bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum immunoglobulin concentrations at two days of age in lambs born after ova transfer between ewes of different breeds
Authors: Halliday R. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryImmunoglobulin concentrations were compared in Finnish Landrace and other lambs, born to ewes of their own and of different breeds, to determine if the superiority of the Finnish lambs in obtaining maternal immunoglobulin from colostrum, shown in previous experiments, is due to special qualities of the ewes or of the lambs. The groups compared were, respectively, Finnish lambs born to Finnish, Welsh Mountain or Border Leicester ewes; Finnish, Oxford Down and Soay lambs born to Finnish ewes; Finnish and Merino lambs born to Border Leicester ewes; and Finnish and Southdown lambs born to Welsh Mountain ewes. The immunoglobulin concentrations in the Finnish lambs were in every comparison significantly higher than in the other breeds, and were not related to the breeds of the dams.
Growth, food conversion and carcass characteristics in castrated and entire male pigs fed three different dietary protein levels
Authors: Pay M. G. , Davies T. E. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA total of 72 pigs comprising 36 boars and 36 castrates of 22 kg live weight were allocated to one of three protein levels in the diet. The crude protein concentrations were 16·0, 18·0 and 20·0%. The diets were fed to appetite for three half-hour periods per day from 22 to 90 kg live weight.Up to 55 kg live weight both boars and castrates showed an initial positive response to the increased protein concentration. This was followed by a negative response during the 55–90 kg period for both food conversion and daily live-weight gain. For the overall period the differences in performance were not significant. From 22 to 55 kg, and from 55 to 90 kg the average daily feed intake of boars was significantly less than that of the castrates.Boars had a significantly better overall food conversion, larger eye muscle area and decreased back fat.This experiment indicated that there was no advantage in feeding boars a protein concentration higher than that generally used for gilts or castrates while on a semiad libitum feeding system.
The effect of environment and heredity on lactation. I. Milk yield
Authors: Mahadevan P. 
Published: March 2009

1. A statistical study of the causes of variation in milk yields has been made on the basis of 5000 lactation records from twelve leading herds of Ayrshire cattle in south-west Scotland for the period 1930–9.2. The unit of measurement of milk production employed was the yield during the first 180 days of the lactation period. This eliminated the effect of variations in length of current calving interval on milk yield.3. The effect of month of calving on milk yield varied significantly between herds, and it was shown that correction factors for month of calving should be calculated on a within-herd basis. The average difference in 180-day yield between the summer and winter calvers of all herds was about 10% in favour of winter calvers.4. The milk yield of a cow was found to be influenced both by the number of her previous lactations and also by her age at calving. The types of corrections for age employed by previous investigators were discussed, and it was shown that percentage corrections are the most satisfactory.5. There was a positive correlation between milk yield and length of preceding calving interval. From an economic point of view, the optimum length of calving interval was about 400 days for the first lactation, and 1 year for subsequent ones. Corrections for preceding calving interval, like those for age, were most satisfactory when they were proportionate and not additive.6. No significant differences were found among the first three records of a cow in their ability to indicate her actual production capacity. The probable performance of a cow in any lactation was predicted as accurately from the lactation immediately preceding it as from the average of a number of previous lactations.7. The average repeatability of milk yield was 0.46, and heritability was of the order of 0.25–0.30.8. The probable effect on herd improvement of selecting breeding females was found to be very small, extremely little genetic progress being attained by this method in the twelve herds.
The effect of environment and heredity on lactation. II. Persistency of lactation
Authors: Mahadevan P. 
Published: March 2009

1. A statistical study of factors affecting variation in persistency of lactation has been made using 5000 lactation records from twelve leading herds of Ayrshire cattle in south-west Scotland for the period 1930–9.2. It is suggested that a satisfactory numerical expression for the shape of the lactation curve could be obtained from the formula, Persistency = where A is the milk yield during the first 180 days and B is the initial milk yield, namely, the milk yield during the first ten weeks of lactation.3. The interrelationships of persistency, initial milk yield and 180-day milk yield showed that these three characteristics are positively correlated with one another on a between cows within herd basis. This meant that it should be possible to combine high initial milk yield with high persistency to obtain increased total production.4. The effect of month of calving on persistency of lactation varied significantly between herds. On the average, the highest persistency was attained by cows calving in the winter, and the lowest by summer calvers.5. The variation of persistency with age showed that it is necessary to correct for the high persistency of first calvers when comparing cows with different lactations.6. The average repeatability of persistency was 0.242 in the present material, while heritability was of the order of 0.10–0.15.7. It has been concluded that improved feeding and management would bring about the greatest returns in the direction of improved persistency.
