Agrochemical assessment of bog phosphates in Western Siberia

Bog phosphates of Western Siberia were characterized; the agrochemical properties of vivianite in peat deposits were studied, and its positive effect on the phosphate pool of zonal soils was revealed. A high and prolonged effect of peat vivianite on the main agricultural crops was experimentally proved. It was shown that the wide use of bog phosphates as fertilizers offers much promise for the regional agriculture.     

Amounts and distribution of organic phosphorus in some profiles in tanzania

The amounts and distribution of organic phosphorus in profiles from several soil orders commonly occurring in the tropics have been determined. Organic phosphorus was found to decrease with depth, except in a few profiles where the maximum tended to occur in the second horizon. This was attributed to soil erosion due to wind and water, which had carried away most of the original A horizon. Poor vegetative growth and the effect of seasonal burning of the natural grassland were also considered to be contributing factors in the higher amounts of organic phosphorus in the second horizon of some profiles.The distribution of the organic phosphorus in the profiles is considered to be a function of climate, vegetation and the parent material. The C/P ratio differed from order to order and within profiles, suggesting that the humic material could affect the content and nature of the organic P fraction and that it is thus possible that the chemical form of the organic phosphorus is not the same in all of the profiles.     

Agar well technique for antibiotics in animal feeds.

The agar well technique compares favorably with the cylinder plate assay in accuracy, sensitivity, and precision. It is more flexible and more rugged, and growth of seed organism is not inhibited. The wells are precision cut with Grafar gel punch assembly with sets (6) of 10, 7, 5, 4, and 3 mm cutters. The wells are easily and rapidly filled with short, disposable Pasteur pipets fitted with rubber bulbs. The smaller wells are filled with capillary pipets. The diameter of the well (independent of volume) appears to be a function of concentration. For every decrease in the diameter size of the well, concentration can be increased, at least to the next higher level of the standard response line. Extracts of chlortetracycline containing as much as 3.2 mu-g/ml can be analyzed if the 3 mm wells are used and with no sacrifice in accuracy or precision. This works especially well for antibiotic premixes. The technique has been used successfully for penicillin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, oleandomycin, and tylosin.