bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution, diversity and potential agronomic value of Medicago polymorpha in Sardinia
Authors: Loi A. , Porqueddu C. , Veronesi F. , Cocks P. S. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThirty-five populations of Medicago polymorpha were collected from throughout Sardinia (Italy) in 1989 with a view to developing pasture species suitable for improving degraded grasslands in the northern Mediterranean basin. Herbage and seed production were compared with the Australian cultivar, Circle Valley, over 2 years at Bonassai, north Sardinia. Regeneration in the 2 years after sowing and seed size were also estimated. All variables were related to collection site parameters using multivariate analysis.Herbage production varied between 2 and 8 t dry matter/ha, and up to 1·5 t/ha of seed was produced. K-means clustering of agronomic and morphological variables indicated that there were two groups present; one similar to variety polymorpha and one to variety vulgaris. There were two other single entry clusters, one of which contained cv. Circle Valley. Principal component analysis of the environmental variables indicated that cluster 1 (vulgaris) was more likely to come from mountainous areas where winter temperatures are low, and cluster 2 (polymorpha) from coastal areas where temperatures are mild. Regeneration of cluster 1 was better than that of cluster 2, which in turn was better than Circle Valley, indicating that populations in cluster 1 are better adapted to the management system imposed at Bonassai.The results indicate that M. polymorpha has considerable potential to improve the grasslands of Sardinia. However, it is unlikely that imported cultivars will be successful, and it seems important that the selection of local populations should continue. Commercial seed production in Sardinia is likely to be a problem, and grazing management under the conditions of communal ownership may have to be reviewed. It is important that future research and development involves farmers and other industry groups.
Moisture and dry matter losses in field and wind tunnel trials of grass wilting with frequent mechanical disturbance
Authors: Spencer H. B. , Lamond W. J. , McGechan M. B. , Graham R. , Moore A. B. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYIn field and wind tunnel experiments in 1988 at the Scottish Centre of Agricultural Engineering, moisture loss in the 24 h after cutting increased when grass swaths were mixed, spread or turned and was positively related to the number of mixings. In the field trials, dry matter loss from conditioned swaths increased when the swaths were mechanically mixed or spreadafter cutting.
Effect of premating shearing on reproductive performance in ewe lambs after oestrus synchronization
Authors: O'Doherty J. V. , Crosby T. F. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and fifty-four, March-born, lowland ewe lambs, on the Lyons Estate farm, were allocated to a 2×2 factorial experiment. In September 1987, half were shorn and 1 month later the lambs were treated with intravaginal sponges, containing either 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate or 40 mg fluorogestone acetate, for 12 days. Following sponge removal, ewes were mated to fertile rams at a ram: ewe ratio of 1:6. There was no significant difference in reproductive performance between the two progestagen treatments (P > 0·05). Premating shearing increased (P < 0·01) conception rate and reduced the percentage of barren ewes (P < 0·01) but there was no effect on litter size. Time of gestation following shearing was increased (P < 0·01) by 1·24 days. Lamb growth rate up to weaning was not affected by the shearing treatment. The results of this trial indicate positive advantages of premating shearing of ewe lambs.
