bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the phosphorus content of herbage consumed by grazing cattle
Authors: Little D. A. , McLean R. W. , Winter W. H.
Published: March 2009

The determination of feed phosphorus content using oesophageally fistulated cattle is reported in this paper, from an experiment in which salivary phosphorus was labelled with 32P.

An intravenous infusion of Na232PO4 to cattle produced an immediate increase in the specific activity of salivary phosphorus, which then fell rapidly to an essentially linear asymptote by 3 h after the infusion. The phosphorus content of consumed feed was calculated from the degree of reduction in salivary specific activity by the feed phosphorus, expressed as the ratio of the specific activities of bolus and saliva phosphorus.

A dose of 100 /μCi 32P allowed the accurate prediction of phosphorus content ranging from 0·07 to 0·25% in various feeds, at intervals from 3 to 24 h after the infusion; the predicted and actual phosphorus concentrations were highly correlated (r = 0·95). Similar observations for feeds ranging from 0·14 to 0·25% phosphorus suggested that accurate prediction was also possible 144 h after infusion. Comparison of estimated feed phosphorus content of grazed material with that measured in hand-plucked herbage indicated that this approach is applicable to grazing studies.
Irrigation and Nitrogen Studies in s. 23 Ryegrass Grown for Seed: 1. Growth, Development, Seed Yield Components and Seed Yield
Authors: Hebblethwaite P. D.
Published: March 2009

The effects of irrigation and nitrogen on S. 23 perennial ryegrass grown for seed were investigated in a series of field experiments from 1972 to 1974. Irrigation significantly increased seed yield by 16% in 1972 and 52% in 1974 but had no effect in the wet year of 1973. In 1972 maximum deficit reached 110 mm at the end of July and coincided with anthesis. Consequently the yield response was due to an increase in number of seeds per unit area and no other seed yield component was affected. In 1974 peak deficit also reached about 100 mm but started to build up rapidly very early in the season and had reached 80 mm by the time that the first ears emerged. Consequently the yield response was due to increases in number of fertile tillers, number of seeds per unit area and 1000-seed weight.

Irrigation had no significant effect on number of florets or seeds, except in 1974 when percentage of florets which produced seed was increased by 2%.

Irrigation had some effect on threshed straw yields, total dry matter, harvest index and total number of tillers but where this occurred the response was much smaller than that of seed yield which indicates that irrigation had greater effects on the reproductive development of the crop than on yield of dry matter and tillering patterns. Increasing the quantity of nitrogen from 0 to 80 kg/ha increased seed yields, all seed yield components except 1000-seed weight, threshed straw yields and total dry matter and number of tillers at most sampling dates. Increasing the quantity of nitrogen from 80 to 160 kg/ha had little further effect on the above components except in 1972 where seed yields were significantly decreased.

In 1972 number of florets was increased and percentage of florets which produced seed decreased with increasing quantities of nitrogen.
Evaluation of some sources of fertilizer phosphorus in two cycles of a paddy-wheat cropping sequence
Authors: Hundal H. S. , Deol P. S. , Sekhon G. S.
Published: March 2009

A field experiment was made on Gurdaspur clay loam to assess the relative efficiency of various sources of fertilizer phosphorus for a paddy-wheat cropping sequence. Urea ammonium phosphate, superphosphate, a nitrophosphate fertilizer containing 30% water-soluble P and fertilizers containing 50 and 70% water-soluble P prepared from the nitrophosphate and superphosphate, dicalcium phosphate and rock phosphate were applied to the paddy crop at the rate of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg p2O6/ha and to wheat at double these rates.

The cumulative yield data for paddy and wheat show a slight reduction in efficiency of phosphatio fertilizers, with the exception of dicalcium phosphate, as their watersoluble content decreased below 70%. In general, the relative efficiency of the less water-soluble sources and of rock phosphate was considerably higher for paddy than for wheat.

The results show that the relative efficiency of low water-soluble phosphate fertilizers increased with time. The efficiency of phosphorus fertilizers declined with the rate of their application, more so in the case of higher water-soluble materials.
The growth of hill lambs on herbage diets
Authors: Armstrong Richard H. , Eadie J.
Published: March 2009

Early-weaned lambs were penned indoors for 6 weeks and individually fed to appetite on cold-stored ryegrass (Lolium perenne) or indigenousAgrostis-Festucaherbage of differing maturity. In another experiment similar lambs grazed for 12 weeks on swards of perennial ryegrass orAgrostis-Festuca. Live-weight gain (LWG), herbage organic-matter intake (OMI) and digestibility (OMD) were measured. In the indoor experiment ryegrass was 4–6 percentage units higher in OMD than wasAgrostis-Festuca;first harvests were superior to later harvests by the same amount. The intake of ryegrass was 22% greater than that ofAgrostis-Festuca. The correlation between OMI/W'73 and herbage cell-wall constituents was —0·80, and that between OMI/W'3 and OMD was 0·78. OMI/W0·73increased progressively up to about 13 weeks of age.

LWG was higher on ryegrass than onAgrostis-Festuca; and LWG on the early harvests of each herbage type exceeded those on the later harvests. LWG was significantly correlated with the intake of digested organic matter (DOMI) (r = 0·85).

