bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cultivars under rainfed and irrigated conditions in Sudan
Authors: Amir H. A. , Khalifa F. M.
Published: March 2009

A trial of open-pollinated (OP) cultivars and hybrids of different origins was conducted in 1986–1988 at two sites in the central clay plains of Sudan, rainfed at one site and under supplementary irrigation at the other. Throughout this study, the patterns of growth of the OP cultivars differed greatly from those of the hybrids, despite differences amongst cultivars within each group. Differences in seed yield between OP cultivars and hybrids under irrigation were not significant; but, under rainfed conditions, the hybrids gave higher yields than the OP cultivars. Partitioning efficiency (PE; reproductive mass: total biomass) increased more rapidly during flowering and seed filling in the hybrids than in the OP cultivars; differences in PE between the two groups were significant. The higher leaf area index, leaf area duration and crop growth rate of the OP cultivars were compensated to some extent by the higher PE and leaf efficiency values of the hybrids, resulting in similar seed yields of all cultivars under irrigation. Overall, irrigation increased seed yield by 0·6–1·9 t/ha and increased oil content by 8–15%.
Urinary excretion of allantoin and allantoin precursors by sheep after different rates of purine infusion into the duodenum
Authors: Balcells J. , Guada J. A. , Castrillo C. , Gasa J.
Published: March 2009

Two experiments were carried out to determine endogenous losses and the response of urinary purine derivatives to increased duodenal inputs of purine bases. Four ewes each fitted with a re-entrant cannula at the proximal duodenum, and conventionally fed, were subjected to full replacement of duodenal digesta followed by the administration of a solution either free of purines (Expt 1) or enriched with increasing amounts of purines, to supply 0·48–21·27 mmol/animal per day (Expt 2). Basal daily urinary excretions of allantoin, uric acid, hypoxanthine and xanthine were 11·5 ± 0·94, 9·9 ± 0·67, 6·9 ± 0·46 and 1·2 ±0·16 mg/kg W0·75. Allantoin was the only purine derivative which increased in response to incremental inputs of duodenal purines. The relationship between allantoin excretion and infused purines showed a urinary recovery of 0·8 for purines infused at > 220 μmol/kg W0·76. Lower rates of infusion did not alter allantoin excretion. The results show urinary allantoin to be a useful index to estimate duodenal input of purines when animals are fed close to or above their energy maintenance requirements.
Vigour differences in brassica seed and their significance to emergence and seedling variability
Authors: Powell A. A. , Thornton J. M. , Mitchell J. A.
Published: March 2009

Seeds of the Brussels sprout cultivar Asmer Aries having low vigour as a result of ageing emerged more slowly when sown in module trays and had slightly lower final emergences than seeds which had not undergone ageing and were of high vigour. Low seed vigour also resulted in the production of seedlings which were shorter and more variable in height at the first-leaf stage. Once the seedlings reached the transplanting stage there was greater variability in the fresh and dry weights of seedlings produced from seeds having low vigour, although the mean seedling weights differed little from those produced by high-vigour seeds. Similar observations were made for samples of commercial seed of cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Dutch cabbage, red cabbage and calabrese provided by vegetable transplant propagators and in use in 1988. Low-vigour seeds again emerged more slowly with low final emergence and produced smaller and more-variable seedlings. The implications of these observations for the production of vegetable seedlings for transplanting are discussed.
Comparative energy and protein utilization in kids and lambs
Authors: Alam M. R. , Poppi D. P. , Sykes A. R.
Published: March 2009

Twenty-eight male castrate kids and 28 male castrate lambs were assigned to a comparative slaughter experiment to compare energy and protein utilization. The experiment was conducted from January to March at Lincoln, New Zealand. Ten animals of each species comprised the initial slaughter group while the remaining 18 animals were randomly allocated to five feeding regimes. Animals were offered high-quality meadow hay for 13 weeks and then slaughtered. The energy retained in the body was regressed against metabolizable energy intake (MEI) to obtain estimates of maintenance energy requirement (MEm) and efficiency of energy utilization for growth (kg).

Kids tended to have a higher MEm (0·44 v. 0·37 MJ ME/kg W0·75 per day in kids and lambs, respectively) and a higher kg (0·28v. 0·22) though these differences were not significant. There was no difference between the species in the composition of gain of the fleece or hair-free body with a protein energy to gross energy ratio in the gain of 0·20. The fleece or hair-free body composition was similar for both species (initial 0·51v. 0·48; final 0·36 v. 0·32; protein energy:gross energy, kids and lambs, respectively). Overall, the values for kg in both species were low and could not be explained solely by the composition of the gain.

The efficiency of use of apparently absorbed amino acid (AA) for fleece or hair-free body protein deposition was higher for kids (0·52 v. 0·29) and, when the fleece or hair was included, the value increased markedly for lambs (0·50 v. 0·41, kids v. lambs, respectively). The protein energy apparently absorbed in the small intestine/MEI was not high or different between species (mean 0·18). The efficiency values for both species are low and not explained by the supply of protein relative to energy, which was not high.

