bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field evaluation of benomyl for control of limb dieback (gummosis) in apricots
Authors: Moller WJ , Carter MV
Published: March 2005

A single application of 0.025 per cent benomyl to apricot trees immediately after pruning gave a highly significant reduction in the proportion of wounds which subsequently became infected when a standardized dose of ascospores of Eutypa armeniacae was applied one day later. Benomyl also reduced infection when applied two days after inoculation, but was not effective when applied to the trees before pruning.
Interaction of Meloidogyne hapla and Verticillium dahliae, and the chemical control of wilt in strawberry
Authors: Meagher JW , Jenkins PT
Published: March 2005

In a field experiment with strawberries, pre-plant treatments with broad-spectrum fumigants methyl bromide-chloropicrin (450 kg/ha) or methyl isothiocyanate-dichloropropene (500 l/ha) (and 300 l/ha) controlled wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb and resulted in increased yields. Soil fumigation with the nematicide ethylene dibromidz (105 l/ha) also improved yields. It controlled the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood), delayed the onset of wilt symptoms and reduced the severity of disease. This indicated a nematode-fungus interaction and is the first report of a Meloidogyne-Verticillium interaction in strawberry.
Herbicides for weed control in grain sorghum crops in the Northern Territory
Authors: Wood IMW
Published: March 2005

In experiments conducted in the 1968-69 wet season at the Katherine Research Station, Northern Territory, a number of herbicides gave good control of the grass weed Pennisetum polystachyon in grain sorghum crops. Linuron at 3 lb a.i. an acre and PCP at 20 lb a.i. an acre as pre-emergence applications effectively controlled grasses with no apparent adverse affects on the crop. With both there were significantly higher grain yields than on unweeded control plots containing an average of 1378 lb dry weight of P. polystachyon an acre. Fluometuron at 3 lb a.i. an acre late pre-emergence and early post-emergence and chlorthal at 7 lb a.i. an acre pre-emergence controlled grasses but did not increase grain yields. Further investigations are warranted with these herbicides, as banded applications to the interrow may overcome the apparent problem of crop phytotoxicity. Chlorthal at rates that gave good grass control had no adverse effect on Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis). This could be an important advantage when sorghum is sown in rotation with Townsville stylo pasture or where the crop is undersown with Townsville stylo.
A comparison of plastic and tile drain pipes with differing cover materials
Authors: Obbink JG
Published: March 2005

A comparison was made between three types of plastic drain pipes and conventional earthen tile drains combined with cover materials of washed river sand, fibreglass, and tar paper. Rate of drawdown of a water table was measured for each combination of pipe and cover material over a period of 220 hours. Soil material that accumulated over three years in the observation pits and over four years in the pipes was measured. All combinations of pipes and cover materials provided satisfactory drainage and there were no differences of practical significance between them in terms of rate of drawdown. The river sand used in the experiment caused blockage of slot openings in corrugated plastic pipe, and one type of smooth walled plastic pipe was badly distorted by soil pressure leading to a widening of the slots, entry of soil material and breaking the fibreglass covering. Another type of plastic pipe was unsatisfactory because the perforation method left plastic material as hairs within the pipe. The fibreglass, 0.2 mm thick, was too thin to be entirely satisfactory, but was, under favourable conditions, a most effective cover material. Tar paper was quite unsatisfactory as material to prevent soil entry to pipes.
Changes in fallow weed composition following the use of herbicides in Mareeba-Dimbulah tobacco area of Northern Queensland
Authors: Fitzsimon JD
Published: March 2005

Experiments were conducted on fallow tobacco ground in North Queensland to observe changes in volunteer fallow weed communities following the use of the chemicals pebulate, trifluralin, and benefin for weed control. Trifluralin and benefin repressed grasses and most broad-leaved weeds, resulting in almost complete pre-dominance of star burr (Acanthospermum hispidum), which is a noxious weed in Queensland. Pebulate showed good control of this weed and permitted a fallow dominated by green summer grass (Prachiaria miliiformis).
Benzimidazole derivatives as post-harvest fungicides to control rotting of pears, cherries, and apricots
Authors: Beattie BB , Outhred NL
Published: March 2005

Wastage in pears inoculated with Penicillium expansum and Botyfis cinerea was significantly reduced when the fruit was dipped in aqueous formulations of 2-(4'-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole (thiabendazole or 1-(butyl-carbamoy1)-2-benzimidazole carbamic acid methyl ester (benomyl). These compounds also significantly reduced wastage in cherries and apricots inoculated with Sclerotinia fructicola. 5-n-butyl- 2-benzimidazole carbamic acid methyl ester (Parbendazole (R)) reduced rotting by Penicillium expansum in pears but was not tested against the other organisms. Although these three compounds have the benzimidazole ring in common benomyl was the most effective fungicide.
The effect of grazing cattle and sheep together
Authors: Bennett D , Morley FHW , Clark KW , Dudzinski ML
Published: March 2005

