bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of seed type and colour with establishment, yield and seed quality in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Authors: Knights E. J. , Mailer R. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYUsing closely related inbred lines, the effects of selecting for two contrasting seed types (desi and kabuli) and colours (brown and white) were determined for a number of agronomic and seed characters in chickpea. Plant establishment was 53% higher in desi types than in kabuli types, and 20% higher in brown-seeded lines than in white-seeded lines. Increased contents of tannins in testas of brown seeds were associated with the seed colour response, whereas the difference in establishment between desi and kabuli types was probably a function of the thicker desi testa. Differences in yield due to seed type and colour reflected differences in establishment, but were smaller in magnitude.Seed type was clearly associated with testa fraction and fibre content. Desi seeds averaged 15·7% testa and 13·2% acid detergent fibre, but kabuli seeds contained only 6·7% testa and 5·6% fibre. In contrast, the crude protein content of kabuli seeds was 1·4 percentage points higher than that of desi seeds. Testa and fibre contents of brown kabuli seeds were significantly greater than those of white kabuli seeds, although the differences were smaller than those between desi and kabuli types.Decortication was satisfactory for white desi seeds, but for white kabuli seeds it gave rise to highly fragmented cotyledons which were often contaminated with attached testa. Brown kabuli seeds produced a sample of intermediate quality. It is suggested that, with some genetic improvements and processing refinements, brown kabuli genotypes could be developed as dual-purpose chickpeas, having both culinary and stockfeed uses.
Effects of row spacing and the control of pests and pathogens on four cultivars of spring-sown field beans (Vicia faba)
Authors: McEwen J. , Yeoman D. P. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYExperiments in 1986–88 compared the spring field bean cultivars Alfred, Minden, Ticol and Troy, grown on clay-with-flints soil at Rothamsted, at row spacings of 12 and 48 cm, and compared two pest and pathogen control programmes based on (i) ‘standard’ control of Ascochyta fabae, Ditylenchus dipsaci and seed-borne viruses and (ii) ‘enhanced’ control of Sitona lineatus, bean leaf roll virus via the vector Acyrthosiphon pisum, Botrytis fabae and Uromyces viciae-fabae in addition to the pests and pathogens in the ‘standard’ control.With standard control, Minden had the largest mean seed yield of 4·6 t/ha; with enhanced control, Alfred was best with 6·1 t/ha.The yield benefits of enhanced control ranged from 0·2 t/ha on Ticol in 1986 to 2·4 t/ha on Alfred in 1988. They were related to the control of weevils (S. lineatus), chocolate spot (B. fabae) and rust (U. viciae-fabae). At 1989 prices, the cost of materials used for enhanced control would be repaid by a yield increase of 0·3 t/ha.The closer row spacing increased yields by 0·15 t/ha on average but effects differed greatly between years. Benefits were largest in 1986 when plants were shortest and in that year were largest for the shorter cultivars.It is suggested that trials of field bean cultivars should always include a test of pest and pathogen control.
Tolerance of chloride and sulphate salinity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Authors: Manchanda H. R. , Sharma S. K. 
Published: March 2009

Chickpea is the most important pulse crop of the arid and semi-arid areas. In India, it is cultivated during winter, depending on soil moisture stored from the preceding summer rain, which is often inadequate to ensure a satisfactory crop.In most such areas, saline ground water is the only source of supplementary irrigation to which chickpea, like other pulses, is highly sensitive (Maas & Hoffman 1977). Field observations indicate (Manchandaet al.1981) that chickpea is more sensitive to chloridedominated than to sulphate-dominated saline water irrigation. Since most saline ground water and saline soils are dominated by chloride or sulphate salts, this study evaluated the effects of these salts on the yield and mineral composition of chickpea at different electrical conductivities. (ECe).
