Content In Year Research Articles

Reductions in soil water nitrate beneath a perennial grain crop compared to an annual crop rotation on sandy soil

Nitrate (NO3--N) leaching into groundwater as a result of high nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates to annual crops presents human health risks and high costs associated with water treatment. Leaching is a particularly serious concern on sandy soils overlying porous bedrock. Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host.) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey], is a perennial grass that is being bred to produce agronomically and economically viable grain, which is commercially available as Kernza®. Intermediate wheatgrass is a low-input crop has the potential to produce profitable grain and biomass yields while reducing NO3--N leaching on sandy soils compared with common annual row crop rotations in the Upper Midwest. We compared grain yields, biomass yields, soil solution NO3--N concentration, soil extractable NO3--N, soil water content, and root biomass under IWG and a conventionally managed corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation for 3 years on a Verndale sandy loam in Central Minnesota. Mean soil solution NO3--N was 77–96% lower under IWG than the annual crop rotation. Soil water content was greater under annuals compared to IWG early in the growing season, suggesting greater water use by IWG during this time. Interactions between crop treatments and depth were observed for soil water content in Year 3. Root biomass from 0 to 60 cm below the soil surface was five times greater beneath IWG compared to soybean, which may explain differences in soil extractable and solution NO3--N among crops. With irrigation on coarse structured soils, IWG grain yields were 854, 434, and 222 kg ha−1 for Years 1–3 and vegetative biomass averaged 4.65 Mg ha−1 yr−1; comparable to other reports on heavier soils in the region. Annual crop grain yields were consistent with local averages. These results confirm that IWG effectively reduces soil solution NO3--N concentrations even on sandy soils, supporting its potential for broader adoption on land vulnerable to NO3--N leaching.

Strategies to Reduce Inorganic Fertilizer Inputs in Crop Production through Integrated Crop-livestock Systems

Adequate nutrition is essential for crop growth, production, and profit potential for farmers, but chemical fertilizer costs alone can constitute a greater portion of the total variable costs for wheat and canola. The present study evaluated seven cropping treatments (CT) in a 3-year crop rotation under two different soil types. Five of the CTs consisted of a one-time application (year 1) of beef cattle manure, and growing of cover crop cocktails (CCC) for annual pasture, swath grazing, green manure, and green feed. Canola and wheat were respectively grown in years 2 and 3 of the 3-year crop rotation. In year 2, CTs impacted canola seed yield and seed protein (only at site 2). Wheat had similar protein content in year 3 at both sites. At both sites, the application of beef cattle manure in year 1 seemed to encourage higher plant tissue P at the expense of plant tissue Zn. Overall, beef cattle manure and CCCs based CTs improved soil N, P, and K, but beef cattle manure application consistently improved crop yield and significantly reduced the need for additional in-organic fertilizer application to canola and wheat in subsequent years.

Reflections on the integration of virtual GP tutorials to the medical undergraduate curriculum at Glasgow

ABSTRACT Virtual tutorials were introduced into the Year 3 medical undergraduate curriculum at Glasgow in 2020/21. This model of teaching proved highly successful from tutor and student perspective. A hybrid teaching model, comprising virtual tutorial teaching alongside placement time will be implemented this year. Virtual (videoed) GP patient cases are selected for tutorials each week, linked to other curriculum content in Year 3. Pedagogically, this aligns pathological and clinical learning for our students and enables some consistency of taught GP content. Concomitant clinical placement time complements this learning with actual patient cases. Communication and consultation techniques considered in the virtual tutorials with facilitated tutor discussion are practised on GP placement days, encapsulating the essence of experiential learning. Challenging or unusual patient cases can be selected for teaching from the virtual case repertoire. This provides uniform exposure to clinically important aspects of general practice, and simultaneously enables an increased diversity of patient cases for our students. Logistical advantages of virtual tutorial delivery include its appeal to a different demographic of GP tutor, enabling us to diversify and expand our teaching team. Remote tutorial delivery offers a futureproof adjunct to the traditional practice-based GP teaching models.