Developmental and tillering responses of winter wheat (Triticum aestivuni) crops to CO2and temperature
Authors: Batts G. R. , Wheeler T. R. , Morison J. I. L. , Ellis R. H. , Hadley P. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYWinter wheat (Triticum aestivumL., cv. Hereward) was grown in the field within four double-walled polyethylene-covered tunnels along which near-linear temperature gradients were imposed at normal atmospheric or at an elevated CO2concentration (c.700 μmol mol−1CO2) in 1991/92 and in a further experiment in 1992/93. Development was more rapid the warmer the temperature. In 1991/92 an increase in mean seasonal temperature of 3·5 °C reduced the duration from sowing to harvest maturity (the stage when grain moisture content reduced naturally to 15–18%) byc.38 days, and reduced the duration from the double ridge stage to harvest maturity byc.34 days. A similar difference resulted from only 1·6 °C warming in 1992/93. Although the range of mean seasonal temperatures differed between years, the relation between temperature and rate of development from sowing to harvest maturity was common to both years (base temperature, −0.8 °C; thermal time 2410 °C d). Carbon dioxide concentration had no effect on this relation or on that between temperature and the rate of development from sowing to the double ridge stage and from the double ridge stage to harvest maturity. Carbon dioxide enrichment increased tillering substantially in 1991/92; there were 200 more shoots m−2at terminal spikelet formation in crops grown at elevated compared to normal CO2(additional shoots were principally coleoptile tillers and those developing after tiller 2) and this difference was reduced to 100 shoots m−2approaching harvest maturity (additional shoots remaining were those developing after tiller 2). In contrast, no effect of CO2enrichment on tillering was detected at any stage of development in 1992/93. The number of tillers per plant at terminal spikelet formation was a linear function of main stem dry weight at this developmental stage; this relationship was not affected by year or CO2. As CO2enrichment increased main stem dry weight in the first year only, when main stem dry weights at normal CO2were only one half of those values determined in the following year, it is concluded that any benefit of increase in CO2concentration to tillering in winter wheat may be greatest in those crop production environments where main stem dry weights at terminal spikelet are least andvice versa.
The potential contribution of selected forage legume pastures to cereal production in crop-livestock farming systems
Authors: Tarawali S. A. , Peters M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe potential of 3-year-old grazed pastures ofStylosanthes hamata, Chamaecrista rotundifoliaandCentrosema pascuorumto contribute to subsequent maize production was investigated in subhumid Nigeria in 1993. All three legume pastures had the ability to give better maize grain yields than native pasture but this was significant only forStylosanthes hamataandChamaecrista rotundifolia. For the legume species, maximum yield of maize per kg of N applied was attained at 60 kgN/ha. The subsequent yields of maize could be related to the legume species used, pasture management and the length of the fallow period.Centrosema pascuorumbehaved as an annual, and as such there was little legume present after 3 years; crop yield was therefore relatively low. Nevertheless, this species could be useful in 1-year fallow/pasture situations. Maize cropping was economically viable for legume plots only with 60 or 120 kgN/ha and not for native pasture. There were no significant differences in the time required to till or to weed legume pastures as compared with native pasture. Forage legume pastures could also have a positive effect on maize residue yields which represent a fodder resource in addition to the herbage understorey remaining after cropping, the quality of which could be enhanced by the presence of the forage legumes. The use of forage legumes for the promotion of both crop and livestock production in sustainable agricultural systems is discussed. The results of the study are used to highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate legume species, pasture management practices and duration of fallow period in relation to the prevailing farming system to maximize benefits from the legumes.
Assessment of ratoonability of short-duration pigeonpea genotypes
Authors: Chauhan Y. S. , Johansen C. , Gupta S. C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe extent of variation in ratoonability was examined in a range of recently bred short-duration pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] genotypes in 1989/90, 1990/91 and 1991/92 at the ICRISAT Asia Center, Andhra Pradesh, India. Traits with which this variation could be associated were assessed. Differences in the total ratoon yield of two flushes were significant among the genotypes in each season. In a few genotypes, ratoon yield constituted 50% of the total yield, which could be as high as 5·6 t/ha. Total ratoon yield was positively correlated with leaf area index in the last 2 years of experimentation. The relationship of total ratoon yield to main crop yield was significantly positive in 1991/92 only. The results suggest that there is a large variation in ratoonability among short-duration genotypes and that high leaf area retention at main crop maturity appears to contribute substantially to this variation.
Nitrogen use efficiency of unirrigated barley as affected by shortage of water
Authors: Adinarayana J. , Tiwari R. C. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe moisture use pattern and efficiency (MUE) of four barley cultivars (two hulled and two hull-less) were studied when the crops were grown in winter under unirrigated conditions at Varanasi, India, with different rates of application of nitrogen fertilizer. Increase in moisture use with age of the crop due to vegetative growth was recorded. Influence of varieties on consumptive use of water was found to be negligible except in the 1st year between 65 days after sowing and after harvest of the crop, when differences were due to differences in duration of the crop growth and rainfall which was received at the time of maturity. The moisture mining capacity of the barley crop from the profile (up to 120 cm) was increased with increase in the rate of nitrogen application. MUE of barley cultivars closely paralleled the grain yields, being more with hulled cultivars than hull-less ones. Higher MUE of barley was observed in the 2nd than in the 1st year of experimentation because of a better distribution of rainfall and moisture availability at the time of sowing, which boosted yields. Nitrogen application increased both yield and MUE of barley.
