bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre-planting Treatment of Seed Potato Tuber Pieces to Break Dormancy, Control Tuber Piece Decay and Improve Yield
Authors: Shashirekha Mysore N. , Narasimham Pattisapu 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYLaboratory experiments and field tests were used to study the effects of seven anti-microbial agents and a trace element salt mixture (TEM) on the decay of cut pieces of seed potatoes. The effect of a mixture of gibberellic acid and ethrel (GA + E), TEM, and TEM with GA + E on the sprouting behaviour and yield of tubers was also studied. All the anti-microbial agents inhibited decay, although TEM and oxine were superior to other treatments. There was an increase in crop yield when seed tubers were treated with TEM. In laboratory tests, the GA + E mixture and TEM were effective in breaking dormancy.
The Use of Transparent Flexible Tubes for Studying the Root Extension and Elongation of Beans (Vicia faba)
Authors: El-Shazly M. S. , Warboys I. B. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTwo bean genotypes differed in rate of root extension and elongation when grown under different soil water stresses in transparent tubes placed at an angle of 25°. Root intensity (the root length visible cm−2 of the viewing surface) gave a quick indication of the distribution of the total root length when screening cultivars for drought resistance.
Studies of the Phosphate Dynamics in a Vertisol in Relation to the Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Rainfed Cotton
Authors: Pundarikakshudu R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYField studies of the dynamics of transformation and availability of applied phosphorus in a Vertisol cropped with rainfed cotton showed that phosphorus application increased available phosphorous in the soil. However, 70–80% of the phosphorus was fixed when more than 40 kg P2O5 ha−1 was applied. Maximum uptake of phosphorus by cotton occurred during the active growth period 40 to 80 days after germination, as reflected in a steep decline in the labile pool of available phosphorus in the soil. Over 50% of the total inorganic phosphorus occurred as Ca-P, which was the major contributor to the labile pool available to the cotton crop. The maximum response of cotton in terms of both dry matter and seed cotton and the maximum uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash occurred when phosphorus was applied at 40 kg P2O5 ha−1. Phosphorus application increased the length, spread, volume and weight of roots.
Population, Growth and Water Use of Groundnut Maintained on Stored Water. I. Root and Shoot Growth
Authors: Rao R. C. Nageswara , Simmonds L. P. , Azam-Ali S. N. , Williams J. H. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe growth of roots and shoots was measured in stands of groundnut grown at a number of populations on stored water in central India. Total weight and length of roots per unit land area increased with population density, but the proportional increases were much less than for shoot weight. Consequently the root:total weight ratio increased from 0.3 in the densest stand to almost 0.5 in the widely spaced crop. The denser stands produced a greater proportion of their roots at depth. In wide rows there was little change in rooting density across the inter-row space.Total dry matter per unit land area increased with population, although the weight per plant was less in denser stands. Although the crops were harvested prematurely, pod yield per unit land area, unlike total dry matter, was no greater in dense stands than in more widely spaced crops. The greatest number of pods per unit land area was recorded at an intermediate population density.
Population, Growth and Water Use of Groundnut Maintained on Stored Water. III. Dry Matter, Water Use and Light Interception
Authors: Azam-Ali S. N. , Simmonds L. P. , Rao R. C. Nageswara , Williams J. H. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAt a field site in central India, four populations of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were grown on stored water to investigate how the production of shoot and root dry matter is related to transpired water and intercepted radiation. Throughout the season, total dry matter was closely related to transpiration (slope = 3.0 mg dry matter g−1 water) and the amount of radiation intercepted by foliage (slope = 0.74 g dry matter MJ−1 radiation intercepted). Accumulated transpiration increased linearly with intercepted radiation at 0.37 kg water MJ−1 in the sparser stands. In the densest spacing, the initial slope of the relation at 0.28 kg MJ−1 decreased later in the season because water deficits curtailed growth without a concomitant reduction in the interception of radiation.