In the grazing experiment, OMD, OMI and LWG were all lower than in the indoor experiment. LWG on ryegrass was again superior to that onAgrostis-Festuca, and the difference was partly explained by the relationship between DOMI and LWG which had been established indoors.

These results suggest that the increase in the growth rates of hill lambs consequent on the improvement of indigenousAgrostis-Festucaswards would be less than that due to the provision of sown pastures of perennial ryegrass.
An inexpensive device for recording seedling emergence force
Authors: Badhoria B. S. , Aggarwal G. C. , Tripathi B. R.
Published: March 2009

A simple device for recording seedling emergence force was developed. In this device, the relationship between the bending moment and displacement of the free end of a cantilever beam is used to compute seedling emergence force. The growing seedling is forced to push the free end of the beam upwards and the displacement of the free end is recorded with a pointer on smoked paper tightly wrapped on a revolving clock drum.
Regressions, correlations and combining ability of some quantitative characters in peas (Pisum sativumL.)
Authors: Dahiya B. S. , Brar J. S. , Bajaj R. K.
Published: March 2009

Eight cultivars of peas (Pisum sativumL.) were evaluated for six traits in a diallel experiment using regression coefficients, correlations and combining ability estimates. Regression coefficient was high, indicating large additive effects for 100-grain weight. Yield was significantly and positively correlated with plant height, number of pods per plant and 100-grain weight, indicating that selection for either of these would result in higher yield. The best index of yield among the traits studied was number of pods per plant. Significant general combining ability (GCA) variances and specific combining ability (SCA) variances were observed. GCA variances were larger than SCA variances except for yield, suggesting predominance of additive gene effects.
Evaluation of the hydraulic press for measurement of leaf water potentials in cassava
Authors: Palta J. A.
Published: March 2009

In the application of the Scholander pressure chamber technique to cassava water relations studies, the leaf water potential measured on central lobules was initially compared with that measured on entire leaves (including petiole). Measurements made using both a Campbell-Brewster hydraulic press and a pressure chamber of the leaf water potential in six different cassava clones were also compared. Although the central lobules showed a greater sensitivity to moisture loss after sampling than entire leaves, their leaf water potential was in close agreement with those measured on the entire leaves (r3 = 0·96). Therefore, for routine and field estimates in cassava, measurements made on the central lobules may be used to avoid the large reduction in total leaf area. The Campbell-Brewster hydraulic press satisfactorily estimated leaf water potential in M.Col. 1684 clone, which had the longest and narrowest lobules, but in other clones the leaf water potential was overestimated at high leaf potential (> -12·5) and underestimated at low water potentials (< -12·5). Over a wide range of leaf water potentials, a poor relationship between leaf water potentials estimated with hydraulic press and with the pressure chamber was observed for cassava because press estimates are influenced by lobule length and lobule width.
The relationship between fatty liver and fertility in dairy cows: a farm investigation
Authors: Reid I. M. , Dew Sally M. , Collins R. A. , Ducker M. J. , Bloomfield Glenys A. , Morant S. V.
Published: March 2009

Earlier studies have reported a relationship between degree of fatty infiltration of the liver after calving and calving interval (Reid, Roberts & Manston, 1979; Reid, 1983). The aimof the present investigation was to relate the severity of fatty liver with cow reproductive physiology and performance.
Kinetics of Zinc Transformation in Submerged Alkaline Soils in the Rice Growing Tracts of Punjab
Authors: Takkar P. N. , Sidhu B. S.
Published: March 2009

The effects of submerging sodic and alkaline soils on the kinetics of Zn2+ transformations were investigated. The soils were treated with 0-640 mg Zn/kg soil as ZnSO4. H2O and kept submerged under water in pots at 30–38 °C. The soil solution was analysed periodically up to 72 days for pH, electrical conductivity and Zn2+ ion. Soil pH decreased with increasing amounts of added Zn and with periods of submergence. The rate of decrease was rapid during the first 21 days of submergence but slow thereafter. Zinc concentration in the soil solution increased with the amounts added and decreased with the period of submergence; this decrease was more in the calcareous sodic soils than in other soils. The values of the expression pZn + 2pOH (Zn. hydroxide potential) showed that in submerged calcareous sodic soils, Zn concentration in the soil solution was regulated both by the Zn (OH)2—Zn2+(aq.) and ZnCO3 — Zn2+(aq.) systems up to 21 days (pZn + 2pOH = 16–17–5), and thereafter predominantly by ZnCO3–Zn2+(aq.) (pZn + 2pOH = 17–6–18–8) as a result of the buffering effect of soil carbonate equilibria. In slightly calcareous sodic and slightly calcareous alkaline soils, the soil solution Zn was controlled transitorily by the system: Zn(0H)2 — Zn2+(aq.) before 2–7 days (pZn + 2pOH = 16–0–17–5), ZnCO3–Zn2+(aq.) from 2–7 to 14–21 days (pZn + 2pOH = 17–5–18–8). Thereafter Zn–soil (unknown solid phases) – Zn=+(aq.) system controlled the Zn solubility (pZn+2pOH = 18–8–20–4).
Field investigations into hypomagnesaemia in dairy cattle, with particular reference to changes in the concentration of blood constituents during the early grazing period
Authors: Bartlett S. , Brown B. B. , Foot A. S. , Head M. J. , Line C. , Rook J. A. F. , Rowland S. J. , Zundel G.
Published: March 2009

1. In five experiments, groups of milking cows were changed abruptly from winter-stall feeding to graze a number of different swards, and changes in the concentration of blood-serum magnesium and of other blood constituents have been studied.

