Foliar application of calcium and magnesium improves growth,yield, and essential oil yield of oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum)

Oregano is one of the most important spices, is used all over the world, and includes many species. One of the most important commercially grown species is Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw (syn.: O. heracleoticum.), which is endemic to the Mediterranean area. O. vulgare ssp. hirtum is a crop species which is well adapted to both dry land conditions and calcareous soils. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of foliar Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications on growth, yield, essential oil content, and essential oil yield of oregano. Five treatments (0, 0.5% Ca, 1% Ca, 1% Mg, and 2% Mg) were used, and the experiment was repeated at two locations over two growth periods (2005 and 2006) in northern Greece in a sandy loam and sandy clay soil. Foliar applications with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ increased the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentration of the leaves. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications affected plant height as the plants were shorter in the control treatment and increased with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications by an average of 10% during the 2-year period and at the both locations compared with the control. Also, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications increased the number of stems per plant by an average of 23% in both years and at both locations. Chlorophyll concentration was affected by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications and subsequently increased an average of 23% with Ca²⁺ and 38% with Mg²⁺ compared with the control. Applications of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ decreased the number of days required for oregano plants to flower by an average of 3–4 days compared with the control. Dry matter yield also increased 22% with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ during the 2-year study and at both locations compared with the control treatment. In addition, the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications affected the essential oil yield, but they did not affect the essential oil content. These results show that Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications can affect the growth and yield of oregano, especially when the plant is grown in acid soils. However, the physiological basis of this effect remains unknown.     

Forage yield and chemical composition of canola (Brassica napus L.) as affected by sowing methods

The sowing method of spring‐type canola (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) for forage has a major influence on its productivity and agronomic management. A field experiment was conducted in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico, during two growing seasons (2008–2009 and 2009–2010) to determine dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and net energy for lactation (NE_L) yields, as well as canola forage chemical composition as a function of six sowing methods. The treatments assessed were broadcast sowing and five different row spacings: 0·19, 0·38, 0·57, 0·76 and 0·95 m (double row, 0·20 m apart). In the first year, with a mean growing season temperature of 17·2°C, sowing methods did not affect DM yield, but CP and NE_L content and yield were higher in 0·19‐m row spacing. The mean temperature in the second year (13·5°C) was slightly lower than the long‐term mean (14·8°C) in the region, resulting in the highest DM (8840 kg ha^?1), CP (2486 kg ha^?1) and NE_L yields (51 103 MJ ha^?1) with 0·19‐m row spacing. In row‐sowing methods with over 0·19‐m row spacing, DM, CP and NE_L yields decreased by 19·3–39·7, 20·4–42·1 and 21·2–42·7% respectively. Results indicate that sowing methods significantly affected canola forage productivity.     

Physiological determinants of maize and sunflower grain yield as affected by nitrogen supply

Utilisation of nitrogen (N) has been closely related to increases in crop productivity. However, not all crops respond similarly and the objective of this study is to identify physiological processes that determine responses to N supply for maize and sunflower. Grain yield in maize (range: 210–1255 g m⁻²) was greater and more responsive to N supply than in sunflower (106–555 g m⁻² in carbohydrate equivalents) over a wide range of total N uptake (3–>20 g N m⁻²). In maize, differences in grain yield among levels of N supply were associated more with variation in biomass than in harvest index. In sunflower, differences in grain yield (in carbohydrate equivalents) among levels of N supply were related similarly to variation in both biomass and harvest index. The decrease in biomass production with decreasing N supply was associated with decreases in both radiation interception and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Decreased interception was due to effects of N supply on reducing canopy leaf area, whereas the reduced RUE was associated with decreased SLN. Total biomass production in maize was more responsive to N supply than in sunflower. The major determinants of the differences in response of biomass accumulation to N supply found between maize and sunflower are: (i) sunflower tends to maintain SLN with increase in partitioning of N to leaves under N limitation whereas maize tends to maintain leaf area with increase in partitioning of biomass to leaves and (ii) the ability of maize to maintain N uptake following cessation of leaf production.     

