bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Larvae of the pea and bean weevil, Sitona lineatus, and the yield of field beans
Authors: Bardner R. , Fletcher K. E.
Published: March 2009

In 16 experiments with field beans at Rothamsted, Woburn and Saxmundham between 1969 and 1976, seed-bed applications to the soil of dieldrin or γ-HCH were used to control subsequent infestations of the roots by larvae of Sitona lineatus. Rates of between 1·12 and 4·48 kg a.i./ha were used. Larval populations on untreated plots plots were variable, but 70–80% control was usually given by rates of 2·24–4·48 kg a.i./ha. Insecticides nearly always increased yields, the mean increase for all treatments being 0·15 t/ha, but a maximum yield response of over 0·5t/ha was achieved. It is suggested that the importance of S. lineatua larvae as pests of field beans in Britain has been under-rated.
The effect of rearing type and prepartum nutrition on the intake and performance of lactating Greyface ewes at pasture
Authors: Maxwell T. J. , Doney J. M. , Milne J. A. , Peart J. N. , Russel A. J. F. , Sibbald A. R. , MacDonald D.
Published: March 2009

Eleven single-rearing and 14 twin-rearing Greyface (Border-Leicester × Scottish Blackface) ewes which had previously been individually fed indoors on three nutritional treatments (treatment 1, adequately nourished; treatment 2, moderately undernourished; treatment 3, severely undernourished) during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy, were subsequently grazed with eight non-lactating Greyface ewes on a ryegrass–white clover pasture for the first 14 weeks of lactation.

Herbage organic matter (OM) intakes and milk yields of ewes were measured weekly and the herbage OM intakes of lambs from week 7 of lactation.

Mean daily OM intakes were 36·6 (± 1·09), 38·9 (± 0·99) and 26·4 (± 0·93) g OM/kg body-weight for single- and twin-rearing, and non-lactating ewes respectively. Prepartum nutrition had no effect on intake. Maximum intakes were achieved in week 5 for twin-rearing ewes (53 g OM/kg) and week 4 for single and non-lactating ewes (54 and 38 g OM/kg respectively).

Mean daily weight gains over the period for single-, twin-rearing and non-lactating ewes were 89 (±22·2), 73 (±16·1) and 182 (±22·5)g respectively. There were no differences due to prepartum treatment.

There were significant differences (P < 0·05) in milk production between singleand twin-rearing ewes in the first 5 weeks of lactation. Twin-rearing ewes of prepartum treatment 1 produced consistently more milk in weeks 2, 3 and 4 of lactation, whereas ewes from treatment 3 tended to produce more milk than ewes from the other treatment groups thereafter.

Milk intakes of single lambs were always significantly greater than individual twin lambs, and single lambs ate significantly less grass during the herbage OM intake measurement period from week 7; their growth rates up to week 7 were also significantly greater.

No differences in the intake or growth rate of lambs could be attributed to the prepartum nutritional treatment of their dams.

Ewe maintenance requirements during lactation were estimated to be 242 (± 35·1) kJ ME/kg body weight/day; the efficiency with which ME was used for milk production to be 59%; and the efficiency with which ME was used for body-weight gain, 53%.

Lamb maintenance requirements were estimated to be 427 (± 143) kJ ME/kg W in weeks 1 and 2 of lactation and 287 (± 44·2) kJ/kg from week 7. Efficiency of utilization of energy for body-weight gain in each period was estimated to be 71 and 80% respectively.
The body composition of growing sheep during milk feeding, and the effect on composition of weaning at various body weights
Authors: Searle T. W. , Griffiths D. A.
Published: March 2009

Thirty-four (13♂, 21♀) entire cross-bred lambs were suckled on reconstituted, spray-dried cows' milk from 2 days of age for varying periods of time up to 18 weeks before being weaned on to solid food or slaughtered to determine chemical composition. The body composition of each sheep (water, fat, protein, energy) was also estimated from the tritiated water (TOH) space at 3-weekly intervals during milk feeding, at intervals of 5–8 weeks subsequently and at slaughter. Comparison between. TOH estimates and whole body analysis confirmed the accuracy of the previously-derived prediction equations.

The relationship between each of the various body components and body weight for individual sheep during milk feeding was described by a ‘bent’ (non-rectangular) hyperbola. There were no substantial differences between animals in either the position or slope of the lower asymptote nor in the slope of the upper asymptote. There were, however, substantial differences in the point of intersection of the two asymptotes both within and between sexes. The mean intersection points for males and females were 17·7 and 14·4 kg body weight respectively.

Sheep weaned at body weights of 11–16 kg subsequently followed the previously defined pattern of growth. Weaning at higher body weights (21–34 kg, body fat not less than 5·5 kg) resulted initially in both fat and/or body weight loss. In the final fattening phase of growth early- and late-weaned sheep of the same sex had similar body composition but females were fatter than males.
In vitro digestibility of the testa in tannin-free field beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Bond D. A.
Published: March 2009

The seed-coat of all white-flowered varieties of Vicia faba and segregants tested was free of tannin. In two field trials, the whole grain of white-flowered varieties wassignificantly higher in in vitro digestibility of the dry matter, on average 4·7% higher, than coloured-flowered varieties of similar seed size. In subsequent trials where the testa and cotyledon were examined separately, this difference was shown to be largely due to a mean D value (digestibility of the organic matter) of the testa in tannin-free varieties of 56·4% compared with 17·2% in tannin-containing varieties. Seed size was positively correlated with D value but not because of differing proportions of testa.

