Impact of direct dry seeding on rainfed paddy vegetation in north-east Thailand

In north-east Thailand where rainfed paddy cultivation is commonplace, direct dry seeding is replacing transplanting to increase the frequency of successful plantings and to save labor. The present study shows the impact of this change on paddy vegetation from agricultural and ecological viewpoints. One hundred and seventy-nine paddy fields from a wide range of climatic, topography, soil and hydrological conditions were used in this study. Authors visited these fields every 3 weeks during the rainy seasons of 1996–1998 to collect data about water conditions, rice growth, progress of cultivation, paddy vegetation and roughness (unevenness) of the soil surface. Analysis of this data revealed that direct dry seeded fields are resource-poor and have a wider range of water conditions within a field than transplanted fields due to a rougher soil surface. This results in lower productivity of total vegetation for rice growing in direct dry seeded fields. However, weed productivity was not significantly different between the direct dry seeding and transplanted fields. Direct dry seeded fields have more species-rich vegetation and greater diversity than the transplanted fields. Previous planting methods for particular fields did not influence productivity and diversity of paddy vegetation. It is concluded that the use of direct dry seeding increases biomass production of rice and the diversity of the paddy vegetation. The present results also suggest that an analytical framework be used to integrate agricultural and ecological studies of paddy vegetation in order to harmonize agricultural productivity with biological diversity.     

Residual activity of clomeprop and its downward movement under laboratory conditions

The relationship between the behavior of clomeprop ([ RS ]-2-[2,4-dichloro- m -tolyloxy]propionanilide) and its residual phytotoxic activity in the soil was investigated in the laboratory with special emphasis on the concentration in the soil water. The phytotoxic activity of clomeprop on radish seedlings ( Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula cv. Akamaruhatsukadaikon), as the test plant, became greater with time after application but the inhibition was different between the two soils, which had different properties. The amount of 2-(2,4-dichloro-3-methylphenoxy)propionic acid (DMPA), a hydrolyzed and active metabolite of clomeprop, in the soil water and total soil increased with time, corresponding to the decrease in the amount of clomeprop under non-water leakage conditions. The residual phytotoxic activity of clomeprop in the soil was more highly correlated with the concentration of DMPA in the soil water than with the amount of DMPA in the total soil. In addition, a leaching column test was conducted with clomeprop and DMPA. The DMPA easily moved downward and the concentration in the soil water in the upper layer decreased with time after application. It is supposed that the downward movement of DMPA was one of the factors influencing the lasting effect of clomeprop in the field.     

Visual acuity and spectral sensitivity of Jacopever Sebastes schlegeli

Understanding the behavior of Jacopever Sebastes schlegeli to visual stimulation is important and requires determination of visual sensitivity through the use of effective stimulation. In the present study, we measured the visual acuity, visual accommodation and spectral sensitivity of Jacopever. Visual acuity was calculated from the maximum cone density in the retina. In five specimens, the total length ranged from 17.6 to 24.5 cm and the calculated minimum resolving angles and visual acuities were 9.5–10.7 min and 0.09–0.11, respectively. Measurement of lens movement for visual accommodation indicated a mean distance and direction of movement of 0.31 mm and 16.0° in an upward and forward direction, respectively. The direction of accommodation and visual axis measured from the retinal area of maximum cone density were almost identical. The calculated focal distance was 0.74-fold the total length in the nearest point to infinity. We also determined the spectral sensitivity electrophysiologically by recording S-potentials from 45 specimens of total length of 15.4–47.5 cm. The S-potentials were recorded from 300 horizontal cells in the retina. All responses showed a similar spectral pattern, consisting of hyperpolarization in response to various wavelengths of stimulating light; the maximum amplitude of the response was recorded at 522 nm.     

Comparison of fattening performance in Brahman grade cattle (Bos indicus) and crossbred water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) fed on high roughage diet

The objective of this study was to compare the fattening performance in Brahman grade cattle (crossbred cattle) and crossbred water buffalo at the same young age and fed with high roughage based fattening rations in the Philippines. Ten crossbred cattle and 10 crossbred water buffalo, aged between 18 and 24 months old were used in this experiment. The animals were fed diets consisting of 85% Napier or Para grass and 15% concentrate mixture (CM) on a dry matter (DM) basis. The grass, total DM intake and bodyweight gain were significantly (P < 0.01) higher for the crossbred water buffalo than for the cattle. There was no species significant difference in the digestion coefficient and feed conversion rate between the crossbred cattle and water buffalo. The return over feed cost for fattening was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the crossbred water buffalo than in the cattle. These results clearly indicate that under high roughage‐based fattening rations, young crossbred water buffalo are better able to utilize the roughage and they perform better in terms of feed intake and live weight gains than the crossbred cattle in the Philippines.     