Evaluation of Alternative Legumes for Green Manure and Grain under African Highland Conditions
Authors: Potts M. J. , Biranguza E. , Bweyo C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThree species of lupin, three vetches and a soyabean were evaluated as green manures under tropical highland conditions. With moderate soil fertility and 150 days of rain, all lupin types and a locally obtained vetch gave yields of about 80 t ha−1 fresh material. Under less favourable conditions, low soil pH and high aluminium saturation, only Lupinus luteus achieved these yields. During the short season, with about 60 days of rain, the yield of L. luteus was reduced to 30 t ha−1 and establishment of the vetches was slow and they yielded poorly. Growth of soyabean was poor under cool conditions. Under fertile conditions, lupin grain yields of up to 5.2 t ha−1 were obtained in the long season but in the short season, yields were less than 1 t ha−1. Rhizoctonia solani was the major disease encountered.
Was This in Your Statistics Textbook? V. Transformation of Data
Authors: Finney D. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAdditivity, variance homogeneity, and normality are often regarded as prerequisites for analysis of variance. Although they are desirable, their truth is never certain; they are important to probability levels in significance tests, but not to the general informativeness of the analysis. Transformation of data may improve conformity to these desiderata at the cost of producing results on a scale ill-suited to the objectives of the experiment. In this paper the generalized power transformation and the inverse sine transformation are described, and the practical problems of choosing an optimal transformation discussed. An ideal choice can seldom be based on the evidence of one experiment, and adopting the same transformation for a series of similar experiments is usually more helpful than a search for the ‘best’. Warnings are given about inappropriate guides to the choice of transformation. In some experiments, separate analyses for two or more obviously distinct sets of treatments may be more rewarding than any attempt to find a transformation that will enable all to be handled at once. When one or two treatments (or treatment combinations in a factorial experiment) show data wildly out of line with all others, consideration of reasons should precede and possibly replace any approach through transformation. A sound general principle is that data are usually most clearly interpreted on the original scale of measurement. Therefore, transformations should be avoided unless clearly necessary; by this advice, I do not imply prohibition. Finally, attention must be given to the presentation of results; the most effective presentation does not necessarily employ a transformation or other special device adopted earlier in a statistical analysis.
Seed Yam Multiplication by the Mini-sett Technique in Three Yam Species in a Tropical Guinea Savanna Location
Authors: Kalu B. A. , Norman J. C. , Pal U. R. , Adedzwa D. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYSeed yam production potential of three yam species (Dioscorea rotundata, Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea cayenensis) was assessed for two systems – the traditional method using 100 to 200 g setts, and the mini-sett technique using 25, 20, 15 and 10 g setts cut from mother tubers. The mini-sett technique required only 6–33% of the number of tubers needed for the traditional planting system, and resulted in plants superior to those produced by the traditional method in all their production attributes especially in the case of D. alata and D. rotundata.
Effect of Irrigation Regimes on the Water Status, Vegetative Growth and Rubber Production of Guayule Plants
Authors: Benzioni Aliza , Mills David , Forti Meir 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThree irrigation regimes (250, 450, 650 mm year−1) were applied to guayule (Parthenium argentatum), a rubber-producing plant, in such a way as to provide periods of good soil water status alternating with periods of water stress. The relative water content and transpiration rate of the plants decreased only when the available soil water was depleted to about 40%. Very low values (< 30%) were measured for the relative water content. Water-stressed plants recovered as soon as irrigation was resumed. Growth and biomass accumulation, as well as the yields of rubber and resins, were directly related to the irrigation rates. The water regimes applied and the use of the drip irrigation method resulted in a relatively high water use efficiency.
