bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of rootstock on the production, grape and wine quality of Shiraz vines in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area
Authors: Hedberg PR , McLeod R , Cullis B , Freeman BM
Published: March 2005

The grape production and grape and wine quality of Shiraz vines, grown either on their own roots or on 6 rootstocks that have varying resistance to nematodes, were compared. Vines on the rootstocks Ramsey and Dog Ridge outyielded ungrafted vines by 46 and 48%, respectively, principally because of increased vegetative growth and hence retention of more nodes at pruning. Ramsey rootstock gave a greater grape yield per shoot. The ability of Dog Ridge stocks to produce yields as high as those of Ramsey highlights the importance of adequate pruning levels to enable the full potential of rootstocks to be determined. Vines on the rootstock Dog Ridge produced wines with higher pH values than wines from ungrafted control vines. Nematode counts suggested that the Vitus champini stocks have good tolerance to both rootknot and root lesion nematodes.
Resistance and tolerance of grapevine rootstocks to citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans)
Authors: Wachtel MF
Published: March 2005

Seven grapevine (Vitis spp.) rootstocks, and 4 commercial cultivars were screened in pots for resistance and tolerance to the citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans. Ramsey was highly resistant, Dog Ridge, Schwarzmann, Freedom, 16 16, K5 1-40 and K5 1-32 were resistant, but K5 1-32 was not tolerant of the nematode. All 4 commercial Vitis vinfera cultivars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Doradillo, Muscat Gordo Blanco and Sultana were susceptible. Resistance ratings were based on the number of females and the number of larvae per gram of root. A staining and maceration technique was compared with a simple incubation technique for effectiveness of female detection on roots. When the number of females per g of root was low, the incubation technique detected females in more samples and the results were less variable than with the staining technique.
Relative aversion of sheep to simulated shearing with and without electro-immobilisation
Authors: Rushen J , Congdon P
Published: March 2005

Merino wethers were repeatedly chased into a shearing shed, timed running down a race, and subjected to 1 of 3 treatments: simulated shearing (handled in the normal manner but no wool was removed), simulated shearing while restrained with an electro-immobiliser, or electro-immobilised. Compared with a control group, all 3 treatments resulted in a progressive decrease in the speed of running through the race, with the decrease being largest for the group subjected to simulated shearing while electro-immobilised. The use of the immobiliser also increased the time required to push the animals through the race. However, the time needed to chase the sheep into the shed was not affected by the treatment. It is concluded that the electro-immobiliser did not reduce the aversiveness of the sheep to shearing. The suggestion is made that incorporation of this device in automated shearing systems may result in a reduced sheep handling efficiency.
Heritability of teat number and its relationship to production characters in male pigs
Authors: Smith PR , McPhee CP , Natoli WJ
Published: March 2005

Heritability of teat number and its correlation with the production characters, growth rate, feed conversion ratio and backfat depth, were examined. Data were obtained from 456 Large White, 1370 and race and 78 Synthetic boars submitted to the Queensland boar performance testing station.Teat number (mean � s.e.) of Large White boars was 14.44 � 0.05, significantly ( P < 0.05) more than either Landrace (14.27 � 0.03) or Synthetic boars (14.10 �0.12). The heritability estimate (� s.e.) for teat number of boars was 0.20 �0.08 obtained from L paternal half-sib analysis of 1519 boars from 198 sires. Phenotypic correlations between teat number and the production characters were all almost zero.
Persistence and productivity of ten perennial Urochloa genotypes with Stylosanthes species in far north Queensland
Authors: Anning P , Shepherd RK , Walker RW , Crowther DC
Published: March 2005

Ten perennial accessions of 4 Urochloa species and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk were sown with a mixture of Stylosanthes species at 6 sites in north Queensland's dry tropics to measure their persistence, productivity and compatibility with legumes. Out of a total of 8 sowings, as 2 sites were resown, grasses failed to establish at all but 3 sites, and at 1 of these, on a sandy soil, they failed to persist. At the remaining 2 sites (Southedge and Boomerang), 4 years after sowing, all sown species were present as dense, weed-free stands averaging 61 and 37% sown grass and 20 and 38% legume by weight. Legume made up a higher proportion of dry matter yield late in the wet season than at the beginning of the wet season. Yield of Basilisk was above average at 9 of the 12 harvests at these 2 sites, while U. mosambicensis CPI 46876 and U. oligotricha CPI 47122 were each always above average at 1 of the sites. Legume yield was not related to sown grass. Yield of green leaf by sown grasses in spring was related to crown density rather than to genotype.
Phomopsis leptostromiformis infection and phomopsin A content of lupin seed in Western Australia
Authors: Wood PM , Petterson DS
Published: March 2005

A survey of Phomopsis leptostromiformis infection of lupin seed in Western Australia was carried out in 1982 and 1983. Of the samples surveyed 39% were uninfected and 16.6% had >4% infection. These values differ significantly from a previous survey between 1976 and 1981 (49 and 8.4% respectively). There was a highly significant correlation (P <0.002) between the amount of discoloured seed and P. leptostromiformis infection. Results of toxicity tests for the mycotoxin phomopsin A, assessing hepatic injury in nursling rats, strongly implicate discoloured seeds as being the most toxic. Discoloured seed had more toxin in the seed hulls than in the kernal.
Lifetime productivity of single- and twin-born Corriedale sheep and their dams
Authors: Gonzalez R , Bonnet R , Guerra JC , Labuonora D
Published: March 2005

