bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of added dietary lipid on the body composition of rams and wethers
Authors: Price M. A.
Published: March 2009

A 2 × 3 factorial trial designed to investigate the effects of castration and three diets on growth and body composition of 30 male Dorset Horn × (Border Leicester × Merino) lambs is described. The three diets were: (a) a standard ration of equal weights of lucerne chaff and pelleted concentrates; (b) a similar ration to (a) plus 7·5% by weight of lipid (peanut oil and tallow); (c) a greater ration of (a) calculated to be isocaloric for digestible energy with diet (b).

At the beginning of the trial a group of 40 lambs (20 rams, 20 wethers) were shorn and five rams and five wethers were selected at random and slaughtered to establish initial body composition. The remaining 30 lambs, 15 rams and 15 wethers aged about 22 weeks and having mean weights of 33·0 kg (rams) and 31·2 kg (wethers), were randomly divided within sex into three groups and allocated to the three diets for 92 days. At the end of this period the lambs were again shorn, and then slaughtered and dressed.

During the trial, rams gained significantly (P < 0·001) more weight than wethers, and lambs on diet (a) gained significantly (P < 0·01) less weight than those on (b) and (c). Weight gains on the latter two diets were similar. Diet generally had little effect on body composition, although there was a tendency, within sexes, for lambs on diet (b) to have a greater fat content than those on the other diets. Rams had significantly greater carcass weights (P < 0·01), head percentage (P < 0·001) and various m. longissimus dorsi dimensions than wethers, but significantly less fat in all the locations measured, including a lower percentage of chemically extractible fat in the offals and carcasses. Estimations of the energy stored in the wool-free body during the trial indicated that wethers stored significantly more energy in the form of fat than rams (P < 0·001), but that rams stored significantly more non-fat energy than wethers (P < 0·001). It is concluded that a maximum growth rate exists for the non-fat body, and that it is higher in rams than wethers. Thus the addition of dietary lipid (which increases energy intake with comparatively small increases in weight or volume of feed), is more likely to promote fat deposition in wethers, which have a lower maximum capacity for non-fat storage, than in rams.
Productivity of S. 59 red fescue with and without S. 184 white clover under hill conditions: 1. Animal performance
Authors: Davies D. A.
Published: March 2009

An appraisal of the value of S. 59 red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) for grazing was made using ewes and lambs (Clun Forest in 1969, Welsh Mountain in 1970) at a site 305 m O.D. in mid-Wales. S. 23 perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was used as a control, and the value of S. 184 white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in conjunction with both grasses was examined.

In the first year, under a rotational grazing regime at a fixed stocking rate of 22 ewes and single lambs/ha, lamb live-weight gains were significantly poorer on S. 59/S. 184 and significantly better on S. 23/S. 184 than on either of the pure grass swards. For the 130 days grazing season, mean daily lamb live-weight gains were 157, 126, 78 and 120 g on S. 23/S. 184, S. 23, S. 59/S. 184 and S. 59 treatments respectively.

During the second year lamb growth rates on S. 59/S. 184 improved by 59%, whereas those on the other treatments were marginally lower than in 1969. Stocking rates were increased on the grass swards and decreased on the grass/clover swards for most of the grazing period in the second year in accordance with herbage availability. No significant difference was detected between the four treatments in total lamb liveweight production as a result of better individual growth rates on the grass/clover swards.

In both years wide variations were recorded between treatments at different periods within the grazing season. Red fescue swards maintained superior lamb production in early spring and late autumn, but were inferior to ryegrass in mid-summer.
Status of neo-decanoic acids applied to onion (Allium cepa L.) foliage and phytotoxicity of neo-decanoic acids applied to organic soil
Authors: Pendergrass Ann , Gilbert M. D. , Isenberg F. M. R. , Lisk D. J.
Published: March 2009

A mixture of 14C-labelled neo-decanoic acids (NDA) applied to onion foliage was virtually all retained at the site of contact rather than being metabolized or moved within the plant. When [14C]NDA was brought into contact with non-sterile organic (muck) soil, 14CO2 was released, suggestive of oxidation by soil micro-organisms. The volatilized acids of NDA are not toxic to unsprayed plants at temperatures up to 32 °C, nor is residue in organic soil harmful to plants sown 5 or more days after NDA spray application.
Defluorinated rock phosphate as a source of phosphorus for growing sheep
Authors: Hemingway R. G. , Fishwick G.
Published: March 2009

Defluorination of rock phosphate by heat treatment is an important method of producing phosphates suitable for animal feed. A variety of such products have been evaluated as phosphorus sources for ruminants, e.g. Beeson et al. (1945) recorded that a material produced at a low temperature (600°C) was unsatisfactory for steers, but Ammerman et al. (1957) indicated that a calcined calcium phosphate acidified with either sulphuric or phosphoric acids was fully as satisfactory as dicalcium phosphate for steers, but not for growing sheep. Wise, Wentworth & Smith (1961) and O'Donovan et al. (1965) recorded that defluorinated rock phosphates (produced by unspecified methods) were as useful as dicalcium phosphate for growing cattle. Arrington et al. (1963) have reported that 32P contained in reagent grade dicalcium phosphate was better retained by growing cattle than when present as a defluorinated rock phosphate.
Problems in determining the best levels of essential nutrients in feedingstuffs
Authors: Lerman P. M. , Bie S. W.
Published: March 2009

