bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) in the Victorian Mallee. 1. Competition with legumes
Authors: Wells GJ
Published: March 2005

The ability of lucerne (CV. Hunter River), barrel medic (CV. Jemalong), strand medic (CV. Harbinger) and field peas (CV. Derrimut) to compete with skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) was investigated at six sites throughout the Victorian Mallee from 1963 to 1966. Lucerne was the most effective legume in reducing populations of skeleton weed, reductions of up to 96 per cent being obtained within two years. An exponential relationship between skeleton weed reduction and the average lucerne plant density throughout the pasture phase was derived. Competition from the annual pasture species and held peas was less effective than that from lucerne. A linear relationship was obtained between the reduction of skeleton weed and the height of annual pasture.
Superphosphate on wheat: Influence of previous level of application on current response
Authors: McClelland VF
Published: March 2005

Over eight cycles of a wheat-oats-fallow rotation, the current effect of superphosphate was shown to decrease at an increasing rate as the level of previously applied superphosphate was increased. This relationship did not continue when the rotation was changed to a wheat-pasture-pasture-fallow system for three further cropping cycles ; despite high levels of previously applied superphosphate current effect was frequently greater than on virgin soil.
Fungi associated with root rot of irrigated safflower in the Namoi Valley, New South Wales
Authors: Kochman JK/Evans G
Published: March 2005

Root rot is an important disease of irrigated safflower in the Namoi Valley. Affected Plants wilt, become chlorotic and often die, especially when the crop is young. Below ground the wilted plants exhibit severe pruning of the lateral roots and the tap root itself may be rotted in extreme cases. Extensive culturing of the lateral roots of diseased plants in the field and from plants growing in naturally infested field soil in a growth cabinet yielded 1757 isolates of fungi, comprising 10 genera and some sterile species However, the preponderance of Pythium ultimam and P. debaryanum among isolates from diseased roots and the pathogenicity of these to safflower suggests that they are the primary cause of the disease in the field None of the other fungi was shown to be capable of inducing root rot in seedling plants. We suggest that extensive physical damage caused to plant roots by the movement of the self-mulching soils of the Namoi Valley predisposes the roots to infection by unspecialized parasites such as P. ultimum and P. debaryantlm
Control of ripe fruit rots of banannas by the use of post-harvest fungicidal dips
Authors: Burden OJ
Published: March 2005

Five chemicals were used in screening trials for the control of black end and anthracnose of bananas, both caused by Colletotrichum musae. Of the fungicides tested, Benlate (R)-[Methyl (l-butylcarbamoy1)- 2-benzimidazolecarbamate] was the most effective. Thiabendazole and 2-amino butane also gave significant control. In a larger scale trial varying concentrations of Benlate were examined using clusters of fruit in commercial fibreboard carton packs. At 100 p.p.m. and above a high degree of control of crown rot and anthracnose was achieved, both diseases being virtually eliminated at 400 p.p.m.
An evaluation of lucerne lines at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, South Australia
Authors: Leach GJ
Published: March 2005

One hundred and ten lines of lucerne from regions with Mediterranean and temperate climates have been grown in three spaced-plant trials. The collection represented a wide range of morphological variation from erect to prostrate types, and included wild creeping lucernes. Seasonal growth was compared with or without summer irrigation. Plants were cut or grazed at the frequency usually recommended for lucerne or twice as often. No line consistently yielded more total dry matter than the Australian cultivar, Hunter River, but some from the Mediterranean region yielded more in winter. Persistence was poor in the winter active Mediterranean lines, but good in Hunter River. Frequent cutting decreased persistence, and a six-month period of heavy and continuous grazing eliminated nearly all plants from most lines. Wild, spreading plants from the Mediterranean region showed the best persistence, and persisted well even under the continuous grazing, but their yields were very low. Lines from Spain and Portugal showed sufficient promise to become new cultivars, and they are under further test. Other lines have potential value when breeding for improved seasonal yield or persistence.
The effects of two management practices on the growth of steers between eight and twenty months and on the composition of the grazed pasture
Authors: Vivian GF
Published: March 2005

Results are presented of an experiment conducted in western Victoria from 1964 to 1966. The effects of rate of stocking, and conserving and feeding back hay on growth and meat production of steers between eight and twenty months were studied. Animals grazed continuously on the whole area of each plot, except during conservation. Where hay was conserved and fed back, liveweight gain and final carcase weight, together with muscle and fat measurements of animals, were significantly greater than those of animals in treatments where there was no conservation. Two treatments, 3.16 steers per hectare with conservation, and 2.17 steers per hectare without conservation, yielded carcases weighing approximately 230 kg with a backfat thickness of 10 mm, currently preferred by butchers. In successive years, mean annual liveweight gain increased. There were similar increases in the dry matter yield of pastures when measured in late winter, and the percentage of legume in the sward at this time.
Growth and carcase quality of lambs fed concentrate rations in a feedlot
Authors: Romberg B , Pearce GR , Tribe DE
Published: March 2005

