bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monensin feeding trial with young growing bulls
Authors: Tuori Mikko , Syrjälä-Qvist Liisa
Published: July 2018

The effect of monensin ongrowth and feed utilization was studied in male calves of milk breeds, mainly Ayrshire. After weaning they were kept in an indicated loose-housing type shed divided into four strawbedded pens. The experiment was started at the age of 2—3 months and lasted 16 weeks. A concentrate mixture and grass silage were offered ad libitum. The concentrate given to the test groups had a monensin content of 35 ppm. Monensin lowered the feed consumption: in the control and test groups the intake of concentrate was 3.9 and 3.7 kg DM, respectively, the silage intake was 0.8 and 0.7kg DM, the fattening feed unit intake was 4.65 and 4.36, and the ME 54.4 and 50.9 MJ per day. The liveweight gain was not affected (1328 and 1329 g/d). Monensin improved the feed conversion rate by 6 %. The animals in the test groups were slightly cleaner than the animals in the control groups.
Effect of liming on phosphorus in two soils of different organic matter content: I Changes of native and applied phosphorus in incubation experiment
Authors: Hartikainen Helinä
Published: July 2018

The effect of increasing lime quantities on reactions of native and applied P was investigated in an incubation experiment performed with two acid mineral soils of pH 4.8 (CaCl2). The soil samples differed considerably in the content of organic matter, which was reflected in their pH buffering power: in the fine sand, rich in organic matter (6.4 % org. C), liming raised the pH less than in the muddy fine sand (3.0 % org. C). The level of native water-soluble P was markedly lowered in the incubated soil samples treated with nutrient salts. In the muddy fine sand, the decrease tended to be the smaller, whereas in the fine sand the greater, the more intensive liming was. This held true also of added P. The changes in CHANG and JACKSON’s P fractions did not alone satisfactorily explain the dissimilar response of soil P to lime treatments. The fate of P was concluded to be controlled by the quality and quantity of Al species differing in their affinity for P sorption. The changes in the solubility of P are a net result of processes enhancing and of those depressing the sorption tendency. In the fine sand soil of high initial content of water-soluble P, the detrimental effect of liming seemed to be attributed to the abundance of polymerized Al the affinity of which for P retention increased with intensified liming. Further, the high pH buffering power of this soil reduced the efficiency of lime to produce OH- ions able to compete with phosphate for sorption sites. In the muddy fine sand soil, on the contrary, the formation of sorption-active sites was not equally marked and, owing to the weaker pH buffering, liming raised the OH- concentration more effectively.
Factors affecting bovine ketosis and its association with non-return rate
Authors: Lindström U. B. , Von Bonsdorff Marcus , Syväjärvi Jouko
Published: July 2018

Data on 16406 cows (6025 recorded) from the area of the East & Central Al Society were analysed by least squares procedures. Ketosis incidence was determined from the milk by a commercial keto test reagent by AI technicians in connection with the ordinary first insemination of a particular cow. Ketosis incidence was on average 11.5 %, increased up to about the 4th - 5th parity and was significantly higher in larger herds. Breed did not significantly affect ketosis incidence. There was a tendency for higher incidence with increasing usage of commercial feed mixtures. Cows with ketosis milked less than unaffected ones and cows inseminated earlier than 60 days after calving had significantly higher incidence than cows inseminated later. The complete statistical models accounted for only 5 % (all herds) and 9 % (recorded herds) of variation in ketosis incidence, indicating the need for better measures of the herd environment. Heritabilities for ketosis incidence were not significantly different from zero. Cows with ketosis had significantly poorer non-return rates than unaffected ones, indicating the need for prophylactic measures.
Genetical and environmental factors affecting slaughter traits in beef production experiments in field
Authors: Kenttämies Hilkka
Published: July 2018

During the years 1971-77 the carcass weight of fattening calves delivered from dairy herds increased by 40kg. During the same period the differencies between areas grew smaller. The growth rate and carcass traits were affected by feed type of the farm, rearing time, sex of the calf and breed of sire. In comparison with the Ayrshire bulls, the carcass weight of contemporary Charolais bulls was 16 and of Friesian 12%-units higher, but of Finncattle bulls 7%-units lower. Differencies between heifers were still larger. The growth rate of Ch and Fr remained on a high level longer than that of Ay and Fc. The heritability estimates of Ay and (Fr) were .23 (.61) for carcass weight,.39 (.77) for net growth, .14 (.15) for carcass score and .06 (.26) for fatness score. Differencies between farms within feed type consisted of about 50 % of the variation in growth rate and carcass weight, and about 25 % in carcass scores. Feeding was more consistent on farms with mere indoor feeding than on farms where the animals were also kept on pasture.
Xylitol, polyol molasses and glucose in the diet of newborn calves: I. Effect on growth and some blood values
Authors: Tuori Mikko
Published: July 2018

