bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Field Performance of Induced Uniculm Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in South-east Queensland, Australia
Authors: Fukai S. , Liwa C. J. , Henderson C. W. L. , Maharjan B. B. , Hermus R. C. , Searle C. , Herbert S. W. , Foale M. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYReduction of leaf area in sorghum without tillers (uniculm sorghum) might result in conservation of water at early stages of growth and hence in stability of grain yield under dry conditions. In two experiments in south-east Queensland, Australia, tillers were removed by hand to examine the growth of uniculm sorghum. Tiller removal promoted root development at the flag leaf stage but significantly reduced shoot dry matter and lowered grain yield by about 20% in a wet season. The saving in soil water as a result of tiller removal was relatively small but statistically significant.
Quantifying and Valuing the Joint Production of Grain and Fodder from Maize Fields: Evidence from Northern Pakistan
Authors: Byerlee Derek , Iqbal Muzaffar , Fischer K. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYSimple methods are proposed for measuring the relative importance of grain and fodder produced jointly from maize fields in four zones in northern Pakistan. These methods suggest that the joint production of grain and fodder from maize is important in all four zones and that fodder accounts for between one-third and one-half of the total value of the crop. The relative value of fodder production is particularly high in two of the zones (the irrigated mid-altitude Swat Valley and the rainfed low altitude Islamabad District), both characterized by a high ratio of animal numbers:maize area. The results suggest that maize research and extension recommendations that do not take into consideration the fact that farmers produce maize for fodder as well as grain will often not be accepted by farmers.
Growth, Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation in Stylosanthes: Effect of Different Day/Night Root Temperatures
Authors: Date R. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYNodulated plants of six varieties of Stylosanthes were grown at a constant temperature of 30°C for 21 days in a controlled environment and then for a further 21 days at a range of day/night root temperatures. Dry matter and nitrogen content of S. hamata cv. Verano and CPI40264A were measured after growth at day/night root temperatures of 30/30, 40/30, 50/30, 60/30 and 60/35°C. Similarly, growth and nitrogen content were measured for Verano, CPI40264A, S. gvianensis cv. Oxley and cv. Cook, S. humilis cv. Lawson and S. scabra cv. Seca after growth at root temperatures of 25/20, 25/25, 30/25, 30/30, 35/30 and 40/30°C. There were strong interactions of root temperature with variety and harvest time (31 and 42 days) but all varieties grew well even at the highest temperatures (50–60°C) provided they were supplied with nitrogen. Symbiotically dependent plants of S. hamata cv. Verano were more tolerant of high root temperatures and maintained better growth and nitrogen fixation at 40/30°C than those of CPI40264A, especially after the 31 day harvest. All six varieties responded similarly, but to differing extents, to the lower range of root temperatures. Nitrogen fixation was more severely affected than dry weight by high root temperature.
A Comparison of the Use of Azolla and Blue-green Algal Bio-fertilizers with Green Manuring, Organic Manuring and Urea in Transplanted and Direct-seeded Rice
Authors: Singh A. L. , Singh P. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAzollaand blue-green algae (BGA) inoculated in a rice field produced a higher biomass and fixed more nitrogen in transplanted than in direct-seeded rice. Application ofAzolla, BGA, composts of Eichhomia andAzollaand green manuring withSesbaniaincreased tiller numbers, height, grain and straw yields, and nitrogen uptake by rice in both the transplanted and the direct-seeded crop. The growing and incorporating of threeAzollacrops with the rice crop produced more grain than the use of other nitrogen sources but the rice crops showed a poor response to inoculation with BGA. The yield of rice following green manuring withSesbaniaor the use of two crops ofAzollaafter transplanting was similar to that of a crop receiving 60 kg N ha−1as urea, but smaller yields resulted from the use of composts ofAzollaandEichhornia.
