bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genotypic variation in inflorescence length in Phleum pratense
Authors: Bean E. W. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYMeasurement of the variation in reproductive characters between genotypes of Phleum pratense showed that inflorescence length had a significant variance and was correlated with seed yield/plant. Genotypes with the longer inflorescences showed a quicker response to a long photoperiod and had a longer period of inflorescence development, and there was an indication that selection for increased inflorescence length might affect the production of leaves. A genetic analysis of a 6 x 6 half diallel cross showed that additive and non-additive effects were evident in the control of inflorescence length under natural conditions, but the non-additive effects were almost entirely suppressed under glasshouse conditions.
The digestibility and acceptability to sheep of chopped or milled barley straw soaked or sprayed with alkali
Authors: Carmona J. Fernandez , Greenhalgh J. F. D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe main objective of the experiments described was to compare the effects of milling straw and/or soaking or spraying it with sodium hydroxide on its digestibility and acceptability to sheep. Some preliminary trials were made in the laboratory to compare different alkali treatments with respect to losses of organic matter, chemical composition and digestibility in vitro.In a feeding trial of Latin-square design, involving six sheep, the following treatments of barley straw were compared: C, chopped; M, coarsely-milled; OIL, chopped and soaked in 1·5% NaOH (9 g NaOH/100 g straw); CIH, chopped and soaked in 3·0% NaOH (18 g/100 g straw); CS, chopped and sprayed with 16 % NaOH (8 g/100 g straw); MS, milled and sprayed with 16 % NaOH. After treatments OIL and CIH the straw was washed; this caused losses of organic matter of 28 and 32%, respectively. For CS and CM the excess NaOH was neutralized by addition of 7·4 ml propionic acid/100 g straw.The straws were given with supplements of purified soya protein, minerals and vitamins. The digestibility of energy for the straw was (%): C, 40·4; M, 39·1; CIL, 65·0; CIH, 64·4; CS, 57·3; MS, 60·2. Dry-matter intake (g/kg W0·75 per day) was: C, 26·7; M, 36·2; CIL, 37·1; CIH, 44·2; CS, 48·4; MS 53·6.
Response by sugar beet to potassium and sodium fertilizers, particularly in relation to soils containing little exchangeable potassium
Authors: Draycott A. P. , Durrant M. J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryTwenty experiments between 1970 and 1974 tested the effect of spring applications of all combinations of five amounts of potassium (0–333 kg K/ha) and two amounts of sodium (0, 150 kg Na/ha) on sugar-beet yield, profitability and the amount of K and Na in the crop in mid-summer. The experiments were in commercial sugar-beet crops where soils contained little exchangeable potassium, most having less than 100 mg K/l in top soil. On average, sugar yield was greatest when 150 kg Na/ha plus 167 kg K was used, the fertilizer increasing yield by 0·71 t/ha. Response to this combination of K and Na fertilizers was 1·45, 0·57 and 0·22 t sugar/ha when the soil contained less than 60, 61–120 and more than 120 mg K/l respectively.From results of earlier experiments, it was thought that response to even a large amount of K without Na would be less than to Na without K because usually there is insufficient rainfall in the spring for maximum response to K. In fact, 333 kg K/ha increased yield by about the same amount as Na, probably because a large proportion of these experiments were made in wetter-than-average springs.The concentration of K in dried tops and roots in mid-summer increased linearly with soils containing from 40 to 120 mg K/l but when there was more K in the soil the concentration of K in the plants did not increase further. By contrast, the concentration of Na in plants did not reach a similar plateau. Whole plants in mid-summer contained between 128 and 251 kg K/ha and 42–102 kg Na/ha, depending on the fertilizer treatment. Recovery of applied K varied from 90% when small amounts were used on fields containing least K to about 20% when large amounts were given on fields containing moderate amounts. Recovery of Na varied from about 50 to 23%.The comparison of the financial return from using K alone or K plus Na showed that Na was essential for maximum profit. On average, the most profitable dressing of K gave a return of £14/ha whereas K plus Na gave up to £46/ha. On fields with least K, the corresponding results were £50 and £115/ha respectively. In relation to soil K, the most profitable application was 150 kg Na/ha plus about 150 kg K/ha on soils with 60 mg K/l or less, and 150 kg Na/ha plus about 75 kg K/ha on most other soils.
