bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on the quality of minimally processed pineapple fruit
Authors: Budu A. S. , Joyce D. C.
Published: December 2005

Rapid deterioration is a problem with minimally processed pineapple fruit. Effects of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment with or without ascorbic acid treatment on respiration rate, browning and other quality parameters were investigated for minimally processed fruit stored at 4.5°C for 12 days in air. 1-methylcyclopropene treatment reduced respiration rate and browning, and maintained more acceptable visual quality in pineapple fruit slices. 1-methylcyclopropene-treated pineapple fruit slices reached an unacceptable visual quality level after day 8. In contrast, untreated slices were unacceptable after 4 days storage. Respiration rate was reduced from about 5.8 mL CO2/kg.h in control fruit to about 4.8–5.0 mL CO2/kg.h in 1-methylcyclopropene-treated fruit at 12 days. Lightness of control pineapple slices reduced from L* 77 to 65 over 12 days, while 1-methylcyclopropene-treated fruits remained at about L* 72. 1-methylcyclopropene treatment increased electrolyte leakage from pineapple slices. Apart from further suppression of respiration rate, there was no benefit of using 1-methylcyclopropene at above 1.0 μL/L. 1-methylcyclopropene treatment reduced ascorbic acid loss from 44% for untreated fruit to 29% for 1-methylcyclopropene-treated fruit at the end of the 12-day storage. An additive effect of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment was recorded for pineapple fruit slices dipped in 2% (w/v) ascorbic acid solution for 3 min. Ascorbic acid treatment resulted in reduced browning, electrolyte leakage and fruit softening. Therefore, 1-methylcyclopropene treatment helps maintain the quality of minimally processed pineapple fruit at least partially by reducing the hydrolysis of endogenous ascorbic acid.
Nodulation and growth of pasture legumes with naturalised soil rhizobia. 3. Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: Ballard R. A. , Shepherd B. R. , Charman N.
Published: December 2005

An assessment was made of the ability of 2 genetically diverse cultivars of lucerne (Trifecta and Sceptre) to nodulate and form effective symbioses with the strains of Sinorhizobium meliloti naturalised in 50 soils. Soils were collected from 42 dryland lucerne pastures and 8 irrigated multiple-use lucerne stands in the south-east of South Australia. The density of lucerne in the paddock, age of the lucerne stand and rhizobial inoculation practice were recorded at sampling. The lucerne swards were on average 5.6 years old (range 1–28) and had a mean plant density of 25 plants/m2 (range 3–66). The lucerne in 39 of the paddocks had been inoculated with rhizobia at sowing.The most probable number of rhizobia (S. meliloti) able to nodulate lucerne was determined for each soil. The most probable number of lucerne rhizobia exceeded 1.0 × 103/g in 23 of the soils. The most probable number of rhizobia in the soil was significantly correlated (r = 0.64) with soil pH. All 13 soils that contained less than 1.0�×�102�rhizobia/g had a pH of less than 6.3.The effectiveness at nitrogen fixation of each population of soil rhizobia was determined in a glasshouse experiment. There was no significant interaction between lucerne cultivar and soil inoculant. Generally, the soil rhizobia were highly effective, with 35 of the 50 soil inoculants producing more than 70% of the shoot dry weight associated with an effective inoculant strain (WSM826). Decreased lucerne shoot dry weights resulting from the remaining soil inoculants were associated with a lower most probable number of rhizobia in the soil, rather than poor symbiotic effectiveness of those rhizobia. This study highlighted the ability of both Trifecta and Sceptre lucernes to form an effective symbiosis with the rhizobia that have naturalised in the soils across a 25 000 km2 region of South Australia. It also showed that soil acidity is detrimental to rhizobial survival even in a perennial legume system and suggests that rhizobia that persist and form nodules in acidic soils should be a focus in the selection of new inoculant strains for lucerne.
Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands, New South Wales
Authors: Michalk D. L. , Dowling P. M. , Kemp D. R. , King W. McG. , Packer I. J. , Holst P. J. , Jones R.E. , Priest S. M. , Millar G. D. , Brisbane S. , Stanley D. F.
Published: December 2005

Pasture degradation is a major issue in the high rainfall zone (>600 mm) of temperate Australia. Characterised by a decline in the perennial grass component, this degradation is responsible for reduced livestock production and implicated in environmental problems, such as dryland salinity, through changed water-use patterns. This paper reports on a multi-disciplinary research program conducted at Carcoar in central New South Wales, one of 6 sites that comprised the Sustainable Grazing Systems National Experiment. The aim of the experiment was to develop more profitable and sustainable pasture systems by evaluating the impact of changes in the perennial grass component on animal production and water-use patterns. Tactical management strategies were evaluated on naturalised and sown perennial grass pastures and on chicory (Cichorium intybus), using a Merino ewe-based first cross lamb enterprise. Data presented showed that grazing deferment over summer, combined with reduced stocking rate, increased perenniality and reduced annual grass weeds compared with continuous grazing. Livestock performance, however, did not always follow trends in available perennial herbage mass. Naturalised and sown pastures were suitable for raising prime lambs, but only chicory had the capacity to finish lambs to market specification without supplementation. With respect to water-use patterns, sown perennial pastures were more successful than naturalised pastures in reducing leakage of water from the root zone, although this seemed to be related mostly to the abundance of the perennial grass in the pasture. From a sustainability perspective, continuously grazed pastures generated higher net cash flows, but had negative environmental impacts, whereas tactically grazed pastures had positive on- and off-farm impacts but lower net cash flows. The implications of these findings for incorporation into future management strategies for sustainable production in high rainfall environments are discussed.
Effects of grazing and management on herbage mass, persistence, animal production and soil water content of native pastures. 2. A mixed native pasture, Manilla, North West Slopes, New South Wales
Authors: Lodge G. M. , Murphy S. R. , Harden S.
Published: December 2005