Remediation of acid soils and soil property amelioration via Acacia decurrens-based agroforestry system

Land degradation and the associated soil acidity are critical challenge for crop production in Ethiopian highlands. Since liming is expensive, farmers have developed an alternative agroforestry system by integrating Acacia decurrens into their landscapes. The expansion rate of this system was assessed over the last three decades. The effects of the agroforestry system and charcoal-making kiln sites on soil properties were investigated for over five years compared to the adjacent croplands. Soil samples were collected from A. decurrens plantations, kiln sites, and adjacent croplands at 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil depths. In the last 30 years, the plantation and croplands increased by 8% and 17.5%, respectively, compared to the land-use system in 1993, mainly at the expense of grassland and abandoned land. The main incentive for expansion of A. decurrens plantations was farmers’ income generated from charcoal making. This intervention also improved soil properties with a significantly positive effect on soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and available Bray phosphorus (Bray-P) compared to the adjacent croplands. Results revealed that the SOC content in year 2 increased significantly (1.3–1.7 times) under A. decurrens plantation compared to adjacent crop fields. Moreover, soil pH increased by one unit on charcoal-making fields, which was equivalent to application of 4–5 t lime ha−1, while SOC increased by ~ 10% on kiln sites compared to the control. Charcoal making kiln spots increased available soil phosphorus by 112% compared to the adjacent non-kiln sites. The Bray- P was strongly and significantly (P < 0.05) correlated (r = 0.75) with soil pH. We conclude that integrating A. decurrens-based agroforestry practices would improve livelihoods by restoring degraded lands, improving income generation and carbon sequestration.

Observations on the Correlation of Basic Science Content in Year 1 With the Clinical Science Content in Year 2 Within a Modified System Based Integrated Spiraled Medical Curriculum

In August 2016, Instruction began at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. Curriculum planning commenced in 2015 and has been constant in preparation of teach subsequent year. The class that began as the inaugural class (class of 2020) will graduate in May of 2020. Now, the first year curriculum is being presented in its fourth iteration and the second year curriculum is presented in its third iteration. Input from students, faculty and administration has been incorporated as the curriculum has evolved into its present form. This presentation will highlight the observations and inputs that have contributed to the growth of the curriculum from planning to present form. The original iteration of the curriculum was modeled after the two pass integrated curriculum that was developed at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and employed at Rocky Vista College of Osteopathic Medicine. Faculty designed the basic order of systems for presentation and the weekly design of the sessions in each system over the fall and spring of 2015–2016. The number of faculty involved continually grew as the faculty were hired during this period. The basic science faculty designed the systems courses in the Year 1 curriculum. Clinical faculty designed the Clinical Skills and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine components of both years 1 and 2. The clinical faculty also designed the systems courses of Year 2 of the curriculum. As a result, the first year of the curriculum is based in the general science that serves as a basis for understanding medicine while the second year of the curriculum has a distinctly clinical focus related to diagnosis and basic treatment of diseases. Connection of the content between year 1 and year 2 is the area of biggest concern related to the curriculum. Planning and execution do not always align and leads to many gaps that are seen in the knowledge base of the students. Communication between the faculties teaching each year is vital but is often less than optimal. Bloating in each year of the curriculum is the result, but often exacerbates problems as opposed to resolving issues. Administration and faculty opinions often differ as to the cause of the problem, as well as, how to correct the situation. Administrative organization, curriculum order, length of semester, and faculty turnover have all be looked at to address various issues. We will address what has been done to facilitate improvements in the program as the first four years have progressed.

Genetic analysis of edamame seed composition and trait relationships in soybean lines

Edamame, a vegetable or specialty soybean (Glycine max) with high nutritional and market value, is relatively new to North America. Because of its health and nutritional benefits and globalized trade, the edamame market and acreage in the United States are steadily increasing. To facilitate edamame breeding and commercial production, we genetically analyzed edamame seed composition using 86 breeding lines and cultivars developed in the U.S. Significant genotypic differences based on a single year or 2-year joint analysis were observed for most traits investigated, including protein, oil, dietary fiber, starch, sucrose, stachyose and total sugar content. No significant genotypic difference was observed for ash content in both years and for raffinose content in year 2016. Yearly differences were also significant except for sucrose, stachyose and total sugar. Genotype-by-year interaction was significant for protein, sucrose, raffinose and total sugar, but insignificant for other traits. The heritability was high and relatively stable for protein and oil content, followed by stachyose content, but was low for ash and starch content. The heritability for sucrose, total sugar and dietary fiber content varied from 38 to 75%. Genotypic correlations were insignificant among most traits. However, protein content was negatively correlated with oil content and dietary fiber, but positively associated with stachyose. Oil content was negatively correlated with starch and individual sugars. Although positive phenotypic or Pearson’s correlation existed between total sugar content and individual sugars, and between sucrose and starch content, their genotypic correlations were insignificant.