In a feeding trial with 18 calves, three carbohydrate additions were compared in a liquid milk replacer diet: glucose, xylitol and polyol molasses (PM). The average consumption of substrates was 41, 42 and 48 g dry matter of glucose, xylitol or polyol molasses per day. After one week of colostrum and whole milk feeding, liquid milk replacer was given 12 % of live weight. The trial lasted to the age of 5 weeks. Daily live weight gain was 452, 479 and 425 g in the glucose, xylitol and PM groups(n.s.), respectively. Intake of concentrates was greater in female than male calves (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the feed conversion rate between the groups: 1.83, 1.88 and 1.98 kg dry matter/kg live weight gain in the glucose, xylitol and PM groups, respectively. Venous blood samples were taken before the first feeding after birth, then 1, 2, and 4 days, and 1, 3 and 5 weeks after birth. Haemoglobin and haematocrit were higher in the glucose than in the xylitol and PM groups, and higher in female than male calves (P < 0.05). There were no differences between the groups in plasma glucose, calcium or magnesium contents. Plasma urea-N was lower in the xylitol than in the glucose group (P < 0.05). Plasma inorganic phosphorus was higher in the xylitol than in the glucose group on week one and three after birth, the difference being significant at 3 weeks of age (P < 0.05).
Reaction of spring barley cultivars grown in Finland to soil-borne infection by Bipolaris sorokiniana and to its toxic metabolites
Authors: Kurppa Aarne
Published: July 2018

Soil-borne infection of Bipolaris sorokiniana caused foot and root rot in all spring barley cultivars studied. Significant differences in susceptibility of the cultivars and pathogenicity of the fungus isolates were found. Primary symptoms caused by the fungus were seedling blight, later foot and root rot. Yield losses caused by the fungus varied from 3 % to 33 % the mean being c. 15 %. Yield losses could occur without severe disease symptoms. Toxic metabolites produced by the fungus induced visible foot and root symptoms in all cultivars tested and caused lesions in the leaves of some cultivars. Variability in toxin production of fungus isolates as well as the reaction of a cultivar to toxins was demonstrated. The cultivars most susceptible to soil-borne infection by the fungus also showed the most severe symptoms when exposed to toxic metabolites of the fungus.
The pathogenicity and importance of seed-borne infection by Bipolaris sorokiniana on barley in Finland
Authors: Kurppa Aarne
Published: July 2018

Seed-borne infection by Bipolaris sorokiniana decreased the percentage germination of barley seeds and the emergence of seedlings. Infection levels were higher in non-germinated than in germinated seeds. Seed treatment with organomercurial fungicide or imazalil improved the percentage emergence but a low number of diseased seedlings still remained in the crops. The fungus caused a reduction in grain yields in most experiments and also decreased their value as sowing seed, if the weather conditions were favourable for compute disease expression. Yield losses in greenhouse experiments varied from 7.2 to 38.5 % and in the field from 5 to 11 %, and showed a strong correlation with the infection levels in the seed stocks. Higher losses were associated with the six-row cultivars. Organomercury seed treatment resulted in a slight but in significant increase in yields but it was able to prevent an occurrence of secondary infection in the crop resulting in a lower seed infection levels of the grain. In field experiments in Inari (69° N.L.) seed-borne inoculum could be demonstrated clearly to be the only source of a severe disease outbreak. The inoculum remaining in the soil was capable of initiating soil-borne infection of barley seedlings during the following two growing seasons.
Root parasitic nematodes in nursery plants imported to Finland in 1980
Authors: Kurppa Sirpa
Published: July 2018

Injurious nematodes were found in 201 of the investigated 670 plant stocks of 42 imported consignments. Infections by quarantine nematodes appeared in 100 stocks of 26 consignments, 15 there of including 3 or more infected plant stocks each. Root knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp., appeared in 81 stocks, i.e. 12 % of the investigated material. The infections were found in 40 plant species, relatively often in barberry, Berberis sp., and in peony, Paeonia sp.. Among garden roses, 26 out of 167 stocks investigated were infected by root knot nematodes. Root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Chitwood & Oteifa, of P. convallariae Seinhorst was found in 28 plant stocks, i.e. 4 % of the investigated material. Several Pratylenchus-infected stocks were found among roses, raspberry and barberry. Potato rot nematode, Ditylenchus destructor Thorne, was found in one rose stock and related D. myceliophagus J. B. Goodey in 12 stocks of various plants. Several ectoparasitic species were found in very low numbers. Virus vectors, Trichodorus primitivus (de Man) Micoletzky and T. viruliferus Hooper, were detected in a total of four stocks, but too few for virus transmission tests. The transmissability ofthe detected nematodes was discussed, and the risks of introduction of nematode pests to the country was re-assessed.
Enzymes as silage additive. Effect on fermentation quality, digestibility in sheep, degradability in sacco and performance in growing cattle
Authors: Huhtanen Pekka , Hissa Kari , Jaakkola Seija
Published: July 2018

Fungal glucose oxidase and cellulase were used as silage additives in laboratory (25 l), pilot (3 m3) and farm scale (250 t) silos. In 3 m3 scale silos, pH and the concentration of acetic acid were lower and the concentrations of lactic acid and sugars were higher in the enzyme treated than in untreated silage. The concentration of butyric acid was equal to or lower than in formic acid treated silage in all experiments. Cell wall constituents were degraded in the silo by cellulase and thus more energy was available for lactic acid bacteria. With increasing levels of cellulase application, the disappearance of organic matter (OM) from nylon bags incubated for 1 to 12 h in the rumen of a dairy cow increased significantly (P
An analytical and breeding study on fatty acids in summer turnip rape (brassica campestris L. var. annua)
Authors: Laakso Into
Published: July 2018