As part of the Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) National Experiment a study was conducted on a native pasture in the Manilla district of northern New South Wales to examine the effects of 5 grazing treatments on total herbage mass, litter mass, basal cover, ground cover, sheep liveweight, wool production and soil water content (SWC, mm) at different depths. The pasture was a mixture of native perennial grasses, with redgrass (Bothriochloa macra) and wiregrass (Aristida ramosa) dominant on a red Chromosol soil type and bluegrass (Dichanthium sericeum) on a brown Vertosol. Wallaby grasses (Austrodanthonia richardsonii and A. bipartita) were common on both soils. Plots were grazed with Merino wethers and data collected from spring 1997 to spring 2001 were analysed to determine the effect of treatments on both production and sustainability. Five grazing treatments were applied in a randomised 3 replicate design. Grazing treatments were: continuous grazing at 3.1 and 6.2�sheep/ha (C3 and C6), continuous grazing at 9.2 sheep/ha, with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) oversown and fertiliser applied (C9+sub) and rotational grazing at an annual stocking rate of 3.1 sheep/ha with pasture grazed for 4 weeks and rested for 4 weeks (R4/4), or rested for 12 weeks (R4/12). Over time, treatments had no significant effect on either total pasture herbage mass (compared with the C3�control) or the basal cover of the major perennial grasses. Treatments had inconsistent significant effects on ground cover, litter mass, sheep liveweight and wool production (kg/head) over time. Compared with all other treatments ground cover was less (P<0.05) in the C6 treatment in only May and September 2000 and litter mass less (P<0.05) in only December 1998 and March 1999. Treatment sheep liveweights were not significantly different from the C3 treatment from September 1997 to 1999. However, from October 1999 to October 2001 sheep liveweight in the C6 treatment was significantly less than in the C3 treatment, while in the C9+sub and R4/12 treatments it was significantly greater than the control. In 1999, wool production per head was higher (P<0.05) in the C9+sub and R4/12 treatments compared with all other treatments but treatment differences were not significant in all other years. Significant differences in SWC only occurred at the 0–30 cm depth between the C3 and the C6 and R4/12 treatments, but were predicted to be <1.5 mm/year. A sustainability index derived from economic [equivalent annual net return ($/ha) for a 10-year period], animal production, pasture, soil health and soil water data indicated that the overall indices were lowest for the C3, C6 and C9+sub treatments and highest for the R4/4 and R4/12 treatments.
SGS Animal Production Theme: effect of grazing system on animal productivity and sustainability across southern Australia
Authors: Graham J. F. , Cullen B. R. , Lodge G. M. , Andrew M. H. , Christy B. P. , Holst P. J. , Wang X. , Murphy S. R. , Thompson A. N.
Published: December 2005

The effects of various grazing management systems on sown, naturalised, and native pastures were studied at 6 different locations in the temperate high rainfall zone (HRZ, >600 mm rainfall/year) of southern Australia, as part of the Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) Program. The treatments examined had different pasture species and fertiliser management, with grazing method ranging from set stocking (continuous grazing) to rotation with rests based on pre- and post-grazing herbage mass or season and plant phenology. Sites were located at: Albany, Western Australia; Manilla, Barraba, Nundle, New South Wales; (grazed by wethers); and Carcoar, New South Wales; Maindample, Ruffy, north-east Victoria; Vasey, western Victoria; (grazed by ewes and lambs).Grazing method significantly (P<0.001) influenced stocking rate (expressed as dry sheep equivalents (DSE)/ha), but effects were not consistent across sites. At Vasey the stocking rate of the rotation treatments ranged from 5 to 23% higher than the set stocked treatments depending upon year. For all sites, significant factors (P<0.001) affecting stocking rate were soil Olsen P, soil pH, grazing management (resting), legume percent, and an index of growing season effectiveness. Although total annual rainfall had a significant effect (P<0.002) in an initial analysis, its influence became non-significant (P>0.05), when a growing season index (P<0.001) was used. Non-significant (P>0.05) factors included solar radiation, annual average temperature, fertiliser applied in the current year, and average annual perennial and broadleaf percent composition. The implications of these data for productivity and sustainability (as assessed by perenniality and water use) were encouraging. Generally, there were positive relationships between increased stocking rate and the probability of achieving a zero mm soil water surplus in winter, and between increased productivity and the proportion of perennial grass species where extremes of treatments were compared at each site. The results indicate that stocking rate can be increased without jeopardising sustainability, that grazing management can bring about more sustainable pastures, that there is scope to increase productivity particularly through increasing soil fertility, and growing season length can be used to predict potential carrying capacity. These are positive outcomes that graziers in the HRZ of southern Australia can use to enhance productivity (thus profitability) and sustainability.
SGS Biodiversity Theme: impact of plant biodiversity on the productivity and stability of grazing systems across southern Australia
Authors: Kemp D. R. , King W. McG. , Gilmour A. R. , Lodge G. M. , Murphy S. R. , Quigley P. E. , Sanford P. , Andrew M. H.
Published: December 2005