Effects of Green-stage Grazing on Rainfed Barley in Northern Syria. II. Yield and Economic Returns
Authors: Yau S. K. , Mekni M. S. , Naji I. , Srivastava J. P. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe effect of a single grazing at the tillering stage on barley yield and economic returns was studied with two widely grown local landraces over five seasons at Tel Hadya and two seasons at Breda in northern Syria. In general, grazing reduced both grain and straw yield, particularly the latter. The percentage of grain yield reduction was similar at the two sites. Grazing increased net revenue on average, though there were marked seasonal differences. This increase was higher at Breda, the drier site, a finding which contradicts the commonly-held belief that grazing is unprofitable in dry areas.
Effects of Component Densities and Nitrogen Fertilization on Efficiency and Yield of a Maize/Soyabean Intercrop
Authors: Russell J. T. , Caldwell R. M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA field study was conducted in 1985 at two locations in Maryland, USA, to test the influence of environment (location), input level (N fertilization), management (component density combinations), and measure of performance on recommendations for a maize/soyabean intercrop. Location affected the degree of intercrop yield depression of each crop; the effect of N on relative competitive abilities; the maximum Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and maximum modified Staple Land Equivalent Ratio (SLER); the difference between LER and SLER; the optimum density combinations and change in optima in response to N; and the N level at which the greatest land use efficiency was achieved. Given the complexity of the environmental effects, recommendations based on the trials have a very narrow range of applicability.
A Water Stress Index for Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Stephens William , Carr M. K. V. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA simple Stress Time Index (STI) for predicting yield loss in the tea crop due to drought is proposed, based on the daily summation of the difference between the potential soil water deficit and a specified limiting value. Validation of the technique with results from a line-source irrigation experiment with a single clone in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania suggests that there is a linear relationship between STI and relative yield loss during the warm dry season. As a result of changes in the composition of the shoot population at each harvest the apparent critical deficit at which shoot growth is restricted increases from below 20 to 300 mm as the dry season progresses. The rate of yield loss with increasing STI also varies through the dry season for the same reason.
A Large, Retractable, Low Cost and Re-Locatable Rain Out Shelter Design
Authors: Hatfield P. M. , Wright G. C. , Tapsall W. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe design of a low cost and relocatable rain out shelter used for drought studies in the field is described. This design, covering 162.5 m2, enables reasonable plot sizes to be used and minimizes aerial and sub-aerial edge effects. A fully retractable vinyl cover results in minimal modification of the surrounding crop environment.
Intercropping Short and Long Duration Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea) Genotypes to Increase Productivity in Environments Prone to End-of-season Droughts
Authors: Rao R. C. Nageswara , Wadia K. D. R. , Williams J. H. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThree short duration and one long duration groundnut genotypes, grown either ‘sole’ or as intercrops (in 1:1 ratios of the short duration with the long duration genotypes), were compared in four trials. The intercrop treatments resulted in Land Equivalent Ratios (LERs) of up to 1.25 for pod yield and total biomass despite moderate or severe water deficits at the end of the season. Specific combinations of genotypes were necessary to maximize the LER. The results indicate there is scope for achieving greater productivity in environments with a variable season length by growing late and early genotypes together in an intercrop system.
Intercropping Experiments, Statistical Analysis, and Agricultural Practice
Authors: Finney D. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYMuch recent research has been directed at intercropping. Although the planning and analysis of these experiments often raises complicated statistical questions, many statisticians have concentrated on sophisticated graphical and numerical procedures for summarizing results, without considering what system of intercropping, if any, is on balance advantageous to the farmer and how its advantage is to be measured. This paper surveys aspects of intercropping that need examination before farmers can be advised, such as the value of produce, and the effects of intercropping on yields and costs. Any synergism of productivity occurring directly or in the longer term is a central but not necessarily decisive aspect of the problem. A recently described experiment is used as an example. The main conclusion is that experiments on these topics need to be large and well-designed, with repetition in several years, and that interpretation must allow for alternative sets of numerical values expressing values and costs.
