The investigation of combining ability of potato based on the success fraction of progeny in incomplete diallel crosses

Summary A method for the statistical analysis of binary data (derived from a retain, reject selection process) from incomplete diallel crosses is presented. Based on the fixed statistical model of Griffing (1956), formulae are derived which allow the estimation of parameters and the analysis of variance by weighted least squares. The method results from the application of vector theory to the work of Keuls & Garretsen (1977, 1978). The theory is illustrated by a worked example with data from an incomplete potato diallel cross involving 18 parents, although the method itself is applicable to any crop.

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Artikel beinhaltet theoretische Prinzipien und Methoden für die statistische Analyse eines unvollst?ndigen Diallels, bei der der Anteil von Pflanzen in jeder Nachkommenschaft mit einer h?heren Expressivit?t einer Eigenschaft entsprechend zugeordnet wird. Dies wird als ‘Erfolgsfraktion’ bezeichnet (Formel 1) und ist in Formel 2 transformiert. Griffings Modell mit fixen Effekten (Formel 3) wird hierbei vorausgesetzt. Die Methode der gewichteten kleinsten Quadrate wurde zur Sch?tzung der Parameter und zur Varianzanalyse verwendet. Die Ergebnisse von Garretsen & Keuls (1973, 1978) und Keuls & Garretsen (1977), die eine Methode zur Analyse quantitativer Merkmale in unvollst?ndigen diallelen Kreuzungen auf der Basis eines Vektorraumes vorschlugen, wurden modifiziert. Die Modifikation beruht auf der Multiplikation eines Sch?tzraumes mit der Gewichts-Diagonal-Matrix (Formel 5, 6 und 7). Die Varianzanalyse (Tab. 1) berücksichtigt die theoretische Fehlerstreuung (Gleichung 1). Dies erlaubt die Prüfung der Signifikanz aller Effekte in dem Modell, wie GCA (allgemeine Kombinationsf?higkeit). SCA (spezifische Kombinationsf?higkeit) und reziproke Effekte. Die theoretischen Ergebnisse werden an einem praktischen Beispiel aus einem Zuchtprogramm bei Kartoffeln (Solanum tuberosum) illustriert. Achtzehn Eltern wurden in Form eines unvollst?ndigen Diallels gekreuzt (Tab. 2). Die Ergebnisse der Varianzanalyse zeigt Tabelle 3. Die Signifikanz der SCA-Varianz ist auf eine einzige Kreuzung (60968 x Pentland Marble) zurückzuführen. Die Sch?tzwerte der GCA-Effekte werden in Tabelle 4 und Abbildung 1 dargestellt. Weil der gr?sste Teil der genetischen Variation additiv ist, k?nnen die Sch?tzwerte der GCA-Effekte zur Vorhersage der nachkommenschaftswerte und deren Vergleich mit den beobachteten Werten verwendet werden. Die Korrelation zwischen diesen beiden Variablen war hoch (0,89) und wird in Abbildung 2 gezeigt. Die Methode ist auf jede Pflanzenart anwendbar, erfordert jedoch eine ausreichend grosse Zahl von Nachkommen und Vollgeschwistern innerhalb der Nachkommenschaft, wenn die Sch?tzungen zuverl?ssig sein sollen.

