bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wood molasses as a preservative for high moisture barley: 1. Preservation and digestibility in pig
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka
Published: July 2018

Wood molasses from sulphate spent liquor was tested as a preservative for high moisture barley. In Exp. 1 wood molasses was applied at levels of 8 and 16 % of barley dry matter (DM). In Exp. 2 an application level of 12 % was compared with AIV II solution used at a level of 3 l/1000 kg. Barley was rolled before ensiling and water was added so that the moisture content was 55 % in Exp. 1 and 55—60 % in Exp. 2. Digestibility and nitrogen retention in growing pigs, liveweight 31—81 kg, were determined for dried barley, propionic acid treated barley and barleys ensiled with AIV II or wood molasses (12 % of barley DM). In Exp. 1 the application level of 8 % unneulralized wood molasses (pH 2) was sufficient to prevent deterioration during storage. The preservative effect was based mainly on the acidity provided by organic acids. With the higher level of application the lactic acid content was lower (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2barley ensiled with neutralized wood molasses had a higher (P < 0.01) lactic and acetic acid content and a lower pH value (P < 0.05) than barley ensiled with AIV II. Wood molasses decreased protein breakdown during the storage. The effect of DM content on fermentation and proteolysis was greater for AIV II ensiled barley. During the storage the sugar content increased because of starch hydrolysis. DM, organic matter (OM), NFE and starch digestibilities were lower on diets of barley ensiled with AIV II and wood molasses than on dried barley diet (P < 0.05). OM digestibilities for the diets were 82.2, 81.0 and 85.4 %, respectively. The digestibility of barley treated with propionic acid was slightly lower than that of dried barley. No differences were found in nitrogen retention.
The response of some spring barley cultivars grown in Finland to air-borne secondary infection by Bipolaris sorokiniana
Authors: Kurppa Aarne
Published: July 2018

Air-borne secondary inoculum of Bipolaris sorokiniana caused severe foliar diseases and yield losses in all 12 spring barley cultivars tested in greenhouses or in the field. For secondary infection to occur a high relative humidity was necessary. Yield losses due to foliar diseases reached a maximum of 43.4 % in greenhouse experiments and 27.8 % in the field. The mean losses were 20.3 % and 12.3%, respectively. Early infection at the time of heading or shortly after it resulted in higher yield losses than did later infection, although the symptom expression was opposite. Spore inoculation or natural secondary infection by the spores from a diseased crop after heading always resulted in a high infection incidence in the grain. Infection incidence as well as fungal invasion of the internal cell leyers of the grains varied significantly among barley cultivars. The most susceptible of those tested were cvs. Teemu, Paavo and Pomo, while the most resistant were Ingrid, Otra and Pirkka.
Comparison of analytical methods in testing soil fertility
Authors: Niskanen Raina , Jaakkola Antti
Published: July 2018

Analytical methods for testing soil fertility were compared in a material of 430 topsoil samples. The samples were analyzed for particle-size distribution, organic carbon content, pH(CaCl2), exchangeable Ca and Mg extracted with 1 M ammonium acetate (pH 7) and 1 M KCI, exchangeable K extracted with 1 M ammonium acetate (pH 7) and P extracted by the Bray 1 method. These soil properties were compared with the soil textural class and humus content class estimated visually, pH (H2O) and Ca, Mg, K and P extracted with acid ammonium acetate. The estimation of soil textural class was quite successful, but the content of organic matter was frequently underestimated. pH (H2O) and pH(CaCl2) were highly correlated and 95 % of the variation in pH (H2O) was explained by pH(CaCl2). Exchangeable Ca together with pH(CaCl2) explained about 90 % of the variation in Ca extracted with acid ammonium acetate. Exchangeable Mg explained about 70 % of the variation in Mg extracted with acid ammonium acetate. Exchangeable K explained 90 % of the variation in K extracted with acid ammonium acetate. The Bray 1 P and pH(CaCl2) explained 60 % of the variation in P extracted with acid ammonium acetate. pH(CaCl2), clay and organic carbon content explained 72—83 % of the variation in Ca. Mg, K and P were not highly dependent on pH, particle-size distribution and organic carbon content of soil.
Yield and glucosinolate of mustard seeds and volatile oils of caraway seeds and coriander fruit: II Yield and volatile oils of caraway seeds (Carum carvi L.)
Authors: Hälvä S. , Hirvi T. , Mäkinen S.
Published: July 2018

Caraway was grown in Freising, West Germany and at three locations in Finland. The growth substrate was a fertilized peat of the same quality at each location. The total volatile oil contents of the seeds varied between 5.45 and 7.59 ml/100g. There were no significant differences in total oil content or in carvone content between the seeds grown at different locations. In addition, different varieties (‘Hungarian’, ‘Kami’, ‘Caraway I and ll’ Sv) were tested in Helsinki. The average yield was 3200 kg/ha at the first harvest and 800 kg/ha in the second year. The Hungarian cultivar gave the largest yield and the growth period of this variety was approximately one week shorter than that of the Scandinavian varieties ‘Kami’ and ‘Caraway I and IT. The volatile oil contents of the seeds ranged between 4.22 and 6.98 ml/100 g. There were no significant differences between the varieties in the total oil contents. The proportion of carvone varied between 48 and 56 % of the total oils.
Determination of the capitalized and market values of supplementary arable land in southern Finland, 1972—1986
Authors: Ylätalo Matti
Published: July 2018

