bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper deficiency of sheep in eastern Saudia Arabia
Authors: Chamberlain A. G. , Clarke S. H.
Published: March 2009

The tissue copper concentrations of Black Najdi sheep at the Hofuf Agricultural Research Centre (HARC) are reported. Lambs suffering from a delayed neonatal ataxia had low concentrations of copper in blood, liver and kidney, consistent with a diagnosis of copper deficiency, which was supported by histological examination of their brains and spinal cords.

Low concentrations of copper and high concentrations of molybdenum and sulphate in forages produced at the HARC appear to contribute to the high incidence of neonatal ataxia observed there.

The parenteral administration of 40 mg of copper to pregnant ewes improved the viability and weight increases of lambs over lambs born to untreated control ewes, even though all lambs had received an injection of 20 mg of copper soon after birth.

The provision of supplementary barley to the lambs running with their mothers and with access to lucerne hay increased their growth and blood copper concentrations over animals restricted to the hay diet.

The blood copper, haemoglobin and packed cell volumes of lambs born to ewes maintained on Rhodes grass were significantly lower than lambs born to ewes given lucerne, all ewes having received copper during pregnancy. This effect was attributed to the low copper and high molybdenum and sulphate content of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana).
The effect of stage of maturity on the yield and chemical composition of oats for haymaking
Authors: Nicholson I. A.
Published: March 2009

1. Ayr Line Potato oats was studied in the later stages of development for 3 years under upland conditions in Kincardineshire, Scotland. Some major changes in yield and chemical composition of the crop and certain effects of haymaking have been demonstrated.

2. In each year, between the ‘milky’ stage and full ripeness of the grain, the growth curve falls into the distinct phases of growth, maturity and senescence when dry-matter loss occurs. The position of the peak yield in terms of stage of maturity varies from year to year.

3. Percentage crude protein is low throughout, falling to a minimum after the early ‘milky’ stage and rising again to a maximum at the last cut. Yield of crude protein is highest at the last cut in one year and at the penultimate cut in two years.

4. Percentage crude fibre tends to decrease with increasing maturity, while crude fibre yield is low at both extremes of the experimental period.

5. More detailed chemical analyses at different stages of maturity show total ash content to be low. The content of calcium is especially poor.

6. Separation of the whole of the aerial part of the plant into leaf, stem and inflorescence shows that chemical constituents are being actively re-distributed throughout the plant during the experimental period; with the exception of crude fibre and calcium all constituents estimated tend to be concentrated in the grain with advancing maturity.

7. In one year, dry-matter losses during curing range from 22 to 7% at the first and last cuts respectively, while corresponding figures for crude protein are 18 and 10%.

8. In the absence of digestibility data and feeding trials under Scottish conditions, the tentative conclusion is drawn that in the higher rainfall areas of the north and west where the crop is most likely to be used, cutting between the late ‘milky’ and late cheesy' stages should give optimum results.

9. Attention is drawn to the need for caution in the general application of the results.
Effects of radioactive phosphate fertilizers on yield and phosphorus uptake by ryegrass in pot experiments on calcareous soils from Rothamsted
Authors: Mattingly G. E. G.
Published: March 2009

1. Two factorial pot experiments with ryegrass grown on calcareous soils from adjacent long-term experiments on Hoosfield, Rothamsted, are described. The effects of the method of application of phosphate, of the amounts of saP tested and of the level of phosphate applied are discussed with special reference to the manurial history of the soils.

2. Yield and total phosphorus uptake by ryegrass were slightly greater in the early stages of growth when superphosphate was applied as a powder than when an equal amount of phosphate was applied in solution, but this effect disappeared in later cuts of grass. Total phosphorus uptake was not significantly altered by the levels of 32P tested, and yields were only significantly decreased at one sampling date in one experiment. Uptake of fertilizer phosphorus decreased and ‘A’ values increased, however, in both experiments at the higher rates of application of 32P.

3. The addition of fertilizer phosphorus, as superphosphate or monocalcium phosphate, increased the uptake of soil phosphorus by ryegrass on all soils on which there was a yield response to phosphate. The recovery of fertilizer phosphorus, estimated radiochemically, was less, therefore, than the increase in phosphorus uptake by the crop on the soils on which there was a yield response to phosphate fertilizers.

4. ‘A’ values were determined on all soils and were shown to be almost independent of two- and five-fold increases in the amount of labelled phosphate tested. ‘A’ values were related to the previous phosphate manuring of the soils and increased by about one-third of the difference in phosphate content on soils that had received heavy applications of superphosphate or farmyard manure over 50 years ago. The ‘A’ values of soils that had recently received superphosphate in the field decreased in 3 years by more than the amount of phosphate taken up by the crops. ‘A’ values of soils that received rock phosphate in the field were lower and did not decrease with time.
Studies on the production of volatile fatty acids from grass by rumen liquor in an artificial rumen: II. The volatile fatty acid production from dried grass
Authors: John A. , Barnett G. , Reid R. L.
Published: March 2009

1. A study has been made of the production of volatile fatty acids obtainable from dried grass and its gross water-soluble and water-insoluble separates, in the artificial rumen, over two growing seasons.