It was concluded that, with high-quality forage used to promote live weight gain, there was little difference between kids and lambs in the utilization of forage energy, and that the efficiency of utilization of absorbed protein for protein deposition was lower than expected in both species.
Interactions between applications of gypsum and zinc sulphate on the yield and chemical composition of rice grown on an alkali soil
Authors: Singh M. V. , Chhabra R. , Abrol I. P.
Published: March 2009

A field experiment on an alkali soil (ESP 94) studied the effect of gypsum applied at 0, 2·5, 5 and 10t/ha and zinc sulphate applied at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg/ha on the growth, yield and chemical composition of rice. The effects of gypsum and zinc applications were additive. Optimum response of rice was to 10 kg zinc sulphate/ha at the 5 and 10 t/ha gypsum levels. At low levels of gypsum, plant growth was poor owing to toxicity of Na and/or deficiency of Ca, and higher levels of zinc sulphate gave a yield response. Zinc-deficient plants had significantly lower Zn concentration but higher concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Ca and Mg than the healthy plants. Application of gypsum decreased the concentration of Na, Fe and Zn in rice plants and increased the concentration of Ca, K, Mn and Cu. in plots not treated with gypsum, the Zn concentration of plants was higher but grain yield was lower than that of gypsum-treated plots. Application of zinc increased the DTPA-extractable Zn but gypsum decreased the soil sodicity and DTPA-extractable Zn in alkali soils.
The effect of trenbolone acetate and trenbolone acetate plus oestradiol-17β on wool growth
Authors: Hynd P. I. , James R. E.
Published: March 2009

There is currently considerable interest in the use of anabolic compounds to improve the efficiency of animal growth and to produce leaner carcasses. While the majority of work has centred on beef production, the growth performance of sheep is also improved (Galbraith & Topps, 1981). However, little is known of the effects of anabolic steroid hormone administration on wool growth. The few experiments which have been conducted indicate that exogenous oestrogens depress wool output (Slen & Connell, 1958) while exogenous testosterone has consistently enhanced both greasy and clean wool yields (Slen & Connell, 1958; Osborne, 1968; Southcott & Royal, 1971). Little is known, however, of the effects of the synthetic steroids on wool growth. Coehlo, Galbraith & Topps (1981) reported a reduction in wool per unit body weight in sheep implanted with trenbolone acetate and oestradiol-17β, suggesting lowered efficiency of wool growth. Similarly Yasin & Galbraith (1981) noted that trenbolone acetate, in combination with either oestradiol-17β or zeranol, reduced wool output per unit body weight. Neither of these trials attempted to isolate the effects of trenbolone acetate alone from those of the androgenplus-oestrogen combination.
Measurement on slaughter weight, side weight, carcass joints and their association with carcass composition of two types of Sudan Desert sheep
Authors: Karim A. I. A. El , Owen J. B. , Whitaker C. J.
Published: March 2009

Relationships between slaughter weight, side weight, linear carcass measurements, carcass joints, carcass composition, and prediction equations for carcass composition have been established for Sudan Desert lambs.

Of the carcass linear measurements, chest depth had the highest coefficient of correlation with slaughter weight (r = 0·62) and side weight (r = 0·64) followed by the circumference of the buttocks with correlation coefficients of 0·49 and 0·63 respectively.

Correlation coefficients between percentage tissue in the side and percentage tissue in the different joints showed that percentage lean in middle neck and shoulder, leg and best end, in this order were strongly associated with percentage lean in side (P < 0·001). Percentage bone in middle neck and shoulder, leg and loin was positively associated with percentage bone in the side. Fat in leg and best end neck gave a significant correlation (P < 0·001) with percentage fat in the side.

Trivariate regression equations for prediction of carcass composition were calculated for both sexes in the two breed types and the best end neck joint was found to be the best practical predictor with R2a (adjusted coefficient of determination) of 0·81–0·98 for lean prediction and 0·70–0·92 for fat prediction.
Response of white clover and grass to applications of potassium and nitrogen on a potassium-deficient hill soil
Authors: Simpson D. , Wilman D. , Adams W. A.
Published: March 2009

All combinations of four levels of potassium and two of nitrogen were applied in each of 2 years to a hill sward on a brown podzolic soil with an 8 cm peaty surface horizon anda very low level of extractable K. The sward had been surface-sown 11 years before with white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). During the course of the experiment, harvesting was by cutting, with an average interval between cuts of 5 weeks. The previous management had been sheep grazing.

The proportion of clover in harvested herbage was increased by applied K and reduced by applied N. The clover grew strongly in the 1st year of cutting management where K, but no N, was applied, but there was much less clover in the 2nd year on all plots. The concentration of K in both clover and grass was greatly increased by applied K, but only the clover responded strongly in terms of extra herbage produced. This suggests that grass growth was N-limited, whereas the clover had sufficient N from symbiotic fixation.

Applied K increased the size and weight of clover leaves, the rate of extension of the stolon main axis, and the number and length of stolon branches, but did not affect the rate of emergence of leaves on the stolon main axis. Applied N had a generally negative effect on the aspects of clover growth and morphology which were measured. The length and weight per ryegrass leaf blade were generally slightly increased by both applied K and applied N.
The effects of duration of sprinkling and temperature of the drinking water on the feed intake and growth of pigs at high ambient temperature
Authors: Vajrabukka C. , Thwaites C. J. , Farrellf D. J.
Published: March 2009

Morrison et al. (1972), Hsia, Fuller & Koh (1974), and Ho & Khoo (1977) showed that sprinkling can alleviate the adverse effects (Straub et al. 1976) of high ambient temperature on feed intake and growth of pigs. Vajrabukka, Thwaites & Farrell (1986) demonstrated that pigs need to be thoroughly wet by sprinkling at least once every 60 min if high evaporative rates are to be maintained, but little is known of the relative benefits of different sprinkling regimes for pigs growing at high temperatures.
The growth and development of Corchorus olitorius (L.) grown alone and intercropped with tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.))
Authors: Ojeifo I. M. , Lucas E. O.
Published: March 2009

Two experiments were conducted on two varieties of Corchorus olitorius(‘NHCo 6’ and ‘NHCo 7’). The first one was on the effect of density of planting on their growth and development whilst the second was on the best planting ratio for Corchorus-tomato intercropping.