The performance of sheep and cattle grazing together was compared with that of sheep grazing only with sheep and of cattle grazing only with cattle. Comparisons were made at five stocking rates over three years at the Ginninderra Experiment Station, near Canberra, A.C.T. The cattle, Aberdeen Angus steers, gained less weight in autumn and winter if grazing with sheep (Merino ewes) than did cattle grazing only with cattle. During spring, however, they grew faster and, by late spring, differences between the groups were small and not significant. Sheep grazing with cattle grew more wool, and produced more lambs with higher weaner weights, than sheep grazing only with sheep. The effect of stocking rate on animal performance varied greatly through the year. In spring and summer, gains of young cattle were not greatly affected by stocking rate, and were sometimes highest at highest stocking rates. In autumn, winter, and early spring an additional one-eighth steers per acre decreased daily gains by 0.2 kg, or even more. Older steers at highest stocking rates gained much more in spring than did those on lowest stocking rates. Stocking rate affected all attributes of sheep when grazing alone, but had little effect on sheep grazing with cattle. This study indicates that there could be substantial advantages from running cattle with sheep. The performance of sheep would be improved, and that of cattle reduced only slightly, compared with systems running the species separately. Compensatory gains in spring offer considerable benefits to cattle management, but may limit the value of practices such as supplementary feeding of cattle in winter. Similar results are likely wherever cool temperate, improved pastures are grazed at high stocking rates. Different results are likely from native pastures, and semi-arid environments.
The influence of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) on vegetative and reproductive growth of legumes
Authors: Edey JM , Byth DE
Published: March 2005

Trials were conducted in 1968 with two legumes grown under irrigation on a fertile red loam at Redland Bay, near Brisbane, to determine the effects of foliar application of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA). TIBA, applied at 20, 40, and 80 g an acre to Phaseolus atropurpureus c.v. Siratro, and 30 and 6Og an acre to Vigna sinensis (cowpea, C.V. Caloona), produced dark-green foliage and distortion of young leaves and stem tips. Elongation of stems and expansion of young leaves present at the time of spraying were stopped. The development of axillary shoots was increased. In general, the effects of TIBA were more severe at higher concentrations, and the plants receiving such treatments were slow to produce new growth. More weed growth occurred in treated plots of Siratro. On Siratro, TIBA reduced the ratio of leaf dry weight to stem dry weight and significantly increased numbers of nodes, axillary branches, inflorescences, and the yield of seed. Flower production was restricted largely to a short concentrated period in treated plots, and canopies were more suitable for seed production. Application of TIBA to cowpea four weeks after planting delayed commencement of flowering by about eight days. Application of 60 g TIBA an acre at early flowering resulted in a 78 per cent increase in inflorescence numbers but no significant increase in seed yield. Some implications of TIBA responses in seed production are discussed.
The establishment and yield of fodder crops grown in Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) leys at Katherine, NT
Authors: Fisher MJ , Phillips LJ
Published: March 2005

Two experiments were done at Katherine, N.T. to compare the effectiveness of minimum cultivation techniques for establishing both bulrush millet and grain sorghum for stock feed in weedy leys of Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis). Measurements were made of crop yield and regeneration and weediness of the swards after cropping. In the first experiment, tyne cultivation ('chisel ploughing') in the dry season was compared with mouldboard ploughing and rotary hoeing in the wet season and with shallow tyne cultivation ('chisel sweeps') in the early wet season. In the second experiment chisel sweeps in the early wet season and chisel ploughing and rotary hoeing in the wet season proper were used. Crops were established in 6-inch drills and 3-feet rows in both experiments. In the first experiment, chisel sweeps gave yields within 14 to 28 per cent of those obtained by mouldboard ploughing or rotary hoeing, and in the second experiment there were no yield differences between cultivation treatments. Climatological data suggest that no difficulty would be encountered in using chisel sweeps at Katherine in at least three years in five. In the first experiment, establishment technique had no effect on crop yield, but in the second seasonal conditions were more favourable and yield in 6-inch drills was higher than in 3-feet rows. Both crop species completely suppressed the ley and in the second experiment, but not the first, Townsville sty10 content in the year following cropping was 23 per cent greater in the cropped compared with the uncropped treatments. Millet produced more dry matter than sorghum (17420 cf. 13120 lb an acre), but the same nitrogen yield (83.4 lb an acre). In millet 1.2 per cent dry matter and 3.2 per cent nitrogen were in the heads, and for sorghum the figures were 24.8 and 53.7. Sorghum appears to have potential as cattle forage.
The effect of sulphur fertilization on the field and chemical composition of forage oats on the Central Tablelands of NSW
Authors: Blair GJ , Crofts FC
Published: March 2005

Sulphur fertilizers increased the dry matter yield of autumn-sown, high density oats (Avena sativa CV. Algerian) adequately supplied with nitrogen fertilizer, grown on previously unfertilized basaltic and granitic soils of the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Chemical analyses showed that, under the conditions of these experiments, sulphur was insufficient for plant growth when the immature oats herbage had a sulphate S content less than 0.04 per cent, a total S content of less than 0.10 per cent, and an N : S ratio (Kjeldahl N:total S) in the range of 20 to 50. Ethanol soluble nitrogen was found to be an unsuitable index of sulphur status because of its dependence on plant nitrogen content. Gypsum was superior to elemental sulphur as a carrier during the winter period, when both were applied in a fine form (97 per cent <100 mesh), and KH2PO4 extractable soil sulphate was found to be a useful indicator of soil sulphur status.
Evaluation of Christmans Island C-grade phosphate as a fertilizer on some soils in southern NSW
Authors: Lipsett J , Williams CH
Published: March 2005