Effect of flow parameters of rumen digesta on effective degradability and microbial yield in sheep

The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of rumen digesta flow parameters on effective degradability (EDG) and microbial nitrogen (MBN) yield in sheep fed diets of identical provision of both metabolizable energy and rumen degradable nitrogen (RDN). Ruminal degradation parameters of early‐harvested perennial ryegrass hay (EH), late‐harvested perennial ryegrasses hay (LH) and winter sown barley straw (BS) were determined by a nylon bag technique. Subsequently, three experimental diets (EHD, LHD and BSD) were formulated using the tested forages, sucrose and urea as supplements. An in vivo feeding study was conducted using four rumen cannulated sheep in a partial Latin square design. Digestibility, rate constants of rumen particle breakdown and passage, ruminal fermentation parameters and MBN supply to the small intestine were determined. Animals thoroughly consumed the forages fed at a restricted level. Digestion coefficients were greater for EHD than for LHD and were lowest for BSD (P < 0.05). The rate constant of large particle breakdown was 4.3, 5.9 and 6.7 %/h, respectively, and small particle passage was 5.3, 4.7 and 6.3 %/h for EHD, LHD and BSD, respectively. The estimates differed (P < 0.05) between the diets. The overall passage rate constant of total rumen particles was estimated to be higher for BSD than that for EHD or LHD (P < 0.05). Ruminal fermentation parameters were unaffected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Intake levels of rumen degradable organic matter (RDOM) and RDN were estimated to be greater for LHD than that for EHD or BSD (P < 0.05). Although dietary arrangements were made to give identical microbial efficiency, the estimated value was higher for EHD than that for LHD or BSD (P < 0.05); and the MBN yield for BSD was estimated to be lower than that for EHD or LHD (P < 0.05). Rumen kinetic parameters of degradation and particle flow of forage affected EDG values and MBN yield from forage‐related RDN intake, although those had little effect on the efficiency of MBN yield from forage‐related RDOM intake.     

Comparative study of the innervation of acetylcholinesterase-positive nerves in the cerebral arterial tree of birds

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry and quantitative analysis were used to investigate and compare the projections and densities of cerebral perivascular AChE nerves in five avian species. In the society finch, AChE nerves arising from the cerebral carotid, internal ethmoidal and vertebral arteries generally have no overlap with each other. This is different from AChE neuronal projections via these three vascular routes reported previously for the pigeon, duck, chicken and quail. AChE nerves supplying the pigeon cerebral arterial tree are the highest in density, predominate in the anterior circulation (AC) rather than in the posterior circulation (PC). Similar differential supply of nerves is also found in the duck, with a marked low density in the PC. In contrast, the chicken PC has a substantial amount of AChE nerves that is larger than the fiber amount contained in the AC. The reduction of nerves is far greater in both the AC and PC of the finch. It is not so prominent as that seen in the quail. The significant difference in the distribution and density of cerebral perivascular AChE nerves presented here may indicate that there are some species-specific cholinergic controlling mechanisms responsible for the cerebral circulation of birds.     

Eating and rumination behaviour in Brahman grade cattle and crossbred water buffalo fed on high roughage diet

The purpose of this study is to compare feeding and other behavior and nutrient digestibility of tropical grade Brahman (body weight (BW) = 231 kg ± 12.4; n = 3) and crossbred water buffalo (BW = 300 kg ± 13.9; n = 3). This experiment on digestibility and measures of muscles of mastication utilized one‐way, and animal behavior two‐way, analysis of variance, respectively. Two video camcorders were installed in each pair of buffalo and Brahman for 24 h period programmed on the 107th, 109th and 111th days of the digestion trials. Frequency and duration of feeding, meal intake, rumination, bolus, chews, drinking, defecating, standing and lying were recorded daily. Muscle diameter of Digastricus, Masseter and Pterygoid and different regions of the tongue were sampled and measured under light microscope using a standard micrometer. Buffalo obtained significantly higher intake of dry matter, roughage, crude protein, total digestible nutrient and metabolized energy than Brahman. This was supported by longer meal duration (P ≤ 0.05), and shorter meal breaks (P ≤ 0.05) of buffalo than Brahman. The diameter of the muscles for mastication was bigger (P ≤ 0.05) in buffalo than in Brahman, which is indicative of stronger chewing ability. Briefly, lesser and slower chewing action; higher intake of roughage and crude protein; and longer resting behavior of crossbred water buffalo than Brahman are all indicative of better digestive and metabolic performance of the buffalo under high roughage feeding conditions.     