Effects of Alternating Sodic and Non-sodic Irrigations on the Build-up of Sodium in the Soil and on Crop Yields in Northern India
Authors: Bajwa M. S. , Josan A. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn a field experiment, the effects of irrigating crops alternately with sodic water (high in sodium adsorption ratio and) and good quality canal water were investigated for six years on a well drained sandy loam (Typic Ustochrept). The irrigation treatments included: irrigation with non-sodic canal water (CW), irrigation with sodic water (SW), CW irrigation alternating with one or two SW irrigations, and two CW irrigations alternating with one SW irrigation. The results showed that the use of sodic water increased the sodium saturation of the soil and decreased rice and wheat yields. The build-up of sodium depended on the number of SW irrigations during the season. The increase in sodium saturation and decline in crop yields were progressive over the years. The improvements in yield due to alternating sodic and non-sodic irrigations compared with the use of sodic water alone increased over the years. Alternating sodic and non-sodic irrigations could therefore be considered a practical way to alleviate the problems caused by sodic water. The number of sodic irrigations during a season should, however, be kept to a minimum and the build-up of sodium in the soil over time should be monitored.
On-farm Experiments with Millet in Niger: Crop Establishment, Yield Loss Factors and Economic Analysis
Authors: Mcintire J. , Fussell L. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYResults of farm-level experiments with pearl millet are reported from four villages in semi-arid Niger in 1982 and 1983. Crop establishment, yield loss factors (insects, diseases, striga) and economics of new practices were studied in a randomized design which included density, fertility, cultivar, and intercropping with cowpea as treatments. Improved cultivars did not establish significantly better than local ones, but fertilizer occasionally improved establishment. Incidence of yield loss factors was low, and only small effects of cultivar and fertilizer were seen. Fertilizer increased grain yields of the local cultivar by as much as 153%. The use of fertilizer and improved cultivars increased grain yields by as much as 171% over an unfertilized local millet. Even without government subsidies, fertilizer use was profitable for 56% of farmers on all cultivars. In general, fertilizers and improved cultivars had a small positive impact on profitability, with little adverse impact on grain yield variability, so that they could be recommended to farmers with some prospect of success. The intercropping treatment failed in both years, and would have to be modified before extension.
Comparative Patterns of Dry Matter Production in Bushy and Spreading Sweet Potato Cultivars
Authors: Pardales J. R. , Belmonte D. V. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYDry matter production in a bushy and spreading cultivar of sweet potato was studied in two trials comparing dry matter partitioning between plant components. The bushy cultivar, VSP-2, accumulated more tuber dry matter than the spreading cultivar, BNAS-51. The number and yield of tubers of VSP-2, was also greater but its foliage dry weight was less than that of BNAS-51. The vine and root dry weight of BNAS-51 increased with time but that of VSP-2 reached a peak about 10–12 weeks after planting. The tuber dry weight of BNAS-51 at harvest was similar to its foliage dry weight but that of VSP-2 was three times greater. The proportion of total dry matter partitioned to the tubers of VSP-2 was greater than that in BNAS-51 at all stages of growth.
Root Growth of Four Common Bean Cultivars in Relation to Drought Tolerance in Environments with Contrasting Soil Types
Authors: Sponchiado B. N. , White J. W. , Castillo J. A. , Jones P. G. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYRoot growth of two drought tolerant and two drought sensitive bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) lines was compared at two locations in Colombia differing primarily in soil conditions. At Palmira, roots of drought tolerant lines reached a depth of 1.3 m, while drought sensitive lines only reached 0.8 m. These differences were associated with differences in seed yield, crop growth, canopy temperature and soil moisture extraction. Under acid soil conditions at Quili-chao, seed yields of supposedly drought tolerant genotypes were similar to those of the drought sensitive lines, and root growth of all four lines was restricted to less than 0.8 m. Drought avoidance through greater root growth and extraction of soil moisture appears to be an important drought tolerance mechanism in common beans, but its usefulness is limited where soil conditions restrict root growth.
Comparison of Variety Means Using Cluster Analysis and Dendrograms
Authors: Jolliffe I. T. , Allen O. B. , Christie B. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn many experiments which compare a large number of different treatments or varieties, it is necessary to decide which sub-sets of treatments or varieties do not differ significantly from each other. Multiple comparison procedures provide a commonly used, but much criticized, way of tackling this problem. As an alternative, techniques known collectively as cluster analysis can be used. An advantage of using certain types of cluster analysis is that their results can be displayed as a dendrogram or tree diagram which gives a very useful picture of the overall relationship between treatments or varieties. These procedures can also be extended readily to multivariate observations from each plot.
