bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The survival feeding of pregnant and lactating beef cows on all-sorghum grain rations: the effects of two levels of grain and early weaning of the calves
Authors: Morris J. G. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYForty-six cows in store condition (mean ± S.E. body weight of 366 ± 8 kg) were fed individually either 3 or 4 kg of coarsely rolled sorghum grain/head/day for the last 100 days of pregnancy and the subsequent 70 days after parturition. Eleven of the cows on each level of feeding had their calves weaned at 3 days of age.For the last 100 days of pregnancy, 3 kg of grain/head/day was an adequate ration for survival, but cows fed this ration lost a mean of 34 kg of body weight over this period compared to 8 kg by cows fed 4 kg of grain/head/day. Only 78% of the cows fed 3 kg grain/day survived to 70 days after parturition, whereas all cows fed 4 kg/day survived. There was a 44% incidence of retained placentae and metritis in cows fed 3 kg grain/day whereas those fed 4 kg/day had only an 18% incidence. Weaning of the calves at 3 days of age reduced the body weight loss of the cows by a mean of 40 kg over the first 70 days of lactation, but the effect was less for cows fed 3 kg grain (27 kg) than for those fed 4 kg grain (53 kg).Birth weight of the calves was not affected by the level of grain fed to the cows, but calves weaned and given 3 kg of milk/day plus a 50/50 creep of lucerne chaff and sorghum grain grew faster than calves not weaned and given only a sorghum grain creep.The omission of a source of calcium in the grain ration resulted in no apparent adverse clinical effects in the cows. The Na:K ratio of the saliva indicated that nine of the cows had been depleted of Na.
Fertility in Scottish Blackface ewes as influenced by climatic stress
Authors: Griffiths J. G. , Gunn R. G. , Doney J. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYSixty-four Blackface ewes in moderately fat body condition, were divided into two groups at 17 days before a chemically synchronized mating. One group was penned indoors (sheltered group), the other group penned outdoors in a climatically exposed position and subjected to artificial wetting for 6 h daily (exposed group). The ewes were fed a maintenance ration of 1350 g pelleted dried grass/head/day indoors and 1500 g outdoors.The treatment was continued from 17 days premating to 25 ± 3 day post-mating. Immediately after mating 16 ewes from each group were interchanged between the two environments. Matings and returns to service were recorded, and at 25 ± 3 days after first mating the ewes were slaughtered. Counts were made of active corpora lutea and embryos; retarded embryos were distinguished. Fresh weights of the ovaries, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands were obtained.Body condition of the ewes within the two environments was maintained. The mean ovulation rates of ewes holding to first service were significantly different (exposed group, 1·52; sheltered group, 1·86). There was no difference between the treatment groups in the number of ewes returning to service, but there was some difference in partial embryo loss, most of which occurred outdoors on or about day 14 or 15 postmating. The results suggest that ovulation rate and possibly early embryo mortality can be influenced by cold stress.
The canopy structure of tall and short sorghum
Authors: Goldsworthy P. R. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYChanges in the leaf area and light profiles of a tall and a short sorghum are described and the development of leaf area in these and in two other sorghums of intermediate height is examined in relation to the rate of appearance, the size and the length of life of the leaves. The extent to which these changes are related to the seasonal fluctuations in crop growth rate is discussed.
