Terminal heat stress leads to sizeable yield loss in late-sown wheat in tropical environments. Several synthetic compounds are known to counteract plant stress emanating from abiotic factors. A field experiment was conducted in Sabour (eastern India) during 2013–2016 to investigate the field efficacy of two synthetic compounds, calcium chloride (CaCl2) and arginine, for improving grain yield of two contrasting wheat cultivars (DBW 14 and K 307) facing terminal heat stress. For this, foliar spray of 18.0 mM CaCl2 at booting (CCB) or anthesis (CCA), 9.0 mM CaCl2 at both booting and anthesis (CCB+A), 2.5 mM arginine at booting (ARGB) or anthesis (ARGA) and 1.25 mM arginine at both booting and anthesis (ARGB+A) treatments along with no-spray and water-spray treatments were evaluated in late-sown wheat. The highest grain yield was recorded in treatment CCB+A, followed by CCA and ARGB+A. However, the effect of these compounds was marginal on grain yield when applied only at the booting stage. Grains/ear and thousand-grain weight were found to be the critical determinants for yield in late-sown wheat. During the anthesis to grain filling period, flag-leaf chlorophyll degradation and increase in relative permeability in no-spray treatment were 34–36% and 29–52%, respectively, but these values were reduced considerably in CCB+A treatment followed CCA. Thus, foliar spray of 9.0 mM CaCl2 both at booting and anthesis stages may be recommended for alleviating the negative impacts of terminal heat stress in late-sown wheat and improving its productivity (>13%).

The genitalia of a control series of nineteen animals, slaughtered for other reasons than reproductive failure, were studied. Of these six were in various stages of pregnancy, one was in a ‘proliferative phase’, being slaughtered probably just before the first oestrus after calving, and twelve represented different phases of the oestrous cycle, more than half exemplifying the last 4 days before heat. Stages were judged from the appearance of the ovaries, and checked in five instances by repeated rectal examinations, and observation of behaviour during life. Of the nineteen uteri eight yielded bacteria on culture, sometimes in moderately high density; from two of them, pure cultures were recovered respectively of Pseudomonas and Neisseria catarrhalis; and in another, probably Proteus was found. No previous records of these three genera at such a site have been found. Only aerobic blood agar plate cultures, and those for tuberculosis organisms were made. Dissection results unequivocally supported the view of Tagliavini in opposition to that taken by Hammond, that the sanguineous elements in post-oestral discharge originated from endometrial extravasation. The cow slaughtered 4 days after heat indicated that congestion disappears from the caruncles before leaving the areas between them. Microscopically, no mast cells, as observed by the Italian workers, could be seen; it appeared that a ‘proliferative phase’ occurs in every cycle during the three pre-oestral days, when gland tissue proliferates from its nadir of development, surface epithelium grows in height, and vascularization progresses. The rate and interrelations of these changes seemed variable. Arterioles appeared to be withdrawn from the superficial mucosa during the secretory phase. Tagliavini's claim to have observed sloughing of epithelium about the 17th day, strictly equivalent to the process of menstruation in the Primates, must on the evidence be regarded with considerable reserve.

A mathematical model has been constructed to simulate pasture contamination by the faeces of grazing cattle and the effects on herbage intake. The model describes the rate of deposition of faeces in relation to herbage intake, the effects of contamination on intake as modified by grazing pressure, and the rate at which the influence of faeces on grazing behaviour declines after deposition.

The information available on these processes is incomplete and imprecise in a number of respects. It appears from the modelling exercise that further data are most urgently needed on the rate at which the inhibitory influence of faeces declines, and on the precise effect of grazing pressure on the amount of herbage rejected.

A secondary effect of contamination is recognized, in which the utilization of herbage initially rejected because of the presence of faeces is modified subsequently because the temporary protection from grazing allows it to become too mature. This effect may be quantitatively larger than the primary contamination effect on untrimmed pastures, but its accurate prediction depends on the establishment of comprehensive relationships between the amount and composition of herbage on offer and intake by the grazing animal. The latter studies deserve at least an equal research priority, in relation to the contamination problem in toto, as the elucidation of the details of the primary effect.