Effect of form, method and time of urea nitrogen application on growth, yield and nitrogen uptake of direct sown and transplanted rice under intermediate deep water (15–50 cm) conditions
Authors: Panda M. M. , Ghosh B. C. , Reddy M. D. , Reddy B. B. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryUnder intermediate deepwater (15–50 cm) conditions, sulphur-coated urea (SOU) drilled behind the plough at sowing was superior to other coated (neem, lac, coaltar) urea materials and broadcast incorporation of prilled urea in increasing the yield of direct-sown rice. In transplanted rice, the grain yield was highest with urea super granules (USG) placed 30 days after transplanting (DAT) followed by SOU broadcast incorporation at planting. N-use efficiency increased considerably with SCU drilled behind the plough or USG placed 20 days after sowing in shallow standing water in direct-sown rice and SCU broadcast incorporation or USG placed 30 DAT in transplanted rice.
In vitrodegradation of amines by rumen micro-organisms
Authors: Van Os M. , Lassalas B. , Toillon S. , Jouany J. P. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYDegradation of biogenic amines was studied in rumen contents obtained from wether sheep adapted to diets with different levels of biogenic amines: high (H), low (L) and without (W), containing 7·4, 2·4 and 0 g amines/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. To 200 g of the rumen contents (RC), 2 ml of a solution containing a mixture of the biogenic amines: cadaverine (73·5 mmol/1), histamine (45·0 mmol/1), putrescine (830 mmol/1) and tyramine (123·5 mmol/1) were added, followed by a 5 h incubationin vitro. The fermentation pattern in RC derived from H and L differed from that in RC derived from W. This difference was attributed to differences in fermentative properties of silage and hay-based diets in the rumen. The addition of amines increased ammonia production, which was highest in RC from sheep adapted to silage with the highest amine content (diet H). Amines had no influence on gas production. Amine degradation occurred in all types of RC, but the extent depended on adaptation of the rumen microflora, such that 709, 54·2 and 25·3% of the added quantity in RC from H, L and W, respectively, was degraded. Generally, the breakdown of the individual amines was highest for histamine, followed by tyramine, putrescine and cadaverine. Tyramine breakdown was particularly slow in RC from diet W. These results imply that in animals adapted to grass silage with high concentrations of biogenic amines, the accumulation of amines in the rumen will be prevented by an increase in the amine-degrading capacity of the rumen microbes.
Effect of sulphur fertilizers on the grain yield and sulphur content of cereals
Authors: Withers P. J. A. , Tytherleigh A. R. J. , O'Donnell F. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYIn order to determine whether cereal crops require fertilizer sulphur (S) in areas estimated as receiving < 20 kg S/ha per year from the atmosphere, the effects of applying agricultural gypsum (10, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 80 kg S/ha), ammonium sulphate (24 and 48 kg S/ha) and foliar-applied elemental S (10 kg S/ha) fertilizers were compared with a nil-S control in replicated field experiments at 12 sites in England and Wales during 1987–90. Averaged across all S treatments, significant (P ≤ 0·01) positive yield responses of 0·4 t/ha were obtained in winter barley at three sites in 1990 on sandy soils in Wales (two sites) and in south-west England (one site). There was no yield advantage in applying > 10 kg/ha of S as gypsum at these sites. Yield responses were best predicted by a nitrogen: S concentration ratio ≥ 17:1 in leaf tissue at anthesis and a S concentration of ≤ 0·1% in the grain dry matter at harvest.Significant increases in total S and sulphate-S concentrations in leaf tissue at anthesis were obtained from increasing the rates of gypsum applied at ten of the sites, but a significant increase in the concentration of S in the grain at harvest was obtained at only one site. There was no difference in effectiveness between gypsum and foliar-applied elemental sulphur when compared at a single rate of 10 kg S/ha. Comparison of the increases in leaf-S status from maximum application rates of ammonium sulphate and gypsum suggested that ammonium sulphate was the more effective Sfertilizer source. The results confirm that S deficiency is starting to appear in cereal crops in England and Wales.