The relationships between productivity and plant species diversity were assessed using data from the Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) 10 national experiment sites. Each site applied up to 7 different management treatments. Sites varied in the amount of data available for analysis. Plant species diversity was assessed in terms of both the total and native species present at each site. More than 200 plant taxa were recorded over the period of the experiment, about one-third of which were native. In the majority of cases, the native species present within a treatment remained there throughout the experiments, even when fertilised and oversown with introduced species. The number of native species increased by 1 or 2 over the 3–4 years of each experiment where grasslands were less intensively used (average herbage mass >2 t DM/ha), but decreased in more heavily grazed treatments. Native grasses made much greater contributions to herbage mass than other native species. Of the more than 70 native plant species found, the most numerous were broadleaf species, which tended to be more variable under management treatments. As total species richness increased, there was a tendency for pasture productivity to be less, for the mean standing herbage mass to be less and for seasonal growth to be less stable. This depended upon experiments and tended to apply at the sites with higher annual pasture growth rates. All treatments had >10 plant species within the small (about 1.5 ha) paddocks used and larger paddocks often had many more. It was apparent from the high plant species richness at each site (about 25–100 species) that many more niches exist in these paddocks than the number of species usually sown in a pasture. Opportunities to redesign pasture mixtures to exploit more of the resources available obviously exist. Understanding of the relationships among management practices, productivity and plant species diversity is limited, but will become important as we seek more sustainable grazing systems. The studies analysed here suggested that where the herbage mass was maintained between 2 and 4 t DM/ha then species were maintained and productivity was optimised.
A research - extension model for encouraging the adoption of productive and sustainable practice in high rainfall grazing areas
Authors: Nicholson C. , Barr N. , Kentish A. , Dowling P. M. , McCormick L. H. , Palmer M. , Simpson I. , Simpson K. , Walsh J.
Published: December 2005

The experiences of participants in the Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) Program were examined to understand why more productive and sustainable practices were adopted by producers involved in SGS. This paper explores from a range of perspectives (producers, researchers, extension agents and facilitators) the delivery mechanism that led to these practices being adopted and concludes with a model describing the adoption process observed in SGS. The model describes a continuous 3-stage process of motivation, trialing–exploration and farm practice change. Support for decision making during the transition between each stage of the process was recognised as an essential ingredient for success.
Impact of Tasmanian blue gum belts and kikuyu-based pasture on sheep production and groundwater recharge in south-western Western Australia
Authors: Sanford P. , Wang X. , Greathead K. D. , Gladman J. H. , Speijers J.
Published: December 2005

The effect of Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) belts and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) grass on livestock production and groundwater recharge was studied in the high rainfall zone (>600 mm/year) of south-western Western Australia from 1998 to 2001. The objective was to identify optimum combinations of tree belts and pasture for sustainable livestock production and the prevention of secondary salinisation. Treatments were annual pasture, in competition with trees at different orientations (east, west and south), kikuyu pasture in competition with trees at one orientation (west), compared with pasture in the absence of tree competition. Plots had 0, 20 or 36% of their area within 10 m of the tree belt where tree–pasture competition would be expected. Plots (0.48 ha) were stocked with Merino wether hoggets at 12 DSE/ha on annual pastures and 14 DSE/ha on kikuyu pastures. Additional sheep were placed on plots in spring and the annual pasture was destocked in autumn.Within the growing season, herbage mass was similar across both control treatments as a result of varying stock numbers. However, in summer and autumn the kikuyu control contained between 350 and 4900 kg DM/ha more herbage than the corresponding annual pasture. While both pastures accumulated similar amounts of herbage in 1998 and 2000, kikuyu accumulated more in 1999 (11 900 v. 9800 kg DM/ha) as a result of summer rain. Competition from tree belts significantly reduced adjacent annual pasture herbage accumulation (16% average reduction), although there was no difference among the levels of competition. Trees did not significantly affect adjacent kikuyu pasture herbage accumulation. Both carrying capacity and clean wool production per hectare were significantly higher on kikuyu pasture in 1999 and 2000. Tree competition also significantly reduced the carrying capacity of neighbouring annual and kikuyu pasture by an average of 10%. Clean wool production per hectare was significantly lower on annual pasture in combination with trees (11% reduction on average), but there was less effect of competition on kikuyu pasture. The kikuyu pasture used 115, 57 and 132 mm more water than the annual pasture in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. The soil water deficit beneath the trees exceeded that below both control pastures by between 297 and 442 mm.Although the addition of tree belts to annual pasture provided substantial reductions in groundwater recharge, producers would also have to accept losses in livestock production. While kikuyu alone provided significant increases in livestock production and substantial reductions in groundwater recharge, the best compromise was kikuyu in combination with tree belts.
Kikuyu and annual pasture: a characterisation of a productive and sustainable beef production system on the South Coast of Western Australia
Authors: McDowall M. M. , Hall D. J. M. , Johnson D. A. , Bowyer J. , Spicer P.
Published: December 2005