Finely-ground calcinated C-grade phosphate from Christmas Island was compared with other forms of phosphate as a source of phosphorus for plants. In the glasshouse there was little P uptake from Christmas Island phosphate at first harvests of subterranean clover and ryegrass, but uptake by both species increased at later harvests, both in absolute amount and relative to that from soluble phosphate. The availability of the calcined phosphate varied from soil to soil. In the field, pasture plants made appreciable use of the phosphate only in second or subsequent years ; mixtures of calcined C-grade phosphate with ,superphosphate (1:1) were more effective in the first year on pasture than the C-grade phosphate alone, and produced similar responses to equivalent amounts of superphosphate. Wheat made little use of C-grade phosphate in the field.
Effect of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxypropionic acid on setting and cropping of Packham's Triumph pear under Goulburn Valley conditions
Authors: Selimi A
Published: March 2005

The effects of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxypropionic (2,4,5-TP) acid sprays on Packham's Triumph pear fruit set and cropping were investigated. There were no favourable effects on fruit set from 2,4,5-TP at 10 p.p.m. when spray was applied at the beginning of bloom. When applied at 50 per cent bloom, sprays of 10 p.p.m. did not increase set in seasons with high natural set, but they did cause very large increases in set in seasons with low to moderate natural set. However, due to the heavy fruit load, a great proportion of the fruit remained small, so that commercial yield of the fruit from treated trees was not significantly better than from untreated controls. The beneficial effects on setting and cropping from autumn applications were obtained only with repeated sprays of 5 + 5 p.p.m. applied in March and April, but not with a single application of 5 p.p.m. in March. Fruit fertilization (seed number) was substantially reduced in some seasons and situations but not in others. Also, in years with heavy set increases some damage to blossom clusters and spurs occurred and leaf area on spurs, but not on laterals, was reduced.
Orchard soil management trials. 2. Effect of herbicides and nitrogen on growth and yield of young apple trees in permanent pasture
Authors: Baxter P , Newman BJ
Published: March 2005

On two cultivars of young apple trees growing in a permanent pasture, a narrow strip was kept bare with herbicide sprays used either during spring and summer or during the entire year. This increased tree growth, fruit set, fruit yield, and fruit size. Using more nitrogen fertilizer did not compensate for the grass competition and did not increase growth or yield as much as did the herbicide sprays. Most of the applied nitrogen could be accounted for in the increased growth of grass. The herbicide simazine increased tree growth more than other herbicides.
The spread of cross-pollination in a solid block of Granny Smith apples
Authors: Maggs DH , Martin GJ , Needs RA
Published: March 2005

Numbers of fruits per tree were determined in a solid block of Granny Smith apple trees into which shoots of the pollen donor Abas had been placed at flowering time. Fruit numbers declined rapidly from 46 per tree nearest the donor to a background level of 0-2 fruits 12 m distant. This distance was taken as the limit of cross-pollination. Apart from a significant spread of setting with the prevailing wind, fruit numbers were related to distance from the pollen donor. This relationship was described by an equation involving the limited work-range of an individual bee (12m), the dilution of donor pollen with increasing distance from the source (0.67m-1) and a scaling factor determining the general level of setting. It was assumed that donor pollen density was so low that multiple pollination could be ignored. Seed counts per fruit averaged 1.4 on windfalls, 2.3 on a random sample of picked fruit, and 5.2 on trees nearest the pollen donors. Fruits from heavily cropping orchards nearby with established pollen donors averaged between four and six seeds per fruit.
Drought feeding of sheep. 1. Wool growth and body weight responses to protein supplementation of grain based diets in three strains of Merinos
Authors: Saville DG , Gleeson AC , McManus WR
Published: March 2005

The effect of diet and strain of sheep on wool production and body weight during drought feeding was investigated. Collinsville, Bungaree, and Peppin strains of Merino were offered either oat or wheat diets alone or supplemented with cottonseed meal or peanut meal at two levels. The Collinsville and Bungaree strains produced more wool more efficiently than Peppin Merinos. Their ranking on wool production was similar to that at pasture. Up to 30 per cent more wool was produced by sheep fed oat diets. Further responses were gained by adding either cottonseed meal or peanut meal. Sheep fed cottonseed meal produced the most wool, this being obtained at 25 per cent supplementation with oat diets and 50 per cent supplementation with wheat diets. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.
Mercury residues in apple fruit sprayed with phenyl mercuric chloride
Authors: Nardin HF
Published: March 2005

Mercury residues were measured in Jonathan and Granny Smith apples from trees sprayed one to four times before harvest with phenyl mercuric chloride (2 oz per 100 gallons). The mean mercury content after four applications was 0.04 p.p.m. There were no differences between varieties.
Seed pelleting to improve nodulation of tropical and sub-tropical legumes. 2. The variable response to lime and rock phosphate pelleting of eight legumes in the field
Authors: Norris DO
Published: March 2005