The fatty acid composition of the seed oil of summer turnip rape (Brassica campestris L. var. annua) was investigated by gas liquid chromatography (GLC). The reliability of conventional sampling methods in capillary GC was compared with that of the new on column and PTV (programmed temperature vaporizer) techniques, with particular reference to the determination of fatty acid variation. In order to develop new, well-adapted turnip rape strains with improved oil quality, a breeding programme for a higher linoleic acid content, based on individual plant selection, was performed in 1978—85. The results showed that the conventional sampling techniques involving sample transfer to a hot injector were very unreliable as regards precision and accuracy. This was especially the case in the determination of trace fatty acid levels. The PTV methods with splitless and solvent split mode were as precise as cold on-column injection. The PTV sampling modifications, which are all superior to classical techniques, were even more suitable for routine analyses than on-column injection, where several restrictions are met. The analytical error with PTV for most of the compounds represented less than 1 % of the variation found for fatty acids within a turnip rape variety. The breeding experiments indicated that the level of linoleic acid can be increased under open-pollinated conditions in the field without affecting the α-linolenic acid content. The greenhouse conditions, on the other hand, were found to have a considerable environmental influence on the variation of these compounds, resulting in no response to linoleic-acid selection. In field trials, several strains with yields comparable to the varieties commonly cultivated in Finland were selected with a higher linoleic acid content (up to25 %). Most of them also contained no erucic acid. The new evidence concerning its beneficial physiological effects indicate that rapeseed oil should be considered as a serious alternative among sources of essential fatty acids. Such aspects should also be taken into account in future breeding of rapeseed fatty acids.
The effect of method of fertilizer application on sugar beet yield, yield quality and fertilization requirement in Finland
Authors: Raininko Kyösti , Erjala Matti
Published: July 2018

In 1982—1990, the Sugar Beet Research Centre conducted a total of 68 fertilizer placement trials. The present paper deals with 23 trials from five field experiment series. In the evaluation of the results, other experiments conducted at the Sugar Beet Research Centre have also been referred to. The field trials were conducted on experimental farms of the Sugar Beet Research Centre and of sugar factories. The soil type of the experimental fields varied from compact clay to finesand. The soil pH was high (6.7 —7.4) and the nutrient status good. The fertilizer used was an Na-containing compound fertilizer (N 13 %, P 6 %, K 9 %, Na 6 % in 1982—1987; N 15 %, P 6 %, K 8 %, Na 5 % as from 1988). The fertilizer was applied with a fertilizer drill. A disk bill was used in 1982—1983; thereafter a thin spring tine bill was used. Placement of fertilizer 3—6 cm to the side and 3 cm below the seed increased the root yield of sugar beet by 5—6 %, on an average, as compared to broadcasting. The yield increase ranged from 0 to 24 %. The yield increase from fertilizer placement correlated negatively with the sugar beet yield level. The nutritional status and humus content of soil, and soil type did not affect the yield increase from fertilizer placement. The seed bed preparation one-pass power harrow or conventional method had no significant effect on the yield increase from fertilizer placement. Increasing the level of fertilizer reduced the yield increase from fertilizer placement in some of the trials. This was not always the case, however. Placement usually gave a slightly higher sugar content than did broadcasting. Placement reduced the potassium content of the beet slightly and increased the extractability of sugar. As compared to broadcasting, placement increased the recoverable sugar yield relatively slightly more than the root yield. Placement of the fertilizer 3 cm to the side (3 or 6 cm below the seed) yielded a better result than placement 9 cm to the side of the seed. The depth of placement did not affect the yield. In most trials, placement of the fertilizer reduced the plant population only slightly as compared to broadcasting. The harmful effect in these trials was not significant even with the smallest distance from the seed, i.e. 3 cm. In practice, placement too close was shown to inhibit or to retard germination of the beet. It is therefore recommended that the fertilizer be placed 5—6 cm to the side and 3—4 cm below the seed.
Variation in the yield and essential oil of four chamomile varieties grown in Finland in 1985—1988
Authors: Galambosi B. , Szebeni-Galambosi ZS. , Repcak M. , Cernaj P.
Published: July 2018

Four chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) varieties were grown at Puumala, Finland (61°40' N, 28°15' E) in 1985—1989 from spring sowings on stony till soil, pH 5.8. The weather conditions in the experimental years were very different. For instance between 1987 and 1988 there was a difference of 5,3°C in the mean temperature of the growing periods (May- September). The four-year average of the fresh flower yield was 0.4 (0.1 —0.7) kg/m2. The yields varied greatly depending on the number of harvests, which depended on the weather conditions. One harvest could be obtained in 1986 and 1987, two in 1985 and three in 1988. In spite of the different weather conditions there were no differences in the content and composition of the essential oil distilled from the dry flowers.
Effect of intercropping carrots and onions on damage caused by the carrot fly, Psila rosae (F.) (Dipt., Psilidae)
Authors: Varis Anna-Liisa
Published: July 2018

In small-scale field experiments carried out in southern Finland in seven successive years, rows of carrots were grown a) between carrot rows, b) between a carrot and an onion row, and c) between onion rows. The damage caused by the carrot fly, Psila rosae (F.) was slightly less in carrot rows adjacent to onion rows than in those adjacent to carrot rows. The infestation by the carrot fly was generally very low.
The fate of some pesticides in Finnish cultivated soils
Authors: Braunschweiler Hannu
Published: July 2018