Rapid technological change in agriculture has permitted the management of larger farms with an existing labour input. Following this the demand for supplementary arable land has grown considerbly, while the supply has remained low. This imbalance between demand and supply has been reflected in rising land prices. For that reason, the main aim of this study was to determine the capitalized and market value of supplementary arable land and the correlations between them. The determination of the capitalized value of supplementary arable land is based on the use of production function analysis. The marginal value product was estimated from a Cobb-Douglas function, using as independent variables, the production inputs, and a dummy variable for the quality of land. The present value of arable land was calculated by capitalizing the net marginal operating margin at interest rates of 3 %, 5 Vo, and 7 % for durations of return of 5, 10, and 15 years. The benefit obtained from supplementary arable land proved highest on cattle farms with a small arable area, while on grain farms the marginal value product and the differential return still remained high as the size of the farm increased. The real price of arable land in the annual purchases of land by the National Board of Agriculture rose very slightly, on an average of 1.7 % per year, during the period 1972—1986. The capitalized value on the cattle farms reached the prices paid for arable land by the National Board of Agriculture, when a duration of return of 15 years and a capitalization rate of 3 % was used. In contrast, the capitalized value of the grain farms did not reach, at any time during the study period, the price level of the National Board of Agriculture. Also, the market prices of arable land, according to the data collected by the National Board of Land Surveying, clearly exceeded the capitalized value of both cattle and grain farms, during the period 1982—1986.
Influence of different barley varieties on competition and yield performance in barley-oats mixtures at two levels of nitrogen fertilization
Authors: Jokinen Kari
Published: July 2018

Competition between barley and oats, and yield performance of mixtures were evaluated in a two component replacement series field experiment at two levels of nitrogen applications (80 kgN/ha and 120 kgN/ha). Three barley cultivars (Aapo, Agneta ja Ida) and one oats cultivar (Veli) were used. The competitive relationship was independent of the pure stand yield of the cultivar. Ida and Agneta were more competitive than oats irrespective of nitrogen dose. Ida was the most dominant variety which was very likely due to the early development of the seedlings. Oats was slightly more competitive than the shortest cultivar Aapo at high nitrogen, although barley seedlings emerged before oats. Thus the competitive ability of a cultivar was not determined by one character of the plant only. The competition in mixtures had a greater effect on number of generative shoots and number of grains per head than on grain weight. The results revealed that the yield per plant in mixtures may be even the same as in monoculture, but the relative significance of different yield components may vary. The grain and protein yield of mixtures did not differ significantly from the yield of the highest yielding component grown alone. However, the ratio of actual and expected yield and the relative yield total were in most cases higher than one, indicating that some yield advantage may have been achieved. The genotypic composition of the stand had the greatest influence on the grain protein content of oats.
The effect of site on competition and yield advantages of mixtures of barley and oats
Authors: Jokinen Kari
Published: July 2018

Competition between six-row barley cv. Agneta and oats cv. Veli, and yield advantages of the mixtures were evaluated in a replacement series field experiment. The experiment was situated in a sloping area. Although barley was lower yielding (grain yield) than oats when the components were grown in monoculture, barley was dominant in all mixtures irrespective of the site. The competitive ability of barley decreased from the less productive site (top) to the more productive site (bottom). The improved competitive ability of oats was likely due to the faster early growth of oats. The grain yield of the mixture was about 4°70 (p >0.05) greater than the yield of the highest yielding component (oats) grown in monoculture on the more productive sites. The grain yield of the mixture was greater than the average yield of the pure stands and also the relative yield total exceeded one irrespective of the site. The grain weight of the species was independent of the genotypic structure of the stands. The protein content of oats was the highest, being greater in mixtures than in monocultures. The protein yield and the protein content of the mixture was between the values for pure stands.
Some factors of the time of breaking and training affecting racing performance in young trotters
Authors: Saastamoinen M. T.
Published: July 2018

Saastamoinen, M.T. (Agricultural Research Center, Equine Research Station, SF-32100 Ypäjä, Finland). Some factors of the time of breaking and training affecting racing performance in young trotters. An inquiry study was carried out to query the main reasons for non-starting and poor racing results, as well as to estimate the effect of some factors of the time of breaking and training on racing performance. The numbers of acceptable responses were 796 for Standardbred trotters and 857 for Finnhorses. About 72 % of the Standardbred trotters raced before the end of the five-year season, and about 42 % of the Finnhorse trotters raced before the end of their six-year season. The main reasons for non-starting and poor racing results were injuries and ailments, bad character, lack of talent and poor training. In general, young age at the beginning of breaking and training was favorably associated with racing performance. For instance, three-year-old Standardbred trotters broken at the age of 1 or Wi years were 2.1 seconds faster (p
Farm level and budgetary calculations on production of turnip rapeseed oil-methyl-ester (RME) for fuel of diesel engines
Authors: Sumelius John
Published: July 2018