Differences between varieties in acid-pepsin solubility and protein content of the testa were much smaller and not associated with presence of tannin. The testa colour of some tannin-free F2 plants was a darker shade of grey than either parental population. An inbred line completely lacking in anthocyanin in flowers and stem but with the normal black wing spot had tannin in its testa.

Grains of peas from the coloured-flowered variety, Minerva, reacted to a tannin test wheieas those from white-flowered varieties, Greenshaft and Flavanda, did not.

The case for breeding further tannin-free varieties of Vicia faba is discussed.
The development of barley grain: comparisons between cultivars for growth rate and α-amylase activity
Authors: Riggs T. J. , Gothard P. G.
Published: March 2009

Grains from ears of known anthesis time in seven spring barley cultivars were measured for dry weight and α-amylase activity at regular intervals during grain maturation. During the period 10–31 days after anthesis, dry weight increase of the grain was found to be substantially linear in all the cultivars. Comparisons between linear slopes fitted for this phase of growth were found to provide an objective means of comparing grain growth rates in different cultivars.

α-Amylase activity per grain reached a peak in all except one cultivar at between 10 and 16 days after anthesis but declined rapidly during the linear phase of grain growth. α-Amylase activity per gram grain dry weight decreased exponentially during this period and transformation of the data to logarithms allowed a substantially linear fit to be made. Slopes for each of the cultivars were compared.

Differences were found between cultivars in grain growth rates, total α-amylase activity and rates of fall of α-amylase activity per gram for the period 10–31 days after anthesis. No relationship could be found between grain growth rate and either the absolute level of α-amylase activity achieved in the grain or the rate of fall in activity during development.
Plant density studies in maize in India
Authors: Nair K. P. P. , Singh R. P.
Published: March 2009

Experiments made over a period of 3 years (1971–73) at Pantnagar, India, on the effect of plant density and spatial arrangement of a hybrid variety of maize (Ganga 2) and a local cultivar (Rudrapur) indicated that a density of (at least) 75000 plants/ha is necessary to obtain maximum grain yield. With increasing density from 25000 to 75000 plants/ha the date when 75 % of plants were silking was delayed 2–5 days and the percentage of barren plants increased from 1·7 to 28·7. In dense stands, grain yield of the hybrid variety was less affected by increasing row width from 60 to 90 cm than it was in the local cultivar.

The average increase in yield with narrow (60 cm) row width as compared with wider (75 cm) row width was 6.8 % and it is argued that, in the context of the national need for increased food production, this increase cannot be overlooked.
Performance and heat tolerance of Awassi lambs as affected by early shearing
Authors: Younis A. A. , Al-Mahmoud F. , El-Tawil E. A. , El-Shobokshy A. S.
Published: March 2009

Forty-two Awassi lambs, 21 males and 21 females, were used to investigate the effect of early shearing, before the hottest months, on their performance and heat tolerance as indicated by rectal temperature and respiration rate.

Within each sex, half the number of lambs were sheared and the rest were left unshorn. All lambs were fed for 132 days, covering the hottest period of the year, on a concentrate mixture at the daily rate of 2% of their average live weight plus green roughage offered ad libitum. Rectal temperatures and respiration rates were recorded 1 day of each week on three occasions each day.

Shorn lambs of both sexes had significantly (P < 0·01) higher values for body gain and final body weight than the unshorn ones. Average total digestible nutrients intake was slightly higher for shorn lambs. However, average dry-matter intake as a percentage of body weight was almost the same for shorn and unshorn lambs. Shorn lambs of both sexes were more efficient than the unshorn ones in converting food to body gain.

Shorn lambs were more heat-tolerant than the unshorn ones as indicated by their significantly (P < 0·01) lower rectal temperature and respiration rate.
Population study of codling moth Cydia (Carpocaps = Laspeyresia) Pomonella L. (Olethreutidae, Lepidoptera) infesting pear orchards in the eastern outskirts of Alexandria, Egypt
Authors: El-Gamil F. M. , Gaaboub I. A. , El-Sawaf S. K.
Published: March 2009

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., achieved four successive generations in Egyptian pear orchards in 1974. Indices of infested fruits showed four peaks of infestation; the first at the end of April, the second during the first week of June, the third during the first week of July and the last at the end of July.
Relative efficiency of prilled urea, urea supergranules (USG) and USG coated with neem cake or DCD for direct-seeded rice
Authors: Sudhakara K. , Prasad R.
Published: March 2009

A field experiment was made during the rainy season of 1982 and 1983 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the relative efficiency of prilled urea, urea supergranules (USG) and USG coated with neem cake and DCD. Prilledurea was applied at 60, 120 and 180 kg N/ha, while the other sources of N were applied only at 120 kg N/ha. Nitrogen was added to rice in a single application 20 days after sowing (20 DAS) or in two applications, half 20 DAS and the rest at panicle initiation. Response of rice to prilled urea was linear up to 180 kg N/ha, the highest dose in the present study. Two applications produced more rough rice and straw and resulted in higher nitrogen uptake and apparent recovery than a singleapplication. Neem-cakecoated USG was superior to prilled urea in respect of panicle characters, rough rice and straw yield, nitrogen uptake and apparent nitrogen recovery. Coating USG with DCD also showed some advantage. Uncoated USG was only slightly better than prilled urea.
Comparison of plant-to-plant variability from F1-hybrid and open-pollinated carrot cultivars
Authors: Gray D. , Steckel Joyce R. A.
Published: March 2009

