bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fertilization and embryo mortality in Bungaree Merino ewes mated in autumn
Authors: Giles JR
Published: March 2005

Fertilization and embryo mortality were examined in Bungaree ewes to determine their contribution to the known low autumn fertility of these ewes. A group of approximately 100 ewes was joined for 34 days in April with two Bungaree rams and a similar group was joined with two Peppin rams. Ewes were removed from the groups within two days of mating and half the mated ewes were laparotomized to determine ovulation rate and percentage of ova fertilized. Remaining ewes were allowed to lamb and embryo mortality was calculated as the difference between the expected number of fertilized eggs and the number of lambs born to ewes mated but not laparotomized. There was no significant difference between the groups in either fertilization rate or estimated embryo mortality. The mean fertilization rate was 53.3 per cent of ova recovered (53.4 per cent of ewes had fertilized ova) and embryo mortality was calculated to be 19.6 per cent of ova fertilized. The mean percentage of ewes losing all fertilized ova was calculated to be 7.8 per cent of ewes mated. It is suggested that fertilization failure is the major factor in the low fertility of these ewes.
Effects of variation in liveweight at birth and weaning on subsequent reproductive rate in sheep
Authors: Mullaney PD
Published: March 2005

Observations were carried out on one Polwarth, three Corriedale, and four Merino flocks in Western Victoria to investigate the influence of a ewe's own live weight at birth and weaning on her subsequent reproductive performance, when lambing for the first time. Weaning weights were adjusted to 140 days of age. The mean adjusted weaning weights were 26-35 lb (Merino), 27-48 lb (Corriedale), and 37 lb (Polwarth). Variation in the live weight of ewes at birth had little or no effect on either the number of lambs born per ewe joined (LBJ) or the number of lambs weaned per ewe joined (LW]), when the ewes lambed for the first time at either two or three years old. Variation in the live weight of ewes at weaning generally had only a small effect on both LBJ and LWJ at first lambing. On three properties, there was, however, an increase of about 3 per cent in LBJ and about 2 per cent in LWJ for each 10 lb increase in the ewe's own live weight at weaning.
Effects of sodium sulpate and gluten supplements on the intake and digestibility of a mixture of spear grass and Townsville lucerne hay by sheep
Authors: Playne MJ
Published: March 2005

Voluntary intake and dry matter digestibility of a mixture of 80 per cent spear grass hay and 20 per cent Townsville lucerne hay by sheep, in 'metabolism cages, supplemented with sodium sulphate, gluten, or sodium sulphate and gluten, were measured during a six-week experimental period. Apparent retentions of nitrogen, sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus were also determined. All sheep receiving supplements gained weight whereas sheep on the basal ration lost weight. After four weeks supplementation, sheep receiving gluten alone or gluten + sodium sulphate consumed 64 per cent more feed than the control sheep, whose intake gradually declined over the experimental period. Sheep fed sodium sulphate alone consumed 48 per cent more feed than the control group. Dry matter digestibility of feed was increased by 5 to 7 percentage units when sheep were supplemented with either sodium sulphate or gluten.
The influence of cultivar and soil type on performance of lucerne in the Victorian Mallee
Authors: McClelland VF
Published: March 2005

The production and persistence of nine cultivars of lucerne were studied at the Mallee Research Station, Walpeup, Victoria, over three seasons. Hunter River, Siro Peruvian, and African lucerne were similar in yield, but Siro Peruvian was less persistent. The superior yield of these three cultivars over two accessions of Flandria, Du Puits, and Socheville was largely due to their greater winter production. Two lines of Canadian creeping-rooted lucerne were found to be entirely unsuited to this district. Hunter River and Siro Peruvian lucerne were also compared on a sand and a sandy loam soil at Walpeup. The relative production of the two cultivars was the same on the two soil types but the effect of soil type was marked. The production and persistence of lucerne grown on the sand was far superior to that on the sandy loam.
A comparison of monthly and bi-monthly production records of Queensland dairy cows
Authors: Dolby GR
Published: March 2005

Monthly records of butterfat production for 27 herds over three years, comprising 4505 complete lactations, were used to compare three estimates of the total yield : namely, those based on monthly records, records for the odd alternate months and records for the even alternate months. Although there were frequently large differences between monthly and bi-monthly estimates of individual productions, cows were ranked similarly within herd and year by both methods of testing. However, comparison of herd averages indicated that bi-monthly records are not suitable for between-herd comparisons. Sire ratings calculated from the three sets of records were similar and the rankings of bulls within herds were almost identical.
Some nutritional aspects of feeding sorghum grain of high tannin content to growing chickens
Authors: Connor JK , Hurwood IS , Burton HW , Fuelling DE
Published: March 2005