2. Wide variations in the severity of hypomagnesaemia in individual cattle were found in all experimental groups, due possibly to such factors as individual variations in the intake of herbage, the requirement and body reserves of magnesium and the capacity to absorb magnesium from the gut.

3. The degree of hypomagnesaemia observed was independent of the level of milk production, but was generally less severe in Friesian than in Shorthorn and Guernsey cattle. The onset of hypomagnesaemia was delayed for a few days in cattle with a high serum-magnesium concentration at the commencement of grazing.

4. In two out of three experiments in which the effect of fertilizer treatment was studied, the incidence and severity of hypomagnesaemia was increased by the application to the sward of heavy dressings of nitrogenous fertilizer. In the third experiment, severe hypomagnesaemia occurred on a plot which had received no nitrogen fertilizer, due, it is thought, to a restricted intake of herbage magnesium, since the sward was extremely sparse. The feeding of supplements of flaked maize, crushed barley, crushed dredge corn, molassed sugar-beet pulp or a concentrate mixture balanced for milk production, to grazing cattle did not reduce the incidence of hypomagnesaemia.

5. The cutting of grass and feeding it in the stall did not prevent the development of hypomagnesaemia.

6. Blood pH and the concentrations of bloodserum calcium, sodium, potassium and blood glucose in cattle were unaffected by a change from winter feed to spring grazing, but a marked change in blood-serum non-protein and urea nitrogen and blood ammonia nitrogen, but not in any other nitrogenous constituents of the serum, was observed. The concentrations of serum non-protein and urea nitrogen and blood ammonia nitrogen were highest in groups of cattle grazing swards which had received a heavy dressing of nitrogen fertilizer and had a high nitrogen content.

7. In the two experiments in which the severity of hypomagnesaemia was increased by the application of nitrogenous fertilizer, there was a close group association between high concentrations of blood serum non-protein and urea nitrogen and blood ammonia and low concentrations of blood-serum magnesium. High levels of serum urea and blood ammonia during grazing are thought to reflect a high ammonia production in the gut, which may be responsible for the disturbance in magnesium metabolism which produces hypomagnesaemia.
The ‘tail-end sample’ of stallion semen
Authors: Mann T. , Short R. V. , Walton A. , Archer R. K. , Miller W. C.
Published: March 2009

1. Measurements of volume, sperm density, ergothioneine, sulphydryl groups and citric acid were made in 100 ‘tail-end samples’ (post-coital penis drips) from thirteen thoroughbred stallions. In addition, a few analyses were made of postcoital vaginal samples.

2. The ‘tail-end samples’ were found to differ substantially in their composition from that of the whole ejaculates. They lacked the characteristic gelatinous appearance of normal stallion semen, and had a much lower content of spermatozoa, ergothioneine (sulphydryl groups) and citric acid than an average stallion ejaculate.

3. As the variations in volume and composition of the ‘tail-end samples’ collected from different stallions or from the same stallion on different occasions were considerable, it is unlikely that prognostication of fertility could be usefully based on results obtained by analysis of such samples.
Effect of various levels of infestation by the seed weevil (Ceutorhynchus assimilis Payk.) on the seed yield of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Free J. B. , Ferguson A. W. , Winfield Susan
Published: March 2009

To determine economic thresholds of pest infestation caged plots of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) were infested with different populations of the seed weevil (Ceutorhynchus assimilis Payk.). Less than one seed weevil per plant resulted in pod infestation levels of seed weevil larvae that by themselves were insufficient to warrant insecticide application, but owing to secondary infestation of pod midge (Dasyneura brassicae Winn.), substantial seed loss occurred. Greater populations of seed weevil adults gave correspondingly larger levels of pod midge and diminishing yields.

In commercial crops individual plants were able to compensate, and even to overcompensate for damage resulting from low levels of pest infestation, but increasing levels of infestation resulted in progressively fewer seeds per plant.

The implications of the results on pest control and further research are discussed.
Concentrations of potassium in the dry matter and tissue water of field-grown spring barley and their relationships to grain yield
Authors: Leigh R. A. , Johnston A. E.
Published: March 2009

In 68 spring barley crops grown in five experiments at Rothamsted and Woburn between 1980 and 1982, and given adequate K fertilizer, there was a positive correlation (r = 0·76; P < 0·001) between maximum % K in dry matter of young plants and the grain yield at final harvest. In all crops changes in % K in dry matter during the growing season were directly related to changes in fresh weight to dry weight ratio (FW: DW) suggesting that differences in % K in dry matter were the result of differences in tissue hydration. Potassium concentrations expressed on the basis of tissue water were not correlated with grain yield. All crops maintained K concentrations in their tissue water of about 200 mmol/kg tissue water, except at the end of the growing season when water loss during ripening caused a steep rise.