Plant Breeders' Rights, an Equitable Legal System for New Plant Cultivars
Authors: Mastenbroek C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAs the art of plant breeding became a professional and increasingly expensive activity, legal protection was gradually provided in member states of UPOV (International Union for the Protection of Plant Varieties), at present 17 in number. The requirements and scope for protection by Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR) are reviewed and are considered to be favourable for plant breeders, growers and national agricultural productivity. Advantages and disadvantages of PBR and patent protection in connection with biotechnology, the rôle of multinationals as plant breeders and aspects of genetic erosion are discussed.
The Effects on Soil Temperature and Moisture Content and Crop Growth and Yield of Intercropping Maize with Melon (Colocynthis vulgaris)
Authors: Olasantan F. O. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe effects of various intercropping patterns of maize and melon on soil temperature and moisture content and crop growth and yield were compared in field trials over a two year period. Intercropping raised soil temperature in the upper 10 cm at 0600 h and reduced it at 1000, 1400 and 1800 h, and also increased soil moisture content by about 30%, compared with maize sole cropping. Melon biomass and seed yields were reduced by intercropping but maize growth characters were unaffected. However, the reduction in melon yields was less when grown with maize in widely spaced rows. Maize intercropped with melon in alternate pairs of rows (2:2) gave the best land equivalent ratio (LER).
Environmental Modulation of Flowering in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata): Further Reappraisal for Diverse Genotypes and Photothermal Regimes
Authors: Summerfield R. J. , Lawn R. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYGenotypes of mung bean commence flowering at very different times depending on sowing date and location, but relatively little is known about the modulation of flowering by environmental factors. Previous and frequently cited conclusions have been that: (a) genotype, photo-period and temperature all interact to determine relative earliness to flower, and that (b) the genetic control of these photothermal responses is seemingly complex. However, our reanalyses of original data in terms of rates of progress towards flowering, 1/f, rather than the traditional approach based on days from sowing to flowering, f, show that the photothermal modulation of flowering in mung bean can be described by a series of simple, linear models, and that interaction terms involving photoperiod and temperature are often insignificant. The merits and implications of this alternative analysis and interpretation of original data are discussed.
Long-term Forage Yields of Five Tropical Grasses on an Extremely Sodic Soil and the Resultant Soil Amelioration
Authors: Kumar Ashok 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA long-term field study was conducted from 1979 to 1985 in the Karnal district of Haryana, India to evaluate the effect of three rates of gypsum (0, 5.2 and 10.4 kg ha−1) on the performance of five grasses (Diplachne fusca, Panicum laevifolium, P. antidotale, Chloris gayana and Cynodon maritimus) on an extremely sodic soil with an initial pH of 10.6 and an exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of 94. Diplachne, Chloris and Cynodon usually gave their maximum yield in the second year of planting, P. antidotale in the third year and P. laevifolium in the fourth year. The results showed that Chloris can be recommended for such situations as it maintains a higher productivity over a longer period than the other grasses. Alternatively P. antidotale and P. laevifolium can be planted in association with Diplachne to provide a steady forage supply for a long time. Increasing doses of gypsum resulted in decreases in soil pH, exchangeable sodium and ESP and increases in calcium, magnesium, organic carbon and the infiltration rate of soil.
Effects of Different Green Manures and Fodder Crops on Crop Yields and Phosphorus Needs of Potato–Wheat Systems in the North-Western Plains of India
Authors: Sharma R. C. , Govindakrishnan P. M. , Singh R. P. , Sharma H. C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe tuber yield of potatoes in a field experiment conducted at Jalandhar between 1981 and 1984 was greater following green manuring with either Crotalaria juncea or Sesbania aculeata than after fodder crops of Zea mays or Pennisetum typhoides. The residual effect of phosphorus applied to potato on subsequent wheat crops varied with the previous green manuring and fodder cropping treatments but was always sufficient for the wheat when applied at an economic rate; the lack of an application of phosphorus fertilizer to the wheat did not result in a decline in the availability of soil phosphorus. The use of C. juncea as a green manure increased the availability of phosphorus but decreased that of potassium. Pennisetum typhoides also depleted soil potassium reserves. Sesbania aculeata green manure improved the organic carbon status of soil whereas P. typhoides depleted it.