This paper calculates the production costs of turnip rapeseed oil-methyl-ester (RME) as a substitute for diesel fuel. Theoretical farm models, which assume that compulsory fallowing area might be used for cultivating turnip rapeseed, provide the estimated short term production costs. The necessary government support for producing RME is calculated based on the difference between the production costs of RME against the taxfree wholesale price for diesel oil. In 1990 prices, a producer price of 1.70FIM/kg for turnip rapeseed means production costs of RME are approximately 4.28 FIM/1, or five and a half times higher than the taxfree wholesale price of diesel oil. When the realized producer price in 1990 of 4.12 FIM/kg is used, the RME production costs are 9.98 FIM/1. Thus, there is no economic basis for RME production in Finland.
Effects of feed fat on the composition and technological properties of milk and milk fat
Authors: Kankare Veikko , Antila Veijo , Miettinen Harri , Setälä Jouko
Published: July 2018

The aim of the study was to establish how the addition of rapeseed oil to a processed feed mixture affects the milk produced on commercial dairy farms as well as the composition and quality of the products made from that milk. In this study, replacing grain with processed feed mixture to which 2 or 4 % rapeseed oil had been added was not found to affect milk yield or composition to any considerable extent. As a result of the test feedings, the amounts of myristic and palmitic acid in the milk fat decreased and those of stearic and unsaturated fatty acids increased. This change in fatty acid composition can be viewed as nutritionally desirable, and it also had a good effect on the consistency of butter. During the second test period (4 % rapeseed oil) the cutting firmness figures of the butter were lowest, and in sensory evaluations the butter was also found to have the best consistency. The test feeding had a slight beneficial effect on the composition of milk protein. The amount of casein nitrogen grew and that of NPN fell. However, the test feeding was not found to affect the quality of the market milk, cream, cheese or milk powder.
Compounded pelleted fibre feed and hay pellets as substitutes for hay in horse feeding
Authors: Saastamoinen Markku , Manninen Merja , Rantanen Asko
Published: July 2018

Use of compounded pelleted fibre feed and ground pelleted hay as substitutes for hay in horse feeding was investigated. Thirty horses were divided into a control group and two experimental groups. The control horses received 6 kg hay per day. The horses in the two experimental groups were fed 3 kg hay per day and the remainder of their hay portion was substituted with a compounded pelleted fibre-rich feed or pelleted hay. The influence of the diet on health, haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (He) values, blood serum glucose concentration, as well as on faecal microflora and weight change was investigated. The health of the horses was found to be good, and the influence of the diets on the Hb and He values and faecal microflora as well as on weight change was not statistically significant. Horses receiving compounded feed had a higher (p
The influence of partial replacement of barley with dietary fat sources on growth and feed conversion efficiency of growing bulls
Authors: Tesfa Alem Tsehai , Tuori Mikko , Syrjälä-Qvist Liisa
Published: July 2018

This paper presents animal performance and carcass quality in an experiment conducted to observe the effect of replacing some of the barley in a concentrate mixture with different fat sources and wheat bran. The treatments were: concentrate mixture with no added fat (control); in the test feeds, some of the barley was replaced with 5 % of a fat source plus 10 % wheat bran, 1 % wheat molasses and 1 % Ca-lignosulphonate. The fat sources were rapeseed oil (RSO), calcium salt palm fatty acids (CaSFA), or tallow (TS). These four concentrate mixtures were fed to growing bulls with hay (45:55) at a rate of 85 g dry matter kg-1 metabolic body weight (W0.75). Partial replacement of barley with different fat sources slightly decreased dry matter intake and thereby reduced the daily intake of estimated metabolizable energy in all fat containing diets. Average daily weight gain was 1.20; 1.05; 1.05 and 1.08 kg for the control as to RSO; CaSFA and TS, respectively. Carcass weight was similar for all fat sources but slightly higher for the control diet, while dressing percentage was slightly lower for the control diet. Feeding RSO, TS or CaSFA had no effect on feed conversion efficiency in comparison to the control. No apparent difference was observed between treatments on carcass quality and palatability scores of the meat. Oleic and stearic acids were increased for RSO and TS containing diets as compared to the control and CaSFA containing diets.
The use of heated models to describe the thermal environment in shelters for farm animals
Authors: Pyykkönen Markus
Published: July 2018

The dry bulb air temperature is still the most commonly used parameter to characterize the thermal environment, even though it disregards the effect of air velocity and the thermal properties of the flooring material on the heat loss from the animal. Measurements in the laboratory confirmed that an uninsulated heated model with an overall thermal resistance of 0.11 m 2 KW-1 is sensitive enough to differentiate between changes in conduction, convection and radiation conditions. Measurements on farms showed that the heat loss simulated by mechanical models gives a more diversified description of the thermal environment than the dry bulb air temperature. Although the uninsulated mechanical model is not a standardized device, it is a useful method for measuring the thermalenvironment especially under sheltered winter conditions.
Soil response to acid input in a titration experiment
Authors: Hartikainen Helinä
Published: July 2018