The correlation between % K in dry matter and yield was the result of differences in FW: DW. Within each experiment there was a good correlation between FW: DW and grain yield, but because the relationship was different for each experiment the overall correlation for all crops was poor. The correlation between FW: DW and grain yield within experiments probably arises because crops with a higher FW: DW will have higher specific leaf areas and hence higher relative growth rates and yields.
Endoscopic observation of the reticulo-omasal orifice of cattle
Authors: McBride B. W. , Milligan L. P. , Turner B. V.
Published: March 2009

A variety of factors influence the voluntary intake of ruminants including reticulo-rumen fill or distension (Campling & Balch, 1961; Welch, 1967; Grovum, 1979) and rate of passage of digesta through the gastrointestinal tract (Bines & Davey, 1970). The exit point of the reticulo-rumen, the reticulo-omasal orifice, potentially serves as a control site in regulation of particle movement from the rumen.

However, little definitive information on the functional behaviour of this anatomical location is available. Therefore, a fibre-optic endoscopic technique was designed to allow visual observation of the reticulo-omasal orifice in conscious, fed cattle.

America, New Hyde Park, NY) and a 35 mm camera (Olympus 0M-2N with 1–9 focusing screen) was attached. Photographs were taken at a shutter speed of 1/30 or 1/60 sec. The film used was Kodak (ASA 160) tungsten balanced slide film. Prints were generated from slides using the Cibachrome P30 process. An Olympus CLK-3 cold light source, having a colour temperature of 3200 °K, provided the illumination for projection through the endoscope. Opening and closing of the reticuloomasal orifice were photographed using this procedure.
Protein profile of goat sweat
Authors: Banerji R. , Rai A. K.
Published: March 2009

The main source of skin surface protein is sweat glands. Studies on skin surface proteins of domestic animals have been made by Joshi etal. (1968), Jenkinson, Lloyd & Mabon (1976, 1979), Lloyd, Mabon & Jenkinson (1977) and Rai, More & Singh (1982). However, information on sweat proteins (skin surface proteins) of goats is lacking. The present study is an effort to characterize sweat proteins of goats and to compare them with those of sheep.
Factors influencing the estimation of the nutritive value of the diet selected by cattle fistulated at the oesophagus
Authors: Cohen R. D. H.
Published: March 2009

Four experiments were conducted to examine the extent to which some sampling procedures may bias the estimation of the nutritive value of herbage consumed by cattle which have been fistulated at the oesophagus.

In one experiment the nitrogen, sulphur and calcium contents (g/100 g organic matter (OM)) and organic matter digestibilities (OMD %) of 15 herbage samples were determined and compared with those of extrusa collectedfrom Hereford cattle fistulated at the oesophagus. The extrusa samples were analysed both as total extrusa, which included saliva, and as extrusa which had been squeezed through muslin and the solid and liquid fractions separated. The herbage samples covered a wide range of nutritive values (0·78–4·92 g N/lOOg OM; 0·08–0·27 g S/100 g OM; 0·17–1·43 g Ca/100 g OM and 34·4–85·7% OMD).

It was concluded that satisfactory estimates of nitrogen, sulphur and calcium contents and digestibility of herbage prehended by cattle can be made from oesophageal fistula extrusa and that the precisions of the estimates will not be increased if extrusa are separated into solid and liquid fractions immediately following collection. Corrections are not necessary for estimates of herbage sulphur, calcium and digestibility made from total extrusa but may be necessary for nitrogen values in excess of 2·74 g N/100 g OM. If extrusa are squeezed it is necessary to apply correction factors for nitrogen and sulphur but not calcium or digestibility.

In the other experiments three factors were examined in relation to the nitrogen content and digestibility of extrusa. They were the effects of (i) previous grazing experience of the pasture (ii) fasting for 0, 3, 6 and 23 h prior to sample collection and (iii) collection of extrusa during the morning or afternoon.

It was concluded that the lack of previous grazing experience of apasture or the length of a pre-collection fast up to 23 h will not significantly bias the estimation of the nutritive value of extrusa, but that it is preferable to collect extrusa samples from cattle in the morning and that sampling on rainy days should be avoided.
Crossing Subtropical Egyptian Sheep with Hampshire Improve their Lamb Production
Authors: Aboul A. M. , Afifi E. A.
Published: March 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of crossing the subtropical fat-tailed Ossimi (O) sheep with the Hampshire (H) on ewe and lamb performance. Data used involved 457 ewe records of Ossimi, Hampshire and four crosses, and 404 lamb records of Ossimi and five crosses.

Hampshire ewes performed less well than the local Ossimi ewes in various reproduction traits. They weaned 0·26 lamb/ewe run with the rams compared with 0·82 from the local ewes mated to Hampshire rams. The Hampshire ewes seemed to be anoestrous during the first part of the normal breeding season of the local ewes (May–July). Different Hampshire–Ossimi cross-bred groups showed better ewe reproduction performance than the purebred Hampshire ewes, but were inferior to the Ossimi. The first cross ewes were, generally, the best among all the cross-bred ewes and the reproduction performance declined with increasing percentage of Hampshire genes. When the first cross was interbred, ewe performance declined clearly in the F2. All cross-bred groups of ewes gave significantly heavier annual greasy-fleece weight than Ossimi ewes.