2. In contradistinction to fresh grass, the dried grass gives a consistent production of acetic acid proportionately greater than propionic acid, at all stages of maturity, but when aqueous extracts of the dried grass, and the resultant extracted grass, respectively, are examined separately in the artificial rumen, it is found that the former yield preponderating amounts of acetic acid while the latter give amounts of propionic acid equal to, or exceeding, the corresponding productions of acetic acid.

3. An examination of the titration curves for the total acids obtained from the dried grass, extracted grass and grass extract runs, indicates an approach to an incomplete relationship between the residual carbohydrate in the extracted grass and cellulose, while the grass extract reveals itself as the chief source of acetic acid in the whole dried grass, the acid being formed very speedily at the start of the run.

4. The suggested sources and some of the possible metabolic pathways involved in the formation of v.f.a. from grass are discussed in the text.
Studies on the production of volatile fatty acids from grass by rumen liquor in an artificial rumen: III. A note on the volatile fatty acid production from crude fibre and grass cellulose
Authors: John A. , Barnett G. , Reid R. L.
Published: March 2009

1. The findings presented in two previous papers on the yields of volatile fatty acids, obtained by the action of rumen liquor in the artificial rumen, from fresh grass, dried grass and the water-soluble and water-insoluble separates of the latter, have been amplified by a consideration of the acids similarly obtained from specimens of chemically prepared crude fibre and cellulose, from four of the dried grass specimens.

2. The proportions of different volatile fatty acids from grass crude fibre and grass cellulose resemble those obtained from cellulose powder, propionic acid being produced in greatest relative yield.

3. A general review of these latter findings, in relation to those already presented, has been given.
The comparison of wheat-rye and wheat-Aegilopsamphidiploids
Authors: Riley Ralph , Chapman Victor
Published: March 2009

1. The diploid speciesSecale cereale(2n= 14) is self-incompatible,Aegilops longissima(2n= 14) andA. caudata(2n= 14) are self-compatible.A. longissitnais usually self-pollinated andA. caudatais usually out-pollinated.

2. Meiotic behaviour, constancy of chromosome number and seed fertility have been examined in the three octoploid amphidiploids derived from crosses ofTriticum vulgarevariety Holdfast (2n= 42) withS. cereale A. longissimaandA. caudatarespectively.

3. All the amphidiploids had cells in which some chromosomes were unpaired at first metaphase of meiosis. This meiotic irregularity is not, therefore, related to the breeding system of the diploid parent.

4. The fertility of the amphidiploids was not related to their meiotic regularity.

5. The least fertile amphidiploid was derived from the self-incompatible diploidS. cereale. The most fertile amphidiploid was derived from the selfcompatible, self-pollinating diploid,A. longissima.

6. It is suggested that the infertility of the wheatrye amphidiploid may result from interactions between genotypes adapted to different breeding systems, rather than from the homozygosity in the amphidiploid of deleterious recessive genes derived from the outbreeding rye parent.

7. The demonstration of the independence of meiotic regularity and fertility will complicate selection work on wheat-rye amphidiploid material.
The effect of leys on soil fertility: I. The effect of management of clover aftermath on the yield of the succeeding wheat crop
Authors: Hanley F. , Ridgman W. J. , Barker M. G.
Published: March 2009

1. A series of experiments designed to compare the effects on the succeeding wheat crop of five different methods of treating the aftermath of a Broad Red Clover ley is described and the results discussed.

2. There was little consistent difference in the effects of using the second crop for hay, for grazing or for green manure by ploughing it in. Bastard fallowing immediately after the first hay crop and taking the second crop for seed both showed large seasonal fluctuations in their effects, but there was insufficient evidence to show if these were due to seed-bed differences.

3. In no season was taking the second crop for hay outyielded by any other treatment.
Chemical control of the pea and bean weevil, Sitona lineatus L., and subsequent effects on the yield of field beans Vicia faba L.
Authors: Bardner R. , Fletcher K. E. , Griffiths D. C.
Published: March 2009

Methods of controlling Sitona lineatus adults and larvae were tested in 13 experiments on spring-sown beans, four on autumn-sown beans and two on dry-harvested peas. A total of 16 insecticides were used, though not all combinations of insecticide, application method and crop were tested. Applications included granules or sprays to the foliage, seed-bed treatments, seed-furrow treatments and seed treatments. Phorate as a furrow treatment at sowing at 1·24 kg a.i./ha increased yields of spring-sown beans by an average of 0·5 t/ha but was not persistent enough to protect autumn-sown beans from attack. Foliar applications of systemic insecticides (carbofuran or carbosulfan) at similar doses decreased attacks but effects on yield need further evaluation. Preliminary work indicates that seed-bed or furrow treatments of phorate can also be used to control S. lineatus on peas.
Evaluation of sulphur-coated urea fertilizers in savannah soils: 2. Effects on soil pH and residual nitrogen
Authors: Nnadi L. A. , Abed S. M.
Published: March 2009