Rice yield losses by competition with weeds in rainfed paddy fields in north-east Thailand

Economic growth in recent years has induced a labor shortage for agriculture in north-east Thailand. Labor-saving techniques, such as the replacement of transplanting with direct seeding, have become widespread. Direct seeding methods have advantages over transplanting regarding labor savings and reductions in production risks, but may cause weed problems. Therefore, rice yield reduction by competition with weeds becomes a potential problem in this region. In the present research, the extent of weed competition in rice production from the viewpoint of resource level and disturbance intensity was studied. A large number of paddy fields from a wide range of climatic, topographical, soil and hydrological conditions were analyzed. The survey was conducted every 3 weeks, and data on paddy cultivation, weeds and water conditions were recorded. Average yield of direct seeded rice was significantly lower than that of transplanted rice. The yield decreased with resource decreases in both direct seeded (DSF) and transplanted paddy fields (TF). Although the yield was not different under resource-rich conditions, the yield of direct seeded rice was lower than that of transplanted rice under resource-medium and -poor conditions. Competition intensity was not different among resource levels or between DSF and TF. Competition intensity in all fields was between 0.02 and 0.09 on average, indicating 2–9% yield losses caused by competition with weeds regardless of resource level and disturbance intensity. This suggests that low yield of direct seeded rice under resource-medium and -poor conditions was not mainly caused by competition with weeds, whereas yield losses by weeds were observed in all field types. However, from an economical viewpoint, weeding should be applied only to limited parts of this region with stable and relatively high rice yields.     

Residual thenylchlor concentration in soil water and its phytotoxic activity in soil

The phytotoxic activity of soil-applied thenylchlor (2-chloro- N -[3-methoxy-2-thenyl]-2',6'-dimethylacetanilide) on the growth of rice seedlings and its behavior in two different types of soil, Ryugasaki soil and Tsukuba soil, after application was investigated with emphasis on the concentration in the soil water. The greatest inhibition of thenylchlor on the growth of rice seedlings was found immediately after application to both the Ryugasaki and Tsukuba soils. The phytotoxic activity decreased with time in both soils. However, the rate of decrease in phytotoxic activity was slower in the Ryugasaki soil than in the Tsukuba soil. The concentration of thenylchlor in soil water, the amount adsorbed on the soil solid, and the amount in the total soil reduced with time after application to both soils. The amount of thenylchlor adsorbed on the soil solid phase was more persistent than that in the soil water in both soils and the concentration in the soil water was higher in the Ryugasaki soil than in the Tsukuba soil at any given time. The residual phytotoxic activity of thenylchlor on the growth of the rice seedlings in the soil was highly correlated with its concentration in the soil water but not with the amount in the total soil. These results suggested that the residual phytotoxic activity of thenylchlor in the soil is determined by its concentration in the soil water after application.     

Urinary excretion of purine derivatives and plasma allantoin level in sheep and goats during fasting

The relationship between blood plasma level and urinary excretion of allantoin (AN) was examined in sheep and goats during fasting to investigate the possible use of purine derivatives (PD) in urine and/or plasma for estimating the microbial protein production in the rumen, and the further digestion in the lower guts of ruminants. Urinary AN excretion decreased markedly during fasting (0.13 mmol/kgW^0.75 per day), although urinary levels of other PD, hypoxanthine + xanthine and uric acid did not differ irrespective of the feeding condition, that is, feeding, fasting and refeeding in both species. The AN concentration in blood plasma also decreased drastically in the starvation period, and was suddenly increased on refeeding in sheep and goats, and these phenomena were very similar to those of urinary AN excretion. Therefore, there was a high positive correlation between plasma AN level and urinary AN excretion, and the coefficient of correlation was statistically significant (P < 0.01). These results clearly indicate that changes in urinary AN reflect change in plasma AN, which is induced by the catabolism of purine base in the body.