There was no significant difference in morphological characters of the two varieties. The maximum value of leaf area index for the two varieties was around 3. Maximum marketable and edible yields were obtained for the two varieties at 30 × 5 cm (666600 plants/ha) and the best time for harvesting was 44 days after sowing.

The best planting ratio for Corchorus-tomato intercrop was 2 rows of Corchorus and 1 row of tomato for maximum edible yield of Corchorus but for maximum economic returns, the best ratio was 1 row of Corchorus to 2 rows of tomato.
The effect of a slant-legged subsoiler on soil compaction and the growth of direct-drilled winter wheat
Authors: Hipps N. A. , Hodgson D. R.
Published: March 2009

The effect of a slant-legged subsoiler (Trade name, ‘Paraplow’) on the growth of two crops of winter wheat following an intensively grazed grass-clover ley was investigated in 1981–2 and 1982–3. The treatments for the first crop were direct drilling, loosening the soil by shallow cultivation before drilling, loosening by ‘Paraplow’, and a combination of ‘Paraplow’ and shallow cultivation. For the second crop these treatments were repeated and a fifth added, loosening by ‘Paraplow’ after drilling. Seed was sown with a triple disk direct drill and all treatments received the same quantity of fertilizer.

Soil compaction was measured with a cone penetrometer in the autumn of 1982 and spring 1983; root axes were counted and dry-matter weights of shoot, grain yield and components of yield obtained.

Loosening soil by ‘Paraplow’ did not increase significantly the number of roots nor was the uptake of water by the crop in dry periods affected, even though soil strength, measured as cone resistance, was considerably reduced.

Shallow cultivation increased grain yield in the first wheat by 0·34 t/ha (P< 0·05) but had no effect on the second wheat. The ‘Paraplow’ did not increase yield of the first crop but the mean response of 0·65 t/ha in the second crop was significant (P < 0·05). Using the ‘Paraplow’ before or after drilling gave similar yields. Increases in yield were produced by more grains per unit area, not increased 1000-grain weights.

It is concluded that the apparently compacted soil did not restrict the growth of wheat and that the beneficial effect of the ‘Paraplow’ in the second crop was probably due to better drainage in the wet spring.
Field experiments comparing ammonium nitrate and urea top-dressing for winter cereals and grassland in the U.K.
Authors: Chaney K. , Paulson G. A.
Published: March 2009

The results of 173 field experiments carried out between 1957 and 1986 are presented comparing ammonium nitrate and urea as top-dressings for winter cereals and grassland.

The trials show that urea was an inferior nitrogen source to ammonium nitrate. The yield from ammonium nitrate was significantly greater than that from urea for winter wheat, winter barley and for first, second and third cut silage. The results suggest (a) that winter wheat and winter barley respond differently to the two nitrogen sources and (b) that yield losses from urea are just as likely on first cut silage as second or third cut.

A breakdown of results according to soil texture, soil pH and region showed no consistent differences in yield loss. This indicates that broad generalizations based on soil characters and geographical location are not helpful in distinguishing situations where urea performance may be either better or worse than average.
Comparative studies on the use of green manuring, organic manuring andAzollaand blue-green algal biofertilizers to rice
Authors: Singh A. L. , Singh P. K. , Singh P. L.
Published: March 2009

Azollaand blue-green algae (BGA) biofertilizers in rice cultures were compared with farmyard manure (FYM),AzollaandEichhorniacompost, green manuring withSesbaniaand chemical nitrogen fertilizer as urea. GrowingAzollacrop in rice field once before transplanting and twice after transplanting produced a fresh biomass ofAzollaof 46·7–47·6 and 36·4–40·6 t/ha, containing 83·4–92·2 and 64·7–70·4 kg N/ha, with the rice varieties IR-36 and Mahsuri, respectively. The BGA produced only 7·9–8·9 and 5·2–7·2 t fresh biomass/ha, containing 19·5–20·6 and 14·8–19·3 kg N/ha with IR-36 and Mahsuri, respectively.

In the 1st year of the experiment application of FYM,EichhorniaandAzollacompost and green manuring ofSesbaniaproduced lower grain and straw yields and panicles than 60 kg N/ha as urea, but during the 2nd year all these treatments showed responses equal to that of 60 kg N/ha as urea. Nitrogen concentration and uptake by rice in these treatments were, however, lower than that of 60 kg N/ha as urea. Growing and incorporatingAzollaonce before and twice after transplanting produced higher grain and straw yields, and more panicles, and also showed higher nitrogen concentration and uptake by rice than those of organic and green manures. The BGA inoculation to rice with 30 kg N/ha as urea produced less grain and straw, and fewer panicles, and also showed lower nitrogen concentration and uptake by rice than 60 kg N/ha as urea and other organic manures. Of the two rice varieties, IR-36 produced more grain and panicles than Mahsuri, but Mahsuri produced more straw.