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Résumé Cette étude présente les principes théoriques et les méthodes d'analyse statistique du croisement diallèle incomplet, où la variable est la proportion de plants de chaque descendance présentant une expression satisfaisante du caractère. Cette variable se nommera ‘la proportion de réussite’ (formule 1), qui est transformée selon la formule (2). Le modèle fixe de Griffing (formule 3) est supposé vérifié au cours de cette étude. On utilise la méthode des moindres carrés avec pondération, pour estimer les paramètres et pour l'analyse de variance. Les résultats de Garretsen & Keuls (1973, 78) et Keuls & Garretsen (1977), qui proposent une méthode d'analyse de caractères quantitatifs des croisement diallèles, ont été modifiés. Cette modification réside dans la multiplication de l'espace estimé, par la matrice diagonale de pondération (formules 5, 6 et 7). L'analyse de variance (tableau 1) prend en compte la variance résiduelle théorique (égalité 1). Cela permet d'évaluer la signification de tous les effets du modèle, c'est-à-dire de la capacité générale à la combinaison (GCA) de la capacité spécifique à la combinaison (SCA) et des interactions. Les résultats théoriques sont illustrés par un exemple de travail pris dans un programme de sélection de la pomme de terre (Solanum tuberosum). Dix huit parents sont combinés dans un croisement diallèle incomplet comme indiqué dans tableau 2. L'analyse de variance est indiquée dans tableau 3. La signification de la variation d?e à la SCA est attribuable à un seul croisement, 60 968 x Pentland Marble. Les estimations de la GCA sont portées dans tableau 4 et figure 1. Une grande partie de la variation d'origine génétique étant additive, il est possible d'utiliser les estimateurs de la GCA pour prévoir les valeurs de la descendance, et les comparer aux valeurs observées. La corrélation entre ces deux variables est hautement significative (0,89), et représentée dans figure 2. Cette méthode est applicable à toute culture, mais requiert und nombre suffisamment important de descendance et de complets à l'intérieur des descendances, pour que les estimateurs soient assez précis.

     

陆地棉新品系农艺性状的配合力及杂种优势研究

研究了自育的几个陆地棉新品系的一般配合力效应及组配杂种优势的潜力。结果表明，研究的几个陆地棉新品系中，以品系99-54、99-20、96-7的一般配合力较高．所配组合的杂种竞争优势籽、皮棉产量分别达到16．21％、12．18％和11．38％、7．68％．而品系98-19和00-99一般配合力较差。在亲本选择和杂种优势利用中，应用99-54、99-20、96-7较其它四个品系k4、k6、98-19、00-99为优。     

The effect of growth regulators on meristem tip development and in vitro multiplication ofSolanum tuberosum L. plants

Summary We studied the effect of β-indoleacetic acid (IAA), α-naphthylacetic acid (NAA), kinetin (K), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) on development of isolated meristems of four potato cultivars (subsp. tuberosum). GA₃ had a stimulating effect on in vitro meristem growth. The differences among the cultivars are presented. K+IAA+GA₃ induced formation of multiple shoots. We describe a method of continual plant multiplication under in vitro conditions and propose the produce for maintenance, multiplication and virus eradication of potato germplasm and cultivars.

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Zusammenfassung Von vier Kartoffelsorten (Blanik, Cira, Nora und Radka) wurden die Meristemspitzen entnommen. Der N?hrboden enthielt Makround Mikroelemente gem?ss Murashige & Skoog (1962), Vitamine entsprechend B-5 (Gamborg et al., 1968), 100mg/l Inositol, 30 g/l Saccharose und 8 g/l Agar. Wir untersuchten die Wirkung von β-Indolessigs?ure (IAA), α-Naphytlessigs?ure (NAA), Kinetin (K), 6-Benzylaminopurin (BAP) und Gibberellins?ure (GA₃). Auf den N?hrb?den mit IAA und NAA wurde mangelhaftes Triebwachstum und unvollst?ndige Blattentwicklung (Abb. 1) festgestellt; die Pflanzen konnten nicht in Erde versetzt werden. K (0.1 μM) induzierte vollst?ndige Pflanzenentwicklung (Tabelle 1), w?hrend BAP (0,1μM) die Triebenentwicklung anregte, worauf die Bewurzelung auf N?hrboden mit 0,1 μM IAA (Abb. 2) erfolgte. Alle GA₃-Konzentrationen hatten einen vorteilhaften Einfluss auf die Entwicklung von Pfl?nzchen aus Meristemspitzen (Abb. 1 und Tabelle 1). Optimales Wachstum und rasche Entwicklung der Pflanzen aller vier Sorten wurde mit dem N?hrboden mit IAA+K+GA₃ erreicht. Mehrfache Triebbildung erfolgte auf den Medien mit erh?hten GA₃-Konzentrationen (5 und 10 μM), speziell bei den Sorten Cira und Blanik (Abb. 3). Die Pflanzen aus der Meristemspitzenkultur konnten unter sterilen Bedingungen in Perlit, das mit der Hoagland's-L?sung und mit einem Zusatz von 0,1 μM IAA ges?ttigt war, fortlaufend vermehrt werden. Die Pflanzen entwickeln sich aus Achselknospen. Ein Steckling aus einem Meristem ist f?hig, 5–8 Pflanzen in zwei Monaten hervorzubringen. Der Artikel beschreibt das System der mehrfachen Triebbildung und die laufende Fortpflanzung in vitro zur Erhaltung und Vermehrung von Kartoffel-Keimplasma (Westcott et al., 1977) und virusfreien Züchtungen (Abb. 4).

