bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The germination of excreted kikuyu grass seed in cattle dung pats
Authors: Wilson G. P. M. , Hennessy D. W. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe quantity of seed ingested and excreted by penned cattle from offerings of freshly cut kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum cv. Whittet) was measured during the autumn at Grafton, N.S.W. A mean 101·6 g of whole seed was ingested per head per day, of which 22·9% was excreted. During 18 weeks, seedlings emerged from every dung pat formed from collected faeces. The number of seedlings represented 3·45% of the whole seed ingested. The loss of covering structures from the seed during passage through the alimentary tract apparently reduced the 21–day germinability.
Follicle population in Black Bengal goats
Authors: Khan M. A. Bari , Talukdar A. H. 
Published: March 2009

Many authors have studied the follicle population in sheep and goats with a view to establishing a scientific basis for the breeding of sheep and goats with improved wool.Pant & Kapri (1966) examined skin samples from five Gaddis, ten Angoras seven F1S, eight first back crosses to Angora, four second back crosses to Angora and eight goats produced by inter se mating of the second back crosses and recorded the S/P ratio as 0·019, 6·55, 5·58, 6·25, 8·30 and 6·78 in the six types respectively. Das, Mitra & Nayudamma (1963) mentioned that the percentage of coarse hairs was about 35 in Indian goats. According to CLRI (1963) the density of hairs in Calcutta Black Bengal goats varies between 9000 and 13000/in.2 of the skin surface area and coarse hairs constituted about 28% of the total hairs. Ryder (1966) mentioned that the S/P ratio in Australian goats ranged from less than 5/1 to 7/1. He also noted the S/P value in Scottish goats as 3/1–5/1 and that in female Toggen-burg goats as 2·5/1–3·9/1. Sar & Calhoun (1966) reported that in Common American goats, three to six secondary follicles were associated with the trio of primary hair follicles. According to Burns (1965) the S/P ratio of Nigerian goats was 4/1. Margolena (1966) reported that in Texas and South African Angora does the primary follicles comprised about 9–14% of the total number of follicles. The purpose of this present investigation is to provide basic information on the S/P follicle ratio in Bangladesh Black Bengal goats.
Studies in grazing management. VII. The influence of strip grazing versus controlled free grazing on milk yield, milk composition, and pasture utilization
Authors: Arnold G. W. , Holmes W. 
Published: March 2009

1. Experiments were carried out in 1956 and 1957 in which milking cows were grazed at the same stocking rate, either on strip grazing or on free grazing. The cows followed balanced Latin Square designs.2. The pastures were liberally fertilized, either with NPK fertilizer (202 lb. N, 202 lb. P2O5, 252 lb. K2O per acre in 1956 and 80% of these quantities in 1957), or with PK fertilizers (269 lb. P2O5 and 269 lb. K2O in 1956 and 80% of these quantities in 1957), and a subsidiary comparison of the effect of nitrogenous fertilizers was made in 1956.3. At the end of the main experiment in 1956 a study of the effect of straw offered to the grazing cows was made. No supplement other than straw was offered.4. The results in both years showed no difference in milk yield per cow due to treatments, nor in 1956 was milk yield or milk composition affected by grazing treatment, fertilizer treatment or the provision of straw.5. In both years the live-weight gain per cow was less with free grazing. In 1956 the provision of straw increased the rate of live-weight gain. It is suggested that these differences are mainly due to gut fill.
Further studies of the rate of passage of food through the alimentary tract of pigs
Authors: Castle Elizabeth J. , Castle M. E. 
Published: March 2009

1. Four replicated experiments were made to determine the rate of passage of meal through the alimentary tract of pigs on different feeding treatments. In each experiment stained meal was used and the results were expressed by means of excretion curves. From these, mean retention times (R values) were calculated. All the curves were of a similar sigmoid shape.2. A significant inverse relationship was found between the mean retention time and the total weight (meal plus water) of the ration. This relationship was found when (a) the weight of meal was constant and the weight of water was varied, (b) the weight of water was constant and the weight of meal was varied, and (c) the total combined weight of meal and water (at the same ratio) was varied.3. The digestibility of the dry matter and crudec protein in Exps. 1–3 was not altered greatly as a result of the different feeding treatments.4. In Exp. 4, similar rates of passage were found in pigs fed on the two rations of widely different digestibilities.5. The dry-matter content of the faeces of the pigs was remarkably constant over a wide range of water and food intakes when using the same meal.
Fowl semen as collected by the massage method
Authors: Lake P. E. 
Published: March 2009