Production parameters and water use of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) and annual-based pastures were monitored for a beef weaner production system from 1998 to 2000 in a paddock-scale demonstration on the south-east coast of Western Australia. A paired paddock (40–105 ha) comparison was carried out between a kikuyu-based pasture (DSKikuyu) and temperate annual pasture (DSAnnual), with comparative measurements covering pasture production, composition and quality, and soil water deficits and drainage. The stocking rates for the paddocks were determined by the pasture productivity and cow P8 fat depth in the 'lactation phase' (April–December), and by sward management and soil stability imperatives in the 'dry cow phase' (January–March). Cow liveweight and P8 fat depth and calf liveweight were compared during the 'lactation phase'. Kikuyu and annual pasture had similar carrying capacities through the 'lactation phase'. Kikuyu pasture carried more animals than annual pasture through the 'dry cow phase' (late summer and autumn) in all years. During late autumn, cattle were destocked from the annual pasture to reduce the risk of wind erosion and 'crash grazed' on the kikuyu pasture so as to reduce competition between kikuyu and regenerating annual grass and legume species. The comparative quality and productivity of the kikuyu pasture in the lactation phase (winter and spring) was positively correlated with the level of winter legume present. When a similar level of winter legume was measured in the kikuyu pasture relative to the annual pasture (in 1998), the pasture quality, cow liveweight and condition and calf weaning weights were all comparable between the 2 pasture types. When a low legume component was recorded in the kikuyu pasture, the pasture quality and cow liveweight and condition were poorer than the annual pasture. The kikuyu pasture growing on deep sandy soil developed a larger (mean 37 mm) soil water deficit than the annual pasture over the measurement period, and in particular from November to March. When integrated over a farm where kikuyu covers 40% of the total area, as was the case in this experiment, the resulting deep drainage was calculated to be just over half that of an equivalent whole farm of annual pasture. Over the 3 years of monitoring, the combined system of annual and kikuyu pasture was calculated to have an annual gross margin 19% higher than the annual pasture alone. The major source of difference was no requirement for supplementary feed in the kikuyu–annual pasture system. This difference was limited however, by lighter post-weaning sale weights of cull cows from the kikuyu pasture in 'poor legume' years. There was no difference of calf weaning weights between treatments.There is considerable opportunity to improve on this gross margin, through achieving a consistent strong presence of legume in the kikuyu pasture through winter and spring.
The impact of pasture development and grazing on water-yielding catchments in the Murray - Darling Basin in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Johnston W. H. , Garden D. L. , Rančić A. , Koen T. B. , Dassanayake K. B. , Langford C.M. , Ellis N. J. S. , Rab M. A. , Tuteja N. K. , Mitchell M. , Wadsworth J. , Dight D. , Holbrook K. , LeLievre R. , McGeoch S. M.
Published: December 2005

Experiments conducted from November 1996 to June 2002 in adjacent small catchments near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, compared the productivity and hydrology of a heavily fertilised (about 30 kg phosphorus/ha.year) Phalaris aquatica (phalaris) pasture with that of a lightly fertilised (about 14 kg phosphorus/ha every second year) native grassland that contained a mixture of C3 and C4 perennial grasses, dominantly C4 Bothriochloa macra (redgrass).In summer, the native catchment was dominated by C4 perennial grasses while the phalaris catchment was dominated by annual C4 weedy species. During the cooler months, the phalaris pasture contained higher proportions of Vulpia spp., and other less-desirable annual grasses. Throughout the experiment, the native catchment was dominated by redgrass, whereas in the phalaris catchment the persistence of phalaris declined. Redgrass became prominent on the more arid aspects of the phalaris catchment as the experiment progressed.Pasture production in the phalaris catchment was higher in most seasons than the native catchment, which resulted in an overall stocking rate advantage of about 80%. The productivity gain per unit of P input was 0.4 for the phalaris catchment compared with 1 for the native catchment, implying that phosphorus was applied to the phalaris catchment at an excessive rate.During wet periods the native catchment produced substantially more runoff than the phalaris catchment, while in dry times it developed substantially larger soil water deficits. Runoff from the phalaris catchment was higher in suspended and dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus than for the native catchment. Higher runoff from the native catchment combined with its drier soil profile in summer indicated that its deep drainage potential was less than in the phalaris catchment.
Identifying social spaces in the Sustainable Grazing Systems Program
Authors: Price R. J.
Published: December 2005

In this paper I will establish that the SGS constituted not one, but many interrelated social spaces within which the science performance was undertaken. These different social spaces comprised their own unique boundaries, their own narratives, and their own contestations and negotiations between SGS actors. The implications of the claims made in this paper are pertinent to analysts of science attempting to understand the social dynamics involved in complex research programs common in today's research environment. The notion of single arenas, agoras, fields or other social spaces of contestation attempting to embrace the full complexity of science performance, as discussed in much of the sociology of science literature, is too simplistic to adequately deal with the multi-dimensional and temporal nature of the social relations involved in modern science. This paper moves away from such notions and shines light on science in practice within multiple social spaces.
SGS Nutrient Theme: environmental assessment of nutrient application to extensive pastures in the high rainfall zone of southern Australia
Authors: McCaskill M. R. , Ridley A. M. , Okom A. , White R. E. , Andrew M. H. , Michalk D. L. , Melland A. , Johnston W. H. , Murphy S. R.
Published: December 2005