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Résumé Des méristèmes apicaux ont été prélevés sur quatre variétés de pommes de terre: Blanik, Cira, Nora et Radka. Le milieu de culture contenait des macro-et microéléments d'après les indications de Murashige & Skoog (1962), des vitamines B-5 (d'après Gamborg et al., 1968), 100 mg/l d'inositol, 30 g/l de sucrose et 8 g/l d'agar. Nous avons étudié l'action de l'acide β-indoleacetic (IAA), de l'acide α-naphtylacétique (NAA), de la kinétine (K), de la 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) et de l'acide gibberellic (GA₃). Sur les milieux contenant de l'IAA et du NAA, nous avons observé un développement imparfait des pousses, et un développement partiel des feuilles (fig. l); les plantes ne pouvaient pas être transplantées en terre. K (0,1 μM) a induit un développement complet des plantes (tableau 1) tandis que le BAP (0,1 μM) a stimulé le développement des pousses suivi de leur enracinement dans le milieu contenant 0,1 μM d'IAA (fig. 2). Toutes les concentrations de GA₃ ont eu un effet bénéfique sur le développement des plantules issues de méristèmes apicaux (fig. 1 et tableau 1). La croissance optimale et le développement rapide des plantes des 4 variétés ont été observés sur le milieu contenant IAA+K+GA₃. Des pousses multiples se sont formées sur les milieux contenant des concentrations élevées en GA₃ (5 et 10 μM), notamment sur les variétés Cira et Blanik (fig. 3). Les plantes obtenues à partir de culture de méristèmes apicaux ont p? être continuellement propagées en conditions stériles dans de la perlite saturée d'une solution de Hoagland avec addition de 0,1 μM de IAA. Les plantes se développent à partir des bourgeons axillaires; une plantule d'origine méristématique est capable de donner naissance à 5 à 8 plantes en 2 mois. L'article décrit le système de formation des pousses multiples et la propagation continue in vitro pour la maintenance et la multiplication de variétés de pommes de terre indemnes de maladies (Westcott et al., 1977) et de virus (fig. 4).

     

绿茶、红茶和茯砖茶水提物对肠道微生物体外发酵特性的影响

为探究不同茶样的水提物与肠道微生物的互作效应,以健康大学生粪便为菌源,采用体外厌氧发酵模式,结合传统培养技术和气相色谱法,研究绿茶、红茶和茯砖茶的水提物24 h体外发酵过程中pH值、短链脂肪酸、肠道微生物的变化,并计算益生元指数PI(Prebiotic Index)和B/E值(Bifidobacterium/Enterobacterium)。结果表明绿茶、红茶和茯砖茶水提物均会引起发酵液的pH大幅下降,其中茯砖茶组的pH下降幅度最大。同时,3种茶叶水提物都能显著增加短链脂肪酸的产量,其中绿茶对乙酸、丙酸、异丁酸、异戊酸、戊酸和总短链脂肪酸的提高效果最佳,而茯砖茶对丁酸的提高幅度最大。3种茶叶水提物都能调节肠道微生物的结构组成,促进双歧杆菌的增长,抑制拟杆菌、肠杆菌和梭状芽孢杆菌的生长;其中茯砖茶组对双歧杆菌的促进作用最大,对肠杆菌和梭状芽孢杆菌的抑制效果最明显,绿茶组对拟杆菌的抑制效果最大;但绿茶组和红茶组都能促进乳杆菌的增殖,茯砖茶组却表现出抑制作用。另外通过分析PI值和B/E值,发现绿茶、红茶和茯砖茶组都具有良好的益生作用,4 h阶段茯砖茶组的益生元指数PI值最大,发酵8、12、24 h阶段绿茶组益生元指数PI值最大;而整个发酵过程茯砖茶组的B/E均保持最大。本研究为不同茶叶在青年消费市场中的进一步扩大推广提供了基础数据和科学依据。     

