adaptation of landraces and the first cultivars to the extreme weather and soil conditions prevailing in Finland. Furthermore, although the earliness of landraces or Olli has not been exceeded, improvements in other characteristics, e.g. yielding potential, straw stiffness and malting quality, have considerably contributed to the production of Finnish barley.
Many-sided performance testing of Finnsheep rams
Authors: Puntila M. -L.
Published: July 2018

Central performance testing of young rams has been conducted in Finland since 1975, in 1985—87 indoors as combined phenotype and 1/2-sib tests, which are the subject of this study. There were 100 individual boxes available, of which ca. 90 were annually used for Finnsheep (F). The rams were fed on concentrate diet (13.5 % DCP) ad lib. + hay. The test period was from 60 to 150 days of age. Feed intake (FI) was recorded daily, live weights (LW) fortnightly. At the end, MLD-areas were ultrasonically scanned, fleeces weighed, some linear body measurements taken, and fleshiness and wool quality scored. A total of 276 F rams were tested. They were progeny of 85 sires (2—4 half-brothers/sire). The means for all rams (30 selected rams) were: birth type 3.19 (3.18), rearing type 2.93 (3.01), age at start 64.3 (63.7) days, 60-day LW 19.5 (19.5) kg, 150-day LW 45.1 (47.6) kg, ADG 284 (312) g/d, FI 1.28 (1.34) kg/d, FE 4.49 (4.29) kg/kg gain, MLD-area 8.83 (9.63) cm2. There was considerable variation in the important traits (ADG, FI, FE, MLD-area), in spite of preselection. The phenotypic correlations of ADG with 150-d. LW, FI, Fl/kg gain and MLD-area were .61, .57, —.63 and .37, resp. (PC.001). Those of 150-d.LW with the last three traits were .59, —.15 NS and 0.44, resp.(P< .001). Selection for ADG, 150-d. LW, Fl/kg gain and MLD area in the performance test appeared to improve the value of offspring for meat production in F.
Meat, wool and milk utilization together with comparison of F1 coming from Finnsheep rams with F1 coming from other prolific breeds
Authors: Niznikowski R. , Tyszka Z. J. , Janikowski W.
Published: July 2018

The effect of crossing of Polish Corriedale (C) sheep with East Friesian, Finnsheep (F), and Polish Heath sheep was analyzed. The utility of F1 crossbreds coming from C and prolific breed rams (given above) was confirmed. The F, crosses of C ewes and F rams were characterized by the best reproductive performance, high level of milk production and the small decrease of wool quality and quantity produced by the ewes, and good carcase quality of ram lambs.
Performance of crossbreds of Polish Merino dams with F1 rams: Finnsheep X Polish Merino. A. Semi-intensive fattening of ram-lambs up to 40—45 kg
Authors: Osikowski M. , Borys B. , Osikowski M. A.
Published: July 2018

The investigations were carried out to evaluate fattening ability, carcass quality and wool production of semi-intensively fattened ram lambs the progeny of F1 rams: Finnsheep (F) x Polish Merino (PM) mated to PM ewes. Two experiments were performed, on a total of 73 crossbreds and 73 purebred PM lambs. The lambs were housed together in a shed and fed farm-produced roughages, supplemented by commercially available concentrates. The crossbred lambs under semi-intensive feeding were found to have similar fattening ability as the purebreds: daily gains F x PM x PM 196 g and PM 191 g, energy consumption per 1 kg of body weight gain 26.1 and 27.0MJ, respectively. Crossbreeding did not affect slaughter value, but the commercial evaluation of live lambs was poorer in the crossbred groups. The tested crossbreds had generally better wool performance: their clean fleece weight was 1.09 kg, while that of the purebreds was 0.98 kg, rendement respectively 59.3 and 53.0 %, fibre length 6.7 and 5.4 cm, while fibre diameter was similar in the both groups.
Performance of crossbreds of Polish Merino dams with F1 rams: Finnsheep x Polish Merino. B. Wool production of ewes
Authors: Osikowski M. , Borys B. , Osikowski M. A.
Published: July 2018

The investigations were carried out on wool of 180 non-selected ewes with 25 % Finnsheep (F) genotype (F x PM x PM) and 51 purebred Polish Merino (PM) ewes as controls. The shearing took place at 23 months of age, after a year’s growth of fleece. Greasy and clean wool production, length and diameter of fibres as well as wool character evaluated by subjective appraisal were recorded. Crossbred ewes had a slightly lower greasy wool production (F x PM x PM—4.0 kg, PM—4.3 kg), but a much higher rendement (60.2 and 51.2 % resp.) and a little higher clean wool yield 2.38 versus 2.20 kg. Wool of the crossbreds was longer (11.4 vs 10.5cm) and coarser (24.8 vs 23.9 pm), but had a poorer character 14.9 vs 16.0 points.
Finnsheep and Romanov comparative performances obtained under the same management conditions in Spain
Authors: Ortiz M. Valls
Published: July 2018