Surveys of sugar-beet seed crops, mangold clamps and weedsin England for aphids and viruses, 1963–73
Authors: Heathcote G. D. , Byford W. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe annual patterns of infestation of sugar-beet root and seed crops by green aphids (Myzus persicae) and by black aphids (Aphis fabae) were similar, paralleling population changes shown by catches on sticky traps in southern England, but the incidence of yellows in root crops was not correlated with incidence in seed crops in the same year. Few green aphids overwintered on beet-seed plants and the incidence of yellows was consistently low in the main seed-growing areas where all the stecklings are raised under cereal cover crops. Elsewhere, yellows sometimes spread in the autumn and many green aphids occasionally overwintered. Black aphids were seldom prevalent; the severity of attack correlated with the number of eggs laid on spindle (Euonymus europaeus) during the previous autumn.Twenty-two per cent of mangold clamps checked in mid-April contained aphids, but only about 5 % contained M. persicae. Seventeen per cent of the infested clamps contained aphids infective with BMYV and 10% contained aphids infective with BYV. However, the acreage of mangolds grown in England has decreased.Myzus ascalonicus overwintered on weeds more often than M. persicae or other species likely to act as vectors of viruses affecting sugar beet. Forty per cent of samples of some common weeds collected from sheltered sites during mid-April from 1963 to 1973 were infested with aphids, and those on chickweed (Stellaria media), groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) were commonly infective with yellowing viruses. Weeds are probably a major source of yellowing viruses in southern England.
Luteolytic effect of prostaglandin F2α in Boran and Boran × Friesian cross-bred heifers
Authors: Mutiga E. R. , Mukasa-Mugerwa E. , Azage T. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe luteolytic effect of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) during the confirmed luteal phase of the oestrous cycle was evaluated in ten Boran and ten Boran × Friesian cross-bred heifers. Following injection with 25 mg Lutalyse, animals were bled every 6 h for 96 h and plasma progesterone (P4) determined by the ELISA technique. Borans had significantly (P < 0·05) smaller corpora lutea (12·01±0·72 ν. 17·03±2·10 mm) and responded faster to PGF2α injection (65·57±1·40 ν. 78·27±2·18 h) than the cross-bred heifers. However, there was no significant difference in either the initial P4 values (6.24±0·98 ν. 8·00±1·71 ng/ml) or the rate of its decline following PGF2α injection between the two breeds. Values declined sharply to basal levels (11% of the initial pretreatment values) within 48 h in both breeds. All ten cross-breds and eight Borans showed standing oestrus within a week of treatment. However, oestrus was better synchronized (P < 0·05) in Borans than cross-breds. It was concluded that PGF2α is effective for oestrus synchronization in both breeds, but oestrus occurred earlier and was more precise in Borans than in cross-breds.
Seasonality of oestrus and ovulation in Corriedale ewes: repeatabilites and phenotypic correlations
Authors: Iglesias R. M. Rodriguez , Irazoqui H. , Ciccioli N. H. , Giglioli C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYOestrus and ovulation data from 104 adult Corriedale ewes, recorded daily from February 1988 to May 1990 in Argentina, were analysed to estimate repeatabilities of and phenotypic correlations between onset and cessation of the breeding season, duration of the anoestrus and ovulation rate.The repeatability of dates of onset and cessation of the breeding season and duration of the anoestrus was 0·48±0·080, 0·49±0·075 and 0·50±0·081, respectively.The duration of the anoestrus was significantly correlated both with onset (r = 0·24; P < 0·05) and with cessation (r = –0·47; P < 0·01) of the previous and subsequent breeding seasons, respectively.There was no correlation between dates of onset and cessation of the breeding or non-breeding seasons.Repeatability estimates of ovulation rate were 0·27 ± 0·034, 0·34 ± 0·081 and 0·43 ± 0·094 using the normal, logit and probit scales, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between ovulation rate and the components of the breeding and non-breeding seasons were all non-significant.