The only lamb performance trait that was improved by up-grading the Ossiroi sheep with the Hampshire breed was the first greasy-fleece weight, while lamb survival and weaning weight were clearly decreased with the advance of up-grading.

The recombined cross-bred groups ( and ⅝ Hampshire) proved to be the best cross-bred and showed considerable improvement in lamb performance traits over the local Ossimi sheep, except for lamb survival.

It is concluded that crossing Ossimi sheep with the Hampshire improved only fleece weight but not lamb production.
Effects of some cultural practices on yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco at Kenana Research Station
Authors: Farah S. M.
Published: March 2009

Six experiments were carried out during 1973 and 1974 to study the effects of some cultural practices on tobacco. In Expts 1 and 2 effects of N, topping and suckering were studied. Leaf area was increased by N and topping in both experiments. Suckering significantly decreased, and slightly increased, the area in Expts 1 and 2, respectively. The number of leaves per plant was increased by topping and suckering in Expt 1, but decreased by both in Expt 2. N decreased the number of leaves in both experiments. Yield of cured leaf was increased by all three factors in Expt 1 and by suckering only in Expt 2, whereas both N and topping slightly decreased the yield in the latter experiment. Quality was significantly lowered by the higher rate of N, while generally improved by topping and suckering.

In Expts 3 and 4, effects of plant density, N and stage of suckering were studied. The yield of cured leaf was increased by the higher plant density, by 9 and 15%, and decreased by the higher dose of N, by 15 and 7%, in Expts 3 and 4, respectively. Early suckering was beneficial in Expt 3 (16%), but harmful in Expt 4 (8%). Leaf quality was decreased by the higher rate of N, but improved by the higher plant density. Time of removal of suckers had no significant effect on yield or quality.

In Expts 5 and 6 effects of supplementary irrigation at different stages of growth were studied. Both the number of leaves per plant and yield followed very similar trends. The best yield and quality were obtained when irrigation was not limiting during all three phases of growth. However, the last phase (C) was the most critical phase regarding irrigation in Expt 5, while the first two phases were the most critical ones in Expt 6, since withholding irrigation during phase C reduced yield by 44–50%, and only 6%, in the two experiments, respectively. Leaf quality seemed to be best when irrigation was applied throughout the growth period, particularly the first two phases of growth.
Sexual maturity and related phenomena in the domestic fowl
Authors: Hafez E. S. E. , Kamar G. A. R.
Published: March 2009

Three hundred and eighty-two Fayomi pullets were available from different hatches throughout the year. The age and body weight, as well as the weight of first eggs at sexual maturity in relation to growth curves, were recorded. The fertilizability and hatchability of the first eggs laid at sexual maturity were also examined from one hundred pullets hatched during the months of November and August.

1. (a) The winter hatches (December, January and February) reached sexual maturity at 183 days and at a body weight of 1093 g. The weight of the first ten eggs was 31·8 g., while the period from first to the tenth egg was 26 days. Summer hatches (June, July and August) reached sexual maturity at 165 days and at a body weight of 1124 g., while the weight of the first ten eggs was 32·4 g. and the period from first to tenth egg was 31 days. Autumn hatches (September, October and November) reached sexual maturity at 159 days and at a body weight of 1023 g., while the weight of the first ten eggs was 31·4 g. and the period from first to tenth egg was 23 days.

(b) Summer and winter hatches attained sexual maturity at an older age and heavier body weight, and laid heavier first ten eggs in a longer period than autumn hatches.

2. The growth curves were higher for the summer hatches than for the spring (March, April and May) ones. Winter and autumn hatches were intermediate. Summer hatches attained sexual maturity at a higher relative growth rate than autumn and winter hatches. In Egypt (30° N.), the effect of temperature seems to override that of daylength in respect to growth and sexual maturity.

3. Yearly differences in the attainment of sexual maturity were significant, mainly in December hatches. Individual differences were minimized during summer hatches.

4. (a) The first egg laid can be fertilizable and even hatchable. When sexual maturity was attained at an old age or a heavy body weight, the first eggs laid had a greater chance of being fertilizable and hatchable. This is due to the weight of first eggs laid and to the season at which sexual maturity is attained.

(b) The attainment of sexual maturity as measured by the fertilizability and hatchability of first eggs, seems to be a gradual phenomenon.
Survey of losses associated with pregnancy and parturition in Yorkshire sheep
Authors: Sellers K. C. , Leech F. B.
Published: March 2009

Data concerning a random sample of about 4% of the flocks in Yorkshire were collected in the form of answers to a questionnaire. The information required was given by 98% of the farmers in the sample.

The survey has shown the extent of losses associated with pregnancy and parturition in 1952–3 and the areas in which they were most severe; it has also given some indication of the factors that might be affecting losses of different kinds.

In addition to this information, the survey has provided statistics concerning feeding and husbandry and the relative importance of different breed types in Yorkshire.
Studies on the habits of zebu cattle. III. Water consumption of Zebu cattle
Authors: Rollinson D. H. L. , Harker K. W. , Taylor J. I.
Published: March 2009

In continuation of a series of studies on the habits of Zebu cattle, records for the quantities of water consumed every hour by ten cattle during twenty periods of 24 hr. observations have been analysed.