Effect of powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) on yields and yield components of early and late maturing coriander (Conundrum sutivum)
Authors: Kalra A. , Parameswaran T. N. , Ravindra N. S. , Dimri B. P. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYExperiments were done during 1990/91 and 1991/92 at Bangalore to estimate the reduction in yield caused by powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni DC) on coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cultivars differing widely in time to maturity. Powdery mildew resulted in smaller reductions in yield in the early maturing than the late maturing cultivars. Although the results of this study suggest that even expensive control measures can be recommended for managing powdery mildew in late maturing cultivars, because a small increase in the severity of powdery mildew infection may cause a considerable economic loss, they also indicate that such measures may not be economically viable for early maturing cultivars.
Response of strains of Rhizobium on nodulation, grain yield, protein and amino acids content of chick pea (Cicer arietinum Linn.)
Authors: Rai R. , Singh S. N. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryNine strains of Rhizobium sp. were studied in vivo for their nodulation capacity, leghaemoglobin content, grain yield, crude protein and 16 amino acids content, in the chick pea variety C 235 grown on a calcareous saline alkali soil. There was no significant correlation between grain yield and number of nodules (r = 0·37) or dry weight of nodules (r = 0·29), but grain yield was significantly correlated with leghaemoglobin content of nodules (r = 0·95). Of the 16 amino acids analysed in seed samples, aspartic, glutamic, proline and histidine were greatest with strain H 45; glycine, leucine and arginine with strain F 6; norleucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine with strain KG 38; and alanine and valine were greatest with strain KG 41. Strain KG 38 led to significantly higher grain yield than the other strains.
Investigations on Yield in the Cereals. Victoria. I. Census studies 1927–29
Authors: Forster H. C. , Vasey A. J. 
Published: March 2009

Since the year 1927, observations have been made in Victoria on the development of wheat crops of various varieties grown in four different districts of the State.The method used was based on that employed by Engledow in his “Investigations on Yield in Cereals,” by taking counts on numbers of plants in various “foot length” samples scattered in a systematic manner over the areas studied.The basis of the observations was the determination of the values which comprise yield, viz. p = numbers of plants, e = ears per plant, n = number of grains per ear, g = average weight of grain.
The Effects of Summer Green Manures on the ammonia and Nitrate Contents of soils Cropped for Winter Wheat. An Examination of the Woburn Green Manure Plots
Authors: Mirchandani T. J. 
Published: March 2009

1. The Woburn field experiments on wheat after green manures are briefly reviewed. Contrary to the original expectations the wheat was less good after two summer crops of tares than after two mustard crops. This result was obtained many times and in recent years the wheat yields were extremely low after both green manures.2. Regular soil analyses for nitrate and ammonia through 1928 and 1929 showed that the mean nitrate content was extremely low (1·2 parts of nitric nitrogen per million of soil). During the cold dry winter of 1928–9 the ammonia nitrogen was several times greater than the nitrate nitrogen.3. Further evidence of an acute nitrogen deficiency during the critical period for the wheat plant in May and June was afforded by the large responses to top dressings of sodium nitrate both in the 1929 and the 1930 wheat crop.
Studies on Soil Reaction. VII. An Electrodialysis Apparatus for the Determination of Replaceable Bases in Soils
Authors: Basu J. K. 
Published: March 2009

1. A simple form of two-compartment electrodialysis cell is described for the determination of replaceable bases in sets of six soils at a time. The determination requires little attention and the total replaceable bases are obtained by direct titration.2. The disturbing influence of water-soluble salts is examined and it is shown that the technique may be modified so as to exclude the kations of soluble salts from either the total bases as determined by direct titration of the dialysate or from the individual bases as determined by analysis.
