bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Substrate usage and odours in mushroom composting
Authors: Miller FC , Macauley BJ
Published: March 2005

Odour problems associated with producing a composted substrate for mushroom culture were considered at 9 Australian farms, in relation to composting batch recipes. Effects of usage of nutrient rich composting activators were evaluated using nitrogen (N) concentration ratios (%) and a novel ratio, the C/A ratio as indicators of compost nutritional status. The CIA ratio segregated composting ingredients into nutritional classes. Both % N and the C/A ratio showed that excess nutrient usage was positively correlated with odours. Both correlations were significant at P= 0.01. Final % N, however, did not increase with higher initial % N values. This investigation indicates that reducing excessive initial concentrations of available nutrients in compost formulations can reduce odours, while not necessarily reducing compost quality in terms of final N level.
Effects of sulfur and different sources and levels of nitrogen and energy on the intake and liveweight change of steers fed tropical native pasture hay
Authors: McLennan SR , Savage MD , Lindsay JA , O'Rourke PK , Murray RM
Published: March 2005

Weaner steers were fed low quality native pasture hay in pens for 84 days to determine the differences in response to supplements of molasses (280 g/steer.day) and grain sorghum (265 g/steer.day), fed with urea (45 g/steer.day), and to determine the role of sulfur in these differences. The control group consumed 1.63 kg/steer.day organic matter (OM) and lost 277 g/steer.day over the feeding period. Supplements of urea alone or urea + grain did not affect hay intake or liveweight performance but both parameters were markedly improved by supplements of urea + molasses and urea + sodium sulfate. It was concluded that sulfur, in addition to urea, was necessary to increase feed intake and reduce liveweight loss in steers fed the low-protein pasture hay. With an increase in molasses intake from 280 to 1120 g/ steer.day, total OM intake remained constant while roughage OM intake declined (P> 0.05). At the higher molasses intake both roughage and total OM intakes were greater when 37 g/steer.day of supplemental nitroin-was fed (P>0.05), suggesting that energy substitution could be countered by ensuring a non-limiting nitrogen supply. Urea, meat and bone meal or the combination of the 2 were equally effective as the nitrogen source. In a second experiment weaner steers were fed a similar hay in pens for 56 days to compare the effects of either urea or protein meal as the nitrogen source in molasses. Molasses was fed at 1120 g/steer.day. The protein meal was a formaldehyde-treated mix of cottonseed meal, meat and bone meal and fish meal (8:1:1). Unsupplemented animals consumed 2.86 kg/ steer.day OM and lost 210 g/steer.day liveweight. Total OM intake was increased similarly by both nitrogen sources (P<0.05) but, whereas steers fed urea-molasses maintained weight, those given urea molasses plus the formaldehyde-treated protein meal gained weight at 163 g/steer.day (P<0.05). The advantage of providing a protein source protected from rumen degradation was demonstrated.
Effects of duration of introductory feeding and barley content of pelleted diets on the feed intake and liveweight of export sheep
Authors: Round MH
Published: March 2005

The liveweights and feed intakes of 409 adult wethers, from 2 pastoral sources, were measured in an experiment that simulated the assembly and shipping stages of the export of live sheep. The sheep were held separately with 17 wethers per group, and were introduced in outdoor yards to pelleted diets containing 0, 25 or 50% barley for either 5 or 9 days (adaptation) during which time lucerne hay or oaten hay were also fed. The wethers were then housed in intensive indoor pens (0.33 m21wether) for 14 days and fed the pelleted diets ad libitum without hay. During indoor feeding, wethers fed pellets containing 50% barley ate less pellets than did other sheep (1127 v. 1376 g DM/day, s.e.m. = 25.2, P<0.001). They had similar intakes of digestible organic matter (DOM) (732 v. 757 g/day, s.e.m. = 15.6), but lost more liveweight than did other sheep (- 1.88 v. -0.54 kg, s.e.m. = 0.200, P< 0.001). Increasing adaptation from 5 to 9 days significantly reduced the liveweight loss of wethers fed the diets containing 0% (-1.22 v. -0.20 kg, s.e.m. =0.283, P<0.05) and 25% barley (-1.35 v. 0.63 kg, s.e.m. = 0.283, P< 0.001) but had no effect on wethers fed diets containing 50% barley. Wethers fed lucerne hay during adaptation lost less liveweight indoors than wethers fed oaten hay (-0.66 v. -1.31 kg, s.e.m. = 0.163, P<0.01). Wethers fed lucerne for 9 days tended (P< 0.06) to eat more pellets indoors than other sheep (1386 v. 1262 kg, s.e.m. = 17.9). The wethers had an estimated intake of 37.9 g digestible organic matter/kg0.75 liveweight, which greatly exceeded expected requirements for maintenance and may be partly due to stress associated with intensive housing of the wethers.
A comparison of tri-allate formulations for control of wild oats in wheat in northern New South Wales
Authors: Martin RJ , Felton WL , Somervaille AJ
Published: March 2005

