bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The partition of fat between depots and its distribution in the carcasses of water buffalo and Dutch Friesian cross-bred cattle
Authors: Abdallah O. Y. , Shahin Karima A. , Latif M. G. A.
Published: March 2009

Dissection data from an experiment involving 12 buffalo, nine ♂Friesian × ♀Egyptian native Baladi (½ Friesian) and nine ♂ Friesian × ♀ ½ Friesian (¾ Friesian) bulls were used to examine the growth and partition of fat between depots and its distribution in different regions of the carcass.

Growth of total dissectible carcass fat (TCF) and its component depots (subcutaneous (SCF); intermuscular (IMF); kidney knob and channel (KKCF)) and total offal fat (TOF) and its component depots (caul (CF); mesenteric (MF); heart (HF)) relative to total body fat (TBF = TCF + TOF) was examined.

Relative to TBF, no significant differences in growth coefficients or adjusted means of TCF, TOF, carcass SCF and carcass KKCF were found between genotypes. Compared with ¾ Friesians, buffaloes had lower rates of deposition of CF and IMF, lower proportion of TBF deposited as MF and a greater proportion of HF.

As dissected side fat (DSF) increased, the proportion of fat decreased in the distal hind limb and neck, increased in the abdominal wall and adjacent ventral part of the thoracic cavity and remained unchanged in the other carcass regions. Fat growth coefficients differed between genotype groups in all carcass regions except the distal hind limb, fore limb and thorax. A posterior-anterior decrease in growth impetus of fat from the loin (b < 1) towards the neck (b > 1) was traced in buffaloes while the growth coefficients within all dorsal cuts in cattle did not differ significantly from 1. Compared with cattle, buffaloes had more of the DSF occurring in the combined expensive cuts with higher SCF: IMF ratio only at the upper limits of fatness considered in the present work.

It is argued that buffaloes relative to Friesian cross-breds have a beef-type fat partition and that characteristic changes in rates of increase in fat depots relative to empty-body weight and in fat in various regions relative to total fat could be related to the increase in Friesian blood.
A proposed experimental method for the determination of the digestible energy of ingredients in pig feeds
Authors: Frape D. L. , Tuck M. G. , Boxall R. C.
Published: March 2009

For the purposes of compounded feed formulation an important assumption with regard to the digestible energy (DE) content of ingredients is made. It is assumed that the energy contents of individual ingredients in a feed are additive and therefore that, irrespective of the combinations in which the various ingredients occur, the energy contributed per unit of a particular ingredient remains constant. This implies that the DE content per unit of that ingredient is the same at all concentrations of the ingredient in the feed mixture. In other words, as one ingredient is substituted in increasing amounts for another in a dietary mixture, there is a linear change in the DE content of the whole feed. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether this assumption is valid.
A survey of the damage caused to crops of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) by insect pests in south-central England and their effect on seed yield
Authors: Free J. B. , Williams Ingrid H.
Published: March 2009

No correlation was found between the seed yield per plant of oil-seed rape, the percentage of podless stalks and the percentage of pods infested with seed weevil larvae. The weight per seed and the percentage of podless stalks of winter and spring rape plants were similar.

In winter crops the mean number of seeds per plant, weight of seeds per plant, and number of pods per plant were greater near the crop centre than near the crop edge. Plants with relatively few seeds tend to compensate by having heavier ones.

Pods infested with seed weevil had fewer and lighter seeds than pods not infested, but the overall decrease in weight of seed per pod was small. The proportion of pods infested with seed weevil in winter rape was twice that in spring rape plants, but was not great. In lightly infested fields the weevils were concentrated at the edges, but the opposite occurred as infestation increased.

Infestation of pods of winter rape by seed weevil increased with the number of years rape had been grown on the farm. There was no correlation between insecticide application and yield, but the number of insecticide applications to spring rape crops was positively correlated with the number of years for which the farmer had grown rape.
Paraformaldehyde as a silage additive
Authors: Wilson R. F. , Wilkins B. J.
Published: March 2009

In three experiments, ryegrass and lucerne were ensiled for 100 days in test-tube silos containing about 100 g of crop either without additive or after the addition of paraformaldehyde or formalin to provide 0·1–0.4% of the fresh crop weight as formaldehyde (HCHO). When applied as prills containing 82% HCHO, paraformaldehyde was as effective as formalin in restricting fermentation and preventing extensive protein breakdown at comparable HCHO application rates. The lower solubility of paraformaldehyde containing 98 % HCHO as powder or prills made these forms less effective than formalin in restricting fermentation. Paraformaldehydecontaining 98% HCHO was, however, effective even at the lowest rate of application, in preventing clostridial-type fermentations when these were present in silages made from untreated crops.This was in contrast to formalin which promoted such fermentation at low rates of application.
The hormone control of ovulation in the calf
Authors: Marden William G. R.
Published: March 2009

1. Unlike many other mammals, the calf is capable of responding to pituitary injections almost from birth. Age has little effect on the ability of the follicles to develop during a series of a.p.h. injections, the follicular response generally being as good 3 weeks after birth as in calves 6–8 months old.

