bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Lime, Drainage, Manganese Dioxide and Seedling Condition on Rice in Acid Sulphur Soil in Brunei
Authors: Williams C. N. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYYield of swamp rice on acid sulphur soil was increased by liming and could be related to soil pH but was unaffected by drainage and differences in H2S in the soil. The seedling stage was most sensitive to acid and yield could be dramatically improved by planting mature vigorous seedlings. Survival of seedlings, tillering and panicle formation were the most important yield components affected by liming and acidity. Liming also increased spikelet number and grain size to a lesser degree. The optimal economic lime level for 3-week seedlings was around 4 t/ha but could be lower with 5-week seedlings.
Rainfall Statistics: An Interactive Approach to Analysing Rainfall Records for Agricultural Purposes
Authors: Hills R. C. , Morgan J. H. T. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA continuous daily rainfall record provides much information for agriculturalists but initial questions are imprecise and are modified in the light of experience. In order to match this uncertainty the program ‘Rainfall Statistics’ is designed as a simple interactive procedure for studying quantity probabilities, dry spell frequencies and a simple soil-moisture budget. The program has various functions depending upon user requirements. Use of the program is illustrated with rainfall records from northern Thailand.
Block Size and Orientation, and Allowance for Positional Effects, in Field Experiments
Authors: Warren J. A. , Mendez I. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA random sample of 13 uniformity trials was examined in terms of sensitivity to choice of block size and orientation. Five trials were classified as insensitive and eight as sensitive. Trials insensitive to blocking choices showed little variation in experimental error for various sizes, shapes and orientations of blocks, but those sensitive to blocking choices showed considerable, sometimes drastic, effects of such choices. There was often an objectionable degree of inflation of experimental error due to large or improperly oriented blocks. It is proposed that the routine analysis of field experiments based on block designs be modified to reveal cases in which ineffective blocks have been used on sensitive sites.
Effects of Planting Date and Mulching on Cowpea in Sierra Leone
Authors: Kamara C. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe effects of date of planting and soil mulching on cowpea growth and yield were investigated for three years during the middle part of the minor season in Sierra Leone. Mulching at 8 tons/ha conserved more soil moisture than other mulch rates, with greatest difference in the top 15 cm of soil, especially during drier periods. Plant height, pod number and seed yield of cowpea planted in September were significantly greater than from other planting dates whether mulch was applied or not. The beneficial effects of mulching at 8 tons/ha on cowpea growth and yield were more dramatic when the crop received an average weekly rainfall of 100 mm before 50% flowering.
Effects of Gypsum and Zinc on Rice Nutrition on Sodic Soil
Authors: Takkar P. N. , Nayyar V. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA field experiment was conducted on a Zn-deficient highly-deteriorated sodic soil of the Ghabdan series to determine the effect of three rates of gypsum (G0, G25, G50% of the gypsum requirement of soil) and three rates of Zn (Zn0, Zn11, Zn22 kg Zn/ha) on rice variety PR 106. Gypsum application significantly increased yield and Zn uptake in rice because of a significant decrease in soil pH and increase in Ca and Zn supply. Zinc application alone significantly increased soil and plant Zn but yields were poorer than with gypsum application alone because of Ca deficiency/Na toxicity. The same rates of Zn applied together with gypsum markedly increased yield and Zn uptake, revealing a deficiency of both Ca and Zn. The best grain yield was recorded either at G50Zn11 or G25Zn22, indicating an economy in gypsum at higher rates of Zn or of Zn at higher rates of gypsum application.
Effects of Winter Legumes on the Nitrogen Economy and Productivity of Succeeding Cereals
Authors: Ahlawat I. P. S. , Singh A. , Saraf C. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYResults are described of an experiment conducted for 2 years in North-West India where grain legumes increased the N and P status of the soil compared with cereal or fallow. Maize following legumes recorded increases in growth, yield attributes, yield and N uptake. Various winter grain legumes such as chickpea, lentil, pea and Lathyrus sativus reduced the need for fertilizer N in maize to the extent of 18–68 kg/ha compared with cereal (wheat) or fallow. Application of nitrogen to the maize promoted plant growth and increased both yield and N uptake.