Grain yield, biomass and leaf area of triticale in response to sowing date and cutting stage in three contrasting Mediterranean environments
Authors: Ramos J. M. , Moral L. F. García del , Boujenna A. , Serra J. , Insa J. A. , Royo C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe effects of sowing date and cutting stage on grain yield, biomass and leaf area were analysed in three spring triticale genotypes (× Triticosecale Wittmack) grown at three different sites in Spain during 1990/91. Results indicated that the most appropriate sowing date for grain yield in these environments seemed to be from the last 10 days in November to mid-December. Cutting reduced grain yield, biomass and leaf area at anthesis, and these decreases were greater in a drier environment (the only exception being cutting at Zadoks growth stage (GS)31 at Lleida), and when the cutting was done at GS31 rather than GS30. The significant relationships found between the percentage loss in grain yield and biomass and leaf area at anthesis after cutting suggest that genotypes intended for grain and forage production need to be able to regenerate leaf area rapidly after cutting.
N, P and K on organic farms: herbage and cereal production, purchases and sales
Authors: Fowler S. M. , Watson C. A. , Wilman D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYYields of dry matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in herbage and cereals from fields representing different stages of the rotation were recorded on two organic farms in 2 years. Amounts of N, P and K purchased and sold were also recorded on these farms.Some additional data was obtained from three other organic farms. Herbage production was very satisfactory, whether fields were grazed or cut. The proportion of clover in sown swards was, in most cases, satisfactory to high, but the clover content was very low in a few fields. The yields of cereals were about equal to or below the average obtained on farms using fertilizer and other agrochemical inputs. Manure was normally applied to the leys, which were the fertility-building part of the rotation, rather than to the cereal crops. Leaching of K from manure heaps was considerable.Purchases of N, P and K (mainly in manure) seemed excessive on one of the farms. On one of the farms studied in less detail, less P and K were purchased than were sold. More attention could be given to the balance between purchases and sales of N, P and K and to the efficient conversion of N into saleable produce.
Effect of plant population density on dry matter partitioning and yield in a short-duration cultivar of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) grown in the tropics
Authors: Craufurd P. Q. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAn erect, 60-day cultivar of cowpea, IT84S–2246, was grown with adequate soil moisture at two locations in Nigeria in 1990/91, Ibadan (7° N) and Kano (12° N), contrasting in total incident radiation (Q) and at plant population densities of 1·9–7·7 and 5·4–16·3 plants/m2, respectively. Leaf area, radiation interception and dry matter (DM) accumulation and partitioning were measured. Total shoot and seed dry weights were greater at Kano (mean 4·10 and 1·61 t/ha, respectively) than at Ibadan (mean 1·89 and 0·68 t/ha, respectively), and greater athigher plant densities. Relationships between the reciprocal of total shoot (Wt) and seed dry weight (Ws) per plant and plant population density (Np) determined at Kano and Ibadan were linear and parallel; intercepts, however, were significantly different (P< 0·005). The theoretical maximum potential Wt and Ws per unit area (i.e. 1/b) was therefore the same at Kano and at Ibadan, 448 and 170 g/m2, respectively. However, the optimum Npat Kano and Ibadan was markedly different,c.10 and 40 plants/m2, respectively. These differences in the relations between DM yields and Npat Kano and Ibadan are examined in terms of leaf area, radiation interception and the partitioning coefficient, and the implications for the design of other agronomic investigations in cowpea are discussed.
Soil surface moisture measurement and its influence on the establishment of three oversown legume species
Authors: Awan M. H. , Barker D. J. , Kemp P. D. , Choudhary M. A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYSoil surface moisture is a dominant factor influencing the establishment of surface sown seed, but its measurement is difficult. A cobalt chloride (CoCl2) saturated paper strip (20×5 mm) technique was developed as a cheap but sensitive indicator of soil surface moisture. The influence of soil surface moisture on the seedling survival of three oversown legume species, subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Karridale), strawberry clover (T.fragiferum L. cv. Grasslands Onward) and Caucasian clover (T. ambiguum Bieb. cv. Monaro) was investigated in a glasshouse and a field experiment at Palmerston North, New Zealand, between 1 October and 30 November 1993. Intact sods were sprayed with glyphosate, placed in plastic trays (420×300×50 mm) and transferred to the glasshouse or field. Three soil surface moisture treatments were imposed in the glasshouse. In the field trial, the plastic trays were buried flush with the soil surface in contact with the subsoil and exposed to natural wind and rainfall. Bare seed was oversown in a 20 × 20 mm grid and then pushed into the soil with a roller studded with metal rods to simulate treading by sheep. The low soil surface moisture treatment and the field trial had the lowest seedling survival. The main cause for this was low surface moisture caused by wind, which hindered radicle entry into the soil. Subterranean clover was less susceptible to low surface moisture and had better net seedling survival in all the treatments than the other two legume species.