To assess the risks and benefits of more intensive pasture management, 2 or 3 treatments with contrasting fertiliser regimes were selected from each site of the Sustainable Grazing Systems national experiment. The assessment used soil coring data, modelling and runoff nutrient concentration data.Soil acidification rates were estimated from the simulated nitrate leaching and product removal estimated from the stocking rates at each site. Much higher acidification rates were estimated at sites in Victoria and southern Western Australia than in northern New South Wales. This was because of a lower level of nitrate leaching in summer-dominant rainfall environments coupled with lower stocking rates. Simulations showed highest nitrate leaching on annual pastures, but that a phalaris pasture could reduce this, and a kikuyu pasture could almost fully control leaching.The concentration of P in surface runoff was related to soil P status at the 4 southern sites, indicating that greater use of P fertiliser would increase P movement into waterways. There was no relationship between soil P status and P in surface runoff at the northern New South Wales sites, and across all sites there were no relationships between P fertility and runoff N levels. Concentrations of P and N in runoff greatly exceeded stream water quality guidelines, even on treatments where only minimal P had been applied as fertiliser. There was also evidence of high spatial variation in surface runoff generation, with surface runoff from some plots less than 5% of the streamflow in nearby reference streams. There is therefore scope to control P concentrations in streams by retiring from production the parts of the landscape that generate high quantities of surface flow, but to intensify production on areas that produce little runoff.
An appraisal of Sustainable Grazing Systems: the program, the triple bottom line impacts and the sustainability of grazing systems
Authors: Mason W. K. , Lodge G. M. , Allan C. J. , Andrew M. H. , Johnson T. , Russell B. , Simpson I.H.
Published: December 2005

The Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) Program operated across the high rainfall zone (HRZ, annual rainfall >600 mm/year) of southern Australia from July 1996 to June 2001. An additional year (the harvest year) was added, to provide time for focussed analysis and product development. A survey of livestock producers across the HRZ confirmed achievement of the goal that at least 2000 producers adopted (and a further 5000 were trialing) more profitable and sustainable grazing systems as a result of the program.SGS was established to address declining pasture productivity and emerging environmental problems in the grazing systems of the HRZ, and though initially focussed on the twin goals of profitability and sustainability, the program evolved to formally include social issues and the full 'triple bottom line' approach. Within SGS, success was defined as the extent to which the program was able to assist the grazing industries build financial, social and environmental capital.The suite of papers in this Special Edition provides a comprehensive account of the research and extension 'results' from the SGS Program. Rather than summarising those results, this paper reviews and reflects on the triple bottom line outcomes; the contribution of SGS to the elements of a sustainable grazing system; the impact of grazing method on production and sustainability; and the outcomes from the harvest year. The final section examines the SGS structures and processes that most contributed to the success of the program and advances some suggestions for improvements to future R,D&E programs.
The Sustainable Grazing Systems National Experiment. 2. Scientific outcomes and effectiveness of the research and development processes
Authors: Andrew M. H. , Lodge G. M. , Mason W. K. , Price R. J.
Published: December 2005

The Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) National Experiment used 13 innovative research and development integrating processes to combine 6 diverse research sites across the southern high rainfall zone into a single, integrated experiment. Sites collected a common data set about the productivity and sustainability of grazing systems, so that issues beyond the site level could be explored. Essential to this approach were database and modelling tools that enabled across-site issues to be examined by a mix of conventional data analyses and modelling scenarios. This had not been previously attempted at this scale for the Australian grazing industries. Major outcomes from the individual site and theme analyses were tabulated, providing a comprehensive summary of the SGS National Experiment research findings. Many of the research findings were new, and overall the SGS National Experiment improved our understanding of the processes operating in grazing systems and their interactions. The main conclusion from this substantive study was that graziers can use a combination of strategies to enhance the productivity and sustainability of their pastures, such as sowing deep-rooted perennial grasses, enhanced soil fertility, amelioration of low soil pH, and grazing methods that include rotation and rest. Since the SGS National Experiment was itself an experiment, participants were surveyed to assess the integrating processes used, their implementation, and leadership and influence within the SGS National Experiment research group. Researchers rated the 13 innovative research and development processes for their potential to improve research and for the extent to which the processes were effectively implemented within SGS. The average potential score was 8.2 (out of 10). Four integrating processes had a potential score ≥9.0: the investment in a communication and product development year (the 'harvest year'); a common database structure across all sites; the use of themes to integrate across sites; and the use of protocols and minimum datasets to guide the research and data collection. We discuss possible ways to make these processes more effective. While 18 researchers had defined and active leadership roles from the outset of the SGS National Experiment, 2 researchers dominated the scientific influence and leadership.Despite some implementation problems with the SGS National Experiment processes, internal and external reviews indicated that the SGS National Experiment met most of its goals and objectives. Because of the processes implemented, the SGS National Experiment framework has provided a new benchmark for conducting large-scale rural research in Australia.
Chemical suppression of spininess in Geneva 30 apple rootstocks and its residual effects on nursery tree characteristics
Authors: Jacyna T. , Jacyna T. , Barnard J. , Barnard J. , Cummins J. N. , Cummins J. N.
Published: December 2005