Differences in the productivity of twin- and single-bearing, spring-lambing Corriedale ewes and their progeny were studied over 8 years at the Experimental Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Paysandu, Uruguay. Lambing ewes, grazing improved pastures during late pregnancy and early lactation, produced 9.7% less wool than dry ewes, gestation and lactation accounting for 4.5 and 5.2% of this difference, respectively. No difference in wool production was found between ewes rearing 1 or 2 lambs. Twin-born sheep produced 1.8% less wool than singles, but the difference decreased with age. Twin-born ewes had a 7.5% higher lambing rate than single-born ewes, but the mortality rate among their lambs was higher (37.1 v. 20.4%). The liveweight of single-born sheep was higher than that of twins by 20.4%, 16.0% and 11.4% at marking, weaning and 11 1 days of age, respectively. We suggest that the difference in productivity between twin- and single-bearing ewes, and their lambs, can be minimised by adequate nutrition in late pregnancy and early lactation.
Use of monensin to restrict feed intake in sheep destined for live export
Authors: Norris RT , McDonald CL , Rowe JB
Published: March 2005

The accuracy with which monensin could control feed intake was studied in 200 3-4-year-old Merino wethers by measuring their intake of pelleted diets containing 5 levels of monensin: 0, 33, 66, 132 or 264 mg/kg of feed. The feed was offered ad libitum for 25 days except for the highest level of monensin where treatment was ended after 12 days.Mean daily intakes (g/sheep) of diets containing monensin at 0, 33, 66, 132 or 264 mg/kg feed were 1304, 959, 793, 403 and 137 respectively. Mean daily feed intake (Y, g) was negatively and linearly related to concentration of monensin (X, mg/kg feed) Y = 1244 - 6.57X (r2=0.98; P<0.05) Similarly there was a close negative relationship between the concentration of monensin (X, mg/kg feed) and daily liveweight change (Z, g/sheep) during the trial Z = 217 - 2.61X (r2=0.99; P< 0.01) From this relationship, maintenance of liveweight would have been achieved with a diet containing monensin at about 80 mg/kg feed. Signs of toxicity including deaths occurred in sheep receiving diets containing monensin at 66, 132 and 264 mg/kg feed. It was concluded that monensin could be used to restrict feed intake but further research is necessary to determine safe levels.
Liveweight gains and carcass traits of high grade Simmental, Hereford, Africander x Hereford and Brahman x Hereford feedlot yearling steers
Authors: Tierney TJ , Wythes JR , Powell EE , Crotty KJ , Shorthose WR , Rudder TH
Published: March 2005

Sixty-three high grade Simmental (S), 40 Hereford (H), 96 Africander x Hereford (AH) and 33 Brahman x Hereford (BH) steers were fed high concentrate feedlot rations from about 8 months of age to slaughter at about 12 months to compare their suitability for producing feedlot beef. Selection for slaughter was made when estimated fat cover and liveweight were closest to market requirements (6-10 mm rib fat and 320-360 kg, respectively). The steers were slaughtered in 3 groups and their carcasses electrically stimulated. Mean slaughter liveweights and carcass weights were 398 and 212, 350 and 182, 349 and 189, 335 and 181 kg for S, H, AH and BH, respectively. Daily liveweight gains during the 4 months on feedlot rations were 1.53, 1.37, 1.24 and 1.25 kg/steer, respectively. Fat depths at rib 12-1 3 and sacral crest sites for S, H, AH and BH were 6.2 and 8.1, 7.3 and 10.3, 8.0 and 10.4,7.3 and 10.0 mm, respectively. In the same order, yield of saleable meat was 77.4, 75.7, 76.3 and 77.2%, and the S and BH had less fat trim than H and AH. Warner-Bratzler peak force shear values (kg) and cooking loss (%) were 3.4 and 33, 3.6 and 34, 3.9 and 34, 5.0 and 35 for S, H, AH and BH, respectively. There were no commercially important differences between H, AH and BH in terms of fat cover at preferred carcass weights and tenderness. However, feedlot liveweight gain favoured the H. Although S steers had highest liveweight gains, many steers did not have sufficient fat cover until liveweights were above the preferred range.
The nutritive value of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), rose clover (Trifolium hirtum All.) and soft brome grass (Bromus mollis L.)
Authors: Ridley PER , Davies HL , Southey IN
Published: March 2005

Medium Peppin Merino wethers were fed, ad libitum, subterranean clover (cv. Woogenellup), rose clover (cv. Kondinin) and soft brome grass cut in September (spring), November (late spring) and January-February (summer). The nitrogen contents of the subterranean clover ranged from 1.89 to 3.13%, of the rose clover from 1.62 to 2.84% and of the soft brome from 0.42 to 2.86%. Mean daily organic matter intakes (kg) in spring, late spring and summer were respectively: for subterranean clover 0.78, 1.09 and 0.42; for rose clover 0.60, 0.87 and 0.62; for soft brome grass 0.87, 0.81 and 0.20. Organic matter digestibilities in spring, late spring and summer were, respectively: for subterranean clover 0.82 ,0.69 and 0.61; for rose lover 0.80, 0.62 and 0.54; for soft brome 0.83, 0.72 and 0.58. There were highly significant differences ( P < 0.001) in nitrogen balance between seasons. The estimated digestible energy intakes (MJ/day) in spring, late spring and summer were, respectively: for subterranean clover 12.7, 14.5 and 4.9; for rose clover, 9.2, 9.9 and 6.9; for soft brome, 13.6, 10.1 and 2.1. Within seasons there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in nitrogen balance between species. There were significant differences between species in mean retention time in the alimentary tract in late spring (P<0.001) and summer (P<0.001) but not in spring. There was a highly significant negative relationship between acid-detergent fibre content and both organic matter and fibre digestibilities. The superior digestible energy intakes of the 2 clovers explain at least some of the superior performance of sheep grazing clover compared with those grazing grass pastures.
Salinity control by pumping and re-using groundwater: its effect on watertable levels, soil salinity and farm productivity on a dairy property in the Goulburn Valley, Victoria
Authors: Heuperman AF , Repsys AP , Mehanni AH
Published: March 2005