1. The reflex ejaculation responses of cocks to lumbar massage have been examined, and some basic reactions described. A list of the crude fluid components obtained by the massage technique of semen collection is given.2. From these observations, and a chemical test on the contents of the hen's vagina after natural and artificial insemination, it was deduced that the normal ejaculate of the cock is composed mainly of contents from the vasa deferentia, with some secretions from the mucosal glands of the vascular bodies and lymph folds. The blood plasma transudate sometimes expelled into the semen is obtained as a result of compression of the terminal organs during the collection procedure.3. Points emerging from the observations on ejaculation, and the search for the normal constituents of semen are discussed.
Heritability and combining ability of vegetative and phenological characters of winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) D.C.)
Authors: Erskine W. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe variability generated in a diallel cross between seven genotypes for vegetative and phenological characters was studied in the F1 and F2 generations in lowland Papua New Guinea. The mean narrow-sense heritability values of mean leaf size and leaf area index at flowering were 88·0 and 78·5%. The parental values of these characters gave good predictability of the performance of the parents in hybrid combination. For mean number of leaves per plant at flowering, environmental effects were of major importance, and consequently selection between crosses for number of leaves is considered futile. There was a large genotype ˣ environment interaction for time to first flower. The role of various environmental factors in causing the interaction for flowering is discussed.
The effect of drought on the water use and yield of two spring wheat genotypes
Authors: Innes P. , Blackwell R. D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAutomatic plot covers were used in a study of the effects of drought on the yield and water use of two spring wheat genotypes. The experiment tested the effects of drought at different stages of growth on yield and yield components. There was complete control over the water supplied to the plots, and a fully irrigated control treatment was included.The yields of the two genotypes were similar under fully irrigated conditions, but the yield components differed: Highbury had more grains per ear and TW 269/9/3/4 more ears per unit ground area and a higher mean grain mass. An early drought, which began 4 weeks before anthesis, caused a reduction in number of grains per ear in Highbury, which was outyielded by TW 269. Late drought also reduced yields differentially, reducing mean grain mass, and hence grain yield, more in TW 269 than in Highbury. Total shoot dry matter and grain yield were found generally to increase as water use increased. The average water use efficiency was found to depend upon the genotype and treatment.
The effect of different levels of nutrition at two stages of the lactation on milk production and live-weight change in Friesian cows and heifers
Authors: Strickland M. J. , Broster W. H. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYOver the 4 years 1965–8, a total of 105 mature Friesian cows and 84 Friesian heifers were fed various levels of nutrition at two stages of the lactation to study the effect on milk production. The experiments were carried out over a whole lactation at four Experimental Husbandry Farms, Boxworth, Bridget's, Great House and Trawsgoed. There were three treatment levels in early lactation (weeks 3–10) comprising 5·9, 7·8 or 9·8 kg D.M./day of concentrates for mature cows and 1·6 kg D.M./day less at each level for the heifers. In mid-lactation (weeks 12–18) the two lower levels of concentrates were fed arranged factorially with early-lactation levels. A basal forage ration usually of hay was fed to provide 85% of the basal maintenance requirements. During the remainder of the lactation all animals received the same level of nutrition. In addition to the pre-determined feed treatments, one further group of animals in each block was fed according to the milk production in the preceding week.Overall an increase in level of nutrition in early lactation produced a regular increase in milk production from successive increments with adult cows but only for the first increment with heifers. Raising feed level in mid-lactation increased milk production for all animals. There were considerable residual effects from early-lactation feeding but these were less with mid-lactation feeding. These same effects were also noted with yields of solids-not-fat and to a less extent in milk fat production.The experimental results indicated not only the mean effects of treatments but more important the interaction with individual animals. Study of the response of individual animals indicated that the effects of level of feeding varied in proportion to the potential of the cow. The presentation of mean results can therefore be misleading. The potential of a cow was indicated by milk production in the immediate post-calving period. This period could be used both in experimental designs for selecting animals in the allocation to experimental treatments and also in the practical context for rationing individuals or groups of cattle.The absolute plane of nutrition related to the potential of the animal was the most important factor in determining the efficiency of utilization of feed for milk production.
The biometry of lactation
Authors: Wood P. D. P. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYA consideration of input-output relationships relating energy intake to its probable utilization for growth, condition and lactation by dairy cows leads to a series of equations describing observable responses. Energy is expressed in terms of units of milk equivalent, common to all equations, and the lactation curve, yn = anò e−cn is shown to be capable of biological interpretation, having regard to the subordinate equations from which it is derived. This expression relates milk production yn during a time interval n through the parameters a, b and c. The validity of the steps by which the function is developed is examined by reference to published work.
Analysis of growth and tuber yield in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivars
Authors: Enyi B. A. C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYGrowth and tuber yield of local sweet potato cultivars were compared during the 1974 and 1975 growing seasons. Three cultivars significantly outyielded the others. The cultivar effect was associated with differences in individual tuber weight, rate of bulking and percentage of total dry matter diverted into the vine or stem. Mean crop growth rate (C) and percentage of total dry matter diverted into the tubers were greater in the higher yielding cultivars and there was positive and significant correlation between Cand final total dry weight. Leaf area duration (D) was greater in 1975 than in 1974 but the differences between cultivars in D was not consistent. Higher yielding cultivars had significantly greater tuber/leaf ratio than the other cultivars.Bulking rate and tuber weight were positively correlated with tuber yield, while the percentage of total dry matter diverted into the vine was negatively correlated with tuber yield.
The pre-natal development of skin follicles in Mouflon (Ovis musimon) × Soay, Soay and Shetland sheep
Authors: Ryder M. L. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYSkin was examined from a total of 70 lambs obtained at the foetal age of 75, 90, 100, 120 and 135 days. The rate of follicle development was not greatly dissimilar from that previously described in improved breeds. The Shetland showed least difference from improved breeds, and the Mouflon x Soay was most retarded, but the pure Soay foetuses were closer to the Shetlands than to the Mouflon cross-breds.
In vivoinhibition by specific lipids of ethanol production from glucose by the yeastTorulopsis glabrata
Authors: White R. W. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe production of toxic levels of ethanol in the stomachs of neonatal ruminants resulting from fermentation of glucose by resident yeasts occurs only in the absence of fat from the diet. Daily levels of ethanol and numbers of viable yeast were measured on samples of stomach contents for 21-day periods. Milk fat was shown to control the ethanol production in lambs and calves (but notin vitroin culture), the quantitative nature of this control was demonstrated by experiments with cream using lambs. Nine dietary fats in commercial use homogenized in fat-free milk, a commercial catering ‘milk’, and an intravenous lipid feed were all tested in lamb-feeding experiments, compared with whole and separated milk, and an inert oily hydrocarbon, liquid paraffin.
The drifting of honey-bees
Authors: Free J. B. 
Published: March 2009