Twenty-five Finnsheep (F) ewes and five F rams imported from Finland, ten Romanov (R) females and six R males and their offspring up to about 50 ewes from each breed were kept together in Zaragoza (41º 43' LN; min. temp. —5º C, max. temp. 40 º C) over seven years. The animals were kept indoors and the reproduction system was three lambings in two years, with matings in February, June and October. Oestruses were synchronized without using PMSG so as to group lambings. As a whole, the adaptation of R was better than that of F owing to a higher incidence of pneumonic problems in this breed (36 % vs 81 % mortality between 7 and 150 days of age and 31 % vs 45 % mortality in adult ewes were caused by pneumonia). Fertility was lower in F than in R for one year old ewes (54 % vs 81 %) and for June matings (52 % vs 80 %), but it did not differ in the rest of the year (78 % vs 83 %). The average prolificacy was 1,93 vs 2,59 for F and R respectively. Total lamb mortality up to 150 days of age was high and similar in both breeds, 38 % vs 42 %, but more R than F lambs diet at birth, (16 % vs 11 %), while after the first week the mortality percentage was higher (15 % vs 22 %) in F lambs. The weights of R were higher than those of F both in the growth period of lambs (20,5 ± 0,4 kg vs 18,8+ 0,4 kg at 90 days), and in the adult stage, where the weightof 4-year-old females was 59,2±0,9 vs 56,0± 1,1 kg.
Finnsheep and their utilization experiences in temperate conditions
Authors: Baker R. L.
Published: July 2018

The highly prolific Finnsheep (F) has been exported to more than 40 countries around the world to improve the reproductive performance of local breeds through crossbreeding. The infusion of one-half F into local breeds results in a substantial improvement in all reproductive traits with net reproduction (lambs weaned/ewe mated) being increased by about 25 % in the British Isles and Western Europe and by up to 70—100 % in New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. Heterosis for litter size at birth has been low or negligible in a number of crossbreeding studies involving F. Serious reservations have been expressed about the growth, fleece producton and carcass characteristics of F. While F-cross lambs are usually lighter at birth than local breeds, their weaning and post-weaning weights are often very similar, at least partly due to heterosis. Despite the perceived poor live conformation of purebred F, the carcass weight, quality and composition of F-crosses have been very similar to local breeds or crosses. A striking feature of F-cross carcasses is that they have more kidney and less subcutaneous fat than local breeds. This may be a desirable feature of F-cross in extensive, pastoral farming situations to help sheep survive during droughts or periods of low pasture production. The fleece weight of the purebred F is 30—40 % lower than most local breeds, particularly long-wooled breeds. However, the 1/4-F crosses have consistently been only 5—10 % lower in fleece weight. Studies have reported comparable, or superior, processing qualities of F-cross wool. F-cross ewes have generally been shown to have superior longevity, overall productivity and economic efficiency than local breeds across a diverse range of environments and farming systems. Some of the problems of integrating a highly prolific genotype into extensive, low cost, sheep production systems are discussed. F has been utilized in many countries by producing a new synthetic population containing a certain proportion (1/8 to 1/2) of F ancestry. This approach is usually superior to other crossbreeding options such as stratified crossing or rotational crossing systems.
Breeding possibilities of Booroola Merino in East-Europe
Authors: Veress L. , Horek F. , Komlosi T.
Published: July 2018

Booroola Merino (BM)rams and ewes were imported from New Zealand to Hungary and Czechoslovakia in the 1980’s. Part of the imported animals were proved to be homozygous for the F gene. Frozen semen of these has been used for spreading this gene to Hungarian (HM) and Czechish (CM) Merinos. The crossbred lambs were 4—7 % lighter at birth and at 30 d.,6—24 % lighter at 100 d. and 5—10 % lighter at 1-yr than HM. The 1-yr weight was 10—22 % lighter than that of CM. Greasy fleece weights were 5—10 % higher, staple lengths 7—11 % longer than in HM or CM, while fibres were finer. The litter size of BM x HM ewes at 1 st lambing was 1.42, at 2nd 1.52 and at 3rd 1.69, while the last figure for HM ewes was 1.15. The % of twins born to the BM x HM ewes was ca. 35 %, when HM ewes had 12%. The corresponding figures for triplets were 9 and 0.2 %. The BM x HM crosses had shorter anestrus periods after lambing than HM ewes, except after the first lambing. The BM x HM ewes produced 2.4 lambs/yr. in a continuous lambing system, while HM ewes gave 1.9 lambs.
Finnsheep and their utilization in crosses with the Merino under range conditions of South-Africa
Authors: Greeff J. C. , Hofmeyr J. H.
Published: July 2018

Two field trials were performed at two localities in a semiarid region to evaluate the performance of Finn (F) x Merino(M) crossbred females. The trials involved 781 F x M ewes and 657 M ewes. Ile de France, S.A. Mutton Merino, Dohne Merino, M, and F x M rams were used for matings. The F x M ewes were superior to M ewes in lambing-%, especially after mating as lambs, and the fecundities were 187and 107 %, resp. Multiple lambs of F x M ewes had better survival rates than those of M ewes. Lambs born from F x M ewes grew faster, had a larger weaning mass, over 10 % longer stables, ca. 2 mm thicker fibres, 30 % lower clean fleece weights, and a little less crimps/25 mm than those born from M ewes. Thus, F x M seemed to provide a suitable and acceptable composite showing remarkable adaptability to harsh environmental conditions. The results from the F x M wool and its special qualities can be regarded as useful attributes. Establishment of a composite F x M female line appeared well-founded.