The introduction of watertable control by groundwater pumping on a salt-affected dairy farm in the Goulburn Valley resulted in large increases in butter fat production. Since intensive pumping started, in 1981, watertable levels showed an overall downward trend but were still subject to major fluctuations caused by irrigation and rainfall. During this period butterfat production increased from about 300 to 390 kg/ha (of productive land) and yearly pasture production rose from about 560 to 650 t/ha DM. These productivity increases are attributed to both a reduction in average soil salinity in the top 60 cm of the profile from 2400 to 1200 mg total dissolved salts per kg dry soil and an increase in irrigation water use from less than 10 M litre/ha before to nearly 12 M litre/ha after pumping started.
Response to superphosphate by rice in an annual rice-cropping system in southern New South Wales
Authors: Heenan DP , Batten GD
Published: March 2005

In New South Wales, symptoms typical of phosphorus (P) deficiency have occurred in rice where the crop has been grown annually for 9 years without phosphorus fertiliser. Field experiments were conducted to determine the requirements for superphosphate, the residual value of applied P, and rice varietal tolerance to low soil P. As the rate of application of superphosphate increased from 0 to 40 kg/ha P, rice growth and grain yield increased significantly up to 20 kg/ha P. Applications of 20 and 40 kg/ha P (but not 10 kg/ha P) had significant residual values for rice in the second year. The variety Pelde was more sensitive to low phosphorus during early vegetative growth than either M7 or Calrose. The 3 varieties showed similar responses in grain yield to superphosphate.
Timing and intensity of surface cultivation and depth of cultivation affect Rhizoctonia patch and wheat yield
Authors: Jarvis RJ , Brennan RF
Published: March 2005

The incidence of rhizoctonia patch was reduced by both intensity and depth of cultivation on a fine white sand near Gibson, W.A. When seed was direct drilled with a triple disc drill, 13.3% of the plot area was covered with patches compared with 16.1% following a tined combine seeder. Direct drilling with a modified tined combine seeder which cultivated 10-cm deep while seeding at 3-cm depth had 6.2% patch and was as effective, in reducing patch area, as the best pre-seeding cultivation treatment of 2 scarifying (6.6%). Deep ripping to a depth of 27 cm with an Agrowplow before scarifying and seeding reduced the incidence of patch to only 2.1%. The area of patch and wheat grain yield were inversely correlated (P< 0.001) and accounted for 32% of the variation. Effects (other than rhizoctonia) on grain yield due to the cultivation treatments are suggested. Cultivation directly below the seed placement with the modified combine increased wheat plant growth and grain yield. Deep ripping further increased above-ground dry matter, and grain yield was 58% greater than the yield from direct drilling with the triple disc drill.
Potassium nutrition of irrigated potatoes in South Australia. I. Effect on tuber yield and the prediction of tuber yield response by soil analysis
Authors: Maier NA
Published: March 2005

Field experiments were conducted over 4 years at 25 sites throughout the main potato-growing areas of South Australia to calibrate the 0.5M sodium bicarbonate extraction procedure as a soil test for potassium and to examine the responses of irrigated potatoes to rates up to 1280 kg/ha K applied as potassium sulfate or potassium chloride either banded at planting or side-dressed after emergence. Potassium application at planting increased yield (P < 0.05) at 10 sites. The mean percentage yield deficit was 21%. There were significant correlations between relative yield and clay and sand contents, cation exchange capacity and bicarbonate-extractable potassium concentration in 0-15-cm surface soil samples collected before potassium fertiliser was applied. Percentage silt and pH were not correlated with relative yield. The bicarbonate-extractable potassium soil test accounted for 70% of the variance in relative yield compared with only 27% for percentage clay and 22% for cation exchange capacity. The prognostic critical bicarbonate-extractable potassium concentrations were: 153 -t 12 mg/kg for the Smith-Dolby bent hyperbola model, 143 mg/kg for the Cate-Nelson separation, and 133 or 176 mg/kg for the Mitscherlich model (concentrations at relative yields of 90 and 95% respectively). Yield responses are likely when soil bicarbonate- extractable potassium concentrations are below 120 mg/kg (deficient range), uncertain between 12 1 and 200 mg/kg (marginal range) and unlikely above 200 mg/kg (non-responsive range). Banding potassium chloride at planting significantly reduced yield compared with potassium sulfate at 2 out of the 14 sites used. The yield reductions occurred with potassium rates of 160 kg/ha or higher. There were significant increases in yield with side-dressing compared with basal application, at 2 of 5 responsive sites using rates of 320 kg/ha K or higher. None of the side-dressing treatments reduced tuber yields below control yields.
Economics of feeding energy-based supplements to grazing ewes before mating in order to increase the reproduction rate of a wool-producing flock
Authors: White DH , Bowman PJ
Published: March 2005