Total nitrogen, organic carbon and available phosphorus of soil after harvest of the rice increased owing to the application of organic manures, green manures andAzollaand BGA biofertilizers. The green manuring ofSesbaniaand usingAzollaonce before and twice after transplanting and FYM showed highest organic carbon and available phosphorus in soil after harvest.
Effects of seed rates, sowing dates and methods of sowing on autumn-sown field beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: McEwen J. , Yeoman D. P. , Moffitt R.
Published: March 2009

Experiments harvested in 1984, 1985 and 1986 tested the effects of combinations of three seed rates (12, 24 and 36 seeds sown/m2), with three sowing dates (late September and approximately 28 and 56 days later) and two sowing methods (conventionally drilled and ploughed-in after broadcasting) on field beans grown on Clay-with-Flints soil at Rothamsted.

Grain yield was always largest with the earliest sowing, smallest with the latest. The seed rate needed to achieve the largest yields increased with lateness of sowing. For September sowings the smallest seed rate was sufficient in 1984 and 1985 but 24 seeds/m2 were needed in 1986 when the exceptionally severe winter killed many plants. In all years 36 seeds/m2 were needed for the latest sowing date.

Ploughing-in the seed gave an average benefit to grain yield, relative to conventional drilling, of 0·3 t/ha but the benefit increased to about 2 t/ha for the latest sowing for the 1986 harvest.

The earliest sowing advanced flowering date by 2 weeks relative to the latest but did not affect harvest date. Early sowing did not increase susceptibility to winter kill and only slightly increased the risk of chocolate spot disease (Botrytis fabae Sard.).

In all years the largest yields came from combinations of treatments which led to about 35–50 pod-bearing stems per m2 at maturity. The best combinations of treatments gave grain yields of 5·6, 50 and 62 t/ha in the 3 years respectively. These reflect the benefits of correct combinations of agronomic treatments and were probably also the result of good control of pests and pathogens.
Effects of dry-matter intake and egg production on water influx in single comb White Leghorn hens
Authors: Kam M. , Degen A. A.
Published: March 2009

Water influx, i.e. total water intake from water drunk and water obtained from food, was measured using tritiated water in six groups, each containing ten single comb White Leghorn (SCWL) hens, in which each group received decreasing amounts of dry matter (D.M.) in decrements of 10%. Group 1 received 101·2 g D.M./day, an amount normally offered these hens, group 2 received 92·4 g D.M./day, group 3 received 81·0 g D.M./day, group 4 received 70·4 g D.M./day, group 5 received 61·6 g D.M./day and group 6 received 52·8 g D.M./day. In the first 4 weeks, egg production remained relatively high in the restricted fed groups compared with group 1 and body mass declined rapidly (period I); in the second 4 weeks, egg production declined to a great extent but body mass remained constant (period II). The ratio of water influx to DMI remained constant in the two periods in hens with the same DMI but with different egg production. The linear regression of DMI and/or egg production on water influx were significant within each period. DMI explained 65% of the variation in water influx, egg production explained 30/55% of the variation, and both DMI and egg production explained 66/70% of the variation. Within each period, the regressions of DMI on water influx in hens with similar egg production were generally significant, and, in contrast, the regressions of egg production on water influx within each DMI were generally not significant. It was concluded that DMI was more important than egg production in affecting water influx in laying SCWL hens.
Detection of cobalt deficiency in lactating heifers and their calves
Authors: Quirk M. F. , Norton B. W.
Published: March 2009

Responses in live weight, milk production and calf growth to cobalt supplementation of groups of three and four pregnant heifers were measured to assess the value of serum vitamin B12 concentrations and the urinary concentrations of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) for the detection of cobalt deficiency in cattle.

The administration of cobalt bullets to pregnant heifers, grazing pastures containing between 0·03 and 0·05 mg/kg cobalt, had no effect on either their live-weight change or milk production, or on the birth weight of their calves. MMA and FIGLU concentrations in the urine of unsupplemented heifers were low for the majority of the experimental period, although the concentrations of vitamin B12 in their serum (< 100 pg/ml) were in the range usually considered indicative of cobalt deficiency.

Calves from unsupplemented heifers had lower growth rates during the first 3 months of life and this was associated with intakes of 0·24–0·46 μg/day of vitamin B12 from milk, only 1–3% of those received by calves from supplemented heifers. Poor growth was associated with high urinary FIGLU concentrations, which increased from 500 to 2000 μmol/l between 1 and 3 months of age but decreased to less than 100 μmol/l between 3 and 4·5 months of age. Urinary FIGLU was a more reliable indicator of vitamin B12 deficiency in suckled calves than was urinary MMA, elevated levels of which were observed only at 3 months of age. The concentration of vitamin B12 in the serum of calves from unsupplemented heifers was consistently less than 100 pg/ml, but was not a reliable indicator of their functional vitamin B12 status, as judged by urinary concentrations of FIGLU and/or MMA.
Kinetics of phosphate release from soil and its uptake by wheat
Authors: Brar B. S. , Vig A. C.
Published: March 2009

Laboratory and glasshouse experiments were conducted to study P release kinetics and uptake of P by wheat (Trilicum, aestivum L.) in ten benchmark soils of Punjab (India). Phosphorus desorption, determined by successive extraction with 0·01 m-CaCl2 solution, was lower in calcareous soils (group I) than in non-calcareous soils (group II). Desorption of surface P in soils followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The values of the kinetic constant of desorption and the radial diffusion coefficient of P increased with the amount of added P in soils.