Effect of processing on the in vitro digestibility of proteins and carbohydrates in some Indian legumes

The effect of different types of processing such as boiling, pressure cooking, puffing, frying, germination, and germination followed by cooking on the protein and carbohydrate digestibility of chickpea, horsegram and cowpea were studied in in vitro systems. In the case of chickpea, the protein digestibility was not significantly improved by any of the treatments. However, for horsegram and cowpea, improvement in protein digestibility was observed after some of the different processing treatments. Frying decreased the protein digestibility in all of the pulses. All of the treatments, except germination, caused a marked increase in in vitro carbohydrate digestibility.     

马铃薯试管苗不同培养方式中添加抑菌中草药萃取液的作用

以马铃薯品种东农305的脱毒试管苗为供试材料,采用固体培养和液体培养两种方式,在试管苗繁殖培养基(M S+3%白糖+6.5 g.L-1琼脂,pH约5.8)中加入0.05%的中草药萃取液,以常规的试管苗繁殖培养基为对照,进行试管苗生长状况的比较。试验采用二因素完全随机试验设计,3次重复,接种1周后开始取样调查,每周调查1次,固体培养调查4次,液体培养调查3次。调查苗高、茎粗、茎节数、根数和根长,对所有性状进行方差分析和差异显著性测验(SSR法)。试验结果表明:在试管苗繁殖培养基中添加中草药萃取液,对试管苗的苗高、茎粗和茎节数的增加均有一定的促进作用,只是在不同培养方式下的效果存在一定差异。对试管苗根部的作用在于增加根长,而不是增加根的数量。在本试验中,固体培养方式下添加中草药萃取液的处理效果最好,成苗时试管苗的苗高达7.3 cm,茎节数达7.1个,繁殖倍数高于其它处理。     

The effect of different additives on the fermentation quality, aerobic stability and in vitro digestibility of pea/wheat bi-crop silages containing contrasting pea to wheat ratios

Studies were conducted to compare the effects of using two microbial inoculants, a sulphite salt‐based additive, formic acid and quebracho tannins, on the fermentation quality, nutritive value and aerobic stability of pea/wheat bi‐crop silages. Spring peas (Pisum sativum var. Magnus) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Axona) were drilled together at rates that gave high (HP/W; 3:1) or low (LP/W; 1:3) pea to wheat ratios. The peas and wheat were harvested at the yellow wrinkled pods and late milk/early dough maturity stage, respectively, and conserved in 1·5‐kg polyethylene bag, laboratory silos. The bi‐crops were conserved without treatment (control) or treated with either of two lactic acid bacteria‐based inoculants [Lactobacillus buchneri; applied at 10⁵ colony‐forming units (CFU) g^–1 fresh weight (FW) or Lactobacillus plantarum (applied at 10⁶ CFU g^–1 FW)], sulphite salts (applied at the rate of 1 ml sulphite solution kg^–1 FW), quebracho tannins (applied at 16 g kg^–1 FW) and formic acid (applied at 2·5 g kg^–1 FW). Six replicates were made for each treatment, and the silos were opened after 112 days of ensilage. The level of peas in the bi‐crop influenced the effectiveness of the additives. With the exception of sulphite salts, all the additives significantly reduced the soluble nitrogen (N) and ammonia‐N concentrations of all the silages. The ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid was generally lower in the LP/W silages than in the HP/W silages, and the additive treatments only increased the in vitro digestible organic matter in dry matter of the LP/W silages. Of all the additives evaluated, formic acid resulted in the least aerobic spoilage in HP/W bi‐crop silages. However, in the LP/W bi‐crops, additive treatment was not necessary for ensuring aerobic stability.     

