bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oestrous activity in three subtropical sheep breeds in Upper Egypt and response to long-day light treatment
Authors: Aboul-Naga A. M. , Mansour H. , Aboul-Ela M. B. , Mousa M. T. , Hassan Ferial , El-Hommosi F. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYOestrous activity in local Rahmani and Ossimi sheep and imported subtropical Awassi sheep at different times of the year in Upper Egypt and the effect of continuous exposure to long-day conditions from July till December on this activity was studied in 1986. The three breeds differed substantially in oestrous activity but differences did not seem to be directly related to latitude of origin. Rahmani ewes from the Nile Delta were mostly cyclic all year round; the percentage coming to oestrus each month never fell below 70%. Ossimi ewes originating from mid-Egypt had a very long breeding season; 74% had an anoestrous period of 68·8 days (v. 27% for Rahmani ewes). All Awassi ewes, except one, had an anoestrous period of 96·5 days on average.Awassi ewes also showed more response to continuous exposure to long days (14 h) than Ossimi ewes, seen in a shorter reaction interval and a greater decrease in the percentage of ewes coming into oestrus (27 and 90% in control and treated Awassi ewes, respectively). The results indicated that changes in daylength, although small in subtropical regions, may be a major factor controlling seasonal changes in reproductive activity in subtropical sheep breeds, the more seasonal breed being more responsive to changes in daylength. The possibility of selection within these breeds for continuous reproductive activity is also indicated.
Factors influencing disease resistance in high and low tannin Vicia faba
Authors: Kantar F. , Hebblethwaite P. D. , Pilbeam C. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe in vitro resistance of five white and four coloured-flowered lines and cultivars of Vicia faba to seed and root inoculation with spore suspensions of the pathogenic soil-borne fungi, Fusarium culmorum and Pythium debaryanum, was investigated under aseptic conditions in the UK. The presence of foliar diseases was also assessed in the field in 1989/90. White-flowered lines were more susceptible than coloured genotypes to fungal infection during germination but equally resistant during seedling growth. High-tannin containing seed coats had chemical and physical properties which protected seeds against fungal infection during germination. Frequent cracking of the seed coat in a zero-tannin line was associated with a greater fungal contamination of seeds. Resistance to the foliar diseases Uromyces viciae-fabae and Botrytis fabae was not related to flower colour. The results are discussed in relation to emergence in white-flowered types.
Comparative performance of Omani goats and sheep
Authors: Al-Nakib F. M. S. , Al-Shukaily E. S. S. , Al-Hanai S. S. S. , Al-Nabhani S. A. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAs part of a long-term breeding programme aimed at improving the performance of Omani goats and sheep, a 3-year performance trial was carried out between 1991 and 1993 to evaluate the reproductive and productive performance of three breeds of goat: Batinah (BT), Dhofari (DH) and Jabal Akhdar (JA), and one breed of local Omani sheep. In each year, flushing started on 1 September, mating started on 1 October and terminated on 15 November, and the kidding/lambing season started on average on 1 March. Kids and lambs were weaned at c. 3 months of age, then put on a 3-month performance test, fed on concentrates ad libitum and Rhodes grass hay. Some 3706 dam and 3011 progeny performance records were available over a 3-year period from 1991 to 1993. Ewes were lighter in body weight and lower in litter size weaned but higher in fertility than the does. Although the lambs had lighter birth weights, they were heavier at weaning and at 6 months of age. Among the goats, the DH does had lighter body weight but higher litter size weaned than both the BT and the JA goats. DH kids were somewhat lighter at birth, weaning and 6-month body weights than the other two breeds but had higher survival.The sheep had higher output per ewe exposed (3·28 kg, 33%) and per ewe lambed (3·27 kg, 26%) and were 35% more efficient in production than the goats. Although the DH goats had a lower output per doe exposed than the BT and JA goats (0·9 kg, 9 % and 0·76 kg, 7% respectively) and per doe kidded (1·11 kg, 9% and 1·29 kg, 10%), they had higher efficiency of production than both BT (0·05 units, 6%) and JA (0·11 units, 14%).In view of these results, attention should be paid to the sheep industry through the introduction of promotion schemes. The DH goats would be even more useful if involved in a crossbreeding scheme and the JA goats would benefit from selection for maternal care.