VAT Concept on Place of Use or Consumption – The Case of Kenya

The determination of the place of use or consumption of services for VAT purposes has been a subject of contention for years in Kenya. A major issue is that, due to a lack of clarity in the Kenyan VAT legislation, taxable persons feel that tax authorities do not distinguish between “performance” and “consumption” when implementing the destination principle. Against this background, the author addresses the need, in general, for Kenya to adopt international best practices in line with the OECD International VAT/GST Guidelines. In particular, this article aims to enhance the discussion on the need for place-of-use or consumption guidelines in Kenya, by highlighting the practices in other jurisdictions as well as the challenges faced by the business community. It is also expected to be a useful guide for the National Treasury and National Assembly as they review the draft Kenyan VAT regulations.

Income and Well-Being: Relative Income and Absolute Income Weaken Negative Emotion, but Only Relative Income Improves Positive Emotion.

Whether relative income or absolute income could affect subjective well-being has been a bone of contention for years. Life satisfaction and the relative frequency of positive and negative emotions are parts of subjective well-being. According to the prospect theory, hedonic adaptation helps to explain why positive emotion is often so hard to be maintained, and negative emotion wouldn’t be easy to be eliminated. So we expect the relationship between income and positive emotion is different from that between income and negative emotion. Given that regional reference is the main comparison mechanism, effects of regional average income on regional average subjective well-being should be potentially zero if only relative income matters. Using multilevel analysis, we tested the hypotheses with a dataset of 30,144 individuals from 162 counties in China. The results suggested that household income at the individual level is associated with life satisfaction, happiness and negative emotions. On the contrary, at a county level, household income is only associated with negative emotion. In other words, happiness and life satisfaction was only associated with relative income, but negative emotion was associated with relative income and absolute income. Without social comparison, income doesn’t improve happiness, but it could weaken negative emotion. Therefore, it is possible for economic growth to weaken negative emotion without improving happiness. These findings also contribute to the current debate about the “Esterling paradox.”

OBSAH VITAMINU C U VYBRANÝCH ZELENIN VE VZTAHU K ODRŮDĚ, PĚSTEBNÍ LOKALITĚ, ROKU A SKLADOVÁNÍ

This work give results from analyses of variety, growing site, year and storage influence on the ascorbic acid content by selected vegetables: carrot (Daucus carota L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum Nyman ex A. W. Hill), onion (Allium cepa L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.) and leek (Allium porrum L.). The evaluation carried on during the years 2004 to 2006.The variety influence on ascorbic acid was statistically significant by carrot, parsley root and also parsley leaves and by garlic. In carrots had late varieties Olympia and Tinga significant higher vitamin C content (more than over 60 %) compared to early to half-late varieties Delicia, Kráska, Stupická and Nerac F1. The growing site influence was significant only by parsley leaves and onion. The influence of the growing year was one of the most important factors, which influenced vitamin C contents in selected vegetables – except of carrot was this factor statistically significant by all sorts. Changes in vitamin C content in growing years were induced above all by different climatic conditions (temperatures and rainfall courses). Higher ascorbic acid content was by garlic in the year 2005, when lower tem­pe­ra­tu­res during July were noted compared to year 2004. In parsley root and leaves, onion and leek was noted higher ascorbic acid content in year 2005, when average temperatures in August were as far as 2°C lower than in year 2004. In the case of leek could the increase of ascorbic acid in year 2005 result also from minimal rainfall during October in comparison with October 2004. By all storaged vegetables was noted statistically significant decrease of vitamin C after 30-days storage. The losses of vitamin C were highest in carrot (45 %), followed by parsley (25 %), garlic (24 %) and onion (22 %).Vitamin C content was the highest by parsley leaves (1692 mg . kg−1), parsley contained high vitamin C amounts also in root (515 mg . kg−1). Leek varieties contained 281 to 297 mg . kg−1 of vitamin C, garlic varieties 105 to 132 mg . kg−1, onion varieties 94 to 104 mg . kg−1 and carrot varieties 58 to 117 mg . kg−1 vitamin C.