Suppression of couch grass by Italian ryegrass and broad red clover undersown in barley and field beans
Authors: Dyke G. V. , Barnard A. J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryFour annual experiments were carried out on the control of couch grass by undersowing barley and field beans with Italian ryegrass and broad red clover. Pieces of couch grass rhizome 15 cm long were planted in the plots in spring and lifted in late autumn. Couch grass grew more under beans than under barley. Undersowing lessened the growth by a factor of two under barley and by a larger factor under beans, although the total amount of couch lifted from under beans was greater than under barley. Undersowing spring cereals can appreciably retard the spread of couch grass and prevent its rapid spread after harvest if cultivation or spraying is delayed.
Seasonality in wool growth under semi-arid conditions
Authors: Elsherbiny A. A. , Markotić B. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryWool samples from 49 ewes representing four breeds of sheep, Ossimi, Rahmani, Barki and Merino were used to study the seasonal variation in wool growth. The first three breeds are of the local carpet-wool types of Egypt.Consistent differences were found between breeds in diameter and length of fibres (i.e. genetic effects). These effects were not modified by the environment (i.e. time of year) although the latter had different effects on diameter than on length. Medullation, however, was not consistent from breed to breed in all seasons (i.e. there was genotype x environment interaction). It is concluded that seasonality in wool growth exists under the semi-arid conditions of Egypt in local breeds but to a lesser extent in imported Merino sheep.
Effects of feeding diets containing Crotalaria retusa L. seed to broiler chickens
Authors: Ross A. J. , Tucker J. W. 
Published: March 2009

SummarySeeds of the plant Crotalaria retusa L., containing 4·4% of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline, were fed in a finely ground form to broiler chickens at 0·005, 0·01, 0·05, 0·10 and 0·50% by weight of the diet continuously for 8 weeks.Feeding 0·005% and 0·01% had no effect on the growth performance of the birds. A non-significant reduction in live-weight gain, one death and chronic disease resulted from feeding 0·05%. At 0·10% and 0·50% there was high mortality and reduced voluntary feed intake, live-weight gain and feed conversion efficiency, the severity of the response being greater at 0·50%.Feather development was inhibited in birds fed 0·10% and 0·50% C. retusa seed.Until further research is done to determine the effect of feeding between 0·01% and 0·05% ground C. retusa seed in the diet of broiler chickens, it is suggested that the maximum should be 0·01%.
The response of dairy cows grazing a nitrogen fertilized grass pasture to a supplement of protected casein
Authors: Stobbs T. H. , Minson D. J. , McLeod M. N. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryTwenty-one Jersey cows in their 6th–8th week of lactation grazed Chloris gayana pastures fertilized with nitrogen and were treated in three ways, no casein (control), casein (1 kg/cow/day) or formal-casein (1 kg/cow/day) in seven 3 x 3 Latin squares to measure the effect of protein protection on milk yield and milk composition. Additional animals fitted with oesophageal and rumen fistulae were used to determine composition of the diet selected and rumen characteristics on three treatments.Cows ingested herbage containing 20% crude protein with a protein solubility of 40%. The untreated casein supplement increased milk yield by 3%, fat 5% and protein 2·4%. Formal-casein produced 20% (3·3 kg/day) more milk than the control, a 13% higher yield of butterfat and 27% more protein. Rumen ammonia concentrations in the afternoon were similar for the control and formal-casein supplemented cows (21 and 23mg/100ml) but significantly higher when casein was fed (74 mg/100 ml) indicating extensive deamination of the untreated protein.Yields of C4–C16 fatty acids in milk fat were 8 and 21% higher for the casein and formal-casein treatments than for the controls, which together with the higher live weight of formal-casein supplemented cows indicated that the milk yield response to the protein supplements was mainly due to a higher daily intake of herbage.
A colorimetric technique using chromium-ethylene diamine tetra acetate for measuring rumen volume
Authors: El-Shazly K. , Ahmed E. I. A. , Naga M. A. , Borhami B. E. A. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA method is described for the determination of rumen volume using Cr-EDTA colour measurement in a spectrophotometer at 550 nm. The results of several determinations of rumen volume comparing this method with Cr-determination as chromate and polyethylene glycol as markers gave similar values with differences ranging from 1 to 14% with an average of 6%. Direct measurements through evacuating rumen contents gave values 20·68% higher than those estimated by the colour method. The values were similar when corrected for dry matter.