Cultivated surface soil samples of an acid Gleysol (soil 1, pH 4.9) and a slightly acid Podzol (soil 2, pH 6.7) were equilibrated for 48 h with oto 144 meq H+ kg-1 by a batch technique designed to simulate reactions of acid load with soil constituents. The pH of the titration suspensions ranged in soil 1 from 5.6 to 3.3, in soil 2 from 7.2 to 4.7. The exchange reaction with base cations on variable charge sites was an important mechanism for H+ inactivation. The quantities of cation equivalents released were, however, lower than the proton equivalents added. Calcium dominated the supernatant solutions, but as related to exchangeable reserves. Mg seemed to be more susceptible to acidification at high soil pH. Protons were also consumed in the mobilization of divalent base cations from a non-exchangeable pool to an exchangeable one. The experimental soils differed in their response of acid cation fractions to proton loading. In the rather neutral soil 2, the quantities of soluble and exchangeable acid cations were very low and not affected by acidification. The Al dissolved by proton attack was immobilized by complexation reactions. This mechanism did not operate in the acid soil 1 where the proton loading markedly increased the exchangeable Al pool and, consequently, the soluble Al in the supernatant solution. This was associated with a simultaneous reduction in the complexed Al and a small increase in complexed Fe. Furthermore, acidification diminished the effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) decisively less in soil 1 than in soil 2, because the increase in exchangeable Al markedly compensated the reduction in the exchangeable base cations. As compared to freelydrained systems, the batch titration overestimated the release of Al to solution phase.
Biological quality of fermented fish offal and chicken by-products
Authors: Lassén T. Mikael
Published: July 2018

The biological quality of fermented animal by-products prepared from fish and chicken offal was evaluated. A quality index (QI) based on analyses of a few important free amino acids and their corresponding biogenic amines was given. A group separation method based on ion exchange chromatography was found suitable for isolating and purifying amines and amino acids in biological samples. Quality was evaluated in samples fermented with different starter cultures, inoculation sizes and substrate levels. Slow or incomplete fermentation led to the accumulation of biogenic amines, especially tyramine, and resulted in a low QI. Fast initial and continuous stable fermentation for four weeks resulted in low concentrations of biogenic amines and high concentrations of free amino acids and consequently a high QI. The alanine concentration was considered to be a useful tool for estimating proteolysis, and QI related to changes in alanine concentration, lactic acid production and redox potential were considered to give the most useful estimation of the biological quality of fermented fish offal and poultry waste.
Effect of road traffic on heavy metal concentrations of plants
Authors: Yläranta Toivo
Published: July 2018

The concentrations of zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and nickel in spring wheat grain and straw, Italian rye grass and lettuce were studied in a two-year field experiment conducted alongside two roads with a daily traffic density of 9500 and 5500 vehicles each. The experimental plots were located 22, 58 and 200 m from the roads. As controls, polyethylene pots filled with non-contaminated soil were placed in each plot. The values for the bulk deposition of lead were 50% and those for dry deposition over 50% higher in the plot 22 m from the roadside than in the plot 200 m from the roadside. The bulk deposition of zinc also decreased slightly with distance from the road. Cadmium depositions were low at all experimental sites. The highest values for dry deposition of lead and cadmium were recorded when the wind blew from the road in the direction of the collectors. The heavy metal concentrations varied from plant to plant but for a particular species were similar at different experimental sites. The highest zinc, cadmium and nickel concentrations were measured in lettuce. The lead concentration of wheat straw, Italian rye grass and lettuce at 22 m from the roadside was 1.5-3 times that of the background level at 200 m. In wheat grain, the lead concentration was very low and did not change with distance from the road. The plants took up lead mainly from air deposition. The zinc concentration of wheat grain and the nickel concentration of Italian rye grass were also high. Cadmium concentrations were low in wheat grain and straw and in rye grass. In wheat, the zinc and copper concentrations were higher and the lead and cadmium concentrations much lower in grain than in straw.
Symptom expression and accumulation of potato virus Y (PVYO) and potato leaf roll virus in thirteen potato cultivars
Authors: Valkonen Jari , Mäkäräinen Eerik
Published: July 2018

Necrotic local lesions developed in cvs. Matilda, Ostara, Record, Satuma, Stina, Hankkija’s (Hjan) Tanu and Hjan Timo and local ring spots in Olympia and Sieglinde (Siikli) following sap inoculation with the ordinary strain of potato virus Y (PVY0). Secondarily infected cvs. Ostara, Pito, Siikli and Hjan Timo developed leaf drop. No infected progeny was produced by Matilda, Saturna and Hjan Tanu. In contrast, Bintje, Puikula and Sabina developed neither local lesions nor systemic necrosis, but showed mosaic symptoms following primary and secondary infection by PVYO. The ELISA absorbance values for potato leafroll virus (PLRV) in Ostara, Pito and Saturna were less than 10% of those in the PLRV-infected Siikli. The ELISA values for PLRV in Olympia, Stina, Hjan Tanu and Hjan Timo were not significantly different from those of Siikli. The severity of the symptoms did not correlate with the concentration of PLRV in the potatoes.
The effect of disinfectants on fungal diseases of cucumber
Authors: Avikainen Hanna , Koponen Hilkka , Tahvonen Risto
Published: July 2018