A significant linear relationship between cumulative desorbed P and both dry-matter yield and P uptake indicated that the rate of release of P from the solid matrix is important in determining P uptake by wheat crop. Phosphate uptake was less dependent on the initial solution P concentration than on the rate of phosphate release.
Study of the relation between straw quality and its colonization by rumen micro-organisms
Authors: Bhat Siva , Wallace R. J. , Ørskov E. R.
Published: March 2009

The relation between the dry-matter degradability (DMD) of different cultivars of barley straw and their colonization by rumen micro-organisms was studied in incubations of straw with the mixed populationin situand with pure cultures of rumen bacteriain vitro.The total attached populationin situwas quantified by particle-associated i glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity, while the cellulolytic population was assessed by bound carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) activity. CMCase reached a peak between 24 and 36 h incubation, and the peak activity was highly correlated with DMD between 24 ) and 96 h. After 36 h, CMCase activity declined, particularly with the more degradable (varieties. GDH continued to increase after 36 h and had no relation to DMD. The adhesion of pure cultures of both cellulolytic and non-cellulolytic bacteria was measured i turbidimetrically in a 30 min incubation. No relation was found between DMD and the extent of adhesion by any ofRuminococcus flavefaciens, Bacteroides succinogenes,Butyrivibrio fibrisolvensorSelenomonas ruminantium.It was concluded the rate of degradation of straw is not determined by the initial rate of attachment of cellulolytic micro-organisms, but by the way in which colonization subsequently develops after attachment takes place
Influence of some chemical and biological additives on the fibre fraction of lucerne on ensilage in laboratory silos
Authors: Morrison I. M.
Published: March 2009

Laboratory silos were prepared from lucerne (Medicago sativa)which had been treated with a number of chemical and biological additives. The additives used were the acid additive, formic acid, the sterilant, formaldehyde, the oxidative enzyme, glucose oxidase, and the starch hydrolysing enzyme complex, Termamyl. Silos were prepared in duplicate and pairs of each treatment were opened at 0, 2, 9, 20 and 60 days ensilage. The pH, volatile fatty acid patterns and dry-matter yields were determined and the composition of the residual fibre was determined for cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin and phenolic acids. The only treatment to enhance the rate of fall in pH was formic acid. The rate of decline in pH of the silages treated with glucose oxidase was not significantly different from the other treatments. The starch degrading enzyme complex did enhance the loss of starch from the lucerne but it did not appear to have any significant effect on the silage characteristics measured. No loss of true lignin was observed from the fibre but most of the phenolic acids present were removed. All the treatments appeared to have a significant effect on the cellulose content which was in contrast to earlier work on ryegrass silages where no effect was observed. On the other hand, the treatments had less effect on the hemicellulose fraction than was observed in the previous work with ryegrass. These results can be explained by differences in the structures of the fibres from lucerne and ryegrass.
Yield and quality of triticale cultivars at progressive stages of maturity
Authors: Brignall D. M. , Ward M. R. , Whittington W. J.
Published: March 2009

Two experiments were done in which the yield, digestibility and protein content of several autumnsown triticale cultivars were compared with rye and, on one occasion, ryegrass. Rye and an earlyflowering triticale cultivar (A208) had the highest early season yields and, at that stage, all cultivars and species had high digestibility.

When harvesting was delayed, the yield of later flowering cultivars (A386 or the latest flowering variety, A876) was greatest. When the plots were cut and harvested again, the intermediate and late maturing varieties (e.g. A386, A876–10) gave the highest yields of digestible dry matter. It was concluded that there was no advantage in using a mixture of cultivars as in the commercially available ‘Trical’ and that the available cultivars offered farmers useful alternatives in harvesting strategy and breeders the opportunity to develop earlier high-yielding triticale cultivars.
Nitrogen response of autumn planted sugar cane grown with various companion crops
Authors: Verma R. S. , Yadav R. L.
Published: March 2009

Sugar cane (Saccharum sp. hybrid cv. Co 1148) was planted in October alone and in association with potato (Solarium tuberosum cv. Kufri Chandramukhi), coriander (Coriandrum sativum cv. Sheetal), mustard (Brassica juncea cv. T59) and wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. K816) to find the optimum N dose in alluvial entisols of Lucknow, India. The yield of sugar cane was least in association with wheat and most with potato. The optimum N doses for sugar cane were 152, 175, 186 and 231 kg/ha when grown in association with potato, coriander, mustard and wheat respectively. The optimum N dose for sugar cane grown alone was 186 kg/ha.
Physico-chemical conditions in the rumen of Bedouin goats: effect of drinking, food quality and feeding time
Authors: Brosh A. , Choshniak I. , Tadmor A. , Shkolnik A.
Published: March 2009

In Bedouin goats maintained outdoors during the summer, fed lucerne hay and watered once daily, drinking was followed by a 35% increase in rumen fluid volume, with a concomitant drop in osmolality from 300 to 150 m-osmol/kg. When water was provided to these goats only once every 4 days, a three-fold increase in the rumen fluid volume was recorded and osmolality dropped from 360 to 80 m-osmol/kg.