The residual effects of sulphur-coated urea (SCU) fertilizers were evaluated by measuring the pH and mineral-N in the soil profile after 2 years of application of these fertilizers to soils in the various ecological zones of the savannah of Nigeria. Changes of 0·2–0·3 pH units relative to the control (without applied N) were detected on the sandier soils at Kadawa and Mokwa but not on the heavier Samaru soils. There was little or no difference among the sulphur-coated urea and calcium ammonium nitrate in their acidification effects. Also residual nitrogen levels were low in plots that received SCU but did not differ significantly from those of calcium ammonium nitrate.
The estimation of beef carcass composition from subcutaneous fat measurements taken on the intact side using different probing instruments
Authors: Chadwick J. P. , Kempster A. J.
Published: March 2009

Fat thickness measurements, taken over the M. longissimus between the 6th and 13th ribs by the automatic-recording probes, SFK Meat-Fat probe (MF), Hennessy and Chong Fat Depth Indicator (FDI) and Ulster probe (UP), and a simple ruler probe (RP), were compared with one another and a visual fat score (VSC) in terms of the precision with which carcass lean and subcutaneous fat percentages were predicted. The comparisons were made in four separate trials with RP and VSC common to all of them. A total of 182 carcasses were involved; 130 of these were probed both hot and cold. Comparisons were made among carcasses of the same weight.

VSC was the best single predictor in most circumstances. Fat thickness measurements taken on the cold carcass provided a more precise prediction than those taken on the hot carcass. There was an interaction between the relative precision of the MF and RP probes and the condition of the carcass: the former generally gave the more precise prediction on cold carcasses and the latter on hot carcasses. Measurements taken by FDI tended to be better predictors than those taken by RP on both hot and cold carcasses. The use of two fat thickness measurements gave an improvement in precision over the best individual fat thickness measurements. There was also an improvement in precision in most circumstances when a fat thickness measurement was used in addition to VSC.

There was little indication that specific fat measurements were particularly precise predictors when taken by specific probes, and no fat measurement was consistently the best predictor. A measurement taken 7·5 cm from the dorsal mid line at the 6th rib occurred most commonly in pairs of measurements giving the most precise prediction.
Effect of trenbolone acetate combined with oestradiol -17β on the response of steers to changes in dietary protein
Authors: Galbraith H. , Scaife J. R. , Paterson G. F. M. , Hunter E. A.
Published: March 2009

Hormonal anabolic compounds are used in certain countries to improve the efficiency of meat production from ruminant animals. The combination of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and oestradiol-17β (OE2) has been shown to be particularly effective in stimulating growth in cattle (e.g. Galbraith & Topps, 1981). These improvements in growth have been associated with increases in nitrogen retention and changes in protein metabolism within the animal. The present study therefore investigated the effect of implantation with TBA + OE2on the growth and metabolic response of growing steers to alterations in protein nutrition.
The utilization of irrigated pastures by dairy cows. I. A comparison of rotational and strip grazing
Authors: Freer M.
Published: March 2009

1. An experiment was carried out from 1 August 1953 to 31 July 1955 to compare strip grazing with rotational grazing on the basis of the total animal production obtained from dairy cattle on irrigated pasture.

2. The same overall stocking rate was used for both treatments. Herbage surplus to grazing requirements at any time was conserved as hay and fed back to the appropriate group of cows at the end of the grazing season.

3. The aim was to manage the area under each technique as efficiently as the technique permitted.

4. The average production from the rotationally grazed group during the main pasture season of 260 days was 8740 lb. milk per acre (including 354 lb. of butterfatand 766 lb. of solids-not-fat) and from the strip-grazed group 8867 lb. milk per acre (including 358 lb. of butterfat and 766 lb. of solidsnotfat).

The average weight of pasture nutrients utilized per annum by the rotationally grazed group was 5887 lb. starch equivalent per acre and by the stripgrazed group 5896 lb. starch equivalent per acre.

None of the treatment differences in animal production was significant.

5. The differences between the results of this experiment and those obtained by other workers are discussed.
Release of ammonium and organic matter from soil by hydrofluoric acid and effect of hydrofluoric acid treatment on extraction of soil organic matter by neutral and alkaline reagents
Authors: Bremner J. M. , Harada T.
Published: March 2009

1. The effect of treating mineral soils with hydrofluoric acid to decompose clay minerals on the extraction of soil organic matter by alkaline and neutral reagents has been investigated.

2. It was found that treatment of soil with hydrofluoric acid had little effect on the extraction of organic matter by alkaline or neutral reagents, but that it released considerable amounts of ammonium and organic matter. More than 90% of the nitrogen in Rothamsted soils was dissolved by repeated treatments with dilute solutions of hydrofluoric acid and sodium hydroxide.

3. It is shown that treatment of clay minerals with n-HF:n-HCl solution at room temperature for 24 hr. effects quantitative release of fixed ammonium from clay minerals and that similar treatment of soil is not likely to cause significant decomposition of organic nitrogen compounds to ammonium. It is suggested that a method based on this treatment may prove useful for the determination of fixed ammonium in soil. Results obtained by this method indicated that 4–8% of the nitrogen in surface soils and 19–45% of the nitrogen in subsoils examined was in the form of fixed ammonium.