Two feedlot experiments were conducted during 1967 and 1968 using crossbred lambs and concentrate rations. In experiment 1, in 1967, seven rations at three crude protein levels (approximately 15, 21, and 29 per cent) and with various constituents were fed to lambs selected at 50 lb bodyweight. Three rations were in both the pelleted and the dry mash form. Growth rate, efficiency of feed conversion, and carcase quality were measured. After an initial period of twelve days, when all lambs lost weight, lambs on the pelleted diets grew faster than those on the mash diets, but there were no differences due to protein level or to the various constituents in the diets. In experiment 2, in 1968, three pelleted diets were compared, two at low and high crude protein from experiment 1 (17 and 31 per cent), and the third at 19 per cent. Four treatments were included within each diet to overcome the initial period of weight loss : a. diet alone, b. diet and 30 per cent hay decreasing to none after 12 days, c. diet with 3 per cent calcium carbonate included throughout the experiment, d. diet with 3 per cent CaCO3 included, plus hay for the first 12 days. Hay overcame the initial weight loss and low rumen pH, but subsequently the lambs fed the lowest protein diet with 3 per cent CaCO3 grew faster and were the most efficient. Dry matter digestibility and nitrogen retention were also compared in a metabolism trial for the three diets in experiment 2.
Damage to ryegrass plants of different size by various densities of the pruinose scarab (Sericesthis geminata (Coleoptera))
Authors: Davidson RL , Wensler RJ , Wolfe VJ
Published: March 2005

The effects of the number of pruinose scarab larvae (Sericesthis geminata) and the size of ryegrass plants on the damage to roots and reduction of foliage yield were examined in a factorial pot experiment. No significant interactions occurred. At each larval density the weight of roots eaten or damaged was linearly related to the weight of roots in the controls. The slight but significant reduction of relative damage to roots and foliage with increasing plant size is therefore thought to result from a greater capacity for regrowth in the plants with larger stembases. The number of larvae had a very highly significant effect on damage to roots, but did not influence foliage yield to a significant degree, the mean reduction of foliage being 36 per cent of the control yield. As in previous experiments the ryegrass plants appeared' to lose half their roots before foliage yield was affected. The mean damage to roots was 83 per cent of the controls.
Chemical control of the cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae) in the Victorian Mallee
Authors: Brown RH , Meagher JW , McSwain NK
Published: March 2005

The nematicides Temik (2, methyl 2 (methylthio) propionaldehyde 0-(methylcarbamol) oxime), Lannate (S methyl N-((methylcarbamoyl) oxy) thioacetimidate), ethylene dibromide, and dibromochloropropane were tested for control of the cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) in field experiments with wheat in the 1968-69 season at Sea Lake, Victoria. All chemical treatments significantly reduced white cyst production, and four of the treatments increased grain yield, and reduced nematode carry-over. Temik broadcast at 11 kg a.i. per hectare provided the best nematode control and more than trebled grain yield. Lannate (13 kg a.i. per hectare) was almost as effective. Dibromochloropropane was an effective nematicide, but at 65 1 per hectare was phytotoxic.
An analysis of beef cattle growth records available in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Mason WE , Beilharz RG , Carraill R
Published: March 2005

Records of growth to weaning of 1812 calves from seven herds in Victoria and one herd in New South Wales were analysed. The results of the analysis were : 1. Preweaning growth rate of heifers decreased significantly with age at weaning. That of bulls and steers did not. 2. Age of dam had a large effect in all three sexes. Environmental factors (properties, years) affected bull calves more than heifer calves. There were fewer degrees of freedom at these levels of the analysis for steers. 3. Adjustments for age of dam were calculated and are presented (table 3). 4. Heritability estimates were obtained from dam-progeny regressions and intra-class correlations. The heritability of adjusted preweaning average daily gain was about 0.25. Clearly many more records need to be analysed to provide further estimates of heritability.
Effect of flock size and grazing management on sheep production
Authors: Donnelly JR , Axelsen A , Morley FHW
Published: March 2005

No effect of flock size on wool production was detected over twelve months in flocks of 3, 9, 27, or 135 sheep. Each flock was composed of equal numbers of Merino, Comeback, and Border Leicester X Merino weaners stocked at nine per acre on Phalaris tuberosa-Trifolium subterraneum pastures at Canberra. Liveweight gains and fleece weights of the sheep were similar whether they were set-stocked, rotated around three subdivisions of a rotationally grazed pasture, or in three flocks rotated around three subdivisions of a pasture, which was thus continuously grazed. These results indicate that rotation per se had no important effect on animal production. Merinos in mixed flocks, with Comebacks and Border Leicester X Merinos, gained significantly less weight during autumn and winter and significantly more weight during spring than Merinos in pure flocks at the same stocking rate. There were no differences between pure and mixed flocks in either of the other breeds.
A high-yielding Mexican semi-dwarf wheat and the relationship of yield to harvest index and other varietal characteristics
Authors: Syme JR
Published: March 2005