Data on the performance of British, Africander cross British and Brahman cross British females were examined. Of the animals mated only 56-0% of the homebred British cows produced live calves compared with 77-3 and 73-8% from Africander and Brahman cross cows respectively. Evidence was found that the low calving percentage for the.British females was connected with breeding stress, the British females being frequently unable to maintain weight if pregnancies occurred in two successive years. Under similar stress conditions crossbred-Zebu cows could thrive and breed and crossbred Brahmans in particular would normally maintain their weight.

1. In an experiment conducted with eight pairs of monozygous twin heifer calves aged from 7 to 9 months, it was shown that the mean haemoglobin concentration of those reared on a high plane of nutrition was higher than the corresponding value of those reared on low-plane rations.

2. The relative anaemia of the low-plane animals was microcytic but normochromic in type. Its cause must await further investigation, but these features would not be inconsistent with a deficiency of iron.

3. For this type of haematological study, monozygous twins proved more efficient than unrelated animals, as shown by the smaller variability within than between pairs.

4. Day-to-day variation in the same animal must be considered an important possible source of sampling error.

The successful ensiling of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) depends on a rapid acidification in the silo and consequently relies on a sufficient proliferation of, particularly homofermentative, lactic acid bacteria. Similarly, growth of spoilage bacteria, such as enterobacteria and clostridia, must be suppressed and silage additives are therefore frequently applied to promote favourable conditions during ensiling. Three silage additives or soil were applied during lucerne ensiling and investigated for their effects on silage quality characteristics and abundances of total bacteria as well as the bacterial key players Lactobacillus spp., homofermentative Lact. plantarum, heterofermentative Lact. buchneri, Clostridium spp. and Enterobacteriaceae after 30 days of storage. Inoculation with viable Lact. plantarum resulted in highest concentration of this species and excellent silage quality, i.e. high lactic acid concentration coupled with low acetic acid and ammonia-nitrogen concentrations. A sodium nitrite and hexamine-based additive did not support growth of lactic acid bacteria, which was also apparent by higher pH and low lactic acid concentration. No effect of treatments was found on spoilage-related enterobacteria and clostridia, even not when adding soil to lucerne to increase initial clostridial contamination. However, soil treatment resulted in increased ammonia-nitrogen and acetic acid concentrations. Consequently, among the bacterial key players, lactic acid bacteria concentrations were related to silage quality. Regarding spoilage bacteria, however, alterations in silage quality characteristics were not reflected in the abundances of enterobacteria and clostridia. Future investigations should underpin the present findings and help to understand how silage additives affect microbial key players and silage fermentation.

Potato varieties were grown in the field in soil uniformly infected with Streptomyces scabies. In 1969 tubers were severely and evenly infected but in 1971 infection was slight and not uniform. Agreement of varietal ranking with agricultural experience was good in 1969 but poor in 1971.

In 1971, plots protected from rainfall after planting were dry enough at the start of tubering for severe infection; covering the plots for a further 6 weeks followed by irrigation to field capacity resulted in good yields of evenly and severely scabbed tubers. Irrigation during this period suppressed scabbing. The results were easily interpreted in relation to fluctuations in soil-water content measured by a neutron moisture-meter.

The efficiency of using only one site and the need to reduce variability in scab screening tests are discussed.

Statistically sound methods for analysing the results of germination tests were used to quantify and assess differences between seed lots of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) subjected to accelerated ageing. Ageing altered not only the proportion of seed not germinating but also the mean germination time and the synchrony of germination. Seed lots differed in these three parameters before and after ageing. The responses to ageing of mean germination time and synchrony were not regular and a simulation of trie possible effects of ageing on germination suggested this irregularity might be due to changes in the proportion of viable seeds and to a non-normal distribution of seed ages.

1. 4 g. of Mg per day given as either magnesium oxide or magnesium nitrate failed to increase plasma magnesium levels of fourteen lactating ewes which had initial values of about 1·0 mg. Mg/100 ml.

2. Increases which were recorded 4 hr. after drenching were not sustained for the full 24 hr. period between drenches.

An experiment has been performed on the effect of sulphanilamide on the calcium and phosphorus metabolism of laying hens.

The results showed a decrease in calcium retention and thinner shelled eggs, when sulphanilamide was fed.

When the drug was withdrawn the birds took some time to reach normal balance values again, but they immediately produced normally shelled eggs.