Three field trials and a glasshouse experiment were carried out in northern New South Wales to determine the effects of reduced mechanical incorporation and the presence of crop residues on the efficacy of liquid and granular formulations of triallate [S-(2,3,3-trichioroallyl) diisopropylthiocarbamate] for control of wild oats (Avena fatua and A. sterilis ssp. ludoviciana) in wheat. In field experiments, fallow management practices with surface crop residues ranging from nil to complete retention from the previous wheat crop, did not affect the performance of tri-allate (incorporated by sowing) in terms of control of wild oats and wheat grain yield response. Application of a granular formulation resulted in lower than expected wheat grain yields in 2 of the field experiments and phytotoxicity to the crop was suspected as the reason. Although soil incorporation improved the performance of tri-allate at the recommended rate of 0.8 kg/ha, satisfactory control of wild oats and profitable increases in wheat grain yield were obtained with tri-allate at 1.2 kg/ha when incorporated by sowing into seedbeds containing up to 2 t/ha of crop residue. We conclude that tri-allate as the liquid formulation at 1.2 kg/ha gives economic control of wild oats in no-tillage and stubble-mulched seedbeds when incorporated by sowing provided that the weed-free wheat grain yield potential is not less than 1.5 t/ha. Results from the glasshouse experiment, farmer experience and published literature support the practice of incorporating tri-allate into dry soil with subsequent activation by sowing rain. The potential use of the granular formulation is limited by the greater risk of crop damage compared with the liquid formulation.
Insecticide treatments for control of grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifolii) infesting grapevines in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Buchanan GA , Godden GD
Published: March 2005

Carbofuran, oxamyl, aldicarb and fenamiphos treatments were tested for control of grape phylloxera [Daktulosphaira vitifolii (Fitch)] on ungrafted Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines in central Victoria. All insecticides were applied as granular formulations to the root zone of grapevines. Oxamyl was also tested as a foliar spray. Carbofuran was the most effective treatment, although aldicarb and oxamyl reduced phylloxera populations at some sampling periods. Fenamiphos did not control phylloxera. Vegetative growth, yield and root mass of infested grapevines declined during the 3 years of the experiment. In the third year, carbofuran- treated vines had significantly (P=0.05) greater fruit yield and more vegetative growth than control vines, but were performing poorly in relation to yields expected from uninfested vines. It is concluded that carbofuran treatment combined with optimum viticultural management may delay or reduce the decline of phylloxera infested grapevines. However, replanting with vines grafted to resistant rootstocks is a preferable long-term solution.
Evaluation of feed additives for increasing wool production from Merino sheep. 1. Lasalocid, avoparcin and flavomycin included in lucerne-based pellets or oaten chaff fed at maintenance
Authors: Aitchison EM , Ralph IG , Rowe JB
Published: March 2005

Three feed additives were studied for their potential to improve wool growth in sheep fed 2 diets; oaten chaff, or a pelleted mixture (g/kg) of lucerne (590), lupins (250), barley (1 50) and a mineral and vitamin mix (10). Additives were included with each diet as follows (mg/kg feed): avoparcin 25,50,75; flavomycin 5, 15, 30; lasalocid 30, 50, 70. Diets were fed at maintenance to mature Merino wethers for 9 weeks, and measurements were made of wool growth and rumen fermentation characteristics. Animals fed the pelleted diet grew more wool than those fed the chaff diet (6.3 compared with 5.1 g/m2.day, P<0.001), but none of the additives resulted in any significant differences in wool growth compared with the controls. The additives avoparcin and lasalocid increased the ratio of the volatile fatty acids propionate:acetate in animals eating both of the diets (P< 0.001), but flavomycin had no significant effect. Rumen ammonia concentration was increased with avoparcin on both diets (P< 0.001) and with lasalocid and flavomycin on the pelleted diet ( P < 0.05). None of the additives tested significantly influenced liveweight change in comparison with the control groups.
Effect of conserving pasture as silage on the productivity and profitability of grazing steers
Authors: Greathead KD , Barker DJ , McTaggart R , Scott F
Published: March 2005

The productivity and economics of annual land use systems were evaluated by studying beef steers, continuous grazing and spring feed conserved as silage. One treatment measured the production of steers grazing annual pasture continuously from weaning in December until slaughter 12 months later. In the other treatment, cattle grazed similar pasture from December until slaughter in July at 15 months of age but in autumn were fed silage made from the spring growth on the same area. There were 2 stocking rates (0.4 and 0.5 ha per steer) and 2 replicates of the 4 treatments; the experiment ran continuously for 3 years. In all years the pasture only system cost less and produced, on average, 100 kg more carcass per ha than did the silage system and at current values was more profitable. Only when autumn pasture growth was greater than normal did the profitability of the silage system approach the pasture only system. In both biological and economic terms the pasture only system was less variable than the silage system because of the buffering effect of consistently abundant spring pastures. In years of poor growth of pasture in autumn, the silage treatment did not achieve the objective of producing premium carcasses in July, owing to their low weight and fatness. There were wide variations among years in patterns of pasture growth, and hence gross margins. Gross margin analyses were most sensitive to changes in sale price of cattle and then to changes in the cost of making and feeding silage; they were least sensitive to interest rates.
A comparison of the effects of feed supplements cobalt and selenium, and perennial and annual pastures on the production of medium Peppin Merino weaner sheep in south-western Australia
Authors: Davies HL , Mann PP , Goddard B
Published: March 2005