Sulphur in Northern Nigerian Soils: 1. The effects of cultivation and fertilizers on total S and sulphate patterns in soil profiles
Authors: Bromfield A. R. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYOrganic-S and sulphate-S were measured in the Northern Guinea savannah zone down soil profiles under undisturbed natural vegetation, and in land cleared and cropped, with and without fertilizers and farmyard manure. The main soil type was a drained, red to red-brown, sandy clay to clay loam (pH 4·1–5·6 in 0·01 M-Cal2), which strongly sorbed sulphate.Organic-S was most in the surface layers and decreased with depth. Root remains from the natural fallow vegetation, present up to 9 years after clearance, strongly influenced the distribution of organic-S. The roots disappeared after 19 years, when distribution of organic-S mainly reflected crop-root distribution; amounts of organic-S were related to crop yields. FYM was less effective in maintaining organic-S than fertilizers containing P and N.Profiles under natural vegetation contained little sulphate-S but it accumulated in the sub-soil after clearance when S was not removed. The sulphate pattern of profiles under unfertilized crops resembled that under natural vegetation. All fertilized sites had a well-defined sulphate sorbtion pattern, the deepest maximum was at 50 cm on a plot where more than 800 kg S/ha had been applied in nineteen annual aounts. Sulphate-S ranged from > 1 ppm, in the deepest samples, to 52 ppm at the absorption maximum.Almost all the sulphur applied was in the profiles or removed in harvested crops, showing that losses from erosion and leaching were small.
Nitrogen requirement of cereals: 1. Response curves
Authors: Boyd D. A. , Yuen Lowsing T. K. , Needham P. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryExamples of response surfaces for pairs of nutrients and results of 41 multi-level experiments with N only were used to compare the goodness-of-fit of polynomial, inverse polynomial, exponential and intersecting-straight-lines models.Whereas no one model fitted best at every site, many results were well represented by two intersecting straight lines and on average, this model had the least residual mean square. Of 17 experiments with spring barley in south western England the few results best represented by smooth curves were from crops much affected by leaf diseases.Fertilizer response was poorly represented by models without a falling asymptote, like the simple exponential and inverse linear. Study of residuals after fitting the quadratic showed that this widely used model consistently over-estimated both the amount of fertilizer needed for maximum yield and the yield loss when too much fertilizer was given.When fitted to the mean yields of each nitrogen treatment, most models had residual mean squares equal to or less than the error mean square, repeating a result obtained at Rothamsted as early as 1927. We question the validity of some well-known evidence for block and treatment additivity.For 12 experiments in 1970, between-site differences in the parameter values of the two straight lines representing grain yield were related to leaf area at ear emergence.
The response of sugar beet to potassium and sodium fertilizers
Authors: Durrant M. J. , Draycott A. P. , Boyd D. A. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe results of 216 field experiments with sugar beet (1957–69), testing K and Na fertilizers, were re-examined. There were only small increases in yield with K or Na on peat or peaty mineral soils but on mineral soils, 100 kg K/ha without Na increased sugar yield by about 0·4 t/ha and 100 kg Na/ha without K increased yield by 0·6 t/ha. Although the average response per kg of nutrient was approximately in inverse proportion to their atomic weights, K and Na were only partially interchangeable; their relative effects differed from field to field and year to year.K seemed most effective in years with more than 80 mm rainfall in March–April but responses were halved when rainfall was 50 mm or less. Sowing date and the interval between giving fertilizer and sowing also influenced response to K; with late-sown crops, K fertilizer given within two weeks of sowing was usually ineffective. Response to Na differed much less with season so Na was on average more effective than K, especially in dry springs. It seems, therefore, that instances of near-perfect substitution between K and Na fertilizers result from chance combinations of weather and crop husbandry.Since in some experiments yields from a combined dressing exceeded those from either nutrient alone, and as the weather is largely unpredictable, both K and Na fertilizers should be given on all mineral soils, except those very rich in K, to be certain of avoiding yield loss. Texture and exchangeable soil K and Na also affected both the amount and rate of response, but did not much influence optimal fertilizer dressings and so are not very useful for making differential fertilizer recommendations.
