bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of urea alone or with fungicide on the yield and breadmaking quality of wheat when sprayed at flag leaf and ear emergence
Authors: Gooding M. J. , Kettlewell P. S. , Hocking T. J.
Published: March 2009

Urea (supplying 15 kg N/ha) applied to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) at flag leaf emergence and again at ear emergence improved grain yield in only two, but increased grain nitrogen (N) in four out of five experiments. The size of the improvements in yield and nitrogen content differed over varying sites and seasons but were not affected by cultivar or propiconazole (250 g a.i./ha) plus tridemorph (500 g a.i./ha) fungicide applied with the urea. Breadmaking quality was assessed on grain from one site in 1985 and in 1986. The beneficial effects on loaf quality of urea and fungicide applied separately were reduced when they were applied as a mixture. In 1986 this negative interaction was associated with effects on sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation volume, flour sulphur content (S), N/S ratio and dough resistance. The effect of urea also interacted with cultivar on SDS sedimentation volume in 1985 and dough resistance in 1986.
The response of some barley varieties to irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: Kirby E. J. M.
Published: March 2009

Four varieties of barley, selected for characteristics which could have value in a barley variety intended primarily for animal food, were compared with the variety Proctor under two levels of irrigation and two levels of nitrogen fertilizer. The exotic varieties yielded less grain and total dry matter than the adapted varieties, but differed in their response to irrigation. This difference was due chiefly to the ability to form extra ears when irrigated and the other yield components were less affected. Nitrogen fertilizer did not affect yield, although more ears were formed in the highlevel than the low-level treatment. The yield of nitrogen in the whole plant and in the yield of grain nitrogen were increased by high-nitrogen fertilizer and one of the exotic varieties was found to be capable of high yields of both grain nitrogen and total nitrogen, but there were no varietal differences in the response to nitrogen fertilizer.

The varietal differences in response to irrigation are briefly discussed and related to development and possible drought resistance. The nitrogen yield of the grain is analysed in terms of total nitrogen uptake and distribution within the plant and the possibility of using the variation in these characteristics in a breeding programme is raised.
Influence of organic and inorganic fertilization on the growth and nutrition of rice and fish in a dual culture system
Authors: Ghosh B. C. , Ghosh R. , Mittra B. N. , Mitra A. , Jana M. K.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years during 1988–90 at a research farm near the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India to study the influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the performance of rice and fish in a dual culture system. Under waterlogged conditions the grain yield and dry matter of the rice variety CR1018 was increased both when inorganic N fertilizer (50 kg N/ha) was supplied or when a combination of organic (lOt FYM/ha) and inorganic N fertilizer (25 kg N/ha) were applied as compared with an organic fertilizer alone (20 t FYM/ha). The recovery of N as well as grain yield response per kg of N applied was also greater when inorganic N was applied. On the other hand, the growth of the fish species Java punti (Puntius javanicus) when grown alone (monoculture) and Catla (Catla catla), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and Java punti (Puntius javanicus) grown together (polyculture) in the rice field was found to be superior when organic fertilizer was applied either alone or in combination with an inorganic fertilizer. The total number of phytoplankton species as food for the fish under organic manuring was more than under inorganic fertilization. In low-lying waterlogged situations (15–45 cm water depth), the total productivity could be increased by supplying the appropriate nutrition to both rice and fish in such dual culture systems.
Effects of soil drought during the generative development phase of faba bean (Vicia faba) on photosynthetic characters and biomass production
Authors: Xia X. Z.
Published: March 2009

The effects of periods of drought occurring during different phases of reproductive growth of faba bean (Vicia fabaL.) cv. Xichang Dabai on dry matter production, seed yield, photosynthetic rate and stomatal size were investigated in pot experiments in 1987/88 and 1988/89 at Xichang Agricultural College, China. Six treatments were imposed: no drought (control), and drought from floral initiation to first flowering (D1), from first flowering to full bloom (D2), from full bloom to initiation of podset (D3), from initiation of pod-set to full pod-set (D4), and from full pod-set to maturity (D5).

Photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, leaf area, stomatal pore breadth, biomass and seed yield were decreased by all drought treatments, but stomatal frequency and respiratory rate were increased. The light saturation point for photosynthesis was decreased from 950 µmol/m2/s (PAR) to 570 µmol/m2/s (PAR) in leaves from drought-stressed plants, which also showed maximum stomatal opening between 08.00 and 11.00 h followed by progressive stomatal closure.

The response of faba bean to drought varied during the different reproductive growth stages. Plants subjected to drought at stage D1 were less affected than those at other stages, while plants at stage D4 were most sensitive to drought, which reduced seed yield byc.45% in 1987/88 and byc.43% in 1988/89 relative to the control plants, suggesting that stage D4 is the stage of reproductive development most sensitive to soil drought in the faba bean.
Insulin, prolactin and thyroxine responses to feeding, and to arginine and insulin injections during growth in lambs
Authors: Godden Patricia M. M. , Weekes T. E. C.
Published: March 2009

A study was made to determine the effects of feeding, arginine injection (0·5 g/kg live weight) and insulin injection (0·5 i.u./kg live weight) on plasma insulin, prolactin and glucose concentrations in ten growing castrated male lambs. The effect of feeding on thyroxine concentrations was also determined. Each test was performed once in each of four periods which commenced at 84, 98, 113 and 127 days of age respectively.