The effect of additives in silages of pure timothy and timothy mixed with red clover on chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics

The aim was to compare the effects of additives on direct cut silages of pure timothy and timothy mixed with tetraploid red clover. First and second growth cuts were ensiled during three consecutive years, 1994, 1995 and 1996, either without any additive or with the addition of formic acid, or lactic acid bacteria in combination with molasses. Effects of the additives on the degradation characteristics of the herbage and the silages were analysed using an automatic in vitro gas production (GP) technique. At the end of the in vitro procedures, organic matter and neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF) degradabilities were determined. The tetraploid red clover persisted in the leys during the 3 years and was the dominant species at the second growth in the mixed leys. The herbage from the mixed crops had lower dry‐matter contents, higher crude protein concentrations and higher buffering capacity compared with the pure timothy at both cuts. In general, the additives reduced pH, and the concentrations of ammonium‐N and acetic acid in the silages. The treated silages had a more rapid faster GP in both crops. The silages from the mixed crop benefited more from the additives compared with the grass silages. The additives affected the soluble fractions as well as the NDF degradability of the silages of the mixed crop more than those fractions of the grass silages. The addition of molasses in combination with a commercial inocula resulted in increased production of lactic acid and ethanol in silages from both crops. The silages without additives could not meet the requirements for good silages according to the standards of the Swedish dairy industry.     

In vitro rumen methane output of grasses and grass silages differing in fermentation characteristics using the gas‐production technique (GPT)

The chemical composition of silage consumed by cattle can influence the subsequent rumen microbial fermentation patterns and methane (CH₄) emissions. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the effect of ensilage on the in vitro rumen methane output of perennial ryegrass and (ii) relate the silage fermentation characteristics of grass silages with in vitro rumen methanogenesis. Three pre‐harvest herbage‐conditioning treatments and seven silage‐additive treatments were used in a laboratory‐scale silo experiment to produce a diversity of silage fermentation characteristics. Ensilage reduced (P < 0·01) the in vitro rumen CH₄ output (mL CH₄ g^?1 dry matter (DM) disappeared). This reflected differences in the direction of rumen fermentation (lower acetic (P < 0·05) and higher propionic (P < 0·001) acid proportions in volatile fatty acids) rather than major changes in the extent of in vitro rumen fermentation (i.e. mmol VFA g^?1 DM). The magnitude of the decrease in CH₄ output (mL g^?1 DM incubated) owing to ensilage increased as the extent of silage fermentation, and in particular the lactic acid concentration, increased. In contrast, among silages with relatively similar extents of silage fermentation (i.e. total fermentation products), an increase in the proportion of lactic acid in silage fermentation products led to a more extensive in vitro rumen fermentation and thus to a greater CH₄ output (mL g^?1 DM).     

The effect of tillage practice,input level and environment on the grain yield of winter wheat in the Czech Republic

The response of winter wheat grain yield to four variants of treatment (two input levels, combined with either conventional or reduced tillage) was tested over six seasons at three locations. These experiments with 10 and 12 winter wheat varieties were analysed within three experimental series. The environmental (location and season) effects on grain yield were large in all combinations of input level and tillage type, and the varieties responded differentially to both season and location. However, there was no varietal response either to the tillage system used, or to the level of nitrogen (and other inputs) supplied. The high input reduced tillage system (surface stubble-ploughing to a depth of 8–10 cm) resulted in all series in significantly higher grain yields than the equivalent conventional tillage system. The reduced tillage system combined with high input level delivered a yield advantage for all of the wheat varieties tested.     