The financial wisdom of feeding energy-based supplements to ewes before mating to increase fecundity was evaluated using mathematical models of sheep production systems. It was concluded that, for a wool-producing enterprise in southern Australia, feeding supplements to ewes pre-mating is likely to be highly unprofitable. This is partly because relatively few ewes would have extra ova and also because multiple embryos and lambs have a lower probability of survival than single embryos and lambs. Further more, the extra lambs reared would be associated with an increase in grazing pressure which would necessitate a reduction in either stocking rate or in ewe liveweight at mating and thus fecundity in the subsequent season.
Accuracy of ultrasonic backfat testers in predicting carcass P2 fat depth from live pig measurement and the effect on accuracy of mislocating the P2 site on the live pig
Authors: Greer EB , Mort PC , Lowe TW , Giles LR
Published: March 2005

Five ultrasonic machines (Meritronics, Sonalyser, Renco, new Medata and old Medata) for predicting carcass Introscope P2 backfat depth from measurement on the live pig were compared. The effect on predictive accuracy of mislocating P2 on the live pig was also investigated. The Meritronics was the most accurate machine (r2, 0.83; r.s.d., 1.32; n, 262) and was used as the comparison standard for the other units. The order of precision of the other units compared with the Meritronics was n r2 r.s.d. Sonalyser 150 0.81 v. 0.85 1.34 v. 1.19 Renco 108 0.75 0.85 1.55 1.20 New Medata 100 0.47 0.71 1.66 1.23 Old Medata 35 0.37 0.70 2.40 1.64 Apart from the Meritronics, all units underestimated carcass P2. This was attributed to an inability to detect the third fat layer. Depth of backfat influenced the accuracy of some machines. No difference in accuracy was found between 2 operators using the Sonalyser. Mislocation of the P2 site on the live pig anterior or posterior to carcass P2 reduced the accuracy of the Meritronics ( P<0.05) and Sonalyser (P<0.10). Dorsal or ventral deviation from P2 had no significant effect. The results indicate the Meritronics, the Sonalyser and the Renco satisfactorily predict backfat thickness of pigs before slaughter and that predictive accuracy is maximised by taking the live pig measurement within 20 mm axially and 15 mm laterally of the carcass P2 site.
Effects on milk production of feeding wheat supplements to grazing dairy cows in early lactation
Authors: Dobos RC , Fulkerson WJ , Michell PJ
Published: March 2005

Two herds, each of 19 Friesian cows, were run on separate farmlets in north-western Tasmania. One herd (NW) grazed pasture only, and was estimated to be receiving 75% of potential intake, while the second herd (W) received 3.0 kg coarsely hammermilled wheat per cow, daily for 42 days during early lactation in addition to pasture. Although the feeding of wheat increased total feed intake, there was no significant difference between the groups in either daily milk yield (21.5 v. 21.8 L cow-1), milk fat yield (1.1 v. 1.09 kg cow-1), liveweight change (0.05 v. -0.2 kg cow-l) and herbage intake (12.0 v. 12.0 kg DM cow-1 day-1) of cows or of pre- (1.77 v. 1.8 t DM ha-1) and post- (1.31 v. 1.32 t DM ha-1) grazing mass, on farmlets NW and W respectively. We conclude that the feeding of wheat did not increase milk production or improve liveweight change under the conditions of this experiment.
Distribution of seed infected with Phomopsis leptostromiformis and of phomopsin A within a lupin crop
Authors: Wood PM , Petterson DS , Hancock GR , Brown GA
Published: March 2005

A detailed study was made of the Phomopsis leptostromiformis infection and phomopsin A content of seed within a lupin crop having a high level of visible pod infection. Over 96% of the visibly infected seeds contained viable P. leptostromlformis. Visually clean, or whole white seed, from the primary pods had a higher level of fungal infection (56%) than comparable seed from the other pods (11%). The discoloured seed content of the primary pods was higher than for the other pods in each instance. The phomopsin A content of the seed was higher than previously reported. Although the cracked and discoloured seed fractions contained from 200 to 2300 �g of phomopsin A/kg, the highest amount of this toxin detected in whole white seed was 6 �g/kg.
Evaluation of fungicides for control of Cercospora zebrina on subterranean clover
Authors: Barbetti MJ
Published: March 2005

In field trials conducted in Western Australia during 1982-84, fungicides were screened for their efficacy in controlling cercospora disease (caused by Cercospora zebrina) in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum). Benomyl and carbendazim gave the best disease control. Smaller disease reductions were obtained with bitertanol, chlorothalonil, propiconazol and thiophanate methyl, while captafol, prochloraz and triadimefon were ineffective. Rates as low as 150 g (a.i.)/ha of benomyl or carbendazim were effective sprayed either in August or in September. Spraying both in August and September gave a better result in only 1 trial, and there was little additional disease control from increasing rate of application of either of the fungicides to 275 g (a.i.)/ha. Disease control from fungicides resulted in seed yield increases up to 68%.
Sources of Alternaria carthami inoculum in safflower
Authors: Jackson KJ , Irwin JAG , Berthelsen JE
Published: March 2005

