bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water requirements of African goats and haired-sheep
Authors: Maloiy G. M. O. , Taylor C. R. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA number of species of desert-dwelling ungulates (e.g. Grant's gazelle and oryx) can apparently survive desert conditions without drinking. We were interested in finding out whether goats and sheep herded in the arid Northern Frontier Region of Kenya utilized the same physiological strategies for reducing water requirements as the wild ungulates.Using simulated desert conditions (12 h per day at22 °C alternating with 12 hper day at 40 °C) we found: (a) both goats and sheep used water amounting to about 8% of their body weight per day when water was available ad libitum; and (b) this was reduced to about half (or 4% body weight per day) when the water intake was restricted.Evaporation was the major avenue of water loss under all experimental conditions. It was reduced from over 6% of body weight per day to about 3% in the simulated desert by restricting water intake.Restricting water intake had no effect on the temperature regulation of goats and sheep as had been observed in the wild desert-dwelling ungulates.It would appear that African goats and haired-sheep lack the physiological mechanisms and are not free to utilize the behavioural mechanisms involved in freeing wild desert-dwelling ungulates from their dependence on drinking water.
The effect of application rate of chemical herbicides on weed control and yield in early potatoes
Authors: Eddowes Maurice 
Published: March 2009

SummaryIn a series of field experiments from 1966 to 1969, on light sandy loam soils in the West Midlands, comparisons were made between two levels of application of herbicides based on urea, triazine and bipyridil compounds for weed control in early potatoes.Under conditions of adequate nutrient and water supply, the high application rate controlled about 94%, and the low application rate about 88% of the annual weeds. At equivalent application rates, urea compounds and herbicide mixtures containing ureas, gave superior weed control to triazine compounds and herbicide mixtures containing triazines, but the ureas were apparently more phytotoxic to the potatoes.In 1970, comparisons were made between three levels of application of ametryne and monolinuron, high, medium and low and an unsprayed control treatment.The highest yields of potatoes were associated with the low application rates of herbicides from 1966 to 1970.It was concluded that, on these light sandy loam soils, when irrigation is available, relatively low application rates of either monolinuron or ametryne, or mixtures of ureas or of triazines, or mixtures of bipyridils and ureas or triazines could give adequate control of annual weeds in early potatoes at low cost.
Recovery and utilization of applied nitrogen by a diallel set of progenies of Lolium perenne L.
Authors: Thomson A. J. , Rogers H. H. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYFive selected clones of Lolium perenne were selfed and the ten possible diallel crosses, without reciprocals, made. The progenies were grown in a split-plot design in which whole plots comprised the four nitrogen rates (0, 225, 450 and 675 kg/ha of N) and sub-plots the fifteen progenies, square planted at 0·25 m.The percentage of the applied nitrogen recovered, and the utilization of the nitrogen by the plant, were measured. Data were collected from four harvests in each of two consecutive years. The diallel was analysed by Griffing's (1956) Method II, Model II.There were significant effects for nitrogen rates, progenies and their interaction for both ‘recovery’ and ‘utilization’, but years were significantly different for ‘recovery’ only. The effect of applied nitrogen was mainly linear and it was the linear effect of applied nitrogen which interacted most with the progeny effects.Significant g.c.a. and s.c.a. effects were found but they varied between nitrogen rates and years. For ‘utilization’ the interaction nitrogen rates x g.c.a. was significant on two year means but there was no significance for the nitrogen interaction with s.c.a. The g.c.a. values obtained for both parameters did reveal some trends between the five parents.The presence of significant additive and non-additive genetic variation is discussed in relation to a plant breeding programme.