Effect of plant spacing and soil application of aldicarb on nitrogen fixation by spring-sown field beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Witty J. F. , Roughley R. J. , Day J. M. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryVicia faba cv. Minden was precision planted at densities of 12–100 plants/m2 in 1977 and 30–60 plants/m2 in 1978 with and without seed-bed applications of aldicarb (10 kg/ha).Nitrogenase activity per plant decreased significantly with increased plant density but this was compensated for on an area basis by increased numbers of plants. When expressed on the basis of area, nitrogenase activity was higher with closely, than with widely spaced plants both early and late in the season. Irrespective of planting density nitrogenase activity reached a peak during vegetative growth of the plant and a second peak during rapid pod and seed development. In 1977 the second peak was interrupted by very dry soil conditions but later activity increased following rain.Aldicarb consistently increased nitrogenase activity at all harvests after Sitona damage to the nodules was evident. Over this period plots treated with aldicarb had twice the nitrogenase activity of untreated plots in 1977 and 55% more in 1978.
Yield, nutrient concentration and quality of mustard crops as influenced by nitrogen and sulphur fertilizers
Authors: Aulakh M. S. , Pasricha N. S. , Sahota N. S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryField experiments were made for 3 years (1975–8) on soils deficient in both available N and S to test the effects of these nutrients applied as fertilizers on yellow mustard (Brassica campestris L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.).In all the 3 years, grain yield of both mustard crops significantly increased with increased N rates. The grain response to added S was not consistently significant, however; maximum yields were obtained only when high rates of N and S were applied together. N and S fertilizer significantly increased the concentration and uptake (kg/ha) of N and S in grain, and there was a significant positive N × S interaction. Adequate N/S ratio appears to be 7·5:1 or less for the grain of these mustard crops. Protein content of grain improved markedly with applied N and S. Application of 60 kg S/ha increased the oil content by 12% in yellow mustard and 16% in mustard. Although N had little effect on percentage oil, total oil production increased many fold. The combined application of N and S had the largest effect in determining the concentration and uptake of N and S, and on protein and oil content in grain. This study indicated that additions of 60 kg S/ha to mustard crops receiving adequate fertilizer N are likely to improve their yield and quality.
Nigrosin eosin as a stain for differentiating live and dead spermatozoa
Authors: Campbell R. C. , Dott H. M. , Glover T. D. 
Published: March 2009

1. The proportion of stained spermatozoa in a ram semen-nigrosin-eosin mixture has been found to increase with the time of exposure to the stain. Five minutes is considered to be a suitable interval for practical use.2. The value obtained for the proportion of dead cells can be considerably affected by the selection of fields that are easy to count; fields should be chosen at random.3. The variation between, counts on the same smear is much larger than that expected for binomial proportions. This may be due partly to the ‘clumping’ of the dead spermatozoa and partly to the difficulties of interpretation caused by the presence of many partially stained cells.4. A significant difference was found between the estimates of the proportion dead obtained by the two experimental workers; this is thought to be due to a difference of interpretation of ‘stained’ and ‘unstained’.5. Tables are given by which to determine the approximate accuracy of counts made on a range of numbers of spermatozoa, smears and subsamples, separate tables being necessary for ram, boar and bull semen.
Winter feeding of the in-lamb ewe
Authors: Large R. V. , Alder F. E. , Spedding C. R. W. 
Published: March 2009

1. Three winter feeding experiments (1954–57) were carried out using small flocks of Border Leicester x Cheviot ewes tupped by a Suffolk ram.2. The feeds used were various combinations of (a) silage, (b) hay, (c) ‘winter grass’, and (d)concentrates. Their value in late pregnancy was compared in terms of performance of the ewe and the birth weight of the lambs.3. In addition, in one year (1956–57) the effect of level of nutrition in early pregnancy and during the first 28 days of lactation was studied.4. It was found that ‘winter grass’ could replace silage and hay where a concentrate ration was being fed.5. Satisfactory results were obtained with a concentrate ration of ⅜ lb. per head per day rising to ¾ lb. per head per day by lambing time.6. In the mild winter of 1956–57 a group of ewes produced normal healthy lambs when fed entirely on ‘winter grass’ during the latter half of pregnancy.7. The intensity of grazing of the ewes in early pregnancy affected their live-weight gain, but this seemed to have little effect on lamb production.8. A high plane of nutrition during early lactation resulted in a significantly greater live-weight gain of lambs over this period. The difference had been reduced to a non-significant level by mid-June.9. None of the treatments imposed had any very marked effect on the nematode egg-output of the ewes.