Spread of the disease Alternaria leaf blight (Alternaria carthami) from infected safflower seed and stubble was studied at Biloela in central Queensland to determine the importance ofthese inoculum sources in the initiation of epidemics. Seed infection levels of 20-55% resulted in 1.4-2.0% emerged diseased seedlings in the field. Levels of 1.0% seed infection have previously caused severe disease outbreaks in commercial crops. Visual appraisal of seed health correlated highly with laboratory, glasshouse and field assessments of diseased seedlings. Glasshouse assessment of emerged diseased seedlings gave the best indication of expected disease incidence in the field. Seed germination in the laboratory correlated poorly with emergence in the glasshouse and the field. Incidence of A. carthami on seedlings following soil incorporation of diseased stubble in November 1977 diminished from 28% in May 1978 to 0% in September 1980. Burning of diseased stubble in November 1977 failed to eliminate the disease, but reduced the number of emerged disease seedlings by 66% in May 1978. Dusting of healthy seed with a fungicide increased total emergence, but it did not control the spread of the fungus from the infected stubble as emergence of diseased seedlings was also increased.
Nitrogen contributed by grain legumes to rice grown in rotation on the Cununurra soils of the Ord Irrigation Area, Western Australia
Authors: Chapman AL , Myers RJK
Published: March 2005

The uptake of nitrogen (N) by dry season rice following wet season crops of soybean (for grain or green manure), green gram, Sesbania cannabina (a native legume), a cereal (sorghum or dryland rice for grain), or bare fallow, was studied for 3 cropping cycles over 4 years. The work was done on Cununurra clay (0.04% N) at Kimberley Research Station near Kununurra, W.A., in the Ord Irrigation Area. Stubbles were returned to the soil except in the first cycle when (excluding the green manure treatment) all tops were removed from the plots at maturity. There was a 12-month bare fallow period between the first and second cycles. Dry season rice was drill-sown with or without 100 kg ha-1 of N applied as urea at permanent flooding. Soybean, green gram and Sesbania crops accumulated 290-360, 80-130 and 110-180 kg N ha-1, respectively, in the tops at maturity. An average of about 40 kg N ha-1 was present in the stem bases and roots (0-20 cm depth). Estimates of nitrogen fixation based on 15N dilution measurements ranged from 65-72% of total plant N when the legumes were grown after 12 months fallow, to 93-95% when they were grown immediately following dry season rice. Fertiliser N at 25 kg ha-1 applied presowing ('starter' N) had no significant effect on legume N yield at maturity. N returned in leaves, stems and hulls averaged 30, 50 and 80 kg N ha-1 for green gram, soybean and Sesbania, respectively. Rice grain yields and N uptake at maturity were generally highest after Sesbania and lowest after a wet season cereal crop. Differences among treatments were small and related to the quantity of N returned in residues. On average, 11% of the N in the residues was recovered in the tops of the following rice crop. Rice yields increased over the 4-year period, but mean increases were similar for legume and non-legume treatments. The average apparent recovery of N applied as urea to dry season rice at permanent flooding was 76%. The inclusion of a soybean cash crop in the rotation offers the possibility of a marginal reduction in the need for N fertiliser.
Influence of Phytophthora root rot on mineral nutrient concentrations in avocado leaves
Authors: Whiley AW , Pegg KG , Saranah JB , Langdon PW
Published: March 2005

Leaf nutrient concentrations were measured in avocado trees (Persea americana Mill. cv. Fuerte) which were recovering from root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands) following treatment with fungicides. Trees with visible Phytophthora root rot symptoms had higher leaf chloride concentrations in 4- month-old leaves (0.35%) which increased to 0.5% in 8-month-old leaves, compared with chloride concentrations in leaves from trees that had regained health of 0.13-0.27% and 0.09-0.24% in 4- and 8-month-old leaves respectively. Leaf tip and marginal burn symptoms in untreated control trees were present in leaves with 0.5% chloride content. Trees which were previously infected, but had regained health, had higher leaf concentrations of nitrogen (2.86-3.02%), phosphorus (0.18-0.19%), sulfur (0.24-0.27%), zinc (33.2 mg kg-1) and boron (13.4-17.7 mg kg-1) than leaves on those trees showing severe root rot symptoms (2.59% nitrogen, 0.16% sulfur, 24.4 mg kg-1 zinc, and 8.1 mg kg-1 boron). Fungicidal treatments, which included the injection of phosphite, potassium hydroxide and zinc sulfate into trees, did not contribute significantly to leaf phosphorus, potassium or zinc levels.
Recovery of pasture seed ingested by ruminants. 2. Digestion of seed in sacco and in vitro
Authors: Simao Neto M , Jones RM
Published: March 2005

Seeds of the grasses Brachiaria decumbens (signal grass) and Axonopus afinis (carpet grass), and the legumes Neonotonia wightii cv. Tinaroo, Trifolium semipilosum cv. Safari, Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano and S. scabra cv. Seca were suspended in nylon bags in the rumen ofcattle (in sacco) and also subjected to in vitro digestion techniques. Legume seeds were evaluated in 3 categories: seed as supplied (mixture of hard and soft), 100% soft and 100% hard. Seeds were either placed in the rumen of cattle (using nylon bags) for 24, 48 or 96 h or subjected to in vitro digestion (in pepsin, and in rumen liquor or cellulase either with or without subsequent digestion in pepsin). Other seed of the same seed lots had been previously fed to penned cattle, sheep and goats and the recovery in faeces had been measured. Soft legume seed were destroyed by the digestion treatments whereas hard seeds were largely resistant to digestion. Average effects of digestion in vitro on viability were similar to average effects of digestion in nylon bags, but there were large differences between different treatments and between seed lots. The percentage of hard seed in the seed sample was the best guide to the resistance of legume seed to digestion.
Comparative effects of annual medics (Medicago spp.) and nitrogen fertiliser on the herbage yield and quality of subtropical grass pastures in southern inland Queensland
Authors: Clarkson NM , Chaplain NP , Fairbairn ML
Published: March 2005