The alkaloidal content of blue lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and its toxicity on small laboratory animals
Authors: Carl Gordon W. , Henderson James H. M. 
Published: March 2009

1. A method of extraction and isolation of the alkaloid of blue lupine was adopted for small samples of the various plant parts: seeds, leaves and pods.2. From the evidence presented, it is shown that the seeds of blue lupine contain a higher percentage of crude alkaloid, than do the pods and leaves. On the basis of the extractions and isolation, seeds contained as much as 2·25%, leaves were found to contain 0·69%, and pods contained 1·46%.3. The alkaloid isolated was identified as D-lupanine by its characteristic physical and chemical properties. The anhydrous monohydrochloride salt was prepared in pure form and from it were obtained samples of the pure free base, d-lupanine.4. Toxicity determinations, involving the injection of water solutions of the crude free base, hydrochloride salt and the pure free base, administered intraperitoneally in guinea-pigs, rats and mice were carried out. Mice were found to be most susceptible, rats less susceptible, and guineapigs least susceptible to the effect of the various solutions injected. The minimal lethal dose (m.l.d.) is given for all three species of animals, and in addition the 50% lethal doses l.d. 50 are given for mice. The purest samples were the most toxic.5. The symptoms shown by guinea-pigs, rats and mice poisoned by the alkaloid are similar. Gross pathology of the animals killed indicated death by asphyxiation.
Bias in estimation of error in change-over trials with dairy cattle
Authors: Lucas H. L. 
Published: March 2009

A study has been made of the bias in error which occurs when Latin-square change-over trials conducted on dairy cattle are analysed by the usual method for Latin-square experiments, with modification for carry-over effects. Bias is present for adjusted direct effects and for permanent effects (direct plus carry-over), but does not exist for unadjusted direct effects.Analyses of fifteen sets of experimental data showed that the bias is of no importance in 3 × 3 designs but might be serious for some practical situations in the 4 × 4 designs. A tentative factor to correct for bias was given for the latter case.
Effect of tiller age and time of nitrogen stress on seed production of Paspalum plicatulum
Authors: Chadhokar P. A. , Humphreys L. R. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryPaspalum plicatulum was grown at Brisbane in boxes of sand receiving basal nutrients and frequent irrigation; weekly levels of ammonium nitrate application were varied according to growth and development stage.The rate of tiller appearance increased to a maximum 40–50 days after sowing and almost ceased thereafter. Tiller leaf number, survival, fertility, inflorescence branching, seeds per raceme and seed size were positively related to tiller age. Young tillers were more sensitive to variations in nitrogen supply than old tillers.Adequate nitrogen nutrition during the vegetative phase from sowing to floral initiation (93 days) increased tiller and hence inflorescence density; increased inflorescence branching was compensated by fewer seeds per raceme. Good nitrogen nutrition during the phase from floral initiation to inflorescence exsertion (142 days) increased survival of late-formed tillers and hence inflorescence density; inflorescence branching, seeds per raceme and seed size were also increased. Nitrogen stress during the final maturation phase did not affect seed yield.
Studies on field establishment of monogerm sugar beet
Authors: Perry D. A. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe percentage emergence from monogerm sugar-beet seed in field experiments was reduced by high soil moisture content and soil compaction, but was unaffected by soil temperature. Seed lots were differentially influenced when the soil conditions were very adverse. Pelleted seed emerged a little better in good soil conditions and was not more sensitive to high soil moisture content than raw seed.The relation between laboratory germination and the number of emerged seedlings was variable and followed no obvious trends, and there was no consistent rank order in the emergence ability of four commercial cultivars.