Improving Water use Efficiency of Annual Crops in the Rainfed Farming Systems of West Asia and North Africa
Authors: Cooper P. J. M. , Gregory P. J. , Tully D. , Harris H. C. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryFarming systems in west Asia and north Africa have evolved to cope with the problems of highly variable and, frequently, chronically deficient rainfall. Cereals (mainly wheat and barley) are the dominant arable crops with food legumes (chickpea, lentil and faba bean) occupying only 5 to 10% of the area planted to cereals. Livestock is closely integrated into the farming system and crop production practices often reflect the importance of animals as a major source of income, particularly on the smaller farms. Soils of the region are predominantly calcareous, frequently phosphate deficient, and their depth and texture are important in determining the maximum amount of water that can be stored which, in turn, may determine the effective length of the growing season.Rain falls mainly during the winter months so that crops must often rely on stored soil moisture when they are growing most rapidly. Analysis of equations relating crop growth and water use shows that there are three ways in which the ‘water use efficiency’ of dry matter production can be increased. First, the amount of dry matter produced per unit of water transpired might be increased; second, if the water supply is limited, the amount of water transpired might be increased relative to evaporation from the soil surface; and third, the total amount of water used might be increased to produce extra growth provided that this results in increased transpiration rather than simply increasing evaporation from the soil surface.These three possible routes to increased crop growth are reviewed in relation to possible improvements in water management and crop genotypes in the Mediterranean environment. Scope for improving transpiration efficiency is limited although genotypic differences exist and may be useful in the future. More immediately, changes in crop management, such as applications of fertilizer, improved tillage and better weed control, will all increase the amount of water transpired. Application of mulches will also reduce evaporation from the soil surface but crop residues are usually eaten by livestock and are, therefore, often unavailable.The barley/livestock farming system of west Asia is used as a case study to illustrate how the Fanning Systems Programme of ICARDA has developed on-farm research programmes of direct relevance to current farming systems. Research on experimental sites directed at improving water use efficiency has been developed into on-farm trials and into collaborative trials with the Syrian Soils Directorate.
Efficiency of Isobutylidene Diurea, Sulphur-Coated Urea and Urea Plus Nitrapyrin, compared with Divided Dressings of Urea, for Dry Matter Production and Nitrogen Uptake of Ryegrass
Authors: Halevy J. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryTwo slow-release nitrogen fertilizers, isobutylidene diurea (IBDU) and sulphur-coated urea (SCU), and urea plus nitrapyrin were compared with urea alone for their effect on the growth and nitrogen uptake of ryegrass in a greenhouse experiment.The IBDU and the SCU were applied in one dressing before sowing and the urea in five dressings (one after each cut). Dry matter yield and nitrogen uptake of the six cuts at the optimum levels of 3 and 6 g N pot−1 (equivalent to 1120 and 2240 kg N ha−1 on a weight basis) were similar for the slow-release fertilizers and urea, showing that SCU and IBDU can be effective sources of nitrogen for ryegrass at rates far above those regarded as safe for conventional nitrogen fertilizers when applied in a single dose.Nitrapyrin at 20 ppm effectively inhibited nitrification for 12 weeks, then its effect rapidly declined, disappearing after 18 weeks. Ryegrass growth was retarded by nitrapyrin treatment, probably as a result of an accumulation of NH4-N in the soil.
Effect of Transplanting Date and Seedling Age on Stand Establishment and Grain Yield of Rice in Rainfed Lowland (Intermediate Deep-Water) Conditions
Authors: Reddy B. B. , Ghosh B. C. , Reddy M. D. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryWater depth at or shortly after planting is critical for the establishment and subsequent tolerance of excess water in rice. A crop transplanted early in the season produced twice as much grain as a later planted crop. A semi-dwarf variety (CR 1018) and a taller variety (CR 1030) performed similarly after early transplanting, but the tall variety performed better when planted late under excess water. Seedling age did not greatly alter the yields when crops were transplanted early, but after late planting 45-day-old seedlings were best.