The persistence and movement of methabenzthiazuron, metazachlor, trifluralin, iprodione, fenitrothion, fenvalerate and furathiocarb was studied in one growing season in cultivated clay, finesand and organic soils in southern Finland. Trifluralin was studied for two growing seasons. Methabenzthiazuron was the most mobile pesticide and metazachlor was almost as much mobile. They leached at least 15 cm in a month. Fenitrothion and fenvalerate were the most immobile. Trifluralin was the most and fenitrothion the least persistent. The concentrations of iprodione and fenvalerate in the top soils increased towards the autumn, presumably due to leaching of pesticides from plants. The residues of trifluralin measured in the surface layer of the mineral soils at the end of the growing season might have been harfmul to plants sensitive to trifluralin. The residues of trifluralin in the peat soil surface 1.5 years after the treatment were still high. Also methabenzthiazuron, iprodine and fenvalerate residues may in all probability have been detected in the following spring. If the half-life of a pesticide is over 80 - 100 days, it is likely that residues of it may be found in the spring following the application in cultivated Finnish soils.
A dynamic model for predicting the falling number of rye grains in Finnish (Ostrobothnian) conditions
Authors: Laurila Leena , Karvonen Tuomo , Hiivola Sirkka-Liisa
Published: July 2018

This study was carried out with two primary goals in mind. Firstly, the purpose was to study the behaviour of the falling number of rye during the growing season in South Ostrobothnia. Secondly, the aim was to study the effect of air temperature and precipitation on the falling number and to develop a mathematical model for predicting the daily changes in the falling number of rye. Falling number data was collected at the Research Station of South Ostrobothnia of the Agricultural Research Centre in 1975-1987. The varieties used in the study were Anna, Hankkija's Jussi, Sampo, Toivo and Voima. On the basis of the falling number measurements and the daily weather data, a dynamic model for predicting the daily changes in falling number of rye was designed. The most important independent variables of the model are maximum air temperature and precipitation. The dynamic model predicted most accurately the falling number of the variety Anna. The coefficient of determination was 0.81. The lowest coefficient of determination was 0.70 for the varieties Sampo and Toivo. The maximum falling number was high in the years with warm periods during the maturing of the kernel. The threshold was 23 °C. In these years the dynamic model was not capable of predicting the highest falling number. Moreover, the predicted decrease in the falling number was usually faster than the measured one. The low falling numbers in South Ostrobothnia were mostly not due to low maximum falling number but to the fact that the maximum was reached early at the milk ripening stage, and at that moment rye was too moist to be harvested. After the maximum was reached, the falling number started to decrease due to precipitation and/or temperature.
Effect of weather on the abundance of winter eggs of the European red spider mite on apple
Authors: Tuovinen Tuomo
Published: July 2018

Winter eggs of the European red spider mite Panonychus ulmi were counted on apple twig samples (N = 279) collected in south-western Finland in the winters of 1984/85 through 1989/90. The results of the counts were analyzed to determine the effect of the regional temperature and precipitation during the preceding growing season on the abundance of overwintering spider mite eggs. The total effective temperature sum of the growing seasons in day-degrees over + 5 °C varied between 1030 and 1564 and the total precipitation between 289 and 562 mm in May - October. The number of P. ulmi winter eggs in commercial orchards correlated positively with the sum of day-degrees in August, July, June and during the entire growing period. There were negative correlations between the numbers of P. ulmi winter eggs and the precipitation in May, October, August and in the entire growing season. The cold winters of 1985 (min. temp. - 36.7 °C) and 1987 (- 34.0 °C) reduced the percentage of winter egg hatching to 23 and 56.5 %, respectively, compared to the mean hatching rate of 75-77 % in 1986 and 1988. The value of weather records to facilitate the prognosis of need of early spring sprays against P. ulmi is discussed.
Performance of Finnsheep in South Africa
Authors: Greeff J C , Hofmeyer J H , Lourens D J , Wyma G A , Maijala K
Published: July 2018

Reproduction, survival, growth and wool parameters were calculated for an experimental flock of Finnsheep from 1969 until 1986 under semi-intensive conditions. The total number of lambs bom were 1774. Litter size, survival rate at birth and from birth to weaning differed significantly (P
Genotypic differences of storage proteins in four Scandinavian spring wheat cultivars during seed development
Authors: Peltonen Jari , Sontag-Strohm Tuula
Published: July 2018

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is grown under a wide range of climatic conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the underlying physiological phenomena which affect the quality of grain yield. The aim ofthis project was to study the interactions between cultivars in theiraccumulation and relative concentrations of the different protein groups of storage proteins at various stages of wheat grain development. Yield components, protein quantity and the quality of flour were examined. The study was carried out at the University of Helsinki, Department of Plant Production during 1989-1990. The cultivars used were Heta, Ruso, Reno and Kadett. Innorthern latitudes the early maturity class of a genotype is an important selection criterion associated with good breadmaking quality. The short grain filling period leads to a high rate of accumulation ofhigh molecular weight glutenins, because it coincides with a rapid expansion of the endosperm in the middle of grain filling. The associated yield loss in these cultivars may be compensated by higher number of grains per ear. Therefore, selection ofproductive wheat lines with earlymaturity, high protein concentration and high relative amount ofhigh molecular weight glutenins, and high grain number per ear instead of high kernel weight may lead to more stable yield and improved breadmaking quality.
Globodera rostochiensis (Woll.) Behrens (Tylenchida, Heteroderidae), the only potato cyst nematode species found in Finland
Authors: Heikkilä Jari , Tiilikkala Kari
Published: July 2018

