Regrowth of ryegrass swards subject to different cutting regimes and stocking densities

A cutting experiment was carried out on a sward of S23 perennial ryegrass to study the effect of different defoliation regimes on regrowth and the factors affecting regrowth. The defoliation frequencies and intensities encompassed the range commonly found on continuously stocked pastures. The defoliation regimes produced swards of contrasting growth form with regrowth characteristics which differed in respect of senescence loss, fall in water-soluble carbohydrate concentration, residual leaf area index, photosynthesis per unit leaf area index and photosynthesis per unit area of land. Regrowth was most closely related to the latter. These results were used to interpret data for net canopy photosynthesis of continuously grazed pastures.     

Growth and carbon economy of nodulated white clover in the presence and absence of combined nitrogen

An investigation of the carbon economy of single S184 white clover plants nodulated with an effective strain of Rhizobium trifolii growing on N-free nutrient solution and supplied with 150 parts/10⁶ N as NH₄NO₃ has shown that 10% more of the C fixed per day is available for growth in the plants supplied with combined N. The difference between the two groups of plants is a result of higher respiratory activity in the roots of plants growing exclusively on N₂. In terms of shoot growth, however, the difference in growth rate is likely to be less than 10%, because the rate of root growth is greater in the plants supplied with a moderate level of combined N. There is no evidence that NO^-₃ and CO₂ compete for photosynthetically produced reductant in the leaves of plants grown on N₂+NH₄NO₃, since no reduction in net photosynthesis was observed in plants assimilating combined N. An experiment carried out on detached leaflets of white clover grown on N₂ and on N₂+ NH₄NO₃ has shown that NO^-₃ -reducing activity is present in the leaflets of plants grown on N₂+ NH₄NO₃ but not in plants grown on N₂ and that the activity is light-dependent. Measurements of ¹⁴CO₂ respired in the light and dark by leaflets previously allowed to photosynthesize ¹⁴CO₂ showed that the ratio of ¹⁴CO₂ output in the light to ¹⁴CO₂ output in the dark was no higher in plants grown on N₂+ NH₄NO₃ than in plants grown on N₂. This observation is consistent with the finding that N source does not affect net photosynthesis in whole plants.     

Factors affecting development of Septoria tritici in winter wheat and its effect on yield

Severe infection with Septoria tritici occurred in four of five experiments designed to create a series of different disease epidemics. These experiments successfully identified periods suitable for infection. They also indicated the effect of sprays, timed before and after these periods, on disease development and yield.
Analysis of disease progress and weather records suggested that critical conditions for initial development of S. tritici occurred during early May at four sites. Heavy rain giving at least 10 mm on 1 day or a total of 10 mm or more on 2 or 3 successive days occurred at all four sites prior to the appearance of symptoms on a particular leaf layer, though less heavy rain may suffice to splash inoculum onto upper leaves in shorter, immature canopies where stem elongation is incomplete. At the fifth site, infection occurred later in May and disease failed to develop to a significant degree. At all sites, the length of the incubation period on any of the top three leaves was found to be between 396 and 496 degree days.
Control of winter epidemics of S. tritici had little effect on yield, whereas spray sequences commencing later than growth stage (GS) 31 but immediately prior to the critical periods provided the best disease control and yield benefit. Regression models incorporating, as independent variables, area under the S. tritici disease progress curve for any of the top three leaves from their emergence (GS 32-37) satisfactorily explained yield loss at the four sites where disease was severe. Consideration of leaf 2 or leaf 3 alone accounted for more than 82% of the variance at each site and a yield loss from infection of leaf 2 related to thermal time is suggested as 0.00265% per C per day from the appearance of symptoms.     

First record of Tapesia yallundae as the teleomorph of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides var. acuformis, and its occurrence in the field in the Federal Republic of Germany

Tapesia yallundae is reported for the first time in the Federal Republic of Germany. Apothecia were found on wheat and rye stubble at two sites in the north of the country and one in the centre, in April 1988. Isolates of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides var. acuformis were obtained from germinating single ascospores, identified on the basis of colony morphology, mode of conidial production and pathogenicity to wheat and rye.     

T-shaped malformation of the ventral colon in a Thoroughbred filly with colic

A 4-month-old Thoroughbred filly presented for abdominal pain was diagnosed with a T-shaped malformation of the ventral colon at exploratory laparotomy. Following resection and anastomosis of the large colon, no further episodes of abdominal pain occurred during a 12-month follow-up. Acute dehiscence of the linea alba occurred as a complication of the initial laparotomy, but was successfully managed following additional surgical repair. T-shaped malformation of the ventral colon has not previously been reported and is considered a congenital malformation of mesocolon formation.     

Failure of passive transfer in foals: incidence and outcome on four studs in New South Wales

Objective To determine the regional incidence and effectiveness of treatment of failure of passive transfer (FPT) in foals. Design A study of disease incidence. Animals Eighty-eight foals and 57 mares from four studs in the practice area of the Rural Veterinary Centre were tested. Procedure Foals were tested for their serum IgG and total serum protein (TSP) concentration within the first 72 hours of life. Colostrum was collected from mares and specific gravity determined. FPT and partial failure of passive transfer (PFPT) of immunoglobulins was diagnosed when serum IgG concentrations were < 4 g/L and 4 to 8 g/L respectively. Owners of foals diagnosed with FPT were offered treatment with 1 to 2 L plasma (TSP > 70 g/L); 9 (64%) of the affected foals were treated. Results Fourteen foals (16%) had FPT whereas 15 (17%) had PFPT. There were significant differences between the mean TSP concentration in foals with FPT (42.6 ± 4.2 g/L), PFPT (48.1 ± 3.9 g/L) and those acquiring adequate passive immunity (58.9 ± 5.5 g/L) (P < 0.01). Sixteen (29%) mares had pre-suck colostral specific gravity < 1.060 and 12 (71%) foals raised by these mares had FPT or PFPT. The incidence of severe disease (categorised by a sepsis score > 11, positive culture of bacteria from blood or disease requiring hospitalisation) in all foals in the first 2 months of life was 10%. However, none of the nine foals with FPT that received plasma experienced severe disease. In contrast, foals with PFPT had an increased susceptibility to severe disease (P < 0.001) when compared with normal foals. Conclusion Treatment of foals with FPT may reduce the subsequent incidence of severe disease. Pre-suck colostral specific gravity and foal TSP may be used to predict the likelihood of FPT and PFPT. Even though the number of foals studied is small the results highlight the importance of optimal management practices in reducing the incidence of FPT and disease associated with this process.