4. It is concluded that some mineral soils contain a significant quantity of ammonium and organic matter intimately associated with clay minerals and that this clay-bound material is not dissolved by neutral and alkaline reagents used for the extraction of soil organic matter, but is released by hydrofluoric acid.
Sewage-grown algae as a source of supplementary nitrogen for ruminants
Authors: Hasdai A. , Ben Ghedalia D.
Published: March 2009

A sheep-feeding experiment was carried out to assess the nutritional value of algae meal as a protein supplement in ruminant diets. The algae, mainlyChlorella, were grown in sewage ponds, harvested by flocculation with alumina (Al2(SO4)3.18H2O), and then drum-dried. Eight young rams, divided into two equal groups, were offered a basal concentrated diet, to which algae meal or soya-bean meal (SBM) was added to contribute 50% of the dietary nitrogen (N).

The digestibility values of dry matter (D.M.) were 69·3 and 79·3%, and those of organic matter (OM) were 75·3 and 82·2% for the algae diet and the SBM diet, respectively.

Nitrogen digestibility of the algae diet was 16% lower than that of the SBM diet and the calculated value of N digestibility in algae meal was 61·7%. However, there was no difference between treatments in the daily amount of retained-N or in the proportion of digested N which was retained in the body.

The algae meal contained 5·7% aluminium. This was probably the reason for the much lower P absorption in the algae diet (6·67%) as compared with the SBM diet (29·5%).

Ammonia-N concentration was lower and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration was higher in the rumen of the algae diet-fed sheep. However, the VFA profile was similar for both diets.

Sewage-grown algae could perhaps be used as a protein supplement for ruminants, provided that the harvesting technology is directed to produce a low-mineral, low-aluminium, young biomass, which would be highly digestible and would not interfere with P absorption.
Response of winter wheat to prolonged waterlogging under outdoor conditions
Authors: Belford R. K.
Published: March 2009

The response of winter wheat cv. Maris Huntsman to waterlogging was studied in two experiments in soil columns outdoors. Winter waterlogging treatments increased nodal root production and the proportion of aerenchyma within roots, but caused chlorosis and premature senescence of leaves, and decreased tillering. For all treatments, grain losses were much less than expected from the extent of tiller loss in winter; losses after single waterlogging events ranged from 2% (after 47 days with the water-table at 5 cm) to 16% (after 80 days with the water-table at the soil surface). Yield losses after three waterloggings at the seedling, tillering and stem elongation stages of growth were additive, and totalled 19%. In many treatments, grain loss was associated with lighter individual grain weights, suggesting that the size of the root system or efficiency of water and nutrient uptake by roots at the later stages of growth may have been less after earlier waterlogging. The importance of nitrogen fertilizer in maintaining a satisfactory plant nitrogen status was shown when nitrogen was with held before a 3-week waterlogging treatment during stem elongation; tiller and floret survival was subsequently greatly restricted and grain yields decreased 22% below those of plants waterlogged at the same stage of growth but supplied with nitrogen.
Black cattle in the cool pastoral highlands of Kenya
Authors: Finch Virginia A.
Published: March 2009

On the cool semi-arid highlands of Kenya (1400–2500m) Boran cattle (Bos indicus) with dark coats predominate over white ones in pastoralist herds. Natural selection appears to favour dark-coated Boran cattle in these areas because significantly fewer black than white cattle die during drought and black cattle recover weight faster in wet seasons (Finch & Western, 1977). To investigate why cattle with dark coats are favoured, an experiment was designed to test whether the thermal effects of black coats in a cool climate interacted advantageously with the animal's metabolic economy. To date, interest in the metabolic significance of colour in cool climates has been confined largely to laboratory experiments (De Jong, 1976; Hamilton & Heppner, 1967; 0ritsland, 1971). The present experiment was different in that the thermal effect of coat colour on metabolic rate of cattle was investigated in the natural conditions in which they live.
Irrigation and nitrogen studies in s. 23 ryegrass grown for seed
Authors: Hebblethwaite P. D. , McGowan M.
Published: March 2009

The effects of irrigation and nitrogen on the soil-water regimes developed by S. 23 perennial ryegrass grown for seed were investigated in 1972 and 1974 by neutron scattering. Boots extracted water from a depth of about 105 cm by early May in 1972 and by early April in 1974. Extraction from greater depths was insignificant in both years. Without irrigation the maximum deficit was about 110 mm in both years. Deficits built up rapidly in 1974 but in 1972 were delayed to the end of the growing season. Irrigation limited maximum deficits in the top 35 cm of soil to less than 25 mm whereas without irrigation deficits reached as high as 40 mm in both years.