Feeding stimulated the release of insulin and this response was larger during period 4 than period 1. The release of prolactin following feeding did not change with age. Thyroxine concentrations, which were generally higher in periods 1 and 2 than 3 or 4, decreased from 1 to 12 h after feeding.

Arginine injection stimulated a similar insulin response in lambs of all ages but the prolactin release following arginine injection diminished with age.

Insulin injection caused marked hypoglycaemia in all periods, followed by dramatic increase in prolactin concentrations which increased with age.
The effects of delayed sowing and weather on growth, development and yield of winter oil-seed rape (Brassica napus)
Authors: Mendham N. J. , Shipway P. A. , Scott R. K.
Published: March 2009

Sowing winter oil-seed rape cv. Victor late in autumn (late September or October) in seven seasons from 1970 to 1977 gave enormously variable seed yields, from 120 to 450 g/m2. All crops made little growth before winter, and yield was related to the size of the crop at flowering, a function of the length of time for radiation interception and growth between the ‘beginning of spring’, when mean temperatures rose consistently above 5 °C, and full flower in late May. A late spring in 1970 gave the poorest growth and lowest yield, whereas in 1977 an early spring coincided with late flowering to give exceptional growth, and yields higher than from any early sowing.

Crops sown in early autumn (before mid-September) produced more consistent seed yields, 280–360 g/m2, except in the dry year of 1976. All grew well in autumn, overwintered with a large leaf area, and once temperatures rose in spring, rapidly reached peak area and full flower in early May. They were all large at flowering, and yield was apparently limited more by post-flowering events.

With all sowings numbers of pods and seeds were largely determined during a 3-week phase in late May and early June, extending from full flower until most pod hulls had finished growing. Late sowings produced 3000–6000 pods/m2, and the number of seeds retained per pod varied widely, from 7 on a poorly grown crop to 22 on a well grown crop, thus expressing the yield potential determined by crop size at flowering. Early sowings, however, produced apparently excessive numbers of pods (6000–12000/m2) and few seeds per pod (6–10), so that yield varied little, regardless of crop size. Early in the phase, when the number of seeds was determined, the mass of yellow flowers at the top of the crop reflected or absorbed up to 60 % of incoming radiation, and then the large number of pods increasingly shaded each other and competed for assimilate, resulting in heavy seed losses. A high-yielding crop type may therefore need to incorporate the restricted pod production and good seed retention of some well-grown latesown crops with the reliability and desirable agronomic features of early-sown crops.

Final seed weight varied more between seasons (3·7–5·3 nag) than between sowings. Seed growth mainly took place after the number of seeds had been determined, the duration depending on temperature, but rate of growth apparently more on assimilate supply, a function of environmental factors and the number of competing seeds.
Short-season fodder legume effects on the grain yield and nitrogen economy of barley under dryland conditions
Authors: Giri G. , De R.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were conducted for 2 years (1977–8 and 1978–9) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi under semi-arid seasonally dry tropical conditions to evaluate the possibility of growing two crops under natural precipitation, where traditionally one crop is grown. Short-season fodder crops of cow pea (Vigna unguiculata), guar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), moth bean (V. aconilifolia), soya bean (Glycine max.) or pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) harvested before the end of monsoon rains enabled sufficient recharge of the profile from the precipitation received subsequently to enable barley to be sown in the winter season. Although the pearl millet yielded more biomass, the soil fertility enrichment was greater from the legume fodders. The grain yield and total nitrogen removal by barley was higher after the legume fodders than after the non-legume fodder pearl millet. Benefits from the previous fodder legumes were equivalent to or more than 40 kg N/ha applied to barley crop following a previous crop of pearl millet.
Preferential uptake of ammonium nitrogen from soil by ryegrass under simulated spring conditions
Authors: Watson Catherine J.
Published: March 2009

The15N isotope was used to compare the uptake and recovery of NH4+ and NO3– nitrogen by ryegrass growing in soil under controlled simulated spring conditions when the temperature of the root was appreciably lower than that of the shoot. A preference was shown for NH4+ N over N03– N, particularly at low soil temperatures. The limited uptake of NO3– does not appear to be due to an inhibitory effect of the NH4+ ion. Ryegrass not only absorbed less N from NO3– but also translocated a lower percentage of the total nitrogen taken up, to the shoots, the difference being greatest at low soil temperatures.