Two experiments on weaner production are reported. In experiment 1, the liveweight and wool production were measured in medium Peppin Merino sheep that grazed at 10.5 weanerstha 8 plots of a mixed Phalaris aquatica-subterranean clover pasture or 8 plots of annual pasture (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Woogenellup and volunteer annual grass species). This was repeated over 2 years using autumn-born sheep; 4 groups on each pasture type were offered no supplement, 2 groups a cereal supplement (340 goats), and 2 groups of supplement isoenergetic with the cereal group but having a high protein meal replace some of the cereal (250 g oats and 60 g protein). The feed supplement was offered over the summer (January-April). The sheep on 2 of the unsupplemented plots and 1 of the 2 plots receiving either a cereal or cereal + protein supplement were offered access to a composite mineral block formulated to meet the mineral requirements of sheep with the exception of cobalt and selenium. There were 16 sheep on each plot within each group of 16 weaners, 4 were given an intraruminal cobalt 'bullet', 4 were given 5 mg of selenium orally, 4 given cobalt plus selenium and 4 were untreated controls. Experiment 2 was in year 3 with spring-born weaners on the same plots. The mineral block treatment was discarded on the plots receiving supplement and the effect of supplementary feeding at the beginning of March was compared with feeding in early January; barley was also compared with oats and protein. The stocking rate was raised to 13.5 sheep/ha. There were no statistically significant differences in sheep liveweight due to pasture type in either of the years of experiment 1 or experiment 2. Supplementation with cereals or protein-fortified cereals resulted in a significantly ( P < 0.05) increased liveweight at the end of March (5.6 kg in year 1,2.4 kg in year 2 of experiment 1, and 2.5 kg in experiment 2), and wool production (0.49 kg clean wool in year 1 and 0.3 1 kg in year 2 in experiment 1, and 0.49 in experiment 2). There was a significant liveweight response on the perennial plots to selenium + cobalt in year 1 of experiment 1. All cobalt-treated sheep were heavier ( P < 0.001) in year 2. Neither selenium nor cobalt significantly affected liveweight in experiment 2. The proportion of Phalaris aquatica on the perennial pasture diminished from 18% to less than 9% by the end of year 2 in experiment 1. These results suggest that, if perennial pastures cannot be maintained, then their establishment in the south-west of Western Australia would not result in greater animal production than on annual pasture. Decisions on using supplements would be dependent upon feed and wool prices.
Production of the Australian native daisies (Helipterum roseum and Helichrysum bracteatum) for the cut flower market
Authors: Sharman KV , Sedgley M , Aspinall D
Published: March 2005

Cut flower production of 2 Australian native daisies, Helipterum roseum and Helichrysum bracteatum, was investigated in the glasshouse and outdoors at 4 planting times. Both species exhibited a long day response with floral initiation occurring in any photoperiod but with peak production following longer days. Peaks in bloom production occurred during the spring and summer regardless of planting time. Floral abnormalities were observed in Helipterum roseum in all environments and planting times with the exception of the outdoor winter planting. There was a tendency for inflorescence diameter of both species and stem length of Helipterum roseum to decline with time from anthesis of the apical inflorescence. Optimum production of top quality blooms of Helipterum roseum extended from October to January following planting between autumn and spring. Peak production of Helichrysum bracteatum between December and March can be expected following planting during winter and spring. It may be possible to extend these seasons by weekly planting from autumn to spring. In addition, the imposition of extended photoperiod or night break treatments following summer or autumn planting may fulfil the photoperiod requirements of the plants and stimulate increased production between March and November. It is proposed that both species be considered for the fresh cut flower market, with Helipterum roseum marketed as single stems and Helichrysum bracteatum as sprays.
The influence of breed and sex on saleable beef yield
Authors: Ball B , Johnson ER
Published: March 2005

Saleable beef yields from the carcasses of 38 Brahman crossbred bullocks, 42 Brahman crossbred females, 75 Hereford bullocks and 35 Hereford females were recorded in the boning room of an export abattoir. Regressions of saleable beef yield on 12th rib fat thickness and on rump P8 fat thickness were examined for breed and sex effects. Linear regression analysis showed that rump P8 fat thickness and 12th rib fat thickness predicted percentage yield of saleable beef with prediction errors at the mean (of the predictor variables) of 2.3 and 2.1 respectively. The inclusion of hot side weight with either fat thickness measurement in prediction equations did not significantly reduce the prediction errors. Either rump (P8) fat thickness or 12th rib fat thickness alone could be used to predict the weight of saleable beef, giving a prediction error of 12.4 kg, and the inclusion of hot side weight in these equations significantly reduced this error to 3.6 kg and 3.2 kg respectively. Quadratic analysis did not improve the accuracy of the prediction of percentage yield of saleable beef from either P8 alone or P8 plus hot side weight but it did reduce the prediction errors of saleable beef weight from P8 plus hot side weight to 3.5 kg. Regressions of percentage yield of saleable beef on 12th rib fat thickness did not vary significantly between Brahman crossbred bullocks and Brahman crossbred females, but they did between Hereford bullocks and Hereford females, and between each of the Hereford groups and the Brahmans. With increasing subcutaneous fat thickness Hereford females maintained a higher percentage of saleable beef than did the Hereford bullocks. Brahman crossbred cattle showed important yield advantages (1-3%) over Hereford cattle at all levels of fat thickness studied.
Wool growth of pregnant Merino ewes fed to maintain maternal liveweight
Authors: Williams AJ , Butt J
Published: March 2005