Determination of ruthenium and chromium by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and the use of inert ruthenium (II) phenanthroline as a solid phase marker in sheep digestion studies
Authors: Evans C. C. , Macrae J. C. , Wilson S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe quantitative estimation of ruthenium and chromium in faeces and digesta from sheep by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is described. Estimates of calibration parameters, established by regression analysis, were applicable to a range of matrices. Lower limits of detection of 2·4 mg Ru/kg (solid), 1·8 mg Ru/1 (liquid), 1·6 mg Cr/kg (solid) and 1·1 mg Cr/1 (liquid) and precisions, expressed as coefficients of variation, of 5·4% at 17·7 mg Ru/kg (solid), 5·1% at 182·7 mg Cr/kg (solid) and 1·1% at 152 mg Cr/1 (liquid) were acceptable for the routine analysis of Ru and Cr.The use of inert ruthenium phenanthroline (Ru-P) and inert chromium ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (Cr-EDTA) as solid:liquid dual phase markers in digestive physiological studies was evaluated. The specificity of Ru-P for the particulate phase of digesta, established by both in vitro and in vivo experiments, was found to be 92–98%, and in vivo recovery of intraruminally administered Ru-P in faeces was 97–101%. In vitro incubation of rumen liquor showed that concentrations of Ru-P up to 10−4 M had little effect on volatile fatty acid production rates but at 10−3 M there was virtually complete inhibition of acetate and propionate production.Advantages of using inert Ru-P as a solid phase marker are discussed.
Dry-matter production, yield, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and specific leaf weight of cotton in relation to leaf shape and colour
Authors: Karami E. , Weaver J. B. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryAnalysis of seasonal growth and fruit production of American Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) with different combinations of leaf shapes and colours was made in 1970. Plants with the ‘okra’ leaf shape (LOLO) had a higher photosynthetic rate, number of green bolls, number of ‘squares’ (flowering buds) and flowers, dry weight of fruiting parts, fruiting index, harvest index (ratio of seed cotton to total biological yield), yield and lint percentage than plants with normal leaves.There were no significant differences in specific leaf weight (SLW) due to leaf shape. There was no significant correlation between SLW and photosynthetic rates among biotypes. There were no significant differences in different characteristics measured regarding leaf colours.
Pre-lambing supplementation of gadic ewes in western Afghanistan
Authors: McArthur I. D. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA survey of sheep production was undertaken in rangeland areas of western Afghanistan to provide basic information of ewe body-weight changes throughout the year and on production variables, including mortality and lambing performance. Ewes lost up to 31% of body weight between December and March and mortality over the same period was 7%. On the basis of the results of this survey, an experiment was made to test the effect on lambing performance of pre-lambing supplementation of range-based ewes.Supplementation reduced weight losses in ewes, but the feeding treatments did not produce significant results in terms of lamb birth weights or survival to 10 days. However, there were indications that selective feeding of weak ewes can produce economic benefits, given that the costs of supervising such animals are minimal and the price of grain supplements is low relative to the price of meat.
Field experiments on phosphate fertilizers: A joint investigation
Authors: Cooke G. W. 
Published: March 2009

The results of over 400 field experiments testing different kinds of phosphate fertilizers are summarized and are discussed with special reference to the reactions of the soils used. The classifications were:‘very acid’ soils—pH below 5·5, ‘acid soils’— pH 5·6 to 6·5, neutral soils—pH over 6·5. All comparisons are made in terms of fertilizers supplying the same amounts of total phosphorus.In war-time experiments Gafsa and Morocco rock phosphates were about two-thirds as efficient as superphosphate for swedes and turnips grown on very acid soils. In 1951–3 experiments on very acid and acid soils Gafsa phosphate was practically equivalent to superphosphate for swedes, but for potatoes it was as effective as only one-third as much phosphorus supplied as superphosphate; on neutral soils Gafsa phosphate was useless. For establishing grassland on acid soils Gafsa and Morocco phosphate were equivalent to about onethird as much phosphorus supplied as high-soluble basic slag. Rock phosphates were somewhat more effective for promoting growth of established grassland but they remained inferior to high-soluble basic slags and to superphosphate. Curacao rock phosphate was roughly equivalent to Gafsa phosphate for swedes and grass. Florida pebble phosphate was much less effective and was judged unsuitable for direct application. Mixtures of rock phosphate with superphosphate were not more efficient than equivalent amounts of the separate components used correctly.Silicophosphate was practically as effective as superphosphate for swedes grown on very acid and acid soils; it was less efficient on neutral soils. For potatoes silicophosphate was nearly as effective as superphosphate on very acid soils; it was much less efficient on acid and neutral soils. Silicophosphate was roughly equivalent to high-soluble basic slag for grassland.Mixtures of superphosphate with lime, serpentine, and low-grade basic slag were prepared, most of the water-soluble phosphorus being converted to insoluble forms. In experiments on swedes and potatoes these basic superphosphates were not superior to untreated superphosphate. For establishing grassland on very acid soils, the mixtures were slightly superior to ordinary superphosphate.Dicalcium phosphate was practically equivalent to superphosphate for swedes on all groups of soils. For potatoes dicalcium phosphate was more efficient than superphosphate on very acid soils, on less acid and neutral soils it was inferior to superphosphate.