In recent studies of variability in carrot (Umlauf, 1978; Dowker & Gray, 1985) it was concluded that increasing the genetic uniformity of the seed populations did not bring about a detectable reduction in the variability in embryo sizes, the spread of emergence or seedling weight. In these experiments, however, only broad comparisons were possible since the seed sources used were not obtained from crops grown under identical cultural conditions or harvested at the same stage of maturity, both of which affect variability in the subsequent crop (Gray & Steckel, 1983). The purpose of the present experiment was to examine the influence on variability of the greater genetic uniformity of an F1-hybrid compared with an open-pollinated cultivar, when both were sown under identical conditions.
The effect on the yields of barley and kale of soil conditions induced by cultivation at high moisture content
Authors: Fisher N. M. , Gooderham P. T. , Ingram J.
Published: March 2009

An experiment is described in which plots of a silt loam soil were compacted by ploughing and rotary cultivation when the moisture content was high. Kale and barley were grown on these plots in 2 years.

Compaction of the soil was not as great as anticipated, but there were marked reductions due to wet cultivation in the dry-matter yield of kale and the vegetative growth of the young barley. Seed yield of barley was relatively unaffected, although there was a significant reduction due to wet ploughing in one year.

The implication of these results for experimentation on the effects of soil structure on crop yield are discussed.
An equation to predict the leaching of surface-applied nitrate
Authors: Burns I. G.
Published: March 2009

The fraction (f) of surface-applied nitrate leached below any depth h cm in a uniform soil profile may be calculated from the equation

where P is the quantity of water draining through the soil (in cm) and Vm is the percentage volumetric field capacity. The fraction of nitrate retained is then (1—f).

This equation has been tested using published data. Values of h corresponding to the mean displacement (f = 0·5) were calculated for a wide range of soil and weather conditions and the results compared with mean displacements measured in the field. Similar comparisons were made with the leaching equation of Rousselle (1913) and Levin (1964). The new equation gives good agreement with the observed data, whereas the Rousselle-Levin equation generally overestimates the mean displacement of nitrate. Methods of applying the equations to field situations are discussed.
Varietal differences in wheat in resistance to germination in the ear and α-amylase content of the grain
Authors: Bingham J. , Whitmore E. T.
Published: March 2009

1. Three varieties of wheat with white grain and eleven with red grain were examined for a-amylase content of the grain and for resistance to germination in the ear when harvest was delayed.

2. There were large differences between varieties in a-amylase activity. These were due partly to differences in susceptibility to germination in the ear, which always resulted in increased a-amylase activity. There were also large differences between varieties in the a-amylase content of grain which had no visible indication of germination. These differences were not related to susceptibility to germination and were confirmed by a glass-house experiment in which the ears were always dry from emergence to harvest.
Comparative performance of indigenous and exotic sheep in the Indian arid zone
Authors: Mittal J. P. , Ghosh P. K.
Published: March 2009

The body weight and fleece weight of Marwari and Magra sheep (rams) of the desert areas of north-western India are compared with those of Corriedale rams, which are being imported into India for improving the productivity of the local stock through cross-breeding. All three breeds showed marked seasonal fluctuation in their body weight. While the Corriedales lost more body weight than the indigenous breeds during peak summer, they appeared to endure the relatively poor winter pasture conditions somewhat better. Between July and October, with the availability of lush monsoonal pasture, all three breeds increased in body weight.

The greasy fleece weight of Corriedale rams was nearly double that of indigenous rams. The potential of the Corriedale ram for improving the productivity of the local stock is discussed.
The influence of the legume Leucaena leucocephala and formal-casein on the production and composition of milk from grazing cows
Authors: Flores J. F. , Stobbs T. H. , Minson D. J.
Published: March 2009

Twenty-four lactating Jersey cows, grazing a 3-week regrowth of nitrogen-fertilized Chloris gayana cv. Pioneer pastures selected a diet containing 18% crude protein and were given 0, 2 or 4 kg/day of fresh Leucaena leucocephala or 250 g/day of formal-casein. The effect of the treatments on milk production was measured in a 4 × 4 latin-square design experiment with experimental periods of 14 days.

Mean milk yield of unsupplemented cows was 9·6 kg/day, 10·1 kg/day when cows were supplemented with formal-casein and 10·3 kg/day when fed 2 or 4 kg Leucaena/day. Yields of solids-not-fat, protein, casein, butterfat and short and medium-chain (C4–C16) fatty acids in milk fat were higher when cows were fed supplements (P < 0·01). Intake of digestible organic matter was lowest on the unsupplemented diets although feed in excess of 40 kg D.M./cow/day was offered and cows had little difficulty harvesting feed with a mean bite size of 350 mg organic matter/bite and mean grazing time of 507 min/24 h.