Transpiration from unirrigated grass was close to that calculated from meteorological data in 1972, but in 1974 measured crop transpiration was only about 60%of the potential throughout the growing season. Roots of grass, whilst undergoing inflorescence initiation, apparently may be impaired in their efficiency of water uptake by deficits as little as 30 mm. For irrigated grass agreement between measured and calculated crop transpiration was poor, principally because of surface run-off. Nitrogen in the absence of irrigation appeared to enhance the rate of crop transpiration in 1972 but comparison with 1974 suggested that this effect was not real. Because of surface run-off resulting in uneven distribution of water, and the restrictions to crop transpiration imposed by limited soil water reserves, actual deficits should be monitored in irrigation experiments rather than relying on estimated values.
Effect of moisture regimes and level of fertilizer application on yield and water requirement of jute (Corchorus olitorius L. and Corchorus capsularis L.)
Authors: Patel C. S. , Mandal A. K.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments on the effect of moisture regimes and fertilizer application on fibre yield of two jute varieties showed that JRO 632 (Corchorus olitorius L.) produced significantly more fibre, utilized moisture more efficiently and extracted water from deeper layers than did JRC 212 (Corchorus capsularis L.). Scheduling of irrigation at 20% available soil moisture (ASM) gave the highest fibre yield in normal (1970) and drought (1972) years but unirrigated conditions (dry regime) gave highest yield in a year of excess rainfall (1971). The consumptive use (CU) increased from dry to wet regimes and the water use efficiency (WTJE) was greater in dry regimes in normal as well as in excess rainfall years. But the WUE was maximal when the crop was irrigated at 60% ASM in the drought year. The water requirement of the jute crop was 490 mm in the normal and excess rainfall years (20% ASM and dry regime respectively) while in the drought year it was 560 mm (20% ASM). The moisture extraction was more from deeper depths in the dry regime and only from shallower depths in wet regimes.

The fibre yield increased with increase in nitrogen application from 40 to 80 kg/ha. Application of 40 kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O/ha did not improve the fibre yield in the excess rainfall and drought years. In the drought year (1972) irrigating at 20% ASM and 80 kg N/ha and in the excess rainfall year (1971) the dry regime with 40 kg N/ha produced highest fibre yields. There was not much variation in CU and WE of the crop due to different fertilizer levels. The WUE was increased by irrigating at 20% ASM with 80 kg N/ha in a crop rotation system where P and K were applied to preceding crop.
Water-washed neem (Azadirachta indicajuss) seed kernel cake as a cattle feed
Authors: Nath K. , Rajagopal S. , Garg A. K.
Published: March 2009

Neem (Azadirachta indicajuss) seed kernel cake was water treated and dried in the sun. It was palatable to cattle, despite its bitter smell.

Twelve growing calves were divided into two equal groups; one group (control) had a standard concentrate mixture consisting of crushed maize 30 parts, groundnut cake 30 parts, wheat bran 38 parts and in the second group (experimental) the concentrate mixture had crushed maize 30 parts, neem seed kernel cake (water washed) 45 parts and wheat bran 23 parts. Both the mixtures had common salt and mineral mixture 1 part each. The roughage fed was the same in both groups.

The mean growth rate of calves in 273 days was 403 g/day in the control group and 344 g/day in the experimental group which did not differ significantly (P> 0·05). The dry-matter intake, digestibilities of all the organic nutrients, total digestible nutrient values and the balances of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus remained similar (P> 0·05) in the two groups. The blood haemoglobin, serum inorganic phosphorus and the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase, serum acid phosphatase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase also did not differ significantly (P> 0·05) in the two groups.

It is concluded that water washing of neem seed kernel cake very largely removes toxic principles responsible for retardation in growth.
Some field instruments suitable for the automated measurement of thermal and hydraulic properties of soil
Authors: North P. F. , Brown N. J.
Published: March 2009

Three types of field instrument are described that are suitable for the automated and replicatedin situmeasurement of the soil properties: temperature, thermal conductivity and water pressure. Novel aspects of their design and construction are discussed, as are details of their installation and precautions necessary for successful use in the field. The principle of operation of each type of instrument is described and the method of controlling several instruments of the same type via a computer-based data acquisition system is indicated. Their accuracy and performance under field conditions are shown to be very adequate. Determination errors are approximately 0·1 K in the range 0–35 °C for temperature, 6–8% for thermal conductivity, and 1 mm water for water pressure, with a time constant of about 2 sec in a silty clay loam soil; reliability is measured as two sensor failures out of 236 over an operating period of several months. Examples are given of data collected during their deployment in an experiment to determine the physical effects of tillage on soil.
Production of F1 hybrids using ethrel-induced male sterility in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Coss.)
Authors: Banga S. S. , Labana K. S.
Published: March 2009

The effect of field layout and the orientation of seed-production blocks on outcrossing rates was investigated in Indian mustard. The study incorporated three male:female combinations, i.e. 1:2, 1:3 and 2:4 laid in east–west, north–south and circular directions. The experimental material consisted of four test cultivars (RLM 198, RLM 514, Varuna and TM 4) in a split-plot design. Male sterility was achieved by spraying 0·25% (v/v) ethrel twice before the emergence of the first flowering shoots. The proportion of hybrid seed set was maximal in the 2:4 combination in a circular design. Outcrossing varied from 19 to 79%. Heterosis was evident in yield trials, but F1 hybrids showed carry-over effects due to ethrel treatment. It is argued that ethrelinduced male sterility has only a limited role in screening parental combinations for their yield assessment.
Histochemical localization of glycolytic enzymes, alcohol and secondary-alcohol dehydrogenases in the testes of buffaloes, goats and rams
Authors: Bilaspuri G. S. , Guraya S. S.
Published: March 2009

