Yield Stability in Faba Bean,Vicia faba L. 1. Variation Among Inbred Lines*

Cultivation of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) is hampered by poor yield stability. The genetic variation at the homozygous level for yield stability in the gene pool of the small-seeded and indeterminate European faba beans and the usefulness of auxiliary traits for the improvement of yield stability were investigated. The concept of stability, based on the regression technique, was applied. A sample of 36 faba bean lines was tested in 16 environments and a subsample of eight lines was tested in 11 additional environments. Significant differences were found between lines for yield stability parameters, but the repeatability of the results was limited. Early maturity correlated markedly (r = 0.51^**) with one of the yield stability parameters (deviation from regression). Although lodging resistance was not correlated with the stability parameters, it proved to be a safety factor for performance.     

Yield Stability in Faba Bean,Vicia faba L. 2. Effects of Heterozygosity and Heterogeneity*

In order to evaluate the effects of heterogeneity and heterozygosity on yield stability in faba beans, genotypes were generated with contrasting population structures, differing only in their levels of heterogeneity and heterozygosity. All entries were based on either eight or 36 inbred lines, respectively. The population structures tested consisted of pure stands of the inbred lines (1) and of their F₁,-hybrids (2), blends of the inbred lines (3) and of their F₁ hybrids (4), four-component synthetics in different Syngenerations (5), the open-pollinated source varieties (6) and 36 polycross progenies (7). Five different entry sets (= data sets), each covering several of the seven population structures listed, were grown during 1986 to 1991 in at least four different environments in Western Germany and tested for yield. Stability parameters, i.e., the regression coefficient and deviation from regression (EBERHART and RUSSELL 1966), and the ecovalence (WRICKE 1962), revealed that yield stability of the different population structures was improved by increasing heterozygosity as well as heterogeneity. But the impact of both factors of diversity on yield stability varied between the different data sets. Positive effects of both factors on yield stability seemed to be additively combined in the hybrid blends (data set I). The same proved to be partly true for the four different Syn-generations of the nine synthetics tested. Yield advantage of the different heterozygous variety structures over the homozygous ones in creased with increasing yield level at test sites, as indicated by regression coefficients larger than 1.     

Rainfall and breed effects on the efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid for the prevention of fly strike and treatment of infestations of lice in long-wooled sheep

SUMMARY An ivermectin-based jetting fluid was assessed for its efficacy in the prevention of blowfly strike and treatment of lice in long-wooled sheep. The ivermectin concentrate was diluted to 0.03 mg/mL and applied via a standard hand jetting technique. In insectary studies, using laboratory-reared Lucilia cuprina, sheep jetted with ivermectin were protected from induced breech and body strikes for 18 weeks after treatment. Merino and Corriedale sheep were equally protected, as were sheep subjected to 25 mm simulated rainfall at 1, 3 or 6 hours after jetting. Naturally occurring infestations of lice, Bovicola (Damalinia) ovis, were successfully treated with ivermectin jetting fluid in Merino and Corriedale sheep using a standard hand jetting technique. In addition, the efficacy of treatment was not affected by simulated rainfall at 1, 3 or 6 hours after treatment.     

Electroencephalographic Power Spectrum Analysis as a Monitor of Anesthetic Depth in Horses

Electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectrum analysis was performed in 18 conscious, adult horses for evaluation as control values for EEG data obtained during anesthesia. Computer-processed total amplitudes for the frequency range 0 to 32 Hz were mainly between 400 and 600 microV, with 80% spectral edge frequency between 16.6 and 32.5 Hz. The highest electrical activity was in the delta band (41.3 +/- 4.4% of total amplitude); there was a less pronounced activity in the beta (34.2 +/- 5.2%), theta (13.6 +/- 1.5%), and alpha (10.0 +/- 1.0%) bands. The applicability of EEG power spectrum analysis as a guide to depth of anesthesia was evaluated in four horses by comparing simultaneously recorded EEG data and clinical signs of anesthesia. Global changes in cerebrocortical electrical activity were detected with a single, monopolar (left frontoatlanto-occipital) EEG lead. Increasing depth of halothane anesthesia was accompanied by a pronounced shift in EEG activity from beta to theta and delta frequency bands, a decrease in 80% spectral edge frequency from 21.5 +/- 2.4 Hz to 12.6 +/- 2.2 Hz, a reduction in the beta/delta ratio of fractional amplitudes from 2.37 +/- 0.84 to 0.49 +/- 0.04, and a slight inconsistent increase in total amplitude from 96.1 +/- 37.3 microV to 185.5 +/- 53 microV. These results show that changes in the clinical signs of anesthetic depth in horses can be described numerically by use of EEG power spectrum analysis.