2. Ovulation can occur spontaneously in the a.p.h. treated calf before the end of the first month of post-natal life.

3. Ova obtained from such ovulations are capable of fertilization, although the percentage becoming fertilized is very low. This is thought to be due to the infantile state of the Fallopian tube and the difficulty in inseminating into the uterus, rather than faulty maturation of ova.

4. Although many follicles (10–60) can develop during a series of a.p.h. injections, superovulation was not consistently obtained either by intravenous injections ofa.p.h., l.h.orp.u., or combinations of any of these three.

5. Superovulation can generally be obtained, with the formation of many corpora lutea, if the a.p.h. treatment is repeated a second time after a period of luteal activity.

6. The inhibitory effect of a corpus luteum on ovulation in cattle can be overridden in tho a.p.h. treated animal if suitable quantities ofa.p.h., l.h.orp.u.are intravenously injected when the newly formed follicles are approaching maturity.

7. Ovulation in the calf at all ages up to 8 or 9 months of age, either in the presence or absence of luteal tissue, is unaccompanied by oestrus. Oestrus, when occurring during a series of a.p.h. injections, commenced after 90–100 hr. of treatment. In such cases slaughter has always revealed the presence of luteal tissue, indicating that ovulation during a ‘silent heat’ had occurred before the commencement of pituitary treatment.

8. Great individual variation exists in the ability of the ovary to respond to pituitary injections. This insensitivity to gonadotropins is not confined to young calves and has been observed in calves 4–6 months of age.
A survey of maincrop potatoes I. Estimates of yield, 1948–50
Authors: Dyke G. V. , Avis P. R. D.
Published: March 2009

The survey shows that objective estimates of the yield of maincrop potatoes can be obtained from small samples carefully selected and dug by hand. Samples taken from about 1000 fields gave estimates of the mean yield of all counties sampled with a standard error due to sampling of less than ± 0·2 ton/acre. The precision of the estimate could have been improved by a better distribution of samples among counties.

The results point to underestimation on the part of the official estimates, in each of the 3 years, especially in the case of high yields in particular counties, and in particular years. The discrepancy between the official and the survey yields is of the order of 1¾ tons/acre, after all necessary corrections have been applied to the survey yields.

The experience gained in the survey indicates that the method of sampling adopted provides an accurate and reliable method of estimating the yields of potatoes which could supplement, and, possibly, ultimately replace the present official estimates if more accurate estimates are required. A national scheme, properly designed, which would include all the potato-growing areas in due proportion should not be unduly expensive to operate. Estimates so obtained would not only be generally more accurate than those obtained by the present official method, but, perhaps more important, would indicate far more closely the fluctuation in yield from year to year.
Nutrient composition of the produce of the Broadbalk continuous wheat experiment I. Changes over seventy years
Authors: Chambers W. E.
Published: March 2009

1. A rapid extraction procedure of dried and ground plant material has been used in conjunction with the Lundegårdh flame method of spectrographic analysis. The accuracy of the analysis has been estimated, and the method has been shown to be comparable with ashing and gravimetric analysis.

2. The effect of fertilizer treatment on yield and on the nutrient composition of the crop has been outlined. The changes which occurred in the period

1852 to 1921 have been summarized by linear regressions fitted to 10-year means.

3. The recovery of potassium was estimated, and the exhaustion or accumulation of potassium was shown to be related to exchangeable potassium in the surface soil.

4. Sodium and magnesium sulphates used as fertilizers were shown to increase crop yield by increasing the potassium supply to the crop. It has been shown that the extra potassium came from non-exchangeable forms.
Stomach development in buffalo calves as influenced by different feeds
Authors: Singh Manohar , Yadava I. S. , Rao A. R.
Published: March 2009

Thirty-two milk-fed Murrah buffalo calves of 3 weeks of age were randomly allotted to four dietary groups: milk, concentrate-berseem hay in the ratios 1:1 and 1:3, or berseem hay alone. Milk intake was gradually reduced and completely stopped after the sixth week of age in the groups given dry feeds. Two calves from each group were slaughtered at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks of age. In addition, four buffalo calves were slaughtered at 21 days of age for comparison.

Observations on ruminal tissue weight, content weight and the ruminal capacity indicate that the ruminant stomach of buffalo calves weaned on dry food after the sixth week of age becomes structurally developed by 9 weeks of age, whereas the rumen remains underdeveloped in calves fed milk to 15 weeks of age.
Methods of analysing competition with special reference to herbage plants: I. Establishment
Authors: Hill J. , Shimamoto Y.
Published: March 2009

A diallel arrangement, which incorporated the essential features of the de Wit density replacement series, was employed to study the effects of competition amongst five genotypes of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Of the five genotypes concerned two were derived from S·24, two were collected from natural populations in South Wales, while the remaining genotype originated from S· 23. These five genotypes were grown as monocultures and in all ten binary combinations. Within each combination there were three mixture proportions, namely 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75. All mixtures and monocultures were represented by two boxes, one of which was cut at 3-week intervals (frequent cutting) the other being cut at 6-week intervals (infrequent cutting). At each cut all plants within the appropriate mixtures and monocultures were harvested individually and their dry weight recorded.