A study has been made of a Mexican semi-dwarf wheat (Lerma Rojo X Norim 10- Brevor 14) Andes3, local accession number WW 15. In 53 trials, over two seasons and a wide range of conditions, this has shown a marked grain yield superiority over other Mexican and Australian varieties when grown in high yielding environments. Nine varieties in five trials were sampled at maturity. Varietal grain yield was highly correlated with harvest index and with the number of grains set relative to straw and chaff weight. WW 15 excelled in both ratios, and combined a dense ear population with many grains per ear.
Resistance in cereals to the cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae) in Victoria
Authors: Brown T/H , Meagher JW
Published: March 2005

Two hundred and seventy cereal species and cultivars (wheat, barley, oats, rye, and Triticales), were field tested for resistance to the cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) in Victoria. Tests were made in the Wimmera District at Natimuk (1952-1954) and in the Mallee District at Walpeup (1953), and Sea Lake (1966-1969). Some species and cultivars were tested at all sites, but most were tested at one site only. All wheats tested were susceptible or very susceptible, and all Triticales were susceptible. Two barley cultivars, Morocco and Marocaine 079 were resistant, and two others were moderately resistant. The oat species, Avena sterilis and A. strigosa were resistant and fifteen cultivars of A. sativa were moderately resistant. Rye, CV. South Australian, possesses a high degree of resistance in contrast to European ryes.
The role of honeybees in pollination of apples
Authors: Langridge DF , Jenkins PT
Published: March 2005

Considering the relatively high concentrations of airborne apple pollen in apple orchards at flowering time, the present study was undertaken to determine the relative roles of airborne and insect borne pollen in the pollination of apples. Enclosing trees of Yates apples, each grafted with a limb of Jonathan, in bee-proof cages caused significant reduction in the number of fruit set, the weight of fruit harvested, and the number of seeds per Fruit as compared with uncaged trees, although airborne apple pollen concentrations were 4.07 times higher inside the cages than outside. Concentrations of airborne apple pollen are greatest in late morning and early afternoon. Flight activity of bees was related to ambient conditions, temperature having a major effect. There appears to be a threshold of flight activity in the region of 13�C. Ripening and dehiscence of anthers of Yates apple are promoted by higher temperatures and lower humidities.
Phosphate response of mixed swards, at Mt. Cotton, south-eastern Queensland
Authors: Blunt CG , Humphreys LR
Published: March 2005

Five levels of calcium dihydrogen phosphate were applied on a red-yellow podzolic soil to plots either unsown or sown to Kazungula setaria together with greenleaf desmodium, lotonis, stylo, or siratro. First season pasture yields varied from 2000 to 7400 lb an acre. Volunteer species and lotononis swards reached maximum yields at lower phosphate levels than the remaining legumes, which continued to respond at 80 lb P an acre. Maximum setaria yield occurred at 40 lb P an acre. Increasing phosphate level reduced nitrogen concentration of non-legumes, increased phosphorus concentration of all species, and substantially increased nitrogen yield of legumes (1.0-1.9 lb nitrogen response per lb P applied). Seasonal yield patterns and competitive interactions are discussed.
Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and protein content of wheat grown under different cropping rotations
Authors: McClelland VF
Published: March 2005

The effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and grain protein content of several cultivars of wheat grown under wheat-fallow and wheat-pasture-pasture-fallow rotations was studied in the Victorian Mallee during 1962 to 1965. Nitrogen fertilizer increased whest yield on the wheat-fallow rotation, but had little effect on the wheat-pasture-pasture-fallow rotation. Changes in grain protein content due to nitrogen fertilizer were small compared with changes due to the type of cropping rotation. Climate had relatively little influence on grain protein content despite marked variability in rainfall. The significance of this result is discussed in relation to a correlation established between grain protein content of unfertilized plots and yield response to applied nitrogen. The performance of the wheat cultivars Insignia, Olympic, and Beacon with and without applied nitrogen was similar under both rotations.
Some effects of continuous use of herbicides in sultanas in the Sunraysia area
Authors: Weiss PW
Published: March 2005

As an alternative to cultivation, repeated yearly applications from 1964 to 1968 of simazine plus or minus amitrole gave satisfactory weed control in sultanas at two sites in the Sunraysia area. The minimum rates needed of simazine per year were 1.3 and 3.3 lb an acre at the lighter and heavier soil sites respectively. There were no differences in residual weed control if amitrole was added to these amounts. Sultana maturity and yield, leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and soil organic matter, pH and cation exchange capacity were all unaffected by the herbicide applications.
Time and level of pruning with cincturing or PCPA in relation to yield and quality of Zante currant
Authors: El-Zeftawi N , Weste HL
Published: March 2005

Results of a two-year trial on forty-year-old Zante Currant vines (Vitus vinifera) showed that yields of dried fruit could be increased by about 20 per cent by pruning the usual number of spurs to six buds instead of the customary two, with four-bud spurs giving intermediate results. The yield increases were associated with an increased number of bunches per vine. For the two years of the trial there was no evidence of overcropping. In the same trial, pruning in mid-winter was compared with pruning in spring when t h ~ shoots were 5 cm long. In the first year the earlier pruning gave higher yields, but in the second year there was no difference. Cincturing and PCPA spray were also compared and tincturing was found to give higher yields of fresh and dried fruits.
Meat meal quality in the diet of early-weaned
Authors: Leibholz J
Published: March 2005

