1. ‘Wet’ soil plants had greater tiller and leaf number, and were also taller than ‘dry’ soil plants.

2. The straw and grain dry weight, and grain weight as percentage of straw weight, were greater in ‘wet’ soil plants than in ‘dry’ soil ones.

3. Wet soil hastened the time of ear emergence.

4. Increasing the phosphate supply, on the whole, tended to increase the tiller and leaf number, weight of straw and grain and also hastened time of ear emergence.

5. Under ‘wet’ soil conditions high phosphate application is not necessary.

6. The yield of grain at high phosphate level of plants grown on ‘dry’ soil is significantly lower than the yield from those grown on ‘wet’ soil with low phosphate application. This suggested that under ‘dry’ soil conditions availability of nitrogen, as well as of phosphorus, is a limiting factor.

The extent of variation in ratoonability was examined in a range of recently bred short-duration pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] genotypes in 1989/90, 1990/91 and 1991/92 at the ICRISAT Asia Center, Andhra Pradesh, India. Traits with which this variation could be associated were assessed. Differences in the total ratoon yield of two flushes were significant among the genotypes in each season. In a few genotypes, ratoon yield constituted 50% of the total yield, which could be as high as 5·6 t/ha. Total ratoon yield was positively correlated with leaf area index in the last 2 years of experimentation. The relationship of total ratoon yield to main crop yield was significantly positive in 1991/92 only. The results suggest that there is a large variation in ratoonability among short-duration genotypes and that high leaf area retention at main crop maturity appears to contribute substantially to this variation.

The total metabolism of the pregnant goat remains at a steady rate from the 4th to the end of the 13th week of pregnancy. It increases steadily from the 14th to the 21st week, when a value is attained about 50 per cent, above the rate at the 14th week. Just before delivery the rate drops slightly. The increased metabolism is due partly to the increase in the mass of active protoplasm and partly to the stimulus exerted by the growing ovum on the maternal tissues. This stimulus tends to fall off slightly in intensity in early pregnancy and increases markedly in late pregnancy.

Post partum the total metabolism drops suddenly and continues to fall until the end of the 5th week; but the metabolism per unit of weight increases steadily until the 4th week and then declines. This increased activity of the maternal protoplasm is due to the processes of involution and repair.

In early pregnancy the increasing intra-abdominal pressure cuts short fermentation of food and causes the R.Q. to be higher in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant animal. As the pressure increases it begins to impede slightly the evacuation of the rumen so that the food ferments more thoroughly and the R.Q. falls slightly. After parturition the low intra-abdominal pressure aggravated by the laxity of the abdominal walls allows the food to remain longer in the rumen so that fermentation is more thorough and the R.Q. lower than in late pregnancy.

Experiments were conducted over two cropping seasons at the Sugar Cane Estate of the Nigerian Sugar Company, Bacita, Nigeria to determine the effectiveness of additional nitrogen fertilizer, chemical sprays and delayed planting in controlling flowering in two commercial sugar-cane varieties (Co. 1001 andCp. 29/116). Application of 150 and 250 kg N/ha, 8 weeks before initiation, reduced flowering in Co. 1001 by up to 13·5 and 11 % respectively. Flowering was as low as 2% in some of the above treatments while the average flowering in plots with no additional nitrogen application was more than 80%. imilarly, application of diuron (4·0 kg/ha) and paraquat (0'5 kg/ha) to the top leaves (3 weeks before initiation) of Co. 1001 reduced flowering in this variety up to 45 and 35% respectively. Neither the application of diuron and paraquat nor additional nitrogen fertilizer sufficiently reduced flowering in Cp. 29/116. The time of planting affected flowering. Over 85% flowering was observed in November 1982 from Co. 1001 fields planted in January 1982 (10 months before initiation time). However, fields of the same variety planted in June 1982 (4 months before initiation time) did not show any initiation until harvest in May 1983. The implications of the above results are discussed.

In field drainage waters, Fe(II) can be oxidized to Fe(III), which is precipitated as iron ochre. At a farm near Aberdeen, Scotland, ochre is precipitated both chemically and biologically. The precipitation was delayed using the antibiotic D-threo-chloramphenicol and Cu(II) ions. Iron deposition was delayed on glass slides coated with copper filings. It is suggested that the incorporation and slow release of substances which inhibit ochre formation, from drainage pipe material, would be a valuable method of controlling the ochre problem.