A large variation in day-to-day consumption was evident, but water was taken on an average during 8 hr. of the day with only a small amount of water consumed during darkness. The mean consumption per animal per 24 hr. period was 9·04 kg. (1·9 gal.). The range was 5·1–12·7 kg. (1·1–2·8 gal.).

The water consumption records were subdivided into those days on which water was drunk during a small number of hours and those days when water was drunk during many hours. Although the hourly consumption differed markedly the end result showed a similar intake.

A significant negative relationship was found between water consumed and grazing counts, and for one group a significant positive correlation was found between water consumption and dry air temperature.
Effect of glycine on storage of ram semen
Authors: Ahmed S. I.
Published: March 2009

Ram semen was stored at 4° C. in a standard citrate-egg-yolk diluent, which served as a control, and in various diluents in which: (a) the citrate buffer was replaced by various concentrations of glycine in water (2, 3, 4 and 6%); (b) the ratio of semen to diluent was altered from 1:20 to 1:40; (c) the glycine buffer was augmented by the addition of fructose; and (d) the concentration of egg yolk in the diluent was reduced from 50% to 33·3 and 25%.

Replacing citrate buffer by 4% glycine considerably improved survival as against other concentrations of glycine and the citrate buffer control. Better survival in 4% glycine-egg-yolk buffer was obtained with a semen dilution ratio of 1:20 than with a ratio of 1: 40. The addition of fructose to the glycine buffer did not improve survival. The 50% concentration of egg yolk in 4% glycine buffer-eggyolk diluent was reduced to 33·3% without affecting either motility or survival, and to 25% with no effect on survival but with slight reduction in motility.
The effect of antibiotic dietary supplements on the carcass measurements and dressing percentage of bacon pigs
Authors: Harrington G. , Taylor J. H.
Published: March 2009

1. Certain carcass measurements (length, shoulder and mid-back fats, belly thickness and dressing percentage) made on a total of 402 bacon pigs from four antibiotic feeding trials have been analysed.

2. The length of the carcasses showed more variation between pens treated with various doses of penicillin than between control pens or pens treated with aureomycin. This greater variation in length was related to the greater variation in growth rate between the penicillin treatments. No differences in the mean lengths of control, penicillin and aureomycin treatments were found.

3. Back fat measurements and belly thickness showed no differences between aureomycin, penicillin and control treatments in overall tests.

4. Aureomycin consistently gave higher dressing percentages than penicillin. Animal protein also gave higher dressing percentages than vegetable protein, but no effect of vitamin B12 on this quantity was found.
The influence of age of sire on quality of progeny in Swaledale sheep
Authors: Frankland Helga M. T.
Published: March 2009

An inquiry has been made to determine whether shearling rams sire more good-quality offspring than would be expected from the proportion of them used in Swaledale flocks in northern England, 1951–3.

Quality was assessed at two levels, both concerning shearling rams: those passed for registration in the Flock Book, and those making £50 or more at Kirkby Stephen ram sale.

The expected percentage of lambs, and hence good-quality offspring, by shearling rams was estimated from the practice on a sample group of farms, using the formula

where E is the estimated percentage of lambs by shearlings, x the proportion of shearlings to all rams in use, and y the fractional value in numbers of ewes served where aged rams are regarded as having unit value.

The estimated percentage of lambs by shearlings is 28·7, with s.e. = 2·444.

The actual percentage of registered shearlings sired by shearlings in 1951–3 was 35·7 with s.e. = 0·764, and the actual percentage of shearlings sold for £50 or more in the same years was 32·8 with s.e. = 3·313.

That shearlings sire a slightly, but significantly, higher number of registered shearlings than would be expected is probably due to the transmission of earlymaturing qualities, since shearlings of high quality are consistently used in early-maturing, and therefore shearling-producing, flocks. Those likely to sire ‘£50’ shearlings often remain in early-maturing flocks throughout life and, by continuing to sire this high-quality progeny, depress the percentage of such shearlings sired by shearlings to a figure not significantly higher than the ‘expected’ figure.
Investigations in the Triticinae IV. Disease reactions of species of Triticum and Aegilops and of amphidiploids between them
Authors: Bell G. D. H. , Lupton F. G. H.
Published: March 2009

1. Observations have been made of the seedling reactions of species of Triticum and Aegilops and of amphidiploids between them to races of Puccinia glumarum, P. triticina, P. graminis and Erysiphe graminis. These observations have been compared with field observations on mature plants. The work on P. graminis and much of that on P. triticina was carried out by Dr R. C. McGinnis of the Dominion Rust Research Laboratories, Winnipeg, Canada.

2. Seedling and mature plant resistance to P. glumarum has been found in Triticum monococcum, Aegilops caudata and A. ovata. Resistance was not shown by amphidiploids of T. monococcum and A. caudata with susceptible species of Triticum, but was shown by some amphidiploids involving A. ovata; T. timopheevi and A. speltoides were susceptible to certain races as seedlings but resistant as mature plants in the field.

3. Seedling resistance to all the races of P. triticina used in these investigations was shown by A. caudata and resistance to certain races by certain other species. Amphidiploids involving A. caudata were resistant to all races, but other amphidiploids were resistant to some races and susceptible to others.