Two obstacles to achieving diets which maximize farm profits are discussed: (1) the continuing inability to predict reliably the response of animals to a diet with any given composition, and (2) batch-to-batch variation in the true nutrient content of a diet with a fixed nominalcontent. With the aid of simple practical examples it is demonstrated that diet recommendations can be more sensitive than might be expected to the type of function used to predict response, and that variation in dietary nutrient content may reduce farm profits (though the size of the reduction is not clear because of (1) above).
The microbiology of farmyard manure decomposition in soil. III. Decomposition of the cells of micro-organisms. (with seven text-figures.)
Authors: Jensen H. L.
Published: March 2009

1. Dried cell substance of various micro-organisms—nine fungi, one actinomycetes, two bacteria—were subjected to decomposition in soil and sand. In neutral garden soil, the addition of microbial substance gave rise to a more or less abundant, but always temporary, development of bacteria and actinomycetes; the latter group of organisms was often stimulated to a very conspicuous degree.

2. The development of micro-organisms was accompanied by a more or less abundant production of nitrate. After 60 days 19–61 per cent. of the added N had been nitrified, and after 120 days the proportion had in most cases not increased very materially.
Nutritive value of pasture. VIII. The influence of intensive fertilising on the yield and composition of good permanent pasture (seasons 1 and 2) (With three diagrams.)
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Underwood E. J.
Published: March 2009

It is important to bear in mind that the investigation outlined in this paper was designed primarily to test the effect of periodic applications of sulphate of ammonia on the yield and composition of good permanent pasture, well supplied with reserves of lime, potash and phosphate. The results have no bearing on the possible effect of manurial treatment on the yield and composition of inferior types of pasturage. The present account embraces the findings of the first two seasons of experiment, namely, 1929 (characterised by droughty conditions) and 1930 (season of ample rainfall).
Measurements of the electrical capacity and conductivity of soil blocks. (With six text-figures.)
Authors: Cashen G. H.
Published: March 2009

1. The equivalent parallel capacity and conductance of a series of soil blocks have been measured for decreasing moisture content.

2. The results obtained depend on the electrodes used. With mercury, all soils give curves of the same general type for the variation of the capacity with moisture because the capacity effects associated with the soil electrode interface are large compared with those due to the soil. The electrical properties of the interface have been shown to exhibit marked changes in their variation with moisture at certain moisture contents.
Pasture productivity in Nigeria: I. Dry matter production and chemical composition of herbage
Authors: Oyenuga V. A. , Olubajo F. O.
Published: March 2009

The yields of four tropical grass/legume pasture mixtures were studied over a 4-year period. These mixtures had the following composition: H, Cynodon nlemfuensis var. robustus, together with the legumes Centrosema pubescens (Benth.), and Stylosanthes gracilis (H.B.K.); J, Pennisetum purpureum (Schum.) plus the two legumes in H; K, treatment J mixture plus Panicum maximum (Jacq.); and L, a mixture of treatments H, J and K. Each treatment paddock was grazed in rotation between 19 April 1966 and 21 November 1969.

The mean annual dry-matter yields over the 4 years of grazing were approximately 37 ± 5·7, 41 ± 2·6, 44 ± 10·2 and 47 ± 8·7 t/ha for treatments H, J, K and L respectively. The overall mean for the four treatments was 42 ± 5·1 t/ha/annum.

It was observed that the dry-matter yield of the three mixtures in J, K and L, containing the tall grass species, was significantly superior to that of treatment H; however, they were not statistically different among themselves.

After the second year of grazing Stylosanthes gracilis diminished gradually and it was almost absent from the swards by the final year of grazing, while Centrosema pubescens maintained its stand throughout the experimental period.

With the exception of phosphorus and sodium, levels of mineral elements in the pastures were above the recommended allowances for various classes of livestock.

The average level of zinc was only slightly below the recommended value.
The element composition of herbage at urine patch sites in a ryegrass pasture
Authors: Joblin K. N. , Keogh R. G.
Published: March 2009

The variation in the sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in autumn regrowth herbage across a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pasture has been measured. The regrowth resulting from urine return by sheep to a pasture takes the form of an ‘island’ of herbage in which nitrogen (27%) and potassium (28%) are significantly higher than, and calcium (20%), magnesium (10%), phosphorus (24%), and manganese (40%) are significantly lower than in the surrounding herbage. Because of the selective grazing behaviour of sheep the possible implications for animal health of this pattern of element composition across a pasture are discussed.
Thyroid activities of non-pregnant, pregnant, post-Partum and newborn swamp buffaloes
Authors: Pichaicharnarong A. , Loypetjra P. , Chaiyabutr N. , Usanakornkul S. , Djurdjevic D. J.
Published: March 2009

The average serum T4(D) of nine non-pregnant buffaloes was 5·5 ± 1·4 μg/100 ml. It increased slightly to 6·2 ± 4·2 μg/100 ml in 37 6–7 month pregnant buffaloes. Nevertheless the difference was not significant. When the pregnancy reached 8–9 months, the T4(D) was 9·0 ± 3.8μg/100 ml which was significantly higher than that at 6–7 months (P < 0·01). At full term (9–10 months), T4(D) decreased to 3·6 ± 2–6 μg/100 ml which was significantly lower than that at 8–9 months (P <0·001).