About 10000 soil samples, 519 thereof infected with potato cyst nematode (PCN), were studied during 1984-1988. Cysts from infected samples were tested by isoelectric focusing to identify PCN species. All the infected samples were also tested with H1-resistant (Satuma) and susceptible (Bintje) potato cultivars to separate resistance breaking populations. Cysts from the roots of Satuma were tested by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The potato seed production area in Finland was found to be free of PCN of any kind. In other parts of Finland all tested samples revealed G. rostochiensis banding pattern, but no G. pallida was found. Except for the most common pathotype Ro1-Ro4, we only found Ro2.
Ensiled slaughter offal as a protein source for growing pig
Authors: Partanen Kirsi , Alaviuhkola Timo , Näsi Matti
Published: July 2018

The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the use of slaughter offal preserved by lactic acid fermentation in pig diets. Offal was first ground, autoclaved, and mixed with 70 kg sugar beet molasses per 1000 kg. After that it was inoculated with 2x105 lactic acidbacteria/g and incubated at 35°C for three days. The final pH ofthe fermented product was 3.80. The ensiled slaughter offal (ESO) contained 239 g dry matter (DM)/kg. and 319 g crude protein (CP) and 403 g crude fat (CF)/kg DM. CP contained 47 g lysine, 33 g threonine, 16 g methionine, and 8 g cystine/kg. A digestibility and nitrogen (N) balance assay was conducted with eight barrows using a 2x4 factorial arrangement in a 8x4 cyclic change-over design. The factors were protein source and protein level. Barley-based diets were supplemented with increasing levels (0, 20,40, and 60 g CP/kg) of ESO or soyabean meal (SBM). Increasing the protein supply led to a linear increase in the digestibility of CP (p
Sugars and organic acids in clones and cultivars of arctic bramble and hybrid. Sensory evaluation of juices and jellies
Authors: Häkkinen Sari , Kokko Harri , Kärenlampi Sirpa , Paasisalo Sirpa
Published: July 2018

Arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus L.) and its hybrid (Rubus arcticus L. nothosubsp. stellarcticus G. Larsson) are both cultivated in Finland. Sugars and major organic acids were analysed in several arctic bramble clones and cultivars (n = 19) and arctic bramble hybrids (n = 5) by gas chromatography. The main sugar in the berries was sucrose, and the main organic acid was citric acid. The average total contents of sugars in the berries of arctic brambles and arctic bramble hybrids were 5.0 g (CV = 0.1) and 4.7 g (CV = 0.2) per 100 g of fresh weight, respectively. The average total contents of organic acids in the berries of arctic brambles and arctic bramble hybrids were 0.6 g (CV = 0.3) and 1.5 g (CV = 0.5) per 100 g of fresh weight, respectively. Changes in these compounds during the harvesting period were also studied in mixed samples. Moreover, the sensory properties of juices and jellies prepared from several arctic bramble clones were evaluated by quantitative sensory profiling. The sugar/acid ratio obtained from the chemical analyses of the berries was compared with the sensed sweetness and sourness of juices and jellies.
Annual variations in the microflora of some varieties of Finnish malting barley
Authors: Tuominen Tapani , Rosenqvist Heikki
Published: July 2018

Three major Finnish malting barley varieties were studied for annual variations in the incidence of seed-derived fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes. In 1990-1992, 114 characterized fungal, 59 uncharacterized bacterial and 12 uncharacterized actinomycetal isolates were extracted from samples of seed intended for use in malting. When the yield of the plant hormone, indole-3-acetic acid (lAA), from enriched microbial cultures was weighed against the microbial biomass and the endogenous lAA concentration of the barley harvests, it was concluded that potential exists for bacterial lAA production in biologically significant amounts, given some minor annual variations. As expected from the average rainfall and temperature during the growing season, microbial counts in all cultivars were highest in 1992. Most of the fungal species found were of saphrophytic character, and field fungi were dominant in the samples. On the whole, microbial counts and spectra in all samples confirmed that each harvest of all cultivars was of good vigour and well suited for malting purposes. Strains of plant pathogenic character included species of Septoria nodorum (Berk) Berk, Drechlera teres (Sacc) Subraim & Jain, D. sorokiniana (Sacc) Subram & Jain and D. graminea (Rab.) Shoem. A consistent difference was noted in the microbial infection severities of the cultivars.
Determination of barley nitrogen status with chlorophyll meter for high β-amylase in grains
Authors: Peltonen Jari , Virtanen Ari , Helenius Jaakko , Suopelto Juha , Kittilä Kari , Eloranta Esko
Published: July 2018