A proprietary mixture of butralin + fatty
alcohols or naphthaleneacetic acid were applied to reduce or prevent spininess
in Geneva 30 apple rootstock. Rootstock liners were foliar treated with
butralin + fatty alcohols or naphthaleneacetic acid, or hand-cleared.
Spine regrowth responses to both compounds, expressed as spine cumulative
length, were rate dependent and decreased as the concentration of the compound
increased (P<0.003). Before budding, all rates of
butralin + fatty alcohols or naphthaleneacetic acid (except
naphthaleneacetic acid at 25 mg/L ), or hand-cleared reduced the number of
spines and their cumulative length compared with controls. The rootstocks were
budded to apple cv. ‘Jonagold’. None of the treatments caused
significant spininess recurrence, or stimulated root suckering. All treatments
reduced rootstock stem cross-sectional area, except butralin + fatty
alcohols at 250 and 750 mg/L in comparison with control rootstock stem
cross-sectional area. Budded rootstocks were transplanted into the nursery and
grown for an additional year without chemical treatment. No adverse effects of
previous treatments on tree characteristics were found, except a significant
reduction in tree height caused by naphthaleneacetic acid at 200 mg/L. No
differences in quality characteristics between trees grown on chemically or
manually deshooted Geneva 30 rootstocks were found.
A preliminary investigation into honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollination of canola (Brassica napus cv. Karoo) in Western Australia
Authors: Manning R. , Manning R. , Boland J. , Boland J.
Published: December 2005

The aim of this preliminary experiment was to
evaluate the effect of distance from the apiary on pod yield in canola.
Beehives were used at a density of 1.28 hives/ha. The results showed that
the number of pods/plant decreased as distance from the apiary increased,
when plant height and branch number were used as explanatory variables.
Multiple linear regression indicated a predicted pod loss of 15.3
pods/plant over a distance of 1000 m from an apiary. This was equivalent
to a 16% loss based on an average of 59
plants/m2 and average pod production of 5666
pods/m2 from this experiment. For a 2 t/ha crop
this would be equivalent to about 320 kg/ha. The results are only
indicative because of the variation in the crop studied and lack of
replication, but may, in fact, be a conservative estimate.
Transfer of contaminant lamb fibres to their dam’s fleece, and loss within four weeks of weaning
Authors: Hatcher S. , Hatcher S. , Lightfoot R. J. , Lightfoot R. J. , Purvis I. W. , Purvis I. W.
Published: December 2005

The fleeces of Merino ewes suckled by Awassi,
Awassi × Merino or Merino lambs were analysed for the presence of
contaminant fibres (pigmented, urine-stained and kemp). Contaminant fibres
were transferred from the fleeces of all 3 lamb genotypes into the fleeces of
their dams, with direct body contact being the principle method of fibre
transfer. The pattern of the transfer between birth and weaning was highly
variable, although there was a general trend of increasing amount of transfer
with advancing lamb age, suggesting a continual cycle of transfer of fibres to
the dam’s fleece and subsequent loss from that fleece. Indeed, the
number of fibres transferred tended to decrease rapidly post-weaning, when the
source of the contaminant fibres (i.e. the lambs) was removed. Shearing of
Merino breeding ewes, regardless of the genotype of their lambs, (i.e. pure
Merino or crossbred), should be delayed until 4 weeks post-weaning in order to
reduce the number of contaminant fibres of lamb origin in their fleeces.
Previous Awassi grazing on a paddock or grazing in the same or adjoining paddock,does not cause fibre contamination of fleeces of Merino sheep
Authors: Hatcher S. , Hatcher S. , Lightfoot R. J. , Lightfoot R. J. , Purvis I. W. , Purvis I. W.
Published: December 2005

The fleeces of Merino wethers grazed either in
common or adjacent paddocks with Awassi rams were analysed for the presence of
contaminant fibres (pigmented, urine-stained and kemp). In addition, the
effect of previous grazing history of the paddock (i.e. whether or not that
paddock had been previously grazed by Awassi sheep) on the level of fibre
contamination was also investigated. Under extensive grazing conditions, very
few Awassi contaminant fibres were transferred into the Merino fleeces. In
fact, there was no significant difference between the control group, grazed
outside the quarantine facility, and any of the treatment groups grazing
within the quarantine area. The previous grazing history of the paddock had no
effect on the number of contaminant fibres transferred, suggesting that even
if contaminant fibres fall onto the paddock, they do not contaminate the
fleeces of Merino sheep that subsequently graze that paddock. Upto 100%
of the contaminant fibres transferred into the Merino fleeces were lost within
4 weeks after the removal of the Awassi rams from the paddocks. Therefore,
withholding shearing of Merino sheep for 4weeks after any contact with Awassi
sheep would be sufficient for the level of contaminant fibres in the greasy
fleece to fall to below commercially acceptable limits for dark fibres in
worsted processing.
Feeding hay supplemented with peas or low protein oats to crossbred lambs born in the spring
Authors: Hodge RW , Bogdanovic B
Published: December 2005