In 1 month post-partum buffaloes, the average T4(D) was 5·1 ± 3·4 μg/100 ml, while T4(D) of 1-month-old buffalo calves was very high, i.e. 13·6 ± 3·2 μg/100 ml.

The total serum T3 (RIA) of late-pregnant buffaloes decreased markedly from that of 8–9 month pregnant (P< 0·001). At 1 month post-partum, T3 rose to 143·4 ± 33·0 μg/100 ml which was significantly higher than that at late pregnancy (P < 0·001). The mean serum T3(RIA) of 1-month-old buffalo calves was relatively high, i.e. 281·0 ± 106·2 μg/100 ml which was significantly higher than 143·4 ± 33·0 ng/100 ml of their darn buffaloes (P < 0·001) at the same period of time.

The RT3U values of 6–7 (35·9 ± 4·2%) and 8–9 (34·7 ± 2·0%) month pregnant animals were highly significantly different from 31·1 ± 3·1 % of the full-term pregnancy (P < 0·001).
Effect of some growth regulators on yield and quality of sweetmelon and muskmelon
Authors: El-Kholy E. , Hafez H. , Naeem F.
Published: March 2009

This study was carried out at Elminia University farm in two years (1978 and 1980) to evaluate the effect of some growth regulators on the production of sweetmelon and muskmelon. It was found that plants treated with some growth regulators were earlier and yielded better than untreated ones, except that in the first trial (1978), the total yield of plants treated with indole acetic acid (IAA) was less than that of the control. The highest early and total yields of both sweetmelon and muskmelon resulted from spraying ethrel on the foliage. Fruit weight and length and flesh thickness were increased by some growth substances compared with the control for both crops. Also, percentage of total soluble solids and ascorbic acid concentration increased markedly as a result of growth-regulator treatments for sweetmelon and muskmelon. Generally, two sprays of ethrel solution produced the most consistent effects on yield and yield quality in the two trials with both sweetmelon and muskmelon.
Pan (Nasas) and its Origin in the Red Sandy Soils of Palestine.
Authors: Menchikovsky Felix
Published: March 2009

1. Palestine Pan, “Nasas”, is found in the coastal plain among red sandy soils and its presence is shown by one or more impermeable layers in the depth.

2. Red sandy soil in which “Nasas” is present is an unstable soil system which is liable to the process of degradation.

3. Observations made on red sandy soil in relation to relief show the transportation of colloidal clay, A1(OH)3 and Fe(OH)3, along the slope and into the depth.

4. The ratio of A1(OH)3 to Fe(OH)3 shows a relatively large downward transportation of A1(OH)3. This increase of A1(OH)3 in the lower layers of the soil is the chief factor in the formation of the impermeable layers.
The Action on the Growth of Crops of small Percentages of Certain Metallic Compounds When Applied with Ordinary Artificial Fertilisers.
Authors: Brenchley Winifred E.
Published: March 2009

1. No beneficial effect on the growth of barley or mustard on two types of soil was obtained by the addition of quantities ofcoppersulphate ranging up to 4 per cent. of the total artificial fertilisers applied. Experiments on English acid and alkaline peats with barley, rye and turnips failed to show the striking results obtained by American workers on saw-grass peat in the Everglades of Florida.

2. Increased fineness of grinding of basic slag in some cases brings about a certain reduction of crop. This may be due to the presence ofvanadiumin such slags, as experiments show that this element is definitely toxic to plant growth.

3.Lithiumcompounds are much less toxic than copper to the growth of barley. In some water culture experiments a suggestion of stimulation was obtained with very dilute concentrations of lithium chloride in the presence of nutrient salts, paralleling Voelcker's results with other lithium compounds in soil. Buckwheat is much more sensitive to the toxic action of lithium, and also shows no stimulation with any concentration.
Variation in nutrient content of feedingstuffs rich in protein and reassessment of the chemical method for metabolizable energy estimation for poultry
Authors: Lodhi G. N. , Singh Daulat , Ichhponani J. S.
Published: March 2009

A series of five metabolism trials was made to determine apparent nitrogen digestibility and metabolizable energy (ME) contents of protein rich feedingstuffs. The mean nitrogen digestibilities of fish meal, groundnut, mustard, sesame and cottonseed cakes were 66, 69, 68, 57 and 40%, respectively. Corresponding values for metabolizable energy values were 1820, 2460, 2330, 1870 and 1530 kcal/kg, respectively. The metabolizable energy contents of coconut cake, niger cake and blood meal were 1190, 2360 and 2190 kcal/kg, respectively. The quantity of protein, its digestibility and crude fibre content in the cakes are the prime factors for this trend in MB. Simple and multiple regression equations were derived from biologically assayed metabolizable energy and chemically analysed energy-yielding nutrient contents of the feedingstuffs. The simple regression equation is:

ME kcal/kg = 32·95 (% crude protein + % ether extract × 2·25

+ % available carbohydrate)–29·20.