The grains of three sorghum varieties varying in tannin content were fed to growing chickens as 70 per cent of their diet in three experiments. Tannic acid per se was also fed as 0.1 per cent and 1.0 per cent of the grain component in one of these experiments. There was a marked growth retardation as the tannin content of the grain component rose. This retardation, whether produced by an increase in plant tannin or the addition of tannic acid per se, could only be partially alleviated by supplementation with high levels of methionine and choline. Raising the tannic acid or plant tannin level of a ration appears to have two detrimental effectsdepressing feed intake and a toxic effect. Addition of tannic acid significantly depressed liver fat content and testis weight. Additional methionine plus choline supplementation prevented the liver fat depression but did not prevent the reduction in testis weight.
The nutritional value of intact seed pods of Townsville lucerne (Stylosanthes humilis)
Authors: Playne MJ
Published: March 2005

Two experiments were done on the digestibility of Townsville lucerne seed with pod by sheep in metabolism cages. In one experiment, all sheep were fed the same amount (454 g dry matter seed with pod each day) and mean dry matter digestibility was 58.6 � 3.4 per cent. In the other, three different levels of seed with pod were fed, and mean organic matter digestibility ranged from 54.0 � 1.2 to 68.3 4 1.8 per cent, but digestibility was not significantly inversely related to mean organic matter intake which ranged from 438 � 69 to 335 & 10 g/day (P>0.05). The seed with pod contained, as per cent of dry matter, 5.54 per cent nitrogen, 0.36 per cent phosphorus, 0.30 per cent sulphur, and 0.88 per cent calcium. The sheep were in positive nitrogen balance, but in negative phosphorus balance. Between 8 and 14 per cent of actual seed consumed was defaecated unbroken. Up to 25 per cent of the faecal organic matter was unbroken seed, which was of high germination capacity (76 per cent). Amount of defaecated seed (P<0.001) and the defaecated seed as a percentage of faecal organic matter (P<0.02) were linearly related to amount of actual seed consumed. Factors affecting the amount of undamaged seed in the faeces and a possible technique for assessing seed consumption by grazing animals are discussed.
A comparison of semi-dwarf and standard height wheat varieties at two levels of water supply
Authors: Syme JR
Published: March 2005

Two semi-dwarf wheats, Mexico 120 and a late-flowering selection from this variety, were compared with two standard-height Australian varieties, Heron and Sunset. Each variety was grown with and without irrigation and lodging was controlled with artificial supports. Under natural rainfall, Mexico 120 yielded more than the standard-height varieties but the late-flowering selection yielded least of all. With irrigation, however, both semi-dwarf varieties showed a yield advantage. Features of the semi-dwarf wheats were shorter culms and longer ears, a larger proportion of car weight at anthesis, more grains set and a greater ratio of grain yield to post-anthesis leaf area. The significance of these and other factors is discussed in relation to wheat improvement in the Australian environment.
Fluctuations in available mineral nitrogen in a flooded rice soil on the sub-coastal plains of the Adelaide river, N.T
Authors: Strickland RW
Published: March 2005

Soil from the 0-3 inch and 3-12 inch layers of nitrogen fertilized and unfertilized cropped and fallow plots was sampled at two=weekly intervals throughout the growing period of flooded rice. The soil was extracted with sodium acetate-acetic acid (pH 4.8) and ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite nitrogen determined. Nitrite nitrogen levels fell from 0.4 p.p.m. before flooding to less than 0.1 p.p.m. after flooding. Ammonium nitrogen reached peak mean levels of 57 and 55 lb an acre in the surface 12 inches of the soil in fertilized and unfertilized plots respectively, eight weeks after flooding. The effect of added nitrogen was lost within four weeks of flooding. Nitrate nitrogen in the surface 12 inches of soil reached peak levels of 40 and 10 lb an acre two weeks before flooding and 28 and 25 lb an acre eight weeks after flooding in fertilized and unfertilized plots respectively. Changes in the levels of available mineral nitrogen are discussed in relation to soil pH, Eh, and temperature
Adaptation by sheep to isoflavones in clover
Authors: Morley FHW , Bennett D , Axelsen A
Published: March 2005

Vaginal mucus scores and uterine weights of ovariectomized ewes that grazed subterranean clover for 13 days prior to tests were similar to those from ewes fed non-oestrogenic rations during this pre-treatment, if the leaves of test clovers contained high concentrations of formononetin (F) (Yarloop and Dinninup). No responses were obtained from subterranean clovers low in F, but high in genistein (G) or biochanin A (BA) (Clare and Bacchus Marsh) except for a group which was fed a non-oestrogenic diet during pre-treatment, and which gave a positive mucus test, but not a stgnificant uterine weight response. These results indicate that ewes can become non-responsive to G and BA, but not to F, and offer an explanation for some inconsistencies among bioassays of subterranean clovers. The task of selection and breeding of subterranean clover seems to be simplified since G and BA are unlikely to be harmful.
The estimation of digestible energy intake from forages by ruminants
Authors: Kellaway RC
Published: March 2005

Twenty air-dried or fresh-frozen herbages were fed to sheep in digestibility trials. Chemical fractions of the herbage and faeces, as well as in vitro estimates of herbage digestibility, were related to the digestible energy (DE) and digestible organic matter (DOM) ratios. The lignin ratio between faeces and herbage was more closely related to the DE and DOM ratios than other indices examined. Lignin recovery was 98.3 � 1.2 per cent. Residual standard deviation in relating actual to estimated DE intake was 9.6 per cent, when the DOM ratio was estimated from the lignin ratio and DE intake, calculated by using the observed mean energy value of 4.59 kcal/gm for DOM. The results indicate the lignin ratio technique, as applied, will give a considerably more accurate estimate of herbage digestibility than the alternative techniques examined
Potential for winter grazing from sod-seeded cereals in southern Australia
Authors: Wheeler JL , Campbell MH
Published: March 2005