It was concluded that a tropical grass diet containing 18% crude protein was deficient in protein for lactating cows and that small quantities of the legume Leucaena can alleviate such a deficiency.
Drought tolerance in potatoes
Authors: Steckel Joyce R. A. , Gray D.
Published: March 2009

In field experiments made over 3 years Pentland Crown and Majestic gave, in general, higher total and dry matter yields from plots given no supplementary water and protected from rainfall throughout growth than King Edward or Maris Piper. However, on plots kept at or near to field capacity all varieties gave similar yields. Pentland Crown and Majestic were deeper rooting than the other two varieties at the time of tuber formation (when the production of new roots ceased) but the differences in rooting depth (ca. 100 mm) between the varieties were small. Except for the top 150 mm of soil, differences in water extraction between the varieties throughout the profile were also small. Neither these differences in water extraction nor the differences in rooting depth could be related consistently to the differences in varietal yield response between ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ plots.
Screening for resistance to Maruca testulalis Geyer in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Walp
Authors: Woolley J. N. , Evans A. M.
Published: March 2009

Screening methods were devised to select cowpea genotypes with resistance to yield loss oaused by larvae of Maruca testulalis (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). More emphasis was placed on flower damage than on pod damage. One hundred and forty genotypes of wild and cultivated cowpeas and four of related Vigna speoies were screened in the first year; 25 of these were selected for rescreening in the second year. Resistance to flower damage was assessed by the ratio of number of pods under unsprayed conditions to number of pods under sprayed conditions and resistance to overall post-flowering damage by ratio of seed yield under unsprayed conditions to seed yield under sprayed conditions. The absolute numbers of pods and seed yields from unsprayed plots were also taken into account. Several genotypes of moderate resistance and one of high resistance were located among cultivars of different origins.

It is suggested that the empirical approach to the search for insect resistance, particularly the comparison of unprotected with protected yields, has great potential, especially for seriously damaged crops.
Effect of autumn cutting regime on developmental morphology and spring growth of perennial ryegrass
Authors: Davies Alison , Simons R. G.
Published: March 2009

Two field experiments were conducted at Aberystwyth on simulated swards of S. 23 perennial ryegrass which were cut one or more times between August and January. The further effect of cutting in early spring was also examined.

The weight of harvestable herbage produced in spring was found to be much less from plots which had been cut frequently in autumn and winter, and was also reduced when the final cutting date was progressively delayed.

The principal effect of later and more frequent cutting in autumn on developmental morphology was a dramatic reduction in the length of leaves produced subsequently. This effect persisted well into the spring period. Numbers of tillers and leaves were much less affected. Thus a greater bulk of herbage was present in spring on autumnrested swards. Production of new tillers in spring was, however, encouraged by greater levels of prior utilization, including cutting in March.

Total herbage yields from the different defoliation systems up to and including different harvesting dates in spring were very similar, but contained a higher percentage of dead material when autumn growth had been allowed to accumulate for longer periods. Under these systems considerable numbers of leaves were formed but died without being harvested. Tiller survival at low temperatures was poorer in swards left undefoliated after the end of August.
Diallel analysis of yield and yield components of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) D.C.)
Authors: De Silva H. N. , Omran A.
Published: March 2009

The variability revealed in a half-diallel cross between nine diverse genotypes of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) D.C.) in regard to yield and yield components was studied in the F1 generation. The results indicated that high genetic variability existed for all traits. With respect to seed size, general combining ability effects alone were adequate to predict the performance of hybrids. For numbers of pods per plant and seeds per pod, both general and specific combining ability effects were of equal importance, while the performance of hybrids for grain yield was mainly dependent on specific combining ability effects. Heterosis was clearly evident for number of seeds per pod and grain yield. Of the yield components, number of pods per plant exhibited a positive genotypic association of appreciable magnitude with grain yield, showing its usefulness as an indicator of yield in selection.
The interaction between liming and forms of nitrogen fertilizer on established grassland
Authors: Adams S. N.
Published: March 2009

Four factorial experiments made in 1982 and 1983 tested the effect of 10 t CaCO3/ha, applied either in autumn 1981 or spring 1982, on the response of established grassland to 360 kg N/ha per year applied either as ammonium sulphate, calcium nitrate, urea or a mixture of ammonium nitrate and calcium carbonate.

Lime did not increase yield in the short term. It also reduced herbage Mn and, to a lesser extent, herbage N, P and Mg. The mixture of ammonium nitrate and calcium carbonate gave about 0·5 t D.M./ha per year more herbage than did the other forms of N.

Lime had no effect on the recovery in the herbage of N from calcium nitrate, but it reduced N recovery from the other three fertilizers in 1982, and from urea also in 1983. Soil pH, which initially ranged from 4·9 to 5·7 at the four sites, was raised by lime to almost 7·0 in the top 5 cm soil. This pH is probably not high enough to cause serious losses due to NH3-volatilization.

Application of fertilizer prone to loss from NH3-volatilization is not recommended soon after liming. However, the practice is not likely to cause detectable yield loss in established grassland in Northern Ireland.
The effects of sowing date and other factors on growth, yield and nitrogen uptake, and on the incidence of pests and diseases, of winter barley at rothamsted from 1981 to 1983
Authors: Widdowson F. V. , Darby R. J. , Dewar A. M. , Jenkyn J. P. , Kerry B. R. , Lawlor D. W. , Plumb R. T. , Ross G. J. S. , Scott G. C. , Todd A. D. , Wood D. W.
Published: March 2009