The effect of tillage system and residue management on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat in a cool Atlantic climate

The effects of soil tillage and straw management systems on the grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) were evaluated in a cool Atlantic climate, in central Ireland between 2009 and 2011. Two tillage systems, conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT) each with and without incorporation of the straw of the preceding crop, were compared at five levels of fertiliser N (0, 140, 180, 220 and 260kgNha−1).CT had a significantly higher mean grain yield over the three years but the effect of tillage varied between years. Yields did not differ in 2009 (Year 1), while CT produced significantly higher grain yields in 2010 (Year 2), while RT produced the highest yields in 2011 (Year 3). Straw incorporation had no significant effect in any year.Nitrogen application significantly increased the grain yields of all establishment treatment combinations. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) ranged from 14.6 to 62.4kg grain (85% DM)kgNha−1 and decreased as N fertiliser rate was increased.The CT system had a significantly higher mean NUE over the three years but the effect of tillage varied with years. While there was no tillage effect in years 1 and 3, CT had a significantly higher NUE than RT in year 2. Straw management system had minimal effect on NUE in any year.The effect of tillage and N rate on soil mineral N content also varied between years. While there was no tillage effect in years 1 and 3, RT had significantly larger soil N contents than CT in the spring before N application, and post-harvest in year 2. N application rates had no effect on soil N in year 1, increased residual N content in year 2 and had an inconsistent effect in year 3. Straw management had no significant effect on soil mineral N content.These results indicate that RT establishment systems can be used to produce similar winter wheat yields to CT systems in a cool Atlantic climate, providing weather conditions at establishment are favourable. The response to nitrogen is similar with both tillage systems where the crop is successfully established. Straw management system has very little effect on crop performance or nitrogen uptake.

The Content of Elements in Rainwater and its Relation to the Frequency of Hospitalization for Atrial Fibrillation in Opole Voivodship, Poland, During 2000–2002

The elemental composition of rainwater is a suitable indirect indicator of the presence of chemical elements in airborne dust. As such, rainwater is considered a suitable monitor for environmental or natural pollution. The yearly content of chemical elements in rainwater may be considered a good indicator for determining the influence of these environmental factors on human body. We decided to investigate the relationship between chemical elements in rainwater and the frequency of hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation (I48, ICD10) on the population of the region of Opole Voivodship, Poland during the years 2000-2002. The voivodship or province has a population of one million and is divided into 12 counties that have between 44,000 and 151,000 inhabitants. We calculated the yearly average number of hospitalizations by reasons of atrial fibrillation per 10,000 inhabitants in particular counties. The average content of the chosen chemical elements in kilograms per hectare per year was calculated for each county individually and the data evaluated by means of Spearman's correlation coefficient. There is a high positive correlation between chromium in rainwater and hospital admissions for atrial fibrillation (r = 0.62) and mild positive correlation with cadmium (r = 0.57), lead (r = 0.57), zinc (r = 0.50), and chloride (r = 0.48). There are no significant differences between male and female patients. The biological activities of these elements, which may include enhanced adrenergic stimulation, remodeling of calcium or other ion channels, or the cytotoxic effects of hexavalent chromium may explain the positive correlations here reported.

Effect of Nitrogen Form and Type of Polyethylene Film Covering Tunnel on Nutrient Content of Hydroponically Grown Sweet Pepper