Feeding, which was depressed during the hot hours of the day, resumed in the afternoon and was followed by an expansion of rumen fluid volume. This expansion occurred irrespective of drinking and was sustained throughout the night. On the 1st day of water denial it amounted to 40% of the noontime rumen fluid volume and was less pronounced during the rest of the water deprivation period. An evening increase in the concentrations of volatile fatty acids, along with a compatible increase in the osmolality and a drop in the pH, also followed the afternoon resumption of feeding.

In goats maintained on wheat straw, drinking as well as feeding time affected the physico-chemical conditions in the rumen to a lesser degree than in goats maintained on lucerne hay.
Live-weight gains on leucaena and native grass pastures after dosing cattle with rumen bacteria capable of degrading DHP, a ruminal metabolite from leucaena
Authors: Quirk M. F. , Bushell J. J. , Jones R. J. , Megarrity R. G. , Butler K. L.
Published: March 2009

The effect on live-weight gain from dosing cattle with rumen bacteria capable of degrading 3-hydroxy-4(l H)-pyridone (DHP) was measured on cattle grazing leucaena and native grass pastures in south-east Queensland. Dosing increased the growth rate of cattle grazing only leucaena pasture: from 0·52 kg/head per day when not dosed, to 1·03 kg/head per day when dosed, in the period 6·19 weeks after treatment. Dosing did not affect the growth rate of cattle either grazing leucaena with native pasture, or grazing only native pasture. The introduced bacteria spread naturally to untreated cattle after 19 weeks post-dosing.

The response to dosing occurred when untreated cattle grazing only leucaena pasture had high urinary concentrations of DHP (maximum 0·28%) and low concentrations of serum thyroxine (< 30 nmol/1). The results show that DHP-induced depressions in growth rate may occur in this environment when cattle graze mainly on leucaena-based pasture. Dosing with DHP-degrading bacteria will overcome this problem.
Effects of dietary levels of oxytetracycline on the growth and organ weights of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)
Authors: Oguntona Tunde
Published: March 2009

summary

Growth and visceral organ weights of male guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) given different levels of oxytetracycline have been studied in two experiments. In the first experiment 0, 5·0, 10·0, 15·0 and 20·0 mg oxytetracycline per kg diet were given to male guinea fowl from day 1 to 12 weeks. Body weight showed significant (P < 0·05) increases with incremental levels of the antibiotic up to 10 mg/kg diet. No further increases in growth were recorded with supplementation above this level. There were no treatment effects on the gizzard, lungs and male reproductive organs. Only the heart, liver and intestine weights were significantly (P < 0·05) affected by the treatment, and then only at the highest (20 mg/kg) of the inclusion rates examined. A second experiment was conducted to find out if the growth response obtained with 10 mg/kg oxytetracycline could be produced with a smaller dose. This was achieved at 6·6 mg/kg.
Gestation length, birth weight and growth rates of pure-bred indigenous goats and their crosses in Kenya
Authors: Ruvuna F. , Cartwright T. C. , Blackburn H. , Okeyo M. , Chema S.
Published: March 2009

Data on gestation period of 701 indigenous East African and Galla does and pre- and postweaning growth of 810 pure-bred and cross-bred kids were analysed by least squares statistical analysis. Breeds of kids were East African, Galla, Toggenburg × East African, Toggenburg × Galla, Anglo-Nubian × East African and Anglo-Nubian × Galla. Average gestation length was 149 days and was significantly (P < 0·05) affected by type of birth of the kid, year–month of kidding, and age of dam. Does carrying twins had shorter gestation length than does carrying singles. Sex and breed of kid did not have significant effect on gestation length.

Significant (P < 0·05) factors affecting birth weight, weight at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 210 and 270 days of age, and preweaning growth rate were breed and sex of kid, type of birth, year–month and age of dam. Male kids grew faster and were heavier than females. Kids born single were heavier and grew faster than twin-born kids. Kids from dams less than 3 years old weighed less than kids from older dams. Cross-bred kids had higher preweaning growth rates than indigenous pure-bred kids. The Anglo-Nubian × Galla cross was heaviest while the East African ranked lowest. The results point to importance of cross-breeding with temperate breeds to increase growth rates of indigenous goats. Comparison of Toggenburg and Anglo-Nubian sires for cross-breeding showed both buck breeds produced kids with roughly equal growth rates. Evaluation of indigenous Galla and East African dams for cross-breeding showed Galla dams produced heavier kids than East African but preweaning growth rates were not significantly different.
Effect of irrigation frequency on the incidence of second growth of Russet Burbank potatoes in north-west Tasmania
Authors: Chung B. , Armstrong D. , Grice Sue
Published: March 2009