Developmental characteristics of grass varieties in relation to their herbage production: 1. An analysis of high-digestibility varieties of Dactylis glomerata at three stages of development
Authors: Davies I. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryTwo cocksfoot varieties, Be 6394 and Be 6392, selected for high in vitro digestibility (IVD) were compared with S. 37 under sward conditions. The pattern of extension growth in reproductive tillers, the associated changes in N and water-soluble carbohydrates content (WSC), and IVD of individual plant organs were studied.Ten days after the mean date of head emergence, the most digestible plant organs were the leaf blades and the inflorescences; the lower internodes had the lowest IVD. At the mature hay stage the ranking was leaf blades > upper sheaths > inflorescence > lower internodes > upper internodes. At each stage N content was highest in the upper portions of the reproductive tiller, whilst the highest WSC content was found in the basal internodes.After completion of extension growth in the lower three of the five or six internodes which showed appreciable extension at flowering, there were markedly greater increments in weight per unit length in Be 6394 and Be 6392 than in S. 37. The WSC content of the stem was higher in Be 6394 and Be 6392 than in S. 37. The IVD of the lower internodes declined more rapidly in S. 37 than in Be 6394 and Be 6392.Results are discussed in relation to formulating a model for improved nutritive quality in conservation crops, and in relation to the height of harvesting such crops.
Effect of harvest frequency on yield, quality and variability of indeterminate cowpea seed
Authors: Nangju D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYField experiments were conducted at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, for four seasons to evaluate the effect of harvest interval on yield, quality and viability of indeterminate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) seeds. Decreasing harvest frequency from every week to every 4 weeks reduced seed yield, quality and viability. Rate of yield losses was highest at close spacing and intermediate at wide spacing during the first rainy season, and lowest at wide spacing with supplementary irrigation during second rainy season. Time of harvest study conducted with six cultivars indicated that these yield losses were attributable to reduced seed weight and increased pod losses after mature pods were exposed to weathering for more than 1 week. The reduction in seed quality and viability was associated with a high degree of fungal and bacterial infection in the seed. Varietal differences in resistance to weathering were noted among the cultivars tested. TVu 2616 P-O1D, that has thick, leathery pods and smooth, tan seed coat was the most resistant to weathering.
Inbreeding in synthetic varieties of field beans (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Wright A. J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA model which takes account of heterosis for total seed yield and autofertility was used to trace the evolution of the expected average inbreeding coefficient (F) of a synthetic variety of field beans under multiplication. In every case, the value of F rapidly approached an equilibrium value which depended largely on the amount of cross-fertilization and very little on the higher seed total set or amount of selfing on less inbred plants. There was no indication of any fluctuation in F from generation to generation when the proportion of cross-fertilization was constant. The possibility of reducing the coefficients of inbreeding of generations likely to be used on the farm (syn-4 and later) by hand pollination instead of open pollination of the parents and by promoting cross-pollination by artificial increases in numbers of bees or adjustment of environmental factors during multiplication were examined. Although the method of parental pollination had little effect, induced increases in bee activity led to significant reductions in F when the ambient frequency of bee pollinations was low. The generation at which this procedure gave the maximum effect was the final generation of seed increase (syn-3), but an alternative would be for farmers to use bees on the first commercial crop. In any case, only seed from crops with adequate bee pollination should be used to sow commercial crops.As the breeding system was shown to be effectively very similar to one in which all plants are equally self-fertile, it should be possible to take account of the number (n) and coefficients of inbreeding (F0) and interrelationship (r0) of the parents, and to predict the yield of advanced generations using formulae given by Busbice (1969, 1970).
Detection of components of genetic variation and genotype x environment interaction in spring wheat
Authors: Singh S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryNinety triple test cross (TTC) families and 32 varieties of spring wheat (used as parents in TTC programme) were raised in three randomized blocks in 1977–8 and 1978–9 to detect additive, dominance and epistatic components of genetic variation and genotype x environment interaction at both micro- and macro-environmental levels for five quantitative traits: final plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, 100-kernel weight and grain yield per plant. Epistasis was an important element for yield per plant in both years. But, absence of significant epistasis was observed for two component traits of yield, namely, spike length and number of spikelets per spike, in these 2 years. Dominance was directional in all cases. Additive gene effects were most sensitive to micro- as well as to macro-environmental differences.