Effect of Nitrogen Form and Type of Polyethylene Film Covering Tunnel on Nutrient Content of Hydroponically Grown Sweet Pepper The effect of nitrogen form (nitrate or nitrate-ammonia-amide) and a type of polyethylene film (two types, differing light transmission, light dispersion and PAR) covering a tunnel on the content of macroelements in the leaves of sweet pepper being in different stages of growth were studied. The plants were grown in rockwool slabs, using a drip fertigation system without recirculation. In each part of the tunnel there were two sets of cultivation gutters independently supplied with nutrient solution containing different forms of nitrogen: nitrate (100% N-NO3), nitrate-ammonia-amide (50% N-NO3, 13% N-NH4, 37% N-NH2). Dry matter and mineral composition were determined in the leaves with petioles. The leaves were collected in three stages of growth, e.g. intensive vegetative growth, flowering and full fruiting. The plants fed with nitrate N form contained more Ca and Mg, irrespective of a type of polyethylene film and stage of growth. N form had no effect on K content, except in plants being in flowering. In all stages of growth, irrespective of a type of polyethylene film, the plants fed with nitrate-ammonia-amide N form accumulated more N. The effect of a type of polyethylene film covering a tunnel on nutritional status of the plants being in stage of intensive vegetative growth or flowering was not univocal. However, in fruiting chemical composition, except N content in year 2007, did not depend on a tunnel part.

The Content of Elements in Rainwater and its Relation to the Frequency of Hospitalization for Arterial Hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Psoriasis in Opole Voivodship, Poland During 2000–2002

The content of chemical elements in rainwater is a suitable indirect indicator of its presence in airborne dust, sometimes referred to as rain fallout. Rainwater is considered a suitable monitor for environmental or natural pollution. The yearly content of chemical elements in rainwater may be considered as a good indicator for determining the influence of these environmental factors on the human body. We decided to investigate the relationship between chemical elements in rainwater and the frequency of hospitalizations for arterial hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and psoriasis. There is a mild correlation between zinc and cadmium and cases of arterial hypertension. For obstructive pulmonary disease, there is a strong correlation with the content of potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, lead and nickel, and with chloride, sulfide, total nitrogen, and nitrites. There is also a mild correlation with magnesium, zinc, copper, cadmium and chromium, and with ammonium nitrogen. In cases of hospitalization for psoriasis, a correlation was revealed with such elements as potassium, ammonium nitrogen, and phosphorus.

The Cult of Pharmacology: How America Became the World's Most Troubled Drug Culture (review)

Reviewed by: The Cult of Pharmacology: How America Became the World’s Most Troubled Drug Culture Carolyn T. de la Peña (bio) The Cult of Pharmacology: How America Became the World’s Most Troubled Drug Culture. By Richard DeGrandpre . Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2006. Pp. x+294. $24.95. Historians of technology will recognize the rejection of technological determinism in Richard DeGrandpre's The Cult of Pharmacology. Without ever using the term, DeGrandpre demonstrates the importance of considering technology within its social contexts. The single biggest factor concerning our troubled drug culture, he argues, is our inability to accurately assess what drugs do to those who use them. In spite of the claim by politicians, scientists, and the media that drugs have innate pharmacological effects, DeGrandpre wants readers to understand that "drug effects" are in fact far more profoundly influenced by the "whole set of beliefs, rituals and expectations [that] have been attached" to them than to the actual drugs themselves (p. 17). DeGrandpre, whose doctorate is in psychopharmacology, is most successful at demonstrating the flawed logic of what he terms "the cult of pharmacology" in the book's first three chapters. Here, case studies of Ritalin, cocaine, SSRIs, and tobacco enable him to demonstrate the myriad effects of such cultish thinking in American culture. Few may realize that Ritalin and cocaine are pharmacologically identical substances. The "cult" makes it difficult to address such an issue, DeGrandpre argues, given that Ritalin is classified as a "good" drug for enhancing kids' academic performance while cocaine is a "bad" drug that encourages youth addiction and deviance. His coverage of SSRIs allows DeGrandpre to suggest where the cult's power comes from: pharmaceutical companies (Big Pharma as he calls them) have actively covered up stories of horrific reactions (including suicide and murder) among "good drug users," while benefiting from media coverage of [End Page 668] "bad drug users" as those using illegal substances. The effect is to dissuade physicians and psychiatrists from closely monitoring prescription drug users for positive and negative effects. The Cult of Pharmacology has several discussions that will prove especially useful for historians of technology. First, chapter 3 on the Food and Drug Administration's efforts to prove tobacco "addictive" is a fascinating study of where meaning is determined in a technological substance. DeGrandpre's account of the FDA's investigation into cigarettes' addictive properties reveals that nicotine itself was incorrectly classified as addictive due to "cultish" thinking; the agency only pursued the regulation of cigarettes after concluding that nicotine was addictive and discovering that tobacco companies had been enhancing its content for years. DeGrandpre argues, however, that nicotine was never the sole source of addiction (example: there has never been a subset of "patch" addicts). Consumers actually found satisfaction through a decidedly "low tech" marriage of product and ritual (lighting, smelling, socializing), all readily available from the nineteenth-century process overseen by "cigarette girls" rolling out four per minute. Second, DeGrandpre's brief analysis of the effect of regulations on opiate abuse reveals the importance of looking to the structural factors that enable technologies to have very different meanings across divides of class and race. In the case of opiates, only after therapeutic use declined in the early twentieth century did "addicts" emerge. Prior to this, DeGrandpre argues, white women with status commonly took opiates in elixirs and tonics. The American Medical Association's regulation of the drug market during the Progressive Era resulted in two categories of drug users: those with access to prescriptions for medically necessary mood enhancements and those "addicted" to such enhancements, who were relegated to black markets and back alleys (a divide that continues today). Third, DeGrandpre understands the science of pharmacology sufficiently to explain how these substances actually work. His efforts thus provide an important foundation for historians who will seek to put the findings in broader cultural context. Two minor critiques of the text also point to its strengths. It is repetitious: halfway through the book the reader tends to agree that culture must be considered (earlier if she is a practitioner of cultural studies). Yet the very return to this theme, in study after study, leaves one convinced...