The results give increasing support for the recommendation that early spring nitrogen should be applied in the NH4+ form. However, the preferential uptake and translocation of NH4+ ions would be of agricultural importance only if it led to an increase in dry-matter production.
Factors affecting growth and yield of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus), 1985–89
Authors: Leach J. E. , Darby R. J. , Williams I. H. , Fitt B. D. L. , Rawlinson C. J.
Published: March 2009

Effects of agronomic factors on yield of winter oilseed rape were examined in multifactorial experiments, with a single-low (low erucic acid, high glucosinolate) cultivar (Bienvenu) in 1984/85 to 1987/88 and a double-low (low erucic acid, low glucosinolate) cultivar (Ariana) in 1986/87 to 1988/89. Establishment of September-sown plots was better than that of August-sown plots in 1984, 1987 and 1988, but not in 1985 when September was very dry. The total dry matter (DM) (kg/ha) of August-sown plots was much greater than that of September-sown plots throughout autumn and winter but by harvest the plant DM of late-sown plots was slightly greater. Combine-harvested yields of late-sown plots were greater than those of early-sown plots in 1984/85 (cv. Bienvenu) but not in 1988/89 (cv. Ariana); effects of sowing date on yields were smaller in other seasons, although late-sown plots generally had larger yields. Insecticide treatments increased combine-harvested yields in 1987/88 (cv. Bienvenu) and 1988/89 (cv. Ariana) and increased hand-harvested yields in 1984/85, by increasing the number of plants/m2. Fungicide spray treatments increased yields in all years except 1989, by increasing 1000-seed weights. Application of growth regulator sprays increased yields in 1986/87 to 1988/89; effects on cv. Ariana were associated with increased numbers of pods/plant. There were no consistent effects of spring nitrogen rates or timing on yield or yield components.
Breed differences in response of wool growth to annual nutritional and climatic cycles
Authors: Doney J. M.
Published: March 2009

Nine Cheviot and nine ¾ Merino, ¼ Cheviot sheep were fed at similar annual maintenance levels. The annual ration was provided in three ways–in simulation of the ‘natural’ intake cycle, the reversed intake cycle or as a constant daily ration. Liveweight curves for both breeds corresponded fairly closely with the feed intake curves but considerable genotype/environment interaction was found in the response of unscoured wool growth to variation in feed intake.

After an extended period of adjustment, the between sheep variation in intake, in the Merino group, was reflected in variation in wool-growth rate at all times. In the Cheviot group, intake and wool growth were related in summer but not in winter. It is suggested that not only is the efficiency of wool growth subject to genetic control but that the modification of efficiency in response to variation in environmentally controlled metabolic processes is also a function of the genetic background.
The sodium and potassium content of some grass genera, species and varieties
Authors: ap Griffith G. , Walters R. J. K.
Published: March 2009

Data from one field and three glasshouse experiments are presented on the sodium and potassium contents of a number of grasses and on the effect of nitrogen, potassium, and sodium supply on these.

Large and consistent differences in sodium content exist between different genera of grasses. Potassium content may also show such differences.

Environmental factors which affect sodium content are the supply of nitrogen and potassium. Increasing nitrogen in the growth medium raises the sodium content, increasing potassium lowers it.

A grass with a potentially high sodium content will show a wide range in this element depending on the environment. One with a low sodium potential will remain always low, not unaffected by environment but affected within a more restricted range.
The value of liquid digested sewage sludge. II. Experiments on rye-grass in South-east England, comparing sludge with fertilizers supplying equivalent nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and water
Authors: Coker E. G.
Published: March 2009

In a factorial trial comparing liquid digested sludge with equivalent water, and inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, almost all the effects observed could be attributed to the uptake of nitrogen or potassium.

Over the 2-year period of treatment application, liquid digested sludge and equivalent inorganic fertilizer nitrogen and potassium gave similar responses of 22.3 and 23.8 lb. dry matter per lb. of nitrogen, and 59 lb./acre K increased the response to inorganic nitrogen alone by 5.4 lb./lb. of nitrogen.

Over the 2-year period of treatment the amount of potassium absorbed by herbage, in excess of that applied, was greater with fertilizer nitrogen than with liquid digested sludge. Added potassium had no direct effect on crude protein production. Liquid digested sludge and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer increased crude protein to a similar extent.
The regrowth of swards of S24 perennial rye-grass subjected to different pretreatments
Authors: Davies Alison
Published: March 2009

In an experiment in which plots of S24 perennial rye-grass grown at a 2 in. spacing were subjected to pretreatments involving two different nitrogen levels and three different cutting frequencies it was found that subsequent regrowth was most strongly related to total stubble weight. Other significant correlations were obtained with root weight, tiller number and weight of water-soluble carbohydrates in roots and stubble.

The relationships between cultural treatments and sward condition, and between sward condition and regrowth are discussed in the light of the results from this and other experiments.
Nitrogen mineralization, nitrate leaching and crop growth after ploughing-in leguminous and non-leguminous grain crop residues
Authors: Francis G. S. , Haynes R. J. , Williams P. H.
Published: March 2009

A field experiment was conducted in Canterbury, New Zealand to investigate the effect of six leguminous and non-leguminous grain crops on soil N fertility over a 12 month period (March 1989 to March 1990). All crops had an overall negative N balance during their growing season. A greater amount of soil N was removed by barley, rape and lupins (104–119 kg N/ha) than by field beans, field peas or lentils (50–74 kg N/ha).