The results obtained over the first 18 weeks of the experiment (i. e. the first three complete growing periods) establish that competition is occurring in nine of the ten binary combinations. Within these nine combinations competition may be classified into one of three groups: first, it may be compensatory, in which the gains and losses incurred by the two components counterbalance; secondly, it may be positive complete complementation, where the advantage gained by the stronger component is such that the mixture performance matches that of the better monoculture, and thirdly, it may be positive over-complementation, where the yield of the better monoculture is surpassed by the mixture. Further tests disclose that a long-leaved S· 24 genotype is the strongest competitor, while a short-leaved, prostrate, indigenous genotype proves to be by far the weakest competitor.

Estimates of the equilibrium proportions for each genotype combination suggest that most combinations are expected to become monocultures of the strongest component, with only the combination between the long-leaved indigenous and longleaved S· 23 genotypes remaining a mixture at equilibrium. None of these equilibria coincides with the proportions required to achieve maximum productivity from a particular combination. The results are considered in relation to the known characteristics of these five perennial ryegrass genotypes, while the wider agronomic implications are also discussed.
The pH change in bull semen and fertility
Authors: Anderson J.
Published: March 2009

An account is given of the relationship between the decrease in pH on incubation of bull semen and fertility. It is shown that, in general, a high pH change tends to be associated with a good conception rate and vice versa. There are, however, exceptions to this general correlation, and it is believed that the pH change test, while giving an indirect measure of sperm metabolism, does not provide the clue to the problem of fertilization.
Effects of plant density, irrigation and potassium and sodium fertilizers on sugar beet: I. Yields and nutrient composition
Authors: Draycott A. P. , Durrant M. J. , Webb D. J.
Published: March 2009

Three experiments (1970–2) on calcareous sandy loan tested all combinations of four plant densities (18500–124000 plants/ha), two amounts of potassium (0, 156 kg/K/ha) and sodium (0, 247 kg/Na/ha) fertilizer and two watering treatments on yield and chemical composition of sugar beet. The main effects of the treatments in all three experiments confirmed that at least 75000 plants/ha were needed for maximum sugar yield, that sodium fertilizer increased sugar yield more than potassium (+0.76 and +0.29 t/ha respectively) and that the crop responded to irrigation in some years (+1.35 t sugar/ha in 1970 and +1.67 t/ha in 1972).

Analysis of the growth of the crop showed that increasing the plant density increased leaf growth per unit area from singling onwards and giving irrigation increased it from July; the effects persisted until harvest and were reflected in increased sugar yields. Fertilizer increased leaf growth early in the season but the effect disappeared later, although sugar yield was still increased. Interactions between plant density, fertilizer treatment and irrigation were small every year but there were some consistent effects on sugar yield. The results suggest that in commercial practice the optimum density is 75000 plants/ha; where irrigation is not practised, 247 kg/ha of sodium and 70 kg/ha of potassium fertilizer should be given. Where irrigation is applied, only 247 kg/ha of sodium needs to be given as the extra water increases the uptake of soil potassium.
The effect of potassium carbonate solution on the drying of lucerne: 2. Field studies
Authors: Tullberg J. N. , Minson D. J.
Published: March 2009

In two field studies it was found that lucerne hay swaths sprayed with 3000 1/ha of 2% (w/w) aqueous potassium carbonate solution after cutting dried more rapidly than mechanically conditioned or control swaths; the ratio of drying rates being 2·17:1·43:1·00 respectively. Hay yields were increased in one of the two studies by the use of potassium carbonate.

The effect of different application rates was studied in a third trial using 200, 500 and 875 1/ha potassium carbonate solution, compared with mechanically conditioned and control swaths. After only 29 h of field exposure all swaths treated with potassium carbonate had dried to moisture contents below that required for baling (moisture: dry matter ratio < 0·3).
Relationship between lodging, morphological characters and yield of varieties of maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Remison S. U. , Akinleye Dele
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were carried out in the early and late growing seasons in the rainforest zone of Nigeria to find out the relationship between lodging, morphological characters and yield of maize.

Morphological characters associated with lodging were plant height, ear height and length of basal internode. There was a negative correlation between lodging and yield. Much of the lodging recorded, especially in the early growing season, was due to weak stems. Earliness, diameter of stem and leaf area had no relationship with lodging.
The effects of the date of defoliation of the seed potato crop and the storage temperature of the seed on subsequent growth: 1. Sprout growth
Authors: Wurr D. C. E.
Published: March 2009

Seven experiments carried out over 3 years investigated the effects of the date of defoliation of the seed crop and the storage temperature of the seed on subsequent sprout growth.

The time of defoliation of the seed crop had a small, variable effect on the number of sprouts but with all varieties in every year, early defoliation gave the greatest total sprout length. The effect of later defoliation on sprout length varied according to the variety and the year. Most of the variation in total sprout length per tuber appeared to be attributable to differences in the date of dormancy break of the seed tuber.