Growth, yield performance and market quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) as affected by cropping season in southern Sierra Leone
Authors: Sesay A. , Yarmah A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYTraditionally, only one groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) crop is grown in the uplands during the rainy season (May-October) in Sierra Leone, with sowing starting at the beginning of the rains. However, a recent trend among groundnut farmers is to sow a second crop in September after harvesting the first crop. Thus a system comprising a first (major) and a second (minor) cropping season is being adopted, with the second season crop having to depend largely on moisture stored in the soil. Experiments were conducted in 1993 at the Institute of Agricultural Research Experimental Farm, Njala, to assess the agronomic potential of growing two crops a year. Crop phenology, growth and productivity were strongly influenced by cropping season. Pod yield ranged from 1·63 to 2·58 and from 1·16 to 1·95 t ha-1 in the major season, declining to 0·72–1·29 and 0·57—1·07 t ha-1 in the minor season. Haulm yield, number of mature pods, crop growth rate and partitioning were lower in the minor season by 58, 57, 40 and 13%, respectively. However, kernel quality was higher in the minor season. The results suggest that the growing of two groundnut crops in the uplands is a potentially viable management option in Sierra Leone, and could represent a more efficient utilization of the growing period.
Simulation of digestion in cattle fed sugarcane: prediction of nutrient supply for milk production with locally available supplements
Authors: Dijkstra J. , France J. , Assis A. G. , Neal H. D. St. C. , Campos O. F. , Aroeira L. J. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYA previously described model of digestion in cattle fed sugarcane diets was applied to predict nutrient supply to the host animal from dietary intake, to indicate pre-experimentally the suitability of various supplements to enhance the milk production of dairy cattle in the tropics fed sugarcane–based diets. Potential milk production was calculated according to simulated energy and lipogenic, glucogenic and aminogenic nutrient availability. The addition of small amounts of urea (10 g/kg sugarcane fresh weight) improved microbial efficiency and degradation of substrates in the rumen, but further increases could only be achieved by supplements containing rumen degradable protein. The simulated level of absorbed amino acids was low in comparison with the level of absorbed energy and glucogenic substrates. This low amino acid availability was the factor most limiting milk production on sugarcane diets and supplements which increase the amino acid availability in the gastrointestinal tract are recommended. At increasing supplementation or intake levels, and once amino acid requirements were met, an increased absorption of energy and long chain fatty acids could enhance milk production. These suggestions should be evaluated experimentally in order to improve the model and ultimately, to result in an improved system to evaluate feeds, based on the supply and utilization of individual substrates.
Effect of species composition and sward structure on the ingestive behaviour of cattle and sheep grazing South African sourveld
Authors: O'Reagain P. J. , Goetsch B. C. , Owen-Smith R. N. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe effects of species composition and sward structure on the ingestive behaviour of cattle and sheep grazing a mesic, low quality grassland in South Africa were investigated over the 1990–93 grazing seasons. Species composition had a significant (P < 0·05) effect on sheep bite size and on cattle and sheep bite rates but had no effect on dry matter intake rate (IR). Species composition could, however, affect IR over longer grazing periods than those used in the experiment.Sward structure had a major effect on ingestive behaviour. Cattle and sheep bite rates and cattle grazing time, were negatively correlated (P < 0·05) with plant height but positively correlated (P < 0·05) with sward greenness. Bite size and hence IR in cattle and sheep were strongly correlated (P < 0·001) with plant height. Cattle IR increased from 6 to 20g/min over the range of heights encountered and appeared to reach an asymptote at a plant height of 20–25 cm. Sheep IR, expressed per unit of body mass, increased from 0·01 to an asymptote or maximum of 0·13 g/min/kg at plant heights of 10–15 cm. For sheep there was evidence of a non-asymptotic functional response at some sites with IR being maximized at certain sward heights but declining thereafter. This suggests the possible existence of a third, quality dimension to the functional response on these low-quality grasslands.