Net N mineralization was measured in all treatments between residue incorporation and the start of winter. With the exception of the lupins, accumulation of mineral N in the soil profile before the start of winter drainage was greater following leguminous (mean 124 kg N/ha) than non-leguminous crops (mean 80 kg N/ha).

Cumulative apparent leaching losses over the autumn/winter were largely a reflection of the mineral N content of the profile before the start of drainage. Excluding lupins, leaching losses declined in the order fallow > legumes > non-legumes (110 > 72 > 37 kg N/ha respectively). The anomalous results for the lupins were attributed to the incorporation of a large amount of woody residues after harvest which may well have resulted in extensive net N mineralization occurring later in the autumn.

Over a 12 month period, all treatments showed a decline in N fertility (110–160 kg N/ha), although compared with barley, the total loss of soil N was 10–40 kg N/ha less following leguminous crops.

Growth of the following spring wheat test crop was affected by the preceding crop. Grain yield, grain N yield and total N yield were significantly related to the mineral N content of the soil at the end of leaching, and to a measure of net N mineralization during the growing season of the test crop.
Influence of sucrose supplementation on nitrogen kinetics and energy metabolism in sheep fed with lucerne hay cubes
Authors: Obara Y. , Fuse H. , Terada F. , Shibata M. , Kawabata A. , Sutoh M. , Hodate K. , Matsumoto M.
Published: March 2009

The effects of sucrose supplementation on nitrogen kinetics and energy metabolism were examined in sheep fed lucerne hay cubes using a15N isotope dilution method and balance and respiration trials in Tsukuba, Japan in 1988. Sheep were fed lucerne hay cubes (1183 g DM/day), with or without 204 g/day sucrose, at 2 h intervals from continuous feeders. Supplementation with sucrose decreased urinary N excretion (P< 0·01), resulting in an increase in N retention from – 1·1 to + 2·0 g N/day (P< 0·01). Supplementation with sucrose resulted in no change in faeces and methane energy, a decrease in urinary energy (P< 0·01) and an increase in heat production and energy balance (P< 0·01). Sucrose supplementation also resulted in lower rumen ammonia (P< 0·05) and plasma urea concentrations (P< 0·05) and reduced urinary urea excretion (P< 0·01). The fermentation of sucrose in the rumen resulted in a decrease in rumen pH (P< 0·01) and in the acetate: propionate ratio (P< 0·05). Sucrose supplementation increased the proportion of urea transferred to the rumen (P< 0·05), non-ammonia N (NAN) concentration in the rumen (P< 0·001) and NAN flow from the rumen to the lower digestive tract (P< 0·001). Urinary allantoin excretion rate increased with sucrose supplementation (P< 0·05). The plasma glucose concentration was unchanged but plasma insulin concentration was increased with sucrose supplementation (P< 0·05). The influence of energy-rich supplements, such as sucrose, on N kinetics and the mechanism of the increase in N retention with sucrose supplementation are discussed.
Comparative productivity and drought response of semi-tropical hybrids and open-pollinated varieties of sorghum
Authors: Blum A. , Golan G. , Mayer J. , Sinmena B. , Obilana T.
Published: March 2009

While the relative advantage of hybrids over open-pollinated varieties has long been established for temperate sorghums in developed countries, similar information for semi-tropical sorghums used in Africa and India is relatively scant, especially under conditions of drought stress. This study compared 23 hybrids with 21 open-pollinated varieties, all developed in India and/or Southern Africa. Materials were field-tested under conditions of stored soil moisture at two levels of drought stress (dryland or one supplemental irrigation) at Bet Dagan, Israel in 1989.

Irrespective of the water regime, grain yield and harvest index increased and leaf area index decreased with a shorter growth duration of the genotypes. Hybrids were earlier, had a larger leaf area index, more than double the harvest index and produced more grain compared with varieties. In spite of their longer growth duration, varieties were less water-stressed than hybrids, as judged by their midday leaf water potential, relative water content and the extent of leaf rolling. The relatively poor plant water status of the hybrids could be partly ascribed to their larger leaf area index. Hybrids produced more biomass per day than varieties under low stress while varieties produced more biomass per day than hybrids under high stress. Thus, in terms of plant water status and mean daily biomass production, varieties were more drought resistant than hybrids. However, the physiological superiority of the varieties under drought stress did not result in a higher grain yield because of their inherent relatively poor harvest index, typical of the tall and late African sorghums. The superior physiological resistance to drought stress of these varieties could be translated into a yield advantage under drought stress if their potential harvest index is improved.
Finishing steers on sorghum grain and sorghum silage. Effects of grain-to-roughage ratio, urea supplementation and hexoestrol implantation on rate of body-weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass compositions
Authors: Morris J. G.
Published: March 2009

1. A study of the suitability of rations of predominately sorghum grain for the intensive finishing of steers is reported. Six groups, each of ten steers, 18 months old and of an average body-weight of 544 lb., were fed, according to a set schedule, increasing quantities of grain in the ration until two groups were each consuming rations containing 80, 90 or 100% grain. One of the two groups, fed each grain-to-roughage ratio, received 60 g. urea per head daily. Individual steers were slaughtered when they attained 900 lb. body-weight. A seventh group of ten comparable steers was slaughtered at the commencement of feeding in order to measure changes in body composition due to the nutritional treatments.
Yields of mixtures of single-cross hybrid field beans (Viciafaba L.) with one of the parental inbred lines
Authors: Bond D. A. , Fyfe J. L. , Toynbee-Clarke Gillian
Published: March 2009