Effect of sedimentary pyrites and Zn application on yield, Zn and Ca nutrition of rice and wheat crops and on amelioration of saline sodic soil
Authors: Tiwari K. N. , Pathak A. N. , Upadhyay G. P. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYA field experiment was conducted on a saline sodic soil at Kanpur to study the effects of sedimentary pyrites and Zn on the yield, Zn and Ca utilization by rice and wheat crops and on the amelioration of saline sodic soil. The grain yield of the first crop of rice increased from 1·55 t/ha for the ‘control’ to 3·44 and 4·01 t/ha with the 40 and 80% gypsum requirement pyrites treatments. The grain yield of succeeding wheat and rice crops also increased significantly owing to pyrites residues. The favourable effect of pyrites on crop yield was associated with an appreciable decrease in the pH, electrical conductivity and exchangeable and soluble sodium content of the soil resulting in greater utilization of Zn and Ca by the crops. Zinc applications also greatly increased grain yield and Zn uptake by the crops. The higher levels of pyrites with adequate N, P and K fertilizers but without Zn did not give yields that were obtained by adding 11 kg Zn/ha.Significant yield responses were observed in the succeeding wheat and rice crops to Zn residues from the higher Zn treatments. The ‘pyrites+Zn’ treatment was most effective in decreasing the Na content and enhancing Ca uptake which increased the Ca/Na ratio in plants. The Zn treatment alone also decreased soil pH, electrical conductivity and exchangeable Na.
The metabolic changes which occur in sheep transferred to lush spring pastures II. Changes in the acid-base balance of the whole animal
Authors: Annison E. F. , Lewis D. , Lindsay D. B. 
Published: March 2009

1. Acid-base changes were observed in the blood of some sheep after turning them out to lush spring grass.2. These changes were observed in animals previously fed a diet of hay plus concentrates. No changes were found in animals previously fed hay alone.3. Reasons are given for believing the acidosis observed was a consequence of feeding on lush pasture, and not a consequence of the exercise and excitement involved in rounding up sheep for sampling.
Studies in beef production I. The effects of level of feeding and of breed on the growth and fattening of spring born cattle
Authors: Brookes A. J. , Hodges John 
Published: March 2009

1. The sources of calves for rearing for beef are discussed and the dependence of the beef industry upon the dairy industry demonstrated.2. An experiment designed to compare the effects of four levels of feeding on the growth rate, conformation, economy of food conversion and type of carcase produced, of three breeds of spring-born steers, Hereford, Dairy Shorthorn and Friesian, is described. The levels of feeding are high or moderate in the calf stage, each followed by high or moderate feeding in subsequent winters.3. The results on growth and time of fattening are given and discussed.4. The calves fed on a high level were almost twice the weight of those fed on a moderate level at 8 months old.5. The well-reared calf had an advantage over the moderately reared calf for the rest of its life.6. Although calves which had been reared moderately showed a marked improvement in growth rate when subsequently fed on a higher level they did not reach the weight of calves fed well throughout at 2 years old.7. The level of feeding in the calf stage had little effect upon the time of fattening provided that the level of feeding in the winter periods of subsequent life was on a high level.8. When subsequent feeding was on a moderate level in the winter months, the calf reared well initially fattened on grass a year earlier than the moderately reared animal.9. The high-moderate treatment is shown to be the most satisfactory from many points of view. On this treatment a minimum of concentrates is used in the production of beef.10. The moderate-moderate cattle may be too heavy for present-day requirements when finished off grass at 3½ years old.11. Cattle which were fed on a high level in winter from 8 to 14 months put on less live weight in the following summer than those fed moderately. A live-weight gain of about 1 lb. a day in winter would appear to be satisfactory if the cattle are to make good use of grass in the following summer.12. These main feeding treatment effects applied to the three breeds used.13. The Friesians were heavier than Dairy Shorthorns or Herefords as calves, and the live weight at most ages was in descending order Friesians, Dairy Shorthorns, Herefords.14. The growth rate of Friesian steers was higher than that of the other two breeds at most stages of life, but the difference between Dairy Shorthorns and Herefords was negligible.15. The Herefords finished earlier than the Dairy Shorthorns and Friesians when fattened in yards or on grass.16. There was some indication (Brookes, 1954) that husk and ringworm caused less trouble with cattle which had been well reared than with those moderately reared.