The multiple regression equation is:

ME kcal/kg = 370·29 + (24·47 × % crude protein)

+ (65·77 × % ether extract)

+ (44·07 × % available carbohydrate)

- (8·15 × % crude fibre).

The correlation coefficients of simple and multiple regression equations were 0·72 and 0·73, respectively, indicating that there is very little advantage for prediction in using the multiple regression equation. The usefulness of the equation for routine checking of poultry feeds for ME is apparent since the nutrients required to predict metabolizable energy can be analysed within a short period of time.
Pod and grain yields from intercropping maize andVigna unguiculata(L.) Walp. in Nigeria
Authors: Wanki S. B. C. , Fawusi M. O. A. , Nangju D.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were conducted at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, during two cropping seasons, with two cultivars of climbing cow peas (Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp. subspeciessesquipedalis) cv. FARV-13 and TVU-1209. The work investigated their yields when intercropped with maize, which served as live support.

The results showed that there were varietal differences in the cow-pea response to method of planting. Under the intercropped systems, highest dry-matter yield was obtained when TVU-1209 was planted on the same hill with maize while similar yields were obtained with FARV-13 planted in alternate hills with maize. TVU-1209 did not increase maize lodging except when planted in alternate hills with maize, but FARV-13 significantly increased maize lodging under all planting methods. Consequently, FARV-13 reduced maize yields more than TVU-1209.

Neither pod length nor pod weight was affected by the planting. Highest yields from both cow pea and maize combined were realized from TVU-1209 planted between rows of maize. The yield of FARV-13 cow pea intercropped with maize did not show any advantage due to intercropping over sole crop of each.
The effect of urea and urea plus sodium sulphate on microbial protein production in the rumens of sheep given diets high in alkali-treated barley straw
Authors: Elliott R. , Armstrong D. G.
Published: March 2009

The effects of virea and urea plus sodium sulphate on the production of microbial protein were studied in sheep fitted with rumen fistulae and re-entrant cannulae in the proximal duodenum and terminal ileum. Diets containing a high proportion (0·68–0·72) of sodium hydroxide-treated barley straw supplemented with starch, glucose and solka floe were fed at hourly intervals to the sheep at 830–870 g dry matter/24 h.

The addition of the urea and urea plus sulphate supplements, although inducing a stepwise reduction in overall digestibility of OM, resulted in increased microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, which was reflected in increased quantities of amino acid nitrogen entering the small intestine (8–38, 12–03 and 17–84 g of total amino acid nitrogen (TAA-N)/24h respectively). The efficiency of microbial protein production (g bacterial TAA-N/kg OM actually digested in the rumen) was significantly increased by the addition of urea and still further by additions of urea plus SO4-S (11·1, 20·2 and 29·6 grespectively).

Digestibilities of the individual amino acids in the small intestine were very similar on each dietary treatment. Apparent digestibilities of total amino acid-N within the small intestine (based on amounts entering the small intestine) were 0·623, 0·672 and 0·688 on the basal diet, basal diet plus urea and basal diet plus urea and S respectively.

The proportions of cyst(e)ine-S in rumen bacteria synthesized from the rumen sulphide pool were 0088, 0·075 and 0·669 on the basal diet, basal diet plus urea and basal diet plus urea and S respectively. The data confirm appreciable recycling of S into the rumen.
The relationship of maxillary cheek tooth development to age determined by post-mortem radiographic examination of cattle aged between 12 and 24 months
Authors: Andrews A. H.
Published: March 2009

The development of the maxillary teeth in cattle was studied by recording eruption into the oral cavity and by radiographic examination following bisection of the skull. Observations of second molar intra-oral eruption showed that varying stages were seen at different ages. Radiography of the teeth allowed determination of the degree of crown and tooth development in the permanent premolar and molar teeth as well as stages of temporary premolar tooth resorption. Radiographic inspection showed that in the same animal all the permanent maxillary cheek teeth except the first premolar were less well developed than their mandibular counterparts. It was suggested that the intra-oral eruption of the second maxillary molar and radiography of the maxillary teeth provided a better method of age estimation in cattle than the traditional one of examining the intra-oral eruption of the incisor and canine teeth.
Energy as the basis of harvest index
Authors: Sinha S. K. , Bhargava S. C. , Goel Arun
Published: March 2009

Harvest index has become a character used in plant breeding programmes and in evaluation of responses to agronomic treatments (Donald & Hamblin, 1976). Donald (1962) defined harvest index as the ratio between weight of grains and the weight of total dry matter, and later described it as a measure of partitioning of photo - synthates (Donald, 1968)
Plant and nodule development and nitrogen fixation in climbing cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. grown in monoculture, or associated with Zea mays L.
Authors: Graham P. H. , Rosas J. C.
Published: March 2009

Plant and nodule development and nitrogen fixation were studied in two climbing cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris, grown in monoculture, or associated with two maize populations differing in growth characteristics.