In experiments designed to study the effect of the quality of meat meal on growth and efficiency of feed utilization, diets containing meat meal with three levels of added bone meal (0, 8, and 16 per cent), and two levels of added wool keratin (0 and 8 per cent) were fed to 36 male Friesian calves from 5 to 17 weeks of age. The addition of bone meal reduced weight gains, when they were adjusted for weaning weight, and reduced the digestibility of calcium. The addition of wool protein did not affect growth rate or efficiency of feed conversion, but depressed the digestibility of organic matter. The average weight of calves at 17 weeks was 144.3 kg with an average efficiency of feed conversion of 3.11 between 5 and 17 weeks of age.
Comparisons of the productivity of sheep grazing natural pastures of the Riverine Plain
Authors: Wilson AD , Leigh JH
Published: March 2005

The productivity of Merino sheep grazing on the semi-arid natural shrub (Atriplex vesicaria) and grassland (Danthonia caespitosa-Stipa variabilis, D. caespitosa, S. variabilis) pastures of the Riverine Plain was measured over three years. At 0.5 sheep to an acre, the sheep on A. vesicaria (bladder saltbush) community at first grew more wool than those on the grasslands, but wool growth rate declined in autumn to the same degree as on the grassland. In the second year most of the A. vesicaria bushes did not recover from grazing and wool growth-rate fell to half that on the grasslands. The sheep on A. vesicaria had to be removed in the second year, but on the grasslands there was no evidence that sheep could not be maintained indefinitely at that stocking rate. At 1.0 sheep to an acre, both the A. vesicaria and the D. caespitosa-S. variabilis grassland were incapable of maintaining the sheep for the duration of the experiment. Wool growth of the sheep on the grasslands showed an annual rhythm, with high growth-rate in spring (14 g per day) followed by a gradual decline in rate to 6-8 g per day in late summer and autumn. However, the extent of this decline was dependent on summer rainfall, as in one summer when rainfall was high, wool growth-rate was maintained at near the spring rate. The mean annual rate of wool growth was found to be correlated (r = + 0.92, P<0.01) to summer rainfall (November-April). The weight gain of weaner sheep was best on E. caespitosa, and was equaiied by that on A. vesicara only in the first year. Growth was not influenced by the presence or absence of bushes of Kochia aphylla Growth on S. variabilis was less than on D. caespitosa.
Symbiotic competence of Trifolium subterraneum lines of low oestrogenic isoflavone content
Authors: Brockwell J , Robinson AC
Published: March 2005

Twenty-nine lines of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), mostly selected for low levels of oestrogenic isoflavones, were inoculated with seven effective strains of Rhizobium trifolii. They were grown at two different root temperatures and their performances compared with those of the subterraneum clover cultivar, Tallarook. Ten criteria were used to assess symbiotic competence. No line was inferior to Tallarook in all ten criteria, but one line was inferior in nine of the ten, three in seven of the ten and fifteen others were poorer than Tallarook in one to six criteria. Of the ten lines whose symbiotic performances were as good as or better than Tallarook, a number also had low isoflavone levels, but there was no evidence to suggest that symbiotic competence was related to isoflavone content. It is concluded that it will be necessary to exercise caution in the agronomic or breeding use of lines Which are not consistently symbiotically competent.
Time of sowing and wheat production in southern NSW
Authors: Kohn GD , Storrier RR
Published: March 2005

Wheat (CV. Heron) sown on clover-improved soils at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, over the period 1961 to 1965 showed a general reduction in yield and an increase in grain protein percentage with delay in sowing. Grain yield decreased by 3.7 per cent for each week's delay in sowing after the end of April and the rate of grain protein increase ranged from 0.09 to 0.56 per cent for each week's delay, depending on seasonal conditions. This grain protein increase was accompanied by a reduced kernel size which resulted in a decrease in grain protein yield of 12.5 lb an acre for each week's delay in sowing. The reduced grain yield with later sowings was associated with less efficient use of soil moisture the post-flowering period. Although the cumulative evapotranspiration of early sown crops was about two inches greater than that for late sown crops in mid-spring, all sowings reduced the soil moisture potential to -15 bars to a depth of four to five feet at maturity. However, the late sown crops matured more rapidly with a reduction in all yield components. Changes in soil mineral nitrogen concentration during the growing season indicated that there Was adequate nitrogen available for all sowings. In two years mineralization of soil organic nitrogen occurred under the crops and contributed significantly to the crops requirement. In a third year mineral nitrogen losses from the soil could not be accounted for by plant uptake.
Effect of gypsum on the utilization of nitrogen applied to an irrigated pasture on a relatively impermeable soil
Authors: Rixon AJ
Published: March 2005

