bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of faba bean tannins on male broiler chicks: evaluation of hulls from white- and coloured-flowered cultivars and of near-isogenic lines
Authors: Wareham C. N. , Wiseman J. , Cole D. J. A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe hulls (seed coat) of tannin-free, white-flowered and tannin-containing, coloured-flowered faba beans (ViciafabaL.) were used in three experiments (1989–90) to investigate the effect of tannins on the apparent metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen retention (AMEN) and apparent metabolizable nitrogen (AMN) of broiler chick diets.In Experiment 1, the effects of four rates of hull inclusion from one white- and one colouredflowered cultivar (0, 28, 56 and 84 g/kg) on dietary AMENand AMN were studied. There was a significant response of AMENto hull inclusion rate (P <0·001) but no inclusion rate × cultivar interaction. For dietary AMN there was a significant effect of hull inclusion rate (P <0· 001) but no inclusion rate x cultivar interaction.Experiment 2 consisted of two parts. In both, the total concentration of hulls was 227 g/kg but the ratio of white- to coloured-flowered hulls was varied in five increments; initially over the range 0·42–16·58 g/kg dry matter (DM) and subsequently, with another cultivar, 0·44–7·85 g/kg DM. Synthetic lysine and methionine were added to ensure that the basal diet was not limiting in these amino acids. A significant effect of tannin intake on dietary AMENand AMN was detected across the greater range of tannin concentrations (P <0·001) but not across the smaller one.Experiment 3 evaluated three pairs of near-isogenic faba bean lines differing only in the gene governing tannin content and flower colour. Diets were formulated using three bean inclusion rates; 200, 400 and 600 g/kg. At each rate the white- and coloured-flowered lines were mixed in the ratios 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. The response in carcass nitrogen retention (CNR) to tannin intake was assessed at each bean inclusion rate and for each pair of lines.There was a significant effect of tannin intake on CNR in only one of the nine comparisons and in that case CNRincreasedas dietary content increased.It was concluded that faba bean tannins can have a negative effect on the dietary AMENand AMN for chicks when present at a sufficiently high dietary concentration. However, the highest dietary concentration of faba bean tannins in Expt 3 was 10·52 g/kg DM, giving a maximum daily intake of 1·03 g tannins for the two-bird experimental unit. At concentrations and intakes up to this there was no evidence to suggest that faba bean tannins had a significant adverse effect.
Genetic improvement in the yield of winter wheat: a further evaluation
Authors: Austin R. B. , Ford Margaret A. , Morgan C. L. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryField experiments comparing 13 winter wheat varieties representing very old, old, intermediate and modern groups were carried out over three seasons. The experimental sites were on soils of high fertility and weeds, diseases and pests were controlled by applications of proprietary agrochemicals. Lodging was prevented by supporting the plants with coarse-mesh netting.The average yield of all varieties over the three harvest years 1984, 1985 and 1986 was 7·7 t/ha (at 15% moisture content). Compared with the very old varieties which were grown by farmers during the 19th century, the modern varieties gave 59% more grain, had 14% more ears/m2 and 30% more grains per ear, but a similar mean grain mass. The modern varieties yielded slightly more biomass (total above-ground dry matter at harvest), were much shorter and reached anthesis about 6 days earlier than the older ones. In 1984, when the yields were greater than in 1985 and 1986, the yield advantage of the modern varieties was more in percentage and absolute terms than in the other years. Also, in 1984, the differences between the very old and the modern varieties in biomass was the greatest.The genetic gain in yield measured in these experiments is compared with those estimated for other countries and reasons for the variation are discussed.