Incomplete determination of a measure of quality in a series of experiments
Authors: Finney D. J. , Nissen Ø. 
Published: March 2009

Often the ultimate measure of performance in a field experiment is the product of a gross weight and a factor relating to quality, as when yield of dry matter is determined from gross yield and percentage dry matter. Since the factor is usually much less variable than the gross yield, yet relatively troublesome and expensive to determine, the practice of making independent estimates of it in every experiment involves diversion of an appreciable part of the total expenditure to a measurement whose inaccuracy will affect only slightly the final experimental error.Proposals are made for determining the quality factor on only a fraction of all the experiments of one series and applying the averages to the gross yields of others in the same series; formulae and tables relating to the most economic ratio of incompletely to completely recorded experiments are presented.
Results from an experiment comparing aqueous ammonia with ‘Nitro-Chalk’ for grazed grass
Authors: Widdowson F. V. , Penny A. , Flint R. C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAqueous ammonia supplying 125, 250, 375 or 500 kg N/ha was injected in spring (in bands 10–13 cm deep and 30 cm apart) into old permanent pasture stocked with cattle. Yields from it were compared with those from ‘Nitro-Chalk’ supplying the same total quantities of N, but broadcast in six equal amounts during the growing season. The tests were made first in 1969 and repeated on the same plots in 1970 and in 1971.Yields of herbage were measured by placing cages (0·9144 m square) on different parts of each plot during six grazing periods of an 8-month growing season (1 March to 30 October). The cages protected this grass from cattle, otherwise grazing unrestrictedly.Aqueous ammonia produced slightly more dry matter during the first three periods (1 March to 30 June) and ‘Nitro-Chalk’ slightly more during the last three (1 July to 30 October). Total yields from the two sorts of N were similar.Percentage N in dry herbage was larger with aqueous ammonia than with ‘Nitro- Chalk’ during the first three periods, the same with both fertilizers during the fourth, but larger with ‘Nitro-Chalk’ during the fifth and sixth periods.Without N the pasture contained 36% of wild white clover during the first three grazing periods and 28% during the last three. Giving 125 kg N/ha of either fertilizer decreased clover by more than half, and with more N the pasture contained less than 5% of clover.
Measurement of feed intake of grazing sheep: II. The estimation of faeces output using markers
Authors: Lambourne L. J. 
Published: March 2009

1. One of the biggest difficulties in the measurement of the feed, intake of grazing animals by the indirect method using indigestible ‘markers” is to determine the optimum frequency for dosing and for taking faeces samples in order to achieve greatest accuracy while yet retaining realistic free-grazing conditions of husbandry.2. Results of earlier studies of the rate of excretion of individual doses of marker by grazing sheep are used to illustrate the probable outcome of various schedules of dosing.3. It appears that if marker doses were administered and faeces samples were taken twice daily at alternate intervals of 9 and 15 hr. approximately, the mean marker concentration of these samples would yield an essentially unbiased estimate of the general level of marker in the faeces. Since there is no satisfactory evidence that animals fail to excrete all the marker administered, it should be possible then to derive estimates of mean faeces output with an error probably of the order of + 10%.4. This technique was tested in two stall-feeding trials and and one free-grazing trial with a total of seventeen sheep.5. The unweighted mean of the estimates of faeces dry-matter output for the seventeen individual sheep periods was about 100 ± 8%.6. Alternative methods of bulking the faeces samples so as to yield estimates of group mean faeces output are considered, but the possibility of introducing a serious bias by the bulking process is pointed out.