To determine whether a lime oy rock phosphate pellet has any beneficial effect on nodulation of tropical legumes two field experiments were done using Centrosema pubescens, Dolichos lab lab, Desmodium intortum, D. uncinatm, Lotononis angolensis, and Glycine wightii cvs. Cooper, Clarence and Tinaroo. At one site the experiment was sod-seeded into a Paspalum-Axonopus sward, at the other it was sown into cultivated soil. The second site was acid and calcium-deficient and lime was deliberately withheld to introduce bias towards a lime pellet response. At both sites each legume was tried separately with two effective Rhizobium strains and the effect of lime or phosphate pelleting was assessed by comparison with inoculation done with Cellofas sticker without pellet. Nodulation was assessed on 100 plants of each species at ages from seven to twelve weeks. At the sod-seeding site Lotononis and D. intortum did not establish, but the remaining twelve legume-Rhizobium combinations showed no benefit in nodulation from lime pelleting. At the calcium-deficient site lime pelleting in comparison with Cellofas inoculation improved nodulation with eight legume-Rhizobium combinations, had no effect with six combinations, and depressed nodulation with two combinations. Rock phosphate pelleting showed no benefit in nodulation in twelve combinations under sod-seeding. At the calcium-deficient site four combinations showed improved nodulation and 12 combinations no effect, but there were no negative effects. Good nodulation resulted from simple Cellofas inoculation at both sites, with the exception of D. uncinatum at Beerwah. Pelleting treatments gave no yield increases with the exception of D. uncinatum at Beerwah where yield was significantly increased by lime pelleting. No evidence in favour of routine pelleting with either lime or phosphate was provided bv these experiments. The superiority of certain rhizobial strains as field inoculants was demonstrated.
Chemical seedbed preparation and the efficiency of nitrogen utilization by sod-sown oats. 2. Spraying interval and comparison of herbicides
Authors: Murtagh GJ
Published: March 2005

The effectiveness of chemical seedbed preparation for sod-sown oats was studied using varying intervals between spraying and sowing. Four herbicides were compared in a second experiment. Both experiments were conducted on paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum) dominant pastures on red basaltic soil on the North Coast of New South Wales. Herbicides were most effective when applied at 6.7 kg acid equivalent a hectare. At this rate, the highest yields of dry matter and nitrogen were obtained when there was a three-week interval and considerably less when there was no interval. A mixture of 2,2-DPA (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) and amitrole (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) was more effective than 2,2-DPA alone with a three-week spraying interval but there was no difference with a six-week interval. Both amitrole and a mixture of amitrole and ammonium thiocyanate were ineffective for chemical seedbed preparation on paspalum pastures;
Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) in the Victorian Mallee. 5. Chemical fallowing
Authors: Wells GJ
Published: March 2005

Skeleton weed is difficult to control on cultivated fallows during the summer and experiments were commenced in 1963 on the use of short-term residual herbicides for chemically fallowing infested land for wheatgrowing. Rates and times of application of simazine mixtures, a picloram/2,4-D mixture, an atrazine/amiltrole mixture, and fenac were tested. Compared with cultivated fallows, chemical fallowing increased wheat yields in four years out of six. The yield responses were associated with increased soil nitrate and soil moisture at sowing, reflecting the improved weed control by herbicides, particularly during the summer period. The effects of toxic residues from simazine and atrazine on the wheat crop were influenced by rate and time of application, rainfall during the fallow period, and soil type.
Studies on some neutral red duplex soils (Dr 2.12) in north-eastern Queensland. 2. Glasshouse assessment of plant nutrient status
Authors: Crack BJ
Published: March 2005

Glasshouse experiments using the subtractive technique were conducted on 15 neutral red duplex soils from north-eastern Queensland. On two of the soils factorial experiments were conducted to obtain information on nutrient interactions. The legumes Phaseolus lathyroides and Stylosanthes humilis were used as test plants. All soils were deficient in phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum, although the magnitude of the various deficiencies often differed between soils. Yields of plants were well correlated with phosphorus extracted from the soils by 0.01 N.H,SO, and by 0.5 M. Na HCO3. Soil tests used were unsatisfactory indices of sulphur deficiency. A possible zinc deficiency was indicated.
Low temperature induced male sterility in Sorghum bicolor
Authors: Downes RW , Marshall DR
Published: March 2005

Male sterility was induced in sorghum by exposing plants to a temperature regime of 18/13�C (day-night temperatures) during meiosis in the pollen mother cells. This normally occurs at the time the last (flag) leaf is emerging and elongating. The majority of genotypes examined were rendered completely male sterile by the low temperature regime. However, some genotypes retained a low degree of pollen fertility. The low temperatures appeared to have little, if any, effect on female fertility. The available evidence indicates that it is the night temperature, rather than the mean temperature, which is critical for the induction of pollen sterility. The potential uses of this method of inducing male sterility in plant breeding and genetics programs are briefly discussed.
Alternatives to DDT for the control of Oxycanus fuscomaculatus Walker (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)
Authors: Hardy RJ
Published: March 2005