4. Seedling and mature plant resistance to P. graminis was shown by A. caudata. A. ovata and A. speltoides were resistant as mature plants, and only slightly infected as seedlings. None of the amphidiploids tested was completely resistant at the seedling stage; certain amphidiploids involving these three species were, however, only slightly infected as mature plants, and may be useful as sources of resistance to race 15B.

5. Resistance to E. graminis was shown by T. carthlicum, T. dicoccum, T. timopheevi and by numerous species of Aegilops. Amphidiploids of T. carthlicum, T. dicoccum, T. timopheevi and A. caudata with diploid wheat species were resistant to E. graminis, but those with susceptible tetraploid wheats were susceptible. Other intergeneric amphidiploids (with two exceptions) were resistant.
The value of repeated observations in biological sampling
Authors: Boyne A. W. , Greig W. A.
Published: March 2009

1. By separating the sources of variability in an experiment involving haematological observations it has been shown how to estimate the usefulness of repeated observations on each animal.

2. In the illustration provided it is concluded that when monozygous twin calves are used, random variability accounts for so much of the total variability that a great improvement in accuracy can be achieved by taking repeated observations on each animal. When unrelated calves are used, little additional accuracy is obtainable by taking more than about three observations on each.

3. It is shown that, in consequence, the relative efficiency of monozygous twin and unrelated calves is likely to vary, depending upon the number of observations on each animal. Thus, to benefit fully from the increased efficiency offered by monozygous twins, more observations are required on each animal than in the case of unrelated animals.

4. Although the figures refer to haematological measurements on calves, the statistical method evolved is of wider application.
The effect of high and low planes of nutrition on the haematology of monozygous twin calves
Authors: Greig W. A. , Boynea A. W.
Published: March 2009

1. In an experiment conducted with eight pairs of monozygous twin heifer calves aged from 7 to 9 months, it was shown that the mean haemoglobin concentration of those reared on a high plane of nutrition was higher than the corresponding value of those reared on low-plane rations.

2. The relative anaemia of the low-plane animals was microcytic but normochromic in type. Its cause must await further investigation, but these features would not be inconsistent with a deficiency of iron.

3. For this type of haematological study, monozygous twins proved more efficient than unrelated animals, as shown by the smaller variability within than between pairs.

4. Day-to-day variation in the same animal must be considered an important possible source of sampling error.
The rate of passage of food through the alimentary tract of pigs
Authors: Castle Elizabeth J. , Castle M. E.
Published: March 2009

A method for measuring the rate of passage of meal through the alimentary tract of pigs by feeding a stained marker is described. The results are given of sixty-four experiments made under standardized conditions on four fattening pigs with live weights ranging from 49·9 to 185·5 lb. and six experiments on a sow weighing 500 lb.

Results were expressed by means of excretion curves. These were sigmoid in shape and from them a value termed R, the mean retention time (hr.) of all the stained particles in the alimentary tract, directly proportional to the area to the left of the curve, was calculated.

In the fattening piga the first appearance of the marker in the faeces occurred 10–24 hr. after feeding, and the mean 5 and 95% excretion times were 21 and 53 hr. respectively. The marker was completely excreted after approximately 80–90 hr. The R value averaged 34·2 hr.

A marker fed at the morning feed (9 a.m.) had earlier 5 and 95% excretion times and the R value was significantly smaller.

There was no statistically significant relationship between the R values and live weight, digestibility of the dry matter of the ration or the dry-matter content of the faeces.

In the sow the 5 and 95% excretion times were 38 and 68 hr. respectively, and the R value averaged 51·1 hr.

Counts of stained particles in the intestines of two of the pigs after slaughter showed that food was delayed mainly in the large intestine.
The analysis of a factorial experiment with additional treatments
Authors: Healy M. J. R.
Published: March 2009

When planning a factorial experiment, it is often desirable (as pointed out by Yates (1937)) to include certain extra treatments falling outside the usual factorial scheme. I discuss here the exact analysis of an experiment of this type. Only standard principles of experimental analysis are involved, and the full exact analysis is not always required in practice, but the example may illustrate techniques that are useful in investigating more complicated designs that are sometimes encountered. I am grateful to the late Dr E. M. Crowther and Miss B. Benzian, of the Chemistry Department at Rothamsted, for discussion of the problem and for providing data for the illustrative example.
Milk production from subtropical non-dairy sheep. 1. Ewe performance
Authors: Aboul-Naga A. M. , El-Shobokshy A. S. , Marie I. F. , Moustafa M. A.
Published: March 2009

Milk yield of 270 Rahmani, Ossimi and Barki subtropical Egyptian ewes rearing single lambs during three successive lambings in 2 years was estimated over 12 weeks of the lactation using a lamb-suckling technique. The ewes received either normal or high level of feeding during late pregnancy and lactation.

Ossimi and Rahmani ewes showed significantly (P < 0·01) higher total milk production than the Barki. Milk yield declined sharply for the Barki ewes after the 6th week of lactation. Breed variation failed to attain statistical significance in the first 4 weeks of lactation. The highly fed ewes produced significantly (P < 0·01) more milk at different stages of lactation than the normally fed ones. High level of feeding, however, is not recommended for subtropical non-dairy ewes as it is not economic. Spring-lambing ewes produced significantly more milk during the first 8 weeks of lactation, while the summer-lambing ewes were more persistent in their milk yield in the last 4 weeks of lactation.

