Germination and longevity of seeds of Agropyron repens L. Beauv. and Agrostis gigantea Roth. in soil in relation to different cultivation regimes

Results arc reported of two experiments done during 1971–76. which investiga ted the germination and longevity in soil of seeds of Agropyron repens L. Beauv. and Agrostis gigantea Roth. The effects of different cultivation regimes and paraquat were investigated in a field experiment and the effects of different frequencies of cultivation in a sandy loam and silty loam soil were studied in the glasshouse. Seeds of neither species were innately dormant and most germination occurred during the first autumn. Agrostis seeds germinated most readily on the soil surface and persisted longest where the seeds were incorporated in soil al the outset and not cultivated in the spring. In contrast. Agropyron seeds germinated most readily when incorporated in soil at the cutset and their depletion was largely independent of cultivations in the spring; they persisted longest where they remained on the soil surface dtiring the firstautumn. Paraquat, sprayed on to dry seeds, greatly decreased the number of Agropyron seeds, giving emerged seedlings early during the first autumn but did not afTect the number emerging after this. Agrostis was aflected little by paraquat. Agrostis seeds were more persistent than Agropyron in most treatments of both experiments; in the field, on average, only abotit 0.3% of Agropyrim seeds gave emerged seedlings during the fourth year whereas about three times as many Agrostvis seedlings would be expected to emerge during the fifth year. The number of seedlings, particularly of Agrostis. emerging in consecutive years did not decrease continuously from year to year. There was some indication that longevity of Agrostis seeds might be greater in a sandy loam than in a silly loam soil. The much smaller percentage of seeds accounted for in the field than in the glasshouse is emphasised and the implications of the findings to practical control measures, particularly that depletion of seed reserves is dependent on initial cultivations, are briefly discussed. Germination et longévité des sentences d' Agropyron repens L. Beauv. et d'Agrostis gigantea Roth, dans le sol, en relation avec different régimes de culture. Les auteurs rapportent les résultats de deux expériénces effectuées de 1971 à 1976, destinées àétudier la germination et la longevité dans le sol des seremencesd d' Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv. et d'Agrostis gigantea Roth. Les effets de différents régimes de culture et du paraquat ont étéétudiés dans une expérience au champ et les effets de différentes fréquences de culture, dans un sol de limon sableux et dans un limon fm ont étéétudies en serre. Les semenees des deux espéces ne se sont pas révélées naturellement dormantes et la plus grande partie de la germination s'est produite durant le premier automne, Les semenees d'Agrostis ont germé plus aisément à la surface du sol et ont persisté plus longtemps là oü les semenees ont été incorporées dans le sol dés le début el non irultivées au printemps. En revanche, tes sentences d’ Agropyron ont germé plus aisément lcirsqu'elles ont été incorporées dans les sol dés le debut et leur épuisement a été en grande partie indépendant des facons culturales effectuées au printemps; elles ont persisté plus longtemps lä oü elles sont restées à la surface du sol durant le premier automne. Le paraquat, pulvérisé sur les semenees séches, a diminué de facon importante le nombre de semenees d'Agropyron donnant des levées précoces de plantules durant le premier automne; par la suite, le paraquat n'a pas eu d'effet sur le nombre des levées. L'Agrostis a été peu aftecté par le paraquat. Les semenees d’ Agrostis se sont montrées plus persistantes que celles ti’ Agropyron dans la plupart des conditions des deux expériences; au champ environ 0,03% seulement en moyennede semenees d'Agropyron ont levé au cours de la quatriéme année alors que trois fois autani de levées d'Agrostisétaient attendues au cours de la cinquiéme année. Le nombre de plantules d’Agrosits en particulier. levant au cours des annees consecutives n'a pas continuellement diminué d'année en année, ll y a quelques raisons de penser que la longévité des semenees d'Agrostis pourrait étre plus grande dans un limon sableux que dans un limon fin. Les auteurs insistent sur le fait que le pourcentage de semenees enregistré au champ a été beaucoup plus faible qu'en serre. Les implications des constatations faites dans les mesures pratiques de lutte sont briévement discutées, en particulier le fait que la diminution des reserves des semenees dépend des facons culturales initiates. Keimung und Lebensdauer der Samen von Agropyron repens L. Beauv. und Agrostis gigantea Roth, im Boden in Be:iehung zu unterschiedlicher Bodenhearbeitung Es wird üher Versuche berichiet, die in der Zeit von 1971–1976 durchgeführt wurden. und in denen die Keimung und die Lebensdauer der Samen von Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. und Agrostis gigantea Roth, im Boden untersucht wurden. In einem Feldversuch wurde die Wirkung verschiedener Bodenbearbeitungen und von Paraquat untersucht. und in einem Gewâhshausversuch die Wirkung unterschiedlichcr Abstände in der Bodenbearbeitung bei cinem saodigen Lehmboden und einem Schluff-Lenmbodcn. Bei keiner der beiden Arten waren die Samen endogen dormant, und die mcisten keimten im ersten Herbst. Die Samen von Agrostis keimten am schnellsten auf der Bodenoberfläche und überlebten am längsten, wenn sie am Anfang eingearbeitet wurden. der Boden im Frühjahr aber niirht bearbeitet wurde. In Gegensatz dazu keimten die Samen von Agropyron am schnelllsten, wenn sie am Anfang eingearbeitel wurden, und die Erschöpfung des Samenvorrats war unabhängig von Bodenbearbeirtungen im Frühjahr; sie überlebten am längsten, wenn sie im ersten Herbsi auf der Bodenoherflächc verblieben. Wurde Paraquat auf trockene Samen gespritzl. dann nahmen die Agropyron-Sdmen stark ab, da im Frühberbst des ersten Jahres Pflanzen aufliefen, was aber keine Auswirkung auf die Anzahl der auflaufenden Pflanzen in der Folgezeit hatte. Bei Agrostis wirkte Paraquat nur schwach. In den meisten Varianien der beiden Versuche überlebten mehr Samen von Agrostis ah von .Agropyron. Im vicrten Jahr des Feldvcrsuchs liefen durchschnittlich etwa 0,03% der Agropvron-Samcn auf, während bei .Agrostis im fünften jahr etwa dreimal soviel erwartet werden können. Die Zahl der in den Folgejahren a ufgelaufenen Keimpflanzen nahm bcsounders bei Agrostis nicht kontinuierlich von Jahr zu Jahr ab. Es gab einige Hinweise dafür. dass die Lebensdauer von .Agrostiis-Samen im sandigen Lehmboden grösser sein könnte als im Schluff-Lehm- boden. Es wird auf den wesentlich geringeren Prozentsatz an Samen unter Feld- als unter Gewächshausbedingungen hingewiesen. Die Folgen diescr BEfunde für die praktische Bekämplung, insbesondere, dass dcr SamenvorraT im Boden von der ersten Bodenbearbeitung abhängig ist, werden kurzdiskutiert.     