The production of β-amylase is of great importance in two-rowed spring barley cv. Kymppi (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the Finland, where long-day conditions favour high enzyme activities. Nitrogen (N) fertilization of a crop is the main means of manipulating barley β-amylase activity for industrial purposes. In this study, leaf chlorophyll content determined with a portable chlorophyll meter (Minolta SPAD-502) in the field, was used to predict N availability of cv. Kymppi for β-amylase production. Critical chlorophyll meter readings (SPAD values) were calculated from data deriving from experiments with various N fertilizer levels using the Cate-Nelson procedure. According to the results of this study it can be stated that the critical SPAD values at pollination (i.e. pollen grains on well-developed stigmatic hairs, GS 52-58) are 37 SPAD units for grain yield and 41 SPAD units for β-amylase activity. The optimum grain yield occurred at 41 SPAD units and optimum P-amylase activity was reached at 45 SPAD units. Determination of leaf chlorophyll content using the chlorophyll meter led to more appropriate fertilizer application recommendations and subsequently increased β-amylase activity in grains. Grain protein concentration could be an effective diagnostic tool for post-harvest evaluation of grain β-amylase activity in cv. Kymppi.
In vitro pollen culture and the regeneration of Brassica campestris L. plants
Authors: Guo Yang-Dong , Pulli Seppo
Published: July 2018

Brassica campestris (Brassica rapa L. ssp. oleifera) is an important oilseed crop, particularly in Finland. Pollen culture techniques for haploid production have been developed, but B. campestris is relatively recalcitrant in pollen culture. Twenty eight genotypes of B. campestris were included in this study. The donor plants were grown in the greenhouse and transferred to the growth cabinet before bolting. Buds (2-4 mm long) were selected, macerated in B 5 medium, then NLN liquid culture medium was added. The microspores were incubated in the dark at 32°C for 72 h, then at 25°C for a further three weeks. Nineteen genotypes produced microspore-derived embryos. The highest yield was more than 300 embryos per 100 buds. Activated charcoal (150 mg/L) promoted embryogenesis, pollen development was faster and the embryo yield was higher. Plants were regenerated after transferring embryos to a solid B 5 medium. Colchicine solution was used to double the chromosome complements. About 100 regenerate plants have been obtained in our laboratory, and these haploids will be useful for the oilcrop breeding.
Three strains of bean yellow mosaic virus: symptoms and accumulation in eight pea cultivars (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Valkonen Jari P. T.
Published: July 2018

A pea mosaic strain and a bean strain of bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) were isolated from naturally infected pea and broad bean plants and named BYMV-Ps and BYMV-Vf, respectively. A third strain of BYMV isolated from Gladiolus (BYMV-G) was obtained from Denmark which was distinguished from the two above strains serologically and by its symptoms in test plants. BYMV-Ps and BYMV-Vf caused yellow mosaic symptoms and green mosaic symptoms, respectively, in eight pea cultivars tested, but the concentration of BYMV varied among the cultivars. BYMV-G caused mild mosaic or vein clearing in peas. A need to improve resistance to BYMV in the Finnish pea varieties was recognized.
Hydrolysis of αs2-casein in solution by chymosin, plasmin, trypsin and Lactobacillus-proteinases
Authors: Pihlanto-Leppälä Anne , Pahkala Eero , Kahala Minna , Antila Veijo
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the enzymic hydrolysis of αs2-casein by isolating and identifying the released peptides. The enzymes applied in the study were chymosin, plasmin and trypsin as well as cell free extracts from three strains of Lactobacillus helveticus and nine strains of L. casei. The findings showed that chymosin had weak proteolytic activity on αs2-casein. Plasmin, on the other hand, released numerous peptides under the used conditions. The majority of the identified fragments were released from the C terminal end of the substrate. Plasmin hydrolysed mainly Lys-X bonds. The third enzyme, trypsin, hydrolysed several bonds of αs2-casein. Peptides were released from almost all regions of the protein. Trypsin acted on the carboxyl sides of arginyl and lysyl residues. Cell free extract of lactobacilli had little activity on αs2-casein.
Optimizing insect pest control and nitrogen fertilizing of the summer turnip rape (Brassica campestris sutiva)
Authors: Kurppa Sirpa , Ollula Antti
Published: July 2018

The need for pest control could not be decisively reduced by boosting the compensatory ability of the summer turnip rape with extra nitrogen fertilizer. The plant compensated the damage of the blossom beetle (Meligethes aenus F.) by producing additional axillary racemes, pods and seeds. The compensation, in plant stands with about 300 plants/m2, reached its maximum capacity with a nitrogen quantity of 90 - 110 kg/hectare and covered about 30% of the harvest loss inflicted by the large blossom beetle population. Only, when the blossom beetle population barely exceeded the control threshold (one beetle per plant at the early bud stage) harvest loss was fully compensated by the extra nitrogen. The damage inflicted by the flea beetles (Phyllolrela spp.) was better compensated, however, the importance of the preventive seed treatment became evident during dry and especially warm emergence periods, when the threshold of 30 holes per plant was exceeded. The use of extra nitrogen, above the moderate 70 - 90 kg/ha, was found to yield 400 kg per hectare at the most, with insecticides the yield increased maximally by more than 1000 kg per hectare. The moderate quantity of nitrogen was, also, sufficient to produce the best operating margin in the cultivation even in heavy mineral soils.
Thrips tabaci (Lind.) (Thysanoptera, Thripidae), another vector for tomato spotted wilt virus in Finland
Authors: Lemmetty Anne , Lindqvist Isa
Published: July 2018