Bean cultivar P590 showed similar plant and pod fresh weight development in monoculture and when associated with a vigorous landrace maize, interspecific competition becoming significant only 92 days after planting. Nitrogen (C2H2) fixation in this cultivar was greatest 68 days after planting and declined rapidly thereafter, showing no significant differences between monoculture and associated plantings. When the bean cultivar P526 was associated with the landrace maize, plant development was depressed as early as 50 days after planting. While slight inhibition of nitrogen fixation, specific nodule activity (SNA) and nodule carbohydrate content was also observed at this time, it could not be concluded that such inhibition was definitely due to the associated planting.

Association with an improved maize, amarillo subtropical, did not affect plant development in P590 but did decrease growth of P526 at the 80 and 92 day harvests.
Studies of the measurement and interpretation of potato sprout growth
Authors: Wurr D. C. E.
Published: March 2009

Total sprout length and the length of the longest sprout were shown to be the most universally useful measurements to estimate sprout development in batches of potato tubers. A good estimate of sprout weight was also derived from measurements of total sprout length. There was a good linear relationship between total sprout length and initial tuber weight but the relationship varied considerably with the time of measurement and the temperature of storage.

It is suggested that if sprout measurements are to be used to predict the field performance of a batch of tubers the changing pattern of sprout vigour with time needs to be more closely understood.
Forms of potassium in the profiles of two long-term experiments in relation to K nutrition of crops
Authors: Ganeshamurthy A. N. , Biswas C. R. , Singh Bhajan
Published: March 2009

Potassium occurs in soils in four different forms, namely water-soluble, exchangeable, nonexchangeable and mineral (Reitemeir, 1951; Munson & Nelson, 1963). Water-soluble and exchangeable forms are considered to be directly available to plants. Under continuous cropping one may therefore expect depletion of these two forms, but in fact not much discernible difference in the amounts of available K was observed even after a few crops had been grown. Hence several people have stated that there exists an equilibrium among the following forms of K

This equilibrium implies that a change in magnitude of a form is compensated by the movement from, to and among other forms (Reitemeir, 1951; Garman, 1957; Munson & Nelson, 1963; Chevalier, 1971). If water-soluble and exchangeable forms of K are removed by crops more potassium would become exchangeable from non-exchangeable forms (Maurya & Ghosh, 1972). Whether soils when cropped can maintain the level of exchangeable K depends upon the type of soil, nature and intensity of cropping, the relative rate of removal and release from non-exchangeable form. Continuous cropping therefore alters the existing equilibrium of soil potassium in the profile as crop roots penetrate as deep as 2 m. Since all the potassium fertilizer for a crop is applied at sowing, the temporary overloading of the system may cause leaching losses of K in light soils. This may result in the enrichment of deeper layers.
Some effects of growing winter wheat continuously
Authors: Hanley F. , Ridgman W. J.
Published: March 2009

An experiment comparing the yield at various stages of continuous wheat growing on heavy land, using two varieties and two rates of application of nitrogenous fertilizer, is described and the results from 1963 to 1974 discussed.

The yield of the second wheat crop was substantially less than that of the first following oats which followed beans, but there were no consistent yield differences between the second and later crops.

The major disease present was eyespot, but the differences in yield between Cappelle-Desprez and Hybrid 46 were little affected as wheat growing continued.

Increasing nitrogen application from 63 to 126 kg N/ha did not reduce the differences between first and later wheat crops.
Relative weight changes in carcass tissues of Western Sudan Baggara bulls
Authors: Gaili E. S. E.
Published: March 2009

The cattle of the Sudan are broadly classified into two main types, i.e. North Sudan Zebu cattle and Nilotic cattle. Of the former typo Western Sudan Baggara cattle are numerically important amounting in number to about six million head (Food and Agriculture Organization, 1972). Western Sudan Baggara cattle provide the bulk of beef consumed in northern Sudan and contribute considerably to the country's export trade in live cattle. The study herein reported was undertaken as a continuing research project directed at ascertaining carcass composition of the indigenous cattle in support of improved feeding and marketing procedures necessary as a base for developing the meat animal industry.
A note on canary coloration of wool in Ghokla sheep as influenced by restricted frequency of access to water
Authors: Singh M. , More T.
Published: March 2009

Yellowing of wool as a function of physiological stress caused by nutritional deficiency in the feed of sheep (Das, 1965) though not confirmed by subsequent studies (Singh et al. 1977) evoked interest in the role of physiological stress in causing canary staining of wool. Restricted water intake as is generally the case with sheep in arid or even semiarid regions during summer, imposes considerable physiological stress. Furthermore, canary coloration is thought to be a sequel to an adaptive mechanism to hot and humid conditions in Indian sheep which have a greater reliance on cutaneous evaporation for dissipating body heat (Acharaya & Singh, 1976). It was, therefore, decided to study the influence, if any, of restricting access to water on the canary coloration of wool (non-scourable yellow coloration of the autumn clip) in the stain-susceptible Chokla sheep
Developmental consequences of two-row and six-row ear type in spring barley: 1. Genetical analysis and comparison of mature plant characters
Authors: Riggs T. J. , Kirby E. J. M.
Published: March 2009

Mature plant characters and yield components were measured on a two-row (Proctor) and a six-row (Clermont) spring barley variety, the F1of the cross between them, and the first back-cross to each parent.