The results of this experiment, along with a previous experiment, have been considered from other points of view in an attempt to find an explanation of some slightly divergent results. Relationships between calcium retained and calcium in shell and between calcium balance and phosphorus balance have been found and the values for changes in calcium bound to phosphorus and residual calcium in bone have been calculated. These considerations have helped to clear up the discrepancies, and it would appear that sulphanilamide effects may be influenced by season, and by calcium and phosphorus intake.

The grazing feed intake of four ¾ Brahman and four purebred Hereford steers was measured on four occasions during 12 months while they grazed improved pastures in a cool temperate environment. When pen fed roughage diets, the excretion pattern of chromic oxide and faecal nitrogen–digestibility relationships were also investigated in these animals.

There were no breed differences in the relative recovery of Cr2O3 in the faeces when bulking 10.00 and 17.00 h samples nor were there breed differences in the faecal nitrogen–digestibility regression obtained. However, although there were large discrepancies between feed intake and live-weight change when measured in different seasons, the Herefords had the higher feed intake on each occasion while breed differences in live-weight change were non-significant.

Sprouted potato tubers lose nutritional value, and their increased content of reducing sugar renders them unsuitable for the french fry and chipping industries. Thus, tuber sprouting in storage is a primary concern of the potato industry, and is currently controlled by application of chemical sprout suppressants. Such suppressants are subject to widespread regulation by governmental agencies. The present study was initiated to investigate the role of the plant hormone ethylene in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber dormancy release. To this end, potato cv. ‘Russet Burbank’ was transformed with ETR1, an ethylene receptor gene from Arabidopsis. The resulting clones were genetically characterized to verify integration and expression of the ETR1 mRNA and protein. Transgenic clones showed developmental and morphologic changes in plant and tuber, and differing responses to environmental stress and pathogen attack relative to untransformed controls. Lengthening of dormancy was also observed in ETR1 antisense clones stored at 4 °C. Transgenic potato clones treated with solutions of silver thiosulfate (STS), an ethylene action inhibitor, showed restoration of normal plant morphology, while controls were unaffected. These results demonstrate the pleiotrophic effects of ethylene in potato, and identify a need for additional studies on the relationship between ethylene and tuber dormancy.

The rotation II experiment at Saxmundham, which ran from 1899-1952, was designed to show how limited quantities of FYM, N and P could best be allocated to the crops of a four-course rotation; there were also tests of additional quantities of N and P. Both FYM and P fertilizer gave large increases in the yield of all crops, but the profitability of the rotation as a whole proved to be little affected by which crops received FYM or P fertilizer. The rates of N tested were too small to provide any information relevant to current farm practices. The optimal dressing of P fertilizer at 1965 prices was 0.5-0.6 cwt. P2O6 per acre.

Lower concentrations of the herbicide M15 stimulated the in vitro cellulose digestion and V.F.A. production by rumen micro-organisms. The herbicide Cotoran enhanced cellulose digestion but had no effect on V.F.A. production. The herbicide Dalapon decreased cellulose digestion and had little effect on V.F.A. concentrations. The herbicide 2,4·D had little or no effect on the in vitro cellulose digestion and V.F.A. production. The in vitro microbial activity was inhibited by the pesticide DDT. The effects of M15 2,4·D and DDT on V.F.A. production decreased with time. When the rumen fluid was fractionated, the V.F.A. production by the bacterial fraction was not significantly altered by the addition of 2,4·D and M15, whereas the activity of protozoal fraction was greatly enhanced. The response of V.F.A. production by washed suspensions of rumen ciliate protozoa to the addition of pesticides and herbicides was remarkably similar to that of rumen contents. Feeding M15 (60 ppm) increased the ruminal V.F.A. over those in the control sheep whereas 2,4·D had no or little effect.

To those who for the first time visit a tropical country nothing is more striking than the extraordinary profusion of insect life. Some by their abundance, others by their bizarre form, others again by the brilliance of their colouring or through some suggestive vague resemblance to familiar northern forms, stimulate curiosity and excite a longing to learn more of their strange lives. This need the authours have attempted to satisfy in so far as it can be done within the limits of a single volume. Such a work must of course be sketchy, and probably no one realises this better that the authors themselves. Insects are already responsible for 14 volumes of the Fauna of British India and the tale is yet to run.