Effects of sowing date and planting density on the structure and yield of autumn-sown, florally-determinate white lupins (Lupinus albus) in the United Kingdom
Authors: Shield I. , Stevenson H. J. , Leach J. E. , Scott T. , Day J. M. , Milford G. F. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe effects of varying the sowing date (early September-late October) and plant density (14–70 seeds/m2) on the establishment, overwinter survival, structure and yield of an autumn-sown, florallydeterminate line (CH304/70) of the white lupin (Lupinus albus) were examined in three contrasting growing seasons between 1991 and 1994. Crops established well when sown in early September and were sufficiently cold-hardy to survive prolonged and extremely severe early winter frosts, but crops sown in late October either lost many plants or were destroyed completely. There was a strong interaction between sowing date and autumn weather on crop structure and yield. Late sowing and cold autumn weather restricted the number of mainstem leaves and first-order lateral branches on the plant, and decreased plant height and yield potential.Despite considerable differences between years in the weather during the summer and autumn, all crops were harvested in early September. Grain yields ranged from 0·3 to 4·5 t/ha depending on season, sowing date and plant density. Yields were strongly correlated with the number of podbearing axes and pods per m2 and, although actual yields differed depending on growing conditions, the same number of pod-bearing axes (100/m2) was required in each year to achieve maximum yield. The effects of sowing date and autumn weather on plant structure were well predicted by a simple developmental model that related vernalization and leaf development to post-sowing temperature.
Food intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation in reindeer fed baled timothy silage in summer and winter
Authors: Aagnes T. H. , Blix A. S. , Mathiesen S. D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYReindeer calves(Rangifer tarandus tarandus) were used in parallel feeding trials with two different qualities of round-bale timothy silage in September 1992 (summer) and April 1993 (winter) in northern Norway, to determine the effect of season on their food intake and ability to utilize silage of different fibre contents. The silages were prepared from first-cut (FC) and regrowth (RG) timothy. The FC silage contained (on a dry matter (DM) basis) 12·3% crude protein, 30·4% cellulose and 6·2% water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), whereas the RG silage contained 14·3% crude protein, 18·7% cellulose and 30·0% WSC. For each trial, six male calves were taken directly from a natural range and divided into two groups of three animals. One group was offered FC silage and one RG silagead libitum, for 46 days. Mean daily DM food intake (g/kg liveweight) was not significantly different in summer compared to winter(P> 0·05), but significantly higher in the animals fed RG silage compared to the animals fed FC silage (P< 0·0001). The apparent digestibility coefficient of DM was high for both silages both in summer and winter, ranging from 74·4 to 86·6%. However, the digestibility in winter was significantly higher than in summer(P< 0·002) and the digestibility of RG silage was higher than that of the FC silage (P< 0·009). The ruminal VFA concentration was significantly higher in winter than in summer (P< 0·03) and in the animals fed RG silage (range 55·3–104·9 mM) compared to the animals fed FC silage (range 35·2–61·7 mM) (P< 0·002). In spite of the high digestibility of both the FC and RG silages, the nitrogen balance was significantly higher in the animals in winter compared to summer(P< 0·0001) and in the animals fed RG silage compared to the animals fed FC silage(P< 0·0001). Thus, utilization of grass silage in reindeer appears to be influenced both by season and by plant quality.