The effect was studied of a dressing of six metric tons of gypsum a hectare on the utilization of nitrogen applied to an irrigated pasture on a soil with a relatively impermeable subsoil. Gypsum increased yield and herbage nitrogen at higher levels of applied nitrogen when conditions were such as to promote rapid growth, but not otherwise. Thus the utilization of nitrogen was improved. It is suggested that this may have been due to a reduction in the duration of poor aeration in the soil after irrigation. The gypsum increased the recovery of nitrogen from 45 to 60 per cent after an application of 224 kg N per hectare.
Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) in the Victorian Mallee. 2. Effect of legumes on soil fertility, subsequent wheat crop and weed population
Authors: Wells GJ
Published: March 2005

Following two to three years of competition between lucerne, annual medics, or field peas with skeleton weed at six sites in the Mallee, Victoria, a wheat crop was grown on fallow at each site between 1966 and 1968 to determine the effect on the weed populations and to measure the relative ability of the legumes to improve the nitrogen content of the soil. Skeleton weed populations declined throughout both the fallow and cropping periods on all treatments, and the possible mechanisms involved are discussed. All legumes increased the nitrogen status of the soil at the different sites, which led to higher wheat yield and grain protein content. There was limited response to applied nitrogen fertilizer, except on the volunteer pasture treatments. Lucerne and the annual medics were similar in their effects on soil nitrogen. However, moisture conservation during the fallow period was more effective following lucerne in some years, owing to the lower skeleton weed populations, and resulted in much higher grain yields in the drought year of 1967.
Effect of nutrient potassium: calcium: magnesium ration in the production of flue-cured tobacco
Authors: Pinkerton A
Published: March 2005

In an outdoor trial with tobacco in sand culture, four potassium: magnesium ratios were combined with three calcium levels in the nutrient solution while the pH and total ionic concentration were maintained constant. By reduction of the concentration during ripening, the nitrogen regime was manipulated so as to produce plants closely resembling those in a held grown crop. Optimum leaf quality was found to result from the use of a nutrient solution containing 20-40 per cent of the cations as calcium on an equivalent basis. When calcium exceeded 40 per cent of the total cations, no good quality leaf was obtained ; when it formed only 20 per cent, the potassium : magnesium ratio had a less marked effect on quality. The concentrations of the three elements in the leaf of optimum quality are given for several leaf positions. At each leaf position the calcium content of the leaf was negatively correlated with quality. A potassium : magnesium ratio of 3:l in the nutrient led to quicker ripening of the leaf, and leaf thickness was dependent on the potassium : magnesium ratio of the nutrient.
Effect of pollinators on fruit set, fruit size and seed numbers of Early Imperial and Ellendal mandarins
Authors: Stafford LM
Published: March 2005

At Mildura, Victoria, fruit set and fruit size of two mandarin cultivars Early Imperial (C. reticulata Blanco) and Ellendale (C. reticulata X C. sinensis (L) Osbeck) were improved when randomly selected twigs were hand cross-pollinated. Pollinators used with Early Imperial mandarin (1966-67) were mandarin cultivars Emperor and Ellendale. In comparison with self pollinated twigs, both pollinators more than doubled percentage set and mean seed number and increased fruit size. Pollinators used with Ellendale mandarin (1967-68) were the mandarin cultivars Early Imperial and Emperor, and Valencia orange (C. sinensis (L) Osbeck). All cross pollinators quadrupled percentage set, more than doubled seed number and increased fruit size.
Efficiency of wool production of grazing sheep. 3. The use of sulphur-containing amino acids to stimulate wool growth
Authors: Langlands JP
Published: March 2005

Merino sheep grazing native and improved pastures were given up to 2.2 g DL-methionine each day through an abomasal cannula. Wool growth of sheep grazing improved and native pastures was increased significantly by up to 30 and 41 per cent respectively. Nine sheep with abomasal camulae were maintained in pens, and were infused into the abomasum with 7 g DL-methionine per week given on either one, two, or seven days each week. Wool growth was significantly increased by daily infusions of DL-methionine but the response was less when the methionine was given on only one or two days each week. Dorset Horn wethers were given single injections of up to 50 g DL-methionine or L-cystine subcutaneously or into the peritoneal cavity. The rate of excretion of urinary sulphur was recorded following the injection. DL-methionine was rapidly excreted but L-cystine was excreted more slowly. In a series of trials quantities of DL-methionine, methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) or L-cystine were injected subcutaneously or intra-peritoneally into grazing Merino sheep. DL-methionine did not increase wool growth and MHA was toxic. Twenty-eight g L-cystine given as two compressed pellets each month into the peritoneal cavity increased wool growth by approximately 22 per cent over the 8-week experim6ntal period.
The length of change-over periods in change-over designs with grazing cattle
Authors: Jeffery HJ
Published: March 2005