Crossbred lambs [Poll Dorset x (Border Leicester x Merino)] were offered pasture hay (12% crude protein, 55.3% dry matter digestibility) ad libitum and supplemented with four levels of cereal (oats) or legume (peas) grains; 0, 250, or 500 g/head.d, or ad libitum in individual pens or in groups of 30 (feedlot). Increasing the level of supplementation of peas of the individually fed lambs from 0 to ad libitum increased total dry matter intake from 22 1 to 1041 g/head.d (P< 0.01), liveweight gain from - 70 to 263 g/d and wool growth from 13.1 to 38.3 mg clean wool/cm2. The corresponding results for oats were: total intake from 22 1 to 3 15 g/head.d (P> 0.05), liveweight gain from -70 to 52 g/d (P < 0.01) and wool growth from 13.1 to 15.2 mg clean wool/cm2 (P> 0.05). The intake of hay by the lambs supplemented with peas was not depressed until the peas were offered ad libitum but there was a significant decrease in the intake of hay (P< 0.01) at the lowest level of supplementation of oats. A similar pattern of response for total intake, intake of hay and liveweight gain was observed with the feedlot lambs.
Possible contributions of nutritional interactions to copper deficiency in ruminants in South Australia
Authors: Merry RH , Reuter DJ , Tiller KG , Young GJ
Published: December 2005

Copper deficiency in sheep and cattle continues to occur in the cereal-pasture zones of South Australia (Cunningham 1974; Hannam and Reuter 1977) even though remedial measures are well known. To examine possible causes, two surveys were undertaken involving the collection and chemical analysis of a wide range of cruciferous plant species and companion pasture legumes (principally annual Medicago species). Plant samples were analysed for copper and for the elements sulfur, cadmium, molybdenum and zinc, which are known to interact with copper in the diets of ruminants. The crucifers had on average lower copper, but far higher concentrations of total sulfur, sulfate sulfur and cadmium than the companion legume species. Concentrations of zinc and molybdenum were similar for both plant groups. The survey data suggest that diets containing appreciable quantities of cruciferous species could induce copper deficiency in ruminants.
Mineral nutrition of soybeans grown in the South Burnett region of south eastern Queensland. 2. Prediction of grain yield response to phosphorus with soil tests
Authors: Moody PW , Haydon GF , Dickson T
Published: December 2005

Grain yield response of soybean (Glycine max cv. Bragg) to applied phosphorus was measured at 19 experimental sites in the South Burnett region. The soil phosphorus supply factors of quantity, intensity, buffer capacity and rate were estimated by various soil chemical tests, and relative yield [(yield at nil applied phosphorus/maximum yield) x 100] regressed against these tests. The equilibrium phosphorus concentration-the intensity measure-accounted for the greatest percentage variation in relative yield (80%) and at 90% maximum yield was 0.014 �g P/ml. Phosphorus extracted by 0.01 M CaCl2 was highly correlated with the equilibrium phosphorus concentration (r2=0.93) and accounted for 73% of the variation in relative yield. Soil levels of calcium chloride-extractable phosphorus were interpreted as follows: < 0.044 �g P/g, response to phosphorus probable; 0.044 �g P/g to 0.058 �g P/g, response uncertain; > 0.058 �g P/g, response unlikely
A comparison of irrigated maize growth in southern New South Wales on sites with and without a preceding fallow
Authors: Mason WK , Meyer WS , Barrs HD , Smith RCG
Published: December 2005

This experiment was carried out on a grey cracking clay soil near Griffith in southern New South Wales. Maize grown after a two year fallow produced 2.7 t/ha or 45% more grain than maize grown on a continuously cropped site. This difference occurred despite large fertilizer inputs and similar management procedures. The yield differences resulted from increased plant establishment (20%),kernel numbers per cob (26%), and kernel size (11%) in the fallow area. However, experimental results were mostly inconsistent with our initial hypothesis that restricted root growth and soil water uptake were limiting yields on continuously cropped sites. Water use was measured throughout the season with a neutron probe, but no differences in depth or amount of soil water extraction were detected. Root length density and leaf water potential measurements indicated that plant water relations were similar for the two sites and so this did not seem to account for the improved yield from the fallowed site.
Responses of triticale, wheat, rye and barley to nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: Graham RD , Geytenbeek PE , Radcliffe BC
Published: December 2005