Storage throughout the winter at 15 °C gave fewer sprouts but a greater total sprout length per tuber than storage at 9 °C. A linear relationship between total sprout length per tuber and accumulated day degrees above 0 °C from dormancy break accounted for most of the variation in sprout length occurring in Désirée, Pentland Crown and Majestic as a result of storage at 9 °C and 15 °C for different periods of time.
A consideration of the techniques for estimation of milk yield by suckled sheep and a comparison of estimates obtained by two methods in relation to the effect of breed, level of production and stage of lactation
Authors: Doney J. M. , Peart J. N. , Smith W. F. , Louda F.
Published: March 2009

Three techniques, lamb-suckling and test-weighing, hand- or machine-milking following administration of oxytocin, and measurements of body-water turnover, used for the estimation of milk yield in suckled sheep are discussed in relation to sources of error and comparability of estimates.

Results are presented from an experiment in which the lamb-suckling and the oxytocin techniques were compared. The mean daily milk production of Scottish Blackface and East Friesland × Scottish Blackface ewes suckling single and twin lambs was measured by both methods at weekly intervals for 6 weeks. All ewes were well nourished to ensure full expression of milking capacity. Additional information from a similar experiment on Merino ewes is also presented.

The oxytocin method gave higher estimates of mean daily milk yield in the first week of lactation, especially in the groups of ewes rearing single lambs and in the Blackface breed. By the second week in most groups and the third week in all groups there were no significant differences between estimates made by the two methods and the relative values of the estimates were not affected by level of milk production, number of lambs suckled or genotype of ewe and lamb.
The effect of the dry period on the subsequent lactation in three half-sib groups of British Friesians
Authors: Wood P. D. P.
Published: March 2009

Reserve energy accumulated before calving may make a contribution to total lactation yield. Random samples of cows which produced their first two lactations in the same herds were drawn from the progeny groups of three British Friesian sires whose milk yield proofs differed by a very significant amount. Regression of second lactation yield on first lactation, intervening dry period and length of lactation showed that the effect of the dry period was different in the three groups. Daughters of sire A with a contemporary comparison of + 374 ± 20 kgshowed a regression of 21·6 ± 7·8kg/day of dry period; sire B+174 ± 24 kg, 9·0 ± 5·2 kg/day; and sire C -174 ± 87 kg, 5·5 ±3·0 kg/day. If the dry period can be regarded as an opportunity for the cow to accumulate body reserves, a standard 60-day dry period could have made a contribution to total yield in group A of 25·5%, in group B of 12·2% and in group C of 8·1%. The argument for regarding these figures as approximate measures of the relative response to steaming up of the cows in the three groups is developed.
Comparison of sulphur-coated urea and ammonium sulphate amended with N-Serve as sources of nitrogen for sugarcane
Authors: Dalal R. C. , Prasad M.
Published: March 2009

A comparison of ammonium sulphate (AS) with and without N-Serve and sulphurcoated urea (SCU) as N sources for sugarcane, studied in a pot experiment, showed that although the tillering, the leaf N concentration and cane yield were increased by adding fertilizer N there were no significant differences between N sources. However, AS and AS + N-Serve depressed the soil pH, especially that of acidic soils, much more than SCU. In a field experiment where AS, urea and SCU were compared on a calcareous soil, it was observed that urea gave significantly lower cane and sucrose yields than AS and SCU when N was applied on the surface, possibly due to greater volatiliization losses from urea. Subsurface application increased the efficiency of urea, although the method of placement had no significant effect on the N efficiency of AS and SCU. AS was as effective as SCU. Thus the coating of urea by sulphur increased its efficiency for sugarcane only when applied on the surface of a calcareous soil.
The nutrition of the early weaned lamb:III. The effect of ad libitum intake of diets varying in protein concentration on performance and on body composition at different live weights
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , McDonald I. , Fraser C. , Corse Elizabeth L.
Published: March 2009

1. Fifty lambs weaned at about 5 weeks of age were fed ad libitum on mixtures of barley and fish meal containing either 11·0, 15·7 or 19·4% crude protein in dry matter. Male and female lambs on each diet were killed at intervals, starting after they had been on the diets for 3 weeks. The last to be killed had attained a live weight of about 55 kg.

2. The mean rate of voluntary feed consumption was less at all live weights for the lambs on the diet containing 11·0% crude protein than for those on the other diets and the difference was statistically significant at live weights of 30 and 35 kg. Mean rates of live-weight gain on the low, medium and high protein diets were respectively 191, 270 and 330 g per day for the male lambs and 177, 225 and 301 g per day for the females, the increase with protein concentration being highly significant. Feed conversion rate (kg feed/kg gain) over the whole experiment increased with increasing weight at slaughter. After adjustment for this effect the mean values showed significant dietary effects, and were least on the highest protein concentration.

3. The percentages (y) of nitrogen or of ether extract in the dry matter of the carcass or of the whole empty body were found to be related non-linearly to the empty-body weight (x) at time of slaughter. The relationships were satisfactorily described by equations of the form y = A + Be-Cx, where A, B and C were fitted constants. The relationships for males and females had to be fitted separately, but a common value of A could be used with each of the three groups of male lambs and similarly for the three female groups.

4. These relationships were used to obtain estimates of the nitrogen, ether extract and energy content of empty-body gain per unit live-weight gain. The estimated percentages of energy retained as fat were of the order of 76–83%, in agreement with ARC estimates (1965), except for male lambs between 14 and 20 kg live weight on medium or high-protein diets, for which the estimates were only 62 and 63%.