Causes of Irregular Clove Production in the Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba
Authors: Martin Peter J. , Butler David R. , Dabek Andrew J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn spite of large year-to-year variations in clove yields, production in the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba is often in synchrony and the annual harvests of the two islands are correlated with similar variables. Clove harvests are positively correlated with rainfall in October to February two years before the harvest and negatively correlated with the harvest in the previous year and rainfall around July, and October to December of the year before the harvest. It is likely that rainfall in these periods affects vegetative growth of the clove tree and clove bud differentiation.
Minimizing Yield Losses of Sugarcane When Grown with a Wheat Companion Crop by Fertilizer and Water Management
Authors: Verma R. S. , Yadav R. L. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn sub-tropical India where 70% of the country's sugarcane is grown, companion cropping of wheat in autumn-planted sugarcane is beneficial. However, because the yield of sugarcane is reduced, farmers there are reluctant to adopt this cropping system in spite of the greater monetary gains compared with wheat-sugarcane sequential cropping. Application of 200 kg nitrogen ha−1 to sugarcane in two doses, two-thirds immediately after the wheat harvest and the remainder a month later, combined with irrigation at 75% available soil moisture during the summer months (April–June), produced cane yields similar to those from sole autumn-planted sugarcane, with an additional 4.8 t ha−1 of wheat.
Effect of Concentration and Time of Application of the Defoliant Harvade on the Lint, Seed, Protein and Oil Yields, and Oil Properties of Cottonseed
Authors: Sawan Z. M. , Hefni EL-S. H. M. , Allam M. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYField experiments were performed in 1981 and 1982 on the cotton cultivar Giza 75 to determine the effect of different concentrations and application dates of the defoliant Harvade on the lint, seed, protein and oil yields, and oil properties of cottonseed. Defoliant concentrations of 240, 360 and 480 ml ha−1 increased lint yield per plant but tended to decrease seed index. Cottonseed yield per hectare, seed oil and protein percentage and yield, oil refractive index, free fatty acids, saponification and iodine values were not significantly affected by the defoliant. Late application increased lint yield per plant and cottonseed, oil and protein yield per hectare. Date of application had no effect on seed index, seed oil and protein percentage and oil properties.
Effects of Phosphorus and Carbofuran on the Growth and Nitrogen Fixation of Azolla pinnata and the Yield of Rice
Authors: Singh D. P. , Singh P. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe effects of phosphorus fertilizer and the insecticide carbofuran on the growth and N2-fixation of Azolla pinnata and on the growth, grain yield and nitrogen uptake of intercropped rice were examined in a wet and a dry season. Treatment with phosphorus or carbofuran increased the biomass of Azolla and the amount of nitrogen fixed (nitrogen yield) in both seasons, but the response was much better in the dry season. Azolla inoculation at 1.0 t ha−1 resulted in a greater bio mass and nitrogen yield than inoculation at 0.5 t ha−1. In the dry season, a combination of phosphorus and carbofuran enhanced the growth and N2-fixation of Azolla more than either treatment alone. Carbofuran treatment slowed the rate of decomposition of Azolla, particularly in the dry season. The plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production of rice at flowering time were increased in the plots treated with phosphorus or carbofuran in the wet season and these treatments increased rice grain yield and nitrogen uptake in both the wet and dry seasons.