Hypocotyl length in the brussels sprout as a varietal characteristic
Authors: Whittington W. J. , Stannard B. R. , Bowring J. D. C. , Johnson A. G. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryAn assessment was made of the possible significance of hypocotyl length in the identification of brussels-sprout varieties. The investigation was based on the analysis of 162 samples of varieties currently in commerce, a search for sibs amongst supposed F1 varieties and the comparison of known and unknown varieties. Varieties were found to vary consistently from one another, although environmental and environmental by genotype interaction effects were significant. It was found that sibs could be recognized easily in F1 hybrid samples known to contain them and it was inferred, and later evidence confirmed, that they were present in other F1 hybrids. Up to 8 out of 13 F1 varieties were correctly identified from coded samples and it was concluded that hypocotyl characteristics could be used with other measurements in the description of new introductions.
The effect of fertilizers and harvest date on growth and yield of oilseed rape sown in autumn and spring
Authors: Scott R. K. , Ogunremi E. A. , Ivins J. D. , Mendham N. J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryIn experiments at Sutton Bonington between 1967 and 1970, which tested 0–300 kg N/ha applied in spring, maximum oil yields of both autumn- and spring-sown oilseed rape were obtained by applying 200 kg N/ha. The seed-oil content was reduced by nitrogen application but only seriously when 300 kg/a was applied. Responses to high levels of potassium (180 rather than 60 kg K20/ha) were only obtained at 200 kg N/a. Successive increments of nitrogen from nil to 300 kg/ha improved plant growth, increasing leaf area and the dry weight of leaves and stems. The last increment from 200 to 300 kg N/ha was less effective and either reduced or did not affect pod production.In one experiment 300 kg N/ha stimulated husk growth, apparently at the expense of seed growth, with 200 kg/ha giving the highest proportion of pod dry matter as seed. More nitrogen always raised number of seeds per pod, but only increased seed weight in one autumn-sown experiment.Serial harvests of one experiment indicated that the maximum seed and oil yield was obtained by cutting plants before they were fully ripe, thus avoiding seed loss through pod shatter. The oil content of the bulk samples reached a peak about a week before maximum oil yield, probably because later-ripening seed did not reach full maturity. All nitrogen levels delayed flowering, but only the highest delayed maturity in the autumn-sown crop.
Influence of breed and sex on muscle weight distribution of cattle
Authors: Mukhoty H. , Berg R. T. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryIn this experiment an attempt was made to study the influence of breed and sex on the muscle-weight distribution of cattle. The weights of individual muscles obtained by total dissection from the side of a carcass from each of 63 bulls, 106 steers and 22 heifers representing six, eight and two breed groups respectively were classified into nine anatomical groups using the method of Butterfield (1963). Muscle-weight distribution was then studied by expressing the muscle in each of these groups as percentages of total muscle and also as adjusted mean weight of muscle in each region while statistically adjusting total muscle to a constant level.Results indicated that breed differences were significant although small for abdominal muscles and muscles of the neck region within bulls and steers, but two breed groups of heifers did not differ. There was no detectable breed influence on the percentage of any other muscle group. Percentages of muscles classified as expensive were found to be remarkably similar among breed groups in all three sexes.Sex influences on muscle distribution were also appraised. There was a general trend of heifers having a higher percentage in the proximal pelvic limb and abdominal areas than steers, while steers exceeded bulls. This order of sex influence was reversed in the muscles of the neck and thorax region. The influence of sex was conspicuous in areas classified as having expensive muscles, with heifers having a higher percentage of muscles in the high-priced regions than steers and steers being superior to bulls. Sex differences reflect the differential development of bulls compared with the other sexes as they mature. Muscles of the neck and thorax in bulls increase in proportion and other groups (proximal hind and abdominal) decrease. The differentiation of muscles represents a trend toward masculinity from heifer to steer to young bull and finally to old bull proportions.