5. The implications of these relationships are discussed with particular reference to the finding of dietary effects on body composition during the growth period of the lambs and to the tendency for these differences in body composition to diminish as mature live weight was approached. The differences in body composition between male and female lambs showed no such tendency to diminish.
The effect of benomyl systemic fungicide and the growth regulator CCC on eyespot disease of barley
Authors: Davies J. M. L. , Jones D. Gareth
Published: March 2009

The systemic fungicide benomyl was used as a seed dressing and as a spray at two concentrations, 250 and 500 ppm, on the winter barley variety Pella. An additional treatment was a spray application of CCC at 500 ppm. All spray treatments were applied at growth stage 3–4. Without fungicide treatment, total yield in the inoculated plots was approximately 40% of that in the uninoculated plots. The 500 ppm fungicide-spray treatment significantly decreased incidence and severity scores of eyespot, the seed dressing being significant only for the latter. The seed dressing and 500 ppm spray treatments significantly increased mean yield/head, fertile tiller number and 1000 grain weight. All the fungicide treatments significantly increased total yield in the inoculated plots. There were no significant effects of CCC upon disease or upon yield, neither was there any interaction between benomyl and CCC.
The effect of sowing date and season on the development and yield of Navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in south-east England
Authors: Scarisbrick D. H. , Carr M. K. V. , Wilkes J. M.
Published: March 2009

The results of experiments in which Navy beans (cv. Purley King) were precision drilled at the beginning, middle and end of May in 1972, 1973 and 1974 suggest that the optimum time to sow is mid-May when soil temperatures at 10 cm depth have reached 12–13 °C. Earlier sowing usually led to a reduced plant stand and low yields whilst in 1972 and 1974, two exceptionally cool years, later sowing resulted in lower yields following a reduction in 1000-seed weight.

Despite contrasting weather conditions acceptable yields of seed were obtained in all 3 years from mid-May sowings although cool wet conditions in the autumn of 1974 curtailed drying of the seeds below 30% moisture content. Accumulated temperatures (Ontario units) were successfully used to predict stages in crop development and the data used to demarcate the areas in England most suitable for Navy-bean production.
An assessment of the influence on net herbage accumulation, herbage consumption and individual animal performance of two lengths of grazing rotation and three herbage allowances for grazing beef cattle
Authors: Bartholomew P. W. , McLauchlan W. , Chestnutt D. M. B.
Published: March 2009

Over three grazing seasons a sward of perennial ryegrass, cv. Gremie, was grazed on a rotational paddock system by growing beef cattle weighing on average 185·5 kg when turned out to grass in April. Six grazing treatments were compared: grazing at 20- or 35-day intervals at each of three herbage allowances of 5·3, 4·3 and 3·3 kg grass D.M./100 kg live weight (4·0, 3·2 and 2·4 kg D.M./IOO kg live weight in the 1st year).

Measurements of net herbage accumulation and herbage consumption throughout each grazing season were made by taking grass sampling clips to ground level before and after grazing. Animal live-weight gain was assessed by regression on weighings of stock taken either every 7 or every 4 days depending on regrowth interval treatment. Adjustment of allocation treatment was made by varying the weight of stock grazing on a fixed paddock area.

In no year did annual net herbage organic-matter accumulation (NHA) differ significantly according to length of grazing interval. NHA showed a 4·7 % advantage for the longer interval in the first 2 years which changed to a deficit of 4·1 % in the final year of the experiment. Herbage allowance treatment produced no significant effect on NHA in any year. The interaction effect of herbage allowance and grazing interval was not significant.

Herbage consumption was greater in 2 years out of three under the 20-day regrowth period than with the 35-day treatment, although average degree of defoliation was slightly greater (44·0 v. 38·4%) with the longer interval.

Animal live-weight gain was significantly (P < 0·05) affected by herbage allowance in all 3 years; decreasing herbage allowance generally resulted in reduced live-weight gain. Only in 1 year was there a significant difference (P < 0·001) in live-weight gain with the different rotation length treatments.
Comparative effect of six cultivars at four rates of nitrogen on the grain yield and grain quality of spring-sown malting barley in Ireland
Authors: Conry M. J.
Published: March 2009

Nine experiments were conducted in the south-east of Ireland on three contrasting soils over a 3-year period (1988–90) to test the effect of six cultivars at four rates of nitrogen on the grain yield and quality (ex-farm) of spring-sown malting barley.

Blenheim gave the greatest grain yield and lowest protein on average. Blenheim and Prisma had similar low protein values but Prisma gave significantly lower (P <0·05) mean grain yields than Blenheim at all three sites. Corniche gave significantly lower (P <0·05 to 0·01) grain yields than Blenheim in all nine experiments. Choice of cultivar had a considerable effect (<16%) on the yield and protein content of malting barley but season and soil type had a much larger effect (2–3 times greater).

The application of increasing increments of fertilizer nitrogen generally increased grain protein and screenings significantly (P <0·05 to 0·01) in all nine experiments but it did not always give increased grain yields. The levels at which nitrogen gave significant grain yield increases depended on season and soil type. Season and soil type had a much larger effect on grain yield and quality than nitrogen rate.

