Relative susceptibility of potato varieties toStreptomyces scabiei andS. acidiscabies

In 2000 and 2004, 19 potato varieties were grown in separate plots inoculated with the scab pathogensStreptomyces scabiei andS. acidiscabies. Reaction of the varieties to these two species were highly correlated in both years, with no host variety-pathogen species interaction. These results are consistent with the central role of the bacterial toxin thaxtomin in scab development, and indicate that this and other mechanisms involved in pathogen infection and establishment are not expressed differentially with regard to variety. Likewise, there is no apparent differential response of the pathogens to those host factors determining the degrees of resistance and symptoms expressed in different varieties.     

COMPETITION BETWEEN PLANTS OF COCKSFOOT (DACTYLIS GLOMERATA) GROWN FOR SEED

In each of a series of sub-divided containers, two plants of cocksfoot ( Dactylis glomerata ) were planted in one of four arrangements to study the effects of: (a) no competition; (b) aerial competition, considered to be competition for light; (c) edaphic competition, considered to be competition for nitrogen; (d) full (aerial plus edaphic) competition, for light and N.
The weight of seed produced per plant was reduced by aerial compeition, but not by edaphic competition, except where aerial competition also existed. With the exception of the seed, the weights of the components of the plants at harvest were reduced substantially by edaphic competition.
The concentration of N in the various parts of the plant varied considerably, but only in the culms was it significantly affected by treatment so that the uptake of N was approximately proportional to the weight of the plant. Edaphic competiton gave most tillers per plant and full competition least. Aerial competition decreased the number of ears per plant.     

THE EFFECT OF CUTTING COCKSFOOT (DACTYLIS GLOMERATA L.) GROWN FOR PRODUCTION OF SEED

An experiment is described in which cocksfoot, grown for production of seed, was cut annually for 3 years in either autumn, winter or spring. No significant increases in yield of seed/ac were obtained from any treatment compared with an uncut control, and a cut in late April in one year seriously reduced the yield of seed. Additional N applied after a defoliation in October did not increase the yield of seed compared with that from plots which were cut at the same time but not fertilized. The production of tillers was not affected by cutting on any date. The percentage fertility of tillers was increased by cutting in the first year, when the number of tillers was smallest; the fertility was less consistently affected in the second year, and was generally unaffected in the third year. The weight of seed produced per ear was usually reduced by the cutting treatments. In the third year of the experiment it was shown that the penetration of light to the base of the shoots was increased substantially by defoliation, but it is deduced that maximum interception of light by the whole plant is more important for the production of seed than increasing by cutting that proportion which penetrates to the base of the plant.     

THE EFFECT OF CUTTING TIMOTHY (PHLEUM PRATENSE L.) GROWN FOR PRODUCTION OF SEED

An experiment is described in which timothy, grown for production of seed, was cut once annually on dates ranging from 23 October to 24 May. New tillers in selected plants were labelled at monthly intervals during autumn and winter for 2 years, to determine the pattern of production of tillers and to assess the reproductive development of categories of tillers. The majority of tillers were produced in autumn, but production was continuous throughout the winter. There was a big increase from the first to the second year in the total number of tillers produced, but neither the pattern nor amount of tiller production was affected by cutting. The % of fertile tillers was highest in the oldest tillers, and was affected little by the increase in the number of tillers from the first to the second year; cutting had little effect on the % fertility except where floral primordia were removed by the cut on 24 May. In all treatments at least 90% of the ears at harvest were produced by tillers initiated the previous autumn. The penetration of light to the base of the plants was increased considerably by cutting, but it is concluded that interception of light by the whole plant is more beneficial than an increase in the penetration of light into the plant and a concomitant reduction in the total interception of light by the plant.     

Identification,pathogenicity and community dynamics of fungi and oomycetes associated with pea root rot in northern France