Populations of Thrips tabaci transmitted the isolate of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) from infected china asters to healthy china asters in laboratory experiments. Great variation was observed among absorbance values between thrips infested china asters. The highest absorbance values were obtained from stems of thrips inoculated plants. According to our results, T. tabaci seems to be a noteworthy TSWV vector in Finland, where it is the only naturally occurring TSWV vector species. It is also one of the main pests on greenhouse crops in addition to Frankliniella occidentalis, the primary vector of TSWV.
Rennet coagulation properties of heated milk
Authors: Lucey J. A. , Gorry C. , Fox P. F.
Published: July 2018

Heating impaired the rennet coagulation properties of milk which deteriorated further during storage, i.e. rennet hysteresis occurred. Acidification to pH values ≤ 6.2 or addition of low concentrations of CaCl2 greatly improved the rennet coagulation properties of heated milk. Acidification of heated milk to pH values < 5.5 followed by neutralization to pH 6.6 to produce reformed micelles, resulted in greatly improved rennet coagulation properties except for severely heated milks (120°C for 10 min) which were not coagulable even after acidification/neutralization. Acidification of heated milk to pH values < 5.5 and storage at the low pH for 24 h before neutralization resulted in a further improvement in the rennet coagulation properties. Dialysis of heated milk that had been acidified and reneutralized against an excess of normal milk resulted in a dramatic deterioration of its rennet coagulability. Reheating milk that had been heated, acidified and reneutralized resulted in little change in RCT or gel firmness. Addition of heated milk to raw milk resulted in an increase in RCT of the latter and a reduction in gel firmness.
The fall of the traditional lipid hypothesis
Authors: Salminen Kari
Published: July 2018

The Finnish recommendation "Diagnosis and treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and other hyperlipidaemias in adults"(6) is mainly based on the traditional lipid hypothesis. The expediency of the recommendation should be reviewed in the light of the latest studies on diet, blood serum cholesterol and mortality. According to this information: 1. The mortality of the population increases both at high and at low cholesterol levels. The U-shape (Fig. 1) illustrating mortality vs. blood cholesterol level is different for men and women. Hence, the optimum blood cholesterol range should be set for men and for women separately. The present target value, below 5 mmol/1 for the entire Finnish population, is not reasonable. 2. The trans fatty acids formed in the catalytic hydrogenation process of polyunsaturated fatty acids have an unfavourable effect on blood cholesterol and may contribute to the occurrence of CHD. Thus the Finnish recommendation to increase the use of margarines is not well-founded. There are considerably better alternatives on the Finnish yellow fat market (Table 1).
Performance of reduced herbicide doses in spring cereals
Authors: Salonen Jukka
Published: July 2018

The consequences of dose reduction of three new herbicide formulations were studied for the control of annual broad-leaved weeds in fields of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The herbicide formulations were MCPA/mecoprop-P, MCPA/dichlorprop-P and MCPA/fluroxypyr. The efficacy of the lowest recommended dose and a 30% lower rate were tested and compared with the reference herbicide tribenuron-methyl. Trials were conducted at seven sites for three years. Considerable annual fluctuations in weed infestation were recorded. Although the dose reduction occasionally caused considerable decline in control (on %-scale), suppression of weed biomass was still satisfactory in most of the trials. On average, a 75% reduction of weed biomass in spring barley and an 83% reduction in spring wheat were achieved with reduced herbicide doses. Use of reduced herbicide doses for three years in the same fields caused neither a significant increase in weed infestation nor changes in the species composition of weed populations compared with treatments at recommended rates of application. There was a significant difference in biomass production between weed species. Consequently, the total biomass production of annual dicotyledonous weeds correlated only weakly (r=0.48) with the total weed density. Even in untreated plots the weed biomass at harvest constituted, on average, only 3.1-3.6% of the total vegetative biomass of crop stands. Thus, the crop yield responses to chemical weed control remained low.
Comparison of diets based on grass silage, hay or oat straw supplemented with four levels of concentrates in the feeding of growing Ayrshire bulls
Authors: Aronen Ilmo , Lampila Martti , Hepola Helena
Published: July 2018

This experiment was conducted during three consecutive years with 144 Ayrshire bulls of an initial age of 185 days and live weight of 186kg. The experimental period lasted for 224 days. The ad libitum fed roughages were grass silage, hay and oat straw, each supplemented with four levels of concentrates, the number of treatments thus being 12. Daily supplements of concentrates were 0,1, 2 or 3 kg on grass silage feeding, 1,2, 3 or 4 kg on hay feeding and 2,3, 4 or 5 kg on straw feeding. Barley was used as a concentrate on grass silage feeding, but part of it was replaced by rapeseed meal and urea in the hay and straw feeding groups to balance the nitrogen intake. An increase in concentrate intake was found to decrease the roughage intake with each type of roughage, but the total intake of dry matter (DM) was increased. Increasing the level of concentrates enhanced both the rate of daily live weight gain (LWG) and carcass gain. However, 2 kg more concentrates was needed on hay feeding than on grass silage feeding to obtain similar carcass gain. On straw feeding, 4 kg of concentrates was not sufficient to obtain a comparable carcass gain as with grass silage alone. The response to concentrate supplementation on grass silage feeding indicated, however, that the growth potential of the bulls receiving silage alone or silage with small amounts (1 or 2 kg/day) of concentrates was not completely utilized. The study showed that LWG is an inadequate measure of animal performance when diets with different fill characteristics are compared. With coarse diets, a relatively large proportion of LWG is rumen contents. Comparisons of animal performance and feed conversion should, instead, be done in terms of carcass gain.
The rate of technical change in Finnish agriculture, 1960 to 1990
Authors: Sims Eric N.
Published: July 2018