A comparison was made between the winter annual legumes Medicago scutellata cv. Robinson (snail medic) and M. truncatula cv. Jemalong (barrel medic) and nitrogen (N) fertiliser as a means of increasing herbage dry matter yields and N contents, and extending the growing season, of introduced winter-dormant tropical grass pastures in southern inland Queensland. Pastures containing either the forage sorghum hybrid cv. Silk, buffel grass or green panic were grown under dryland conditions on high and low fertility soils at 3 sites (Warwick, Gayndah and Roma) with decreasing winter rainfall respectively, and under irrigation on the high fertility soils at Warwick and Gayndah. Medics were adapted to all soils selected except the low fertility soil at Gayndah. Under irrigation or adequate rainfall, DM yields of medics were 8-10 t/ha at each site. Under dryland conditions medic yields varied with winter rainfall, reaching half of their apparent potential over 4 years at Warwick and one third of their potential at Gayndah and Roma (4 years and 6 years respectively). The yield of grass in irrigated grass-medic pastures was over twice that of unfertilised grass and similar to that of grass fertilised with 100 kg N/ha.year. Under dryland conditions medics increased associated grass yields by 25-100% at Warwick and Gayndah, the grass yields being equivalent to N fertiliser at 50 kg/ha.year on grass alone. At Roma where summer rainfall was low, medics had no effect on grass yields. Total yields of grass-medic pastures were up to 5 times greater than those of unfertilised grass. Medics increased the N concentration in summer grass growth and extended the growing season by producing high quality dry matter in winter and spring. The results indicate considerable potential for expanding the use of annual medics in dryland pastures.
Dryacide treatment of stored wheat: its efficacy against insects, and after processing
Authors: Desmarchelier JM , Dines JC
Published: March 2005

The efficacy of Dryacide (diatomaceous earth coated with silica aerogels) on wheat was tested in the laboratory against adult and immature stages of 4 species of Coleoptera and against immature stages of 1 species of Lepidoptera. The minimum effective level of Dryacide increased in the following order: immature Ephestia cautella (Walker) ~ immature Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) < immature Rhyzopertha dominica (F) < adult R. dominica ~ adult T. castaneum < adult Sitophilus oryzae (L) < adult Sitophilus granarius (L) < immature Sitophilus species. When wheat treated with Dryacide was milled in the laboratory without prior cleaning, less than 3% of the Dryacide carried over into the flour. Commercial cleaning of wheat removed (�s.e.) about 98 � 1% of Dryacide, and no Dryacide could be detected in the flour. Dryacide treatment did not affect flour quality as determined by the volume of sponge cakes and the production of carbon dioxide by fermenting dough.
Establishment of turf using advanced ('pregerminated') seeds
Authors: Lush WM , Birkenhead JA
Published: March 2005

Advanced seeds (i.e. partially germinated seeds) of bent, ryegrass and bluegrass germinated and emerged up to 10 days before controls. In well-watered turf, the rate of development of ground cover and the final composition of bent and ryegrass swards were not influenced by using advanced seeds, but bluegrass swards contained more bluegrass and fewer weeds. From these results we generalise that the benefits of advancing are least in species that naturally germinate rapidly (e.g. ryegrass) and greatest in slow germinators (e.g. bluegrass). Sowing advanced seeds in most likely to be useful where: (i) management of newly sown turf is a problem, (ii) competition from weeds is expected, (iii) cosmetic repairs are needed urgently, (iv) an important and slow germinating component of a seed mix is expensive or rare, (v) seeds are dormant, or (vi) the weather is cold.
Growth of young Merino sheep grazing cereal stubbles and supplemented ad libitum with oats, of different crude protein contents, sprayed with various amounts of urea
Authors: Butler LG , King WR , McDonald CL
Published: March 2005

In 2 experiments on cereal stubble, growth responses by Merino hoggets and Merino weaners to ad libitum supplementation with oat grain sprayed with a urea-ammonium sulfate solution were examined. In each experiment, 3 batches of oats of different crude protein(CP=7.8,9.3, 11.4 and 7.1, 10.1, 12.5% w/w) were treated with different amounts of urea (0.55-3.2% w/w) and the feed was offered to groups of 10 hoggets or 7 weaners for 70 days and 100 days respectively. The growth of Merino wether weaners grazing wheat stubble was significantly increased from 86 g/sheep.day to 116 g/sheep.day by adding urea to supplements of low protein (7%) oats. The intake of low protein oats sprayed with urea was decreased when urea was added at a level making up 3% of the supplement. Daily growth rates (132-152 g/sheep) of weaner sheep fed oats of 10% and 12.5% crude protein were not significantly different. The addition of urea to these oats did not produce significant additional growth responses. There was no effect on hogget daily growth rate (average = 160 g/sheep) of CP, of the base oat, or of treatment of the oat with a urea-ammonium sulfate mixture.
Failure of dietary vitamin C supplementation to prevent seasonal infertility in pigs
Authors: Greer EB , Gardner IA , Wright GL
Published: March 2005