The effect of potassium type and breed on the dry-matter percentage and specific gravity of the red blood cells and plasma of sheep
Authors: Mounib M. S. , Evans J. V. 
Published: March 2009

1. The red cells of sheep's blood containing a high concentration of potassium were found to have a higher dry-matter content and specific gravity than the red cells of sheep's blood with a low potassium content.2. While the diet and age of the animal affected the dry-matter content and specific gravity of the plasma, they did not have a noticeable effect on the results obtained for the red blood cells.3. Breed influenced the measurements for both the red blood cell and plasma.4. In the three breeds of sheep examined an inverse relationship existed between the dry matter content of the red blood cells and of the plasma.5. There is evidence that a correlation exists between the haemoglobin type of animal and the dry-matter content and specific gravity of the red blood cells.
The early weaning of pigs IV. Comparisons of levels of antibiotic and sources of protein in diets for pigs weaned at 9 lb. live weight
Authors: Lucas I. A. M. , Calder A. F. C. , Smith H. 
Published: March 2009

In Exp. 1 groups of piglets weaned at about 9 lb. live weight were fed one of three 29% protein diets up to 26 lb. live weight. These diets A, B and C contained 42, 20 and 0% dried skim milk, 15, 25 and 32% white fish meal and 22, 34 and 47% rolled oat groats, respectively. At 26 lb. all pigs were changed over to a standard 17% protein diet.The replacement of about one-half of the dried skim milk in diet A with white fish meal and rolled oat groats caused 4% faster growth from 9 to 26 lb. live weight, but the replacement of all the dried skim milk caused growth over the same weight range to be slower by 6%. The quadratic component of these treatment effects was significant at P < 0·0·25. The slower growth with the diet containing no dried skim milk was associated with a lower daily consumption of feed, and the improved growth rate with the intermediate skim milk level was probably associated with an improvement in food conversion efficiency. Treatment differences in food conversion efficiency before 26 lb. live weight, however, were not statistically significant. There were no significant carry-over effects of treatments upon performance from 26 to 50 lb. live weight.In Exp. 2 piglets weaned at about 9 lb. live weight were fed individually up to 40 lb. live weight. From 9 to 26 lb. antibiotic levels of 22, 45, 67 and 90 mg./lb. feed were compared, but from 26 to 40 lb. all pigs were fed a standard diet containing 18 mg. antibiotic/lb. In diets fed before 26 lb. the antibiotic was a mixture of 3 parts by weight chlortetracycline: 1 part by weight procaine penicillin. From 26 to 40 lb. live weight the antibiotic fed was chlortetracycline.Before 26 lb. live weight increases in antibiotic level caused average increases of up to 5% in growth rate and 4% in food conversion efficiency. Taken in conjunction with previous results the improvement in growth rate in favour of the highest antibiotic level was significant at P < 0·05.There were no carry-over effects of antibiotic level on growth rate from 26 to 40 lb., but there was the suggestion of a linear trend whereby each increase in antibiotic level fed before 26 lb. caused a decrease in food conversion efficiency between 26 and 401b. (P = 0·10).The results are discussed in relation to financial economies which may be made in diets for early weaned pigs.
The use of progesterone and serum gonadotrophin (P.M.S.) in the control of fertility in sheep. II. Studies in the extra-seasonal production of lambs
Authors: Gordon I. 