Permanence of Free Water on Coffee Leaves
Authors: Guzman O. , Gomez L. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe presence of free water on both surfaces of the leaves of shaded and unshaded coffee trees was evaluated at Cenicafé, Colombia. Rainfall was the main source of humidity and dew was not registered during the experiment. Five mm of rain caused canopy saturation and water began to reach the underside of the leaves. The period of wetness lasted 9.7 hours on average and no significant moisture differences were found between leaves on east or west facing branches, at different levels within the tree, or externally or internally positioned on the branches, either for exposed or shaded trees. Between 1700 and 0500 h (local time), a close relation was found between the time of rain initiation and the duration of the period of wetness. Leaves dried out at approximately 1000 h.
Relationship of Cassava Mosaic Severity in Planting Material to Mosaic Development, Growth and Yield of Cassava in Zaire
Authors: Muimba-Kankolongo A. , Phuti K. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe performance of a cassava clone susceptible to cassava mosaic disease (CMD) was tested over two successive years for CMD development, plant vigour and yield of fresh tuberous roots. Cuttings from plants with different CMD infection levels were used. There was a significant increase in mosaic incidence, severity and proportion of leaves showing symptoms of the disease in the subsequent crop as the levels of CMD primary infection in planting material increased. Plant height and stem diameter were also adversely affected and the yield of plants from severely affected cuttings was reduced by 60–70%.
Effect of Gypsum and Drought on Pod Initiation and Crop Yield in Early Maturing Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) Genotypes
Authors: Rajendrudu G. , Williams J. H. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYGypsum application and irrigation increased yield in early maturing groundnut genotypes in experiments using line source and conventional irrigation. Response to gypsum varied with genotype; with some gypsum increased yields at all water application rates, in some genotypes there was no response, while with others gypsum increased yield in drought conditions.In a separate study of the effect of gypsum and drought on pod initiation and development in three groundnut genotypes, gypsum did not greatly influence pod initiation when adequate irrigation was applied, but was beneficial when water was withheld during pod set and again during pod filling. Crops where the combination of gypsum and genotype were most advantageous in the first drought period subsequently grew more slowly so that there were no final differences in response to gypsum. Cultivar EC 76446(292) had a higher requirement for gypsum and was more susceptible to drought than the other two genotypes.
Effect of Sowing Depth on Nodulation, Nitrogen Fixation, Root and Hypocotyl Growth, and Yield in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)
Authors: Nambiar P. T. C. , Rao B. Srinivasa 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYHypocotyl length in groundnut is a function of sowing depth. In field experiments deep sowing increased the mass of hypocotyl but decreased that of roots, pods and haulm. Few nodules were formed on the hypocotyls of plants from shallow sown seeds (4–5 cm deep). More hypocotyl nodules occurred on Virginia types when deep sown but the number and activity of nodules on the roots decreased. Nodules on the hypocotyl appeared later and fixed less nitrogen than root nodules. Although hypocotyl nodules fixed nitrogen during the later stages of plant growth, this activity could not compensate for the loss in nitrogenase activity due to deeper sowing. Deeper sowing also resulted in decreased pod yields.
Clove Tree Yields in the Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba
Authors: Martin Peter J. , Riley Janet , Dabek Andrew J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAttention is drawn to the large annual fluctuations of clove yields in Zanzibar and Pemba which appear to result from a synchronization of clove production by trees. Linear regression analyses are presented which show that in years of peak production tree yield is often correlated with tree canopy area and that when trees yield in two consecutive years, yield in the second year is usually negatively correlated with yield in the first year; equations including both variables often leave considerable variation in yield unaccounted for. It is suggested that some of the year to year variation in tree yield may result from an environmental stimulus affecting clove bud differentiation.