Evaluation of post-emergence herbicides for the control of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) in wheat and barley in Argentina

Wild oat (Avena fatua L.) is the most troublesome weed in cereal crops in Argentina. With the aim of studying the effects of different herbicides, doses, and wild oat growth stage at application on weed control and crop yield, field experiments were conducted in wheat and barley crops during three growing seasons in the south of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Treatments were post-emergence applications of new herbicide, pinoxaden + cloquintocet mexyl (5%-1.25%), at doses that ranged from 20 g to 60 g a.i. pinoxaden ha⁻¹, applied at two to three leaves and the beginning of tillering of wild oat. In addition, standard treatments were included and applied at the same wild oat growth stages. Diclofop methyl at 511 g a.i. ha⁻¹ and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl at 55 g a.i. ha⁻¹ were applied in barley. In wheat, diclofop methyl was replaced by clodinafop-propargyl + cloquintocet mexyl (24%-6%) at 36 g a.i. clodinafop-propargyl + 9 g cloquintocet mexyl ha⁻¹ and in 2008/09 wheat experiments, iodosulfuron plus metsulfuron methyl (5%-60%) at 3.75 g a.i. ha⁻¹ + 3 g a.i. ha⁻¹ also was included. In both crops, pinoxaden at 30 g a.i. ha⁻¹ and at higher rates, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and clodinafop-propargyl gave the best control of wild oat. In 2006/07 wheat crops, treatments applied at tiller initiation provided better control than the early timing averaged across herbicides. However, wheat yield generally was greater with early application. In barley, wild oat control and crop yield were similar regarding time of application. Variations in crop yield were correlated with grain number m⁻² both in wheat and barley, but relationships between both grain number and spikes m⁻² and with grains per spike were identified only in wheat.     

Influence of forage NDF level and source in growing–finishing diets on growth performance of feedlot lambs

The effect of two forage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels (6 vs. 9%) and two forage sources (sorghum stover vs. alfalfa hay) on growth performance was evaluated in 20 feedlot lambs (17.45?±?2.75?kg) for a 60-d feeding-period. Final longissimus area and subcutaneous fat were measured by ultrasound. There were no treatment interactions. Lambs receiving sorghum stover had greater gain efficiency (p?=?.04), estimated dietary net energy (NE; p?=?.04), longissimus area (p?=?.02) and tended to greater average daily gain (ADG; p?=?.06) than lambs fed alfalfa hay. Lambs receiving 6% forage NDF had greater ADG (p?=?.03), gain efficiency (p?=?.03) and tendency toward for dietary NE (p?=?.06) than those fed 9% forage NDF. Treatments did not influence subcutaneous fat. In conclusion, at equivalent forage NDF level, sorghum stover may be superior to alfalfa hay for feedlot lambs which may depress growth performance at 9% forage NDF in isocaloric diets including a 50:50 blend of whole and ground sorghum grain.     

Hematological and splenic Doppler ultrasonographic changes in dogs sedated with acepromazine or xylazine

Objective

To evaluate the onset and duration of hematological changes and the use of Doppler ultrasound (spleen) in dogs sedated with acepromazine or xylazine.

Aspects of forest restoration and hydrology:the hydrological function of litterOA

Although forests play important roles in the hydrological cycle,there is little information that relates the water retention capacity of litter in areas under passive restoration,especially in Cerrado savannas.This study relates litter levels to water holding capacity and effective water retention among forest fragments under different passive restoration stages:46,11,and 8 years to better understand litter hydrological functions in the Cerrado.Water retention c apacity and effective water reten...