Differences between related grasses, times of year and plant parts in digestibility and chemical composition
Authors: Wilman D. , Gao Y. , Altimimi M. A. K. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYTrue dry matter digestibility, proportion of cell content, digestibility of cell wall, N and water-soluble carbohydrate were determined in eight related grasses in February, June and September in each of three years. In a separate experiment, true dry matter digestibility, proportion of cell content and digestibility of cell wall were determined in five plant parts of vegetative tillers of two grasses in February, April, June, August, October and December in each of two years.Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was the most digestible grass and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and Westerwolds ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumvar.Westerwoldicum) were the least digestible. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) was high in proportion of cell content, but not in digestibility of cell wall. Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) was high in digestibility of cell wall, but low in proportion of cell content. Perennial ryegrass and hybrid ryegrass were high, and tall fescue low, in both proportion of cell content and digestibility of cell wall. Ryegrasses were lower than fescues in concentration of N and higher than the fescues in water-soluble carbohydrate; ryegrass × meadow fescue hybrids were intermediate between the parent species in N and watersoluble carbohydrate.Grass sampled in June and August was lower in both proportion of cell content and digestibility of cell wall than grass sampled at cooler times of year. Grass sampled in February was high in proportion of cell content and N, intermediate to high in digestibility of cell wall and intermediate in water-soluble carbohydrate.Expanding leaf blades of perennial and Italian ryegrass were higher than expanded blades and sheaths in digestibility of cell wall and similar to expanded blades and higher than sheaths in proportion of cell content. Cell wall was less digestible in the tip than in the middle and basal portions of expanded leaf blades.
Some properties of l-chloro-2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene linked glutathione S-transferase in dichlorvos resistant and susceptible strains of cotton aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Owusu E. O. , Horiike M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYEffects of temperature, hydrogen ion and substrate concentrations on conjugation of l-chloro-2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene by glutathione S-transferase from susceptible and dichlorvos-resistant strains of cotton aphid (Aphis gossypiiGlover (Homoptera: Aphididae)) were evaluated. Enzymes from both strains had common optimum temperature and substrate concentration values of 30 °C and 10 mM respectively. Also, while enzyme activity of the susceptible strain peaked at pH 7·2, that of the resistant strain showed complete linear dependency up to pH 8·0. Of four subcellular fractions, the 100 000gsupernatant (soluble fraction) gave the highest enzyme activity in both phosphate and Tris/HCl buffers. There was no linear relationship between insecticide application frequency and production of enzyme activity in the susceptible strain but there was a very high positive correlation between these two parameters in the resistant strain.
An analysis of the agronomic, economic and environmental effects of applying N fertilizer to sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris)
Authors: Allison M. F. , Armstrong M. J. , Jaggard K. W. , Todd A. D. , Milford G. F. J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe effects of different rates of N fertilizer (0–180 kg N/ha) were tested on the growth, yield and processing quality of sugarbeet in 34 field experiments in England between 1986 and 1988. The experiments were performed using soil types, locations and management systems that were representative of the commercial beet crop in the UK. The responses obtained showed that current recommendations for N fertilizer use are broadly correct, but large differences occurred on some soil types, in some years, between the recommended amounts and the experimentally determined optima for yield. The divergence was largest when organic manures had been applied in the autumn before the beet crop. Calculations using a simple nitrate-leaching model showed that much of the N in the manures was likely to be leached, the extent of leaching being much less if the manure application was delayed until spring. In these circumstances, spring measurement of inorganic mineral N in the soil could improve fertilizer recommendations. In situations where higher than optimum rates of fertilizer N were used, the extra N had little effect on yield. Increasing the rate from 0 to 180 kg N/ha increased the amount of nitrate left in the soil at harvest by only 8 kg N/ha. The amount of inorganic N released into the soil from crop residues at harvest increased by 50 kg N/ha with N application rate, and the fate of this N has not been established.