The pea root rot complex is a major concern for green pea production worldwide. This study aimed at characterizing its composition and dynamics throughout a cropping season in northern France. To this end, fungi and oomycetes were isolated from green pea plant roots with symptoms sampled at the flowering stage in 22 fields in 2017, and at the pea emergence, elongation and flowering stages in two fields in 2018. Out of 646 isolates collected, 317 were identified using molecular markers. Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and F. redolens were highly predominant. Pathogenicity tests separated the isolates into four aggressiveness groups. F. solani isolates were the most aggressive. Phylogenetic analysis of their TEF1 sequences showed that they mainly belonged to the F. pisi lineage, and that F. oxysporum isolates were genetically close to isolates from the UK that did not belong to the forma specialis pisi. In addition, several Clonostachys rhizophaga isolates are reported for the first time to cause pea root rot. The oomycetes were rarely found and were represented by a few Pythium spp. isolates. Lastly, this study shows that the fungal and oomycete communities associated with pea root rot change during the cropping season. The level of dissimilarity of the root-rot-associated communities decreased throughout the cropping season towards a more similar composition at the flowering stage, dominated by F. solani, F. oxysporum and F. redolens. The proportion of nonpathogenic to weakly pathogenic isolates decreased progressively during the growing season in favour of moderately to highly pathogenic isolates.     

The expected utility of genetic information in beef cattle production

Scientific inquiry is increasing our knowledge of plant and animal genomics. The ability to specify heterogeneous production processes, to sort agricultural inputs by genotype, or to guide breeding programs to satisfy specific markets based on genetic expression may increase producer and consumer benefits. This research develops a decision analysis framework to assess the expected value of genetic information under risk aversion. Expected utilities are evaluated both with and without genetic trait information. Potential gains in the value of information can be quantified as research unravels the linkages between genetics and crop and animal performance and quality. An application to cattle feeding indicates potential gains to developing markets for specific animal genetic characteristics based on the amino acid sequence of the leptin gene.     

Reproductive success of rose‐ringed parakeets Psittacula krameri in a captive UK population

BACKGROUND: Rose‐ringed parakeets Psittacula krameri (Scop.) have recently become established in several European countries, with potential for significant negative economic and ecological impacts. However, in northern Europe the potential for reproductive output is largely unknown. In 2005 the authors established a captive outdoor colony in north‐east England and examined breeding success over 2 years. RESULTS: In 2006 (19 pairs, 15 clutches) the average first clutch size was 3.6 (±0.3) eggs. Six clutches were infertile, and overall the colony produced 1.4 (±0.5) fertile eggs per pair. Eleven pairs produced a second clutch following removal of the first; seven were infertile, and overall productivity was 0.7 (±0.4) fertile eggs per pair. Unsuccessful pairs were rearranged or replaced. In 2007, overall productivity was 2.5 (±0.4) and 1.8 (±0.4) fertile eggs per pair for the first and second attempts respectively. For pairs that remained unchanged through 2006–2007, productivity was consistent between years and breeding attempts. CONCLUSION: Where food and nest sites were not limiting, clutch sizes in north‐east England were similar to those in the native range, and consistent between first and second attempts. This has implications for the future expansion and management of the species. © Crown Copyright 2009. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Drainage and Agricultural Development

This paper explores the role of drainage as aninstrument for agricultural and rural development andthe related drainage development forces and processes.Five specific roles of drainage are distinguished:foodproduction, agricultural intensification anddiversification, sustainable irrigated land use, ruraldevelopment and environmental protection. Specialattention is given to the drainage development needsof the developing countries. It is argued that whileat early stages of agricultural development, drainagedevelopment is generally driven by ongoingagricultural development, at later stages ofdevelopment these roles often reverse withagricultural development risking to become stagnatedwhen drainage is not improved. These relationshipsshould be taken into account in the design of drainagedevelopment programs and projects. It is emphasizedthat improved drainage can contribute to establishinga more diversified, competitive and sustainable typeof agriculture, enhance sanitary and public healthconditions and generally contribute to ruraldevelopment, rural well being and poverty alleviation.Drainage development in the developing countries ishowever often severely constrained by the lack of supporting public policies, institutional frameworksand professional cadres. Overcoming these constraintsshould be given high priority on the national andinternational drainage development agendas.     

Needs and prospects for improved drainage in developing countries

This paper presents a review of the drainage development needs and prospects in developing countries and of the problems which need to be overcome. A distinction is made between the developments in the temperate, the (semi) arid zone and the (semi) humid zone. It is argued that the low level of attention given to drainage in the past may well have been justified in view of the low level of agricultural development, but, that in some of the more advanced developing countries, further agricultural development may stagnate if no timely investments in improved drainage are made. Improved drainage is also urgently required to arrest the land degradation and production loss caused by waterlogging and salinity in arid zone irrigated lands. Countries for which investment in drainage may not yet be opportune, would seem to be well advised to start building up some core institutional and professional capacity. The roles of government and of international development cooperation are also discussed. Finally, lessons learned and actions needed are identified.