Effects of temperature, wind speed and air humidity on ammonia volatilization from surface applied cattle slurry
Authors: Sommer S. G. , Olesen J. E. , Christensen B. T. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAmmonia losses from surface-applied cattle slurry were measured under field conditions using a wind tunnel system that allows variables affecting ammonia loss to be examined under controlled conditions. The experiments were carried out on a sandy soil with seven different surface covers. This report considers the effect of wind speed, temperature and water vapour deficit on the ammonia loss over a series of 6-day periods. During October 1986 to November 1989 42 treatments were examined, using slurries taken from the same slurry tank to provide slurries of similar chemical composition.When temperatures were near zero, the rate of ammonia loss was generally low. The accumulated loss over 6 days was high, however, because the rate of loss was constant throughout the period. In these experiments the soil was saturated with water and partly frozen, and the infiltration of slurry into the soil reduced. At 19 °C initial loss rates were high but, after 12 h, almost no further loss occurred. Apart from these extremes, the ammonia loss rates within the initial 24 h were significantly affected by temperature and wind speed.Ammonia volatilization after 6 h was exponentially related to temperature (r2 = 0·841) but the correlation weakened with time after slurry application. An increase in ammonia volatilization with increasing water vapour pressure deficit was considered to be an effect of temperature.The ammonia loss rate increased when wind speeds increased up to 2·5 m/s. No consistent increase in ammonia volatilization was found when the wind speed increased from 2·5 to 4 m/s. Ammonia loss after 24 h increased with increasing initial pH of the slurry.A two-stage pattern for ammonia volatilization from slurry is proposed. During the first stage (the initial 24 h) ammonia loss rate is high due to an elevated pH at the slurry surface followingv application, and temperature significantly affects the loss rate. In the next stage, pH declines and the rate of ammonia volatilization decreases. During this stage other factors, including the dry matter content of the slurry, control the rate of ammonia loss.
Yield performance of field beans (Vicia faba L.) in relation to interactions between inflorescences at different nodes
Authors: Aufhammer W. , Götz Isabella , Peter Maria 
Published: March 2009

SummaryCompetitive and regulatory effects of defined inflorescences on the development of other inflorescences and subsequent yield performance of field beans (Vicia faba L.) were investigated. Genotypes differing greatly in yield performance (two inbred lines and the F1 hybrid produced from the two inbred lines) were used in both field and pot experiments. Yield was manipulated by the removal of defined inflorescences at various times and positions.In comparison with untreated control plants the removal of up to four inflorescences from basal, central or apical nodes caused a loss of yield potential of up to 65%. Nevertheless the final seed yield per plant was not reduced. This was because additional pods and seeds developed at remaining inflorescences. After the removal of inflorescences from either basal or apical regions of the plant significant overcompensation effects occurred. The effects were influenced by the growing conditions. The capacity for compensation existed at differing yielding levels regardless of different genotypes or growing conditions.The results are discussed with respect to the utilization of the initiated yield potential and to yield reliability.
Management of fertilizer nitrogen for direct-sown, rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Panda D. , Samantaray R. N. , Patnaik S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryField experiments were conducted in wet seasons (June-December) for 4 years on a clay loam Haplaquept, to study the effects of different N management practices on yield, urea and ammonium-N in flood water and N nutrition of an clite rice cv. CR 1009, grown in rainfed lowlands. During the first 3 years of the experiment, fertilizer management practices like band placement of neem-cake-coated urea (NCU), broadcast application of sulphur-coated urea (SCU) at sowing, or point placement of urea supergranules (USG) 3 weeks after germination at 40 kg N/ha gave grain yields of 3·1–3·4 t·ha, which were almost equal to that of split application of prilled urea (PU). In the 4th year of the experiment, besides NCU and USG, single dose applications of PU as band placement, incorporation in the soil at sowing or broadcast incorporation of soil-treated urea at early tillering was also found to have similar effect on grain yield and N uptake as split application of PU. The flood water of the treatment receiving broadcast application of PU at tillering contained some urea and ammonium N, which rapidly decreased to negligible amounts in 3·4 days.The results suggest that, depending upon the feasibility, any one of the single dose application methods at sowing time or 3 weeks after germination may be adopted in this system of rice culture, which avoids top-dressing of PU to surface flowing flood water of greater depths at later stages of crop growth.