It was not possible to relate grain yield to specific climatic factors except on the light textured soil in 1990 when severe moisture stress in the early part of the growing season reduced grain yield by 32·5% compared with the previous 2-year average.
Planting pattern of two pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) cultivars when intercropped with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)
Authors: Rao L. J. , Mittra B. N.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were conducted during the two monsoon seasons of 1985 and 1986 at Kharagpur, West Bengal, to investigate the effect of pigeonpea cultivars and their planting pattern on the performance of a groundnut–pigeonpea intercrop. In intercropping the crops were also sown at 100% population of their sole crops. Groundnut plant growth and development was affected by intercropping with pigeonpea and the decline in pod yield ranged from 7 to 50% of the sole crop yield. The compact, short-statured and short duration pigeonpea cultivar, ICPL87, intercepted only 50% of the incoming solar radiation as against the 70% intercepted by LRG30 at the peak vegetative stage. The significantly higher groundnut yield (48%) obtained from the intercrop with the former pigeonpea cultivar as compared to the latter justifies the belief that the performance of the groundnut was light-related. This was further confirmed when the light interception by pigeonpea was reduced by increasing the row spacing from 90 to 150 cm and there was a consequent increase in groundnut yield. The cultivar and row arrangement of pigeonpea that allowed equal utilization of light by both crops gave increased productivity.
Interpopulational and intervarietal F1 hybrids in Lolium perenne: heterosis under simulated-sward conditions
Authors: Foster C. A.
Published: March 2009

The performance of a series of intervarietal F1 hybrid populations was determined in simulated swards in a range of environmental conditions. On average the hybrids were more stable in performance than their parental varieties, but they showed no general yield advantage. Several hybrids were markedly heterotic at the higher-parental level, however. More heterosis was exhibited in high productivity conditions than in less favourable environments. A generally poor correlation between parental and F1 hybrid performance under competitive simulated-sward conditions and performance in noncompetitive spaced-plant conditions was found.
Development of the testis and epididymis of the Clun Forest ram
Authors: Colyer R. J.
Published: March 2009

Observations were made on the development of the testes and epididymides of thirty-two Clun Forest ram lambs. There were no significant differences between the weights and volumes of the left and right testes and epididymides.

The rate of increase in testicular and epididymal weights was linear up to a body weight of 46 lb (20·9 kg) followed subsequently by a significantly greater rate of increase at higher body weights. Similar patterns of growth occurred in relation to age, although at a given age there was a wide range of testicular and epididymal weights. There was a close relationship between the development of the testis and the epididymis at body weights greater than 46 lb (20·9 kg).

There were two distinct phases in the dimensional growth of the testis. Increases in testicular length and breadth proceeded at much the same rate at testis weights of below 20 g. During the subsequent phase testicular length increased at a significantly greater rate than testis breadth.
Association of seed type and colour with establishment, yield and seed quality in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Authors: Knights E. J. , Mailer R. J.
Published: March 2009

Using closely related inbred lines, the effects of selecting for two contrasting seed types (desi and kabuli) and colours (brown and white) were determined for a number of agronomic and seed characters in chickpea. Plant establishment was 53% higher in desi types than in kabuli types, and 20% higher in brown-seeded lines than in white-seeded lines. Increased contents of tannins in testas of brown seeds were associated with the seed colour response, whereas the difference in establishment between desi and kabuli types was probably a function of the thicker desi testa. Differences in yield due to seed type and colour reflected differences in establishment, but were smaller in magnitude.

Seed type was clearly associated with testa fraction and fibre content. Desi seeds averaged 15·7% testa and 13·2% acid detergent fibre, but kabuli seeds contained only 6·7% testa and 5·6% fibre. In contrast, the crude protein content of kabuli seeds was 1·4 percentage points higher than that of desi seeds. Testa and fibre contents of brown kabuli seeds were significantly greater than those of white kabuli seeds, although the differences were smaller than those between desi and kabuli types.

Decortication was satisfactory for white desi seeds, but for white kabuli seeds it gave rise to highly fragmented cotyledons which were often contaminated with attached testa. Brown kabuli seeds produced a sample of intermediate quality. It is suggested that, with some genetic improvements and processing refinements, brown kabuli genotypes could be developed as dual-purpose chickpeas, having both culinary and stockfeed uses.
Effects of row spacing and the control of pests and pathogens on four cultivars of spring-sown field beans (Vicia faba)
Authors: McEwen J. , Yeoman D. P.
Published: March 2009

Experiments in 1986–88 compared the spring field bean cultivars Alfred, Minden, Ticol and Troy, grown on clay-with-flints soil at Rothamsted, at row spacings of 12 and 48 cm, and compared two pest and pathogen control programmes based on (i) ‘standard’ control of Ascochyta fabae, Ditylenchus dipsaci and seed-borne viruses and (ii) ‘enhanced’ control of Sitona lineatus, bean leaf roll virus via the vector Acyrthosiphon pisum, Botrytis fabae and Uromyces viciae-fabae in addition to the pests and pathogens in the ‘standard’ control.

With standard control, Minden had the largest mean seed yield of 4·6 t/ha; with enhanced control, Alfred was best with 6·1 t/ha.

The yield benefits of enhanced control ranged from 0·2 t/ha on Ticol in 1986 to 2·4 t/ha on Alfred in 1988. They were related to the control of weevils (S. lineatus), chocolate spot (B. fabae) and rust (U. viciae-fabae). At 1989 prices, the cost of materials used for enhanced control would be repaid by a yield increase of 0·3 t/ha.

The closer row spacing increased yields by 0·15 t/ha on average but effects differed greatly between years. Benefits were largest in 1986 when plants were shortest and in that year were largest for the shorter cultivars.

It is suggested that trials of field bean cultivars should always include a test of pest and pathogen control.
Tolerance of chloride and sulphate salinity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Authors: Manchanda H. R. , Sharma S. K.
Published: March 2009

Chickpea is the most important pulse crop of the arid and semi-arid areas. In India, it is cultivated during winter, depending on soil moisture stored from the preceding summer rain, which is often inadequate to ensure a satisfactory crop.

In most such areas, saline ground water is the only source of supplementary irrigation to which chickpea, like other pulses, is highly sensitive (Maas & Hoffman 1977). Field observations indicate (Manchandaet al.1981) that chickpea is more sensitive to chloridedominated than to sulphate-dominated saline water irrigation. Since most saline ground water and saline soils are dominated by chloride or sulphate salts, this study evaluated the effects of these salts on the yield and mineral composition of chickpea at different electrical conductivities. (ECe).
Surveys of sugar-beet seed crops, mangold clamps and weedsin England for aphids and viruses, 1963–73
Authors: Heathcote G. D. , Byford W. J.
Published: March 2009

The annual patterns of infestation of sugar-beet root and seed crops by green aphids (Myzus persicae) and by black aphids (Aphis fabae) were similar, paralleling population changes shown by catches on sticky traps in southern England, but the incidence of yellows in root crops was not correlated with incidence in seed crops in the same year. Few green aphids overwintered on beet-seed plants and the incidence of yellows was consistently low in the main seed-growing areas where all the stecklings are raised under cereal cover crops. Elsewhere, yellows sometimes spread in the autumn and many green aphids occasionally overwintered. Black aphids were seldom prevalent; the severity of attack correlated with the number of eggs laid on spindle (Euonymus europaeus) during the previous autumn.

Twenty-two per cent of mangold clamps checked in mid-April contained aphids, but only about 5 % contained M. persicae. Seventeen per cent of the infested clamps contained aphids infective with BMYV and 10% contained aphids infective with BYV. However, the acreage of mangolds grown in England has decreased.

Myzus ascalonicus overwintered on weeds more often than M. persicae or other species likely to act as vectors of viruses affecting sugar beet. Forty per cent of samples of some common weeds collected from sheltered sites during mid-April from 1963 to 1973 were infested with aphids, and those on chickweed (Stellaria media), groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) were commonly infective with yellowing viruses. Weeds are probably a major source of yellowing viruses in southern England.
Luteolytic effect of prostaglandin F2α in Boran and Boran × Friesian cross-bred heifers
Authors: Mutiga E. R. , Mukasa-Mugerwa E. , Azage T.
Published: March 2009

The luteolytic effect of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) during the confirmed luteal phase of the oestrous cycle was evaluated in ten Boran and ten Boran × Friesian cross-bred heifers. Following injection with 25 mg Lutalyse, animals were bled every 6 h for 96 h and plasma progesterone (P4) determined by the ELISA technique. Borans had significantly (P < 0·05) smaller corpora lutea (12·01±0·72 ν. 17·03±2·10 mm) and responded faster to PGF2α injection (65·57±1·40 ν. 78·27±2·18 h) than the cross-bred heifers. However, there was no significant difference in either the initial P4 values (6.24±0·98 ν. 8·00±1·71 ng/ml) or the rate of its decline following PGF2α injection between the two breeds. Values declined sharply to basal levels (11% of the initial pretreatment values) within 48 h in both breeds. All ten cross-breds and eight Borans showed standing oestrus within a week of treatment. However, oestrus was better synchronized (P < 0·05) in Borans than cross-breds. It was concluded that PGF2α is effective for oestrus synchronization in both breeds, but oestrus occurred earlier and was more precise in Borans than in cross-breds.
Seasonality of oestrus and ovulation in Corriedale ewes: repeatabilites and phenotypic correlations
Authors: Iglesias R. M. Rodriguez , Irazoqui H. , Ciccioli N. H. , Giglioli C.
Published: March 2009

Oestrus and ovulation data from 104 adult Corriedale ewes, recorded daily from February 1988 to May 1990 in Argentina, were analysed to estimate repeatabilities of and phenotypic correlations between onset and cessation of the breeding season, duration of the anoestrus and ovulation rate.

The repeatability of dates of onset and cessation of the breeding season and duration of the anoestrus was 0·48±0·080, 0·49±0·075 and 0·50±0·081, respectively.

The duration of the anoestrus was significantly correlated both with onset (r = 0·24; P < 0·05) and with cessation (r = –0·47; P < 0·01) of the previous and subsequent breeding seasons, respectively.

There was no correlation between dates of onset and cessation of the breeding or non-breeding seasons.

Repeatability estimates of ovulation rate were 0·27 ± 0·034, 0·34 ± 0·081 and 0·43 ± 0·094 using the normal, logit and probit scales, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between ovulation rate and the components of the breeding and non-breeding seasons were all non-significant.
Grain yield, biomass and leaf area of triticale in response to sowing date and cutting stage in three contrasting Mediterranean environments
Authors: Ramos J. M. , Moral L. F. García del , Boujenna A. , Serra J. , Insa J. A. , Royo C.
Published: March 2009

The effects of sowing date and cutting stage on grain yield, biomass and leaf area were analysed in three spring triticale genotypes (× Triticosecale Wittmack) grown at three different sites in Spain during 1990/91. Results indicated that the most appropriate sowing date for grain yield in these environments seemed to be from the last 10 days in November to mid-December. Cutting reduced grain yield, biomass and leaf area at anthesis, and these decreases were greater in a drier environment (the only exception being cutting at Zadoks growth stage (GS)31 at Lleida), and when the cutting was done at GS31 rather than GS30. The significant relationships found between the percentage loss in grain yield and biomass and leaf area at anthesis after cutting suggest that genotypes intended for grain and forage production need to be able to regenerate leaf area rapidly after cutting.
N, P and K on organic farms: herbage and cereal production, purchases and sales
Authors: Fowler S. M. , Watson C. A. , Wilman D.
Published: March 2009

Yields of dry matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in herbage and cereals from fields representing different stages of the rotation were recorded on two organic farms in 2 years. Amounts of N, P and K purchased and sold were also recorded on these farms.

Some additional data was obtained from three other organic farms. Herbage production was very satisfactory, whether fields were grazed or cut. The proportion of clover in sown swards was, in most cases, satisfactory to high, but the clover content was very low in a few fields. The yields of cereals were about equal to or below the average obtained on farms using fertilizer and other agrochemical inputs. Manure was normally applied to the leys, which were the fertility-building part of the rotation, rather than to the cereal crops. Leaching of K from manure heaps was considerable.

Purchases of N, P and K (mainly in manure) seemed excessive on one of the farms. On one of the farms studied in less detail, less P and K were purchased than were sold. More attention could be given to the balance between purchases and sales of N, P and K and to the efficient conversion of N into saleable produce.
Effect of plant population density on dry matter partitioning and yield in a short-duration cultivar of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) grown in the tropics
Authors: Craufurd P. Q.
Published: March 2009

An erect, 60-day cultivar of cowpea, IT84S–2246, was grown with adequate soil moisture at two locations in Nigeria in 1990/91, Ibadan (7° N) and Kano (12° N), contrasting in total incident radiation (Q) and at plant population densities of 1·9–7·7 and 5·4–16·3 plants/m2, respectively. Leaf area, radiation interception and dry matter (DM) accumulation and partitioning were measured. Total shoot and seed dry weights were greater at Kano (mean 4·10 and 1·61 t/ha, respectively) than at Ibadan (mean 1·89 and 0·68 t/ha, respectively), and greater athigher plant densities. Relationships between the reciprocal of total shoot (Wt) and seed dry weight (Ws) per plant and plant population density (Np) determined at Kano and Ibadan were linear and parallel; intercepts, however, were significantly different (P< 0·005). The theoretical maximum potential Wt and Ws per unit area (i.e. 1/b) was therefore the same at Kano and at Ibadan, 448 and 170 g/m2, respectively. However, the optimum Npat Kano and Ibadan was markedly different,c.10 and 40 plants/m2, respectively. These differences in the relations between DM yields and Npat Kano and Ibadan are examined in terms of leaf area, radiation interception and the partitioning coefficient, and the implications for the design of other agronomic investigations in cowpea are discussed.
Soil surface moisture measurement and its influence on the establishment of three oversown legume species
Authors: Awan M. H. , Barker D. J. , Kemp P. D. , Choudhary M. A.
Published: March 2009

Soil surface moisture is a dominant factor influencing the establishment of surface sown seed, but its measurement is difficult. A cobalt chloride (CoCl2) saturated paper strip (20×5 mm) technique was developed as a cheap but sensitive indicator of soil surface moisture. The influence of soil surface moisture on the seedling survival of three oversown legume species, subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Karridale), strawberry clover (T.fragiferum L. cv. Grasslands Onward) and Caucasian clover (T. ambiguum Bieb. cv. Monaro) was investigated in a glasshouse and a field experiment at Palmerston North, New Zealand, between 1 October and 30 November 1993. Intact sods were sprayed with glyphosate, placed in plastic trays (420×300×50 mm) and transferred to the glasshouse or field. Three soil surface moisture treatments were imposed in the glasshouse. In the field trial, the plastic trays were buried flush with the soil surface in contact with the subsoil and exposed to natural wind and rainfall. Bare seed was oversown in a 20 × 20 mm grid and then pushed into the soil with a roller studded with metal rods to simulate treading by sheep. The low soil surface moisture treatment and the field trial had the lowest seedling survival. The main cause for this was low surface moisture caused by wind, which hindered radicle entry into the soil. Subterranean clover was less susceptible to low surface moisture and had better net seedling survival in all the treatments than the other two legume species.