In growing cereals for winter forage there appear to be some advantages in seeding directly into pasture rather than into a prepared seedbed. Generally, crops have to be sown sufficiently early for the bulk of the required forage to be grown before low average temperatures restrict the crop growth rate. However, in some environments competition for moisture between autumn sown cereals and pasture may be severe. The probabilities of obtaining favourable precipitation/evaporation ratios have been estimated for representative locations in southern Australia and are used to assess the possibility of successfully sodseeding a winter forage crop. It is suggested that the technique is unlikely to prove a generally reliable means of providing winter forage except in a narrow belt on the east coast and in zones of unequivocally Mediterranean-type climate. Developments in implement design and the use of chemical pasture suppressants may be expected to extend the areas in which the practice would prove reliable.
Soil moisture and salinity under bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) pastures in the New SouthWales Riverine plain
Authors: Jones RM
Published: March 2005

Soil moisture, soil salinity, and phenological measurements were made over two years on adjacent pastures with and without bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) in the Riverina district of New South Wales. Soil moisture percentages beneath pastures with and without saltbush were similar in the first year. In the second year moisture percentages were slightly higher under pastures without saltbush. The soil profile was at matric tensions higher than 15 atmospheres for 48 per cent of the first year and 64 per cent of the second. Phenological observations related soil moisture levels to vegetative and reproductive response of the pastures. The maximum depth of soil wetting was 30 inches in the exceptionally wet autumn-winter of and 10 inches in the slightly drier than average winter of 1964. Salt was leached during the first winter of sampling, the chloride level at four inches falling from 0.107 per cent in the previous summer to 0.008 per cent. The level was partly restored during the following summer (0.055 per cent) and this was maintained during the drier second winter.
Response by wheat to phosphorus and nitrogen, with particular reference to 'haying-off'
Authors: Dann PR
Published: March 2005

Heron wheat was grown with four levels of phosphorus (as superphosphate) and five levels of nitrogen (as ammonium sulphate) on two pairs of sites in the Riverina of New South Wales, to examine the 'haying-off' phenomenon. Within each pair of sites there was a large difference in soil fertility, as a result of contrasting pasture and cropping histories. Various attributes of crop growth and yield were measured. The crops responded more to phosphorus than to nitrogen. Phosphorus increased grain yield on two sites, and 1000-grain weights on all sites ; nitrogen increased grain yield on one very nitrogen-deficient site, and decreased 1000-grain weights on all sites. In each pair of sites, vegetative growth was considerably greater on the higher fertility one ; however, the difference in grain yield was much less. The failure of the crops on the higher fertility sites to achieve the grain yield potential indicated by their vegetative growth, is possibly an expression of the phenomenon commonly called haying-off. In the absence of adequate soil and plant moisture measurements, it cannot be stated unequivocally that the observed possible expression of haying-off was caused by a soil moisture deficiency induced by increased vegetative growth responding to higher fertility. The nature of the responses to phosphorus and nitrogen on the individual sites suggests that other factors besides induced moisture deficiency may be involved.
The fate of anhydrous ammonia and urea applied to a wheat crop on a loamy sand in the wheat belt of Western Australia
Authors: Mason MG , Rowley AM
Published: March 2005

Nitrogen at a rate of 54.9 lb an acre was applied as either anhydrous ammonia or urea to a deep loamy sand planted with wheat. Measurements were made at regular intervals of the nitrogen contents in the top three feet of soil, plant nitrogen content, and dry matter yields. Grain yield was also recorded. Both fertilizers increased grain yields but there was no significant difference in yield between the treatments. There was no obvious loss of nitrogen by leaching on the anhydrous ammonia treatment. On the urea treatment some of the urea appeared to be leached into the second foot of soil, but no further. The urea appeared to undergo nitrification earlier than anhydrous ammonia and this resulted in greater early nitrogen uptake and dry weight production by the plants receiving urea, although differences diminished towards the end of the experiment.
Some effects of heat waves on grain sorghum at the stage of head emergence
Authors: Pasternak D , Wilson GL
Published: March 2005

Sorghum plants were exposed at head emergence to simulated heat waves for five days, and subsequent grain production observed. Comparisons were made between relatively dry heat (108�F, 41 per cent RH by day and 90�F, 53 per cent RH by night), more humid hot conditions (107�F, 70 per cent RH-90�F, 70 per cent RH), and ambient (81�F, 64 per cent RH-71�F, 85 per cent RH). Whole inflorescences or portions that had emerged before heat application were little affected, whereas most enclosed flowers were killed. High temperature was responsible, humidity having little effect. Grain yield depended on the resulting number of grains. There was some loss of pollen viability in the dry heat treatments, but not sufficient to affect seed set.
The prediction of maturity in plums for prune production
Authors: McBean DMcG , Outhred Nerida L , Johnson AA , Coote GG
Published: March 2005