A hexaploid triticale from Mexico and local cultivars of wheat, rye and barley, each at five levels of fertilizer nitrogen (0, 35, 70, 105 and 140 kg N/ha) with four replications, were grown in a field experiment at Mintaro, South Australia. A visually discernible response to nitrogen fertilizer by all four genotypes from an early stage was confirmed by quantitative sampling at tiliering, anthesis and maturity. Responses in plant dry weight to 105 kg N/ha were maintained until anthesis but grain yield responses were significant only at 35 kg N/ha. Total dry matter production responses at maturity to more than 35 kg N/ha were small. Numbers of tillers and heads were increased by nitrogen additions up to 140 and 105 kg N/ha, respectively, and plant height measurements showed general increases to 70 kg N/ha with significant lodging at higher nitrogen levels in both rye and triticale. For all genotypes, thousand grain weight decreased with increasing level of nitrogen supply while grain and straw nitrogen increased up to levels of 140 and 105 kg N/ha, respectively. Nitrogen supply had little effect on maturity, plants at 0 and 140 kg N/ha reaching anthesis less than a day apart. The lack of a significant nitrogen x genotype interaction in nearly all the data suggests that the triticale does not differ in its nitrogen nutrition from the traditional cereals. Triticale consistently outyielded the other cereals in total dry matter production followed by the rye, wheat and barley in that order. Grain yield was highest in the wheat and least in the rye, the latter also being the least responsive to nitrogen. The advantage of the triticale lay in its high grain protein and lysine content combined with good yield.
Effect of fungicides on infection of apricot and cherry pruning wounds inoculated with Chondrostereum purpureum
Authors: Wicks TJ , Volle D , Lee TC
Published: December 2005

Wound protectants were evaluated on apricot and cherry by the inoculation of pruning wounds with-basidiospores of Chondrostereum purpureum within an hour of applying the protectant. Agseal (1% captafol and 1 % chinosol suspended in a polyvinyl acetate based paint) protected 100% of the cherry and 84% of the apricot wounds from infection and was more effective than a water suspension of 250 mg/litre captafol. Water suspensions of triadimefon at 25 mg/litre and oxycarboxin at 250 mg/litre were not effective, as greater than 70% of these treated wounds yielded the fungus. Neither Agseal nor 104 mg/litre of captafol was effective when applied 27 h after inoculation.Apricot and cherry wounds untreated or treated with Agseal at pruning were not infected by C. purpureum when inoculated more than 7 d after pruning.
Benomyl residues in litchis after post-harvest dipping
Authors: Hargreaves PA
Published: December 2005

Benomyl residues in litchis were determined at 2, 5, 9 and 15 d after a commercial postharvest dipping treatment at a level of 422 mg/litre. Residues were analysed in skin and flesh separately with 1.3 mg/kg benomyl being the highest flesh residue and 20.6 mg/kg the highest skin residue (average values from duplicate determinations). The benomyl levels showed no significant difference with time (P> 0.05) in either flesh or skin. Residues are also reported for a double recommended strength treatment. After consideration of these data the relevant authorities have set a maximum residue limit of 10 mg/kg for benomyl in litchi.
Yield and evaluation of F1 tomato hybrids incorporating the non-ripening nor gene
Authors: McGlasson WB , Sumeghy JB , Morris LL , McBride RL , Best DJ , Tigchelaar EC
Published: December 2005

F1 hybrids of the nor non-ripening mutant tomato in different genotypic backgrounds were evaluated between 1978-81. The nor gene in the heterozygous condition delayed the start of ripening by a few days, increased the interval between breaker and the table ripe stage to 10 d at 21�C compared with 6 d for fixed cultivars and increased the storage life of ripe fruit at 21�C by about 50%. The retention of firmness by ripe fruit of the hybrids was affected by parental genotype. Fruit of some hybrids was firmer or as firm as fruit of the hard commercial Flora-Dade but others were much softer. A major problem with fruit of F1 nor hybrids was poor colour development. The fruit ripened to an orange-red colour, and strains with green shoulders developed an unattractive yellow on the shoulders. This deficiency was most pronounced in fruit picked before the appearance of red colour. The best hybrid found in this study was 75T10-1 x nor backcross 4 or 5 Heinz 1350. Fruit size, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, total ascorbic acid levels and acceptability except external colour of table ripe fruit appeared to be influenced by the parental genotype rather than by the nor gene. Since there were marked differences between hybrids with different genotypic backgrounds, it should be possible to breed nor hybrids with improved colour and firmness.
Correction - Yield and evaluation of F1 tomato hybrids incorporating the non-ripening nor gene
Authors: McGlasson WB , Sumeghy JB , Morris LL , McBride RL , Best DJ , Tigchelaar EC
Published: December 2005

F1 hybrids of the nor non-ripening mutant tomato in different genotypic backgrounds were evaluated between 1978-81. The nor gene in the heterozygous condition delayed the start of ripening by a few days, increased the interval between breaker and the table ripe stage to 10 d at 21�C compared with 6 d for fixed cultivars and increased the storage life of ripe fruit at 21�C by about 50%. The retention of firmness by ripe fruit of the hybrids was affected by parental genotype. Fruit of some hybrids was firmer or as firm as fruit of the hard commercial Flora-Dade but others were much softer. A major problem with fruit of F1 nor hybrids was poor colour development. The fruit ripened to an orange-red colour, and strains with green shoulders developed an unattractive yellow on the shoulders. This deficiency was most pronounced in fruit picked before the appearance of red colour. The best hybrid found in this study was 75T10-1 x nor backcross 4 or 5 Heinz 1350. Fruit size, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, total ascorbic acid levels and acceptability except external colour of table ripe fruit appeared to be influenced by the parental genotype rather than by the nor gene. Since there were marked differences between hybrids with different genotypic backgrounds, it should be possible to breed nor hybrids with improved colour and firmness.