Field trials to find an insecticide to replace DDT in the control of Oxycanm fucscomaculatus Walk. were conducted in north-western Tasmania during 1968. Chlorfenvinphos at 5, 10, and 15 oz active ingredient (a.i.) an acre and fenitrothion at 5.7, 11.4 and 17.1 oz a.i. an acre were applied in March, May, June, and August. 'Dursban' (R) (0,0diethyl 0-3,5,6,-trichloro-2- pyridyl phosphorothioate) applied at 15 oz a.i. an acre and bromophos applied at 12 oz a.i. an acre were also included in March and May trials. Increases in the rate of application of chlorfenvinphos and fenitrothion resulted in fewer surviving larvae for all except the August applications. No difference was shown between the overall effectiveness of fenitrothion and chlorfenvinphos at the dosage rates used but treatments with these two insecticides were more effective in March, May, and June than in August. The 'Dursban' and bromophos treatments gave control when applied and may warrant further investigation if they become commercially available for use against pests of pasture. It is concluded that of the 'currently available insecticides, fenitrothion applied at 17.1 oz a.i. per acre is a suitable replacement for DDT in the control of O. fucscomaculatus.
Varietal resistance to Verticillium wilt of cotton in Queensland
Authors: Wildermuth GB
Published: March 2005

Varietal differences in susceptibility (as assessed by the proportion of affected plants) to wilt of cotton caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., were observed in south-eastern Queensland. The progression of the disease within individual plants, however, was similar in all varieties. Deltapine Smoothleaf, the most widely grown variety in Queensland was one of the most susceptible varieties. Derivatives of Rex or Dixie King were less affected. The disease caused a difference in yield between healthy and diseased plants which could be as high as 30 per cent.
Studies in flock mating of sheep. 3. Effect of undernutrition of ewes during joining
Authors: Braden AWH
Published: March 2005

One hundred five-year-old Merino ewes in medium condition (44 kg) were fed at one-third of the maintenance level from the start of joining until 3-4 weeks post-coitum (P.C.). The mean decrease in liveweight in the 3-4 weeks was 1.5 kg/week. One hundred similar ewes were fed so as to maintain liveweight. A ram was joined with each group during daylight hours for 15 days, and the course of mating observed constantly. Ewes were killed either 1-2 days p.c. or 24-38 days p.c. There was no evidence of an effect of the under-nutrition on mating behaviour, number of spermatoza in the ewe genital tract, fertilization rate (89 per cent for both) or early embryo losses (7 per cent and 3 per cent). The relatively low embryonic loss appeared to be related to the low ovulation rate (1.16).
Drought feeding of sheep. 2. Wool growth and body weight of three types of Merinos on oat based diets supplemented with formaldehyde treated cottonseed meal
Authors: Saville DG , Gleeson AC , McManus WR
Published: March 2005

Samples of ewes from three flocks at Trangie were drought fed grain or grain plus varying levels of formaldehyde treated or untreated cottonseed meal for up to 26 weeks. Body weights and clean wool production were measured during this period. Large differences in wool growth were observed between sheep fed oat or wheat diets. Untreated cottonseed meal stimulated wool growth but at least 25 per cent was needed for a significant response. Above this level little further response in wool growth was obtained. Treatment of the cottonseed meal with formaldehyde had no significant effect on wool growth or body weight at any level of supplementation. Possible reasons for this failure in response are discussed.
Growth and development of Makarikari grasses and three other subtropical species grown in the field at Toowoomba, Queensland
Authors: Llyod DL
Published: March 2005

In the period from emergence to flowering, the growth of two Makarikari grass (Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense) cultivars was slower than Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume), and Kabulabula panic (Panicum kabulabula) due largely to differences in tiller development in the period from 16 to 25 days after plant emergence. Further measurement of the four Panicum species showed that only the Makarikari grasses continued tillering after flowering, and the patterns of tiller development explained the visual growth ratings accredited the species in initial plant selection studies. Better recovery by both Makarikari grasses than the other Panicum species after overwintering, was attributed to a lower percentage mortality of tiller initials, due to the production of a greater number of tillers in the first season. No differences in growth and development were measured between the Makarikari grass cultivars Pollock and Bambatsi in the first summer after sowing. Pollock was, however, superior in the second summer, a finding that may have been confounded by a better ability to recover after winter.
The value of Nauru rock phosphate as a source of phosphorus for some tropical pasture legumes
Authors: Bryan WW , Andrew CS
Published: March 2005

Using soils known to be grossly deficient in phosphorus, and with a basal dressing of sulphur (and other deficient nutrients) plants were grown in pots and in the field with single superphosphate or Nauru rock phosphate. The plants fell into two groups, those that gave moderate yield responses to rock phosphate as compared with superphosphate (Lotononis bainesii, Stylosanthes guyanensis, Centrosema pubescens, Indigofera spicata, and Medicago sativa) and those whose response to rock phosphate was poor (Desmodium uncinatum and Phaseolus lathyroides). In no case was the response to rock phosphate as good as that to superphosphate, even when twice as much phosphorus, in the form of rock phosphate, was applied. The residual value of rock phosphate was low with Desmodium, high with Lotononis, but never as high as that of superphosphate.
Wheat protein prediction from climatic factors in southern NSW
Authors: Taylor AC , Gilmour AR
Published: March 2005