Multifactorial experiments on winter barley cv. Igri grown after potatoes were made from 1981 to 1983 on silty clay loam soils at Rothamsted. All tested combinations of seven factors, each at two levels: with and without autumn pesticide (aldicarb), two sowing dates (September or October), with and without a fungicidal seed treatment (‘Baytan’), with and without spring and summer fungicides, two amounts of nitrogen, two times of applying nitrogen and with and without a growth regulator (‘Terpal’). Growth, development, yield, nitrogen uptake, pests and diseases were monitored. Sowing in September, fungicide sprays in spring and summer, and the growth regulator had the largest mean benefits on grain yield (+0·80, +0·56 and +0·34 t/ha respectively). Some factors interacted with sowing date; thus aldicarb, the fungicide sprays in spring and summer and the later timing of N all increased yield more on the September-than on the October-sown barley. The larger yields on the September-sown plots were associated with more ears/m2 (978 v. 744) and, in spite of fewer grains per ear (17·8 v. 20·1), more grains per m2 (17·6 v. 14·7 × 103), but lighter grains (39·2 v. 42·3 mg). The largest yields each year (ca. 8.0–8.5 t/ha) were obtained from September-sown barley fully protected from pests and from pathogens in spring and summer and given N in April rather than in March.

The aphid vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus were sufficiently common and infective in two of the three autumns to infect the September-sown barley sufficiently that their control by aldicar b enhanced yield. Nematodes, slugs and dipterous stem borers were not numerous enough to be damaging in any year. Mildew in autumn was controlled by the seed treatment, but effects on yield were inconsistent. Mildew in spring and summer was more abundant on the October-than on the September-sown barley; it was controlled by fungicide sprays, which increased yield significantly each year. Leaf blotch was more abundant on the September-sown barley.
Studies on feed intake and feed utilization by sheep. II. The utilization of feed by ewes
Authors: Hadjipieris G. , Jones J. G. W. , Wimble R. H. , Holmes W.
Published: March 2009

1. The yield and composition of milk from twenty Border Leicester x Cheviot ewes offered dried grass cubes, dried grass cubes and hay, hay or grazing was determined over a lactation period lasting 10 weeks. Milk yield was estimated by weighing the lambs before and after each suckling on one day each week. Samples of milk for analysis were obtained at fortnightly intervals by hand milking the left side of each udder before the mid-day suckling by the lambs.

2. Ewes receiving dried grass cubes and suckling twins and those receiving dried grass cubes and hay reached mean peak milk yields of 3470 and 2680 g./day, respectively, at 2-3 weeks after parturition, whilst the yields of the remaining ewes declined continuously from the beginning of lactation. The mean milk yield over the lactation of ewes receiving dried grass cubes and suckling twins was 2785 g./day, of those receiving dried grass cubes and suckling singles 1821 g./day, of those receiving dried grass cubes and hay 2119 g./day and of those receiving hay 1177 g./day. The yield of milk energy was highest for all ewes during the first week after parturition.
Intake and excretion of nitrogen, potassium and phosporus by grazing steers
Authors: Betteridge K. , Andrewes W. G. K. , Sedcole J. R
Published: March 2009

Intake and faecal and urinary output of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus by steers grazing high quality pasture at either of two intake levels were measured in three trials lasting 10–12 days. Intake was estimated from total faecal D.M. andin vitroD.M. digestibility of hand-plucked pasture. A known proportion of urine was sampled by a nonsurgical technique.

Average urinary mineral output between trials ranged from 93 to 134 g N/day, or 40 to 51% of consumed N; 74 to 137 g K/day or 33 to 76 % of consumed K and no more than 1 g P/day, or 2 to 4% of consumed P. Faeces contained 36–62 g N/day, or 16–24% of consumed N; 12–46 g K/day, or 8–21% of consumed K and 10–23 g P/day, or 44–74% of consumed P. The volume of urine passed differed widely between days for individual steers and between steers within each trial. In trial 3, daily output ranged between 5–8 and 54.71 by different animals. For two steers over three 24 h periods, frequency of urination ranged between 13 and 73/24 h; urine volumes between 7.6 and 51.2 1/24 h; urinary excretion of N between 81 and 137 g/24 h and of K between 58 and 90g/24h.

Urinary N and K concentrations were higher at night than during the day, ranging in trial 3 from 0.8 to 14.1 mg N/l, and 0.6 to 9.9 mg K/l. No clear diurnal patterns were found for P.
Effect of fluorinated saline water on oats
Authors: Chauhan R. P. S. , Chauhan C. P. S.
Published: March 2009

Poor quality underground irrigation water occurs in most arid and semiarid regions. This water contains not only excessive amounts of soluble salts but also fluoride (F) from traces to 30 mg/1 in India, but usually the concentration of F is below 5 mg/1 (Gupta, 1979). The effect of F on plants is not well known but plants accumulate it when it is present in the soil or applied through irrigation water. Singh, Chhabra & Abrol (1980) found that soil-applied F at 50 mg/kg was toxic to rice and 32 mg/kg tissue content of F was toxic to wheat. Paliwal (1972) found that F content in berseem increased from 18·1 to 52·7 mg/kg when the crop was irrigated with F contaminated water. He further found that 10 mg F/kg inhibited germination and growth of wheat seedlings, and whilst low concentrations of F may not be toxic to plants they may be hazardous to animals continuously fed on fodders containing fluoride.