A Systematic Design to Examine Effects of Plant Population and Spatial Arrangement in Intercropping, Illustrated by an Experiment on Chickpea/Safflower
Authors: Willey R. W. , Rao M. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAn intercropping experiment is described, using a parallel-row systematic design, to examine four plant populations of chickpea in all combinations with 15 systematically arranged populations of safflower in 1:1 and 2:1 row arrangements; four populations of the sole crops were included. Safflower was usually dominant and increasing the total population (i.e. both crops combined) made it more so. Safflower yield was little affected by changes in its own population and was independent of changes in the chickpea population. Chickpea yield increased with increase in its own population and it was the dominant crop at high chickpea/low safflower populations. An initial increase in safflower population caused an increase in chickpea yield at the 1:1 row arrangement; otherwise increasing safflower population decreased chickpea yield. LERs at 2:1 indicated no real evidence of yield advantages for intercropping. At 1:1 advantages ranged up to 19%, with a maximum where the highest chickpea population was combined with a low safflower one. This optimum combination could not have been identified with earlier designs.
Effects of Weeding and Row Spacing on Sugar Cane at the Kenya Coast
Authors: Abubaker A. S. , Gurnah A. M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYUsing the sugar cane cultivar Co 421, competition from weeds for the whole growing season was compared at three row spacings with competition for periods ranging from 15–120 days at the start of the season or later, and weed-free conditions all through the season. The critical period for weed competition was the first three months, since weeding during the remaining 11 months did not improve yields, which were similar at row spacings of 1, 1·25 or 1·5 m. There were no interactions between the weeding and spacing treatments.
Physical Measurements in Crop Physiology I. Growth and Gas Exchange
Authors: Monteith J. L. , Gregory P. J. , Marshall B. , Ong C. K. , Saffell R. A. , Squire G. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYInstruments and techniques are described for measuring the interception of light by the canopy of a crop, the CO2 exchange of individual leaves, leaf extension rate, and root distribution. Suitable systems for recording are also reviewed. Names and addresses of manufacturers are cited for a few representative models.
The Use of Saline Groundwater in Arid Areas
Authors: Hallsworth† E. G. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAn account is given of large-scale trials of the use of saline water for the trickle irrigation of forest trees in the desert areas of Abu Dhabi, in eastern Arabia. Water of salinities up to an equivalent of 16,000 ppm have been used on Casuarine glauca and Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Growth rates ranged from 1.7 m in 7 years on salinities of 16,000 ppm to 10–12 m in 8 years on salinities of 2000–2500 ppm. Trickle irrigation appears to allow the use of more saline water than can be used with other systems, perhaps because plant roots are not subject to the fluctuations in moisture stress that occur under all other systems.
The Banjhi (Dormancy) Cycle in Tea (camellia sinensis)
Authors: Tanton T. W. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe ‘banjhi’ or dormancy cycle in free-growing tea trees appears to be the result of an endogenous rhythm. However, in harvested tea apical dominance causes dormant shoots to be produced under conditions favourable to growth, and the synchronized flushing cycle causes periods of apical shoot (active terminal bud) and secondary shoot (dormant terminal bud) production.
Influence of Liming and Soil pH on Sorghum (S. Bicolor) and Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea) in Acid Tropical Malaysian Peat
Authors: Chew W. Y. , Joseph K. T. , Ramli K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn three field experiments, peat pH increased in parabolic relation to liming at the rate of 0.0544 pH unit/t/ha between 0–40 t/ha lime, but only 0.0224/t/ha between 40–72 t/ha. Groundnut and sorghum seed yield and crop residue also showed parabolic responses to peat pH and liming, but groundnut seed yield correlated poorly with soil pH (r2 = 0.38, P = 0.05), compared with its crop residue as well as with sorghum seed and residue (r2 = 0.75, 0.76 and 0.79, respectively, P = 0.01). Groundnut was generally more tolerant of peat acidity (pH 3.35–3.65) than sorghum, giving higher plant survival in unlimed plots, optimum seed and residue at pH 4.60 compared with 5.70 for sorghum, and reduced responsiveness to pH increase. Seed and residue of both crops decreased with continuous cropping, probably because of increasing pest and disease incidence and depletion of available soil nutrients.