Seed yield,oil content and fatty acid composition of Oenothera biennis L. affected by harvest date and harvest method

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) has become a subject of agricultural interest because of the potential market for γ-linolenic acid, which is useful in medicine and nutrition. O. biennis has good potential for agricultural production, but due to its indeterminate growth it can not be harvested at once as seed are formed and ripened heterogeneously. As a result there is high seed wastage due to shattering. Field experiments were carried out to verify the influence of the harvest time (early, middle and late) and harvest method (conventional harvest method, defoliation by herbicide and defoliation by flame) on the seed yield, seed yield components, oil content, fatty acid composition and protein content of the O. biennis L. cv. “Anothera”. From the results of the three harvest times in the autumn-sown experiment, a significant influence on seed yield was observed in the late harvest. Of all the three harvest times in the spring experiments, not showed any significant influence on seed yield. However, the harvest method did produce a significant influence on seed yield in the first spring experiment. Different harvest times did not have significant influence on oil content except the second spring trial. The harvest method led to significant differences on the oil content when the plants were sown in autumn. In the second spring experiment seed protein content was significantly influenced by harvest time. In all experiments, the content of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) was influenced by harvest time. Based on obtained results, it can be concluded that 75–80 and 100 days after flowering could be recommended as harvest times for spring and autumn-sown O. biennis L. cv. “Anothera” in Germany, respectively. Desiccation as a harvest technique in some cases tended to influence on seed yield, PDM, SDM, oil content, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Defoliation by herbicide was more effective than those of flame in our experiments.     

Performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in three tropical soil families as influenced by their temperature regimes

Potato experiments (cv. Kennebec) were conducted in three tropical soil families as part of a program to determine crop production potential and land capabilities of a network of tropical soil families. Good tuber yields resulted from matching the requirements of the potato crop to land characteristics. An average yield of 32,000 kg/ha was obtained in the thixotropic, isothermic soil family of Hydric Dystrandepts in Hawaii. The results of this study indicate that with optimum plant protection year-round potato production is possible in this family of Hydric Dystrandepts under rainfed conditions. Yields of irrigated plots in the clayey, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic soil family of Tropeptic Eutrustox were 36,000 kg/ha in the winter and 25,000 kg/ ha in the summer. The results indicate that winter temperatures are nearly isothermic, and are thus suitable for potato production, in an isohyperthermic Tropeptic Eutrustox of Hawaii. No yields were obtained from plantings in the clayey, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic soil family of Typic Paleudults in Indonesia and the Philippines. Tuberization did not occur in the warm and moist environment of the Typic Paleudults. Mismatch between the temperature requirements of the potato crop and the soil temperature regime of Typic Paleudults resulted in no potatoes.     

Variability in essential oil and bioactive chiral monoterpenoid compositions of Indian oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) populations from northwestern Himalaya and their chemotaxonomy

The chemical composition of essential oils isolated from aerial parts of native populations of Origanum vulgare L. from northwestern Himalaya was investigated by enantioselective gas chromatography (enantio-GC), capillary-gas chromatography (capillary-GC) and GC–MS. Seventy compounds, which accounted for 84.9–97% of the oil composition, have been identified. The oils were allotted to two main groups; the first group had a high percentage of components belonging to the thymol/carvacrol biosynthetic pathway and the second was characterized by a different sesquiterpene composition and a high linalool and bornyl acetate percentage. Essential oils of O. vulgare populations from Rilkot and Dhanachuli areas in northwestern Himalaya were characterized by high monoterpenoids proportions as compared to Nainital and Bhowali populations, which were dominated by sesquiterpenoids. High proportions of thymol (29.2–82%) were found only in two populations. Composition of the samples collected from Dhanachuli area differed from Nainital and Bhowali collections by a unique presence of carvacrol. Notably, there were significant differences in the concentration of rest of the terpenes in all the collections. On enantio-GC, enantiomeric excess for (3R) (−)- and (3S) (+)-linalool, (S) (+)- and (R) (−)-terpinen-4-ol, (S) (−)- and (R) (+)-α-terpineol, (1S) (−)-bornyl acetate and (1S) (−)-borneol were established in populations from Bhowali and Dhanachuli area. Moreover, linalool type oregano may be useful in promoting wider commercial utilization of the biodiversity of this species.     