Formaline, lobac P, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), Korsolin and Menno-Ter-forte were effective disinfectants in the control of damping-off (Pythium sp.) from peat substrate. Ipasept, Sanisept and Virkon S (1%) were shown ineffective against Pythium sp. in peat. Only formaline was effective in the control of black root rot (Phomopsis sclerotioides) from peat. In sand substrate P. sclerotioides could be eradicated also with sodium hypochlorite. Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) from peat substrate could be controlled with formaline, lobac P, sodium hypochlorite and Virkon S. Formaline and sodium hypochlorite were effective against Verticillium wilt in sand. Black stem rot (Didymella hryoniae) was susceptible to all disinfectants tested.
Agronomical and phytochemical investigation of Hyssopus officinalis
Authors: Galambosi Bertalan , Svoboda Katerina P. , Deans Stanley G. , Hethelyi Eva
Published: July 2018

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) obtained from various commercial sources was grown for three years (1990-1992) in Finland. Yield characteristics, flower colour, volatile oil content/composition and its antimicrobial quality were studied. For comparison, Scottish-grown hyssop was included in oil and quality determinations. The description of the flower colour given by the seed firms was not a reliable indicator of the true colour in many cases. Oil yield was satisfactory and oil composition was rather uniform. Only one different chemotype was identified, this was derived from a Romanian seed source. There was considerable variation in herb yield between plants from different sources. The total fresh herb yield was 0.5-3.2 kg/m2, the dry leaf yield was 67-326 g/m2. Seed germination was satisfactory (76-99%), offering opportunities for seed production of varieties with different characteristics.
Genetic polymorphism at RAPD loci in spring turnip rape (Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera)
Authors: Tanhuanpää Pirjo , Vilkki Johanna , Vilkki Juha , Pulli Seppo
Published: July 2018

In this study we analyzed polymorphism at RAPD loci in an outbreeding species, spring turnip rape. The reproducibility of individual RAPD patterns was high when the DNA templates were of equal quality and quantity. It was possible to use both a rapid DNA extraction method and DNA extracted from a combined sample of ten individuals without losing any of the major fragments. When different cultivars were compared for RAPD pattern, most polymorphic loci exhibited differences only in allele frequency. However, we also found fragments which were amplified only from certain cultivars. It was concluded that RAPD markers provide a fast and reliable method for analyzing individuals and cultivars of turnip rape.
Numeric codes for developmental stages of oat apex in the growing conditions of Southern Finland
Authors: Peltonen-Sainio Pirjo , Pekkala Tiina
Published: July 2018

Scales that categorize the development of cereal apex have been introduced by several authors. Daylength markedly affects the rate of apex organogenesis and, hence, numeric codes for developmental stages of apices introduced for lower latitudes cannot be used in Finland without modifying them into a ratio scale. The present study introduces numeric codes that categorize the 22 developmental stages of oat (Avena saliva L.) apex in the growing conditions of Southern Finland. Field experiments, including 14 oat cultivars and six breeding lines that differ in the duration of the period from initiation of double ridges to pollination, were carried out at the Viikki Experimental Farm of the University of Helsinki (60°13’N) for two years. The numeric codes were established by relating them to cumulated degree days (CDD). This study showed that when estimating the developmental stages of oat apex by calculating CDD from sowing, the error of estimation was ±1 stage unit at the most.
Lactose hydrolysis by free and fibre-entrapped β-galactosidase from Streptococcus thermophilus
Authors: Yang Zhennai , Pahkala Eero , Tupasela Tuomo
Published: July 2018

To study lactose hydrolysis by β-galactosidase, this enzyme was produced from Streptococcus thermophilus strain 11F and partially purified by acetone and ammonium sulphate fractionation, and ion exchange chromatography on a Q Sepharose FF column. Lactose hydrolysis by the enzyme was affected by lactose concentrations, sugars and milk proteins. The maximum extent of lactose hydrolysis in buffer was obtained with a 15% lactose concentration. Addition of 2% of lactose, glucose, galactose or sucrose in milk inhibited the enzymatic hydrolysis. The enzyme was activated by bovine serum albumin and a combination of αs-casein and β-casein. Of the casein fractions, the principal fraction, αs-casein, was less effective than β-casein and κ-casein. The fibre entrapped enzyme had a temperature optimum of 57°C, and a pH optimum from 7.5 to at least 9.0 with O-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside as substrate. By recycling with whey and skim milk through a jacketed glass column (1.6 cm x 30 cm) loaded with fibre-entrapped enzyme at 55°C, a lactose hydrolysis of 49.5% and 47.9% was achieved in 11 h and 7 h respectively.
Hydrolysis of κ-casein in solution by chymosin, plasmin, trypsin and Lactobacillus -proteinases
Authors: Pihlanto-Leppälä Anne , Pahkala Eero , Antila Veijo
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the enzymatic hydrolysis of κ-casein by isolating and identifying the released peptides. The enzymes employed in the study were chymosin, plasmin and trypsin, as well as a cell-free extract from three Lactobacillus helveticus and nine Lactobacillus casei strains. The findings showed that the bond most sensitive to the proteolytic activity of chymosin was the Phe 105-Met 106. After 24 hours of hydrolysis a few other bonds in the casein macropeptide were also cleaved. Plasmin was found to have weak proteolytic activity under the conditions of this study. When the enzyme-substrate ratio was raised from 1:200 to 1:50, a few peptides were released from the N-terminal region. Trypsin was found to hydrolyze several κ-casein bonds, and peptides were released from almost all regions of the protein. The proteases of Lactobacillus had less effect than chymosin, plasmin or trypsin. The strains could be divided into three categories. L. helveticus strains had activity on bonds in the mid-section and C-terminal region, L. casei strains EB, P3, P8 and A 1 had activity on bonds in the N- and C-terminal regions, while L. casei A5 and M9 had activity only on bonds in the C-terminal region.
Effects of temperature sum on vitamin C concentration and yield of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) fruit: optimal time of fruit harvest
Authors: Yao Yingmou
Published: July 2018