The production of good quality prunes requires plums with a minimum of 26 per cent soluble solids content before dehydration. Maturity in plums was studied by determining specific gravity and soluble solids at weekly intervals over several weeks beginning at the approach of harvest. The regressions of soluble solids on specific gravity were linear and homogeneous over all crops and years studied. The proposed procedure for predicting soluble solids content is based on the determination of specific gravity and soluble solids at a pre-harvest sampling. Specific gravity can be determined on 5-lb samples in the field using a convenient and cheap hydrometer made from a wire basket attached to a sphere and graduated tube which floats in a drum of water. The prediction procedure uses the time rate of change of soluble solids and the mean regression of soluble solids on specific gravity. Analyses of the experimental data were summarized and used to estimate standard errors of predicted values for various numbers of 5-lb samples. The recommended prediction procedure is exemplified numerically and illustrated in a diagram.
A comparison of pasture conserved as hay or as silage for feeding sheep
Authors: Bishop AH , Kentish TD
Published: March 2005

Equal areas of the same clover-grass pasture were cut at the same time and conserved as hay or silage. The hay and silage were compared by feeding as a sole ration to groups of adult dry sheep. In two of the three years of the experiment sheep performance as measured by liveweight was significantly (P<0.05) better in the hay treatment. In the third year liveweight changes were not significantly different. In two years 15 per cent and 25 per cent of the hay remained unused when all the silage was finished, and in all years the sheep fed hay obtained a higher recovery of nutrients in terms of dry matter intake per unit area conserved. In the two years in which it was measured there was less wastage of hay than of silage.
An evaluation of indices of available soil nitrogen
Authors: Storrier RR , Hanly AT , Nicol HI
Published: March 2005

Various chemical and biological measures of available soil nitrogen were evaluated as potential soil tests by estimating their relationship with the dry matter production and nitrogen uptake of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) from twelve soils treated with several rates of nitrate fertilizer. The response of the ryegrass to fertilizer was similar for all soils, and did not show any relationship with the soil tests. However, the mean dry matter yield and mean nitrogen uptake for all treatments were significantly related to some of these tests. Generally, soil nitrogen indices that measured total mineral nitrogen at planting or included this value with an estimate of the potentially available organic nitrogen gave the higher correlations. Incubation nitrogen values gave lower correlations. The best index of available soil nitrogen was based on a multiple regression involving total mineral nitrogen and alkali-permanganate soluble nitrogen. It accounted for 92 and 96 per cent of the variation in dry matter yield and plant nitrogen uptake respectively.
Control of barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) by grazing management in irrigated pastures
Authors: Myers LF , Squires VR
Published: March 2005

Deferment of grazing for 10, 20, and 40 days after the first autumn irrigation followed by continuous set stocking was tested as a method of controlling barley grass (Hordeum leporinum). Deferment for 20 days eliminated barley grass almost completely from the pastures in two years. The other deferment treatments were not as successful. Collections from oesophageal fistulae showed that the sheep grazed barley grass seedlings in preference to clover seedlings during the first three days of grazing in each treatment. The experiment was repeated at another site and confirmed the results of the first experiment. Selective grazing and the contrasting germination behaviour of clover and barley grass contributed to the success of grazing management in controlling the weed.
Response to salinity in Glycine. 5. Changes in the chemical composition of three Australian species of G. wightii (G. javanica) over a range of salinity stresses
Authors: Wilson JR , Haydock KP , Robins MF
Published: March 2005

Changes in chemical composition due to salinity were compared for native Australian and introduced Glycines at the end of a ten day salt treatment which was imposed on young seedlings when they had five trifoliate leaves, and at later harvests during a period of recovery. The species compared were G. falcata, G. tomentella, G. tabacina, and the introduced G. wightii (formerly G. javanica)--m. Cooper and Tinaroo. The range of salinities was 0 to 160 m-equiv. sodium chloride/litre of nutrient solution. Salinity adversely affected nutrient composition both as regards uptake and distribution of potassium and nitrogen and for the ratio of potassium/sodium in the plant parts. This persisted during the 14-day recovery phase when rates of uptake were depressed for the high salt plants. None of the Glycines fully regained control levels of growth and nutrient composition after the removal of salt, although the difference in their ability to recover paralleled limitation due to salinity stress. The extremes in response were G. wightii (G. javanica) CV. Cooper, cv. Tinaroo, and G. falcata least affected, and G. tomentella most affected. G. tabacina was intermediate in response. G. falcata was the most interesting of the Australian species, being comparable with G. wightii (javanica) CV. Cooper except for lower nitrogen content due to salinity. All three Australian species had higher phosphorus concentrations at the control level than the G. wightii (javanica) cultivars so that the ability of G. falcata to maintain this despite salinity stress is a valuable agronomic feature of this species.
Nitrogen response of IR8 rice at Coastal Plains Research Station in northern Australia
Authors: Basinski JJ , Airey DR
Published: March 2005