The yields of seed from a hybrid, one of its parents and different mixtures of the hybrid and parent were compared in the case of two different hybrids. Open-pollinated controls were included in the trial, which was sown at about the normal rate for beans. With both hybrids a mixture of 11 of hybrid to 1 of parent yielded as well as the hybrid itself and mixtures of 2 of hybrid to 1 of parent yielded in both cases about 7 cwt./acro more than the mean of the open-pollinated controls. With the higher-yielding hybrid, which had less contrast in vegetative vigour between hybrid and parent, mixtures in the proportions 5:1 and 2:1 showed declining yields, but with the other hybrid they yielded as well as the pure hybrid.
Chemical weed control in potatoes
Authors: Eddowes Maurice
Published: March 2009

Dinoseb and TCA were successfully used to control weeds in potatoes by Robertson (1960), and Wood, Sutherland & Stephens (1960). Since then many investigations have been carried out on the use of newer herbicides including the bipyridils, triazines and substituted ureas. The results of a number of these studies, presented at the Seventh British Weed Control Conference (1964), suggested that herbicides might give effective control of annual weeds in potatoes under a range of British conditions. Yields of marketable ware following herbicide treatment were similar, in general, to those obtained following standard post-planting cultivations, but occasionally the yields after herbicide treatment were either as much as 20% higher or lower than the controls. The performance of the herbicides was related mainly to weed flora, soil type and amount and distribution of rainfall.
Yellow rust (Puccinia striiformisWestend.) of barley in England, 1960–65
Authors: Macer R. C. F. , Driessche M. Van Den
Published: March 2009

Yellow rust of barley has been observed more frequently at Cambridge in the period 1960-65 than the previous five years. The disease occurs in most parts of England but appears to be prevalent and more damaging in the south and west of the country. The increased incidence of the disease is probably associated both with the greatly increased acreage of barley now being grown and with the introduction of more susceptible barley varieties.

Two isolates ofPuccinia striiformisdiffering in virulence characteristics have been found to be representative of the population of the pathogen in England. These isolates are similar to, if not identical with, physiologic races 23 and 24 which are widespread in continental Europe.

A survey of the seedling resistance toP. striiformisof the currently cultivated barley varieties showed that, of the twelve varieties tested, nine were susceptible to both isolates of the pathogen and three were susceptible to one isolate and resistant to the other. No varieties were resistant to both isolates.
Analysis of maize–common bean intercrops in semi-arid Kenya
Authors: Pilbeam C. J. , Okalebo J. R. , Simmonds L. P. , Gathua K. W.
Published: March 2009

Maize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were each sown at four plant densities, including zero, in a bivariate factorial design at Kiboko Rangeland Research Station, Kenya during the long and short rains of 1990. The design gave nine intercrops with different proportions of maize and beans, and six sole crops, three of maize and three of beans. Seed yields in both the sole crops were not significantly affected by plant density, so the mean yield was used to calculate the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), which averaged 1·09 in the long rains but only 0·87 in the short rains. These low values were apparently due to the fact that beans failed to nodulate and fix nitrogen in the study area. The difference in LER between seasons was probably caused by differences in the amount and distribution of rain in relation to crop growth. Maize was more competitive than bean, each maize plant being equivalent to between 0·7 and 3·4 bean plants depending upon the treatment and the season.
Response of late-sown mustard (Brassica juncea) to irrigation and nitrogen
Authors: Yadav S. K. , Chander Krishan , Singh D. P.
Published: March 2009

The response of late-sown mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to four rates of irrigation (ratio of irrigation depth to cumulative pan evaporation, ID:CPE = 0·2, 0·4, 0·6 and 0·8) and nitrogen (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha) was investigated at Haryana Agricultural University, India, in the winter seasons of 1986/87 and 1987/88. Increases in the amounts of water and N fertilizer applied increased leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, light absorption, leaf area index, seed yield and evapotranspiration and decreased canopy temperature. Water-use efficiency was highest for the 0·4 ID:CPE irrigation treatment in both seasons, and for the 60 kg N/ha N treatment in 1986/87 and the 90 kg N/ha treatment in 1987/88. The combination of 0·6 ID:CPE with 60 kg N/ha gave a significantly higher seed yield than lower rates and equalled that from the highest irrigation and N treatment combinations. The amount of water used by the mustard crop decreased with increasing soil depth irrespective of treatment. In the deeper soil layers, the percentage of total moisture use was greater under less irrigated than under more frequently irrigated plots. Leaf area index showed a significant positive linear relationship with evapotranspiration and light absorption and a negative linear relationship with canopy temperature. Seed yield was linearly related to leaf area index and light absorption coefficient.
Growth and light interception in field bean (Vicia faba) infected by Ascochyta fabae
Authors: Madeira A. C. , Clark J. A. , Rossall S.
Published: March 2009