Published: March 2009

Section 11. A total of 189 ewes, of various breeds and crosses were used in slaughter experiments conducted in anoestrum during 1953–6. The ewes were of mixed ages, and included four lambs, aged 52–71 days.2. Ewes received P.M.S. in different combinations with progesterone to induce co-incident oestrus and ovulation. Progesterone was employed in three forms, as a solution in oil, as a micro-crystalline suspension and as fused pellet implants. One hundred ewes were injected with the oil solutions, eighty-five with the suspensions and four received the pellet form of the hormone.3. The percentage of ewes that came in oestrus (oestrous response) was higher in those treated for a 5-day period than in those treated for a 3-day period with progesterone in oil P.M.S. being administered 2 days after the final progesterone injection. The oestrous response in ewes receiving progesterone over a 13-day period was no higher than in those treated over 5 days.4. 172 ewes' tracts were examined for ovulations. In those sheep (excluding the four young lambs) which came in oestrus, all had ovulated. Ovulation was apparently inhibited in some ewes which received progesterone in suspension form. The ovulation rate following treatment with 700 i.u. whole serum P.M.S. was higher than that where 750 i.u. purified serum was employed.5. Forty-one of the ewes which came in oestrus were slaughtered 41–120 hr. after estimated onset of oestrus. Seventy-six of the ninety-two ova shed by these animals were recovered. 81·3% of recovered ova were cleaved. Of thirty-four ewes slaughtered 61–120 hr. after oestrus, thirty-two (94·1%) yielded one or more apparently normal fertilized ova. There was no evidence that fertility in the Suffolk rams employed in matings decreased to the point where it might affect conception in out-of-season breeding.
The effect of ground water-level on the yield of some common crops on a fen peat soil
Authors: Nicholson H. H. , Firth D. H. 
Published: March 2009

An account is given of a field experiment in the control of ground water-level in a Fen peat soil, together with its results on the yields of crops in a six-course rotation.The seasonal variations in rainfall are presented in terms of potential evaporation and soil moisture deficit. The effect of the water-level on the moistness of the soil above it is indicated. Even in a wet summer, drying was perceptible within 18–20 in. of the ground water-level between successive falls of rain.The fluctuations of the ground water-levels are discussed. Those of the high water-levels were chiefly due to individual incidences of rain causing rises short in duration, but sufficient in the case of water-levels within 20 in. of the surface to cause total waterlogging and surface ponding. Those of the deep water-levels were most influenced by evaporation, with steady and persistent falls during any rain-free period.The deterioration of the physical condition of the soil over high water-levels is shown in the result of sieving tests. In 6 years the loss of tilth over waterlevels within 20 in. of the surface was very marked and was discernible over those as low as 30 in.The possibilities of effectively using high ground water-levels occasionally in soils in good condition are shown by the results with celery and potatoes.
Influence of feeding pattern on the biological efficiency of high-yielding dairy cows
Authors: Johnson C. L. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAn experiment has been made to study the effect of the pattern of distribution of a fixed amount of production compound on milk yield, milk composition and live-weight change in the first 20 weeks of lactation and any carry-over effects on performance in the remaining part. Adult British Friesian cows of predicted high yield potential were randomly allocated to a graded (G) or flat-rate (F) system of feeding.There was no significant effect of treatment on milk yield, milk composition or yield of milk constituents in the experimental period or in the whole lactation.Live-weight changes were not significantly different between treatments at any stage of lactation. Calculated energy balances showed losses until the 4th week of lactation. Thereafter positive balances occurred but it was not until the 9th week for treatment G and the 15th week for treatment F that the original zero balance was restored. The total balance was in good agreement with live-weight gain for treatment F but not for treatment G.Calculated efficiencies of utilization of metabolizable energy for milk production (Klo) were variable throughout lactation and lower than the currently accepted standards.
Studies on some growth attributes of Osmanabadi goat kids
Authors: Siddiqui M. F. , Bonde H. S. , Rotte S. G. , Deshpande K. S. 
Published: March 2009

Birth weight in goats is of prime importance as it provides a base for further physical and physiological development. Growth and subsequent production and reproduction traits are closely related to birth weight.Very little work has been reported on Osmanabadi goats. The present investigation considers birth weights and growth rates of Osmanabadi goat kids.