In recent years, processors in Tasmania have introduced Russet Burbank as the most desirable potato cultivar for processing into French fries. Malformed tubers, collectively known as second growth, have been observed in some commercial Russet Burbank crops with the main defect being knobby tubers. Second growth of potato tubers has been shown to occur when the plant suffers a period of stress during the growth of the tubers such as drought, high and low temperatures, restricted soil aeration, interference with water and carbohydrate translocation and fertility imbalance (Sparks, 1958; Bodlaender, Lugt & Marinus, 1964; Iritani, 1981; Holder & Cary, 1984) or a combination of both drought and high temperature stress (Ohms, 1968). If stress from these factors is relieved, the renewed growth of the tuber is often confined to the eyes, producing knobby tubers (Moorby, 1978). Moderate water stress during early tuber bulking can lead to pear-shaped tubers (pointed at the basal end) whilst water stress during the latter part of the season can lead to tubers pointed at the apical end (Iritani, 1981). Knobby tubers are undesirable because knobs are easily broken off leading to yield loss and the exposure of tissue to infection. Severely pointed tubers cannot be processed efficiently into French fries.
Control of the grey field slug (Deroceras reticulatum(Muller)) by stock management prior to direct-drilled pasture establishment
Authors: Ferguson C. M. , Barratt B. I. P. , Jones P. A.
Published: March 2009

The use of stock management has been shown to be an effective means of manipulating numbers of the grey field slug,Deroceras reticulatum(Muller). At stocking rates of 1500 sheep days/ha or more, slug control in excess of 90% can be achieved with the flexibility of employing various combinations of stock numbers and length of grazing period. In the same trials methiocarb slug baits applied at 10kg product/ha gave 50% control of slugs. A quantitative sampling technique was developed and is briefly described.
Effects of a concentrate supplement on the intake and digestion of a low-quality forage by lambs
Authors: Doyle P. T. , Dove H. , Freer M. , Hart F. J. , Dixon R. M. , Egan A. R.
Published: March 2009

Weaned lambs of mean weight 25 kg were offered a diet of mature oaten hay or hay supplemented with a pelleted mixture of oat grain and sunflower meal (2:1), at one of three rates, for 86 days. The effect of the supplement on the voluntary intake of hay was measured during the first 20 days when feed was offered twice daily (Expt 1), after which the effects on ruminal and post-ruminal digestion were investigated under continuous feeding conditions (Expt 2).

In Expt 1 the first increment of supplement increased the total intake of organic matter (OM) but increasing the supplement further, up to 510 g D.M., had no additional effect. The voluntary intake of oaten hay was not significantly reduced by the lowest rate of supplementation but at higher rates was depressed at a mean rate of 92 g/100 g supplement. Rates of change in fasted weight on the four treatments were —63, —5, 21 and 45 g/day, respectively.

In Expt 2, where the rates of hay intake were held at 85% of those achieved in Expt 1, the first increment of supplement increased the pool size of OM and cell wall components in the reticulorumen by about 50%. It also increased their outflow rates at the abomasum by 24% and 33%, respectively, but significantly decreased the fractional outflow rate and fractional digestion rate of cell wall components. Supplementation decreased the proportion of apparent OM digestion that occurred in the reticulo-rumen from 76% to 65%. The presence of supplement doubled the ammonia pool in the rumen and increased the abomasal flow on non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN) and microbial NAN by 70%. Estimates of the amounts of crude protein apparently digested in the intestines (DCPi) increased linearly with proportion of supplement in the diet. However, the apparent digestibility of the hay was decreased, rather than increased, by the supplement. Although higher rates of supplement did not significantly change the elevated rumen pools of OM and cell wall components, there was a consistent tendency for these to decrease.

The results are consistent with the view that the intake of unsupplemented hay was limited by its low nitrogen content and the intake of supplemented hay may have been limited primarily by the capacity of the reticulo-rumen, although other factors were increasingly involved at higher rates of supplementation.
Influence of plane of nutrition and diet composition on rumen fermentation and energy utilization by dairy cows
Authors: Sutton J. D. , Broster W. H. , Schuller E. , Napper D. J. , Broster Valerie J. , Bines J. A.
Published: March 2009

J. agric. Sci., Camb. (1988), 110, 261–270

The authors regret that there is an error in Fig. 1 of this paper. The values on the x-axis should be reversed to read from left to right: 200, 150, 100 g ADF/kg diet D. M.
Wool characteristics of Iraqi Awassi sheep
Authors: Sharafeldin M. A.
Published: March 2009

The physical wool characteristics of 268 Iraqi Awassi ewes were studied in 1963, as well as the relationship between some of these traits. The overall average grease fleece weight, clean wool percentage, staple length, fibre length, fibre diameter and degree of crimp were 3·77 lb., 84·85%, 16·47 cm., 17·37 cm., 33·32/t and 4·18 crimps per 2 cm. respectively. These attributes class the Awassi wool as a carpet wool.

Age proved to have no significant effect on any ofthe traits examined. Significant positive correlations were found between grease fleece weight and fibre length and between number of crimps and fibre diameter, while a significant negative correlation was found between clean wool percentage and fibre length.
The effect of the addition of large amounts of cod-liver oil to the rations of yearling heifers on their rate of live-weight gain
Authors: Broster W. H.
Published: March 2009

1. Groups of twenty-four heifers were used in three experiments lasting 51–98 days. The effect on rate of live-weight gain of the addition of 150 ml. cod-liver oil to the daily ration was studied.

2. The same treatments were used in each experiment: a basal diet consisting of hay and concentrates and two experimental diets consisting of the basal diet plus (a) 3 lb. concentrates, (b) 150 ml. (0·30 lb.) cod-liver oil. In one experiment flaked maize was used in the concentrates in place of crushed barley.
Changes in exchangeable cations and exchange capacity of soil consequent on oxidation of its organic matter
Authors: Davies B. E. , Davies R. I.
Published: March 2009

1. Loss of ignition at 450°C. and the organic carbon content of some shale soils are positively correlated (r = +0·99).

2. Base exchange capacities and exchangeable cations were determined on soils, treated and untreated with hydrogen peroxide solution.