Influence of Liming and Soil pH on Cassava (manihot esculenta) in Tropical Oligotrophic Peat
Authors: Chew W. Y. , Joseph K. T. , Ramli K. , Majid A. B. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn three field experiments studying the liming needs of cassava on peat, optimum tuber DM was obtained at pH 3.8 and optimum top DM at pH 4.2; liming to higher pH values decreased tuber DM while maintaining top DM. Consequently, the Harvest Index decreased over the whole range of soil pH studied (3.49–5.50). Increases in tuber DM per hectare with liming, and with an increasing growth period, were associated with mean tuber weight (r = 0.86) and with Harvest Index (r = 0.65) rather than with tuber number (r = 0.37).
Physical Measurements in Crop Physiology II. Water Relations
Authors: Squire G. R. , Black C. R. , Gregory P. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYInstruments and techniques are reviewed for measuring the content and potential of water in the soil, the water potential and solute potential of plant tissue, and the diffusive resistance of leaves. Emphasis is placed on difficulties encountered in the field and in the interpretation of measurements. References are given to recent technical papers and reviews dealing with the principles and construction of individual instruments.
Field Plans: Why the Biometrician Finds them Useful
Authors: Ryder K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYWhen agricultural experimenters send data to a statistics unit for analysis, they do not usually include a field plan of the experimental site unless specially requested to do so. But such a plan can be a great help to a biometrician: he can use it to check that the design used in the field was correctly described, and to arrange the plot residuals in the field layout as a way of detecting a fertility trend in the site and of relating anomalous values to particular locations on the ground. This paper gives examples of how a field plan can be used to the benefit of the experimenter.
A Technique for Using Permanent Neutron Meter Access Tubes in Cultivated Soils
Authors: Howse K. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA technique is described that allows neutron meter access tubes to be reinstated in tilled soil without disturbance below the depth of ploughing or tine cultivation. In a test there was no evidence of greater water movement to depth around reinstated access tubes compared with newly inserted ones.
Effects of Formulation and Method of Applying Gibberellic Acid on Flower Promotion in Cocoyam
Authors: Wilson Jill E. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYGibberellic acid (GA) at 1500 ppm, applied as foliar spray or pre-plant soak, effectively promoted flowering in Nigerian clones of the cocoyams Xanthosoma and Colocasia. A foliar spray (technical grade GA) applied with 0.25% surfactant gave better results than with 0.01% surfactant or than a foliar spray of Pro-Gibb Plus (commercial GA formulation). A pre-plant soak of Pro-Gibb Plus was least effective but could be useful in poorly equipped research stations.
Effects of Urea Spray on Wheat in Iraq
Authors: Seth Jagdish , Mosluh K. I. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAn experiment on wheat (variety Mexipak) was undertaken for two years at the Experimental Farm to study the effects of soil and foliar application of urea. The results indicated appreciable increases in grain yields due to foliar sprays of urea during both years of the experiment; the spray helped to increase yield-contributing factors such as thousand-grain weight, weight of grains per plant, plant height and dry weight.
The Misuse of Methematicians, Statisticians and Computers in Agricultural Research
Authors: Finney D. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe paper outlines ways in which agricultural scientists fail to benefit fully from collaboration with statisticians and mathematicians and from the use of computers. These result mainly from misunderstandings and wrong attitudes; the aim here is to correct them by frank examination. A statistician can easily point comment on how his attempts to cooperate with others are rendered ineffective, and many examples are quoted. He must also recognize and seek to correct his own weaknesses; the paper has no intention of minimizing these, though its chief concern is with other matters. The emphasis throughout is on statisticians and mathematicians being collaborators in research, not merely purveyors of specialized services, on computer use being coherently planned, and on scientific management being concerned with priorities.