An initial evaluation of the yield potential of IR8 rice in northern Australia was carried out in the 1968 dry season, in the form of a nitrogen trial. The mechanically harvested grain yields (oven dry) varied from 1700 kg/ha with no nitrogen to a calculated maximum of 7335 kg/ha with a nitrogen application of 216 � 11.3 kg N/ha. The highest rate of application (269 kg N/ha) caused a small but significant reduction in mechanically harvested yields. Hand-harvested quadrat yields were closely related to machine-harvested yields (r = 0.90) ; they were some 20 per cent higher, and were not significantly reduced by the highest rate of nitrogen application. The yield response to nitrogen was mainly due to increased panicle numbers per unit area and secondarily to increased numbers of grains per panicle. Mean individual grain weight was only slightly, though significantly, affected by the treatments. The highest calculated yield was recorded with LA1 at flowering of 12.3 � 1.05. With an increase in LA1 to the highest value of 13.5 there was no significant decline in hand-harvested yield. Nitrogen uptake was linearly related to rates of nitrogen application throughout the range of treatments. Apparent nitrogen recovery was 103 per cent at flowering and 71 per cent at maturity in all treatments.
Some problems in the estimation of simultaneous fertilizer requirements of crops from response surfaces
Authors: Colwell JD , Stackhouse KM
Published: March 2005

The estimation of the optimal fertilizer requirements of a crop from the data of fertilizer experiments depends on the response exhibiting the form of the law of diminishing returns with respect to all fertilizers. Deviations from the diminishing form are frequently encountered, particularly with experiments involving several fertilizers, because of experimental errors, extrapolation errors, and inappropriate choices of fertilizer treatment levels. Since the time required to repeat inadequate experiments is usually considerable the experimenter has to make the best use of admittedly inadequate data to obtain interim estimates of fertilizer requirements. A procedure is described for obtaining estimates of fertilizer requirements with such data despite the deviations from the expected diminishing response form. The procedure is based on the use of a polynomial model to represent the multidimensional response surface. Interaction terms which would normally be expected to make only small and negligible contributions to the model, are eliminated to avoid the influence of non-significant responses to particular fertilizers on the calculation of other fertilizer requirements. Where a fertilizer has given a significant but non-diminishing response, approximate estimates of the requirements of that fertilizer are substituted to allow approximately for interaction effects in the estimation of the remaining fertilizer requirements. The problems and the application of the procedure is illustrated with data from three fertilizer experiments involving nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur fertilizers.
Influence of early pasture growth on water movement and leaching of potassium and other cations from sandy soils in a Mediterrranean environment
Authors: Roberts FJ
Published: March 2005

Water and cation losses from two soil types were studied in monolith lysimeters fertilized with 375 kg/ha potassium chloride (50 per cent K) and 375 kg/ha superphosphate (22 per cent Ca), in which subterranean clover was grown. An advance of five weeks in time of sowing and germination reduced the mean percolate loss from 26 to 16 cm ; the unsown control lost 31 cm. Potassium leaching decreased from 77 to 37 kg/ha and the unsown treatment lost 87 kg/ha. Magnesium decreased from 26 to 10 kg/ha and the unsown treatment lost 31 kg/ha. With calcium there was a marked decrease from 132 to 51 kg/ha ; the unsown control lost 164 kg/ha. Cation leaching was most severe during the first part of the growing season. Early plant growth reduced cation leaching by increasing the water use and cation uptake. The early sown treatment contained 136 kg/ha K in 9,500 kg/ha DM total tops, whereas the late sown treatment had 94 kg/ha K in 6,300 kg/ha DM total tops. The decreased uptake was similar in magnitude to the increase in leaching loss of potassium.
Soil water use from an apple orchard under various soil management systems
Authors: Black JDF , Mitchell PD
Published: March 2005

Commencing at field capacity, changes in soil moisture levels over fourteen-day drying periods were compared for mature apple trees under various soil management systems during spring and summer. In spring, the rate of loss under trees in a mown pasture was greater than under trees in cultivation or herbicide. In summer, the rate of loss under trees in uncontrolled summer weed growth after spring cultivation (trashy cultivation) was greater than under trees in mown pasture, clean cultivation or herbicide treatment, but the mown pasture did not differ from the bare land treatments. It is proposed that the influence of the tree on the microclimate at the soil surface is responsible for these effects. Differences in yield under the treatments were not statistically significant and there were no consistent differences in fruit growth rates over the whole season.
Daily variation in banana leaf growth
Authors: Turner DW
Published: March 2005

An instrument to measure the rate of leaf emergence in the banana on a continuous basis is described. Some data obtained from its use are presented. The proportion of day and night growth depends upon whether temperature or moisture are limiting factors. Leaf emergence rates ceased at an ambient temperature of less than 50�F. Diurnal variation in leaf growth was reduced in the later stages of emergence of any one leaf. A nil to four hour lag period occurred in the plant's response to temperature change.
Thiabendazole to reduce rotting in Packham's Triumph pears during storage and marketing
Authors: Scott KJ , Roberts EA
Published: March 2005