The effect of fluoride-rich saline water on the yield and F content of fodder oats has therefore been determined.
Proportion of cross-bred and selfed seed obtained from successive generations of winter bean (Vicia faba L.) crops
Authors: Bond D. A. , Pope M.
Published: March 2009

The proportions of cross-bred and selfed seed were estimated in up to four consecutive generations of Throws MS winter beans on three farms where farm-saved seed was regularly used.

Within one stock the percentage of cross-breds rose a significant amount from 31 to 46, whilst in another stock no change was detected over four consecutive generations. On the third farm a change of stock mid-way through the period of the survey was associated with a highly significant increase in proportion of cross-breds.

In general a rise in outcrossing was not followed by a significant fall as would be expected if cross-breds have a greater tendency than inbreds to self pollinate, but the possible role of a regulatory mechanism is discussed as are implications of the range in outcrossing within stocks for variety trials and commercial production of winter beans.

Estimates of outcrossing frequency made in two crops in 1983 were slightly lower than some obtained in 1974–6 but no lower than those reported in 1951 thus providing no evidence of any long-term change in levels of natural cross-breeding in field beans in England.
Susceptibility of some cow peas to infestation and damage by the storage beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Goleoptera: Bruchidae)
Authors: Ofuya T. I.
Published: March 2009

Fourteen cow peas were tested for susceptibility to infestation and damage by Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in the laboratory. IT81D-897 and Popse showed the lowest damage over a 3-month test period. 100-seed weight was not significantly correlated with seed damage.

The developmental period of G. maculatus was significantly longer in IT81D-897 and Popse than in other cow peas tested. Percentage adult emergence and fecundity of females were also lowest in these two cow peas.
Some residual effects of crop rotation on light land
Authors: Ridgman W. J. , Wedgwood R. B.
Published: March 2009

The effect of previous rotations maintained for 21 years on wheat and potatoes grown after 5 years of uniform cropping are described and discussed. Effects of length of ley in the rotation were detected in soil organic carbon, yield of wheat and yield of potatoes 6, 6 and 7 years respectively after the last ley was ploughed up. The effect of grazing the leys compared with mowing was detected in soil organic carbon and in yield of potatoes, and that of applying dung was detected in soil organic carbon and in yield of potatoes 12 and 13 years, respectively, after the last application.
Studies on Awassi sheep in Lebanon:II. Reproduction of a flock bred at four month intervals
Authors: Rottensten Knud , Ampy Franklin
Published: March 2009

By alternately joining the rams with the ewes for two months and separating them for the following two months' period 63% of the lambings took place at eight-month intervals.

The conception rate was 85% for October–November breedings, 58 for February–March and 43 for June–July. The twinning rates for corresponding periods were 38, 8 and 7. The length of the post-partum interval had no significant influence on the conception rate.

For October–November breeding 63% of the lambings occurred between 150 and 169 days after the introduction of the rams, whereas the corresponding figures for February–March and June–July were 47 and 14, respectively.

The yearly lambing percentage was 119 as compared to 86 for a previous period from 1955 to 1963, when the rams were kept with the flock throughout the year.
The effects of density, cutting height and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) on the structure of a ryegrass (Lolium spp.) population
Authors: Harris W.
Published: March 2009

A population of 12 ryegrass genotypes was grown at densities of 0·25, 16 and 8 ryegrass + 8 white clover plants per sq ft and was periodically cut to stubble heights of O5 in. or 3 in. For individual plants, yields, tiller numbers, tiller lengths and emerged inflorescence numbers were recorded. Density was the main determinant of plant size, but cutting-height effects were shown, most markedly for the number of inflorescences.

Initially the frequency distribution of plant weight was positively skewed under all treatments, but became less skewed for the population at 0–25 plants per sq ft and more skewed for the population at higher densities. Development of the skew was delayed where white clover was grown. Generally, increasing skew was associated with increasing positive kurtosis.

Frequency distributions of tiller numbers were less skewed than those of yields. Frequency distributions of tiller length were less skewed than the corresponding higher density distributions of yield and tiller number.

Treatment effects on population means demonstrate the different responses which may be obtained with widely spaced plants or those grown in swards. Changes of the frequency distribution of the population are interpreted using the model of Koyama & Kira (1956) and are related to procedures assessing the performance of plants under selection for growth in swards.
Use of superphosphate as a phosphorus supplement for lambs – effect of calcination or supplementation with oral cobalt or parenteral vitamin B12
Authors: Agarwala O. N. , Nath K. , Mahadevan V.
Published: March 2009

A feeding and balance trial was conducted for 15 weeks on 25 lambs (aged 3–5 months) divided into five groups of 5 animals each on a basal ration consisting of oats, groundnut cake, barley, common salt, green grass and wheat straw. The five groups were fed a mineral supplement as follows:

Group I. Basal ration plus ‘Supermindiff’ mineral mixture (control group).

Group II. Basal ration plus calcined superphosphate.

Group III. Basal ration plus superphosphate.

Group IV. Basal ration plus superphosphate plus oral cobalt chloride (3 mg Co/10 kg body weight).

Group V. Basal ration plus superphosphate plus parenteral vitamin B12(50 μg/week/ animal).

Calcination of fertilizer-grade superphosphate at 600°C for 2 h reduced the fluorine content from 23350ppm to 1600 ppm. The results show that high fluorine or superphosphate significantly reduced growth rate and retention of calcium and phosphorus and significantly increased blood inorganic phosphorus. Calcination of superphosphate in Group II gave comparable results to the control group (Group I). The oral Co or parenteral vitamin B12 supplementation (Groups IV and V) did not ameliorate the adverse effects of high fluorine in superphosphate.