The wool production at the midside of 15 non-mated Merino ewes was compared with that of their monoctocous (n = 20) and dioctocous (n = 13) flockmates during the second half of pregnancy. The ewes were compared under experimentally controlled feeding conditions designed to maintain the liveweight of each ewe, exclusive of the weights of fleece and conceptus, by progressively increasing the quantities of a sorghum grain and lucerne chaff diet (1:1 by weight) offered to the pregnant ewes. During the latter half of pregnancy, each non-mated ewe consumed 42.1 kg of the diet. The single- and twinbearing ewes consumed 27 and 44% more of the diet than did the non-mated ewes. The adjusted liveweight of the non-pregnant ewes increased by 0.03 kg/week, while those of the monoctocous and dioctocous ewes changed by 0.11 and -0.05 kg/week (s.e.= � 0.04). These changes in liveweight were small but differed between the ewe classes (P<0.05). The rate of wool production per unit area of skin at the midside was 411 �g/cm2.day, with no significant differences between the ewe classes, and with no interactions between ewe classes and period of measurement. The wool produced on the midside had an average fibre diameter of 19.0 �m, again with no significant differences between ewe classes or periods. The length of fibre grown during the latter half of pregnancy was 26.1 mm, with no difference between the ewe classes. We conclude that a loss of wool production is not an obligate consequence of pregnancy, but can be prevented by nutritional management that recognises the additional requirements of the pregnant ewe for nutrients.
Effects of urea and flutriafol on germination, coleptile length and establishment of wheat and barley
Authors: Radford BJ , Strong WM , Wilderminth GB
Published: March 2005

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of urea fertiliser placed with the seed and flutriafol fungicide seed dressing on germination, coleoptile length and establishment of wheat (cvv. Bass and Hartog) and barley (cv. Grimmett). Interactions with depth of sowing and press wheel pressure were also measured in the field. Placement of urea (1 and 2 g/m) with the seed reduced germination, final coleoptile length and field establishment at 2 seeding depths (40 and 75 mm) and delayed field emergence. Flutriafol (0.025 or 0.1 g/kg seed) had no effect on laboratory germination or field establishment but reduced final coleoptile length in the laboratory and delayed field emergence by up to 4.3 days. Compacting the soil over the seed by applying pressure with a press wheel increased establishment from 28 to 37%. With deep sowing (75 mm), barley gave better establishment than wheat, probably because barley (cv. Grimmett) had longer coleoptiles than wheat (cv. Hartog). The effects of urea, sowing depth, press wheel pressure and crop species on establishment were generally additive. As a result, establishment varied from 3 to 80%, depending on the combination of these factors used. Our results indicate that certain combinations of current farming practices such as placement of urea with the seed, deep sowing and the use of flutriafol could cause establishment problems in winter cereals.
Comparison of 10 clones of the potato cultivar, Kennebec
Authors: Strange PC , Blackmore KW
Published: March 2005

Nine clones of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Kennebec from sources in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and the commercially grown clone, clone 1, which was imported from Vancouver, were multiplied from pathogen-tested seed and compared in 3 Victorian potato districts during 2 seasons. Haulm appearance of the 10 clones was similar. Tubers of clones 2 and 9 had a more desirable elliptical shape with shallow eyes than clones 1, 7, 8, 11 and 13. Clone 7 produced significantly (P<0.05) less total yield than the highest yielding clone at 3 sites. Compared with the other clones, clones 2 and 7 yielded significantly (P<0.05) less oversize (>450 g) and medium (100-450 g) tubers and significantly (P<0.05) higher yields of small (<100 g) tubers at several sites. Clone 1 produced a much higher proportion (5.7%) of total yield as oversize tubers than clones 2 (1.6%) and 7 (0.8%). Clones 2 and 7 produced a significantly higher (P<.05) number of tubers per plant than all other clones at the 3 sites. Averaged over these 3 sites, clones 2 (and 7) produced 6.2 (6.8) tubers per plant and the other clones were in the range 4.5-5.0. No consistent differences in specific gravity or crisp colour were observed between the clones. Clone 2 was selected as being best suited for the crisp processing industry because of its even shape, high number of tubers per plant and low yield of oversize tubers, while maintaining high yields and good specific gravity and crisp colour. Our results show that differences exist in total and size grade yield and tuber number and appearance between clones of a cultivar. They further highlight the importance of selection work to maintain desirable characteristics of established cultivars and to remove mutants with undesirable characteristics.
Effect of pasture feeding levels on the responses of lactating dairy cows to high energy supplements
Authors: Stockdale CR , Trigg TE
Published: March 2005

Stall-fed dairy cows were fed amounts of pasture ranging from 6.7 to 11.8 kg DM/cow.day and supplemented with either 0, 2.2 or 4.5 kg DM/cow.day of pelleted concentrates. Twenty-eight cows in their third month of lactation and 29 cows in their eighth month of lactation were fed in this manner for about 5 weeks. Stage of lactation had a major influence on responses obtained from feeding a high energy supplement to pasture-fed cows. In early lactation, for cows fed 6.8 kg DM, marginal responses from feeding an additional kg DM of concentrates were 1.85, 0.053 and 0.059 kg milk, milk fat and milk protein, respectively; if they were fed 11.7 kg DM of pasture, marginal responses from concentrates were more than halved (0.58 kg milk, 0.019 kg milk fat and 0.027 kg milk protein per kg DM). The latter response to concentrates, where high levels of pasture were fed to cows in early lactation, were less than those obtained in late lactation at any level of pasture feeding.
Evaluation of management options for increasing the productivity of tropical savanna pastures. 1. Fertiliser
Authors: Winter WH , Mott JJ , McLean RW , Ratcliff D
Published: March 2005

