On estimating non‐additive genetic parameters in chickens 1

1. Several economically important traits in two Leghorn populations (over 9000 birds) were examined for additive and non‐additive components of genetic variance and sex‐linked effects. Data were analysed by two different statistical models based on least‐squares procedures.

2. Six different covariances were first calculated between relatives; i.e., full‐sibs, 3/4‐sisters, half‐sisters, dam‐daughters, grandam‐granddaughters and aunt‐nieces.

3. From the covariances, weighted least‐squares equations were used to obtain estimates of variance components for additive genetic, dominance, maternal and sex‐linkage effects.

4. The estimates of non‐additive components were highly variable but generally small compared with the additive genetic estimates.

5. In general this study suggests that for most traits, with the possible exception of rate of egg production, there is relatively little non‐additive genetic variation.

6. The consequences of possible negative correlations between additive effects and maternal effects are considered as they might apply to egg production in poultry.     

Broiler growth and feeding behaviour in three different lighting regimes

1. Female broiler chicks reared in a 12‐h photoperiod which included a simulated “dawn” and “dusk” grew slightly faster than those reared in a 12‐h photoperiod of uniform light and others kept in continuous light.

2. This was apparently because the chicks subjected to dawn and dusk ate more food than those subjected to 12‐h uniform light and converted food more efficiently than those in continuous light.     

An equine cryptorchid with testicular and ovarian tissues.

Cytogenetic and histological studies were carried out on an intersex horse which was diagnosed clinically as a cryptorchid. Surgery confirmed the horse to be a bilateral abdominal cryptorchid and histological examination revealed ovarian tissue associated with the left epididymis. Chromosome analysis of cultured cells from testicular tissue, ovarian tissue and skin revealed 64-XX and 64-XY make-up, the left gonad containing a greater preponderance of XX cells over XY cells. The external characteristics and behaviour of the horse were indistinguishable from that of a "routine" cryptorchid. Other cases of equine intersexes are reviewed and theories for the discrepancies between genetic, gonadal and phenotypic sex are discussed.     

The effect of soil aggregate size and water content on herbicide concentration in soil water

Suspensions of wettable powders of metribuzin and simazine were sprayed onto samples of two soils of two particle size grades, > 2.5 mm and <0.5 mm. The soils were either air-dry or at a water content of 12%. After either 1 h or 1 week, water was added to give a soil to water ratio of 1:1. Samples of solution were analysed after 1, 24 and 48 h. With metribuzin the intial concentration for both soils after wetting was greater from the >2.5 mm samples than the <0.5 mm samples, following application to dry soil, but by 48 h the differences were negligible. With simazine WRO soil did not show this effect at all and with Kirton soil only small differences were seen. If the soil was wet at the time of application, particle size had no effect except with simazine in Kirton soil. Generally metribuzin concentrations were higher after application to wet than to dry soils for at least 24 h after wetting whereas simazine concentrations were higher from initially dry soils and the differences had virtually disappeared 24 h after wetting. With the WRO soil herbicide concentrations in soil water were higher if the soil was wetted 1 h after spraying than if left for 1 week but the differences rarely persisted for 48 h. No such trend was observed with Kirton soil. It is concluded that the differences observed in these experiments could be responsible for variations in the performance of soil-applied herbicides.     

Structure-activity relationships of 1,2,3-benzothiadiazoles as synergists for carbaryl against the house fly (Musca domestica)

Fifty six 1,2,3-benzothiadiazoles and related compounds were evaluated as carbaryl synergists against the house fly (Musca domestica). Many of these were excellent synergists, the most active being those containing various combinations of halogen, alkyl, or alkoxy substituents in the 5- and/or 6-positions of the ring.Regression analysis on the data from 14 compounds for which substituents constants were available established that synergistic activity can be satisfactorily described by equations in terms of the hydrophobic bonding constant (π) and the homolytic free radical constant (σ ·).The results with compounds related to the 1,2,3-benzothiadiazoles suggest that synergistic activity is associated primarily with the diazosulfide moiety.     

The "barker" (neonatal respiratory distress) syndrome in the pig: its occurrence in the field.

A new syndrome, characterised by acute respiratory distress and by abnormalities of the skin, hair and thyroid, was the apparent cause of neonatal death in 35 (24 per cent) of 146 piglets sired by a large white boar in four small commercial pig units. The syndrome appears to be of genetic origin, inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Its similarities with the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn infant and the "barker" syndrome of the newborn foal are discussed.     

Dissociation and phosphorylation constants for the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by a series of novel O-ethyl O-phenyl S-n-propyl phosphorothioates

The phosphorylation, dissociation, and bimolecular reaction constants were determined for several members of a series of substituted O-ethyl O-phenyl S-n-propyl phosphorothioates in the presence of substrate. The data obtained are discussed in relation to electronegativity of substituents and in vivo toxicity.     

Biological Control of Take-all by Phialophora radicicola Cain1

Biological control of take-all by Phialophora radicicola Cain and similar fungi is reviewed, and new evidence is presented on the possible role of hyper-parasites, like Pythium oligandrum Drechsler, to augment this. Phialophora radicicola var. graminicola Deacon is abundant in British grasslands. Its role in biological control of take-all has been demonstrated in the glasshouse with natural soils and natural population levels of this control agent. Also there is much circumstantial evidence for its beneficial role in agriculture, especially in cereal monoculture following grass crops, and in natural and amenity grasslands. Some other similar fungi control take-all in the glasshouse, but their roles in current agricultural practice are not known. The take-all fungus, itself, can reduce infection of roots by P. radicicola, so there is a dynamic interaction between these fungi. This is affected by host type, relative inoculum potentials of the fungi, and possibly by environmental conditions. By careful manipulation, therefore, it might be possible to control take-all under a wide range of field conditions. The chief role of P. radicicola and similar fungi is to delay establishment of severe take-all early in cereal monoculture, rather than to combat an existing high disease level. It may therefore be desirable to combine different biocontrols, and hyperparasites like Pythium oligandrum may be important in this respect. This fungus was tested against varieties of Gaeumannomyces graminis Arx & Olivier and Phialophora radicicola in the laboratory; the host responses differed greatly, from marked susceptibility (P. radicicola var. radicicola) to almost complete resistance (G. graminis var. graminis). Hence, P. oligandrum might be used to alter relative population levels of these fungi in the field, but first its behaviour in natural soils must be studied.