Packham's Triumph pears were inoculated with Penicillium expansum either before or .after storage at 32�F. Four to eight hours after inoculation the pears were dipped in a commercial anthelmintic formulation of thiabendazole ('Thibenzole') or in other fungicides. Thiabendazole significantly reduced rotting in ripened fruit and did not leave a visible residue. Other fungicidal treatments were ineffective or caused severe injury.
Changes in blood parameters of heifers during survival feeding
Authors: Payne E , Morris JG , Gartner RJW
Published: March 2005

Blood parameters were measured in groups of heifers fed survival rations of sorghum grain under different regimens. After being fed for 24 weeks a ration of 1.36 kg/head/day of whole or cracked sorghum grain at either daily or twice-weekly feeding intervals, heifers had lower haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in their blood, lower packed cell volumes and total red cell volumes (RCV), greater plasma volumes, blood volumes, and RCV per unit body weight and in general a greater quantity of circulating albumin than before survival feeding. Another group of heifers fed 1.64 kg of whole grain/head daily showed most of these changes. Although there were significant differences in body weight between the various treatments, there were few corresponding significant differences in the blood parameters. With the possible exception of total circulating Hb and albumin, the results indicated that bodyweight showed more changes interpretable in terms of efficacy of the survival! feeding regimens that did the blood parameters measured.
Seasonal variation in the ovarian activity of Merino ewes
Authors: Fletcher IC , Geytenbeek PE
Published: March 2005

Ovulation was studied in a flock of medium Peppin Merino ewes known to show little seasonal variation in the incidence of twin births. In the absence of rams, ovarian activity was lowest in the spring and highest in the autumn, but the proportion of twin ovulations did not vary significantly from a constant level throughout the year. The incidence of twin ovulations, following an advanced onset of the breeding season, initiated by the sudden introduction of rams in the early summer, did not differ from that occurring during the 'natural' breeding season.
Time of first autumn irrigation and the yield and animal production of a subterranean clover-annual ryegrass pasture
Authors: Myers LF , Squires VR
Published: March 2005

In two experiments at Deniliquin, New South Wales, the length of the prewinter growing season of an irrigated pasture was controlled by varying the date of the opening autumn irrigation : Irrigation began in February, March, or April for treatments T1, T2, and T3 respectively. In the first, winter yields of ungrazed pasture (July) fell by approximately 1500 lb DM/acre for each month that the first irrigation was delayed after February. Clover content of the pasture was progressively less as the opening irrigation was delayed. Seed yields were unchanged by length of growing season, but increased markedly with increased phosphate supply. In the second experiment, which was grazed at three stocking rates (5, 7, and 10 sheep/acre), the response to treatments was less than in the first (ungrazed) experiment. Pasture yield (available feed) and liveweight gain were similar on treatments T1 and T2. However, at the 10 sheep/acre rate, T1 plots survived for 14 months longer than T2plots. There was no evidence that a stocking rate of 7 sheep/ acre could not be maintained indefinitely on the treatment T1. Annual production exceeded 68 lb clean wool (90 lb greasy) an acre and the plots were supporting a total liveweight exceeding 1000 lb/acre. The influence of autumn rains on the response to early autumn irrigation and the practical implications of the results are discussed briefly.
The germinability of soft seed of a number of strains of subterranean clover
Authors: Taylor GB
Published: March 2005

The effect of several seed treatments on germination of 13 strains of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) seed was examined at two constant temperatures in the laboratory. Tests were conducted on soft seed obtained after scarification of seed sampled on three occasions during the summer and autumn. Germinability varied between strains, but always increased with time after harvest ripeness. Leaching with water promoted some germination in even the most dormant seed. Treatment with carbon dioxide was effective in promoting germination at 20�C, but was less effective than leaching at 30�C. The results suggest that protection against germination by embryo dormancy is likely to be confined to conditions of comparatively high temperatures (>20�C) when associated with summer rains having little or no leaching effect.
Soil and cotton responses to tillage and ameliorant treatments in a brown clay soil. 2. Growth, yield and quality of cotton
Authors: Muirhead WA , Lovedy J , Saunt JE
Published: March 2005

Furrow irrigated cotton was grown in 1965-66 and 1966-67 on previously uncultivated dense clay soil to which the following treatments were applied before sowing in 1965 ; normal ploughing (18 cm), precision ripping (30 cm), deep ploughing (40 cm), deep ripping (60 cm), and deep ploughing and deep ripping combined, with and without application of gypsum at 10 tons an acre or organic matter at 2 1/2 tons an acre. Each of the three deep tillages increased lint yield by about 12 per cent in the first season, but in the second season the combined deep ripping and deep ploughing alone gave a significant increase of 17 per cent. Precision ripping had no influence on yield. The gypsum treatment gave increases in both seasons (16 per cent in 1966 and 34 per cent in 1967) whereas organic matter had no effect. The higher yields were produced from a greater number of larger bolls, on taller, more vigorous plants with more main stem nodes. These effects on plant growth and yield were interpreted as resulting from the changes in subsoil porosity and water entry at irrigation (reported previously). As with the soil properties, the tillage and ameliorant treatments did not interact significantly on plant growth and yield. Changes in the quality of the lint accompanied the yield increases. Deep tillage and particularly gypsum application produced finer (lower Micronaire values), but longer and more elastic fibres than the control. However, differences between seasons were generally greater than those due to treatments, and the lowering of Micronaire values by gypsum or deep tillage could be regarded as either beneficial or deleterious depending on the seasonal conditions during lint development. By improving soil tilth, gypsum application increased seedling establishment and hence yield potential, and this could be of considerable practical significance in commercial crops grown on soils responsive to gypsum.
Studies on some solodic soils in north-eastern Queensland. 2. Glasshouse assessment of plant nutrient status
Authors: Jones RK , Crack BJ
Published: March 2005