It is concluded that calcination of superphosphate at 600°C for 2 h yields a suitable defluorinated product which can be used as a phosphorus supplement in the feeding of animals. Fertilizer-grade superphosphate is unsuitable due to its high fluorine content, the adverse effects of which are not mitigated by oral Co or parenteral vitamin B12supplementation.
The maintenance of soil organic matter under continuous cultivation at Samaru, Nigeria
Authors: Jones M. J.
Published: March 2009

Treatment effects on levels of soil carbon and nitrogen in four long-term experiments at Samaru are reviewed in relation to an expected change in the future away from a bush-fallowing agricultural system towards an intensive mechanized system of permanent agriculture.

Where different rates of farmyard manure were applied to the soil annually for nearly 20 years marked differences in soil organic matter contents developed. The mean soil carbon (0·82 per cent) of plots that received 12·5 tonnes ha-1 annum-1 is now almost four times as great as the mean content (0·22 per cent) of control-plot soils. Phosphate applications tended to encourage higher levels of soil organic matter, but where mineral fertilizers (N, P and K) were applied with farmyard manure lower soil organic matter levels and C:N ratios than those of manure-only plots resulted. Apparent retention in the soil of carbon and nitrogen applied as farmyard manure was of the order of 12–15 and 30% respectively. A groundnut shell mulch, applied for 9 years, produced significantly higher levels of soil organic matter than control plots.

In a rotation experiment in which three years of cropping alternated with either 2, 3 or 6 years of planted Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) fallow, large differences in soil organic-matter status and rate of turnover existed between the three rotations. In particular the 3-year fallow showed an annual rate of soil organic-matter increase over twice that of the 2-year fallow. Soil nitrogen build-up exceeded 50 kg ha-1annum-1 in the 3-year fallow.

Shortage of farmyard manure and the relatively poor return from systems that include unproductive fallows suggest that in future soil organic matter must be maintained by the return to the soil of all crop residues.
The effect on pollen collection of feeding honey-bee colonies with sugar syrup
Authors: Free J. B.
Published: March 2009

The total amount of pollen collected by colonies taken to crops of sweet cherry, field beans and red clover was greatly increased by feeding syrup to the colonies. Hence feeding colonies with sugar syrup increases their pollinating value.
The development of the digestive system of the young; animal. VII. The total and partial apparent digestibility of a pelletted diet by lambs and adult sheep
Authors: Walker D. M. , Campbell M. K.
Published: March 2009

1. Fifteen male Merino lambs suckling the ewe and four adult Merino wethers were fed the same pelletted diet. The lambs had free access to milk from the ewe and were creep-fed the pelletted diet. Feed intake by each lamb was measured daily.

2. The digestibility of the dry matter of the pelletted diet was determined in a conventional total collection trial with the adult wethers. Dry-matter and crude-protein digestibility "was determined in the lambs on faeces taken at, or just before, slaughter by the lignin-ratio method.
The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the thermoregulatory responses of grouped and isolated neonate chicks
Authors: Misson B. H.
Published: March 2009

Measurements of O2 consumption (Vo2), CO2 production (VCO2) evaporative water loss and rectal temperature (Tr) have been made and metabolic heat production (H), evaporative heat loss (—E) and respiratory quotient (RQ) calculated with individual and groups of 1-day-old chicks at constant ambient temperatures (To) in the range 20—43 °C and 80 or 20% relative humidity (R.H.).

Minimal metabolism (10·7 kJ/kgJ/h) occurred at 35 °C.

One-day-old chicks act as heterotherms outside the zone of minimal metabolism since neither H nor —E are sufficiently developed mechanisms to maintain homeothermy.

Huddling allows chicks to maintain a higher TT at a lower H per unit metabolic body size.

Reducing E.H. from 80 to 20% raised the upper temperature survival limit (UTSL) from 41·5 to 43 °C.

Panting was initiated when Ta = 38 °C and Tr was between 39·5 and 39·9 °C.
Nitrogen and dry-matter accumulation in high lysine and normal varieties of barley
Authors: Rhodes A. P. , Jenkins G.
Published: March 2009

Dry matter and Kjeldahl nitrogen estimations were made on the roots and shoots of the barley varieties Riso 1508, Hiproly and Maris Mink from the seedling stage to maturity under three nitrogen treatments. After heading, the shoots were further separated into ears and stems plus leaves. Total plant nitrogen uptake was greatest in the high lysine variety Riso 1508 and was associated with a greater production of dry matter. However, the proportion of total plant nitrogen and dry matter in the grain was highest in the variety Maris Mink and this effect increased with increasing nitrogen supply. The comparative efficiency of dry-matter production and nitrogen translocation of these varieties is discussed in relation to breeding barley of improved protein yield and quality.
Aflatoxin control in preharvest maize: effects of chitosan and two microbial agents
Authors: Cuero R. G. , Duffus E. , Osuji G. , Pettit R.
Published: March 2009