To investigate the effects of temperature sum on vitamin C concentration (Vc), yield and maturity of sea buckthorn fruit (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and to predict the optimal harvest time, berries were collected from eight genotypes at an interval of about one week from August 16 to December 2. Maturity was visually observed, berry weight measured and Vc determined. Berries matured at 1165-1316 degree-days (d.d.). Vc reached maximum at about 1229 d.d., while fruit size and yield reached maximum at 1380 d.d.. Mathematical models of polynomial equations were highly significant for predicting the effects of temperature sum on Vc, maturity and fruit yield. Optimal harvest time for maximizing Vc, yield or economic income could be determined according to differential equations. Great variations in Vc, fruit maturity and fruit size suggested good opportunities for selection and breeding. Low rank correlations in vitamin C concentration during fruit maturity, however, call for special attention in selection and breeding.
The bread making quality of Finnish spring wheats - a proposal for classification
Authors: Peltonen Jari , Juutti Tapio , Suopelto Juha
Published: July 2018

The purpose of the present study was to provide bread making quality criteria for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in Finland. The bread making quality of a total of 101 wheat samples was related to flour protein concentration and dough quality determined by the farinograph valorimeter value. Nine quality classes of wheat, similar to the German system of wheat classification, were used as a basis. Because Finnish wheat breeding and cultivation primarily aim at producing grain for bread making, it was not considered necessary to define the quality classes of wheat unsuitable for bread making. Therefore, the number of quality classes were restricted to five: (class 1) medium, (class 2) medium to high, (class 3) high, (class 4) high to very high, and (class 5) very high baking quality. The influence of the environment on the quality traits should be taken into account by comparing the cultivars with a representative control cultivar.
Study of the phytoestrogen content of goat’s rue (Galega orientalis), alfalfa (Medicago sutiva) and white clover (Trifolium repens)
Authors: Saloniemi Hannu , Kallela Kaarlo , Saastamoinen Ilkka
Published: July 2018

Studies were conducted to determine the phytoestrogen content of goat’s rue (Galega orientalis Lam.), alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), all belonging to the Fabaceae family subjected to test cultivation at research stations of the Agricultural Research Centre of Finland. Apart from some insignificant quantities, goat’s rue did not contain any known phytoestrogens. Even in biological studies it had no estrogenic effect. The estrogenic effect of alfalfa was apparently due to coumestrol, which was discovered in the samples in quantities of 34-65 ppm. All white clover varieties contained very small quantities of estrogenic isoflavones and coumestrol, and they did not explain the increased weight of the immature rat uterus observed in the biological studies.
Weed infestation and factors affecting weed incidence in spring cereals in Finland - a multivariate approach
Authors: Salonen Jukka
Published: July 2018

Weed vegetation of spring cereal fields in southern and central Finland was analyzed by ordination methods to provide a community level description of weed populations. Attention was paid particularly to the relative importance of environmental factors affecting weed incidence such as crop management, soil properties and weather conditions. A data set of 33 weed taxa from 252 fields was subjected to both indirect and direct gradient analysis. Indirect ordination was obtained with correspondence analysis (CA), and direct gradient analyses were performed with redundancy analysis (RDA) and with canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) relating environmental factors to the occurrence of weeds. Among several management factors, continuous herbicide use explained best the variation in the species composition of weed flora. Weed vegetation was also associated with soil type, moisture conditions and soil pHH2O. Ordination diagrams visualized the species-environment interactions and detected characteristic weed species for different geographical regions. In addition to ordination analyses of weed flora, the level and structure of weed infestation are described. The density of weeds averaged 170 plants m2 (median=124) and the air-dry weight of weeds 320 kg ha-1 (median=183). The average weed density was the same in different soil types, but the weed biomass was lower in clay soils than in coarse mineral and organic soils
Leisure and farmers’ welfare in changing conditions
Authors: Kola Jukka , Sihvola Sanna
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the background for leisure-labour decisions in agriculture and evaluates welfare effects of a shift in farmers’ relief services from a state-led subsidised system to a market mechanism. Leisure provided by relief services in agriculture contributes to well-being, but the leisure-labour choice also influences the revenue. Besides conventional economic and demographic factors, we emphasize the importance of special biological bindings and continuity, as well as risk and uncertainty affecting farmers’ time allocation in agricultural production. We consider structural development as an aggregate factor to explain the demand for farmers’ relief services. In Finland the organisation of the services is more centralized than in the other Nordic countries or the European Union. If government subsidies for relief services were removed and a market mechanism with free price formation adopted, direct government savings would be more than enough to compensate for substantial losses to farmers. Moreover, market forces could produce economic efficiency and local flexibility of a higher degree. State subsidization may still be needed to some extent in changing conditions in order to enable the relief services to develop and serve as a support system of a social, de-coupled, and less distorting nature.
Blood group and protein polymorphism in the Finnish native cattle populations
Authors: Kantanen Juha , Ojala Matti
Published: July 2018