The data obtained from a change-over experiment with grazing dairy cows was used to estimate the optimum length of the change-over period. Two models were investigated to describe the change in production following the feeding of 2.72 kg (six lb) of crushed oats per day. The total difference in production obtained from the eight cows when they were receiving the supplement and when they were not was related to the length of time following the implementation of supplementary feeding. Milk, four per cent F.C.M., milk fat, solids not fat, protein, and total solids production data were fitted to two models and coefficients of determination of between 0.582 and 0.880 were obtained when relating change in production following a dietary change with time. The data indicated that with period lengths of two weeks or less changeover periods of four days should account for about 95 per cent of the total change in production that can be expected.
Wet season grazing of Townsville stylo pasture at Katherine, N.T
Authors: Norman MJT , Phillips LJ
Published: March 2005

At Katherine, N.T., stocking rates of 1.33, 1.00, and 0.67 Shorthorn steers an acre for a period of 18 weeks in the wet season beginning January were imposed on established pastures sown to Townsville sty10 (Stylosanthes humilis) alone but subsequently invaded to varying degrees by annual grasses. The experiment was repeated over three years. There were no significant differences in mean liveweight gain per head over three years ; hence liveweight gain per acre at the heaviest stocking rate was approximately twice that at the lightest rate. The mean dry matter yield of grass increased significantly with decreasing stocking rate, but there were no significant differences between stocking rates in Townsville stylo dry matter yield, nitrogen yield, or phosphorus yield. Correlation coefficients were calculated using data from individual paddocks and years. There was a highly significant positive correlation between liveweight gain per head and pasture nitrogen yield, and between liveweight gain per head and pasture phosphorus yield.
Studies on seed pelleting as an aid to legume seed inoculation. 3. Survival of Rhizobium applied to seed sown into hot, dry soil
Authors: Brockwell J , Phillips LJ
Published: March 2005

Seed of four legume species with various forms of lime pelleting and inoculation was sown into hot, dry soil at Katherine, Northern Territory, where it lay dormant for 7-9 weeks before germination commenced. Seedling nodulation was used as the index of inoculant survival. Where the seed was sown at a shallow depth, Rhizobium survival was poorer than on seed sown more deeply; this was attributed to the higher temperatures near the soil surface. Rhizobia survived best in those treatments in which peat inoculant was incorporated within the pellet. Rhizobium meliloti applied to Medicago sativa seed showed a high degree of tolerance of the conditions and seedling nodulation exceeded 90 per cent in several instances. Nodulation of Trifolium pratense and T. rueppellianum never exceeded 50 per cent and little nodulation occurred with Lotus pedunculatus. It is concluded that lime-pelleted Medicago seed with peat inoculant incorporated within the pellet can be sown into hot, dry soil with a strong expectation that the inoculant will survive and the seedlings nodulate.
Herbicides for the control of grass weeds in pastures of Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis)
Authors: Wood IMW
Published: March 2005

The use of herbicides to control annual grasses in pastures of Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) was studied at Katherine, N.T. The herbicides chlorthal, trifluralin, benefin, sindone B, and siduron all controlled the annual grasses Digitaria adscendens and Brachiaria ramosa. The outstanding herbicide was chlorthal, which at 6 lb a.i. an acre pre-emergence gave a Townsville stylo dry matter yield of 3250 lb an acre compared with 1130 lb an acre for the unweeded control and 2440 lb an acre for the handweeded control. At maturity there was no grass in the chlorthal plots and 1940 lb an acre in the unweeded control plots. The data suggest that, without defoliation during the growing period, total suppression of Townsville stylo can be expected when the grass population at establishment exceeds 37 per cent of the total plant population.
The control of grass weeds in Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) experiments
Authors: Fisher MJ , Ive JR
Published: March 2005

Chlorthal applied at 4 lb a.i. an acre before simulated germinating rain gave excellent control of annual grass weeds in an old Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) sward carrying a heavy burden of grass weed seeds at Katherine, N.T. The technique was used successfully to control annual grass weeds in a long-term residual phosphate experiment. Trifluralin and dalapon were not effective.
Wool production of grazing sheep supplemented with casein and formaldehyde-treated casein
Authors: Langlands JP
Published: March 2005

For 59 days grazing Merino wethers were given 0, 40, or 80 g of sodium caseinate each day directly into the abomasum. Clean wool production was increased by 35 and 38 per cent after giving 40 and 80 g per day respectively. In a second experiment grazing Merino wethers were given 0 or 80 g casein, or 40 or 80 g casein treated with formaldehyde (HCHO-casein) each day through cannulae inserted into the rumen. Wool production was increased by 22, 38, and 51 per cent by the 80 g casein, 40 g HCHO-casein and 80 g HCHO-casein treatments respectively. In a third experiment Merino wethers, in which rumen cannulae had been prepared, were grazed at a high and low stocking rate, and were given daily 0, 20, 40, or 60 g HCHO-casein through the rumen cannulae. Wool production and efficiency of wool production increased, and herbage intake declined as the level of supplementary feeding increased.
Modification of carcase characteristics in sheep maintained on a saline water regime
Authors: Walker DJ , Potter BJ , Jones GB
Published: March 2005