Specific gravity,potato chip color and tuber mineral content as affected by soil moisture and harvest dates

In 1966 and 1967 the chipping quality of three potato varieties was studied using three moisture regumes, two nitrogen levels, and three harvest dates. Specific gravity and chip color of potatoes freshly harvested and of those stored 10 days, along with chip color differences between the two periods, were tested. Of the three varieties tested — Anoka, Kennebec, Irish Cobbler — Anoka§ specific gravity was least depressed by soil-moisture stress and its chip color least affected by time of chipping; all tubers, however, chipped darker after being stored. High soil temperatures were associated with low specific gravities and dark chips. In 1966 irrigation tended to lower soil temperature, resulting in lighter chip color for potatoes harvested from irrigated than from nonirrigated plots; also color was lighter at the first than at the later harvests. In 1967, when air temperatures were consistently lower and rainfall nearly adequate, chip color was lighter for potatoes harvester later in the season. Nitrogen levels did not influence chip color. Moisture regimes and varieties influenced mineral content of tubers more consistently for the two years than did harvest dates or nitrogen levels. Specific gravity did not correlate significantly with chip color.     

Dry matter and nitrogen accumulation,partitioning, and retranslocation in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) as affected by nitrogen fertilization

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a deep-rooted crop which can tolerate water stress and can be grown in rotation with other crop species. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for the growth and development of safflower; however, the effect of N level on dry matter, accumulation, partitioning, and retranslocation has not been extensively studied. A 2-year field study was therefore conducted with the objective to determine the effect of N fertilization on crop phenology, dry matter, N accumulation, partitioning and retranslocation of safflower grown under rain-fed conditions. Three rates of N were used (0, 100, and 200 kg N ha⁻¹) and two hybrids (CW9048 and CW9050) of safflower were selected. The experiment was conducted during the 2003–2004 (2004) and 2004–2005 (2005) growing seasons on a calcareous sandy loam (Entisols, Orthents, Typic Xerorthent) at the experimental farm of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Northern Greece. During 2004 spring was quite mild with significant rainfall whereas during 2005 spring was hotter with lower rainfall. Our study found that N fertilization increased biomass at anthesis by an average of 24% and at maturity by an average of 25% compared with the control. Total above ground biomass increased after anthesis in both years, in both hybrids and for all fertilizer treatments. N fertilization increased the dry matter partitioning in leaves + stems and heads at anthesis and also in leaves + stems, seeds, and head vegetative components at maturity. Dry matter translocation was not affected by N fertilization but lower values were found during the second year. N content was affected by the fertilization treatments and increased in those plants treated with fertilizer compared with the controls. In addition, N fertilization increased N retranslocation from the vegetative parts of the plant to the seed, but it did not affect N gain. During the second year, which was drier, there were significant N losses but also greater N translocation efficiency and higher contribution of pre-anthesis N to seed. Seed yield was correlated with the dry matter and N translocation indices, and was higher for the fertilized plants, compared with the control. The present study indicates that N fertilization promoted the growth of safflower and increased the dry matter yield, N accumulation, translocation and seed yield under rain-fed conditions.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilization and rice stubble management techniques on soil moisture content,soil nitrogen status,and nitrogen uptake by wheat