Options for increasing pasture and animal production from native perennial pastures comprising predominantly Themeda triandra, Chrysopogon fallax, Sehima nervosum and Sorghum plumosum were studied over 5 years at Katherine in the semi-arid tropics of north-western Australia. The pastures were augmented with either Stylosanthes humilis, S. hamata or a mixture of S. scabra and S. viscosa, either without fertiliser or with low inputs of superphosphate (100 kg/ha at establishment and 25 kg/ha annually), and with the trees either killed or left undisturbed. At each fertiliser level there were 3 stocking rates. Five years after sowing, only half of the pastures persisted, due to the poor productivity of the legumes and the inability of the native perennial grasses to tolerate high grazing pressure which was about 10-fold that for non-augmented native pasture. This effect was greater in the unfertilised treatments, where the legume contributed less to pasture yield, so that the sustainable stocking rate was only half of that for pastures fertilised with small amounts of superphosphate. When fertilised, stable pastures of nearly pure legume were obtained after 3-4 years at the highest stocking rate of 1 steer/ha. Fertiliser also (i) increased the nitrogen and sulfur concentrations of S. humilis and the perennial stylos S. scabra and S. viscosa, but lowered their concentrations in S. hamata, particularly in the early wet season; (ii) decreased nitrogen concentration in Chrysopogon fallax; and (iii) increased phosphorus and sulfur concentrations of all the perennial grasses. In general, fertiliser promoted higher liveweight gains of cattle during the wet season and lower losses during the dry season. In the fertilised treatments growth tended to be poorer at the highest stocking rate, particularly during the late dry and early wet seasons. This effect was attributed to spoilage of dry legume by the early rainfall and lack of grass in these treatments. We conclude that S. hamata, S. scabra and S. viscosa grow reasonably well in soils of low fertility, but the productivity of the legumes and of the cattle can be improved by small inputs of superphosphate. The mediocre growth of the cattle in all the treatments may have been due to the low levels of some nutrients, particularly phosphorus and sulfur, in these pastures.
Evaluation of management options for increasing the productivity of tropical savanna pastures. 3. Trees
Authors: Winter WH , Mott JJ , McLean RW
Published: March 2005

The effect of killing trees upon the production and quality of native perennial grasses, Themeda triandra, Chrysopogon fallax, Sehima nervosum, and Sorghum plumosum, and oversown legumes from the genus Stylosanthes, was studied over 4 years at Katherine, in the semi-arid tropics of northwestern Australia. The pastures were either unfertilised or received low inputs of superphosphate, and for each fertility level were grazed at 3 stocking rates. At no time were legume yields affected by killing the trees but, in the first 3 years, the amount of grass was approximately twice as much when the trees were killed. During this period the mean grass yields declined 4-5 fold from about 2.2 t/ha. By the fourth year the advantage from tree killing upon grass yield was apparent only at the lowest stocking rates at each fertility level. Nitrogen concentrations of the grasses and legumes, with the exception of S. hamata, were increased 7 and 10% respectively above the mean annual values of 0.89 and 1.75% where the trees were killed, while the phosphorus and sulfur concentrations were not affected. Tree killing had no effect upon wet season liveweight gains during the last 2 years of the experiment. However, there were some benefits during the dry season when weight losses were lower for most treatments during the early dry season (June-September) and also lower for the lowest stocking rate treatment without fertiliser during the late dry season (October-November).
Strategies for control of Phoma black stem in annual Medicago species
Authors: Barbetti MJ
Published: March 2005

Strategies for control of Phoma black stem disease in annual Medicago species through selection of cultivars with increased resistance to Phoma medicaginis, fungicidal spray applications to swards, and fungicidal control of seedborne infection, were investigated. Fiftyseven annual Medicago cultivars and lines were screened for resistance in the field in 1 m rows over 2 consecutive seasons. There were significant differences in resistance among species and also between lines and cultivars of any particular species. Three M. rugosa cultivars were very highly resistant and most cultivars and lines showed some resistance. In a field trial, the fungicides benomyl, carbendazim, flutriafol, propiconazole, thiabendazole and triadimefon were tested for their efficacy in controlling Phoma black stem disease. All fungicides reduced disease severity in the sward and, except for thiabendazole, the percentage burrs with Phoma lesions. The role and control of seed-borne P. medicaginis in causing Phoma black stem disease in Medicago truncatula and M. polymorpha var. brevispina at a field site was also investigated. Seed-borne P. medicaginis caused subsequent development of Phoma black stem disease in swards sown with infected seed. Disease appeared earlier, developed faster and became much more severe in M. truncatula cv. Cyprus than in M. polymorpha cv. Serena. Application of benomyl seed treatments (0.1 and 0.5% w/w) resulted in only a 4-5 week delay in the onset of Phoma black stem symptoms.
Comparative growth, water use and yield of chickpea, safflower and wheat in south-eastern Queensland
Authors: Beech DF , Leach GJ
Published: March 2005