Half the sows and boars on each of 5 commercial farms that had histories of seasonal infertility were fed 4 g of vitamin C per day. The other half was unsupplemented. Of 423 sows which were allocated to the experiment during the summer-early autumn of 1978-79, 392 were available for mating during the course of the study. Although the percentage of sows mating successfully was greater with vitamin C (68.0 v. 61.2%), this difference was non-significant (P>0.05). Vitamin C had no effect on the weaning-to-conception interval of sows nor on the numbers of piglets born, born alive, stillborn and weaned per litter, pre-weaning mortality or litter and piglet weaning weight. There was no relationship between weekly average maximum temperature and the weekly percentage of successful matings. Although the results demonstrated that fertility was poor during the summer-early autumn, a large daily dose of vitamin C was ineffective in countering the seasonal infertility.
Competition from Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C. Gmelin in pastures, and its control by coating seeds with herbicides
Authors: Scott JM , Blair GJ
Published: March 2005

Competition from the annual grass weed rat's tail fescue (Vulpia myuros [L.] C. C. Gmelin) seriously reduces the establishment of autumn sown, direct-drilled pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Field populations of rat's tail fescue of 43 000 seedlings m-2 have been observed. The effect of a range of rat's tail fescue populations (0, 5, 10,20,40 and 80x 103 seeds m-2) on the early growth of lucerne and phalaris was measured in a glasshouse experiment in soil amended with either high or low levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Under both fertility regimes, competition from rat's tail fescue was severe at densities of 5x 103 seeds m-2 and above with leaf number, plant height and DM yield of the sown species being markedly reduced in the presence of rat's tail fescue. In 2 further glasshouse experiments with lucerne, a wide range of seed-applied herbicides (EPTC, benfluralin, napropamide, chlorthal-dimethyl, trifluralin, oryzalin, alachlor, diclofop-methyl and 2,2-DPA) were evaluated at several rates to control germinating rat's tail fescue. EPTC significantly reduced weed density at rates as low as 0.35 kg ha-1 and was the only herbicide to significantly reduce the yield of rat's tail fescue (at rates as low as 0.1 kg ha-1) and to allow an increase in the yield of the sown lucerne. Confirmation of the effectiveness of seed-applied EPTC under direct-drill conditions is still needed.
Determination of seed moisture content in small-seeded pasture legumes
Authors: Taylor GB
Published: March 2005

An improved technique for the determination of seed moisture content in small-seeded annual legumes is described. Changes in weight of permeable and impermeable seed of Medicago truncatula, M. polymorpha and Trifolium subterraneurn, which were either left intact or cut in half, were measured in air-ovens at 105 and 130�C. Drying intact seeds for 1 h at 130�C, as specified by the International Seed Testing Association, seriously underestimated moisture content in most seed samples. Seeds dried to approximately constant weight at 130�C appeared to overestimate moisture contents by about 1%, presumably because of volatilisation losses of material other than unbound water. At 105�C, halved seeds lost weight rapidly during the first day then slightly gained weight for several days before resuming a gradual weight loss. Drying intact seeds of M. truncatula and T. subterraneurn at 105�C for 2 days gave seed moisture contents similar to those obtained from halved seeds. Intact impermeable seeds of M. polymorpha were very much slower than those of the other species to lose weight. taking 14 days to approach an apparent moisture content close to that of halved seeds. Drying halved seeds for 24 h at 105�C appears the most reliable technique.
Reduction of Rhizoctonia root rot of direct-drilled wheat by short-term chemical fallow
Authors: Roget DK , Venn NR , Rovira AD
Published: March 2005

This study has demonstrated that volunteer pasture, comprising mainly barley grass and ryegrass, which grows over several weeks between autumn rains and seeding, promotes damage to roots of direct-drilled wheat caused by Rhizoctonia solani. A chemical fallow, in which the volunteer pasture was sprayed 3-6 weeks before seeding, greatly reduced the root damage (based on visual ratings) caused by R. solani on direct-drilled wheat in the field and in a controlled- environment experiment in which field conditions were simulated. In the field experiment, grain yields of direct-drilled wheat following pasture in plots treated with herbicides was 2.2 t/ha compared with 1.2 t/ha in untreated plots. The application of herbicides did not affect the yields of wheat sown following cultivation.
Response by wheat, rape, and field peas to pre-sowing herbicides and deep tillage
Authors: Dann PR , Thomas AG , Cunningham RB , Moore PHR
Published: March 2005

A field experiment near Yass, N.S.W., in 198 1 and 1982 compared several forms of deep tillage (loosening of the soil to depths from 15 to 60 cm, with little surface disturbance) following the application of various herbicides, on the growth and yield of wheat, rape, field peas and weeds. The deep tillage implements used were: Wallace Soil Reconditioning Unit, Domino Sub Tiller, and single tine ripper, cultivating to depths from 15 to 60 cm. The herbicides used were: glyphosate (Roundup at 1 L/ha), paraquat-diquat (Sprayseed at 2 L/ha) and paraquat-diquat (Sprayseed at 2 L/ha) plus dicamba (Banvel 200 at 0.4 Wha). A fallow treatment also was used in 1982. Crops, and weeds-which were a mixture of grass and broad-leaf species-responded more strongly to herbicide than to deep tillage treatments. At the rates used, paraquat-diquat plus dicamba controlled cereals more efficiently than did the other herbicides. The responses were generally increased growth of wheat and rape-field peas being much less responsive-and decreased growth of weeds. In 198 1, a year of average rainfall, herbicide (meaned over deep tillage treatments) increased wheat grain yield by 1.94 t/ha (1.8 1 v. 3.75 t/ha) and deep tillage (meaned over herbicide treatments) by 0.60 t/ha (2.81 v. 3.41 t/ha). In 1982, a year of below-average rainfall, fallow increased wheat grain yield by 1.67 t/ha (0.18 v. 1.85 t/ha), herbicide by 0.73 t/ha (0.18 v. 0.91 t/ha) and deep tillage by 0.36 t/ha (0.69 v. 1.05 t/ha). Covariance analyses indicated that, for all wheat crop parameters measured in 198 1, responses to both deep tillage and herbicide were strongly related to reduction in weed top growth, this effect being greater with the herbicide treatments than with the deep tillage treatments.
Effect of wither malformation on the pre-disposition of sheep to fleece rot and body strike
Authors: Raadsma HW , Watts JE , Warren H
Published: March 2005