1. Most of the bees which drift do so during their orientation flights and before they become regular foragers.2. Bees emerging in August and September drift less than those emerging earlier in the year.3. Drifting varies considerably in different circumstances, and may be extensive.4. Drones drift two to three times as frequently as workers.5. An individual bee is more likely to drift from a small to a large colony than vice versa, but the greater number of bees flying from the large colonies may result in a net gain in bees by the smaller ones.6. When hives are arranged in repetitive patterns, bees drift to hives occupying similar positions in the pattern to their own. When hives are arranged in rows, bees from the centre colonies drift more than those at the end, resulting in the latter colonies gaining numerically. In some circumstances, more bees drift to hives in one direction than in the opposite direction.7. Facing hives in different directions and painting them different colours considerably reduces drifting, the facing of hives in different directions being of the greater significance.
The relation between respiratory rate and heart rate in the calf subjected to severe heat stress
Authors: Bianca W. 
Published: March 2009

1. In experiments on three calves it was shown that, under severe heat stress, the respiratory rate at first rapidly rose from 88 to a maximum of 218 respirations/min. and then fell to 167 respirations/min., while breathing at first became shallower and then deeper.2. During the phase in which breathing became faster and shallower (panting), the heart rate rose at a mean rate of 13 beats/min. for each degree centigrade increase in rectal temperature. During the phase in which breathing became slower and deeper (‘second-phase breathing’) the mean rate of rise in heart rate was 50 beats/min. for each degree increase in rectal temperature.3. The changes in respiratory rate and in heart rate occurred at mean rectal temperatures of 40·6 and 41·0° C., respectively, and, on average, the change in respiratory rate preceded that in heart rate by 8 min.4. It is concluded that second-phase breathing was the cause of the steep increase in heart rate.5. The steep increase in heart rate is discussed in relation to heat production of the respiratory muscles.
Water relations of winter wheat: 4. Hydraulic resistance and capacitance in the soil-plant system
Authors: Wallace J. S. , Biscoe P. V. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYA simple model is presented which can account for the hysteresis observed in the relationship between leaf water potential (χ1) and water flow per stem (Q) in winter wheat. Using this model the total hydraulic resistance (R) and capacitance (C) of the soil-plant system were estimated from measured diurnal changes in χ1 and Q. Daily mean values of R were constant when the soil water potential (χ1) was above – 0·6 MPa, but R increased by about 40% when the soil dried to – 1·5 MPa. R also appeared to vary during the day, increasing in the afternoon and evening.The results of experiments on the recovery of χ1 in plants from which transpiration was prevented suggested that the major resistance to flow was in the soil-root system and that it was an increase in this resistance which gave rise to the overall increase in R as the soil dried.There was substantial variation in the estimates of hydraulic capacitance (C) and no systematic diurnal or seasonal trend was evident. Despite the variation in C the mean value for the season, 8 x 10-7 m3/MPa, predicted realistic changes in plant water storage. Estimates of the components of C indicated that the major capacitance was located in the soil-root complex. More information is needed about the components of R and C, particularly those in the soil-root system.
Effect of soil acidity factors on nodulation, active iron content of nodules and relative efficiency of symbiotic N2-fixation by mutant strains of Lens esculenta Rhizobium
Authors: Rai R. , Prasad V. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYNitrosoguanidine-induced acid-tolerant mutants S1 and M1 of Lens esculenta Rhizobium leguminosarum were used for nodulation and symbiotic N2-fixation in acid soils having different pH and associated factors of acidity. The range of soil pH and associated acidity factors in which nodulation and N2-fixation responded varied, depending on mutant strains. However, strain M1 was more responsive and effective than S1. Antagonistic effect of Mn to Fe was found when the active Fe2+ and total Mn were determined in fresh nodules.