Considerations which are dealt with at length in Appendix III governed the form of the investigation upon tillering. In essence, the intention was to compare the pure lines P and A and to explore the possibilities of making accurate determinations of tillering. For reasons discussed in the Appendix, special steps were taken to secure for observation a population of plants which had had as great a uniformity of conditions as was attainable. The selection and sowing of the seed have been described in § I above. To promote further uniformity, plants of the following categories were excluded from observation: (i) all the plants of end rows; (ii) the end plants of all rows; (iii) plants which did not germinate on 26. iii. or 27. iii. (these days constituted the “modal” 2-day period of germination for the whole population); (iv) plants damaged to a noticeable degree by wire-worm or any other such agency; (v) plants whose immediate neighbour(s) in the row had died.

Two series of trials have been carried out to compare the digestibility of fresh grass with the material obtained by drying grass, from the same source and cut at the same time, in a band drier by heated air at an inlet temperature of 200° C.

This process has not affected the digestibility of the various constituents with the possible exception of the crude protein which is slightly depressed.

In the second series of trials a drier operating with air at an inlet temperature of 600° C. was also used. In this drier a depression of the digestibility of the constituents of the grass was noted. This was particularly so in the case of the protein which was depressed to a very marked degree.

It would therefore appear that although the use of the higher temperature increases the output of the drier, it adversely affects the digestibility of the final product.

The digestibility, the voluntary intake and the nitrogen balance of 108 diets corresponding to 94 silages prepared from 20 fresh crops were measured in growing sheep. Series of silages were made from the same fresh forage. Each series included two controls: a direct-cut silage without additive and a direct-cut silage with formic acid, with a variable number of experimental silages with different additives.

Rumen ammonia concentration, measured on rumen-fistulated sheep, decreased when an additive was used. It increased with nitrogen intake and was inversely related to the organic-matter digestibility and the crude-fibre digestibility. It varied with the silage composition.

The crude-protein digestibility of direct-cut silages without additives was similar to or slightly higher than the crude-protein digestibility of the fresh crops. The addition of formic acid depressed the digestibility, but the addition of formaldehyde decreased it even more. The urinary nitrogen loss was higher for silages without additive than for the fresh crops and was decreased by the addition of formic acid. The addition of formaldehyde to formic acid had an additive effect.

Retained nitrogen was lower in silages without additives (12% of nitrogen intake) than in parent crops (15·7%). It increased when formic acid (15·8%) was added. The addition of formaldehyde at a low rate (1·5 l/t green fodder) to the formic acid did not increase the nitrogen retention whether expressed in g/day or as percentage of nitrogen intake, but the addition of formaldehyde at a high rate (3·5 l/t green fodder) to formic acid decreased nitrogen retention. The other additives based on cereals or whey did not improve the nitrogen balance compared with formic acid. Nitrogen retention differed according to plant species.

Retained nitrogen increased with digestible organic-matter intake and nitrogen intake. It increased with the silage water-soluble carbohydrate content. The higher the silage fermentation product content (ammonia, lactic acid, propionic acid), the lower the retained nitrogen. It appears that the nitrogen value of silages can be high provided that the silages are well preserved and that excessive protein breakdown is avoided.

Despite much experimental evidence showing that sodium fertilizer increases sugar–beet yield and decreases need for potassium, there is resistance to its use on some soil types through fears of deterioration in soil structure. Twelve field experiments with sugar beet were made in Eastern England, testing all combinations of autumn and spring applications of 0, 150 and 300 kg Na/ha and 0, 83 and 333 kg K/ha. Fields were chosen with soils of loamy very fine sand, very fine sandy loam, sandy clay loam and clay loam textures. Micro–plot and controlled environment studies were also made with the same soils to examine effects of sodium on seedling emergence and growth.

Visual assessments of soil physical state following sodium application revealed no effect in the year sugar beet was grown nor in the following spring when cereals were grown. Measurements of physical properties of soils treated with sodium suggested that applications of several times the recommended amounts of sodium fertilizer would not damage soil structure. However, sodium fertilizer increased the osmotic suction of soil solution which, under some circumstances, e.g. dry springs or giving the fertilizer close to the time of sowing, decreased germination and seedling growth. For this reason and not because it has a detrimental effect on soil physical condition, sodium fertilizer best given in the autumn or some weeks before sowing.