Commemorating the Soviet Deportations of 1945 and Community-Building in Post-communist Upper Silesia
Authors: OCHMAN EWA 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article focuses on the remembrance of the deportations of Silesians to the Soviet Union in 1945, undertaken in Upper Silesia, Poland, after the collapse of communism. It explores the relationship between local elite-sponsored official remembrance of the deportations and the formation of regional identity in the context of the Upper Silesia's borderland locality and the post-war population movement. The article also investigates the role of public commemorations of the Silesian past in the construction of a Silesian national identity undertaken by the Silesian separatist movement that gained in popularity against the backdrop of the post-1989 de-industrialisation of the region, Poland's most important centre for coal mining industry.
Current Practices in Pediatric Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Bradham Tamala S. , Snell Geneine , Haynes David 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Technological advances, specifically cochlear implants, have significantly impacted the treatment of children with severe to profound hearing loss. There are, however, very few professional guidelines or resources providing direction for hearing healthcare providers who are serving children with cochlear implants. The following article discusses a comprehensive management protocol for interdisciplinary teams providing cochlear implant services for children.
Effect of a speculum blade on dynamic MRI evaluation of pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: DELANEY SARAH , FERNANDEZ PEDRO , N'GUYEN AMELIE , SALOMON LAURENCE , CARBONNE BRUNO , LAISSY JEAN PIERRE , ANSQUER YAN 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate whether the use of a speculum blade modifies the evaluation of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) as assessed by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty‐seven women with POP Quantification (POPQ) stage II or greater, scheduled for POP surgery, were evaluated using MRI. The procedure was repeated using the posterior blade of a standard plastic Grave's speculum to successively retract the anterior and posterior vaginal walls. Standard POPQ was 15% stage II (n =4), 59% stage III (n =16) and 26% stage IV (n =7). The use of a blade evidenced hidden pelvic prolapsed compartments in 59% (n =16) of cases. For 48% of patients (n =13), the variation of the leading edge of at least one additional prolapsed compartment was diagnosed as more than 20 mm. In this series, the use of a speculum blade during dynamic MRI modified the POP evaluation in a large proportion of patients with POP stage ≥II.
Carbon gain in the competition for light between genotypes of the clonal herb Potentilla reptans
Authors: Vermeulen Peter J. , Stuefer Josef F. , Anten Niels P. R. , During Heinjo J. 
Published: March 2009

Summary

Different views exist as to what traits will lead to dominance when plants compete for light. One view is that taller plants with better relative positions in the canopy will exclude shorter plants because they intercept almost all light and thus can achieve a higher carbon gain. Alternatively, resource competition models predict that plants that are capable of positive net photosynthesis at the lowest light level will win. In a 5‐year‐old dense competition experiment with 10 genotypes of the clonal plant Potentilla reptans, both these views were tested to see if either of them could explain the dominance of one of the genotypes, or the possible coexistence of several others.
Using a combination of measured morphological and physiological traits, a canopy model was constructed to calculate whole‐shoot daily photosynthetic rates of the genotypes in the different layers of the canopy in relation to the invested mass.
Results show that the dominant genotype exhibited characteristics of relative shade tolerance: low rates of light‐saturated photosynthesis and respiration. This resulted in a calculated daily carbon gain at the bottom of the canopy, where other genotypes could not achieve that. However, the dominant genotype did not have the highest photosynthetic rates throughout the whole canopy. Some genotypes that persisted in the stand in coexistence with the dominant one achieved greater daily carbon gain at the top of the canopy.
Synthesis. The dominant genotype had characteristics similar to those predicted by resource competition models such as the ability to have positive growth at lower light levels. The persistence of several other genotypes, in contrast, may be explained by traits that allowed them to achieve higher carbon gains at the top of the canopy. This suggests that the light gradient formed by the plants themselves creates enough heterogeneity for strategies for dealing with different light requirements to coexist, even within a single species.