1. Continuous waterlogging and 4 weeks' waterlogging immediately after transplanting produced plants with higher leaf and shoot numbers.

2. There was no difference in the final shoot number between plants continuously waterlogged and those waterlogged for 4 weeks, immediately and 4 weeks after transplanting. The shoot mortality was higher in the continuously waterlogged plants and those waterlogged for 4 weeks immediately, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after transplanting than in those waterlogged for 4 weeks, 4 weeks after transplanting.

3. Continuously waterlogged plants and those waterlogged for 4 weeks, 4 weeks after transplanting, were taller than those waterlogged for 4 weeks, immediately, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after transplanting.

4. Leaf area per bucket, leaf area per shoot and per leaf lamina were higher in continuously waterlogged plants and those waterlogged for 4 weeks, 4 weeks after transplanting, than in those waterlogged for 4 weeks immediately, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after transplanting.

5. Continuous waterlogging and waterlogging for 4 weeks, 4 weeks after transplanting, increased the physiological age of the plants as evidenced by earlier ear emergence and grain ripeness.

6. Fresh-weight yield, yield of grain and panicle were greater in continuously waterlogged plants and those waterlogged for 4 weeks, 4 weeks after transplanting, than in those waterlogged for 4 weeks immediately, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after transplanting.

7. The critical period for waterlogging in the cultivation of the rice variety studied is 4 weeks after transplanting and waterlogging applied during this critical period for 4 weeks favours higher yield of grain than when applied for the same period earlier or later than this period. Where water supply is limited the plants should only be waterlogged at this period and the soil kept moist throughout the remaining growing period. However, where there is enough water to waterlog the plants for 8 weeks this should be started immediately after transplanting.

Maize or lucerne silages were fed to two groups of cows in a large dairy herd. Metabolic profile tests carried out during the trial showed that abnormal blood chemistry such as might lead to production disease did not occur in either group.

The results of feed analysis and digestibility trials showed that the two silages provided equal quantities of digestible energy but that the lucerne silage provided more digestible protein than the maize silage. Blood glucose concentrations were similar in both groups of cows but serum urea and albumin concentrations were significantly higher in the cows fed lucerne silage than in those fed maize silage. There was also evidence that lucerne silage provided slightly less available phosphorus but more calcium than the maize silage.

It is concluded that maize silage, as used in these experiments, showed no tendency to lead to production disease, and furthermore the metabolic profile test provided additional information to feed analysis in making this assessment.

A method that allows the effect of temperature treatments on plant quality to be quantified is described. The proposed method is based on the analysis of temperature regions for plant quality characteristics and enables an easier and more precise analysis of the influence of day and night temperature on plant growth and development. Plant quality may be evaluated by the combination of any number of plant characteristics. The proposed method can assist growers in determining what temperature regimes are necessary to produce acceptable-quality crops on specified days.

Steers fed low nitrogen diets were infused intraruininally with water.

Increasing the water load increased the urine volume and urinary urea excretion and depressed the plasma urea level.

The effect of intraruminal water loading was studied in association with intravenous urea loading of 25 and 65 g N/day. When 25 g N/day as urea was infused intravenously, water loading did not significantly increase the urinary urea excretion but the plasma urea level was depressed. At 65 g N/day water loading increased the urinary urea excretion and decreased the plasma urea level.

Significantly different relations between plasma urea and urea load existed for the ad lib. water and the water-loaded treatments but the relation between rumen ammonia level and plasma urea level was not affected by the water loading.

The results are discussed with reference to the recycling of urea.

1. Four varieties of marrow stem kale, three of thousand headed kale, Hungry Gap Kale, Rape-Kale and five other rape varieties were sampled at two centres in mid-Wales and separate leaf and stem samples analysed for manganese, molybdenum and boron. Similar samples of four varieties of marrow stem kale, two of thousand headed kale, Hungry Gap Kale, Rape-Kale and two other varieties of rape were taken from two further centres and prepared with the most stringent precautions to prevent contamination. Iron, copper, zinc and lead were determined in these samples.

The life history of the black currant mite, Eriophyes ribis, Nal. is of a simple character from the month of May, when the buds of the current year's growth are entered, till March of the following year. During this time the mites live and multiply in the embryonic leaves producing the abnormal growth familiar to fruit growers as “big-bud.” From the end of March onward, however, the buds so attacked gradually die, and the mites which have lived in them for the past nine months are forced to find other plant food. At this time the buds of the black currant which the mites will eventually live in are rudimentary and it is the end of May before they are sufficiently developed for the acarids to enter.