Growth, yield and water use of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), were compared with those of wheat (Triticum aestivum), to determine their merits as alternative crops. The experiment was conducted on a vertisol at Dalby in south-eastern Queensland in a season of below average rainfall. Each crop was grown at 4 plant population densities (PPD), namely 14, 28,42 and 56 plants/m2. Above-ground dry matter (DM) production at maturity was largest in safflower (439 g/m2) and smallest in chickpea (253 gIm2). Seed yield was 144 g/m2 for wheat, 100 g/m2 for safflower and 95 g/m2 for chickpea. DM production was closely related to accumulated growing day degrees but the relation weakened with diminishing soil water availability towards maturity. DM production increased with increasing PPD in all crops. However, only chickpea gave a positive seed yield response to PPD. Safflower extracted more water (375 mm) from the top 2 m of the soil profile than wheat (212 mm) and chickpea (195 mm). Overall water use efficiency (WUE) for DM and seed yield was low; wheat had the highest values (1.91 and 0.68 g/m2/mm respectively) and safflower the lowest (1.15 and 0.26 g/m2/mm). We suggest the low values of WUE may be in part a feature of the dry season, with high evaporative demand immediately preceding maturity. Based on 1988 market prices, the best economic returns would be from chickpea, followed closely by safflower and then wheat.
Nodulation and nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) of four cultivars of chickpea
Authors: Silsbury JH
Published: March 2005

The capacities of 4 Australian cultivars of chickpea to nodulate, grow and to fix N2 after inoculation with commercial peat inoculant (Group N, strain CC1192) were examined up to flowering in 2 experiments. One was a field experiment and the other a glasshouse pot experiment involving application of mineral (NO-3) N. Nodule activity was estimated by acetylene reduction assay (AR). The study was conducted in response to recent reports and field observations of apparently poor fixation by chickpea crops in South Australia and of poor cereal yield following a chickpea crop. The cultivars Dooen, Tyson, Opal and Amethyst all nodulated successfully with the inoculant and fixed N2 actively over the vegetative period, although plants were slow to nodulate under warm conditions. A sharp decline in nodule activity was not observed at flowering but observations were not continued into the grain-filling period. A nutrient solution 2.5 mmol/L for NO-3 (compared with no NOT) applied 14 days after sowing, delayed nodulation, had no effect on total nodule number 50 days after sowing but markedly reduced nodule activity of all cultivars. Cultivars showed only small differences in nodule number and in nodule activity; but all showed a strong, positive, growth response to NO-3 and accumulated more N when NO-3 was applied than when only N2 was fixed. It was concluded that all 4 cultivars were adequately nodulated by strain CC1192, which led to active N2 fixation during the vegetative period. Poor apparent fixation by chickpea crops in the field may be due to decline in nodule activity during grain filling and mobilisation of plant N to the grain, or to the use of soil mineral N rather than fixed N2. If chickpea is to gain a useful place in cereal-grain legume rotations in southern Australia, grain yield needs to be increased, dependence on soil N reduced and nodule activity prolonged into the grain filling period. These objectives may be achievable in part through the identification and eventual use of an inoculant other than CC1192.
Effect of tillage on yield, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean in far north-coastal New South Wales
Authors: Hughes RM , Herridge DF
Published: March 2005

An experiment to examine the effect of tillage practice on yield, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean in a podsolic soil on the far north coast of New South Wales is reported. Soybeans were sown into either a cultivated or no-tilled seedbed following pasture in 1983 and 1984, and following soybeans in 1984 and 1985. Results over the 3 seasons indicated substantially improved nodulation under no-tillage. The mean nodulation index (nodule mass as a percentage of shoot mass) was 4.5 for no-tillage soybean and 2.3 for the cultivated crops. Nitrogen fixation, assessed using the ureide technique, was higher in the no-tillage plots, especially during early plant growth, Plant growth and seed yield were increased by no-tillage in the wetter 1984 season; the reverse occurred in the other 2 less favourable years. Data on crop N, seed N, and fixed N (estimated by partitioning N accumulated by the crops during successive periods of growth, according to the relative ureide values) were combined to calculate N balances. Potential gains of soil N were greatest under the no-tilled soybeans (as much as 110 kg Nha; mean over all seasons was 80 kg Nha). The cultivated crops showed a maximum gain of 86 kg N/ha and an average gain of 30 kg N/ha. The data indicate that soybean has the potential to improve the N fertility of podsolic coastal soils, particularly when grown using no-tillage practices.
Regional evaluation of cotton cultivars in eastern Australia, 1974-85
Authors: Reid PE , Thomson NJ , Lawrence PK , Luckett DJ , McIntyre GT , Williams ER
Published: March 2005