Glasshouse experiments using the subtractive technique were undertaken to assess the nutrient status of a number of solodic soils in north-eastern Queensland. On two of the soils factorial experiments were conducted to obtain more information on nutrient interactions. The legumes, Phaseolus /athyroides and Stylosanthes humilis, were used as test plants. Omission of phosphorus severely depressed yield on all soils. This deficiency was usually corrected by applications of superphosphate equivalent to 670 lb an acre. Omission of sulphur and molybdenum also depressed yields in all except one soil. Soil potassium values were low on several soils and the omission of potassium from these gave lower yields. In the factorial experiments the lime, sulphur, and molybdenum main effects and interactions were generally significant. Lime appeared to be having the dual effect of enhancing the availability from the soil of both sulphur and molybdenum. There was some evidence of slight zinc deficiency on several soils and further investigation is required on this aspect.
Effect of nitrogen and energy supplements on the growth of cattle grazing oats or Rhodes grass
Authors: Morris JG , Gulbransen B
Published: March 2005

In two experiments the effects of feeding high-nitrogen and high-energy-low-nitrogen supplements on the growth rate of grazing cattle were measured. In one experiment supplements of either 1 or 2 kg of rolled sorghum grain (0.96 per cent N) or 1 kg of soybean meal (8.2 per cent N) per head per day were fed to steers about 18 months of age grazing oats. In the other experiment twin and non-twin weaners (mean age of 13 months) were fed supplements of either molasses plus minerals or molasses plus minerals and urea ad lib. while grazing a winter dormant Rhodes grass pasture. In both experiments the supplemented and unsupplemented groups were randomly allocated to the grazing areas at weekly intervals. Growth rate of the steers in the first experiment was unaffected by either supplement, and it was concluded that the unsupplemented steers reduced their intake of forage by an amount similar to the digestible energy supplied by the supplements. In the second experiment both supplements increased the rate of body weight gain of the weaners, but the error variances were such that significance was reached only for the twins. The growth rate of the twin weaners fed the supplement of molasses plus minerals and urea was significantly (P<0.01) greater than that of the unsupplemented weaners and was also significantly (P<0.05) greater than the growth rate of those given the same amount of molasses plus minerals but without urea. Twins given the molasses plus minerals supplement had a significantly (P<0.05) greater rate of body weight gain than the unsupplemented twin weaners. Calculated returns from feeding grain or soybean meal supplements to steers grazing oats were negative. For weaners grazing Rhodes grass, the molasses plus minerals supplements gave an increase in body weight gain which, on current values, was considerably less than the cost of the molasses, whereas the molasses plus minerals and urea supplement gave a return which was greater than the cost of the molasses plus urea.
A nutritional evaluation of diets containing meat meal for growing pigs. 4. Differences in growth of pigs on different meals and in chemical and chick tests of these meals
Authors: Batterham ES , Manson MB , Kirton HC
Published: March 2005

Experiments were conducted to estimate the variability in growth promoting ability of seven meat meals (MM) or meat and bone meals (MBM) for pigs and the relationship between pig growth and chemical or chick tests. The meals were fed as the sole protein supplement in wheat-based diets to Large White pigs over the 18-73 kg growth phase. The diets were fed at the restricted rate of 7.2 g crude protein and approximately 114 kcal digestible energy per kg liveweight per day. The nitrogen retention of pigs and dry and organic matter digestibilities of the diets were determined. With the nutritional regime adopted, there was little difference (12 per cent) in the growth promoting ability of the seven diets for pigs, with one brand inferior to the other six. This difference appeared to be due to lower protein quality. The seven meals varied considerably in chemical composition (bone content 22-55 per cent, crude protein 45-59 per cent). There appeared little relationship between chemical composition of the diets and their growth promoting ability. Dietary calcium levels varied from 1.6-3.0 per cent but there was no apparent effect of calcium level on pig growth. 'Available' lysine levels in the meal varied from 3.1-3.7 per cent with the inferior meal having the lowest available lysine content. All diets contained considerable quantities of minerals as a result of the inclusion of MM or MBM and the diets contained the estimated requirements of pigs for major minerals. There was little relationship between chick growth on the seven diets and pig growth (r = 0.11). Chick growth was correlated with dietary calcium (r = -0.72) and feed intake (r = 0.64). When the diets were equalized for calcium, the relationship between chick growth and pig growth increased (r = 0.62). The results indicated that the calcium content of a meal was a major factor affecting its growth promoting ability for chicks but not for pigs. As the depressed chick growth was associated with lowered feed intake under ad lib. feeding, it was possible that the restricted feeding of the diets to the pigs minimized the development of depressing effects of calcium.
Nitrovin supplementation of diets for growing pigs
Authors: Batterham ES , Fagan VJ
Published: March 2005