Effects of initial sowing rate and subsequent grazing management on the growth and clover content of irrigated white clover - perennial ryegrass swards in northern Victoria

Two experiments were conducted over 3 years. One was of factorial design involving 2 sowing rates of white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Haifa; sown at 8 or 3 kg/ha) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Grasslands Nui; sown at 5 or 15 kg/ha) grazed by dairy cows at 2 frequencies [frequent (2–3 weeks in spring/autumn) and infrequent (4–6 weeks in spring/autumn)] and 2 intensities [hard (residual rising plate meter heights of less than 4 cm) and lax (residual rising plate meter heights of more than 5 cm)]; and the second was a regression design involving 5 sowing rates of white clover and ryegrass ranging from pure clover to pure ryegrass (sown at 10/0 through to 0/20 kg/ha), all grazed frequently and at a hard intensity. The hypotheses tested were that (1) pure white clover swards would be at least as productive as those that contained ryegrass, and (2) more frequent grazing would result in greater quantities of DM removed, while hard grazing would maintain a higher clover content. In general, the hypotheses were confirmed. Over the 3 years of the experiments, pure white clover swards were at least as productive as mixed swards in a situation where no nitrogen fertiliser was applied. In the first year, the amount of DM removed declined (P&lt;0.05) as the ryegrass sowing rate increased, but by year 3, the pure clover treatment out-yielded the other treatments. Except for the first year, frequent grazing resulted in more (P&lt;0.05) DM removed than did infrequent grazing. Frequently grazed swards also had higher daily net photosynthesis after grazing than did the swards in infrequently grazed treatments, and achieved maximum levels of photosynthesis more quickly. There was no difference in photosynthesis rate, despite significant differences in clover content, between sowing rate treatments, regardless of grazing management. Initial sowing rate had a large effect on clover content in year 1, but by year 3, most of this had disappeared as clover contents rapidly converged. Frequency of grazing had its greatest effect on clover content in year 1, with infrequent grazing resulting (P&lt;0.05) in the greatest clover contents. Grazing intensity was an important determinant of clover content in years 2 and 3, where hard grazing resulted (P&lt;0.05) in higher clover content. Digestibility of the herbage on offer ranged from 65 to 80%, and crude protein concentrations varied from 12 to 26%. In general, frequent grazing resulted in a digestibility of 2–4 percentage units higher than infrequent grazing, with hard grazing also tending to increase digestibility. Hard grazed treatments always had high crude protein concentrations in the herbage present before grazing, and there was a slightly higher concentration in frequently grazed herbage compared with herbage that was grazed less frequently. The white clover–perennial ryegrass swards generally responded best to a combination of frequent and hard grazing. However, neither white clover nor perennial ryegrass appears to be well adapted to the combination of soils, climate, irrigation and grazing by dairy cows that occurs in the northern irrigation region of Victoria, as evidenced by a rapid influx of weeds and the general decline in productivity over the duration of the experiment.