Whereas shoot dry weight in the F1significantly exceeded the mid-parental value, and chaff dry weight, stem length and weight per grain showed positive heterosis, grain yield did not exceed the mid-parental value and number of grains per plant showed negative heterosis.

A scaling test showed that an additive-dominance model fitted the data in all cases except possibly for dry weight per grain, where the χ2test approached significance.

The partial dominance of the two-row allele (V) for grains set per rachis node exhibited in the mature ears of theF1was not apparent at anthesis when all the lateral florets were found to have large, apparently normal stamens. However, the ratio of median to lateral grains set over all main shoot ears of theF1was 1:0·21 with an average of six lateral grains per ear.

The results presented indicate that the factors determining total dry-matter production and grain yield are inherited in such a way that the restriction upon grain yield in theF1is due not to a deficiency of dry matter but to a limited capacity of the plant to store dry matter in the form of grain. This may indicate some developmental interdependence in the expression of yield component characters.
Variations among heads, plants, and ecotypes of wild safflower
Authors: Kheradnam M. , Bassiri A.
Published: March 2009

Seeds from individual heads of wild safflower (Carihamus oxyacanthaBieb.) plants collected from five locations were used in this study. Locations were situated on a roughly east-west transect passing through Shiraz, Iran. The western locations were cooler with higher annual rainfall than the eastern sites. Wild safflower plants of different locations produced about an average of 150 heads per plant, but only 60% of them contained seeds. Frequency distributions constructed for number of seeds per head, germination percentage, and seedling length showed trends of change in the skewness of the distribution for the latter two characteristics parallel to the environmental selective pressure, i.e. the skewness was towards the left for eastern locations but it gradually moved to the right for western ones. Striking amounts of polymorphism were also observed for these characters. A very high proportion of total variance was concerned with differences between heads of the same plant for number of seeds, germination ercentage, and seedling length. Very little variability was found among plants of the same ecotype.
Intra-varietal variability and response to single plant selection in Gossypium hirsutum L.: III. Response to selection
Authors: Thomson N. J.
Published: March 2009

Response to selection primarily for lint yield among spaced plant populations of four American and one African variety of Gossypium hirsutum L., established in 1965—6 at Kimberley Research Station, was studied in three experiments conducted between 1966 and 1970.

In the first experiment, in which single-hill micro-plots of 3–5 plants per hill were used, the mean lint yield of progenies was larger than predicted from single plant heritabilities. In the second experiment, in which single-row plots were used, response to selection for lint yield was generally less than expected. In the third experiment, in which three-row plots were used, response to selection for lint yield was again less than expected and less than manifested in the second experiment. However, in all experiments responses to selection for lint percentage, lint quality properties, and height were close to expectations while some individual progenies substantially out-yielded their unselected parents.

The progressive decline in response to selection for lint yield from the first to thethird experiment, and the discrepancies between the actual responses and the expected responses for lint yield in all experiments, were interpreted mainly on a basis of intergenotypic competitive effects differing in sympathy with plot size and plant disposition.

It was concluded that the objective methods of selection practised were successful when judged on plant breeding criteria. It was also concluded that intra-varietal selection is an important technique by which genetic improvement can be achieved at regional breeding centres with limited resources.
Fertility levels of bulls kept at an artificial insemination centre
Authors: Cembrowicz H. J.
Published: March 2009

The present method of estimating preliminary results in artificial insemination practice bears a definite relation to calving percentages, and, with few exceptions, may be generally adopted as a true measure of fertility.

Single factors, such as an individual bull with a low conception rate, a new and less efficient inseminator, or variations in the results obtained at the Sub-Centres, etc., do not noticeably affect the average monthly conception rate in a large A.I. Centre. The most important influencing factors have been found to be the choice of diluent, and in some cases the elimination of the use of stored semen.

No significant variation in fertility occurs with the season of the year, the age of the bull or the area of operation; but, for a bull to work satisfactorily at a centre and at the same time achieve good results, it is necessary that he should be treated as an individual and his psychology closely studied.

In view of results obtained, one is able to conclude that methods of evaluation at present in use (estimating initial motility, density, percentage of abnormals and a test of viability by storage of diluted and undiluted samples) are up to a point satisfactory.

A dilutor or buffer may influence the conception rate considerably, and it is felt that the diluent in use at present has its own fertility level.

