Barley/pea mixtures as cover crops for grass re-seeds

Substantial annual fluctuations in the performance of arable silage mixtures, comprising Minerva forage pea and Goldmarker barley, were observed from ten annual sowings between 1977 and 1986, Total dry matter (DM) yield varied between 2·5 and 11·5 t ha⁻¹. Dry matter content also ranged widely from 10·3% to 20·0% and there was a large variation in the proportion of peas in the DM (0·44 to 0·90). Almost 80% of this yield variation was due to the fluctuation in pea performance and over 60% of all yield variation was related to the variation in sunshine hours and air temperature.
In 1983 and 1984 differences in seed rate of between 20 and 140 kg ha⁻¹ of Minerva and 80 and 160 kg ha⁻¹ of Goldmarker influenced the forage composition at harvest, with the pea component capable of outgrowing and suppressing the other species when sown at over 80 kg ha⁻¹. Very high yields of peas were associated with increasing stress on the undersown grass re-seed and were considered undesirable.
It was concluded that sowing rates of between 120 and 160 kg ha⁻¹ for barley and a maximum of 60 kg ha⁻¹ for peas would, in most years, provide the best compromise between attaining good arable silage yields and avoiding excessive dangers of damage of undersown grass re-seeds.     

The residual activity of metribuzin in soil

The residual activity of 4-ammo-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazine-5-4(H)one (metribuzin) on indicator plants in Sassafras sandy loam soil was studied. Inhibition of coleoptile. radicle and primary root development were found at 1 ppm in oat (Avena sativa L., var. Beede) and at 5 ppm in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., var. Pepino). At concentrations below 5 ppm, metribuzin stimulated the elongation of primary root and radicle in cucumber. After 46 days’ incubation. less than 1 ppm of the intact compound remained in soil without affecting the elongation of oat roots while its half life was approximately 6 days at 28deg;C incubation. L'activité résiduelle de la métribuzine dans le sol L'activité résiduelle de la 4-amino-6-t-butyl-3-(méthylthio)-1,2,4-tHazine-S-(4H)-one (métribuzine) a étéétudiée sur des plantes tests dans un sol sablo-limoneux de Sassafras. L'inhibition de la coléoptile, de la radicule et du développement de la racine primaire a été constatéà la dose de 1 ppm pour l'avoine (Avena sativa L. var. Beede) et à 5 ppm pour le concombre (Cucumis sativus L. var. Peplno). A des concentrations inférieures à 5 ppm, la métribuzine a stimulé l'élongation de la racine primaire et de la radicule du concomposé. Après 46 jours d'incubation, moins d'un ppm du composé intact restait dans le sol sans affecter l'élongation des racines d'avoine, alors que sa demi-vie a été approximativement de 6 jours à une température d'incubation de 28°C. Die Residualwirkung von Metribuzin im Boden Es wurde die Rcsidualwirkung von 4-Amino-6-tert,-butyl-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5-(4H)-one (Metribuzin) an Indikalorpflanzen in Sassafras-sandigem-Lehm untersucht. Bei 1 ppm war bei Hafer (Avena sativa L., Sorte Beede) die Entwicklung der Koleoptile, der Keim- und der Primär-wurzel gehemmt und bei 5 ppm desglcichen bei Gurke (Cucumis sativus L., Sorte Pepino). Bei Konzentrationen unter 5 ppm, förderte Metribuzin bei der Gurke die Streckung der Primär- und der Keimwurzel. Nach 46 Tagen Inkubation-szeit war weniger als 1 ppm der unveränderten Verbindung im Boden, was aber das Längenwachstum der Haferwurzeln nicht beeinträchtigte. Die Halbwertzeit betrug bei 28°C ungefahr 6 Tage.     