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-3-PDH), αglycerophosphate dehydrogenase (αGPDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase (SADH) were histochemically located in the testes of buffaloes, goats and rams. Two forms of αGPDH were observed: (i) NAD-dependent or cytoplasmic αglycero-phosphate dehydrogenase (αGPDHC) and (ii) NAD-independent or mitochondrial αglycerophosphate dehydrogenase (α GPDHM). The basic pattern of distribution of the various enzymes was similar in the three species; species-specific variations were observed but cell-specific variations were more pronounced. The main activities of G-3-PDH and αGPDHM were observed in the seminiferous tubules; interstitial tissue showed moderate (G-3-PDH) and trace to weak (αGPDHM) activity. In contrast, αGPDHC activity was more marked in the interstitial tissue and less in the seminiferous tubules, especially in the mature germinal elements. LDH and ADH respectively showed strong and moderate activities in the interstitial tissue and seminiferous tubules. SADH was noticeable only in the interstitial tissue of buffalo. The activities of all enzymes other than αGPDHC increased during spermiogenesis. The physiological significance of the results is discussed in relation to the carbohydrate metabolism of the testis.
The monogerm character in sugar beet, its incorporation into breeding stocks and the performance of experimental multiline varieties
Authors: Curtis G. J.
Published: March 2009

Origins of the monogerm character are described and a programme to produce a wide range of monogerm fully fertile lines is discussed. Back crossing to multigerms and hybridization among accessions of monogerm lines with relatively poor performance, together with selections from monogerm commercial varieties, provided sources from which improved lines were derived by recombination and selection. In the fifth year, experimental multiline varieties were synthesized which gave promising performance when evaluated in Institute trials at several locations in 2 years.
Fertilizer utilization studies in cotton using 15N and 32P labeled fertilizers
Authors: Skarlou V. , Papanicolaou E. , Nobeli C. , Katranis N.
Published: March 2009

Two field experiments with cotton were conducted over two growing seasons on calcareous, heavy to medium textured, alluvial soils, to study the influence of N and P fertilizer rates, the method of fertilizer placement and the time of N fertilizer application on cotton yield, product quality and fertilizer utilization.

Nitrogen application up to 50 kg/ha in the first experiment and up to 120 kg/ha in the second experiment increased seed cotton yield; higher nitrogen rates in the first experiment had an adverse effect on seed production due to abnormal rainfall which caused an intense vegetative growth and delayed the time of maturity.

Split application of N at sowing and at early flowering was slightly superior to a single application at sowing or to split applications at sowing, early flowering and initiation of fruiting. Addition of nitrogen during the flowering stage failed to influence cotton production significantly.

Banding P and N fertilizers increased plant height significantly, compared with the broadcasting method; placement methods, however, did not significantly affect seed yield.

Increasing amounts of N and P fertilizers had essentially no effect on lint quality.

The phosphate concentrations in the tops derived from fertilizer phosphate, were low ranging from 1–2 to 2–4 % of the P concentration in the tops and it was not affected by the different treatments.

The utilization coefficients of the nitrogen fertilizer sources by cotton were high, nitrate N being utilized much more efficiently than ammonium N.
An assessment of varietal resistance to chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae) infection of field beans (Vicia faba L.), with some indications of its heritability and mode of inheritance
Authors: Elliott Jennifer E. M. , Whittington W. J.
Published: March 2009

Varietal differences in resistance to non-aggressive chocolate spot infection were detected in the field, although complete resistance was not observed. Following artificial inoculation under growth-room conditions, a parent–offspring regression of disease scores for the heterogeneous stock Chivers was estimated as 0·51 ± 0·24, and although this cannot be regarded as a reliable heritability estimate, it demonstrates a degree of additive genetic control. AnF2diallel cross, under field conditions, indicated resistance to be controlled mainly by dominant alleles within a system of partial dominance. Detached-leaf tests indicated that within virtually complete dominance systems, dominant alleles facilitate fungal penetration and induce a hypersensitive response within the leaf. Control of further lesion development was indicated to be effected by a virtually complete additive system.
Morphological and physiological variation in wild oats (Avena fatua L. and A. ludoviciana Dur.) and in hybrids between wild and cultivated oats
Authors: Thurston Joan M.
Published: March 2009

In samples of wild-oat panicles collected in England and Wales in 1951 only two species, Avena fatua L. and Avena ludoviciana Dur., occurred; both were very variable in grain characters but most plants bred true. Plants of all except one type of A. fatua were upright in habit with few tillers and averaged 95% dormant grains at harvest; plants of A. ludoviciana were procumbent or prostrate at the maximum tillering stage with numerous tillers and the percentage dormant grains was lower than in A. fatua.

The taxonomy of wild oats is discussed. Chromosome counts on eleven selections showed that 2n = 42.

Types intermediate between wild and cultivated oats were compared with wild oats.
Developmental analysis of populations in the cereals and herbage grasses: II. Response to low-temperature vernalization
Authors: Cooper J. P.
Published: March 2009

A range of populations of cereals and herbage grasses, mainly of Lolium, Phieum and Triticum, have been tested in the greenhouse for response to lowtemperature vernalization. Leaf number before heading was used as the measure of reproductive development.