Two experiments were conducted to examine whether the chemical nitrovin, a gudnidine derivative, would promote growth in pigs. In the first experiment, conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Cressy, Tasmania, the addition of 20 p.p.m. nitrovin significantly increased liveweight gain by 5.5 per cent and feed conversion by 5.2 per cent. In the second experiment, conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Wollongbar, N.S.W., the addition of 23 p.p.m. nitrovin significantly increased liveweight gain by 11.3 per cent but had no effect on lean in the ham. Feed conversion efficiency (not statistically analysed) was 10.6 per cent more efficient in pigs supplemented with nitrovin.
Comparative germination patterns of annual grasses in north-eastern Victoria
Authors: McGowan AA
Published: March 2005

The seasonal distribution of germination of Lolium rigidum, Vulpa bromoides, Hordeum leporinum and Bromus mollis was measured under field conditions. The study was conducted in north-eastern Victoria from February to August in 1966 and 1967. Although 49-97 per cent of seed of all species had germinated by the end of April, the proportions of Lolium and Volpia that emerged after April (36 and 45 per cent respectively) were greater than the analogous proportions of Hordeum and Bromus (18 and 13 per cent respectively). These differences in germination pattern are considered to be of potential importance in explaining the incidence of annual grass weeds in winter cereal crops, but of little significance explaining the persistence of these grasses in grazed pastures. Less th-an one per cent of the original seeds remained viable on or in the soil by late winter.
Effects of time of nitrogen application on the yield and characteristics of the seed produced by Demeter fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
Authors: Simpson JR , Bull JA
Published: March 2005

Ammonium nitrate, applied in winter and in spring (at head emergence) increased the seed yield of a commercial crop of Demeter fescue (Festuca arundinacea) by up to 54 per cent. The nitrogen treatments each involved a total of 90 lb nitrogen an acre, which was divided differently between the two times of application. The early nitrogen applications increased the number of fertile tillers, but not the yield per tiller, whereas late applications increased only the yield per tiller. The germination percentage of the seed was affected only transiently by nitrogen treatments, but seed size was increased by the late nitrogen application. Thus the number of viable seeds per unit weight of sample was reduced by late nitrogen. The greatest yield of viable seeds was produced by a combination of 60 lb nitrogen in early August and 30 lb nitrogen in late September at heading.
Effects of variation in density and phosphate application on growth and composition of Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis)
Authors: Rickert KG , Humphreys LR
Published: March 2005

Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) was grown at Brisbane from February to June 1967 at initial densities of 10, 50, 250, 1250, and 6250 plants per m2 in boxes of sand which received basal nutrients and applications of 0, 10, and 50 kg P per hectare as calcium dihydrogen phosphate. Plots were irrigated frequently. Wide differences in dry matter yield between plant densities and a positive density phosphorus yield interaction persisted throughout the experiment. Peak yield was 1050 g per m2 with leaf area index (LAI) of 6.8. Intraspecific plant competition was evident in high densities 35 days after emergence, extending to the lower densities by 58 days. Plant mortality at the highest density was independent of phosphorus treatment. Maximum growth rates were reached earlier at high than at low plant densities ; the subsequent decreases in growth rate were expressed through drifts in both LA1 and NAR and were associated with progressively more unfavourable environmental conditions for growth. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of both shoots and roots decreased with increasing density. Phosphorus application did not affect nitrogen concentration. Exploitation of native soil phosphorus and recovery of applied phosphorus was greatest in high density swards. The data illustrate the loss in potential production which may occur in sparse swards of Townsville stylo and the limitations to efficient phosphorus response inherent in low density swards.
Effects of growth regulators and bunch trimming on size, maturity and yield of sultana grapes
Authors: Sproule RS , Stannard MC
Published: March 2005

Three experiments were done over two seasons on the effect of gibberellic acid (GA) and parachlorophenoxyacetic acid (PCPA) sprays and bunch trimming on the yield, berry characters, maturity, and bunch quality of sultanas. GA applied at the shatter stage at 10 p.p.m. increased berry size and bunch quality of fresh fruit. When applied at full bloom, berry size was increased and earlier maturity was induced but berry set and yield were reduced. If applied at commencement of bloom. GA caused considerable thinning and the bunches were unattractive. Splitting the application into two 5 p.p.m. applications at commencement and full bloom was also unsatisfactory. A combined spray of PCPA and GA at shatter stage retarded maturity but increased berry size and yield over GA alone. It was shown that PCPA should be applied separately several days after shatter to avoid retention of shoe bellies. GA increased berry size mainly by elongation. Addition of PCPA produced larger berries of more normal shape. Bunch trimming decreased total yield of most treatments, but did not increase quantity of marketable fresh fruit. However, in general, berry length, diameter, and weight were increased by trimming. The importance of thorough wetting of the bunches by gibberellic acid sprays was demonstrated in a dipping experiment.