Influence of dietary phosphorus on the performance of lactating dairy cattle
Authors: Brodison Jane A. , Goodall E. A. , Armstrong J. D. , Givens D. I. , Gordonh F. J. , McCaughey W. J. , Todd J. R. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryIn an experiment, carried out over 3 years, two groups of dairy cows offeredad libitumaccess to grass silage received 8 kg/day concentrate differing only in phosphorus content (low P concentrate: 4·0–4·5 g/kg dry matter (D.M.); high P concentrate: 6·0–6·5 g/kg D.M.) during the winter feeding period of approximately 6 months. During the summer period all animals were grazed together on perennial ryegrass pastures. There were no consistent significant effects of P content on any of the variables measured. The mean calving indices were 371 (S.E. = 3·71,n= 122) and 379 (S.E. = 4·28,n= 95) days and overall conception rates were 0·70 and 0·68 for the low and high P treatments, respectively. Mean plasma P concentrations during the winter period were significantly reduced (P > 0·01 or greater) in years 2 and 3 of the study on the low P treatment. In 1 year milk yield was significantly higher (P > 0·01) on the low P treatment although the fat content was significantly reduced (P > 0·05) but these effects were not recorded in the other 2 years.
Photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and ribulose diphosphate carboxylase activity in relation to yield in wheat genotypes
Authors: Murthy K. K. , Singh M. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryPhotosynthetic rates, chlorophyll content and activity of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase (RuDPC) were determined for 18 genotypes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in pot culture. Measurements were made at various growth stages. Correlation studies between physiological characteristics and seed yield were made at each stage separately.Genotypic variations were observed at different growth and developmental stages in photosynthetic rates (1·8–2·7-fold), chlorophyll contents (1·2-fold) and enzyme activities (2-fold). Chlorophyll content and enzymic activity increased in plant leaves with advancing age while apparent rates of photosynthesis decreased.RuDPC activity in flag leaf at anthesis showed significant positive correlation with grain yield (r = 0·55). Other attributes did not show significant association with grain yield.
Graphical assessment of intercropping methods
Authors: Pearce S. C. , Gilliver B. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryWhen experiments are conducted on two crops in association significance tests are available for judging whether treatments are having different effects or not. If, however, differences are established, it becomes necessary to assess the various treatments in agronomic, dietetic or economic terms. Graphical methods are here advanced to aid such assessment, special attention being given to (a) the stability of recommendations when the monetary or other values of the two crops change from season to season, (b) the measurement of yield advantage of mixtures over pure stands, and (c) the maximization of yield when it is desired to produce the two crops in specified proportions. The relationship to competition experiments is discussed.
The effect on earthworms of ploughing, tined cultivation, direct drilling and nitrogen in a barley monoculture system
Authors: Gerard B. M. , Hay R. K. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYDilute formalin was used to sample earthworm populations after the second (1969) and sixth (1973) harvests from a continuous barley experiment in which the cultivation treatments include deep (30 cm), normal ploughing (20 cm) and tined (three passes to 20 cm) cultivations and no tillage (direct drilling), at four nitrogen rates: 0, 50, 100 and 150 kgN/ha. Eight species of Lumbricidae were found, withAllolobophora chloroticaandA. longaco-dominant in both years, joined byA. caliginosain 1973.In 1969,Lumbricusspp., particularly largeLumbricus terreslris, tended to be more numerous in the untilled plots.In 1973, the total populations had increased by 170%, with 50–100% more earthworms in untilled than ploughed plots, one third more with 50 and 100 kg N/ha fertilizer than with no nitrogen, and one-third more in the slightly heavier sandy clay loam soil than the lighter loam.Most earthworm species reacted in the same way, and the reasons for any unusual reactions are discussed.
The estimation of the digestibility and metabolizable energy content of ruminant feedingstuffs from the gas production when they are incubated with rumen liquor in vitro
Authors: Menke K. H. , Raab L. , Salewski A. , Steingass H. , Fritz D. , Schneider W. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYA rapid method for measuring gas production during incubation of feedingstuffs with rumen liquor in vitro is described. Gas production in 24 h from 200 mg feed dry matter was well correlated with digestibility of organic matter, determined in vivo with sheep. Multiple regression analysis, when it included data from proximate analysis, resulted in an equation (R = 0·98) for prediction of metabolizable energy content, based on 30 experiments with rations varying in protein and crude fibre content, and 59 other experiments with concentrates. Energy content was in the range of 7·7–13·2 MJ ME/kg D.M. (± S.D. = 11·17 ± 1·08). The residual standard deviation of the equation was 0·25 MJ. Gas production was measured in calibrated syringes. The only chemical determinations needed are dry matter, protein and fat. Differences in activity between batches of rumen liquor are corrected by reference to gas production with standard feedingstuffs (hay meal and maize starch).
The effects of fluid sowing pre-germinated seeds and transplanting on emergence, growth and yield of outdoor bush tomatoes
Authors: Gray D. , Steckel Joyce R. A. , Ward J. A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYExperiments on outdoor bush tomatoes cv. Sleaford Abundance were conducted during 3 years to compare seedling establishment from fluid-sown pre-germinated seeds with that from conventionally sown dry seeds and to compare the effects on ripening and yields of these establishment methods with transplanting. Fluid-sown pre-germinated seeds emerged about 15 days earlier than conventionally sown dry seeds from sowings made in late April (mean soil temperature at seed depth from sowing to emergence ranged from 9 to 11.5 °C) and about 6 days earlier from sowings made in mid-May (mean soil temperature ranged from 12 to 15 °C). The percentage seedling emergence from pregerminated fluid-sown seeds was, on average, 57% from the earlier sowings and 65% from the later sowings, 34 and 24% higher, respectively, than from dry seeds sown conventionally. Plants from fluid-sown pre-germinated seeds were about 50% heavier than those from dry seeds at all stages of growth up to flowering. Crops established by fluidsowing started to ripen 7 days earlier than those established from dry seeds, when averaged over sowing dates and years. Yields of ripe marketable fruit > 35 mm in. size from crops established from pre-germinated seeds were 35·2 t/ha, averaged over sowing and planting dates, 37% higher than from dry seeds though 51% lower than from transplants. In the two years with good growing seasons crops fluid sown in late April gave as good yields as those transplanted in late May and early June, after the last frosts, though in the cool wet year yields from fluid-sown crops were considerably lower than those from transplanted crops. Yields of ripe, marketable fruit from ‘bare-root’ plants raised from pre-germinated seeds in unheated Dutch-light structures were, on average, 48·5 t/ha, 25% higher than from plants raised in soil blocks in a heated glasshouse.
An analysis of the effect of weed competition on growth and yield attributes in sorghum (Sorghum vulgare), cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) and green gram (Vigna aureus)
Authors: Enyi B. A. C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYIn each of the crops studied, weeding increased grain yield, weeding 2 weeks after sowing being better than weeding either four or eight weeks after sowing and weeding two and four weeks after sowing being better than weeding either two and eight weeks or four and eight weeks aftersowing. Weeding thrice (two, four and eight weeks after sowing) was significantly superior to all the other weeding treatments. Weeding increased leaf area index, dry weight of side and mainstem and number of mature pods at harvest in green gram and cowpeas. In sorghum, apart from increasing leaf area index, it also increased the length of ears and grain weight per unit lengthof ear. The weeding treatments affected grain yield in cowpeas and green gram due totheir influence on leaf area development, development of the main and side stems and on the number of mature pods produced at harvest. The effect of the weeding treatments on grain yield of sorghum was due to their influence on leaf area development, length of ear and grain weight perunit length of ear.
Intake, digestion and gastro-intestinal mean retention time in Asiatic buffaloes and Ayrshire cattle given two contrasting diets and housed at 20° and 33 °C
Authors: Mathers J. C. , Baber R. P. , Archibald R. F. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYFour adult (4·5–7 years old) swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)and four adult (4–5 years old) Ayrshire cattle (Bos taurus) were housed in climate chambers maintained at 20° or 33 °C and given ad libitum access to a medium-quality, complete pelleted diet (AA6) or a lower-quality pelleted diet of alkali-treated barley straw supplemented with urea, sulphur, minerals and vitamins (ATS). Using a balanced double cross-over design, each animal was studied at each temperature and whilst consuming each of the two diets in experimental periods lasting 20 days. On day 13 of each period, animals were given single doses of two nonabsorbable markers, and food intake and complete collections of faeces were measured for the remainder of the period. Blood samples were taken at the end of each period.Voluntary food intakes on a per kg body weight (W) or per kg W0·75 basis were significantly higher for the cattle than for the buffaloes, although this difference was reduced with the lower-quality diet and at the higher temperature. Cattle appeared to be more heat stressed at 33 °C than the buffaloes, but species had little effect on digestion or gastro-intestinal mean retention time. Calculations suggested that a greater proportion of digestion of ATS than of AA6 occurred postruminally.
Efficiency of neighbour analysis for replicated variety trials in Australia
Authors: Cullis B. R. , Gleeson A. C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYUse of a one-dimensional neighbour method of analysis in 1019 variety trials of a range of crops conducted by plant breeders in four states of Australia in 1985–87 resulted in an average reduction of 42% in variances of varietal yield differences compared with conventional randomized complete block analysis. Of these trials, 219 were designed as square, rectangular or generalized lattices and the average reduction in variances of varietal yields with incomplete block analysis and recovery of interblock information was 33%. The results emphasized that plots should be wide enough to avoid interplot competition, and that neighbour analysis is of most benefit in trials with short plots or when the field layout has many plots in a row.
Effects of irrigation, plant density and genotype on pollination, fertilization and seed development in spring field beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Stoddard F. L. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryIncidences of pollination and fertilization were determined and the development of seeds was monitored in spring beans over 2 years. Plant density was varied in the 1st year and irrigation in the 2nd. The incidences of pollination, fertilization and seed development were all independent of plant density. The proportion of ovules that developed as seeds was slightly enhanced in irrigated plots as losses from abortion and from lack of fertilization within fertilized ovaries were both reduced. Autofertility, or spontaneous self-pollination leading to fertilization, led to an increase in the overall incidence of fertilization. Three autofertile stocks were up to 11% more pollinated and fertilized than two partly autofertile ones which, in turn, were up to 20% more than two non-autofertile, long-podded stocks. A closed-flower population was 30% less fertilized than the long pods and was insufficiently autofertile to allow an adequate number of pods to set on the lower flowering nodes. Three stocks, one autofertile, one with terminal inflorescences (ti) and the third with both characters, were subject to particularly high losses of fertilized ovules from abortion, 27–35%, while few ovules, 12% or less, aborted in closed flowers and long pods. Failure of seeds to mature in long pods was associated primarily with the low proportion of ovules fertilized within fertilized flowers, rather than with abortion of the fertilized ovules.
Seasonal patterns of energy allocation to basal metabolism, activity and production for livestock in a nomadic pastoral ecosystem
Authors: Coppock D. L. , Swift D. M. , Ellis J. E. , Galvin K. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryEnergy budgets and estimates of forage intake requirements were developed for adult camels, cattle, sheep, and goats managed by nomads in the arid Turkana District of north-western Kenya. The estimates were developed by combining our field data on livestock activity patterns, diet quality, weight changes and milk yields with literature based estimates of the associated costs and efficiencies. On an annual basis, the average animal walked 17 km/day and had a total metabolizable energy (ME) allocation of 47% for basal metabolism, 16% for travel, 14% for other activities, and 23% for production. Season and species influenced patterns of energy demand and allocation. Average daily ME requirements ranged from 8·7 MJ (sheep) to 76·7 MJ (camels). ME demand for all species peaked during wet (April-May) or early-to mid-dry periods (June-October), and decreased considerably in the late-dry season (November-March). In the wet season the average sheep or goat allocated 45% of its ME budget to production of milk and gain, followed by cattle (36%) and camels (25%). All species were more similar in ME allocation for production during the late-dry season (7–13%; all to lactation), yet patterns of weight loss during this time indicated that camels experienced the lowest degree of negative energy balance. On an annual basis, camel budgets were the most deviant, as they allocated relatively more ME to activity and relatively less to basal metabolism or weight gain. Estimates of forage dry-matter intakes (per unit live weight per day) ranged from 3·8% (cattle, camels) to 4·6% (sheep, goats) throughout the year, and intakes declined for most species by an average of 50% from the wet to late-dry intervals. This approach has revealed ecological differences among livestock species that help explain the utility of multi-species holdings in this system.
Photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence and drought tolerance in different durum wheat (Triticum durum) cultivars
Authors: Flagella Z. , Pastore D. , Campanile R. G. , Fonzo N. Di 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to identify a fluorescence parameter whose estimate could be used reliably for a drought tolerance test in durum wheat (Triticum durum). Twenty-five cultivars were grown in a glasshouse over two seasons (1987/88 and 1988/89) at Foggia, Southern Italy. Photochemical and non-photochemical quenching (qQ and qE), the half time of fluorescence decay (tP½) and the initial slope of fluorescence decay (ISPS) were measured on control and dehydrated pre-darkened excised leaves; qQ and qE were measured twice: first at 14 s after actinic illumination and second at the steady state.No great difference in qQ and qE was apparent between control and dehydrated leaves at the steady state; however, at 14 s after illumination there was a decrease in qQ and in ISPS and an increase in tP½ in dehydrated leaves. The predictive capability of fluorescence parameters was assessed by comparison with a yield-based drought susceptibility index (DSI). The percentage decrease in qQ at 14 s showed the highest correlation with DSI (r = 0·75, significant at P < 0·001), so it may be considered a good indicator of drought tolerance in durum wheat. Results obtained at different developmental stages with different fluorescence levels (Fo, P and Fm) and parameters (qQ, qE and tP½) indicated that for maximum reliability the test must be applied at the vegetative phase.
Concentration and availability to sheep of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na in chickweed, dandelion, dock, ribwort and spurrey, compared with perennial ryegrass
Authors: Wilman D. , Derrick R. W. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrate, N, nitrate-N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na were determined in six plant species: chickweed (Stellaria media (L.) Vill.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber), dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.), ribwort (Plantago lanceolata L.), spurrey (Spergula arvensis L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Field crops of these species were grown at Aberystwyth in 1985,1986 and 1987. In 1985 and 1986 the rumen contents and faeces of lambs fed artificially dried diets of the different species were analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. The intake, apparent availability and, in 1986, retention of each element by the lambs on each diet were calculated.The results illustrate the potential of dicotyledonous species to extend the range of concentration of some major elements beyond that normally found in temperate grasses. Chickweed was particularly high in P and K, dandelion in K and Mg, dock in Mg, ribwort in Ca and spurrey in Mg and Na. The apparent availability of the elements studied was as high in chickweed, dandelion and spurrey as in ryegrass. The apparent availability of N and P was lower in dock and ribwort than in ryegrass, possibly due to heat damage during drying. All five dicotyledonous species had a higher Mg concentration in herbage than ryegrass (c. 70% higher, on average) and all led to a higher Mg concentration in rumen contents than ryegrass (c. 70% higher, on average). Retention of Mg was three times as great, on average, in sheep fed dicotyledonous diets as in sheep fed ryegrass. The concentration of water-soluble carbohydrate was lower in the dicotyledonous species than in ryegrass. The concentration of nitrate-N was rather high in ribwort when harvested at a leafy stage in October. Dock was moderately low in nitrate-N, despite a rather high concentration of total N.
The pattern of reproductive development and the leafiness of spring and early summer regrowths in two contrasting varieties of ryegrass
Authors: Davies Ieuan 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYEarly stages in the development of reproductive tillers of S. 24 and S. 23 perennial ryegrass are described. The pattern of development of the stem apex and of the unemerged leaves present at the time of floral initiation is traced up to the time when internode extension results in the elevation of the stem apices above the level of defoliation. If tillers with stems about 10 cm long, or more, escape damage to the stem apex during defoliation, the regrowth may be expected to deteriorate rapidly in leafiness, since at this stage there are few or no unemerged leaves. Tillers with 3–4 cm stems generally bear 1–2 unemerged leaves, and hence the regrowth is more leafy.For a given stem length apical development was slightly more advanced in S. 24 than in S. 23. Consideration is given to selection methods to be used in breeding for leafy regrowths in springtime.