A survey of the potassium concentration in the red blood cells of British breeds of sheep
Authors: Evans John V. , Mounib M. S. 
Published: March 2009

The concentrations of potassium in the whole blood of representative samples of sixteen British breeds of sheep have been studied.The proportion of sheep with a high level of potassium in the whole blood (high potassium or HK type) was found to differ significantly between breeds. It ranged from 0% in the English Leicester to 73% in the Rough Fell.There were significant differences between breeds in the mean concentration of potassium in the whole blood of both the LK and HK sheep.
Development of a standard bioassay technique for the adults of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera, Aleyrodidae)
Authors: El-Helaly M. S. , El-Gayar F. H. , El-Shazli A. Y. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA standardized impregnated filter-paper bioassay technique was specially developed for screening insecticides against adults of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Homoptera, Aleyrodidae). It was found that the most suitable exposure period, after which mortality counts should be made, was 11·7 ± 2·1 h. Two different techniques for applying the insecticide solutions to the filter paper disks were tested and verified.
Results from two sets of experiments with spring barley, the first comparing injected with broadcast nitrogen granules, the second comparing injected and combine-drilled NPK solutions with broadcast NPK granules
Authors: Widdowson F. V. , Penny A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYSix experiments from 1969–71 compared yields of, percentages of N in, and removals of N by barley given 63 or 126 kg N/ha either as urea or as ‘Nitro-Chalk’ which were either broadcast or injected into the seed bed. Both fertilizers were equally effective and each gave a slightly larger yield when injected.Eleven more experiments compared yields of, percentages of N in, and removals of N by barley given either NPK solution fertilizers or NPK granules supplying 63 or 126 kg N/ha. One liquid (14–6–8) supplied the whole of the N and was either sprayed, combine-drilled or injected mid-way between the seed rows (15 cm apart). The other liquid (4–10–10) supplied one-fifth of the N and was either combine-drilled or injected; ‘Nitro-Chalk’ supplied the remainder of the N. The granular fertilizer (20–10–10) was broadcast.The 14–6–8 solution always gave a smaller yield than comparable granules. Yields with injected dressings were no larger than with sprays, but each was safe. Combine-drilled dressings were harmful and often killed the barley and decreased yields especially when 126 kg N/ha was given.The 4—10–10 solution was harmless when combine-drilled and gave a larger yield than the granules when 63 kg N/ha was given and the same yield when 126 kg N/ha was given. It gave a smaller yield than the granules when it was injected.Grain percentage N tended to be larger with the injected liquids and smaller with the sprays than with the broadcast granules though the amount of N recovered by the barley from the injected liquids was no larger than from the granules.
Using highly saline irrigation water for a fodder barley crop
Authors: Hussain Z. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe aim of this investigation was to grow barley as a fodder crop under highly saline conditions. Saline irrigation waters with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 2·5, 4·0, 6·0 and 8·0 mmhos/cm respectively were used to irrigate test crops of barley over two growing seasons.It was concluded that in general more highly saline water leads to a considerable increase in soil salinity even over a short period of growth, and a close control of soil salinity through leaching is required. Saline water with an EC of 4·0 mmhos/cm may be utilized without excessively high yield reductions if the soil salinity is well maintained. The saline waters with an EC of 6·0 mmhos/cm and 8·0 mmhos/cm may lead to yield reduction, and they require careful managmeent to control soil salinity build-up.