The effects of inoculation by Ascochyta fabae Speg. on growth and light interception in field bean (Vicia faba L.) were studied. Measurements were made in a field trial using cv. Ticol, a cultivar vulnerable to this disease during early vegetative growth and at the beginning of the flowering stage. Infection reduced leaf area duration, light interception and dry matter yield of energy (light use efficiency) and, consequently, the dry matter production of the crop. Reductions in seed yield ranged from 12 to 30% compared with a prophylactic fungicide treatment.
Potential rates of denitrification in two field soils in southern England
Authors: Iqbal M. M.
Published: March 2009

Potential rates of denitrification from two field soils, differing in past history, were measured by anaerobic incubation of fresh samples in a glasshouse maintained at 15–25 °C at ARC Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage, Oxfordshire in 1981. Nitrate was not limiting. The topsoils (0–20 cm) from both sites denitrified more than the subsoils (20–60 cm). The production of nitrous oxide was positively correlated with the carbon content of the soils while potential rates of denitrification in the two soils were similar. The total accumulated loss of nitrogen was greater from the soil with the greater organic carbon content. The use of acetylene showed that the denitrification losses were underestimated by measuring only nitrous oxide. N2O was still being reduced to N2 even after 100 h continuous exposure to acetylene.
Some factors affecting apparent nitrogen digestibility of roughage diets fed to cattle
Authors: Moran J. B. , Vercoe J. E.
Published: March 2009

Published and unpublished results for apparent nitrogen digestibility from 107 digestibility trials with Zebu (Africander, Brahman and their crosses with British cattle) and British breeds of cattle were analysed by regression analyses to determine its relationship with dry matter intake and dietary nitrogen content.

The linear regression of apparent nitrogen digestibility on the reciprocal of dietary nitrogen content was an adequate mathematical description of the relation (r = 0·92) and the addition of the reciprocal of nitrogen intake as an independent variable improved the description (r = 0·95) particularly for diets with a low nitrogen content. Both these equations have a physiological basis.

Estimates of the true nitrogen digestibility and metabolic faecal nitrogen from the linear regression of apparent nitrogen digestibility on the reciprocal of dietary nitrogen content were 86·8% and 0·49 g/100 g dry-matter intake. Independent estimates of these parameters from a multiple regression of total faecal nitrogen on dry-matter intake and nitrogen intake were 88·7% and 0·46 g/100 g dry-matter intake. The analyses on the breeds suggested that the Zebu cattle may have a higher true digestibility and a lower metabolic faecal nitrogen than the British cattle, although the differences were small and could not be subjected to statistical tests.
Effect of inoculation and nitrogen fertilization on nodulation, seed yield and quality of soya beans
Authors: Abu-Shakra S. , Bassiri A.
Published: March 2009

Soya beans grown on land planted the previous year with inoculated soya beans produced more nodules, lodging, seed yield, 1000 seed weight, and protein content and less seed oil concentration as compared to those grown on land that was planted with non-inoculated soya beans. Nitrogen fertilization (120kg N/ha) reduced the total number of nodules per plant. Increasing inoculation rates of the seed increased the dry weight of nodules per plant. Location, nitrogen fertilization, and inoculation increased or decreased the levels of certain amino acids but had no significant effect on the sulphur amino acids, cystine and methionine.
Culture and fertilization of sheep ovarian oocytes I. Effect of culture medium on resumption of meiosis
Authors: Quirke J. F. , Gordon I.
Published: March 2009

Oocyte recovery was conducted in 329 slaughtered sheep; from 3072 vesicular follicles ruptured, 1210 oocytes were obtained (av. 3·7 per sheep). After recovery or culture in various media, 801 oocytes were examined for developmental stages. In cattle follicular fluid, little evidence of resumption of meiosis was found. In sheep follicular fluid, meiosis was resumed in many oocytes, but was arrested at the pro-metaphase to metaphase-I stage. A high proportion of oocytes matured to metaphase-II when cultured in growth medium.
Ovine ill-thrift in Nova Scotia:I. The possible regulation of the rumen flora in sheep by the fungal flora of permanent pasture
Authors: Brewer D. , Calder F. W. , MacIntyre T. M. , Taylor A.
Published: March 2009

The growth of ewe lambs of the Shropshire breed declined and in some cases ceased at the end of July, when they grazed permanent pastures at the Experimental Farm, Nappan, Nova Scotia. This decline in growth coincided with a decrease of about three orders of magnitude in the numbers of viable rumen bacteria. At the end of July an increase of one to two orders of magnitude was observed in the numbers of viable fungi collected from the pastures. Lambs grazing pastures developed from tidal marsh of the Bay of Fundy had a better growth performance than lambs grazing adjacent pastures developed from mixed conifer-deciduous forest. The forest soils supported a greater fungal population than the marshland soil, and several species were found predominantly on the forest soil.
Milk production in Awassi and Hungarian Merino sheep in Iraq
Authors: Karam H. A. , Juma K. H. , Al-Shabibi M. , Eliya J. , Al-Ma'ali H. N. Abu
Published: March 2009

On the Abu-Ghraib Experiment Station, milk production was investigated in 31 Awassi ewes of different ages and 12 newly imported Hungarian Merino ewes, two years old, together with the effect of age, lactation period, number of lambs born and reared and stage of lactation on milk production in the Awassi ewes. The relationships between milk production, birth weight and weaning weight of lambs were also investigated.