Association between regional wheat protein levels and numerous rainfall, temperature, and sowing time variables in southern New South Wales over the period 1948-49 to 1968-69 was assessed from simple linear correlation coefficients. Of all the simple variables, average maximum temperatures in October and November were most highly correlated (positively) with protein. On the basis of the preliminary assessment, a small number of combined rainfall and temperature variables were built up for screening through a series of multiple regression analyses. The best of the multiple regression models took in a further variable, time (in years), to take account of the factors not covered by the other variables. This model accounted for more than 85 per cent of regional protein variation over 21 years and included three highly significant variables (P<0.01) : time (in years), midseason (May to July) rainfall, and late (August to November) rainfall and one significant variable (P<0.05) : midseason rainfall squared. Protein level increased by approximately 0.1 per cent per annum over the study period once significant climatic effects were removed.
Effects of temperature and time in cool storage on the ripening and storage life of pears
Authors: Beattie BB , Hall EG , Coote GG , Baxter RI
Published: March 2005

Packham's Triumph and Beurre Bosc pears were stored for various times at various temperatures from -1.1� to 5�C and then ripened at 20�C. The concept that the cool storage life of pears might be defined by a characteristic number of heat units (degree-days) above a particular base temperature was examined in detail. The heat units accumulated during cool storage and subsequent ripening were examined in relation to storage temperature, time in storage, variety, and season. There was no general characteristic number of heat units that could express the storage life of either variety, but for a particular combination of variety, season, and storage temperature, the heat units accumulated at low temperature until the end of cool storage life were similar for pears from different growers. The time to ripen after removal from storage was related to the time in storage and to the temperature of storage, the effect of time being more marked at the higher temperatures. Maximum storage life was related to temperature of storage in such a way that small decrements of temperature increased storage life more at the lower levels in the range of -1.1� to 5�C. The more rapid softening of pears and their shorter life at higher temperatures both emphasize the importance of maintaining exported pears at low temperatures before shipment and during transport to prevent them being 'too forward' at discharge.
High protein wheats for poultry. 2. Use in diets for replacement stock
Authors: Turner W , Payne CG
Published: March 2005

The use of high protein wheat as the main component of a grower diet for laying strain pullets from seven weeks of age to point-of-lap was investigated. This diet was shown to have an inadequate lysine content for maximum growth rate, and was probably also deficient in arginine. Birds receiving this diet were restricted in their growth rate, and consequently their sexual maturity was delayed. Subsequent egg production was increased sufficiently to offset this delay, and an advantage of this diet was found to be a reduced food intake during the growing period
Grazing trials on the Wallum of south-eastern Queensland. 3. A nursery grazed by sheep
Authors: Bryan WW , Evans TR
Published: March 2005

A nursery of single species and simple mixtures of 12 grasses and 9 legumes at Beerwah on the coastal lowlands of southern Queensland was grazed by sheep for over 16 years. For the last eight years 25.8 wethers a hectare (10.5/acre) were carried and thrived, heavy grazing pressure being maintained. Changes in botanical composition were recorded. The final mixture was dominated by Trifolium repens and Paspalm notatum. Other species to survive were Digitaria decumbens, Pennisetum clandestinum, Paspalum wettsteinii, and Brachiaria mutica. The majority of species failed to survive the close intense grazing by sheep. Annual replacements of phosphorus, sulphur, calcium, and potassium were made but nitrogen was never applied, and the highly productive pasture was maintained by legume nitrogen, mainly from white clover. Soil fertility improved under the pasture.
Winter growth of a glycine-green panic pasture in a tropical upland environment
Authors: Tow PG , Walker RW
Published: March 2005

In a tropical upland environment, with a predominantly summer rainfall, Glycine wightii CV. Tinaroo (glycine) produced 17 to 40 lb DM an acre per day over periods of five to seven weeks during winter, under dryland conditions. An associated grass, Panicum maximum var trichoglume (Petrie green panic) gave practically no increase in shoot dry matter during winter, although it was less susceptible to frost damage. Partial or complete defoliation of glycine by frost occurs in this environment in about 60 per cent of winters, predominantly in the period mid-June to mid-August. Good recovery occurs in the winter months in frostfree periods. At such times, regrowth is limited primarily by low rainfall, and the availability of stored subsoil moisture is important. A pot study showed that root growth continued during the pre-seeding flowering period and that its relative growth rate was apparently not reduced relative to that of the shoot. Nodule development and nitrogen fixation also continued during this period. Leaf fall and a concurrent cessation of growth were associated with the prolific seeding that occurs in July. Pod development can be delayed by defoliation during flowering.
Effects of urea, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate on establishment of cereals, linseed and rape
Authors: Mason MG
Published: March 2005

