Evapotranspiration relationship with pan evaporation and evapotranspiration ratio of corn under different nitrogen levels and moisture regimes

In a field experiment with four moisture regimes and eight nitrogen levels, the ratios between evapotranspiration and pan evaporation ($\text{Et}\text{Eo}$) were low in the initial stages of crop growth and attained maximum values at 70–80% (20 and 40% available soil moisture depletion (ASMD)), 65% (60% ASMD) and 55% (80% ASMD) of the crop growth stage. Amongst nitrogen levels, the evapotranspiration ratio (ETR) was highest (3573) under no nitrogen and lowest (1312) with 180 kg N/ha. The 20% ASMD regime utilised less water (ETR= 1499 to produce a kilogram of grain than did the other moisture regimes. The lowest evapotranspiration ratio (914) was recorded with 20% ASMD and 180 kg N/ha in combination. The highest ETR (3954) was found with 60% ASMD and no nitrogen. An additive effect of nitrogen and moisture was found, in indicating that they can be substituted one for the other, when one of them becomes a constraint.     

Actions of sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide on seed dormancy and germination of wild oats, Avena fatua L.

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) can release dormancy of imbibed wild oat (Avena fatua L.) seeds. Treatments found effective included (i) immersing intact seeds in 800 mm NaOCl for 1 h followed by incubation on 5 × 10^?4m gibberellin A₃(GA₃); (ii) immersing dehulled seeds in 800 mm NaOCl for 1 min followed by incubation on 5 × 10^?4m GA₃; (iii) immersion of dehulled seeds in much lower concentrations of NaOCl, e.g. 13 4 mm for 3 h followed by incubation on water; or (iv) incubating dehulled seeds on a low concentration of NaOCl. Based on the concentrations of each of the reagents required to produce equivalent responses, NaOCl is approximately 4–6 times more effective than hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in triggering the onset of germination, and 6 times as effective in causing growth inhibition in the roots. These results suggest the modes of action of NaOCl and H₂O₂ in the termination of dormancy reside in a modification of the properties of the hull and seed coat membranes, and in the provision of additional oxygen to the seed.     

Levels of some reproductive diseases in the dairy cattle of Colombia

Of 4,144 serum samples collected from cows on 113 farms from eight areas of Colombia 3.3% had positive and 8.8% inconclusive titres to Brucella abortus, 21.7, 6.3, 1.6, 0.6 and 0.7% of cows had positive titres to Leptospira serovars hardjo, pomona, canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae and grippotyphosa respectively. Questionnaires completed on 110 farms revealed that 6, 2.5 and 4.6% of cows had had metritis, aborted or retained their placentas respectively in the previous 12 months. Trichomonas foetus and Campylobacter fetus were isolated from 13.7% and 15% of the bulls sampled on 103 farms. Six and two bulls had inconclusive and positive titres to Brucella abortus. Eight and 23 bulls had positive titres to pomona and hardjo. The results were discussed and remedies for control suggested.     

Serological tests in relation to the viability,fertility and localization of hydatid cysts in cattle,sheep, goats and swine

A serological study of intermediate hosts (cattle, sheep, goats and swine) of Echinococcus granulosus was carried out by means of the indirect haemaglutination (IHA) and flocculation with latex (LA) tests, relating them with the organs invaded, and the fertility and viability of the cysts.In cattle a sensitivity of 75% and 21.05% of non-specific reactions was given by IHA, while the LA gave 66.7 and 17.54%, respectively. In the sheep, the IHA gave 79.16 and 20%, and the LA, 75 and 15%. In the goat, the IHA gave 76 and 22%, and the LA 71.43 and 16%. Finally, in the pig, the IHA gave 75 and 22%, and the LA, 66.6 and 14.16%.The IHA was more sensitive in detecting hepatic cysts in the cow, and pulmonary cysts in the goat, while in the sheep and the pig there were no significant differences. The LA was more sensitive in detecting hepatic cysts in the cow, goat and pig, while there were no significant differences in sheep.The differences in serum titers by the IHA and the LA tests with respect to the viability and the fertility of the cysts in the hosts, were not significant.     

Preparation, control and application of anthrax vaccine in USSR

Reported in this paper are the preparation, testing and application of two live vaccines against anthrax in the USSR. They were STI live vaccine in liquid and lyophilised forms and GHKI live vaccine in lyophilised form. Official tests for purity were conducted, using growth factors of cultures, whereas harmlessness was tested on rabbit and effectiveness on guinea-pig and later on sheep, after some five years had elapsed. Quantitative methods by which to test the effectiveness of VGNKI are now being prepared. Immunisation for prophylaxis or emergency are undertaken, depending on epizootiological situations. Major importance is ascribed to keeping, feeding, general nutrition and performance, latent infections, and meteorological factors which can all be of impact on immunogenicity and postvaccinal complications. Anthrax has been eliminated in the USSR, with only few sporadic outbreaks left, owing to immunisation and complementary action in veterinary hygiene.     

Streptococcal infection as a cause of reproductive tract problems of swine

This study determined that streptococci were the etiological agents responsible for a high percentage of breeding sows experiencing infertility and abortions.No isolations of virus were obtained from fetuses, or placentae. There was no positive serology obtained from sows that aborted when tested for evidence of virus, leptospira, brucella, and eperythrozoon antibodies. Streptococci were the predominant isolates obtained from the genito-urinary tract of sows and boars. Cultures were taken from 75 sows and 46 (61%) yielded hemolytic streptococci; 27 of these streptococci belonged to a specific serogroup. Of the 75 sows studied, 46 were infected, and of these, nine aborted, 14 were infertile, and 23 farrowed normally. There was a significantly (P < 0.02) higher number of sows that had abortions or were infertile in the infected group. A random sample of 18 sows given penicilin therapy indicated a significant benefit from treatment (P < 0.02) in the reproductive performance of infected animals.Twelve out of 16 boars yielded hemolytic streptococci with seven isolated being of a specific serogroup.The percentage distribution of all streptococci isolates belonging to a specific serogroup was 63.4% group C, 22% group D, and 7.3% each fooup A and G.