The effects of nitrogen fertilization and stubble treatment on soil mineral-N content, moisture status and subsequent crop N uptake were studied in a series of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops planted soon after rice (Oryza sativa L.) harvest. The experiments were part of a programme to define optimum management systems for intensive rice/upland cereal rotations. Stubble management, N application time and rate all influenced amount of soil mineral-N, accounting for up to 52, 67 and 75%, respectively, of the mineral-N variation. In turn, variation in soil mineral-N explained up to 70% of the variation in N accumulation by wheat. N accumulation was highly correlated with crop yield (r² up to 0.95).Incorporating large quantities of rice stubble at wheat sowing reduced soil NO-₃-N concentration by 36% at stem elongation. Both N uptake and yield were reduced by 38% on these plots. Increasing quantities of rice stubble retained on the soil surface increased soil NO₃-N concentration by 46%, and wheat on these plots had a 29% increase in N uptake and a 37% increase in yield. Stubble burning rather than retention on the surface resulted in lower soil NO₃-N concentration, and this was ascribed to ammonia volatilization resulting from fertilizer contact with ash, and to reduced mineralisation in the drier soil.Application of N at wheat sowing significantly increased mineral-N status at least until stem elongation, while fertilization at tillering or stem elongation significantly increased soil mineral-N content at least until anthesis.It was concluded that stubble and fertilization management techniques can be manipulated in order to regulate soil mineral-N status, which in turn determined plant N uptake. Plant N uptake determined yield.     

Influence of competition,irrigation levels and nitrogen fertilization on protein content and protein yield of three spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

Protein content and protein yield of three spring wheat cultivars differing in morphological and physiological growth characters were found to be influenced by intercultivar competition, irrigation levels and nitrogen fertilization. The protein content of the tall cultivar C 306 and the protein yield of the dwarf cultivar HD 2160 were more than the other cultivars. Binary mixed stands were not superior to the better component cultivar. Intercultivar competition increased the protein content of dwarf and semi-dwarf cultivars, but decreased the protein content of tall cultivar. On the other hand, protein yield of the dwarf cultivar decreased and that of tall cultivar increased when grown in mixed stands. Protein yield of semi-dwarf cultivar increased when grown with dwarf cultivar, but decreased when grown with tall cultivar. Two or three irrigations increased the protein content and protein yield of all the three cultivars and their mixed stands over one irrigation. Protein content and protein yield of the cultivars and their mixed stands were higher when 150 kg N/ha was applied than when 80 kg N/ha was applied.     

Sulphur nutrition of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) as affected by nitrogen supply: Effects on vegetative growth,the development of yield components,and seed yield and quality

The effects of sulphur and nitrogen nutrition on the growth and yield components of a hybrid confectionery sunflower (cv. Kernel) were investigated in a glasshouse experiment using controlled S and N supplies that ranged from deficient to more than adequate, and in which the S supplies of some plants were changed at defined stages of growth. S deficiency delayed floret initiation and anthesis but not seed maturity; N deficiency delayed all developmental phases including seed maturity. S and N deficiencies reduced plant height and leaf area. N deficiency caused a reduction in leaf number, but S deficiency did not. Both S and N deficiencies reduced yield by reducing the number of seeds per plant and by decreasing single seed weight. Oil concentration in seeds was the same for all levels of S supplied, but it was reduced by increased N supply. Changing the S supply at the end of floret initiation and at anthesis indicated that floret number and therefore seed number per plant were mainly established by the S suplly before the end of floret initiation. Single seed weight responded positively to increased S supply after floret initiation but only if the N supply was adequate; there was no response to increased S supply after anthesis.Concentrations of S and N in plant organs increased with increasing S and Nsupplies, but seeds were much less responsive than vegetative organs. Plants grown on high N but low S had the highest concentrations of N in their tissues, but the highest S concentrations did not occur in high S low N plants. Cysteine and methionine decreased by 30% in seeds of S-deficient but N-sufficient plants, whereas arginine increased by 34% compared with nutrient-adequate plants.We suggest that an adequate supply of S to young sunflower plants is required, particularly up to floret initiation, to obtain large floret numbers and maximum leaf area. An adequate supply of S is also required between the end of floret initiation and anthesis to prevent floret abortion and allow development of large seeds. Sulphur stress in sunflower during seed filling results in kernels with low levels of essential S-containing amino acids.     