3. Oxidizing the organic matter lessened the exchange capacities of all samples; the exchange capacity of the organic matter varied from 67·5 to 97·0 m-equiv./1OO g. dry material.
The body and carcass composition of East African ruminants. I. The composition of ‘Improved Boran’ Bos indicus steer carcasses
Authors: Ledger H. P.
Published: March 2009

Fifty Boran Bos indicus steers, all of which were born during the same months, were reared together on grass without supplementary feeding, until required for slaughter. Pre-determined randomly selected groups of these steers were slaughtered at 1½, 2½, 3½, 4, 5 and 5½ years of age. Carcass analyses were carried out and the changing relationship between the edible carcass components themselves and of their relationship to live and carcass weights during growth were investigated. It was observed that certain components maintained a near constant relationship to each other throughout growth. It was also noted that compensatory growth of light-weight weaners enabled them to be as productive, in terms of final carcass weight and composition at 3½ and 4 years, as heavy-weight weaners.
Effects of winter barley cultivar mixtures on lodging
Authors: Stützel H. , Aufhammer W.
Published: March 2009

The potential of selected cultivar mixtures to decrease lodging and consequently improve yields in winter barley was examined in field experiments at two locations over 2 years. The experiments were designed to identify growing conditions and varietal characteristics associated with mixture effects, i.e. the deviations from arithmetic pure cultivar means, and to compare the latter with effects of growth regulators. Pathogens were controlled chemically.

Use of mixtures tended to reduce initial lodging. With increasing lodging, desired mixture effects prevailed in mixtures of cultivars highly susceptible with those highly resistant to lodging. On average, the yield advantage of mixtures compared with pure stands was small; it was greater when lodging decreased yield of a pure cultivar. Reductions in lodging prevailed in two-component mixtures; adding more components was of no advantage.

When lodging developed steadily, effects of mixtures on grain yields were comparable to those of growth regulators. When lodging was caused suddenly by a thunderstorm, only growth regulator applications resulted in yield improvements. Growth regulators resulted in yield advantages in two of the four trials only.
Effects of straw inoculum and fungicides on leaf blotch (Rhynchosporium secalis), growth and yield of winter barley
Authors: Jenkyn J. F. , Stedman O. J. , Dyke G. V. , Todd A. D.
Published: March 2009

Five experiments in harvest years 1980–2 tested the effects of straw inoculum and fungicides on leaf blotch (Rhynchosporium secalis), growth and yield of winter barley. Inoculating plots with rhynchosporium-infected straw increased the rate of disease development and greatly decreased seedling growth but inoculating plots with wheat straw or sterilized barley straw had no effect. In 1982, plots inoculated with infected straw gave less grain than uninoculated plots, but in all years fungicide sprays applied in winter or early spring had mostly small effects on grain yield that were only poorly related to their effects on leaf blotch and seedling growth.
Effects of waterlogging in the spring on soil conditions and the growth and yield of spring barley in three cultivation systems
Authors: Hodgson D. R. , Whiteley G. M. , Bradnam Anna E.
Published: March 2009

Experiments were carried out in 1985 and 1986 on a sandy clay–loam to investigate the effects of above average rainfall in May and early June on the growth of the spring barley cv. Klaxon in three systems of cultivation. The cultivation treatments, ploughing (P), shallow-tine cultivation (S) and direct drilling (D), had been repeated on the same plots and cropped with spring barley each year since 1971.

A total of 112 mm water was applied to the waterlogged subplots in 1985 and 168 mm in 1986.

Compared with plots receiving the normal seasonal rainfall, extra water had no effect on shoot or grain yield in 1985 (mean grain yield 6·38 t/ha) and there were no significant differences between cultivation systems. In 1986, in contrast, water, in excess of normal rainfall, depressed both shoot growth and grain yield (mean grain yields 4·49 and 4·07 t/ha for the normal rainfall and the additional water treatments, respectively), the effect being greater on P than on either S or D.

In both years, saturation was achieved in the topsoil for a prolonged period during May and early June in the waterlogged subplots. In 1985 this was associated with a period of low oxygen flux and low redox potential, but this did nothave a significant effect on root or shoot growth. In 1986 there was no comparable period of reduced aeration, nor any significant differences in oxygen flux or redox potentials between water and cultivation treatments. In 1986, reduced growth and yield were directly associated with a mean reduction in N recovery by shoots of 36 kg N/ha, the effect being greatest on the ploughed plots where water was added. The results do not support the hypothesis that waterlogging per seaffects the growth of barley more on ploughed than on direct-drilled land.
The control of bacterial blight in rain-grown cotton. II. Some effects of infection on growth and yield
Authors: Arnold M. H.
Published: March 2009

Three series of experiments are described from which minimum estimates of crop loss caused by bacterial blight were obtained. In the first two, the estimates were derived from seed-dressing trials, and in the third, seed dressing was used in conjunction with resistant varieties.

Losses amounted to as much as 354 ± 39 lb. seed cotton/acre for a susceptible variety but could be reduced both by seed dressing and by using resistant varieties. The effectiveness of resistance in moderately resistant varieties varied from one season to the next, an effect comparable with the genotype-environment interactions previously described for reactions to inoculation.