Nine blood group loci and five polymorphic protein loci were investigated in the native East-, North- and West-Finnish cattle populations. The studied East-, North and West-Finnish cattle populations comprised 74, 55 and 121 individuals, respectively. According to the average degree of heterozygosity, East-Finnish cattle had the highest genetic variation and North-Finnish cattle the lowest. Within the loci investigated, the East- and North-Finnish cattle populations, which are threatened by extinction, did not lack genetic diversity. The genetic distances between West and North-Finnish cattle calculated by the Nei’s (1972) standard method ranged from 0.019 to 0.052 in three partly different locus groups and between East- and North-Finnish cattle from 0.034 to 0.046. The distances between East- and West- Finnish cattle were 0.030 in all cases. According to these results. East-, West- and North-Finnish cattle could be regarded as three different native breeds.
Effects of fenvalerate and permethrin on soil arthropods and on residues in and decomposition of barley straw
Authors: Huusela-Veistola Erja , Kurppa Sirpa , Pihlava Juha-Matti
Published: July 2018

The effects of two pyrethroids, fenvalerate and permethrin, were studied in field experiments on two soil types: organic soil and sandy loam. The objectives were to determine 1) the persistence of fenvalerate and permethrin in straw, 2) the effects of the pyrethroids on epigeal Arachnida and Collembola, and other soil animals and 3) the effects of the pyrethroids on the decomposition rate of straw. The residues of fenvalerate and permethrin in straw approximately 2 months after application varied between 0.1 to above 5 mg/kg straw in 1986, 1988 and 1989, but was less than 0.5 mg/kg straw at harvest in 1991. No pesticide residues were found in straw samples taken in the following summer in the 1991 experiment. The decomposition rate of straw did not differ between permethrin and fenvalerate- treated plots and control plots. The rate of decomposition was slightly higher in sandy soil than in organic soil, but the same on tilled and non-tilled plots. Fenvalerate and permethrin affected the numbers of epigeal Arachnida and Collembola in the field. Araneae were more numerous in pitfall samples taken from control plots than in insecticide-treated plots immediately after treatment. In organic soil the difference was marginally significant after harvest. The abundance of Acarina in pitfalls was significantly lower in insecticide-treated plots than in control plots. In the sandy soil experiment, less Collembola occurred in pitfalls of fenvalerate plots than in permethrin or control plots. There were no differences in any of the groups of soil animals in soil cores extracted with dry funnels between the treatments.
Contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizas to biological protection of micropropagated pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr) against Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands
Authors: Guillemin Jean-Philippe , Gianinazzi Silvio , Gianinazzi-Pearson Vivienne , Marchal Jean
Published: July 2018

Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands causes root rot of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) and the development of this disease is harmful for fruit production. Micropropagated plants of two varieties, Queen Tahiti and Smooth Cayenne (clone CYO), were inoculated at transplanting from axenic conditions with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus to evaluate the importance of endomycorrhiza development for biological protection against P. cinnamomi. Growth and mineral nutrition of endomycorrhizal plants were not affected by different inoculum levels of P. cinnamomi, whilst they were reduced for non-mycorrhizal plants. Root/shoot ratio of endomycorrhizal plants was lower than that of non-mycorrhizal plants, and the pathogen did not modify this effect except at highest inoculum levels of P. cinnamomi. Endomycorrhizal colonization was not altered by the pathogen; however symbiotic functioning was reduced by the highest concentration of inoculum of P. cinnamomi. Endomycorrhization is an interesting biotechnology for the production of micropropagated pineapple.
Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizas on crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) in micropropagated strawberry plants
Authors: Vestberg Mauritz , Palmujoki Hanna , Parikka Päivi , Uosukainen Marjatta
Published: July 2018

Preliminary studies were conducted on the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) against strawberry crown rot caused by Phytophthora cactorum (Leb. & Cohn) Schroet. A micropropagated strawberry cultivar susceptible to the disease, ‘Jonsok’, was either inoculated with the Finnish AMF strains Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe V57, G. hoi Berch & Trappe V98 and G. fistulosum Skou & Jakobson V128, or it was left uninoculated. AMF inoculation at the beginning of the weaning stage, five weeks before the establishment of the pot or field experiment, did not decrease crown rot severity in either of the experiments. In the pot experiment, on the contrary, AMF lowered the plant health index when P. cactorum was added to the substrate in the form of infected plant residues. Results are discussed in relation to soil-borne vs. foliar disease, phosphorus concentration of the growth substrate and influence of weather conditions.
Comparison of different protein evaluation systems for growing pigs: Digestible crude protein, and total, faecal digestible and ileal digestible amino acid intakes as performance response predictors
Authors: Valaja Jarmo
Published: July 2018