The writers do not mean to infer that the maintenance requirement of the adult sheep, as calculated by Wood and Capstick, is incorrect. The value obtained by these investigators is probably as reliable as any other which could be calculated from their data. The writers fully agree that Wood and Capstick's value is probably more accurate than previously estimated values of the maintenance requirement of the adult sheep.

Cultivated pastures in southern China are being used to improve forage productivity and animal performance, but studies on grazing behaviour of goats in these cultivated pastures are still rare. In the current study, the grazing behaviour of Yunling black goats under low (5 goats/ha) and high (15 goats/ha) stocking rates (SRs) was evaluated. Data showed that the proportion of time goats spent on activities was: eating (0.59–0.87), ruminating (0.05–0.35), walking (0.03–0.06) and resting (0.01–0.03). Compared with low SR, goats spent more time eating and walking, and less time ruminating and resting under high SR. Goats had similar diet preferences under both SR and preferred to eat grasses (ryegrass and cocksfoot) more than a legume (white clover). The distribution of eating time on each forage species was more uniform under high v. low SR. Bites/step, bite weight and daily intake were greater under low than high SR. Results suggest that the SR affects grazing behaviour of goats on cultivated pasture, and identifying an optimal SR is critical for increasing bite weight and intake.

In a study of two coarse wool breeds (Awassi and Karadi) and their reciprocal crosses, data were obtained on the mean fibre length, mean fibre diameter, fibre type ratio, medullation and on the effect of some environmental factors on these traits. Reciprocal crosses showed intermediate values, in growth rate of fibres, percentages of fibre types and medullation, between those of the parental breeds. Sex exhibited a significant effect at weaning only, on fibre length. Heterosis in fibre length, at the two ages, was small and negative. Maternal influence on fibre length was small and not significant. Fibre length in Karadi sheep showed the highest frequency of bimodal distribution whereas Awassi showed the lowest. Awassi × Karadi was closer to Karadi and Karadi × Awassi had greater affinity to Awassi in the frequency of samples showing bimodal distribution.

Reciprocal crosses had larger diameter, at weaning, than those of the parental breeds. At 1 year of age they assumed an intermediate position between the pure bred parents.

At weaning, the two reciprocal crosses showed a highly significant heterosis in fibre diameter; its value decreased with advancing age and it showed no significant effect at 1 year of age.

Maternal influence on fibre diameter was very small and not significant.

Karadi × Awassi and Karadi samples had the highest percentage of samples showing bimodal distribution of fibre diameter.

Samples with bimodal distribution of both length and diameter, indicating two coats, had the highest frequency in Karadi followed by Karadi × Awassi; Awassi showed the lowest value.

Percentages of fine, coarse and kemp fibres were significantly affected by breed and age of dam. Type of birth showed a significant effect only on percentage of coarse fibres.

Karadi wool might be more suitable for carpet manufacturing. It excelled the other groups in the bimodal distribution of both length and diameter as well as in medullation. Cross-breeding increased the bimodality of fibre distribution.

Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) is an important medicinal plant grown in different parts of India. Its leaves contain vincristine and vinblastin, alkaloids which are used in the treatment of various leukaemias and limphomas, and its roots contain ajmalcine, another alkaloid, used in the manufacture of antihypertensive drugs. Cultivation of periwinkle has recently gained importance in India. The yield of periwinkle can be increased with the use of mineral fertilizers (Pareek et al. 1981, 1982; Rajasekharan et al. 1982; Reghunath & Sethumadhavan, 1982a, b; Hegde, 1986). The effect of fertilizer application on the alkaloid concentration is not clearly established though there are a few reports which suggest that application of N increases alkaloid concentration in roots (Rajasekharan et al. 1982; Reghunath & Sethumadhavan, 1982a) and leaves (Pareek et al. 1982). Therefore, the present experiment was designed to study the effect of application of nitrogen and phosphatic fertilizers and farmyard manure on the root and leaf yields, and total alkaloid concentrations in roots and leaves in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don.