With the Centre's team of forty-eight bulls it is obvious that there must be some variation in fertility levels between individuals; but it is seen that, whereas bulls in natural service fall obviously into categories of ‘high fertility’ or ‘low fertility’, this division tends to disappear in A.I. with the application of the various techniques.
The amino-acids of sheep and cow urine
Authors: Bathurst N. O.
Published: March 2009

1. Samples of sheep and cow urine have been analysed microbiologically for seventeen aminoacids.

2. Over 90% of the total amino-nitrogen in hydrolysed urine was due to glycine.

3. Bound glycine was present not only as hippuric acid but also in other forms as yet uninvestigated.
The effect of semen age on conception rate
Authors: Campbell R. C.
Published: March 2009

1. The relationship of semen age to conception rate was studied at two artificial-insemination centres and a subcentre of one of these. Data relating to 50,213 first inseminations were included in the analysis.

2. It is shown that external conditions can affect the rate of decrease of conception rate with semen age.

3. Records giving c.r.'s for each day of semen age may reveal centre differences that cannot be detected in records giving mean c.r.'s only.

4. Information may be lost if data are grouped by months rather than recorded by collections.

5. The rate of decrease should not be used for comparing centres until the various factors affecting it (e.g. breed differences) are more fully understood. Further investigations should not be limited to one centre.
The effect of ground water-level upon productivity and composition of fenland grass (II)
Authors: Nicholson H. H. , Firth D. H. , Eden A. , Alderman G. , Baker C. J. L. , Heimberg M.
Published: March 2009

1. Further studies were carried out during 1950 on the effects of different ground water-levels upon the productivity and composition of Italian ryegrass grown on a calcareous light peat soil. The season was an unusually wet one, in contrast with the dry season experienced in 1949.

2. Seven successive cuts were taken during the season from each of two crops of ryegrass, one following a crop of marrow-stem kale, and the other a crop of celery. Different amounts of a general compound fertilizer had been applied.

3. Generally, the findings confirmed those of the previous year's investigation. High ground waterlevel (approximately 18 in. below ground surface) had a deleterious effect upon the yield and quality of ryegrass as reflected by its protein content, compared with the medium and low water-levels (23 and 30 in. below ground surface, respectively).

4. The high water-level also had a depressing effect upon the percentage of potassium and magnesium in the grass, but had no consistent effect upon calcium and phosphorus. The silica content rose steadily in all cases as the season advanced, as occurred in the previous year.

5. Residual manuring effects were well marked in the crop following celery. The total yields of dry matter from the medium and low water-levels considerably exceeded those of similar plots following kale, and the protein contents were also appreciably higher. This demonstrates the advantages of a high soil nutrient status, under conditions of suitable water-levels, for a crop of fenland grass.

6. A high water-level inhibited growth and quality, irrespective of the nutrient status of the soil.
The response of yam (Dioscorea rotundata) to fertilizer application in Northern Ghana
Authors: Koli Stephen E.
Published: March 2009

Field trials were carried out for three years in the savanna zone of northern Ghana to determine the fertilizer requirements of yam (Dioscorea rotundata). Under the conditions of the experiment, K was not important in yam fertilization. Release from the exchangeable reserves was adequate in meeting the crop demand. A small positive response to P applied at low levels (33·6 kg/ha) was observed and averaged only 5·6% increase in yield. N was the most important nutrient element and its application increased yields highly significantly. On the average, application of 33·6 kg/ha gave an increase of 13·5% and 67·2 kg/ha gave a 22·1% increase in yield. More N did not further increase yield.
Manuring of potatoes on fen silt soils in Holland, Lincolnshire
Authors: Berryman C. , Batey T. , Caldwell T. H. , Boyd D. A.
Published: March 2009

The fen silts bordering the Wash are among the most important soils for crop production in eastern England. Derived from marine alluvial deposits occurring naturally or as a result of reclamation, they form deep almost stoneless soils containing little coarse sand but much fine sand and silt.

Seven textural classes, ranging from loamy fine sand to silty clay, can be distinguished, but these can be grouped into (1) light silts, typically deep very fine sandy loams with a large available water-holding capacity but weakly developed structure; (2) medium silts, silty loams; and (3) heavy silts, silt loams or silty clay loams, less porous and more retentive of moisture than the light silts.

Formerly under grass, the silts were at first capable of growing good crops of potatoes with P fertilizer alone, but as their organic-matter content decreased, potatoes became increasingly responsive to N.

In 18 potato manurial experiments on silt soils in Holland, Lincolnshire, done between 1953 and 1963, the mean response to N was much larger than on most English soils, but response differed greatly from site to site and year to year; in most trials N was particularly effective in increasing tuber size and yield of ware. With long-continued use of P fertilizer, residues have accumulated and, particularly on light and medium silts, responses were quite small and differed little between sites; P tended to increase tuber numbers, and so to decrease ware percentage. Most silt soils are rich in K, and only small responses to K fertilizer can be expected, but on a few sites on the light silts, identified by soil analysis as being comparatively poor in K, potatoes responded well. Using these experimental results, recommendations are given for the manuring of potatoes on silt soils.