Dynamics of K and NO3 concentrations in the root zone of winter wheat at Broadbalk using specific-ion electrodes
Authors: Nair P. K. R. , Talibudeen O. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryProcedures for measuring K+ and NO-3 activities in the root zones of field crops, using specific-ion electrodes, were standardized. For K, a 1·0 M-NaCl salt bridge and KC1 standards in water, for NO3, a saturated KC1 salt bridge and KN03 standards in water, and for both electrodes, a 1:0·5, soil: water ratio, and 30 sec equilibration time were found satisfactory.Recovery of added K in soil pastes by the K electrode and chemical analysis of the soil water extract compared well, but the recovery was about 8% only. The corresponding recovery of added N was about 87 and 95% respectively.Relative changes in the rates and magnitudes of NO3 and K concentrations were measured with these electrodes, laterally and vertically, in the root zone, during active crop growth, from the N2 ½(PKNaMg), N2 PKNaMg, and N4PKNaMg treatments of the Broadbalk Winter Wheat Experiment.In all fertilizer treatments, at all times, the nutrient concentrations were most at 45 cm from the crop (in the uncropped area) and least within the cropped area. The differences between these extremes represent nutrient depletion by the crop, the ‘45 cm’ measurementsindicating changes in uncropped, but fertilized, areas.Soil nitrate depletion by the crop was much more at 12·5 cm and 20 cm depths than at 5 cm. Maximum NO3 depletion was observed during the later stages of crop growth, at ‘pre-panicle emergence’ and at ‘grain filling’. Depletion decreased and the soil NO3 level recovered partially as the crop reached maturity.Periodic changes in the K concentration at each site and the corresponding K depletions were much less. Periods of IC stress on the soil were few and less clearly demarcated. Soil K concentration started to recover at the ‘grain filling’ stage about a month earlier than with NO3.Changes in NO3 and K concentrations seem to relate more to the amounts given of each nutrient, than to the N:K ratio in each fertilizer treatment. However, changes in NO3 and K concentrations, and also NO3 and K depletion, occurred consecutively. This indicates an alternating periodicity in the demands of the crop for NO3 and K respectively throughout growth.
In vivomeasurements of the production rates of bacteria in the rumen
Authors: Singh U. B. , Varma A. , Verma D. N. , Lal M. , Ranjhan S. K. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe production rates of bacteria have been measured in the rumen of zebu calves and buffalo calves. The animals were fed green oat continuously at 2 h intervals. [35S]sodium sulphate was fed to the animals for 5 days at 2 h intervals by mixing in the feed. On the sixth day the radioactive feed was stopped and replaced by non-radioactive feed. The decline in the specific radioactivity of bacterial cells in the rumen as a function of time was taken for calculatingt/2. Simultaneously rumen volume was determined and pool size of bacterial cells was calculated in the rumen. A mathematical equation was applied to calculate the production rates of bacteria. The production rates of bacteria, on average, were 100·5 and 72·3 mg/min for buffalo calves and zebu calves, respectively.
Effects of plant density, irrigation and potassium and sodium fertilizers on sugar beet: II. Influence of soil moisture and weather
Authors: Draycott A. P. , Durrant M. J. , Messem A. B. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe amount of soil moisture used by sugar beet was determined weekly between May and October (1970–2) in plots testing 18500 and 124000 plants/ha with and without irrigation. When leaves covered more than 60% of the ground (after mid-June with the large density and after mid-July with the small density) the crop used water at the potential transpiration rate even with soil moisture deficits on plots without irrigation of up to 170 mm. Therefore as irrigation greatly increased sugar yield in 1970 and 1972, it probably did not do so simply by satisfying the crop's water need.In 1970 irrigation appeared to act partly by decreasing the time taken to attain complete leaf cover but in 1972 irrigation had only a slight effect on leaf cover but greatly increased sugar yield, particularly of the large population. With little rainfall, the large density rapidly exhausted the available moisture from the plough layer. It seems likely therefore that irrigation increased yield by giving more leaf cover early and by improving nutrient supply but not by supplying extra water for transpiration.