In 1974, a district cotton cultivar trial was initiated to assess the yield and fibre quality of promising cultivars in all major Australian cotton growing areas over 1 or more years. A nearly 5-fold range in site yields (595-2451 kg/ha) occurred across locations and years. Yields were usually higher in the last 6 years of the trial (overall mean 1688 kg/ha) than in the first half (overall mean 1223 kg/ha). Queensland sites (except Theodore) were lower yielding than average, while New South Wales sites (except Warren) were higher yielding. Deltapine cultivars from the U.S.A. have been the dominant commercial cultivars during 1974-85, and in the first 9 years of the trials USA. or Australian-bred Deltapine types produced the highest overall lint yields. Since 1982, Australian-bred Siokra lines have been the highest yielding with their resistance to bacterial blight apparently being an important factor in their performance. The rate of genetic gain in lint yield, as assessed from the overall year means and the mean yield of the 2 control cultivars (Deltapine 16 and Namcala) grown in all 12 years of the trials, was 2.3% per year. These yield increases were also accompanied by improvements in fibre strength and micronaire value in some of the recently developed lines or cultivars. A number of genotypes with mutant traits associated with host plant resistance to insect pests were compared with their near-isogenic counterparts. Superokra leaf yielded 6% less than normal leaf, nectariless yielded similarly to nectaried, and glabrous yielded similarly to delta-smooth pubescence. Frego bract yielded less in 1 comparison but in 2 others was similar to the normal counterpart, while glabrous and frego bract together led to reduced yields. Intra-varietal selection was shown to produce useful gains in yield between 3 to 6.5%.
Cereal grain yield responses to deep ripping on duplex soils
Authors: Crabtree WL
Published: March 2005

The relationship between the thickness of the sandy A horizon and grain yield responses to deep ripping of wheat and barley was studied on the south coast sandplain of Western Australia. Thirty-five sites with duplex soils, with variable thickness of the sandy A horizon were ripped to 30 cm, while 15 sites were also ripped to 20 cm. There was a positive linear regression (R2 = 0.63) between grain yield response to 30 cm ripping and the thickness of the sandy A horizon. Ripping to 30 cm resulted in economical returns, provided the A horizon was greater than 31 cm thick. Ripping into the clay B horizon was of no benefit. The average response to 30 cm ripping was 15% (230 kg/ha). Grain yield was positively related (R2 = 0.43) to depth of ripping on those sites where the sandy A horizon was more than 39 cm thick. Ripping to 20 cm was economic on soils with a sandy A horizon greater than 20 cm thick.
Effect of varying node number per bearer on yield and juice composition of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines
Authors: Clingeleffer PR
Published: March 2005

Cabernet Sauvignon vines were pruned so that bearers of varying node number ranging from 2-node spurs to 14-node canes were retained on the same vine. Studies of factors that determine production and grape juice composition were made. A linear relationship between yield per bearer and nodes per bearer was established, a result of more bunches from increased shoot numbers. Bunch weight and yield per node decreased linearly as node number per cane increased. The effect of node position along bearers on time of budburst, shoots per node and bunches per shoot were described with linear or higher order polynomial regressions for each treatment. Juice composition was largely unaffected by a 5-fold difference in yield between the pruning treatments.
Effect of type and weight of nursery produced planting material on the development of banana cv. Williams in North Queensland
Authors: O'Farrell PJ , Shepherd PK , Daniells JW
Published: March 2005

Bananas cv. Williams grown from planting material produced in a nursery were studied to determine minimum planting weights for planting material from this source. There were 3 weights of both suckers (0.25-0.5, 0.5-1.0, and 1.0-1.5 kg) and bits (0.45-0.6, 0.6-1.0, and 1.0-1.5 kg). Shoot emergence from suckers occurred on average 17 days earlier than from bits. Small and medium bits had shooting failures of 8 and 2% respectively. Medium and large suckers produced 2 bearing plants in the plant crop, the 'first' from the apex, the 'second' (shoot emergence 8 weeks later) from a lateral bud. The 'second' reduced sucker growth and bunch size of the 'first'. High sucker number was more consistent on plants from small suckers, and medium and large bits in the plant crop, which facilitated selection of even-sized followers. Cropping was most uniform in these treatments in ratoons 1 and 2. Yield of medium and large suckers in the plant crop was twice that of the other treatments and represented the combined yields of the 'first' and 'second' plant. However, the average annual yield of medium and large suckers over both the plant and ratoon 1 crops (57 t/ha) was the same as the other treatments, due to both a 12% reduction in yield and a longer period to harvest in ratoon 1. Yield of small suckers, and small, medium and large bits was the same in the plant crop (25 t/ha) and ratoon 1 crop (73 t/ha). Further work is required with nursery material to elucidate its response to time of planting, and the interaction of bud state and weight of bits.
Effect of postharvest application of calcium on ripening of peach
Authors: Wills RBH , Mahendra MS
Published: March 2005

Postharvest vacuum infiltration of a calcium solution into unripe peaches delayed the time to ripen at 20�C compared with untreated fruit, with the use of 1% calcium at 21 kPa giving an increase in storage life of about 30%. However, the infiltration technique induced skin injury which could not be overcome.
Carcass and meat quality of Bos indicus x Bos taurus and Bos taurus cattle in northern Australia
Authors: Wythes JR , Shorthose WR , Dodt RM , Dickinson RF
Published: March 2005