A note on the adaptability of native and cross-bred sheep to hot summer conditions of semi-arid and arid areas
Authors: Singh Manohar , More T. , Rai A. K. , Karim S. A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYRelative adaptability of Chokla and Rambouillet × Chokla half-breds was compared by observing their responses on exposure to summer stress for 6 days and also under accentuated stress by deprivation of drinking water till the animals lost 30% of their body weight. Responses of both the breed groups were similar on 6 days exposure. Accentuated summer stress resulted in decreased feed intake followed by 15, 26 and 31% loss in body weight on 1st, 2nd and 3rd day of exposure, respectively. Progressive decline in faecal moisture, increase in rectal temperature and decrease in morning respiration rate were also noted in both the breeds while an increase in pulse rate was recorded only in the cross-breds. Increase in respiratory or pulse rate for unit rise in rectal temperature was found to be higher in the cross-breds. On accentuated thermal stress, haematocrit values were higher in the cross-breds and blood potassium concentration was higher in the Chokla while blood glucose decreased in both the groups. Under the conditions of short-term exposure to summer stress the cross-breds maintained homoeothermy as well as the Chokla.
Selection of bulls for artificial breeding on basis of semen storage characteristics
Authors: Probine M. C. , McCabe W. J. , Shannon P. 
Published: March 2009

1. Analysis of spring mating data in 1955 indicated that the fall in conception rate associated with the use of older semen was a serious problem.2. The fall in conception rate in 1955 was more marked in bulls of below average conception rate than in those with above average conception rate.3. Results for groups used in two successive years indicate that this decline is highly repeatable.4. Bulls which have ‘good keeping quality’ semen can be selected on the records of a previous season. Where there is no previous record, it has been shown that an individual can be classified as a ‘good keeper’ or a ‘poor keeper’ by measuring the fructolysis index of the semen on the day after collection. If the fructolysis index is above some minimum figure (1·05 mg. fructose/hr./109 sperm has been adopted in this case for second-day semen), the bull can be used for delayed inseminations with good prospects of success.5. The best method of classification would appear to be: (i) initial classification by fructolysis index; (ii) subsequent rejection of bulls of low fertility in this group after fertility records are available.
The effect of lime and phosphate on soils and sown species in the Falkland Islands
Authors: McAdam J. H. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYExperiments to determine the effects of a range of applied lime and phosphate treatments on the establishment of species and the subsequent herbage production in the first and second seasons following sowing on four sites in the Falkland Islands are described and the results discussed.Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata, Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis established, successfully yielding up to 4·5 t D.M./ha per year with inputs of 55 kg N, 50 kg P and 20 kg K/ha. Applied P increased the yield of herbage and produced a small, though significant, increase in P status of the soil.The lowest level of applied lime (0·63 t/ha) increased the soil pH to 5·0 and although this did not affect the yield or botanical composition of the grass component of the sward it did affect the presence and nodulation of white clover.The problems of establishing white clover are presented in view of the severe limitations on the use of lime and fertilizer in the Islands. The implications of grazing this improved pasture are discussed in relation to increased pasture production and improved soil fertility.