高寒地区水稻机械化栽培不同盘播量对水稻秧苗素质及产量的影响

通过不同盘播量对水稻秧苗素质及产量影响调查,结果表明:稀播的秧苗发根力强、分蘖多、茎基宽,播量75、100、125g/盘产量水平较高,但综合机械插秧和大棚利用率两方面,100～125g/盘效果最佳。     

The effect of stocking rate and calving date on grass production,utilization and nutritive value of the sward during the grazing season

A 2‐year whole‐farm system study compared the accumulation, utilization and nutritive value of grass in spring‐calving grass‐based systems differing in stocking rate (SR) and calving date (CD). Six treatments (systems) were compared over two complete grazing seasons. Stocking rates used in the study were low (2·5 cows ha^?1), medium (2·9 cows ha^?1) and high (3·3 cows ha^?1), respectively, and mean CDs were 12 February (early) and 25 February (late). Each system had its own farmlet of eighteen paddocks and one herd that remained on the same farmlet area for the duration of the study. Stocking rate had a small effect on total herbage accumulation (11 860 kg DM ha^?1 year^?1), but had no effect on total herbage utilization (11 700 kg DM ha^?1 year^?1). Milk and milk solids (MS; fat + protein) production per ha increased by 2580 and 196 kg ha^?1 as SR increased from 2·5 to 3·3 cows ha^?1. Milk production per ha and net herbage accumulation and utilization were unaffected by CD. Winter feed production was reduced as SR increased. Increased SR, associated with increased grazing severity, resulted in swards of increased leaf content and nutritive value. The results indicate that, although associated with increased milk production per ha, grazed grass utilization and improved sward nutritive value, the potential benefits of increased SR on Irish dairy farms can only be realized if the average level of herbage production and utilization is increased.     

脂溶性茶多酚中的主要活性组分及对人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞株的体外抑制活性

利用高速逆流色谱对脂溶性茶多酚中的主要活性组分进行分离和纯化,获得了一种新的单取代的长碳链脂溶性儿茶素表没食子儿茶素-3-O-没食子酸-4'-棕榈酸酯,并对其分子结构进行了元素分析、IR、MS和1H-NMR等表征。药理学实验考察并比较了脂溶性的表没食子儿茶素-3-O-没食子酸-4'-棕榈酸酯、水溶性的绿茶多酚和脂溶性茶多酚对人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞株的体外抑制活性。结果表明,单取代的EGCG棕榈酸酯的活性比脂溶性茶多酚强,而与绿茶多酚相当。     

山东省玉米主导品种抗南方锈病鉴定及对灾情的影响

采用田间跟踪调查和离体接种方法测定玉米品种对南方锈病的抗性,分析近年来山东省主推玉米品种对南方锈病的抗性及变化情况,探寻建立一种实用、快速检测寄主抗锈性和锈病菌致病性变异的鉴定技术。结果表明,供试玉米品种多为感病或高感南方锈病品种,2014~2016年山东省主推玉米品种尤其是骨干品种都是连续多年种植的品种,每年更新的品种数量少于2~3个,而且与黄淮海地区主推玉米品种重复率较高,这可能是导致近年来本地区玉米南方锈病逐年加重甚至流行的重要原因。     

The effect of a seaweed concentrate on the in vitro growth and acclimatization of potato plantlets

Summary The seaweed concentrate ‘Kelpak’ is used commercially in the greenhouse and field to improve plant quality. ‘Kelpak’ was added to the in vitro culture medium of potato cv. ‘BP1’ and also applied as a leaf/soil drench immediately after transplanting. The addition of 0.25% seaweed concentrate to the medium improved plantlet quality and led to better establishment in the greenhouse. No beneficial effect of seaweed concentrate in the tissue culture medium was observed if a second cutting was part of the micropropagation process. Additional application of 0.5% seaweed concentrate in the greenhouse to plantlet cuttings derived from tissue culture was not beneficial.     