EFFECTS OF LIGHT INTENSITY, PHOTOPERIOD AND NITROGEN ON THE GROWTH OF SEEDLINGS OF AGROPYRON REPENS (L.) BEAUV. AND AGROSTIS GIGANTEA ROTH

Summary. Seeding of Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. und Agrostis gigantea Roth were grown in two photoperiods and with amounts of nitrogen. On two occasions plants transferred between photoperiods.
The early growth of the seedlings was increased most by increasing the light intensity, but later nitrogen had the greatest effect. In short photoperiods, plants of both species were decumbent and had many more shoots than in long photoperiods. At the end of the experiment, plants of both species responded more to nitrogen in bright than in dim light, and the dry weight of Agropyron was increased more than that of Agrostis by increased photoperiod and nitrogen.
Agropyron initiated rhizomes sooner than Agrostis ; it had fewer rhizomes but they were longer and thicker and weighed more. Brighter light, longer photoperiod and nitrogen all increased rhizome weight. Photoperiod did this mainly by producing more rhizomes, light by increasing thickness or density, and nitrogen by both. The effects of photoperiod and nitrogen on the rhizome dry weight of Agropyron , but not of Agrostis , were additive.
Transferring plants from short to long photoperiods or from long to short, respectively increased or decreased total growth, but had an opposite effect on the rhizomes.     