The use of internal markers to estimate herbage digestibility and intake: 1. Potentially indigestible cellulose and acid insoluble ash
Authors: Penning P. D. , Johnson R. H. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYConcentrations of potentially indigestible cellulose (PIC) and acid insoluble ash (AIA) were determined in samples of feed and faeces in a study to determine their value as internal markers. PIC and AIA were then used to predict the organic-matter digestibilities (OMD) of samples of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and lucerne (Medicago sativa)of known OMD which had been determined using wether sheep. The mean values for OMD (%) measured in vivo were 67·2 and 62·8 for ryegrass and 58·0 and 55·8 for lucerne at intakes of 15 and 25 g D.M./kg live weight, respectively.The in vitro digestibility technique, using rumen liquor, gave OMD values of 69·5 and 57·4 for ryegrass and lucerne which are in close agreement with the in vivo values at the lower level of intake.The mean differences between OMD measured in vivo and that estimated using PIC were: -1·1 (± 0·65) and -1·6 (± 0·46) percentage units for ryegrass and lucerne respectively, and using AIA were: -1·4 (± 0·57) and -3·5 (± 1·61).For the two feeds tested, OMD was predicted more precisely by PIC than by AIA or the in vitro digestibility technique. However, the PIC technique required the use of rumen-fistulated animals and 10 days to digest samples of faeces; this may make the technique impractical if large numbers of determinations of PIC are required.
Effects of NaCl and NaHCO3 on food intake, growth rate and acid-base balance in calves
Authors: Kellaway R. C. , Thomson D. J. , Beever D. E. , Osbourn D. F. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYCalves were reared on milk replacer up to 5 weeks of age and given ad libitum access to pellets and chopped straw from 1 to 10 weeks of age. Major ingredients of the pellets were ground barley (B) or ground barley and grass meal in a 6:4 ratio (G). Included in these two basal diets were NaCl or NaHCO3, each at 2, 11, 20 or 29 g Na/kg D.M.Calves on G diets ate more than those on B diets but grew at a similar rate. The replacement value of grass meal for ground barley was 1·36:1. Most responses to Na inclusions were unaffected by the basal diets.Before weaning there were linear increases in food intake and growth rate related to Na level in the diet. At 29 g Na/kg D.M., total D.M. intake/kg0.75 and growth rate were respectively 31 and 23% greater than at 2 g Na/kg D.M. After weaning there were differential responses to the two salts. With NaHC03 there were linear increases in food intake and growth rate up to 20 g Na/kg D.M., at which level total D.M. intake/kg0.75 and growth rate were respectively 36 and 44% greater than at 2 g Na/kg D.M. With NaCl the only significant response was that total D.M. intake at 11 g Na/kg D.M. was 16% higher than at 2 g Na/kg D.M.Observations on acid-base balance and water intake indicated that inclusions of NaCl or NaHCO3 up to 20 g Na/kg D.M. were well tolerated by calves. Above this level there was a sharp increase in water intake, and with NaHCO3 there was a large base excess and high pH in the blood.
Effects of molybdenum concentration in fresh herbage, hay and semi-purified diets on the copper metabolism of sheep
Authors: Suttle N. F. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYIn Expt 1, four groups of seven hypocupraemic ewes were repleted with a semipurified diet containing 7·2 mg Cu, 3·5 gS and 0·5, 2·5, 4·5 or 8·5 mg Mo/kg D.M. as ammonium molybdate for 65 days. The first increment in Mo caused the largest reduction in plasma Cu repletion and the second completely inhibited repletion but the final increment led to a partial recovery. The highest Mo level caused marked increases in plasma Mo and reduced rumen sulphide concentrations.In Expt 2, five groups of four hypocupraemic ewes were repleted with hays containing 7–8 mg Cu, 3–3·4 g S and 0·4, 2·8, 4·3, 14·2 or 18·7 mg Mo/kg D.M. for 21 days. The hays were made in June from pasture sprayed earlier with 0–800 g Mo/ha as sodium molybdate. Qualitatively the changes in plasma Cu distribution and Mo content showed the same curvature with increases in dietary Mo as those in Expt 1.In Expt 3, four groups of five hypocupraemic ewes were repleted on pastures which had received a spring foliar dressing of 0–800 g Mo/ha. Herbage in the four plots was grazed in July, when it contained 0·7, 3·5, 5·9 or 12·4 mg Mo, 6'4 mg Cu and 2·7 g S/kg D.M. and again in September. Quadratic responses to Mo were demonstrated on both occasions, but, for a given Mo level, responses in caeruloplasmin synthesis were much lower than in Expt 2.It is concluded that Cu absorption is inhibited most by 4–6 mg Mo/kg D.M. and that inhibition of S2- production at higher Mo levels may give rise to a recovery in Cu absorption. Semi-purified diets give responses which lie roughly between those for fresh herbage and hay.