苏北地区稻麦秸秆持续全量还田下机插秧苗促早发技术

针对稻麦秸秆持续全量还田时土壤中秸秆总量和腐解强度显著提高,机插稻返青活棵时间普遍延长,甚至僵苗死苗严重、穗数难足、穗型较小等共性技术难题,淮安市农业技术推广中心提出了苏北地区稻麦秸秆持续全量还田下机插秧苗大田促早发技术,主要措施包括:培育适龄机插壮秧;控减底施化肥;适度减小耕整深度;足丛小株浅栽;无水层活棵、化除、施肥;早施分蘖肥,重施穗肥;全程湿润灌溉。     

The effects of rate and timing of application of fertilizer nitrogen in late summer on herbage mass and chemical composition of perennial ryegrass swards over the winter period in Northern Ireland

A small‐plot experiment was carried out in Northern Ireland on a predominantly perennial ryegrass sward over the period July 1993 to March 1994 to investigate the effect of timing and rate of fertilizer nitrogen (N) application on herbage mass and its chemical composition over the winter period. Eighty treatment combinations, involving four N fertilizer application dates (28 July, 9 and 30 August and 20 September 1993), four rates of N fertilizer (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1) and five harvest dates (1 October, 1 November, 1 December 1993, 1 February and 1 March 1994), were replicated three times in a randomized block design experiment. N application increased herbage mass at each of the harvest dates, but in general there was a decrease in response to N with increasing rate of N and delay in time of application. Mean responses to N applications were 13·0, 11·5 and 9·5 kg DM kg^?1 N at 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1 respectively. Delaying N application, which also reduced the length of the period of growth, reduced the mean response to N fertilizer from 14·3 to 7·4 kg DM kg^?1 N for N applied on 28 July and 20 September respectively. Increasing rate of N application increased the N concentration and reduced the dry‐matter (DM) content and water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration of the herbage but had little effect on the acid‐detergent fibre (ADF) concentration. Delaying N application increased N concentration and reduced DM content of the herbage. The effect of date of N application on WSC concentration varied between harvests. A decrease in herbage mass occurred from November onwards which was associated with a decrease in the proportion of live leaf and stem material and an increase in the proportion of dead material in the sward. It is concluded that there is considerable potential to increase the herbage mass available for autumn/early winter grazing by applying up to 60 kg N ha^?1 in early September.     

The effect of initial spring grazing date and subsequent stocking rate on the grazing management, grass dry matter intake and milk production of dairy cows in summer

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an early (February; F) or delayed (April; A) primary spring grazing date and two stocking rates, high (H) and medium (M), on the grazing management, dry matter (DM) intake of grass herbage and milk production of spring‐calving dairy cows grazing a perennial ryegrass sward in the subsequent summer. Sixty‐four Holstein‐Friesian dairy cows (mean of 58 d in milk) were assigned to one of four grazing treatments (n = 16) which were imposed from 12 April to 3 July 2004. Cows on the early spring‐grazing treatment were grazed at 5·5 cows ha^?1 (treatment FH) and 4·5 cows ha^?1 (treatment FM) while cows on the late‐grazing treatment were grazed at 6·4 cows ha^?1 (treatment AH) and 5·5 cows ha^?1 (treatment AM). The organic matter digestibility and crude protein concentration of the grass herbage were higher on the early‐grazing treatment than on the late‐grazing treatment. The cows on the FM treatment had significantly (P < 0·001) higher milk (24·5 kg), solids‐corrected milk (22·5 kg), fat (P < 0·01, 918 g) and protein (831 g) yields than the other three treatments. Cows on the FM treatment had a higher (P < 0·001) DM intake of grass herbage by 2·3 kg DM per cow per day than cows on the AH treatment, which had a DM intake significantly lower than all other treatments (15·2 kg DM per cow per day). The results of the present study showed that grazing in early spring has a positive effect on herbage quality in subsequent grazing rotations. The study also concluded that early spring‐grazed swards stocked at a medium stocking rate (4·5 cows ha^?1; FM) resulted in the highest DM intake of grass herbage and milk production.