Weed control and sweet maize (Zea mays L.) yield as affected by pyroxasulfone dose

Pyroxasulfone is a new herbicide being considered for registration in sweet maize in Canada; however, there is still little information on the doses required to provide 90% control of annual grass and broadleaved weeds found in southwestern Ontario. The objective of this study was to determine pyroxasulfone doses that would provide at least 90% control of several economically important weeds, without impacting final sweet maize yield by more than 5% in comparison to a weed-free control. Six field trials were conducted over a two-year period (2007 and 2008) at three Ontario locations to evaluate the effectiveness of pyroxasulfone at doses ranging from 31.25 to 1000 g a.i. ha⁻¹. The doses required to reduce weed biomass by at least 90% (I₉₀) varied by weed species. Doses of 93, 499, and 111 g a.i. ha⁻¹ were required to reduce the biomass by 90% of redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters and green foxtail, respectively. There was greater than 95% control of velvetleaf, large crabgrass and barnyardgrass with 31.25 g a.i. ha⁻¹, the lowest dose tested. Sweet maize yield could not be consistently maintained within 5% of the weed-free control. There are several factors that may have contributed to the reduced yield, including soil texture effects, competition as a result of poor common lambsquarters control, and hybrid sensitivity. These results show that biologically effective weed control with pyroxasulfone may be achieved at lower than proposed doses for several weed species; it remains unclear if this is economically sustainable due to the potential impacts on yield.     

Water deficit effects on caraway (Carum carvi L.) growth, essential oil and fatty acid composition

The Mediterranean region suffers of drought which affects plant behaviour regarding biochemical responses. Accordingly, the effects of water deficit on growth, essential oil and fatty acid composition of caraway (Carum carvi L.) seeds were investigated. Plants were treated with different levels of water deficit: control, moderate water deficit and severe water deficit. Plant growth (height, fresh and dry matter weight) was significantly reduced by severe water deficit. This last caused also important reductions of the seed yield and yield components. Drought decreased significantly seed total fatty acid contents and particularly the petroselinic ones whose proportions decreased significantly by 12.17 and 18.47%, in comparison with the control, under moderate water deficit and severe water deficit, respectively. Besides, moderate water deficit increased the essential oil yield (expressed as g/100 g on the basis of dry matter weight). The main essential oil constituents were carvone and limonene which showed an increasing of their contents under water deficit levels. Thus, water deficit induced a significant reduction in growth parameters and fatty acid content, and an increase in the essential oil compounds. These bioactive compounds have been required in many industrial products.     

Variability in essential oil content and composition of Origanum hirtum L., Origanum onites L., Coridothymus capitatus (L.) and Satureja thymbra L. populations from the Greek island Ikaria

Plants belonging to four “oregano” plant species (Origanum hirtum L., Origanum onites L., Coridothymus capitatus L., and Satureja thymbra L.) were collected during flowering from 33 sites located in the eastern part of the Greek island of Ikaria in the Eastern Aegean during April, May and July 2008. C. capitatus and O. hirtum were mostly observed in higher altitudes, whereas O. onites and S. thymbra in lower ones. The spatial distribution of all species was depicted on a GIS map. All four species exhibited essential oil concentrations higher than those reported in earlier literature, namely O. onites 3-4.3%, S. thymbra 4-6.5%, C. capitatus 3.7-5.6% and O. hirtum 5.5-10.0% (v/w). Carvacrol was the main constituent of the essential oils of all species, followed by γ-terpinene, p-cymene and caryophyllene, while thymol was not detected. All constituents varied remarkably among the four species, with carvacrol exhibiting the lowest variation. Carvacrol content varied between 72.3 and 89.2% in O. onites; 46.5 and 58.0% in S. thymbra; 82.9 and 90.9% in C. capitatus; and 84.4 and 93.8% in O. hirtum. By applying hierarchical cluster analysis on the basis of the essential oil constituents two main groups, divided into four subgroups of the taxa were evident. The first group consisted of O. onites and S. thymbra, while the second one of C. capitatus and O. hirtum. The results are discussed in terms of topography and climatic variation.     