There is currently considerable interest in the use of anabolic compounds to improve the efficiency of animal growth and to produce leaner carcasses. While the majority of work has centred on beef production, the growth performance of sheep is also improved (Galbraith & Topps, 1981). However, little is known of the effects of anabolic steroid hormone administration on wool growth. The few experiments which have been conducted indicate that exogenous oestrogens depress wool output (Slen & Connell, 1958) while exogenous testosterone has consistently enhanced both greasy and clean wool yields (Slen & Connell, 1958; Osborne, 1968; Southcott & Royal, 1971). Little is known, however, of the effects of the synthetic steroids on wool growth. Coehlo, Galbraith & Topps (1981) reported a reduction in wool per unit body weight in sheep implanted with trenbolone acetate and oestradiol-17β, suggesting lowered efficiency of wool growth. Similarly Yasin & Galbraith (1981) noted that trenbolone acetate, in combination with either oestradiol-17β or zeranol, reduced wool output per unit body weight. Neither of these trials attempted to isolate the effects of trenbolone acetate alone from those of the androgenplus-oestrogen combination.

Seeds of okra were sown in moist soil and subjected to heat stress of 45 °C for 10 h on day 0 (day of sowing), day 1 or day 2 after sowing. Stresses on day 0 and, to a lesser extent, on day 1 promoted hypocotyl elongation and accelerated seedling emergence. Stress on day 2 retarded hypocotyl elongation and did not accelerate emergence. The results were similar for seeds sown at depths of 1, 4 or 7·5 cm. For 10-h stresses on day 0, 40 °C was slightly less promotive than 45 °C; but 50 °C or above resulted in no emergence whatsoever. Subjecting dry seeds to 40–60 °C for 24 h before sowing gave no appreciable acceleration of emergence; instead, at 60 °C there was a 24-h delay in the onset of emergence. Seeds were also incubated for 1·5 h in water at temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 °C. Emergence was accelerated at 40 to 65 °C, with the greatest acceleration at 45 °C. It is suggested that incubating the seeds at 45 °C for 1·5 h before sowing could afford a practical means to accelerate field emergence of okra.

The amount of oil in the diet and its degree of unsaturation are known to exert an important effect on the nature of the fat deposited in the body of the growing pig, foods of high oil content tending to give rise to bacon carcasses containing fat of an undesirably soft and unsaturated character. For this reason, authorities on pig nutrition are agreed on the desirability of excluding from the dietary of the bacon pig all foods containing more than a small percentage of oil. It has been stated that, in order to avoid the danger of producing carcasses with soft fat, the meal ration of the fattening pig should be made up so as to contain no more than about 3% of oil.

This prejudice against the use of feeding stuffs rich in oil has been transferred, somewhat unquestioningly perhaps, to feeding stuffs rich in fat. Feeding meat meal, for example, contains normally from 8 to 10 % of fat, and manufacturers complain of the difficulty of securing sales of this product for pig-feeding on account of the view generally held that its high fat content would occasion the production of soft fat in the resultant bacon or a carcass with an excessive amount of fat. To meet this prejudice, therefore, the meat meal as ordinarily produced is frequently submitted to a process of de-greasing with petroleum benzine at about 200° F. so as to give a meat meal containing about 3% of fat. This procedure, however, not only adds to the cost of the manufacture of meat meal, but may actually lead to a distinct lowering of the digestibility of the product (Woodman & Evans, 1937).

A statistical model of the grazing preference of sheep is presented for the evaluation of spaced plants in small plots for plant breeding purposes. Plants are located randomly to reduce the effect of external factors on diet selection, and to differentiate between discriminatory and random grazing. Consistency of discrimination among grazings and sites (Massey University, New Zealand and INIA La Estanzuela, Uruguay) was tested. The statistical design and subsequent analyses considered all sources of variation to minimize error, and to separate genetic effects from environment effects. Clonal replicates were used to enhance error-control, and hence the precision of heritability estimates, as most characters are inherited quantitatively. Post-grazing leafiness is considered the best character to select and breed for animal preference in a red clover germplasm.

1. Individual birds have a characteristic date for the termination of the egg laying cycle.

2. The date of cessation of production at the end of the pullet year is not a reliable indication of the bird's potentiality in this respect.

3. The longer the birds are retained the greater is the chance of distinguishing the true date.

4. Individual dates for the termination of the cycle occur at so many points throughout the total range (from July to December) that this must either indicate a multiple factor situation or that the genes involved show a considerable range of expression.