The presence of the conformational fault 'pinch' (narrow depression over the 4th-6th ribs) was examined in relation to fleece rot susceptibility. A field study involving 189 Merino ewes showed that the identification of the fault (incidence was 11%) by 4 independent observers was highly repeatable. Fleeces on the pinch site showed a disorderly staple arrangement with a higher incidence of tangled and narrow staples compared with unaffected sheep. The pinch fault appeared to be associated with excessively sloping front pasterns ( lt; 45� from the ground) compared with unaffected sheep (about 70�). In 2 experiments, it was shown that the 'pinch' fault was associated with a higher incidence of fleece rot and a higher level of moisture penetration and retention in the fleece during fleece rot induction. Staple crimp, staple density and fibre diameter (mean and variability) were associated with the wetting and drying characteristics of the fleece but not specifically with the pinch fault. It is suggested that the mechanical movement of the fleece at the pinch site was responsible for the increased moisture penetration which, in turn, increased the chance of development of fleece rot and fly strike.
Influence of environmental factors on the germination of barley grass (Hordeum glaucum) and annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum)
Authors: Kloot PM
Published: March 2005

The ability of Hordeum glaucum to germinate and initially grow faster than Lolium rigidum was found to be influenced by the soil's physical state and its chemical characteristics. Glasshouse studies showed that the replacement of Lolium by Hordeum in undisturbed situations was due to the advantage of the latter having awned florets which anchor and lever the seed on smooth, compacted surfaces. Soil disturbance produces a broken surface upon which Hordeum has no advantage over Lolium. Hordeum is also able to germinate under higher osmotic pressures than is Lolium. Higher osmotic pressures will arise on stock camps and on alkaline soils where the salts are of biological and pedological origin respectively. Glasshouse and field observations showed that the top 3 mm of the soil surface are drier and more saline than the soil profile generally as indicated from measurements on soil cores. In undisturbed soil this surface layer will favour the dominance of Hordeum over Lolium. In cultivated soil the layer will be diluted throughout the depth of cultivation.
Growth and persistence of Mediterranean genotypes of midseason-late maturing subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) in Victoria
Authors: Clark SG , Hirth JR
Published: March 2005

Forty-two midseason-late maturing subterranean clover genotypes from the Mediterranean basin, 12 commercial cultivars, 2 bulk treatments and a blank control were sown in small plots in 1983 at the Pastoral Research Institute, Hamilton, Vic. (10.5 m2), and at the Rutherglen Research Institute, Rutherglen, Vic. (7.0 m2), to assess seasonal yield and persistence over 3 years. Perennial ryegrass cv. Ellett was sown as a companion grass at Hamilton. At both sites, but particularly at Hamilton, several genotypes were identified which showed considerable improvement over commercial cultivars. Some genotypes, although late maturing, were as productive as the best commercial cultivars in autumn and winter (e.g 2.06-2.38 t DM/ha) and were also highly productive (e.g. 3.46-3.94 t DM/ha) in spring (e.g. CPI 89822 H, 89774 F [Sardinia], 68103 H [Portugal] and GF 073.2 [Corsica] at Hamilton and CPI 89880 F, 89855 G, 89880 J [Sardinia] and GF 144.3 [France] at Rutherglen). Seed production of some genotypes was superior to that of the commercial cultivars (P= 0.01). Trikkala, Larisa and Karridale were the cultivars with the largest seed banks at both sites at the end of the third year. Nine of the 13 genotypes measured had seed banks at least as large as Trikkala (36 1 kg/ha) at Hamilton (e.g. 89774 F, 431 kg/ha; 89777 C, 402 kg/ha). All 10 genotypes measured at Rutherglen had seed banks at least as large as Karridale (1298 kg/ha) (e.g. 89880 J, 1717 kg/ ha; and 89820 D, 1578 kg/ha). As a result of this work and similar studies in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania, 13 late-maturing genotypes have been chosen for advanced evaluation prior to cultivar release about 1990.
Influence of weight of seed on hyphal growth of the take-all pathogen, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, in wheat roots grown in sand culture
Authors: Penrose L
Published: March 2005

This study examined extent of hyphal growth of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt) in seminal roots of wheat seedlings grown from seed of varying weight (12-60 mg). Hyphal invasion, measured microscopically in the inner cortex, endodermis and stele of root sections and in the early formation of stelar lesions, was found to be influenced in a complex manner by weight of seed. As weight of seed was increased, invasion of the inner cortex decreased linearly while invasion of stelar tissue varied in a non linear manner. These findings show that weight of seed must be considered when comparing levels of infection in seedlings of different cultivars of wheat.