The chemical effect of the addition of a “spreader” to the mixed lime sulphur-lead arsenate spray
Authors: Goodwin W. , Martin H. 
Published: March 2009

1. The addition of casein to the mixed lime sulphur-lead arsenate spray causes:(a) an increase in the amount of soluble arsenic formed on the decomposition of the spray,(b) no change in the reactions of the polysulphide sulphur.2. The addition of lime to the spray:(a) decreases the formation of soluble arsenical compounds,(b) reduces the fungicidal value of the spray owing to its reaction with the sulphur liberated from the calcium sulphide.3. The addition of lime-casein to the mixed spray is influenced by the composition of the lime-casein.If much free lime is present:(a) the formation of soluble arsenic is dependent on external conditions which in certain cases tend to decrease the amount of soluble arsenic formed,(b) the fungicidal value of the spray is reduced as in 2 (b).If slight excess of lime is present, or if the sample has badly carbonated:(a) the amount of soluble arsenic is increased,(b) there is little effect on the reaction of the polysulphide sulphur.4. The addition of gelatine to the spray:(a) increases the formation of soluble arsenic,(b) has no effect on the reaction of the calcium sulphide.5. The rate of decomposition of the mixed spray is retarded by the addition of casein, lime, lime-casein and gelatine.
Studies in soil cultivation: IX. The effect of inter-row tillage on the yield of potatoes
Authors: Pereira H. C. 
Published: March 2009

The experiments conducted at Ottershaw Park in the years 1937, 1938 and 1939 indicate that for a well-drained sandy loam, under a considerable range of moisture-supply conditions, main-crop potatoes do not respond in the absence of weeds to ridging-up, or to deep or frequent inter-row grubbings, by any increase in yield or in the percentage of ware. The crop showed successful powers of adaptation to a range of contrasting inter-row tillage treatments.The potato crop showed considerable sensitivity to weed competition in the early stages of growth. This indicates that it is of great importance to maintain the crop in a weed-free condition during this early period.Inter-row tillage operations on this type of soil should, therefore, be designed to destroy weeds and to provide moderate cover for the tubers. Intensification of such tillage beyond these limits is not of direct benefit to the plants.No moisture-conservation effect of any importance was produced by a 3 in. soil mulch during dry weather, even when the water-table lay within 4 ft. from the surface.A significant upward movement of water from the water-table to the surface soil was observed, but this was limited to a vertical distance of approximately 4 ft. for the soil type described. Beyond this limit the surface soil was apparently unaffected by the depth of the water-table.These results may not be applicable to heavier soil types. It is probable, however, that they would hold good for most sandy loams.The results indicate the desirability of carrying out further experiments on contrasting British soil types, especially in the important potato-growing areas.
Barley response to nitrogen rate and timing in a Mediterranean environment
Authors: Ramos J. M. , De La Morena I. , Garcia Del Moral L. F. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYNitrogen is an important factor determining grain yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Optimal rates and application timing can vary according to the environmental conditions under which the crop is grown. For 8 years (1979–86) barley yield, tillering, and leaf-area response to N application rates and timing were studied in southern Spain. The results showed that, under our experimental conditions, the most advantageous N rate for grain yield was 60 kg/ha, either split equally between sowing and tillering, or else with the greater proportion applied at tillering. Nitrogen applied at sowing increased number of tillers per plant, and N applied at tillering favoured tiller survival for later spike formation. In addition, N applied at tillering increased the number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant, and the leaf area index, the maximum value of which occurred at anthesis.