Application of nitrogen and sulphur to sunny and shady aspects on South Island dry hill country

There are large differences in pasture growth and composition between aspects in dry hill country (annual rainfall 300-600 mm) in South Island dry hill country that could result in different fertiliser nutrient requirements for the grasses and legumes present. To determine these requirements, small plot mowing trials were carried out on sunny and shady aspects on Glenfoyle Station near Tarras and on Omarama Station over 3 years. At the Glenfoyle sites, nitrogen (N) was applied as urea at an average rate of 0, 15, 30 and 60 kg/ ha/yr and sulphur (S) was applied as gypsum at 0, 10, 20 and 40 kg /ha/yr. At the Omarama sites, N and S were applied at 0, 18, 36 and 71 kg/ha/yr. Soil total N (0.18- 0.33%), sulphate-S (3-5 ìg/g) and organic-S (1.5-3.5 ìg/g) levels were low at all sites. Pasture species on the sunny north-west aspect at Glenfoyle were mainly ryegrass (35% of total pasture content), flatweeds (20%) and subterranean clover (10%) with a predominance of browntop (31%) and white clover (20%) on the shady south-east aspect. There was a total pasture production response from 15-60 kg N/ha/yr (12-20 kg DM/kg N) associated with an increase in ryegrass content in Year 2 on the sunny aspect. On the shady aspect there was a total pasture production response from 30-60 kg N/ha/yr (16-21 kg DM/kg N) associated with an increase in browntop content. Increasing rate of N reduced subterranean clover on the sunny and white clover content on the shady aspect. On the sunny aspect, total pasture production and ryegrass content was increased from the application of 40 kg S/ ha/yr. Pasture composition at Omarama consisted mainly of Danthonia species (41%) and Bromus tectorum (30%) on the sunny north aspect and cocksfoot (39%) and browntop (11%) on the shady south aspect with less than 3% legume content on either aspect. On both aspects, there was a response in pasture production from rates of 18-71 kg N/ha (19-36 kg DM/ kg N) but this was not associated with a consistent response from individual pasture species. There was no response in total pasture production to S. The overall results indicate that high responses to N can be achieved from a range of grass species on both sunny and shady aspects and that soil sulphate-S levels of 3 ìg/g and greater are required for optimal growth of higher fertility responsive pasture species. Keywords: aspect, differential application, dry hill country, grasses, legumes, nitrogen, sulphur

Influence of environment on protein and oil contents of soybeans seed (Glycine Max (L.) Merril)

An attempt was made to study the magnitude of environmental variability on protein and oil contents of six genetically diverse soybean genotypes under three environments represented by three locations in Nigeria (Zaria in Northern Guinea Savanna, Jos in Pseudo Savanna and Mokwa in Southern Savanna) for two years (1996 and 1997). Significant genotypic location and location x genotype x year effects were observed for protein content while genotypic and location x genotype effects were significant for oil contents. Significant genetic differences in protein content occurred among genotypes, locations and between years, whereas significant genotypic differences in oil content was observed. Bossier and TGX849-313D out yielded in protein content. Protein content in Mokwa and Zaria were higher than that of Jos while protein content in Year 2 (1997) was higher than Year 1 (1996). Oil content remained similar irrespective of location and year. Jos is in a dry cool environment compared with Mokwa which is humid and hot and Zaria which is dry and hot. Environmental factors exerted greater influence more on the protein content than oil content of tropical soybean seeds. High temperature tended to increase protein content with little or no effect on oil content. There was positive significant association between protein and oil contents under Jos environment in 1997 whereas the association was negatively significant under Mokwa environment. Therefore, selection for protein and oil contents among soybean genotypes for further improvement is possible due to large variability present. Variations in protein and oil contents were due to differences in location. Changes in climatic factors resulting from yearly cultivation of soybean in different locations can influence protein content. Key Words: correlation analysis, genotype, Glycine max, oil, protein [Global Jnl Agric Sci Vol.1(1) 2002: 27-32]