The validity of apparent faecal digestible crude protein and total, apparent faecal or ileal digestible amino acid intakes (lysine, threonine and methionine) as animal performance predictors was evaluated on the basis of digestibility coefficients obtained from the literature and performance and carcass parameter data from five different experiments on growing pigs. Correlations and regression equations were calculated between daily digestible crude protein or amino acid intakes and the performance and carcass parameters of the pigs. No connection was found between digestible crude protein intake and the performance of the pigs. The correlations were highest between different lysine intakes and daily gain (DG) (r = 0.808-0.867, p < 0.001). Ileal digestible lysine intake correlated with the performance of the pigs better than did intakes of total or faecal digestible lysine. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05), and the thickness of back (BF) (p < 0.001) and side fat (SF) (p < 0.001) correlated highly with ileal digestible lysine intake. The correlations between these parameters and total or faecal digestible lysine intakes were lower but also significant (total lysine: BF p < 0.001, SF p < 0.01 and faecal digestible lysine: BF p < 0.01, SF p < 0.05). The regression equations agreed well with the coefficients of correlation. Ileal digestible lysine intake explained changes of performance and carcass parameters better than did intakes of total and faecal digestible lysine. The study confirms the advantage of using ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids for detecting differences in the supply of amino acids from different feeds.
Nutritive value of meat and bone meal for growing pigs
Authors: Partanen Kirsi , Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

Six barrows, with an average initial body weight of 88 kg, were used in a digestibility and balance experiment to study the nutritive value of meat and bone meal (MBM). The MBM, which contained 478 g crude protein and 322 g ash/kg dry matter (DM), was included in barley-based diets at two levels: 100 and 200 g/kg. The experiment was conducted according to a two-period reversal design. The apparent digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein and crude fat in the MBM were 0.910, 0.909 and 0.730, respectively. The MBM was calculated to contain 434 g digestible crude protein, 14.26 MJ metabolizable energy and 8.82 MJ net energy/kg DM. The efficiency of nitrogen utilization decreased with an increasing MBM supply. Due to relatively high mineral intakes, the apparent digestibilities of calcium and phosphorus remained low.
Effects of supplemental microbial phytase on performance of broiler chickens
Authors: Koskinen Tuomo , Piironen Jari , Hakonen Tiina
Published: July 2018

Three trials were conducted on a total of 5100 broiler chicks (0-5.5 weeks) to study the effects of different microbial phytase (Aspergillus niger) supplementations (250-1000 phytase units = PU/g) on the performance and bone mineralization of birds and on the utilization of phosphorus compared with the effects of mineral P additions as dicalcium phosphate. The basal diets (negative controls) were principally composed of soya bean meal (SBM) and grain (wheat, barley, oats) supplemented with up to 0.10% mineral P; the positive control diets were supplemented with 0.24-0.30% mineral P. Compared with the negative control groups, which were fed diets with 0.05% mineral P either during the whole rearing period or during the starting period only, phytase addition increased live weight by 4-7% and feed intake by 3-9% (Trials 1 and 2). Tibia values indicated that with low mineral P supplementations (0.05 and 0.10%), phytase additions have a non-significant effect on bone mineralization. If mineral P is not added, the tibia values show a marked response to phytase (Trial 3). Utilization of P increased from 50.9% to 60.0% when phytase (1000 PU/g) was added to the diets without mineral P supplementation (Trial 3). Utilization of P was only 34.5% in the positive control diet (0.3% mineral P). The results were obviously affected by the intrinsic phytase activity in grain and the dietary calcium level, and suggest that, in SBM-grain-based diets with very low (0.05%) or no mineral P supplementation, weight gain can be increased by adding phytase up to 1000 PU/g. This supplemented phytase activity is apparently sufficient for adequate bone mineralization.
Copper in cultivated soils of Finland
Authors: Yli-Halla Markku
Published: July 2018

Soil samples from the plough layers of 105 fields in different parts of Finland were analyzed for Cu fractions. Vertical distribution of Cu was also studied in a smaller material. Total Cu (Cutot , HNO3-HCIO4-HF-H2SO4 digestion) in the surface soil ranged 6.9-97.4 mg kg-1 (mean 37.1 mg kg-1) and was highest in clay soils (mean 59.0 mg kg-1) and lowest in fine sand and moraine soils (mean 18.3 mg kg-1 ). Copper in the water-soluble, exchangeable and mainly organically bound fraction was extracted with 0.1 M K4P2O7 (Cupy), and Cu bound by poorly crystalline Fe, A and Mn oxides (Cuox) was dissolved subsequently with 0.05 M oxalate (pH 2.9). The average percentages of Cupy and Cuox were 18% and 12% of Cutot in mineral soils and 34% and 19% of Cutot in organogenic soils, respectively. Residual Cu (Cures ) incorporated in mineral lattices was calculated to constitute 70% and 47% of Cutot in mineral and organogenic soils, respectively. In two thirds of soils the potentially plant-available reserves of Cu (Cupy + Cuox) were more plentiful than those of Zn (Znpy + Znox). An acetic acid - ammonium acetate - Na2EDTA solution used in routine soil testing extracted 56% and 71% of the sum of Cupy + Cuox in mineral and organogenic soils, respectively. In soil profiles, CuEDTA was higher in the plough layer than in the subsoil but a few soils rich in Cutot had abundant reserves of CuEDTA below the rooting depth of annual field crops.