First-lactation milk yield during the suckling period (90 days) based on 12 h milking interval was 114·58 kg in the Merino and 75·29 kg in the Awassi.

Age had no significant effect on milk production in Awassi ewes although first-lactation yield was lower than that from subsequent lactations. Ewes that produced and nursed twins gave significantly more milk than ewes that produced and nursed single lambs.

Milk yield in Merino and Awassi ewes increased with the decrease of milking interval from 12 to 4 h. The correlation coefficients between milk yield during 12 and 4 h were positive and significant.

Correlation coefficients between birth and weaning weights and milk production were positive in both breeds. The correlation coefficient between weaning weight and milk production was 0·78 in the Awassi (P <0·01) and 0·65 in the Merino (P <0·05). The multiple correlation coefficient between weaning weight and birth weight and milk production was 0·67 in the Awassi and 0·43 in the Merino.
Chlorophyll degradation in leaf sections from tall and short varieties of rice
Authors: Harada J. , Nakayama H.
Published: March 2009

Among the four varieties of rice tested, the leaves of short varieties had much chlorophyll per unit leaf area and slow chlorophyll degradation, while those of tall ones showed less chlorophyll content and its rapid degradation.
An evaluation of the field performance of the progeny of plants regenerated from embryos of Hordeum vulgare cv. Golden Promise
Authors: Dunwell J. M. , Cornish M. , Powell W. , Borrino E. M.
Published: March 2009

The study was designed to compare the agronomic performance of progenies of barley plants (cv. Golden Promise) regenerated from immature zygotic embryos (IE) with these originating from embryos produced after chromosome elimination (Hordeum bulbosum technique). Conventionally derived seed material was used as control.

In a randomized complete block design with two replicates, plants were scored for mildew reaction (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei), number of days to awn emergence, height and yield. Data showed no evidence of variation for mildew reaction and although significant differences between lines for the other three characters were observed in the IE-derived sample these were not significantly greater than that observed in the control samples.
The nitrogen cycle in the Broadbalk Wheat Experiment: recovery and losses of 15N-labelled fertilizer applied in spring and inputs of nitrogen from the atmosphere
Authors: Powlson D. S. , Pruden The Late G. , Johnston A. E. , Jenkinson D. S.
Published: March 2009

15N-labelled nitrogen fertilizer (containing equal quantities of ammonium-N and nitrate-N) was applied in 4 consecutive years (1980–3) to different microplots located within the Broadbalk Wheat Experiment at Rothamsted, an experiment which has carried winter wheat continuously since 1843. Plots receiving 48, 96, 144 and 192 kg N/ha every year were given labelled fertilizer in mid-April at (nominally) these rates.

Grain yields ranged from 1–2 t/ha on plots given no N fertilizer since 1843 to a maximum of 7·3 t/ha with 196 kg N/ha. On plots given adequate P and K fertilizer, between 51 and 68% of the labelled N was recovered in the above-ground crop; only about 40% was recovered where P deficiency limited crop growth. In 1981 fertilizerderived N retained in soil (0–70 cm) at harvest increased from 16 kg/ha, where 48 kg/ha was applied, to 38 kg/ha, where 192 kg/ha was applied. More than 80% of this retained N was in the plough layer (0–23 cm).

Overall recovery of fertilizer N in crop plus soil ranged from 70 % to more than 90 % over the 4 years of the experiments. Losses of N were larger in years when spring rainfall was above average and when soil moisture deficits shortly after application were small.

Crop uptake of unlabelled N derived from soil increased from 28 kg N/ha on the plot given no fertilizer N to 67 kg N/ha on the plot given 144 kg N/ha. The extra uptake of unlabelled N was mainly, if not entirely, due to greater mineralization of soil N in the plots that had been given N fertilizer for many years. Presumably fertilizer N increased the annual return of crop residues, which in turn led to an accumulation of mineralizable organic N, although there was only a small increase in total soil N content.

Wheat given NH4-N grew less well and took up less N than wheat given N08-N in the relatively dry spring of 1980; there was little difference between the two forms of N in the wetter spring of 1981. In both years more fertilizer N was retained in the soil at harvest when fertilizer was applied as NH4-N than as N03-N.