Wool growth of pregnant and lactating Merino ewes
Authors: Oddy V. H. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe wool production of pregnant, lactating and non-pregnant, non-lactating (dry) Merino ewes eating one of three diets: chaffed oaten hay (OH), chaffed lucerne hay (LH), and a 50/50 (w/w) mixture of OH and LH, was determined. Measurements were made for 2 months prior to mating, during pregnancy and for 3 months after lambing, and for the dry ewes over the same period.Production of clean wool (Y, g/day) by dry ewes was linearly related to digestible organic matter intake (X, g/day):Y = 0·0301 X - 3·34, r = 0·97.Clean wool growth was significantly less (P < 0·01) than dry ewes in the 4th and 5th month of pregnancy and throughout lactation. During pregnancy the total deficit in clean wool growth (calculated as the difference between observed wool growth and that expected on the basis of the relationship between feed intake and clean wool growth of dry ewes) was 456 g for ewes bearing a single lamb and 578 g for those bearing twins, with no difference between diets. In lactation the total clean wool growth deficit increased as milk production increased, and for every litre of milk produced there was a deficit of 12 g clean wool.Wool fibre diameter was reduced during the 1st month of lactation. There was no consistent effect of pregnancy or lactation on the number of wool follicles per mm2, the ratio of primary plus secondary to primary wool follicles, or on the thickness of skin on the midside.Digestibility of dietary organic matter (DOM) was reduced during the last 3 months of pregnancy, and the first 2 months of lactation. However, this was insufficient to account for the magnitude of the decrease in wool growth seen during pregnancy and lactation.Wool sulphur content increased during pregnancy (P < 0·001), but not during lactation. The relationship between total plasma cyst(e)ine concentration and DOM intake during pregnancy was similar to that in dry ewes, but during lactation total plasma cyst(e)ine concentration was less than expected. It was calculated that during pregnancy the amount of sulphur saved through reduced wool growth was greater than that deposited in the conceptus, and during lactation the amount of sulphur saved in reduced wool growth matched that excreted as milk.These results are discussed in relation to control of wool growth during pregnancy and lactation.
Inheritance of resistance to leaf curl virus disease in a cross between tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and currant tomato (L. pimpinellifolium (Jusl.) Mill.)
Authors: Yassin T. E. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYInheritance of resistance to leaf curl disease in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) was studied in F1F2 and F3 generations in a cross between a cultivated tomato variety and a related wild species (L. pimpinellifolium). The wild species carries a dominant factor for resistance. Other useful variation was also observed in plant size, leaf characters and fruit size. The implications of these variabilities for tomato improvement are briefly discussed.
Effects of added 30 mg fluoride/1 drinking water given to pregnant ewes and their lambs upon physiology and wool growth
Authors: Wheeler Sally M. , Brock T. B. , Teasdale D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYTwo groups of pregnant ewes were given either 1 (control) or 31 (treatment) mg fluoride/1 drinking water. Weekly blood samples were tested for serum fluoride, haematocrit, T3, T4, cortisol, calcium and magnesium. At parturition, serum fluoride was measured in both ewes and lambs. Later, parallel blood and milk samples were taken from ewes and measured for fluoride. Weekly blood samples from the lambs were measured for the same variables, as well as serum phosphate, body weight, bone fluoride and wool production. Serum fluoride in control ewes ranged from 0·6 to 1·9 μmol/1 and in treatment ewes from 8·7 to 35·4/ μmol/1. At birth, serum fluoride of control lambs averaged 0·50 ± 0·042 μmol/1 and of treatment lambs 1·72 ± 0·167 μmol/1. In milk from the control group mean fluoride concentration was 7·11 ± 0·403 μmol/1, and from the treatment group 22·0 ± 1·48 μmol/1. No differences in haematocrit T3, T4, cortisol, calcium or magnesium of ewes were apparent during pregnancy. At birth, body weight of the treatment group lambs was reduced, and T3, calcium and magnesium increased. At 3–4 weeks mean bone fluoride of lambs was higher in the treatment group (580 ± 117 mg/kg) than the control group (105 ± 26·9 mg/kg). After 7 weeks there was an upward trend in serum phosphate of treated lambs, and their wool production (clean fleece weight) at 17 weeks was reduced by 18%, primarily because of decreased staple length.