Two groups each of four Merino wethers, two years old and in very lean condition after many weeks on a straw ration, were fattened on a ration of lucerne hay. One group of animals drank 1.3 per cent sodium chloride solution for 16 weeks before and during fattening while the control group drank tap water throughout. Analyses done after body weight increases of about 12 kg showed that, compared to the controls, the saline drinking group had significantly less fat, more water, and more protein in the edible carcase. All differences were significant. Samples of fat from the omentum and perirenal area showed a tendency towards a higher degree of unsaturation in the saline-drinking animals although these results were not statistically significant.
The effect of burr burial on the seed of some early maturing subterranean clover cultivars
Authors: Quinlivan BJ , Francis CM
Published: March 2005

Seven early maturing cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) showed large between cultivar differences in terms of burr and seed development above the soil surface. The indices used for determining differences between buried and unburied burrs were burr and seed weight, and seed viability and impermeability. With all cultivars seed formed above the soil surface weighed less and had a lower viable and impermeable seed content. The results are discussed in terms of the selection and breeding of subterranean clover cultivars suitable for the low rainfall agricultural regions of Western Australia
The effects of early season soil temperatures on emergence of summer crops on the north-western plains of NSW
Authors: Launders TE
Published: March 2005

The influence of early season soil temperatures on the extent and rate of emergence of five summer crops was examined using four sowings at weekly intervals between late September and late October. The crops were maize, grain sorghum, pearl millet, and two forage sorghums. Increasing soil temperature reduced the interval between sowing and first emergence, and gave variable results for the interval between first and final emergence. Percentage emergence of maize was high at all sowings, whereas that of all three sorghums was low at sowings with soil temperatures at 4 inches of below 65�F, but did not differ significantly between sowings at temperatures above 65�F. Emergence of pearl millet improved with each later sowing, but differences were not significant. Rate of emergence was accelerated by rising soil temperatures in the four days after first emergence, but subsequent effects after four days were generally minimal. Maize appeared to have a lower temperature requirement for emergence than grain and forage sorghums, which, in turn, showed a lower temperature requirement than pearl millet. From the results and other related data, it seems that maize can be sown with reasonable safety when four inch depth soil temperatures are 59� to 64�F (expected in late September), sorghums (both grain and forage) when this temperature is 65� to 69�F (expected in early- to mid-October), and pearl millet when it is 68� to 72�F (expected in early- to mid-November). The results support the concept of soil temperature being the best criterion to determine a safe time for early season sowing of summer crops.
Fertility studies of pasture soils in the wet tropical coast of Queensland 1. Soil-vegetation classification units
Authors: Teitzel JK , Bruce RC
Published: March 2005

To provide a natural framework for presenting and extrapolating results from a series of soil fertility studies in the wet tropical coast region of Queensland, six major soil groups, and eleven major vegetation units were recognised and described. Not all vegetation associations were represented on each soil type and only 48 soil-vegetation units occurred in the region.
Fertility studies of pasture soils in the wet tropical coast of Queensland. 2. Granitic soils
Authors: Teitzel JK , Bruce RC
Published: March 2005

Results of investigations into the fertility status of granitic soils in the wet tropical coast of Queensland are presented. The previously recognised infertility of these soils is confirmed with the recording of phosphorus, copper, zinc, potassium, sulphur, and calcium deficiencies. Phosphorus is the most important deficiency. If this element is not applied, permanent pastures cannot be established. Copper, potassium, and zinc deficiencies are also very widespread.
The effect of age on the response of wheat to nutrient stress
Authors: Chapman MA , Keay J
Published: March 2005

Wheat plants (CV. Gamenya) were deprived of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium at several stages of development. Starvation for only two weeks affected the growth rate at early stages, but not at later stages, and had no effect on dry-weight of the ear. Continuous starvation for any of the nutrients at any stage up to ear emergence reduced the weight of inflorescence, the reduction being greater the earlier starvation occurred. Starvation of any of the three nutrients after ear emergence had no effect on dry-weight. Potassium starvation before joitning prevented stem elongation more than starvations for nitrogen or phosphorus.
Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) in the Victorian Mallee. 3. The effects of applied phosphorus and nitrogen on wheat on infested land
Authors: Wells GJ
Published: March 2005

Eight fertilizer experiments were conducted at five locations in the Mallee from 1963 to 1966, following both lucerne and volunteer pastures, to study responses to applied phosphorus and nitrogen in wheat on sandy soils infested with skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea). Each year two separate sites were selected-one having no history of sown pasture, the other having supported a poor, but typical lucerne stand for several years. In most years, grain yields were markedly increased by both nutrients following either lucerne or volunteer pasture, and a large positive interaction occurred between phosphorus and nitrogen at five sites. The response to nitrogen obtained after lucerne was due to the low density of the lucerne stands, which had had little effect on skeleton weed populations and soil nitrogen levels. Total yield variation depended mainly on the number of fertile tillers (66 per cent) and grain number per ear (19 per cent). On the other hand, the yield increases to phosphorus and nitrogen were attributed mainly to increases in the number of grains per ear, although increased tiller number also contributed. Grain weight was of little importance in both total yield and yield response. The level of grain protein content depended mainly on the growing season rainfall (r = -0.832). Application of phosphorus reduced grain protein content, and nitrogen increased it. The response to applied nitrogen was related to growing season rainfall (r = 0.783) and the difficulty of determining optimum rates of application is discussed.
Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) in the Victorian Mallee. 4. Effects of fallowing on wheat yields and weed populations
Authors: Wells GJ
Published: March 2005