Effect of growth stage on the content and composition of the essential oil and phenolic fraction of sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.)

The variation in the content and composition of Origanum majorana L. essential oil has been studied. Plant material has been harvested at four phenological stages (early vegetative, late vegetative, budding and full-flowering). Essential oil yield varied from 0.04 to 0.09% reached during the full-flowering stage. Analysis of the essential oils by GC and GC/MS revealed the presence of 38 components represented mainly by oxygenated monoterpenes (64.01–71.4%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (21.73–29.92%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (1.47–4.05%). The main components were terpinen-4-ol (29.13–32.57%), cis-sabinene hydrate (19.9–29.27%), trans-sabinene hydrate (3.5–11.61%), γ-terpinene (2.11–8.20%), bornyl acetate (1.52–2.94%) and linalool (1.05–1.39%). On the other hand, phenolic contents varied from 2.706 to 6.834 mg/g of dry weight obtained during the later vegetative stage. RP-HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract of O. majorana L. dried aerial parts showed the predominance of phenolic acids during the early vegetative stage whereas flavonoids predominate during the other stages of growth. The main phenolic acids identified were trans-2-hydroxycinnamic, rosmarinic, vanillic, chlorogenic, gallic and cinnamic whereas the main flavonoids were amentoflavone, apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, coumarin and rutin. Results obtained showed that later vegetative stage is characterized by the highest contents of bioactive compounds and therefore it could be considered as the best stage for harvesting marjoram plants.     

The effects of harvest date,fermentation duration and Tween 20 treatment on essential oil content and composition of industrial oil rose (Rosa damascena Mill.)

The essential oil of Rosa damascena Mill. is one of the most valuable and important base material in the flavor and fragrance industry. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of harvest date, fermentation duration and Tween 20 treatment on the essential oil content and composition of the rose petals. The essential oil content and composition were significantly different in the petals harvested at various dates (May 24, June 1, 8, and 15, 2002). The highest oil content was found on May 24 harvest (0.040%), and then a gradual decrease was observed up to last harvest date (0.032%). The highest percentages of geraniol, nerol, and phenylethyl alcohol were obtained from the petals harvested on May 24. However, the highest percentages of citronellol and linalool were found from the petals harvested on June 8. The petals collected freshly were fermented for various duration (0, 12, 24, and 36 h) at 25 °C in sacks. The highest essential oil content was found in the non-fermented petals. As fermentation duration increased, essential oil content gradually decreased. The most significant changes during the fermentation were observed in citronellol and geraniol contents. Citronellol/geraniol (C/G) ratio increased from 0.57 to 10.31 throughout the fermentation. In the other experiment, Tween 20 was added into the distillation water at various concentrations (0, 1000, 2500, and 5000 ppm). Although Tween 20 generally raised the contents of essential oil, it did not significantly influence the oil composition. The highest oil content (0.045%) was obtained from the distillation treated with 2500 ppm of Tween 20. Oil content had high positive correlations with geraniol and linalool contents (r=0.55 and 0.53, respectively), but high negative correlation with citronellol content (r=−0.48).     