Response of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) to plant density and phosphorus fertilizer under dryland conditions
Authors: Ahlawat I. P. S. , Saraf C. S. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYField studies were made for 2 years on a sandy loam soil under dryland conditions of north-west India with three pigeon-pea varieties in relation to plant density and the application of phosphate fertilizer. Varieties Pusa Ageti and P4785 with better developed root system and profuse nodulation had higher grain and stalk yield, and higher N and P yield than Prabhat. Root and shoot growth and root nodulation were adversely affected with increasing plant densities in the range 50 × 103 and 150 × 103 plants/ha. Stalk and total N and P yield increased with increasing plant density. Plant density of 117 × 103 plants/ha produced maximum grain yield of 1·53 t/ha. Phosphorus fertilizer promoted root and shoot growth, intensity and volume of nodulation and increased grain, stalk, N and P yield. The effect of plant density on grain yield was more pronounced in the presence of phosphate fertilizer. The economic optimum rate of P ranged between 22·1 and 23·1 kg/ha under different plant densities.
The effects of gibberellic acid upon growth habit and heading in late-flowering red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)
Authors: Stoddart J. L. 
Published: March 2009

The response of S. 123 extra-late-flowering red clover in the year of sowing to three sprayings of gibberellic acid (GA) given at 28-day intervals is described. Plants in both soil and vermiculite cultures were used.1. The first effects, noticeable in the basal rosette, were an increase in petiole length and a parallel increase in leaf area.2. Fewer stems were formed on the treated plants but their thickness and the number and length of the internodes were increased.3. Secondary branching was not significantly increased but the GA-treated plants produced a large number of tertiary branches from axillary buds on the secondary branches. Tertiary branching was not frequent in the control plants.4. Cauline leaves showed an increased length/breadth ratio at each node with treatment, elongation tending to be most marked at those nodes where leaf formation coincided with GA sprayings. Leaf thickness was also increased by GA treatment.5. Treated plants produced nearly 80% more heads, and flowering after GA treatment was up to 14 days earlier than the control.
The value of calcium nitrate for spring-sown cereals
Authors: Widdowson F. V. , Penny A. , Williams R. J. B. , Cooke G. W. 
Published: March 2009

1. Seven experiments on spring barley and five on spring wheat carried out in 1955–7 compared dressings of ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate applied to the seedbeds at 0·3 and 0·6 cwt. N/acre. The fertilizers were tested both when broadcast and when drilled with the seed.2. Consistently higher yields of barley were produced by drilling than by broadcasting ammonium sulphate. Drilling calcium nitrate at 0·3 cwt. N/acre was superior to broadcasting for barley but when applied with the seed at 0·6 cwt. N/acre this fertilizer retarded germination and early growth and gave smaller yields than were obtained by broadcasting. Broadcast dressings of both fertilizers gave higher yields of wheat than combine-drilled dressings. There is a considerable risk of fertilizer ‘scorch’ when compound fertilizers containing all their nitrogen in nitrate form are combine-drilled at rates sufficient for maximum yield. This risk may be discounted when adequate rain follows drilling but the check to germination may be sufficient to reduce yields in dry springs, on light soils, and on badly prepared seedbeds. Fertilizers containing all their nitrogen in ammonium form appear to be quite safe at the rates of dressing tested in this work.3. Calcium nitrate and ammonium sulphate gave similar yields and nitrogen contents of both crops when the fertilizers were broadcast on the seedbed. Nitrates applied at sowing-time to cereals grown in the drier parts of the country do not appear to be leached out of the root-zone before they can be taken up by crops.