Experiments to compare the duration of fallows and the substitution of a 2,4-D spray for some fallow cultivations for wheat production on skeleton weed land were conducted in the Victorian Mallee from 1962 to 1966. Generally winter fallows outyielded spring fallows, commenced only two months later, and these in turn gave higher yields than an autumn-cultivated treatment. Compared with autumn cultivation, winter fallowing reduced skeleton weed density by an average of 49 per cent. Substituting a 2,4-D spray for some Gltivations had little effect on wheat yield, but improved the control of skeleton weed. Grain yield was determined primarily by the level of nitrate nitrogen in the surface 15 cm of soil before sowing, and this effect was attributed to the low soil nitrogen status found in skeleton weed situations. Soil moisture was conserved only occasionally, owing to the difficulty of controlling weed growth during the summer coupled with the variable rainfall distribution in the Mallee. Although a nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer interaction was significant at all sites, neither the individual response nor the interaction was affected by fallow treatment.
Effect of chloride in solution culture on growth and chloride uptake of Sultana and Salt Creek grape vines
Authors: McEAlexander D , Obbink JG
Published: March 2005

Growth, and distribution of chloride between laminae, petioles, stems, roots and trunks of small cuttings, of two grape vine varieties, Sultana (Vitis vinifera) and Salt Creek (Vitis champini) after four weeks treatments with a range of chloride levels were compared in a solution culture experiment. Chloride levels in the solutions were 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 m.eq/l. Because of varietal differences in initial plant weight and in growth rate, differences in chloride susceptibility can best be assessed from survival rates or petiole chloride concentrations over a range of chloride treatment. Under the experimental conditions Sultana vines survived and grew with treatments up to 100 and Salt Creek vines with treatments up to 150 m.eq/l chloride in the nutrient. From a comparison of the present results with previously reported data from a three-year outdoor sand culture experiment and a three-year field experiment, it is concluded that short term solution culture experiments can be used to rank potential rootstocks for chloride susceptibility.
Assessment of faecal nitrogen as an index for estimating digestibility and intake of food by sheep on Pennisetum clandestinum based pastures
Authors: Jeffery H
Published: March 2005

A simple and a multiple regression model was used to relate digestibility and intake parameters to the percentage and total amount of nitrogen in the faeces of sheep consuming kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) based pastures. A total of 144 individual 'sheep periods'' were analysed. The results indicated large differences exist in the relationships between pasture types and, unless these effects are considered, large biases may result. Significant differences between the relations found with kikuyu and nitrogen-fertilized kikuyu were established. Further, the value of these relationships in predicting digestibility and intake appears to be small because of large errors of prediction. Coefficients of variation of about 6 and 13 per cent were associated with the regressions predicting digestibility and intake respectively.
The relation between various energy parameters, chemical composition and digestibility of some pasture swards in a subtropical environment
Authors: Jeffery H
Published: March 2005

Results obtained from 45 sheep metabolism trials, involving 190 sheep periods, with 11 different pasture types were analyzed to determine equations for the prediction of energy content, energy digestibility and digestible energy content. Independent variables considered in the analyses were crude protein and normal acid fibre contents and dry matter, organic matter and normal acid fibre digestibilities. In all equations significant pasture type effects were detected. The importance of these effects are discussed with particular consideration of likely biases that may result and the errors of prediction associated with overall regressions. The regressions obtained in this study are compared with a number of others reported in the literature.
Fertilization and return rates in Bungaree and Peppin Merino ewes mated in autumn
Authors: Giles JR
Published: March 2005

A series of studies was conducted in 1968 and 1969 to compare fertilization rates, return rate, and sperm distribution in the genital tract in Bungaree and Peppin Merino ewes. Differences in lambing rates of the two ewe strains were demonstrated, but there was no major difference in fertilization rate in either year. A significantly higher proportion of Bungaree ewes had less than 1000 sperm in the fallopian tubes 24 hours after service, but there were no significant differences in any other character examined. Contrary to an earlier report, fertilization failure is unlikely to have been a major cause of a difference in the fertility of the two strains in the two years, and embryonic loss is likely to have made a significant contribution to the difference in their fertility.
The effects of severity of defoliation and soil moisture stress on Desmodium intortum
Authors: Imrie BC
Published: March 2005

The responses of five introductions and one cultivar of Desmodium intortum to two defoliation intensities under stress and non-stress soil moisture regimes were studied in a pot experiment. Both heavy defoliation and moisture stress reduced yield. Significant line X defoliation interactions occurred, including differences among the component lines of the cultivar Greenleaf. Evidence was found that genetic shift has occurred in Greenleaf in the direction of the lower yielding components which were more adversely affected by severe defoliation. The wisdom of releasing mixtures of 'pure' lines as commercial varieties of perennial pasture species is questioned.