The N content of the soil in several plots of the experiment has been constant for many years, so that the annual removal of N is balanced by the annual input. A nitrogen balance for the plot given 144 kg fertilizer N/ha showed an average annual input of non-fertilizer N of at least 48 kg/ha, of which N in rain and seed accounts for about 14 kg/ha. The remainder may come from biological fixation of atmospheric N2 by blue-green algae, or from dry deposition of oxides of nitrogen and/or NH3 onto crop and soil. The overall annual loss of N from the crop–soil system on this particular plot was 54 kg N/ha per year, 28% of the total annual input from fertilizer and nonfertilizer N.
Plant growth and seed yield of sorghum when intercropped with legumes
Authors: Bandyopadhyay S. K. , De R.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments made for 2 years under semi-arid unirrigated conditions of north India examined the physiological factors affecting the growth and yield of sorghum when intercropped with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), mung (Vigna radiata) or cow pea (V. unguiculata). Dry-matter production and leaf area index of sorghum were increased when intercropped with any of the legumes. The mixture advantage was reflected in delaying the senescence of sorghum leaves. Maximum grain and stover yields of sorghum were obtained in a mixture with mung or cow pea. The higher seed yield resulted from more seeds per panicle and greater panicle and 1000-grain weight.
The performance of the hooded gene of barley (Hordeum vulgare) in rainfed Mediterranean climates
Authors: Hadjichristodoulou A.
Published: March 2009

The progenies of six crosses, made in 1987, between the best available hooded barley line and six selected awned barley lines were used to study the effect of the hooded gene on the performance of barley under rainfed conditions in Cyprus. A single dominant gene was found to control the hooded character. Awned genotypes on average outyielded hooded genotypes by 17%, but the difference between the two genotypes was smaller in the central plain than in the coastal area. The effect of the hooded gene on yield varied also with the combination of parents, as the superiority of the awned genotypes varied with cross from 13 to 30%. Hooded lines giving a higher grain yield than their hooded parent were identified. On average the awned genotypes had higher 1000-grain weight (5·0 g), were slightly later in heading date (1·1 days), had slightly higher volume weight (1·3 kg/hl) than hooded genotypes, but had similar plant height. The 1000-grain weight of most hooded lines was significantly higher than that of their hooded parent.

In spite of the negative effects of the hooded gene on grain yield, it was concluded that it is possible to increase the yield of hooded barley for hay production by continued crossing and selection (with special emphasis on 1000-grain weight), by selecting special combinations of parents through the Bulk-Pedigree method and by growing hooded barley in suitable areas, making use of the locationdependent performance of the hooded gene.
Response of Mediterranean grassland to phosphate and stocking rates: livestock production
Authors: Osman A. E. , Cocks P. S. , Bahhady F.
Published: March 2009

Three rates of phosphate (0, 25 and 60 kg/ha P2O5) were applied for 7 years to phosphate-deficient grassland at Tel Hadya, north Syria. Liveweight, milk yield, wool production and supplementary feeding of Awassi sheep were monitored for six seasons (1985/86 to 1990/91). The experiment was grazed at low (0·8 sheep/ha per year) and high (1·7 sheep/ha per year) stocking rates from the second to the fourth season, while in the fifth to seventh seasons stocking rates were increased to 1·1 and 2·3 sheep/ha per year, respectively. The experimental site was typical of communally owned, degraded grasslands within the cereal zone of west Asia, where cropping is not possible because of shallow, stony soils and steep slopes.

The results showed that annual applications of phosphate, even at 25 kg/ha, improved pasture and sheep productivity. Liveweights were higher on fertilized plots in five out of six years, significantly so in the last three. Milk production was also higher on phosphate-treated plots, and the need for supplementary feeding was reduced, especially in the last three years, when rainfall was below average. The results suggest that stocking rates can be significantly increased by annual applications of small amounts of superphospate, and that doing so is profitable.

Use of the results depends on the presence of native legumes, the level of soil phosphate, and the ability of farmers to control grazing of these communally owned grasslands. A strategy to fulfil these criteria is suggested.
Effects of postpartumTrypanosoma vivaxinfection on feed intake, livevveight changes, milk yield and composition in West African Dwarf ewes and associated lamb growth rates
Authors: Akinbamijo O. O. , Reynolds L. , Sherington J. , Nsahlai I. V.
Published: March 2009

The effects of trypanosomiasis on digestible organic matter intake, milk yield and composition, dam liveweight changes during lactation and lamb growth rates were investigated at Ibadan, Nigeria 1991/92, using 20 West African Dwarf sheep nursing single lambs. Although digestibility coefficients were neither affected by infection nor by level of feed intake, organic matter intake during early and late lactation was significantly lower in infected dams. Nitrogen retained in late lactation was lower in infected animals due to reduced feed intake. Mean daily milk yields were not affected by the infection during early lactation; however, during the second half of lactation, average daily milk yields were significantly lower in infected animals than in uninfected controls. Variations in milk component concentrations between experimental groups did not attain statistical significance throughout lactation. While control ewes on a high plane of nutrition (CH) gained 12·1 g/day, infected ewes (IH) and uninfected control ewes on a medium plane of nutrition (CM) lost 45 and 5·4 g/day respectively during lactation. Liveweight gain in the lambs was not affected by infection in the dams.

This study demonstrated reduction in feed intake, late lactation milk yield and dam liveweight gain with no adverse effect on digestibility coefficients, milk composition, early lactation milk yield and lamb weight gain duringT. vivaxinfection of lactating ewes.