Optical chlorophyll measurements as predictors of total nitrogen,nitrogen fractions and in vitro ruminal nitrogen degradability in tropical grass forages

This study evaluated whether the FieldScout CM 1000 NDVI and Yara N–Tester models can produce accurate and reliable estimates of nitrogen (N), buffer-soluble nitrogen (BSN), buffer-insoluble nitrogen (BISN), non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and in vitro ruminal nitrogen degradability after 3, 12 and 24?h incubation (ND3, ND12 and ND24) in three tropical grasses: Brachiaria hybrid, Megathyrsus maximus and Paspalum atratum. Correlation between the Yara N-Tester and N, BISN and in vitro ruminal N degradability of the Brachiaria hybrid and M. maximus were high (r 0.67–0.83). The Yara N-Tester accounted for 81% and 86% (p 0.000) of N variability in the Brachiaria hybrid and M. maximus, respectively. The Yara N-Tester prediction models explained 72% and 70% (p 0.000) BISN variability in the Brachiaria hybrid and M. maximus, respectively. In vitro ND24 of the Brachiaria hybrid (R?2 0.75) and M. maximus (R?2 0.75) was also best predicted with the Yara N-Tester. Model validation showed generally low (≤0.90) concordance correlation coefficients except for Yara N-Tester N and ND24 in M. maximus. Random error was the main source of error. We conclude that the accuracy of the Yara N-Tester prediction models was superior to that of the FieldScout CM 1000 NDVI models, and that the Yara N-Tester can produce accurate and reliable estimates of Brachiaria hybrid and M. maximus N and M. maximus ND24.     

Reaction of somaclonal variants of wheat to the take-all fungus (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici)

More than 20000 wheat plants, derived from callus culture of immature wheat embryos were assessed for reaction to the take-all fungus ( Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici ) using a test-tube assay. Lines with less root and shoot blackening and more remaining green tissue than parental lines were identified in the SC₃ generation. However these lines had more root and shoot blackening and less remaining green tissue in subsequent generations. The changes in reaction to the fungus may therefore have been epigenetic. The potential of this tissue culture derived material for breeding take-all resistant wheats is discussed.     

Crop competitive ability contributes to herbicide performance in sweet corn

Crop variety effects on herbicide performance is not well characterised, particularly for sweet corn, a crop that varies greatly among hybrids in competitive ability with weeds. Field studies were used to determine the effects of crop competitive ability on season‐long herbicide performance in sweet corn. Two sethoxydim‐tolerant sweet corn hybrids were grown in the presence of Panicum miliaceum and plots were treated post‐emergence with a range of sethoxydim doses. Significant differences in height, leaf area index and intercepted light were observed between hybrids near anthesis. Across a range of sub‐lethal herbicide doses, the denser canopy hybrid Rocker suppressed P. miliaceum shoot biomass and fecundity to a greater extent than the hybrid Cahill. Yield of sweet corn improved to the level of the weed‐free control with increasing sethoxydim dose. The indirect effect of herbicide dose on crop yield, mediated through P. miliaceum biomass reduction, was significant for all of the Cahill’s yield traits but not Rocker. These results indicate that a less competitive hybrid requires relatively more weed suppression by the herbicide to not only reduce weed growth and seed production, but also to maintain yield. Sweet corn competitive ability consistently influences season‐long herbicide performance.     

Femoral component failure in canine cemented total hip replacement: a report of two cases

Femoral stem fracture is reported as an uncommon late complication of cemented total hip replacement in two dogs. In each case surgical salvage was achieved by extirpation of the proximal unstable component of the femoral stem, resulting in acceptable limb function. To the authors' knowledge, intramedullary femoral stem failure has not been previously reported after cemented total hip replacement in the dog. Factors believed to have contributed to implant failure in these dogs are discussed and compared with the same complication in humans.     