Genotype (G), Environment (E) and GE Components of Crop Yields
Authors: Simmonds N. W. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYGenotype-environment (GE) interactions as a component of historically rising crop yields are reviewed. For various cereals (both temperate and tropical), past selection has seemingly evoked responsive varieties, and GE effects constitute about one third of the total estimated yield increase due to G + E + GE. In potatoes and sugarcanes, more stable (less responsive) varieties, less dependent upon good environments to do well, have been prominent. Historically, responses have been largely due to unconscious selection, but GE effects could be deliberately manipulated by breeding if it were desirable to do so, for example, to produce varieties adapted to low-input agriculture (already an object of breeding research in a few crops).
The Social-Scientist's Role in Generating Innovations for Small Farmers: Maize in Nigeria
Authors: Bartlett C. D. S. , Fajemisin J. M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn recent years many economists have been posted to agricultural research stations in Africa but their roles and methodologies have not been clearly defined. Maize research in Nigeria has an exceptionally good structure, good facilities and highly trained manpower, yet the innovations recommended to farmers are not entirely satisfactory. Deficiencies are the result of inadequate attention to the way innovations fit into the farm-household system, identification of farmer's objectives, the uses made of maize and problems of resource shortage. Pilot studies demonstrated how these deficiencies may be rectified by an economist, and suggest changed production recommendations and research priorities.
Effects of Population and Inter-Row Spacing on Yields of Maize and Control of Weeds with Herbicides in the Irrigated Savanna
Authors: Choudhary A. H. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn field trials a population of 61,700 maize plants/ha produced higher total dry matter and grain yields than the conventional 36,000 plants/ha. There was no difference in yields with inter-row spacings of 45, 60 or 90 cm, regardless of population levels. Weed suppression was increased by the higher population even though the entire experimental area was treated with herbicides. In one of three years perennial sedge and annual weed growth started 4–5 weeks after herbicide application, under which conditions row spacing had a greater effect and weed growth was significantly less with 45 or 60 cm maize rows than at 90 cm.
Intercropping Morphologically Different Types of Maize with Cowpeas: LER and Growth Attributes of Associated Cowpeas
Authors: Wahua T. A. T. , Babalola O. , Aken'ova M. E. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYLand Equivalent Ratio (LER) and cowpea growth attributes were used to evaluate three different maize cultivars for intercropping with cowpea, a low canopy crop. The relatively short maize cultivar (Kewesoke) with erect upper leaves transmitted the most light to cowpeas, followed by a liguleless erect-leaf type and then a floppy-leaf type. The more the transmitted light, the greater were the growth and yields of associated cowpeas.
Effects of Parasitic and Non-Parasitic Weeds on Sorghum
Authors: Bebawi F. F. , Farah A. F. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe parasitic weed striga had significantly greater effects on sorghum yield components than non-parasitic weeds. Grain reduction caused by striga amounted to 65% compared with 32% reduction caused by non-parasitic weeds. Comparable reductions were also manifest in straw yield, grains/head and plant height of sorghum. Early removal of striga (a week after its emergence), and thereafter at regular weekly intervals, may help to improve crop yields.
Intraspecific Physiological Variants of Striga hermonthica
Authors: Bebawi F. F. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYPreliminary evidence is presented in this study for the existence of (1) intraspecific physiological variants of Striga hermonthica, with Gabob population as the most responsive strain to a range of Sorghum bicolor cultivars, and (2) a local Sudanese sorghum cultivar called Tetron with broad-spectrum resistance to striga. Thus Tetron may be recommended as another standard resistant cultivar with reference to Framida of East Africa.