Neither age of ewe nor body weight significantly affected milk yield. Correlation coefficients between milk yield and body weight at lambing are small and range from 0·00 to 0·24.
The deposition of sulphur and sodium in rainwater in the coastal region of Kenya
Authors: Bromfield A. R. , Debenham D. F. , Hancock I. R.
Published: March 2009

In a previous study (Bromfield, Debenham & Hancock, 1980) sulphur deposited in rainwater was measured in central Kenya some 450 km from the Indian Ocean. The study reported here was complementary and measured sulphur deposited in 1979 at the Kenya coast, adjacent to the Indian Ocean, in a small but important agricultural area. Sodium was also measured since it is an element of marine origin, present in air in particulate form, and can be compared with sulphur which is largely present in the air in gaseous form.
Male reproductive characteristics of sheep in the Indian arid zone
Authors: Mittal J. P. , Ghosh P. K.
Published: March 2009

The influence of various factors like breed, season, level of nutrition, age and body weight was studied in indigenous (Marwari and Magra) and exotic (Corriedale) rams in respect of semen quality and sexual behaviour under the arid conditions of Jodhpur in the Indian desert. None of these factors except breed and level of nutrition affected semen quality. The breeds differed significantly only in respect of percentage abnormal sperms. The values for all the physical characteristics except sperm concentrations wore slightly lower in the Corriedale. Supplementary concentrate feeding resulted in significantly higher concentrations only of fructose and citric acid in the semen. The physical characteristics of the semen were only slightly superior in the feed-supplemented group of animals. The breeds differed significantly in respect of libido characteristics, with the Corriedale exhibiting the longest reaction time and the lowest number of matings in 30 min. These characteristics were, however, not affected by the other factors mentioned above.
Effects of different concentrations of atmospheric CO2on growth and yield components of wheat
Authors: Sionit N. , Strain B. R. , Hellmers H.
Published: March 2009

Growth and yield components of a semi-dwarf spring wheat (Triticum aestivumL., cv. GWO 1809) were determined under three different atmospheric CO2a concentrations (350, 675 and 1000 μ1/1) in controlled environment chambers of the Duke University Phytotron. CO2 enrichment enhanced tiller and head emergence and increased the number of head-producing tillers and the total dry weight of the plants. Total leaf area, stem height and root/shoot ratio of the plants were greater at high CO2concentrations than at low. Net assimilation rate (NAR) increased with increasing CO2concentration and decreased with plant size. There was little effect of CO2enrichment on leaf weight ratio (LWR) and leaf area ratio (LAR) and no significant effect on specific leaf area (SLA). The weight and number of seeds were significantly higher with increasing CO2concentration. The results of this study provide evidence that important changes in plant growth and development may occur during the next century if global CO2enrichment continues. Some of these changes would have important ecological impact in natural and managed ecosystems in the future.
Factors affecting body weight and growth rate of Awassi lambs
Authors: Bhat P. N. , Koul G. L. , Koul S. K. , Kumar R. , Garg R. C.
Published: March 2009

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of early weaning on body weight and growth rate of Awassi lambs raised at Abu-Ghurib Experiment Station, Baghdad, Iraq. Sex, type of birth and weaning age significantly influenced the body weight and growth rate of lambs at all the ages studied. Dam's age and weight at lambing, however, did not affect the growth rate of the lambs. The average body weights of lambs at 4 and 6 months of age were 23·8±0·28 and 32·3 ± 0·36 kg. The average daily gain in weight up to 120 and 180 days of age was 162·3 ±2·57 and 153·7 ±1·94 g/day respectively. Males were heavier than females and singles were heavier than twins at all the ages. Lambs weaned at 60 days of age were heavier and had a faster growth rate than those weaned at 90 or 120 days of age. Males born to 2-year-old dams grew fastest while the females born to them had the lowest body weights and growth rate.
Effect of the residue after hand boning on the yield of bone in lamb carcasses
Authors: Prasad V. S. S.
Published: March 2009

The yield of bone is an important aspect of lamb carcass evaluation studies. Hand boning is commonly done to compute this. However, it is often difficult to compare and draw conclusions on carcass bone content obtained by different groups of workers as this value is very sensitive to the extent to which bones are cleaned before weighing (Cuthbertson, 1975). The amount of residue remaining on the bones after hand boning and its effect on the final yield of bone in lamb carcasses has not been adequately investigated so far. Such information is of scientific interest to those involved in lamb carcass evaluation work. Therefore, the present study was planned to probe into this aspect.
Use of a cellulolytic enzyme digestion technique to distinguish bloat-causing from non-bloat-causing legumes and to select for speed of mesophyll cell-wall disintegration in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)
Authors: Sant F. I. , Wilson D.
Published: March 2009

Cell walls of three bloat-causing legumes, lucerne, red clover and white clover tended to be thinner and disintegrated significantly (P < 0·05) faster during cellulase digestion than those of two non-bloat-causing legumes, sainfoin (reported to contain tannins) and cicer milkvetch (reported not to contain tannins). Response to one generation of selection for speed of mesophyll cell-wall disintegration was marked in a diploid red clover (h2 = 0·66, 1·13) but slight in a tetraploid (h2 = 0·10, 0·13).