In pots filled with a loamy sand the degree of harm caused by urea banded with the seed or topdressed on the soil surface, varied with species. The order of susceptibility to germination damage was rape> linseed > > oats > wheat > barley. In addition the emergence of rape and linseed was reduced from about 90 per cent of possible germination to around 50 per cent when superphosphate was banded with the seed. The adverse effect on wheat was greater when the seed bed was moist rather than dry and the effect was reduced when the pots were watered immediately after seeding. On the same soil in the field urea reduced emergence of wheat much more than did ammonium nitrate when both were drilled in contact with the seed.
The response of replanted peach trees to weedicide, daily irrigation, nitrogen and phosphorus
Authors: Mitchell PD , Black JDF
Published: March 2005

One-year-old replant peach trees in an old peach orchard were used in a trial to compare performance under daily or longer interval watering, with or without a weedicide treatment to eliminate weed competition, two levels of nitrogen, and three levels of phosphorus in a replicated factorial design. Both irrigation treatments were based on nett evaporation, and were designed to supply about the same total amount of water over the season. Statistically significant responses were obtained on top weight, weight of new wood, and root weight in favour of weedicide, daily watering and high nitrogen. There was no response to phosphorus. Shoot thickening was the dominant factor in the response to irrigation, and shoot length the dominant factor in the response to nitrogen. Both factors played a part in the response to weedicide. Under daily watering the root spread was greater, the main roots more uniformly tapered, and the fibre root longer and less contorted than under longer interval watering.
A study of the mating behaviour of rams when joined at different proportions
Authors: Croker KP , Lindsay DR
Published: March 2005

The behaviour of rams joined with ewes at percentages equivalent to 1.2 and 5.9 was examined. More ewes were mounted in the grqups mated with the high percentage of rams, and ewes in these groups were mounted by more of the available rams than in the groups mated to a low percentage of rams. Rams mated at a low percentage were more active, achieving about twice the number of mounts and intromissions of the rams mated at the high percentage over the periods of observation. Rams that were 2 1/2 years old mated more frequently and with more ewes than did rams that were 1 1/2 years old.
Wheat yield responses to various phosphate fertilizers in South Australia
Authors: Rudd CL
Published: March 2005

A number of phosphate fertilizers were tested as a source of phosphorus for wheat during three seasons (1967-1969) in the cereal growing areas of South Australia. The fertilizers were standard superphosphate, double superphosphate, calcium phosphate, two forms of calcined phosphate, a mixture of calcined phosphate with superphosphate, and untreated rock phosphate. Nine experiments were sown on a range of soils (pH 6.2 8.4) during the three years.At equivalent rates of total phosphorus, the water-soluble phosphates (superphosphate, double superphosphate) and the readily hydrolysed calcium pyrophosphate gave similar responses in all experiments. Water insoluble calcined and rock phosphates gave lower yields than superphosphate and, in most cases, the yields were not significantly greater than with no fertilizer.Uptake of phosphorus in the grain paralleled the grain yield differences between the fertilizers.
Response of four wheat cultivars to applications of (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (CCC)
Authors: Lowe LB , Carter OG
Published: March 2005

The effect of CCC on the grain yield of two Australian and two Mexican semi-dwarf cultivars, with two seeding rates, and two levels of N fertilizer, was studied in the held. Grain yield increases, particularly in CV. Timgalen, were produced by CCC through the control of lodging, an increase in the number of grains per ear and an increase in the number of ears per unit area. Even where only a small effect on height was produced in CV. Pitic 62, the grain yield was increased as a result of more ear-bearing tillers. No significant grain yield increases were found in R.K.F. The delay in ear emergence in some cultivars as a result of CCC did not change the number of florets formed but it may have improved floral fertility as indicated by the higher number of grains per ear at harvest. The differential response of the cultivars to CCC is demonstrated by the plant height data. In decreasing order of height reduction they were Robin, Timgalen, Pitic 62 and R.K.F.
Rootstock trials for sultana grapes on light textured soils
Authors: Sauer MR
Published: March 2005

Twelve rootstocks were tested as stocks for sultana grape vines on light textured soils in the Mildura area. The trials started in 1966. In 1969, 1970, and 1971 Vitis champini Salt Creek was the highest yielding rootstock, and another V. champini variety, Dogridge, was second. Vines on the V. berlandieri hybrids R110 and 420A yielded less than own rooted sultanas in these trials.Grafts on the two V. champitzi stocks were more vigorous than other vines. Vegetative growth was greater on Dogridge than Salt Creek.
Bloat incidence and liveweight gain in beef cattle on pastures containing different proportions of white clover (Trifolium repens)
Authors: Wolfe EC , Lazenby A
Published: March 2005

During the spring of both 1968 and 1969 three phalaris-white clover pasture types, differing in botanical composition from clover-dominant to grass-dominant, were grazed by beef cattle. The cattle were scored twice a day for bloat incidence and severity and were weighed each month. No cattle died from bloat or any other cause. Of the 289 moderate and severe cases of bloat observed during the experiment, 221 occurred on the high clover pasture type (60-80 per cent white clover) ; comparable figures on the medium clover (30-50 per cent white clover) and low clover (15-25 per cent white clover) pasture types were 58 and 10 respectively. In addition to the greater incidence of bloat, liveweight gains on the highest clover pasture were 20-30 per cent lower than on the the other two pasture types in both years. The digestibility and availability of the herbage on the clover-dominant pasture equalled or exceeded that of pastures containing <50 per cent white clover ; reduced liveweight gains were attributed to a depressive effect of bloat on herbage intake.
Reproductive responses to supplemental zinc and manganese in grazing Dorset Horn ewes
Authors: Egan AR
Published: March 2005

Poor reproductive performance in a commercial Dorset Horn sheep stud flock on shallow calcareous soils at Moorlands, South Australia, was investigated. In two successive years, in three experiments, reproductive responses to supplemental coppper (injected) manganese and zinc (given orally each week) were examined. With supplemental Mn a significantly higher proportion of ewes conceived to service in the first oestrous cycle, and a significantly higher proportion of ewes bore lambs in the first year but no significant response was observed in the second year. In both years, with supplemental Zn a greater proportion of ewes bore lambs, but the improved conception occurred throughout the mating period and could not be attributed to a significantly greater proportional conception in any single oestrus interval. Copper had no effect in either year. Herbage analyses of Mn, Cu, and Zn are reported, and animal responses are discussed in terms of likelihood of Zn and hfn deficiency occurring in the grazing ruminant in certain environments.
Bromine residues in Merino sheep given brominated salicylanate anthelmintics
Authors: McManus WR , McMahon PR , Morris BS
Published: March 2005

Results of two chemical residues studies are reported. A brominated anilide preparation containing a mixture of 3, 41, 5-tribromo (80 per cent) and 4l, 5 dibrom~ salicylanide (16 per cent) with traces of 3, 5 dibromosalicylanilide (4 per cent) was orally administered in recommended commercial doses to adult Merino wether sheep. Bromine was used as an indicator of eliminated brominated anilides from the body. The first study with six sheep indicated significant amounts of brominated compounds are absorbed and that elimination of these compounds from the body, although substantial, was not complete by day ten after dosing at recommended levels. A further study involving 98 adult Merino wethers showed that by day 15 and day 30 after drenching with the brominated anilide preparation less than 1pg of administered bromine was retained per gram of edible tissue, indicating negligible residues if treated animals were then eaten by man.
The measurement of wheat hardness and its effect on milling characteristics
Authors: Stenvert NL
Published: March 2005

A number of techniques for measuring the hardness of wheat grains were compared. The relationships between different tests were examined, as well as the efficiency with which they separated varieties into hard and soft classes. These tests were done on a number of varieties grown under different environmental conditions. The effect of hardness on the milling quality of these wheats was also investigated. All tests for hardness considered were found to be closely related, with logarithmic relationships being more meaningful in some instances. Hardness had a considerable effect on the milling properties of the different varieties, with extreme hardness resulting in a marked drop in flour extraction.
Crossbreeding for lamb production. 1. Survival and growth of first cross lambs
Authors: Fogarty NM
Published: March 2005

The reproductive performance was studied of two groups each of 450 Peppin Merino ewes joined to Merino, Border Leicester and Dorset Horn rams in two years at the Cowra and Glen Innes Agricultural Research Stations. The survival and growth of the progeny was assessed to weaning with the wether progeny subsequently slaughtered and carcase weight and grade compared. There was little difference in the survival of lambs sired by Border Leicester or Dorset Horn rams and, for both, survival was about three per cent lower than that of Merino lambs at birth and also from birth to weaning. The single crossbred lambs were markedly heavier than the single Merino lambs at all stages of growth, but the difference between twins was considerably reduced, which gave sigrdicant breed X type of birth interactions for all growth characters examined. The Dorset X Merino lambs were 2.5 per cent heavier at weaning and had three per cent heavier carcases than the Border X Merino lambs. The heavier carcas weights for the Dorset X Merino lambs was mainly due to higher dressing percentages. There were significantly more first grade carcases amongst the crossbred than the Merino lambs, with a higher proportion of Dorset X Merino carcases in the first grade than Border X Merino.
Effect of dietary energy, tallow and B-vitamin levels on laying performance of broiler-breeders
Authors: Karunajeewa H
Published: March 2005

The effects of feeding two levels of energy, tallow and B-vitamins on the laying performance of broiler-breeders of two strains (C and D) in individual cages were studied. Strain C differed significantly from strain D in producing larger eggs, a higher percentage of settable eggs, greater gains in bodyweight, a higher mortality, and lower hen-housed production. Egg weight was affected by a significant interaction between strains, energy, and B-vitamin levels. Birds fed diets with 2,421 kcal ME/kg laid at a higher rate, produced more hen-day settable eggs and gained less bodyweight than those fed diets with 2,638 kcal ME/kg. The birds fed diets with the lower energy level consumed significantly more feed than those fed the medium energy diet. However, the difference in intake may have been associated with the different amounts of wheat in the diets. The addition of two per cent stabilized tallow to broiler-breeder diets did not produce any beneficial or harmful effects. The lower level of B-vitamins added appeared to be as effective as the higher level in maintaining production in broiler-breeders fed either low or medium energy diet