Influence of the leaf curling plum aphid (Brachycaudus helichrysi) on stem diameter, seed yield, and their relationship, in sunflower
Authors: Lerin J. , Badenhausser I. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe leaf-curling plum aphid (Brachycaudus helichrysi Kalt.) is one of the main pests of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Europe. Yield losses were assessed in open field conditions and natural infestations over a 3-year period in Central West France. Plant variability and the choice of the more vigorous plants by aphids in open field conditions were two factors interfering with the experiments. To improve their sensitivity and to correct for biases without expanding the experimental design, an analysis of covariance was the best compromise. Field and cage experiments were conducted between 1985 and 1989 to assess the influence of aphids on the relationship between stem diameter at harvest and seed yield. As an indicator of plant vigour (size and yield), stem diameter at harvest was the best choice, as neither its relationship with seed yield nor its mean value was affected by aphid infestation. It was then used as a covariate to study yield losses. Aphid populations were quantified weekly from the beginning to the end of the infestations according to the leaf-curling symptom and to the number of aphids per plant. Multivariate analyses followed by cluster analysis identified groups of plants displaying similar infestation dynamics. It was found that when aphid populations reached > 100 per plant at the budding stage, yield losses occurred. When populations were < 100 aphids per plant at the budding stage and then decreased, no yield loss was observed. This gives growers ample time to monitor populations and treat crops.
Utilization of fish protein hydrolysates in milk substitutes for lambs
Authors: Soliman H. S. , Ørskov E. R. , Mackie I. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYMale and female (Suffolk × (Finnish Landraee × Dorset Horn)) lambs were used in three experiments to examine the replacement of milk by undried and dried fish protein hydrolysates (FPH), a mixture of lard and coconut fat, and partially hydrolysed starch (Protamyl 110). The animals received the experimental diets from 1 week of age in Expts 1 and 2, and from 4 weeks of age in Expt 3. They were given the diets in eight equal feeds (i.e. every 3 h) from an automated teat bar system. The level of feeding was 1·046 MJ/kg0−76/day. Experiments 1 and 2 lasted for 35 days, during which live-weight gain and food conversion ratios were recorded and at the end the digestibility of N, dry matter and starch was determined. Experiment 3 consisted of three small digestibility trials.In Expt 1, the replacement of milk protein with undried FPH and of milk fat with lard plus coconut fat had no significant effects on live-weight gain, food conversion ratio or nutrient digestibility. Somewhat lower gains for the lambs given the FPH than those given milk protein were observed during the first 15 days of the experiment. Apparent digestibility of milk protein and milk fat was 95 and 99% while that of PFH and lard plus coconut fat was 94 and 96% respectively. The replacement of milk fat with lard and coconut fat caused some reduction in live-weight gains and nutrient digestibility. Lactose was completely replaced by protamyl both in diets based on milk protein or FPH with no effect on live-weight gains or food conversion ratio.Apparent digestibility of fish protein was not affected by the drying process. Fat digestibility of diets containing undried or dried FPH ranged from 46 to 98% according to the type of emulsifier used. The results are discussed in relation to published data concerning the problems associated with the use of fish protein in milk replacers.
The feed intake and grazing behaviour of cattle grazing a crop of Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai
Authors: Hendricksen R. , Minson D. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYEating behaviour and the diet selected by cattle progressively defoliating a crop of Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai were measured in three periods each of 12 days. Crop composition during defoliation was recorded.At the beginning of grazing the crop contained 2230 kg green leaf/ha but after 12 days' grazing the crop contained only 300 kg/ha. In the first 6 days cattle selected a diet which contained 85% green leaf but after 12 days' grazing the selected diet contained only 17% green leaf. As available leaf declined, grazing time increased from 465 min on day 1 to 685 on day 6 before declining to 490 min on day 12. Maximum grazing time occurred with a green leaf yield of 1185 kg/ha. The number of eating bites increased from 26000 to 44500 between days 1 and 6 and then declined to 30000 after 12 days' grazing. Grazing time and the number of eating bites were significantly correlated (r = 0·99).Bite size declined from 410 mg organic matter (OM)/bite on day 1 to 90 mg OM/bite on day 12. This decrease in bite size caused a linear decline (927 g/day) in estimated organic-matter intake. The rapid decline in bite size and intake was caused by the reduction in the quantity of leaf per unit area and the lack of desire of cattle to eat stem.It was concluded that the desire of cattle to select leaf is so strong that stem yield should be largely disregarded when considering Rongai as a grazing crop.