Liveweights, carcass characteristics, bruising and muscle properties of Bos indicus x Bos taurus (BiX) and Bos taurus (Bt) cattle (1070 steers and 394 cows) were compared from 7 experiments throughout Queensland. In general, the cattle were weighed (unfasted), transported as mixed genotype groups to an abattoir and given access to water from arrival until slaughter. Access to feed varied between experiments. Mustering to slaughter periods varied from 4 to 9 days.
For steers, mean liveweight at slaughter and carcass characteristics (weight, dressing percentage, liver weight and rib fat depth) were generally similar for BiX and Bt. In 1 of the 5 experiments with steers, BiX had a greater (P<0.05) mean liveweight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and liver weight. In both of the experiments with cows, BiX had greater (P<0.05) mean carcass weight but in only 1 experiment greater (P<0.05) mean liveweight and dressing percentage. There were no consistent differences between BiX and Bt in bruise score.
Meat properties were compared in 1 experiment each for steers and for cows. BiX cows had a greater (P<0.05) mean initial yield(YI) shear value and tended to have a greater peak force (PF) for M. longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle than Bt cows. BiX had a lower (P<0.05) PF - IY value. Genotype had no significant effect on shear values and sarcomere length in steers or on cooking loss in steers and cows.
Over all experiments, there was a higher (P<0.05) percentage of Bt than BiX carcasses ( 8.5 v. 3.7%) with high pH (> 6.0) values 24 h post mortem (pH24) for LD muscle. Genotype had no significant effect on mean pH24 and ultimate pH in cows or steers. Significantly more (P<0.05) cow than steer carcasses had high pHz4 values (10.9 v. 5.0%).
In 2 experiments, more (P<0.05) heads and tongues were condemned for BiX than Bt steers, but there was no significant difference for the percentage of burst rumens.
We conclude that the belief held by producers, butchers and others that BiX cattle have more bruising and produce darker meat than Bt cattle is unfounded. The overall toughness of meat from cattle slaughtered in northern Australia is of much greater concern than minor differences between genotypes.
The use of licking behaviour of cattle to administer medicaments
Authors: Hasker PJS , Roach P , Howitt CJ
Published: March 2005

The use of the licking behaviour of animals as a means of dosing cattle was evaluated in 2 experiments. In the first experiment the licking behaviour of 8 Brahman cross steers in a yard was recorded over a 4 day pretreatment period and then for 6 days when sugar syrup (first 3 days) and molasses (next3 days) were applied to their sides. In the pretreatment period, the steers varied greatly in the extent to which they licked themselves and others. The frequency of self licking did not vary significantly (P>0.05) from day to day. The steers favoured their left side and mainly licked between the shoulder and hip and on the lower rump. They licked others mainly on the head, neck and shoulder. Licking activity was greatly increased by the application of sugar syrup or molasses.
In the second experiment the licking behaviour of 20 Hereford heifers in a paddock was observed after applying molasses to their sides. There was considerable variation in the extent to which heifers licked themselves and others after molasses was applied to their sides. Frequency of licking by heifers varied from day to day, only 4 of the 20 animals licking themselves after every application. Licking of others was less common than in the steer group. The results suggest that this delivery system could be used to administer medicaments to cattle.
Suppression of oestrus in Zebu heifers with melengestrol acetate
Authors: Hasker PJS
Published: March 2005

The value of melengestrol acetate (MGA) as a means of suppressing oestrus and its administration by utilising the licking behaviour of the animal were investigated in 3 groups of 30 Sahiwal cross heifers. For 63 days 0.5 mg MGA was either individually fed daily (fed group) or applied daily with molasses to the midrib of heifers to be licked off (licking group). The third group received no treatment (control group). When treatments ceased, fertile bulls were introduced for 11 weeks. The heifers were then slaughtered.
Control animals exhibited oestrus regularly throughout the treatment period while those in the treated groups failed to exhibit oestrus after the first week. Post treatment oestrus was synchronised in the fed group but only partial synchronisation occurred in the licking group.
Pregnancy rates from the first post-treatment oestrus of 63, 17 and 33% for the control, fed and licking groups respectively were significantly different (P<0.01). Pregnancy rates of 87, 60 and 80% from the first plus second post-treatment oestrus for the control, fed and licking groups respectively also differed significantly (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the cumulative pregnancy rates after the third post-treatment oestrus.
This study demonstrated that daily oral administration of MGA suppresses oestrus in heifers, but pregnancy rates following cessation of treatment are depressed. Application of MGA with molasses to an area on the coat to exploit the licking behaviour of the animal appeared successful. However, the practicability of the technique needs verification under extensive grazing conditions.
Deep cultivation of a sandy soil, near Esperance, reduced the incidence of Rhizoctonia bare patch and increased grain yield of lupins
Authors: Brennan RF , Crabtree WL
Published: March 2005

The incidence of rhizoctonia bare patch in lupins was decreased by increasing the depth of cultivation on a grey sand at Gibson, Western Australia. With a shallow 5 cm cultivation, 18% of the plot area was covered with rhizoctonia patches. Deep ripping with an Agrowplow to 20 cm reduced the area of patch to 7%. Deeper ripping to 30 cm further decreased the area of patch. The area covered by rhizoctonia patches was negatively related with lupin yields and accounted for 65% of the variation of dry matter yields of lupin whole tops and 70% of the variation in grain yields. The increase in lupin grain yield as a result of the cultivation (deep ripping) could possibly be due to the reduction of rhizoctonia patch area and any effects that cultivation alone had on lupin growth. The effects of cultivation (deep ripping) and rhizoctonia bare patch on lupin grain yields cannot be separated in this experiment.