A close correlation was found between the climatic or agronomic origin of each population and its response to low temperature. In the cereals, response to low temperature was found in one ecological group only, namely, the winter wheats from western Europe. In Lolium the duration of the life cycle is closely related to the response to vernalization. The annual strains, such as Westernwolths or Wimmera ryegrasses, head rapidly with little or no response, while most of the perennial strains have an obligatory requirement for low temperature. In Phieum none of the populations tested exhibits any marked response to, or requirement for, low temperature, but the rapidity of heading, as measured by leaf number, varies from strain to strain and shows a high correlation with persistency. Most of the weed species tested are short-lived annuals and show little or no response to low temperature.

For each population, the local climate and farming system determine the optimum life cycle, and response to low temperature forms one important mechanism whereby such a life cycle can be attained.

The value of these methods for varietal classification and identification was assessed by comparing the behaviour of the same material in two or more seasons or under two or more kinds of equipment. The type of lighting used to provide long-day or continuous illumination, and the date of sowing, have a differential effect only in Phalaris and Phleum. In the other material, while variations in sowing date produce slight differences in the leaf number, the interaction between strain and sowing date is small, and good discrimination between population samples is possible. It is important to keep the greenhouse temperature between 50 and 70° F. to avoid natural vernalization or devernalization of material. The use of probit diagrams for comparing truncated distributions is discussed.

It is suggested that the methods can also be used to assess the genetic variation within populations. In the present results, the effect of the breeding system on the storage of variation is well shown. In self-fertilizing species, little or no variation is carried within lines, or, in the one case tested, between stocks of the same variety; it can, however, be carried between lines in a local population. In outbreeding species, each population carries considerable variation, both as genetic differences between individuals and in the heterozygous condition within individuals.
Compensation in spring-sown oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants in response to injury to their flower buds and pods
Authors: Tatchell G. M.
Published: March 2009

The extent and possible mechanism by which spring-sown oil-seed rape plants can compensate for insect or artificial injury to flower buds and pods were investigated by examination of the yield, and its components, of plants collected from commercial fields and those grown in field cages and glasshouses. Plants were able to compensate and in some instances overcompensate for all observed levels of M. aeneus injury or artificial bud removal by the production of more axillary racemes, which may be due to the loss of apical dominance. Artificial injury to the pods or infestation by C. assimilis larvae did not result in a significant reduction in the yield of seed and was compensated for partly by a slight increase in the number of axillary racemes and by slight increases in the number of pods on each axillary raceme and in the 1000-seed weight, and resulted mainly from the diversion of nutrients to other yield-bearing organs. Injury by D. brassicae larvae was partly compensated for in 1975 and at lower injury levels in 1974 and involved a similar mechanism to compensation for C. assimilis injury. These results are discussed in relation to the observed infestation levels in field surveys and current control practices.
Effects of several nitrification inhibitors, when injected with aqueous urea, on yields and nitrogen recoveries of ryegrass leys
Authors: Rodgers G. A. , Widdowson F. V. , Penny A. , Hewitt M. V.
Published: March 2009

Several nitrification inhibitors were compared with nitrapyrin, which was taken as the standard, when injected with aqueous urea into ryegrass leys at Rothamsted during 1977–81 and at Liscombe Experimental Husbandry Farm, Dulverton, Somerset, during 1977–9. Injection was done in either autumn or winter or spring.

All the inhibitors slowed down the rate of nitrate formation from the injected urea. Sodium trithioearbonate (STC) was less effective than nitrapyrin and potassium ethyl xanthate (KEtX) less effective than STC. A mixture of nitrapyrin and carbon disulphide was better than nitrapyrin alone, and a mixture of STO and KEtX was better than STC alone.

At Rothamsted, injecting inhibitors in autumn or winter improved yields and N uptakes, probably because they prevented loss of nitrate N by leaching and perhaps by denitrification. STC, STC-KEtX mixture and etridiazole were as good as, and nitrapyrin–CS2 mixture better than, nitrapyrin alone. Injecting inhibitors in spring frequently decreased yields, perhaps because NH4:NO3 ratios were too large, and increased them only when more than 150 mm of rain fell afterwards.

At Liscombe, where rainfall was higher, but soil temperatures were similar to those at Rothamsted, the benefits from using inhibitors in autumn were larger, but there were none from using them in spring.
The effects of fertilizers and drought on the concentrations of potassium in the dry matter and tissue water of field-grown spring barley
Authors: Leigh R. A. , Johnston A. E.
Published: March 2009

The effects of N, P, K and Na silicate fertilizers, and drought on the concentrations of K in the dry matter and tissue water of field-grown spring barley crops have been investigated. Percentage K in dry matter depended on the amounts of N, P, K or water received by the crops and was linearly related to fresh weight to dry weight ratio, but the slope of this relationship depended on whether or not the crops received K. Expressing K concentrations on the basis of tissue water eliminated differences between crops, except for those given insufficient K. Barley crops given fertilizer K maintained K concentrations in their tissue water of about 200 mmol/kg tissue water for most of the growth period but crops grown without K had only 50–70 mmol/kg tissue water. The results indicate that K concentrations in the tissue water are a more reliable indicator of tissue K status than % K in dry matter.