Cooking tests showed little consistent effect of manurial treatment on the amount or degree of tuber blackening.
Environmental and varietal differences in diastatic power and four associated characteristics of spring barley
Authors: Hayter A. M. , Riggs T. J.
Published: March 2009

Results from two trials on spring barley varieties are presented. A factorial fertilizer trial estimated the effects of N, P and K at each of three levels on diastatic power, heat-stable alpha-amylase activity, grain nitrogen content, thousand corn weight and yield in a single variety. This revealed that the main effect of N was the most important source of variation. In a subsequent variety–nitrogen trial seven varieties were tested at each of three levels of N.

In the variety–nitrogen trial, diastatic power was found to be positively correlated with both grain nitrogen content and alpha-amylase activity although these latter two variates were not themselves correlated. These observations were confirmed both within genotypes and within environments, and a hypothesis is advanced in explanation.

The implications of the results for a breeding programme directed towards the production of high-yielding, high-diastase varieties are discussed.
The effects of red clover (Trifolium pratense var. redhead), white clover (Trifolium repens var. S 100) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne var. S 23) on the reproductive performance of sheep
Authors: Newton J. E. , Betts J. E.
Published: March 2009

During 3 years, three groups of 20 Scottish half-bred ewes were grazed on perennial ryegrass, white clover or red clover. During this period the two legumes were oestrogenic, in terms of teat-length extension of wethers, but the perennial ryegrass was not. The white clover was only markedly oestrogenic when there was a high proportion of diseased leaves. The mean litter size and lambing percentage of the ewes grazed on red clover was significantly reduced. White clover, although it was oestrogenic, had no effect on mean litter size or lambing percentage. The mean litter size of the ewes on the perennial ryegrass was 2·35, 2·30 and 2·24, on the white clover was 2·20, 2·33 and 2·23 and on the red clover was 1middot;60, 1·67 and 1·78 for the three lambings. Lambing percentage of the ewes on the perennial ryegrass was 175, 225 and 218, on the white clover was 210, 222 and 189, and on the red clover was 160, 128 and 118 for the three lambings. The lambing date of the ewes grazing on the red clover was significantly later at the third lambing.
The isolation of plant cell wall preparations with low nitrogen contents
Authors: Morrison I. M.
Published: March 2009

Grasses of widely differing maturity have been extracted by two chemical and two enzymic methods in order to prepare cell wall materials with low nitrogen contents. These methods involved extraction, with neutral detergent or phenol-acetic acid-water (1:1:1), or digestion with the proteolytic enzymes pepsin or pronase. Wide differences were noted between these methods with grasses at different levels of maturity, both in the nitrogen content of the residue and the actual yield of cell wall preparation. The more efficient of these methods for removing nitrogenous materials, namely neutral detergent extraction and digestion with pepsin and pronase, were also examined for their effect on the structural carbohydrate and lignin content of the cell wall. In all respects, a method involving incubation with the enzyme, pronase, gave the most satisfactory cell wall preparation.
The effect of soil physical conditions produced by various cultivation systems on the root development of winter wheat
Authors: Finney J. R. , Knight B. A. G.
Published: March 2009

The results of a field experiment on winter wheat are presented in which the effects of the soil physical properties produced by different cultivation systems were studied in relation to root development.

The extension rate of the seminal root axes was slower in undisturbed or shallow (5 cm) cultivated soil than in ploughed or deep (20 cm) cultivated soil leading to earlier lateral branching and the production of an effectively shallower seminal root system which persisted throughout the season. During the first four weeks after drilling the soil in the ploughed and the deeper cultivated plots was of lower bulk density and there were more pores of a diameter suitable for unimpeded root extension. It is suggested that seminal root development in uncultivated soils, which are less readily deformed than cultivated ones, is related to the probability of the extending seminal axes contacting pores of suitable dimensions.

The implications of shallower rooting are discussed and related to field experience with cereal crops drilled directly into uncultivated soils where success has consistently been achieved on free-draining, open-textured soils.
Inhibition of muscle growth in foetal sheep
Authors: Swatland H. J. , Cassens R. G.
Published: March 2009

Eighteen foetal sheep were used to study the relationship between suboptimal growth and linear size of skeletal units, dry weights of representative muscles and muscle histology. Foetuses with suboptimal growth caused by inadequate maternal nutrition and competition with other foetuses showed a decrease in skeletomuscular growth although allometric growth was not affected. A slight correlation (r =0·14, P < 0·005) existed between dry weight of the longissimus dorsi and mean minimum myofibre diameter. On morphological evidence, myofibre hyperplasia was thought to be complete by approximately 80 days gestation in all foetuses. Increases in the number of myofibres crossing mid-length transverse sections of the sartorius occurred after this time but were thought to be due to intrafascicularly terminating myofibres growing in length. Suboptimal muscle growth of foetuses in the latter third of gestation was thought to be associated with an inhibition of growth in length of intrafascicularly terminating myofibres.