Influence of environment on growing period and yield, protein, oil and α-linolenic content of three chia (Salvia hispanica L.) selections

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an annual summer herb, and a member of the Labiatae family. Three selections, named Tzotzol, Iztac 1, and Tliltic, were planted at different elevations in three Inter-Andean valleys of Ecuador (Patate—2042 m, Guayllabamba—2200 m and Salinas—1621 m) to assess performance and seed quality. Length of growing period was influenced by location, with Tzotzol and Iztac 1 increasing with elevation. Iztac 1 had the highest seed yield at all three locations, with the difference between Iztac1 and Tzotzol being significant (P < 0.05). Similar protein contents were found among selections, within a site, except for Patate where Tliltic had a higher content. Seed at the Salinas site contained significantly (P < 0.05) higher α-linolenic and lower linoleic and oleic fatty acid contents than seed produced at the other two sites. In general seed yield, protein content, and fatty acid composition of the three selections were similar, and in some cases higher, than those reported for other ecosystems in which chia has been grown.     

Preferences of lambs offered Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) herbage as choices

Partial preference for feeds in ruminants is a well-documented phenomenon although their explanation can be elusive. The hypothesis was tested that sheep offered herbage of two annual grass species differing in chemical composition free-choice would select a diet that would maximize the nutritive value of the diet compared with sheep offered each herbage separately through a greater nutrient balance and synchronization of nutrient release for efficient ruminal microbial function. Fifteen male lambs were placed into metabolic cages, and randomly assigned to three treatments ( n  = 5): Italian ryegrass fresh herbage (treatment R), barley fresh herbage (treatment B) or free-choice Italian ryegrass and barley fresh herbage (treatment RB). Both herbages had similar crude protein concentrations but Italian ryegrass herbage had higher concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates and lower concentration of fibre than barley herbage. Lambs were exposed to the treatments for 15 d. Lambs on treatment RB showed a partial preference of 0·82 (s.e. 0·031) for Italian ryegrass. Lambs on treatment RB had higher intakes of digestible dry matter and higher values for nitrogen retention than lambs on treatment B although similar to that of lambs on treatment R. The results for the dietary choices were not always consistent with maximizing the nutritive value of the diet. Other explanations, such as lambs needed to sample and track the nutritive value of dietary options or there was the development of transient food aversions, were also possible.     

The effect of sowing date and nitrogen on the dry‐matter yield and nitrogen content of forage rape (Brassica napus L.) and stubble turnips (Brassica rapa L.) in Ireland

Two field experiments were conducted at Teagasc, Moorepark, Ireland, to determine the effect of sowing date and nitrogen application on the dry‐matter (DM) yield and crude protein (CP) content of forage rape and stubble turnips. The first experiment consisted of three sowing dates (1 August, 15 August and 31 August) with four rates of fertilizer N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1) on forage rape DM yields. The second experiment consisted of three sowing dates (1 August, 15 August and 31 August) with four rates of fertilizer N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1) over two soil sites (fertile or nitrogen depleted) on forage rape and stubble turnip DM yields. A delay in sowing from 1 to 31 August characterized a 74·5% decrease in forage rape DM yield, while stubble turnip DM yield decreased by 55·5%. Forage rape DM yields increased positively up to 120 kg N ha^?1 at the first two sowing dates over both sites. In contrast, stubble turnips showed less response beyond 40 kg N ha^?1 on site 1 in the first two sowing dates, while DM yield increased positively up to 120 kg N ha^?1 on the less fertile site. The results indicate that the optimal sowing time for forage rape and a stubble turnip in Ireland was early August.     

Causes of differences in growth pattern,yield and quality of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in short rotations on sandy soil as affected by crop rotation,cultivar and application of granular nematicides

Summary A crop rotation experiment was carried out on a light sandy soil in 1979–1986 to study the effects of the frequency of potato cropping on yield, quality and on the occurrence of soil-borne pathogens other than potato cyst nematodes. Tuber yield decreased markedly with increasing cropping frequency, but also depended on what crops were grown in rotation with potato. Growth during the early part of the season, as well as the length of the growing period, were reduced in short rotations. The fungiVerticillium dahliae andRhizoctonia solani, and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) were the most important yield reducing pathogens. The effects of rotation depended on the cultivar used. The percentage of mis-shapen tubers increased with increasing cropping frequency and after application of granular nematicides, but the incidence of common scab (Streptomyces scabies) was not affected.