The last major study of the productivity of Finnish agriculture using index numbers was completed in 1970. Since that study, there have been significant advances in duality theory and flexible functional forms. Similarly, the progress in the relationship between specific index numbers and production technologies has allowed a specific quantity index to be termed ‘superlative.’ The new techniques of measuring productivity are applied here to examine intertemporal productivity growth in Finnish agriculture from 1960 to 1990. During the period examined, the average annual rate of technical change is 3.6%. This rate is slightly greater than those reported for the U.K. and Ireland.
Micropropagation of rhubarb with special reference to weaning stage and subsequent growth
Authors: Lassus Carola , Voipio Irma
Published: July 2018

Micropropagation of rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) on MS medium with sucrose 20 g/l and agar 8 g/l, supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP) 1 mg/1 and indolebutyric acid (IBA) 1 mg/l for initiation and multiplication, was studied with cv. Victoria and clone AF. With clone AF, the effects of rooting method (direct rooting, direct rooting with Floramon A or in vitro rooting) and propagule size (height 1.5-2.0, 2.1-5.0 or 5.1-10.0 cm) on weaning survival and plant size were examined. Further growth was recorded over a 3-year period in field studies. The medium gave a multiplication rate of 3.2/4 weeks for clone AF. For cv. Victoria, the medium did not seem suitable because of high occurrence of callus and vitrification. The multiplication rate of cv. Victoria was, however, increased from 2.8 to 5.4/4 weeks by using propagules from non-sprouting instead of sprouting buds. The weaning survival of clone AF averaged 86%. Rooting method did not affect either weaning survival or plant size. Propagule size affected plant size, but not weaning survival or further growth in the field.
Mapping antigenic epitopes of potato virus Y with antibodies affinity-purified by using overlapping synthetic peptides
Authors: Vihanen-Rantanen Maija , Sironen Reijo , Vuento Matti
Published: July 2018

Synthetic, overlapping peptides representing the entire amino acid sequence of potato virus Y (PVY) coat protein were used to affinity-purify antibodies from polyclonal antisera to PVY. In testing the binding of the purified antibodies to PVY particles, antigenic epitopes were identified. The N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the PVY coat protein were found to contain most of the antigenic epitopes. The results will facilitate the development of detection methods for PVY based on synthetic peptides.
Involvement of the superoxide dismutase enzyme in the mycorrhization process
Authors: Arines Justo , Vilariňo Antonio , Palma José M.
Published: July 2018

The survivability and quality of micropropagated plants can be improved through mycorrhization. We consider that mycorrhization is important in supporting plants under stress conditions. The mechanism is not fully understood, but it seems that the enzymes involved in alleviating stress are important factors. We therefore studied superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) isozymes. Insight is provided into the generation of superoxide radicals (SORs) and the detoxification role of SOD isozymes. Examples of how the expression of this enzyme changes in symbiotic processes are also given.
In vitro mycorrhization of micropropagated Helianthemum almeriense plantlets with Terfezia claveryi (desert truffle)
Authors: Morte Maria Asunción , Cano Antonio , Honrubia Mario , Torres Pilar
Published: July 2018

The mycorrhizal synthesis of Terfezia claveryi with micropropagated plantlets of Helianthemum almeriense was carried out in vitro on modified Modified Melin- Norkrans (MMN) agar medium with pH 8.0. The mycorrhization rate was about 80% after 12 weeks. T. claveryi formed ectendomycorrhizas without hyphal mantle. The effect of the fungus on in vitro rooting was also studied. T. claveryi did not enhance in vitro rooting of microcuttings of H. almeriense. In vitro survival of the plantlets was the limiting step and mycorrhizal inoculation appeared to improve the survival rate of rooted plantlets. The effect of the mineral composition and pH of the medium on survival are discussed.
A simple and inexpensive method for producing and maintaining closed pot cultures of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Walker Christopher , Vestberg Mauritz
Published: July 2018

Trials and experiments were carried out to develop and test a simple and inexpensive method for producing and maintaining pot cultures of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. A commercially available, transparent bag, incorporating a micro-filter to allow gaseous exchange, was successfully tested, and found to satisfy the basic requirements of low cost, ready availability, ease of use, and adaptability. Pot cultures were produced and maintained in various substrates with several different plants. The system can be used for producing trap cultures, or for initiating and maintaining pure (multi- and single-spore) ramets of mycorrhizal members of the Glomales in growth chambers and greenhouses. As well as providing a means for maintaining fungal ramet purity, the system has the advantage of requiring less watering and maintenance than open pot cultures.
Arbuscular mycorrhizae and growth enhancement of micropropagated Prunus rootstock in different soilless potting mixes
Authors: Estaun Victoria , Calvet Cinta , Camprubi Amelia
Published: July 2018

The receptivity of two peat based potting mixes to AM colonisation was studied with the almond x peach clone GF677 as host plant. Four fungi were assayed: Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices, Glomus sp (E3) and Acaulospora laevis. The response of the four fungi varied with the potting mix used, stressing the importance of the growing media on the functionality of the mycorrhizal symbiosis.