Decreases in crop K content resulting from poor K supply were balanced by increases in Na and Ca (but not Mg) contents so that total cation concentrations in the tissue water were similar in low and high K crops. The extra Na and Ca are probably primarily involved in maintaining charge balance for anion absorption but once in the plant they may also substitute for K in its osmotic role.
The effect of variation in the storage temperature of seed potatoes on sprout growth and subsequent yield
Authors: Wurr D. C. E.
Published: March 2009

Experiments, conducted over 3 years, investigated the effect of all combinations of two storage periods at low temperature (0 or 2 °C) and two storage periods at 10 °C on the sprout growth, numbers of stems per tuber, foliage development and subsequent tuber yield of the two maincrop varieties Maris Piper and Désirée.

Although the number of day-degrees accumulated during sprouting was the same for all treatment combinations, there were large effects of treatments on the number of sproutlets per tuber and the total sprout length per tuber. However, there was no effect on the number of stems per tuber, foliage development or saleable ware yield inany year.
Mineralization and field effectiveness of ordinary and coated urea, urea-aldehyde condensation product and urea treated with nitrification inhibitor
Authors: Nair K. P. P. , Sharma P. B.
Published: March 2009

A laboratory incubation study followed by a field experiment was made in a silty clay loam soil (pH 6·9) at Pantnagar, India, on the effectiveness of ordinary urea, coated urea (sulphur and shellac-coated), urea-isobutyraldehyde condensation product (isobutylidenediurea, IBDU) and urea blended with nitrification inhibitor AM (2- amino-4 chloro-6-methylpyrimidine) and neem (a non-edible oil seed obtained from Azadirachta indica) cake. Whereas untreated urea and IBDU hydrolysed rapidly leaving no trace of urea-N after 2 weeks, sulphur-coated urea mineralized quite slowly and retained urea-N for as long as 4 weeks after incubation. Urea blended with neem cake was intermediate. Of all the materials tested, sulphur-coated urea showed maximum nitrification inhibition. A combination of one third sulphur-coated urea at planting + two thirds ordinary urea 30 days later yielded 12·3% more maize grain than ordinary urea in the same proportion at the same times of application.
The effect of planting density, inorganic nitrogen fertilizer and supplementary carbon dioxide on yield of Vicia faba L.
Authors: Day J. M. , Roughley R. J. , Witty J. F.
Published: March 2009

Vicia faba cv. Minden was planted at densities ranging from 6 to 98 plants/m2. Nitrogen was applied to the soil as split dressings or as a foliar spray. CO2 concentration in the canopy was increased in some plots to 0·22% for 3 weeks during the early pod-filling stage.

Yield and number of seeds per plant varied inversely with plant spacing between 9 and 98 plants/m2. Mean seed weight increased up to 13 plants/m2 and then remained constant between 13 and 98 plants/m2. Yield/ha was unaffected by plant density above 18 plants/m2.

Application of 200 kg N/ha as ‘Nitro-Chalk’ (mixture of NH4NO3 and CaCO3) to the soil as split dressings did not affect yield or its components but 80 kg N/ha as urea applied in four foliar sprays increased yield by 361 kg/ha (8·6%). Recovery of the labelled nitrogen in the grain varied from 28% when applied during vegetative growth to 8% when applied in the reproductive phase and 15% in the foliar spray.

The highest yield (5·12 t/ha) was obtained by supplementary CO2. The results suggest that there is no advantage in applying fertilizer nitrogen to well-nodulated spring beans.
The effects of time of weed removal on growth and yield of sugar beet
Authors: Scott R. K. , Wilcockson S. J. , Moisey F. R.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments at Sutton Bonington between 1970 and 1974 tested how crop yields were affected by hand weeding at different stages in the life of early- and latesown crops. Losses where weeds were never controlled ranged from 95% where tallgrowingChenopodium albumL. predominated to 50% whenStellaria media(L.) Vill. andTripleurospermum maritimumL.) Koch ssp.inodorumHyl ex. Vaarama (T.inodorum) were most involved.

In five of the seven crops examined the latest date (X) at which weeding had to commence to prevent irreversible effects on growth and yield and the earliest date at which weeding could cease without yield loss (Y) coincided. For late March/early April sowings this occurred 6 weeks after crop emergence, while for late April/early May sowings in which events were more rapid the same stage was reached 4 weeks after emergence. For an early-sown crop in 1973, when rainfall was frequent and heavy andC. albumprolific, X preceded Y with an interval of 4 weeks between the two dates (4–8 weeks after crop emergence, mid-May to mid-June). In complete contrast for a late-sown crop in 1974, when the weather was exceptionally dry andC. albumvirtually absent, Y preceded X and a single weeding at any time between 2 and 8 weeks after emergence would have prevented yield loss.

Sugar beet had generally reached the late singling stage (4–6 true leaves) by the time weeding must have commenced. During the next 6 weeks, final yield was depressed by 120–150kg/ha (1·;5%) with each day that weeds were allowed to remain. However, leaf production continued throughout the season and the crop was capable of recovering from early checks caused by weed competition. It proved possible for crops whose weights were depressed by 25–30% when first weeded to recover completely by harvest.