Effect of soil storage on propanil degradation

Sassafras sandy loam soil was subjected to various storage conditions after collection and 3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide (propanil) was used for testing the biodegradation potential of the stored soil. Cleavage of propanil was affected drastically after 5 days’ moist storage at 0, 10, 25 or –15° C and by 5 days’ air-drying. In 1 week approximately 90% of the propanil was degraded when fresh soil samples were used. However, 60–80% of residual propanil was found in soil which had been stored under various conditions from 5 to 30 days. Samples air-dried for 10 days were mildly affected as compared with the samples moist-stored at various temperatures, indicating that restricted gas exchange had a detrimental effect on biodegradation in moist-stored samples. These findings show that any biodegradation study should be conducted with fresh soil samples. Effet de la conservation du sol sur la degradation du propanil Un sol argilo sableux a été soumis apres prélèvement à diverses conditions de conservation et du 3,4-dichloropro-pionanilide (propanil) a été utilisé pour estimer le potentiel de biodégradation du sol ainsi conservé. La dégradation du propanil aété profondément affectée aprés 5 jours de conservation à l'humidité, à 0, 10, 25 ou –15° C et par 5 jours de séchage à l'air. En une semaine, 90 % environ du propanil aété dégrade dans le cas oil des échantillons frais de sol ontété utilises. Toutefois, 60 a 80 % de propanil résiduel aété retrouvé dans un sol conservé pendant 5 à 30 jours dans des conditions variées. Les eéchantillons séchés k l'air pendant 10 jours ontété moyennement affectés en compar-aison avec les échantillons conserves ä l'humiditéä des températures variées; ceci indique que la restriction des échanges gazeux a un effet défavorable sur la biodégradation dans les échantillons conserves à rhumidité. Ces résultats montrent que toute étude de biodégradation devrait être conduite avec des échantillons de sol frais. Wirkung der Lagerung von Boden auf den Abbau von Propanil Boden (Sassafras-sandiger-Lehm) wurde nach der Probennahme unter verschiedenen Bedingungen gelagert und, seine biologische Abbaufahigkeit mit 3′,4′-Dichlorpro-pionanilid (Propanil) untersucht. Der Abbau von Propanil wurde nach fünftägiger Lagerung des Bodens in feuchtem Zustand bei 0, 10, 25 oder – 25°C und fünftägiger Lufttrocknung sehr stark beeinflusst. Wenn frische Bodenproben verwendet wurden, waren nach einer Woche etwa 90% des Herbizids abgebaut. Dagegen waren noch 60–80% des Propanils vorhanden, wenn der Boden unter verschiedenen Bedingungen 5–30 Tage gelagert worden war. Proben die 10 Tage lang luftgetrocknet wurden, waren, verglichen mit den bei verschiedenen Temperaturen feucht gelagerten Bodenproben, nur wenig beeinflusst. Das weist darauf hin, da ein verringerter Gasaustausch sich schädlich auf die im feuchten Zustand gelagerten Proben auswirkte. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass jede Untersuchung des biologischen Abbaus von Herbiziden im Boden mit frischen Bodenproben durchgefuhrt werden sollte.     

The Chinchilla Industry in Great Britain Today

Abstract— A review is presented of the development and growth of the chinchilla industry in Great Britain. The problems in the industry are examined with regard to costs of production, diseases, husbandry and improved stock and pelts.     

Transfer of Free Vascular Cutaneous Flaps by Microvascular Anastomosis Results in Six Dogs

Skin defects on the distal extremities of six dogs were reconstructed with free vascular cutaneous transfers by microvascular anastomosis. The donor flaps were based on the superficial cervical artery and vein. In five of the dogs, bone was exposed and skin was lost from half of the circumference of the limb. Two had infected fractures with sequestra and three had acute shearing injuries. The sixth dog had sensory denervation of the left antebrachium and a carpal acral lick granuloma. Before surgery, the patency of potential recipient vessels was confirmed with arteriography in five dogs and an ultrasonic doppler in one dog. Microvascular technique was used to reestablish circulation to the flaps after they were transferred to the recipient site. Total ischemic time of the flaps averaged 100 minutes. All flaps survived. Successful reconstruction of the cutaneous defects was achieved in these six cases.     

Renal Allograft Survival in Outbred Mongrel Dogs Using Rabbit Anti-Dog Thymocyte Serum in Combination With Immunosuppressive Drug Therapy With or Without Donor Bone Marrow

Therapeutic renal transplantation in dogs is currently being investigated as a treatment for end-stage renal disease. This pilot study examines the effect of donor bone marrow (DBM) infusion and antithymocyte serum (ATS) in combination with immunosuppressive drug therapy in prolonging renal allograft survival in dogs. Seven normal outbred mongrel dogs received an unmatched renal allograft. All dogs received rabbit anti-dog thymocyte serum (RADTS), prednisone (Pr), cyclosporine-A (CsA) and azathioprine (Aza). In addition, three dogs (group 1 test) received DBM and four dogs (group 2 control) did not receive DBM. Serum CsA levels were measured throughout the study. Immunosuppressive therapy was gradually reduced with Pr, CsA, and Aza withdrawn at 200,450, and 680 days, respectively. Allograft rejection was treated with prednisolone sodium succinate. One dog in group 1 and one in group 2 died as a result of infectious canine rhinotracheitis and rejection early in the study. Renal allograft torsion occurred in one group 1 dog. The remaining four dogs survived the 2 years of the study. The dogs in group 2 (three dogs) all rejected the renal allograft after total drug withdrawal, the surviving dog in group 1 did not. This study demonstrates that RADTS, Pr, CsA, and Aza in combination can prolong renal allograft survival in mongrel dogs, whereas DBM may enhance the unresponsive state.