Does the Amount of Progesterone in Intravaginal Implants Used to Synchronise Oestrus Affect the Reproductive Performance of Brahman Heifers Artificially Inseminated at a Fixed Time

The study tested the hypothesis that reduced intravaginal implant progesterone (P₄) concentration to synchronise oestrus would increase pregnancy rates to fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI) in Bos indicus heifers. Brahman heifers (n = 294; 2 year) were body condition scored (BCS), weighed and scanned for presence of a corpus luteum (CL). Only cyclic heifers were selected and allocated randomly within BCS and 25 kg bodyweight category to one of three P₄ treatment groups. On day 10, heifers received a P₄ implant (CueMate‐1‐pod, 0.78g P₄; CueMate‐2‐pod, 1.56g P₄; or CIDR‐B, 1.9g P₄), 2 mg oestradiol benzoate (ODB) intramuscularly (IM) and 250 ug cloprostenol IM. At day 2, the implant was removed, 250 ug cloprostenol was injected IM and tail paint applied. The heifers received 1 mg ODB 24 h later and were FTAI 48–54 h after implant removal (day 0). Ten randomly selected heifers per group were blood sampled and scanned at days 10, 2, 0 and 6 to define the P₄ profiles pre‐ and post‐FTAI. Heifers were heat‐detected 18–20 days post‐FTAI and oestrous heifers AI’d by the AM/PM rule. Bulls joined the heifers on day 27 post‐FTAI. Transrectal ultrasonography estimated conception date on day 72. Statistical analysis examined the effects of treatment, technician, semen, ovarian status, BCS and liveweight, on pregnancy rate (PR) to FTAI. There was no significant difference (p = 0.362) in PR between treatment groups (CueMate 1‐pod, 36.4%; CueMate 2‐pod, 39.6%: CIDR‐B, 28.3%), but PR was higher in those heifers with increased BCS between FTAI and pregnancy diagnosis (p = 0.005). Thirty‐three per cent of monitor heifers had plasma P₄ concentrations of <1 ng/ml on day 6 after FTAI; only 20% of these conceived vs 60% of heifers with P₄ ≥ 1 ng/ml. In summary, no significant difference in PR was identified between treatments but good BCS and a rising plane of nutrition were critical to PR of these pure grade Brahman heifers in northern Australia.     

欧拉羊杂交改良山谷型藏羊杂交F_1代与对照组羔羊生长发育效果观察

引进欧拉羊杂交改良甘南州的山谷型藏羊,跟踪测定杂交F1代与对照组羔羊初生、3月龄、6月龄的体尺、体重,对所测数据进行统计分析,并进行差异显著性检验。结果表明:杂交F1代羔羊初生、3月龄、6月龄的体尺、体重极显著的高于对照组(P0.01),管围差异不显著(P0.05)。     

On sustaining the ecology and livestock industry of the Bayanbuluk Grasslands

A short visit to the Bayanbuluk Grassland in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, PRC, revealed a number of environmental and livestock production problems, including grassland degradation, loss of grassland biodiversity, soil erosion and flash flooding downstream, decreased pasture productivity, and poor livestock nutrition (especially in winter) leading to stock losses and flocks and herds of low productivity. This paper describes those problems and then suggests some solutions. Short duration, high intensity grazing could be one of the solutions to both improving grassland condition and improving livestock nutrition. Local production of fodder crops for feeding in winter and spring deserves testing, using adapted strains of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and trialling fodder root crop production. It is important to realise that the land management objectives of scientists, administrators, herders and farmers may be similar, and that there are opportunities for land improvement through working together.     

RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF CONFIRMED PULMONARY LYMPHOMA IN CATS AND DOGS

Herein we describe the thoracic radiographic appearance of confirmed pulmonary lymphoma. Patients with thoracic radiographs and cytologically or histologically confirmed pulmonary lymphoma were sought by contacting American College of Veterinary Radiology members. Seven cats and 16 dogs met the inclusion criteria, ranging in age from 4 to 15 years. Method of diagnosis was via ultrasound‐guided cytology (four), surgical biopsy (two), ultrasound‐guided biopsy (one), and necropsy (16). Radiographic findings varied but ranged from normal (one) to alveolar (six) and/or unstructured interstitial infiltrates (11), nodules and/or masses (eight), and bronchial infiltrates (four). Additional thoracic radiographic findings included pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy. The results of this evaluation indicate a wide variability in thoracic radiographic abnormalities in cats and dogs with pulmonary lymphoma.