Growth and aflatoxin production ofAspergillus flavusin preharvest maize grown in Texas, USA in 1989 were determined after treatment with chitosan,Bacillus subtilisandTrichoderma harzianum. Individual or combined control treatments were applied at the milk stage of ear development, 48 h before or after kernel inoculation with an aflatoxigenic isolate ofA. flavus. Single and combined treatments reducedA. flavusgrowth and aflatoxin production. Toxin accumulation was significantly (P< 0·05) reduced, in some instances to non-detectable concentrations by single pretreatments. EitherB. subtilisor chitosan as independent treatments applied 48 h before inoculation withA. flavusinhibited aflatoxin production.
Growth of axillary buds of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleraceavar.bullatasub var.gemmifera)
Authors: Wilcockson S. J. , Abuzeid A. E.
Published: March 2009

In 1984 and 1985, the growth of axillary buds of Brussels sprouts plants was studied at Cockle Park, Northumberland, UK. Bud growth commenced in late September or early October and continued at all nodes until the final harvest in December. Total bud yield increased at a broadly constant rate until late November but at a decreasing rate thereafter. Plants producedc.100 nodes with buds ≥ 5 mm diameter. The largest buds werec.40 mm diameter and 25 g fresh weight. Bud size increased from the base of the stem upwards to between the 20th and 40th nodes and then decreased towards the apex. Nodes 20–40 (20% of the total) producedc.40–45% of total bud yield. The size profile of leaves along the stem followed a similar pattern to the buds and the largest buds were in the axils of the largest leaves. There were close relationships between bud fresh weight and size,bud fresh weight and size, bud fresh weight and volume and log10bud fresh weight and log10bud size (r2≥ 0·995). The density of buds wasc.0·8 and bud fresh weight doubled for each 5 mm increase in bud diameter.

Current photosynthesis of the leaf canopy was apparently the major source of assimilates for bud growth. A C14tracing experiment suggested that growth of individual buds was mainly supported by their subtending leaves. There was no evidence of re-translocation of dry matter from dying leaves or the stems to buds or of substantial production of dry matter by the buds themselves. Rates of bud photosynthesis were only about 10% of the rate of leaves. The continued increase in bud fresh weight and size at the lowest nodes when leaves were senescing rapidly and after they had abscissed was probably mainly the result of water uptake rather than dry matter accumulation.
Tropical crop and crop by-product additives can improve the quality of taro leaf (Colocasia esculenta) silage
Authors: Ash A. J. , Elliott R.
Published: March 2009

The nutritive value of taro leaf (Colocasia esculenta) silage, with or without various crop or crop byproducts as additives, was evaluated in two experiments in Western Samoa in 1988 and 1989. In Experiment 1, laboratory silos were used to assess the quality of eight taro leaf silages which were either ensiled fresh or wilted overnight. Taro leaf ensiled alone was poorly preserved with a pH of 5·4 and high concentrations of ammonia-N and volatile fatty acids. In contrast, silages with crop byproduct additives rich in water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), mainly molasses, ripe banana or papaya pulp, were of high quality with pH levels ofc. 4 and low concentrations of volatiles. Copra meal, although low in WSC, was able to produce a satisfactory silage when added to taro leaf through its ability to restrict fermentation.

Despite only a small increase (14·2%) in silage dry matter (DM) content, wilting of taro leaves resulted in silage of significantly higher quality than that made from fresh leaves. Most of the benefit of wilting was attributed to better fermentation conditions rather than a restricted fermentation.

Two of the better silages from Experiment 1, taro/molasses and taro/banana, were prepared on a larger scale in earth pits and fed to goats in a second experiment. Both silages were highly palatable and digestible; DM intakes of 47 and 63 g/kg W0·75per day and organic matter digestibilities of 69·0 and 74·9% were recorded for the banana and molasses silages, respectively.

It was concluded that taro leaf is a suitable forage for ensilage, and when combined with additives rich in WSC, a forage of high nutritive value can be produced.
Use of bovine somatotropin in the tropics: the effect of sometribove on milk production of Bos indicus, dairy crossbred and Bos taurus cows in Zimbabwe
Authors: Phipps R. H. , Madakadze C. , Mutsvangwa T. , Hard D. L. , Kerchove G. De
Published: March 2009

Twenty-four Bos indicus cows of the Mashona/Nkone breeds, 36 dairy crossbreds (Mashona/ Nkone x Friesian), 48 Holsteins, 42 Friesians and 25 Jerseys were used to study the effect on milk production of sometribove (500 mg), a prolonged release formulation of bovine somatotropin (BST). BST was administered at 14-day intervals by subcutaneous injections into the ischio-rectal fossa which lies lateral to and on either side of the anus (tailhead). With the exception of the Bos indicus cows, which received seven injections of BST, all other treated cows received eight.

The administration of BST to Bos indicus cows, significantly (P < 0·05) increased milk yield from 0·45 to 1·75 kg/cow per day, and extended lactation. These effects combined to increase total milk production during the 14-week trial from 226 kg for the control group to 993 kg for the group treated with BST. With dairy crossbreds the use of BST significantly (P < 0·01) increased milk yield from 8·6 to 11·0 kg/cow per day. Milk composition for Bos indicus and dairy crossbreds wasunaffected by the administration of BST

BST significantly (P < 0·05) increased milk yield in Jersey (+ 2·9 kg/day), Friesian (+ 3·6 kg/day) and Holstein (+ 2·7 kg/day) cows. Bodycondition of treated cows tended to be slightly lower than that of the control cows at the end of treatment.

Cows remained in excellent health throughout all the trials. Farmers commented on how easy the injection was to give in the tailhead site, and on the complete absence of any adverse injection site reaction.