The Physiological Basis for Yield Differences between Four Genotypes of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea) in Response to Drought. I. Dry Matter Production and Water Use
Authors: Matthews R. B. , Harris D. , Rao R. C. Nageswara , Williams J. H. , Wadia K. D. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYFour genotypes of groundnut grown with limited irrigation in a medium depth Alfisol in Central India transpired similar total amounts of water (220–226 mm) over the season, but produced different amounts of shoot dry matter (390–490 g m−2). The extraction front of Kadiri 3 moved most rapidly down the soil profile which may have enabled it to maintain the fastest rates of transpiration when soil water depletion was greatest. Tap root extension rates of Kadiri 3 in the first 32 days after sowing were also the fastest. NC Ac 17090 was more efficient than the other genotypes in extracting water immediately after irrigation from the upper 40 cm of the soil, but this had little value in determining the pattern of water availability in this experiment. Differences in the water extraction characteristics of these genotypes explain little of the variation in dry matter:water ratio, and do not account for the major variation in harvest index associated with drought.
The Physiological Basis for Yield Differences between Four Genotypes of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in Response to Drought. II. Solar Radiation Interception and Leaf Movement
Authors: Matthews R. B. , Harris D. , Williams J. H. , Rao R. C. Nageswara 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYFour genotypes of groundnut grown with limited irrigation during the post-rainy season in Central India produced similar amounts of dry matter per unit of intercepted solar radiation (e) before pod-filling, although different e values were observed during pod-filling. The relation between cumulative transpiration and intercepted radiation was similar for all genotypes. When drought became severe, fractional radiation interception (f) was reduced by folding of leaves, with little decrease in leaf area (L). The ratio f/√L was used as an index of the degree of leaf folding and was correlated with leaf water potential. The degree of folding varied with genotype and may have contributed to the observed differences in e and the dry matter:water ratio (q). The genotype EC76446(292) had the smallest q and largest f/√L ratio (the poorest radiation avoidance), while Kadiri 3 had the largest q and smallest value of f/√L.
The Physiological Basis for Yield Differences between Four Genotypes of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea) in Response to Drought. III. Developmental Processes
Authors: Harris D. , Matthews R. B. , Rao R. C. Nageswara , Williams J.H. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYRates of leaf development in four groundnut genotypes were found to depend primarily on temperature, although there was a linear relation between the thermal time to produce one leaf and mean leaf water potential below −0.6 MPa. Flower, peg and pod production was analysed in relation to leaf number, since this integrated effects of temperature and water status.When water was not limited, the ratio of pod number: peg number was about 0.8 for all four genotypes. During drought only one genotype (TMV 2) maintained this value, while for the other genotypes the ratio was approximately 0.15. Genotypes also showed different patterns of development during recovery from drought. TMV 2 maintained relatively high values of partitioning factor throughout the pod-filling period, resulting in the largest harvest index and pod yield. Kadiri 3 achieved the second largest harvest index and pod yield by maintaining production of pegs during drought and only forming pods when stress was relieved.
Effects of Geographical Area of Production on the Composition of the Volatile Flavour Compounds in Kenyan Clonal Black CTC Teas
Authors: Owuor Philip O. , Tsushida Tojiro , Horita Hiroshi , Murai Toshinobu 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe contents of the volatile flavour compounds and the flavour index of black teas vary with localities. The magnitude and order of the variations are clonally dependent, the relative performance of clones varying with location. For a comprehensive breeding programme to improve black tea quality, it is suggested that tea clones should be evaluated in the areas of potential release before they are made available to tea growers.
Technology Development and Farmer Groups: Experiences From Botswana
Authors: Norman D. , Baker D. , Heinrich G. , Worman F. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe Agricultural Technology Improvement Project (ATIP) has been conducting on-farm research in Botswana with the goal of identifying improved arable production technologies. In an effort to increase the role of farmers in technology design and assessment, ATIP set up farmer groups that meet on a regular basis to discuss farming problems and on-farm trials. This article reviews and evaluates ATIP's experiences with farmer groups. A typology of technology development groups is proposed and group management issues are discussed.