Mixed cropping in Northern Nigeria IV. Extended Trials with Cereals and Groundnuts
Authors: Baker E. F. I. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTrials carried out at a range of locations in northern Nigeria showed that gross cash returns from mixtures were never less than those from sole groundnuts, confirming results from the main research station at Samaru. In many cases they were considerably higher and in the Northern Guinea Savanna, where the system is most widely practised, showed a high probability of returns greater than the sole crop median. Increasing attention is being paid to haulm yield and the possibility that sole groundnut may be more profitable near large towns because of haulm value.
Yield Stability Studies in Soyabeans (Glycine Max)
Authors: Funnah S. M. , Mak C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYRegression analysis, stability variance method, and the genotype-grouping technique were used to investigate the relative yield stability of 20 soyabean genotypes, grown in 12 diverse environments in Malaysia in 1978. With the regression analysis, four genotypes were observed to be unstable for grain yield; however, for the remaining 16 genotypes with non-significant regression coefficients, a substantial proportion of the g × e interaction was non-linearly related to the environmental indices. With the second and third methods less than half of the genotypes turned out to be stable for grain yield. Generally, for some genotypes, the stability classification was the same for all three methods.
Comparisons of the Yields of Four Potato Varieties in Trials and in Agriculture
Authors: Simmonds N. W. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe yields of four potato varieties (two old and two new) in trials and in agriculture were compared. The six possible paired comparisons of means and of variety-on-variety regressions showed genotype–environment interactions. Trials and agricultural data agreed rather poorly as to both means and regressions, suggesting that further studies are desirable, in diverse crops, of the ability of trials to predict agricultural yields.
Variation in Growth of Young Vegetatively Propagated Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Kathiravetpillai A. , Kulasegaram S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYVariation in the growth of young vegetatively-propagated tea in the nursery was studied. Erect shoots grew more vigorously, furnishing cuttings which rooted better and produced stronger plants than those from the weaker, inclined shoots. When erect shoots were artificially inclined they showed reduced terminal bud activity and shoot growth, while inclined shoots artificially erected commenced bud activity and made growth like naturally inclined and erect shoots respectively. Pruning adequately fertilized mature tea bushes at 40 cm above ground level produced vigorous shoots and at 6–8 months furnished more acceptable cuttings that produced better plants, while non-pruned bushes produced less suitable shoots and cuttings. Young unpruned plants produced weak shoots with fewer and poorer cuttings. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Performance of Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) and Maize (Zea mays) as Forages in Irrigated Saline Soils of the Sudan
Authors: El Karouri M. O. H. , Mansi M. G. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTrials were made of the performance of batches of forage sorghum and maize, sown at different times of year. The optimum sowing periods of sorghum variety Abu Sabeen and maize variety 113 were found to be February to October and November to January respectively. Of the various climatic factors considered in this study, mean daily temperature was of greatest importance in affecting yield. The overall performance of sorghum was superior to that of maize, probably because of its relatively higher salt tolerance.
Evolution of Grain Legumes. II. Old And New World Pulses of Lesser Economic Importance
Authors: Smartt J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA consideration of the apparent lack of general success of minor pulse crops can lead to a better appreciation of the factors which have made the major pulses successful. The relevant factors are both biological and economic. High productivity based on an efficient physiology, amenability to local agronomic practices and a satisfactory range of ecological tolerance are prime prerequisites for success. Aspects of quality, palatability, lack of toxic factors (or ease of detoxification), ease of preparation and cooking and the more imponderable questions of consumer preference are equally important. If any of these prerequisites are not adequately met success in cultivation is improbable. At the present time the lack of more extensive success of the winged bean appears to be due to some deficiency in ecological tolerance, and of the horse-gram and jack and sword beans to a lack of palatability; the Hausa groundnut (Kersting's groundnut) suffers from a probably inefficient physiology while limited consumer acceptance has possibly restricted production of pigeonpea and hyacinth bean. The rather limited evolutionary advance achieved by this group of pulses is probably directly related to their somewhat restricted production and the relatively low level of selection pressures to which they have been subjected.