Resposta do feijoeiro a doses de fósforo em solo arenoso

A disponibilidade de fósforo é influenciada por vários atributos do solo que afeta a resposta das culturas à aplicação de P. Foi conduzido um experimento a campo, na Fazenda Experimental de Mocambinho (EPAMIG), na região do Projeto Jaíba, Norte de Minas Gerais em Areia Quartzosa (AQ) com os objetivos de avaliar a resposta do feijoeiro à aplicação de doses de P2O5 e estimar os níveis críticos de P no solo e nas folhas. Foram aplicadas quatro doses de P2O5 (0, 35, 70 e 140kg ha-1). Os tratamentos foram dispostos no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Usou-se a cultivar Carioca com uma população de 240.000 plantas por ha. Foram avaliadas o rendimento de grãos, o teor de P no solo (Mehlich 1) e o teor foliar no ano 2000. O rendimento de grãos do feijão aumentou com as doses de P2O5, atingindo um rendimento de máxima eficiência econômica (MEE) de 3.821kg ha-1 com a aplicação da dose de 98kg ha-1 de P2O5. O nível crítico de P no solo, associado à dose de MEE foi 15,7mg dm-3 e para P foliar foi 3,9g kg-1.

Yield and quality of three corn hybrids as affected by broiler litter fertilization and crop maturity

Specific hybrids, fertilization and maturity impact yields and nutrient quality of corn silage. To address these effects, three corn hybrids ( Zea mays L.) (Pioneer 3136, 3140, 3154) with five N fertilization (F) treatments were planted for 2 years and harvested at approximately 1/3, 2/3 or 100% milk line in a split–split plot design. Main treatments were No-F, 4.5, 9.0, 13.5 (Year 1) or 18.0 (Year 2) Mg ha −1 of broiler litter (BrL) or 202 kg ha −1 of NH 4NO 3. At harvest, milk lines and whole plant, stover and grain yields were determined. Whole plant and stover portions were chopped and subsampled for subsequent nutrient component and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD). Milk line advanced rapidly, especially during Year 1 that was a dry year. Whole plant yields were greatest for the 13.5/18.0 BrL treatments with no difference between 9.0 BrL and NH 4NO 3 treatments. Nutrient content varied with fertilizer treatment and year; during Year 1, NH 4NO 3 treatments had greater CP and lower ADF values, but the 13.5/18.0 BrL had the greatest CP content in Year 2, a wetter year. Whole plant IVDMD values were greater for NH 4NO 3 than the 13.5/18.0 BrL treatments during both years, but this occurred only during Year 1 for stover. Corn hybrid did not consistently affect yield, but during both years stover ADF was lower and IVDMD was higher for Hybrid 3136. These advantages existed in the whole plant only during Year 1. Increased maturity enhanced grain and whole plant yield, but effects on nutrient quality were variable. Appropriate application rates of BrL provide comparable yields to commercial fertilizer without an adverse effect on nutrient composition, although digestibility may be reduced.

Chemometric analyses of ‘Golden Smoothee’ apples treated with two preharvest calcium spray strategies in the growing season

AbstractChemometric techniques were used to analyse the effects of two preharvest calcium strategies applied to increase the calcium content and improve the quality of Golden Smoothee apples after prolonged storage in controlled atmosphere, ultralow‐oxygen (CA‐ULO; 1% O2, 2% CO2) conditions. In a two‐year study the strategies applied by sprays were started 10 and 60 days after full bloom (DAFB) with 10 and six calcium sprays respectively at 15 day intervals throughout the growing season. The most effective results for increasing the calcium content of the apples were attained when the calcium was applied from 60 DAFB with six sprays. Although the chamber effect and mainly the length of storage differentiate the fruits much more than the calcium spray strategies, the evaluation of the results suggests that calcium and firmness remain correlated for up to 4 months of cold storage under CA‐ULO conditions. The effect of calcium decreases with storage time. Titratable acidity and bitter pit incidence correlated negatively with calcium content in year 2. Comparison of the results obtained in the two years indicates that the relationship between calcium and the quality attributes depends not only on the calcium content per se, but also on other factors such as the nutritional status.© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry