Girth Values Research Articles

The Lesser Beaked Whale Mesoplodon peruvianus Reyes, Mead & Van Waerebeek 1991 Revisited, with Biological Observations on New Specimens from Peru

The Lesser Beaked Whale Mesoplodon peruvianus Reyes, Mead & Van Waerebeek 1991 Revisited, with Biological Observations on New Specimens from Peru Despite three decades since its discovery, information on the biology of Mesoplodon peruvianus remains scant. Adding 46% to the global specimen catalog (presently N=36) we document 10 new specimens plus one tentative case, all from Peru, augmenting knowledge about its natural history. Enhanced samples substantiate initial insights of morphological features. High values for girth at axillae, girth halfway from anus to flukes and maximum flipper width, and low values for dorsal fin height and distance from the tip of the rostrum to dorsal fin contain diagnostic value among Mesoplodon spp. Adults exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism. Lateral excrescences of the maxillae on the distal rostrum, a raised jawline, two mandibular teeth protruding above gum level, extensive tooth scarring of skin and a broad white swath across anterior body are exclusive to adult males. Dimorphic also is the degree and direction of vomeral proliferation in the mesorostral canal. Atlas, axis and 3rd cervical vertebrae ankylose in adults. Colouration consists of a basic counter-shading pattern in juveniles, females and subadult males. Fully adult males show a bold white swath, although significant individual and geographic variation may occur. Apparent high density zones include Peru's continental slope/shelf waters (ca. 60% of known specimens), the Eastern Tropical Pacific and the Gulf of California. The latitudinal reach is at least from 42°31'S to 36°47'N. In Peru, by-catches and sightings were recorded predominantly in late spring and early summer. M. peruvianus is the only mesoplodont frequently captured in smallscale coastal fisheries. Phyllobothrium delphini and Tetrabothrius forsteri (Cestoda) and Campula sp. (Trematoda) are new host records. Stomach contents included squid beaks (i.a. Gonatus sp., Teuthowenia megalops, and Histioteuthis sp.), unidentified fish otoliths and vertebrae, as well as the crustaceans Acanthephyra sp. and an unidentified gammarid.

Effect of planting pattern of forage sorghum on forage productivity and heifer performance during finishing phase

This study aimed to assess the effect of sorghum planting patterns on forage response and performance of beef heifers at finishing phase. The experimental period lasted 84 days; treatments consisted of the combination of two interrow spacings (22 and 44 cm) and two sorghum-sowing rates (12 and 24 kg ha?1). Beef heifers, at finishing phase, with initial age of 15 months (± 2.3 months) and average body weight of 262 kg (± 37.95 kg), continuously grazed forage. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme with three repetitions per area. The different planting patterns did not affect (P > 0.05) dry matter production (5,447.78 kg DM ha?1) and accumulation rate (58.47 kg DM ha?1 day?1). Forage accumulation rate, leaf mass, forage mass, leaf supply and forage supply were influenced (P < 0.05) by time. Similar behavior was observed for stocking rate, weight gain per area unit and daily weight gain, with values of 1,172.32 kg of liveweight ha?1, 312.31 kg ha?1; 0.891 kg day?1, respectively. Animal performance had no effect (P > 0.05) from planting patterns, with nearly 4.04 mm of subcutaneous fat thickness and final weight of 330.36 kg. Animal body development showed no significant differences (P > 0.05), with values for length, heart girth and hip height of 132.01, 163.75 and 126.75 cm, respectively. The weight to average height ratio between planting patterns was 2.67 kg cm?1.

On the girth of Tanner (3,11) quasi-cyclic LDPC codes

Motivated by the works on the girth of Tanner (3,5) and (3,7) quasi-cyclic (QC) low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes done by S. Kim et al. and M. Gholami et al., respectively, we analyze the cycles of Tanner (3,11) QC LDPC codes and present the sufficient and necessary conditions for the existence of cycles of lengths 4, 6, 8, and 10 in Tanner (3,11) QC LDPC codes. By checking these conditions, the girth values of Tanner (3,11) QC LDPC codes are derived.

Investigating the Anthropometric Variables and Bio-Motoric Properties in Male and Female Swimmers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anthropometric features, and some bio-motoric properties in young male and female swimmers. Furthermore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between anthropometric and bio-motoric variables considering the gender differences. Eighteen male and seventeen female amateur swimmers (mean age = 13.4 ± 2.9 and 12.7 ± 2.2 years respectively) volunteered to participate in this study. All swimmers were member of the same team who had trained at least for 3 days in a week. The anthropometric features were evaluated by height, weight, skinfold thicknesses (triceps, biceps, pectoral chest, midaxillary, abdominal, subscapular, midthigh, suprailium, supraspinale, and calf skinfold thicknesses), breadth, and girth measurements, and body fat. The bio-motoric variables were limited with flexibility, squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), and handgrip strength. The results showed that there was no significant differences between groups for age, height, weight, skinfold thicknesses and ∑8 skinfolds (p>0.05). However, there was a significant difference between groups for body fat (p<0.01), humerus and femur breadth values (p<0.01), and for waist girth values (p<0.05). There was significant differences between male and female swimmers for investigated bio-motoric properties. The results showed that the SJ and CMJ values were significantly related with height, weight, breadth, and girth measurements (p<0.01) in male swimmers. On the other hand, no such relationship was found in female swimmers. In c onclusion, present study indicated that there were significant differences between genders, with favor results for male swimmers. The determination of anthropometric properties may help the trainers to predict and follow the swimmers’ performance.

Goniometry and Limb Girth in Miniature Dachshunds.

Purpose. To report the mean and median pelvic limb joint angles and girth measurements in miniature Dachshunds presenting with varying degrees of pelvic limb weakness secondary to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion. Methods. 15 miniature Dachshunds who presented to WSU-VTH for thoracolumbar disc extrusion. Dachshunds varied in neurologic status from ambulatory paraparetic to paraplegic at the time of measurements. Results. There were no significant differences in joint angles or girth among the three groups (ambulatory paraparetic, nonambulatory paraparetic, or paraplegic) (P > 0.05). When group was disregarded and values for extension, flexion, and girth combined, no differences existed. Conclusions. Goniometry and limb girth measurements can successfully be made in the miniature Dachshund; however, the shape of the Dachshund leg makes obtaining these values challenging. There were no differences in joint angle or girth measurements between dogs with varying neurologic dysfunction at the time of measurement.

Superposition Construction of Q-ary LDPC Codes by Jointly Optimizing Girth and Number of Shortest Cycles

In this letter, we consider the construction of q-ary low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes by jointly optimizing the girth and number of shortest cycles in the frame of superposition. We begin with constructing binary quasi-cyclic LDPC codes by superposition. By replacing the nonzero entries of the parity-check matrices of the resulting binary codes with the nonzero elements of GF(q), a class of q-ary LDPC codes is obtained. Furthermore, we analyze the cycle structure of the constructed codes for a given degree distribution and code length, and present a search algorithm for finding q-ary LDPC codes with few cycles of length g, where g is the optimized girth value. Simulation results show that the proposed codes perform well under the iterative decoding algorithms.

Paternity recovery in two maritime pine polycross mating designs and consequences for breeding

Polycross mating systems are widely used in forest tree breeding for genetic testing. Backward selection based on polycross testing assumes equal male reproductive success and true half-sib progeny. The main objectives of this study were, firstly, to investigate the departure from these assumptions in a maritime pine polycross trial and, secondly, to evaluate the consequences for heritability and breeding values estimations. A total of 984 offspring from 98 half-sib families was genotyped with single nucleotide polymorphism markers to recover the full pedigree. Paternity was assigned successfully for 89 % of the offspring at a 99 % confidence level. We thus concluded there was an 11 % pollen contamination rate, assuming contamination when no genotype from the polymix composition could be identified as a father. The paternal contribution to the offspring varied among the males, but the departure from half-sib assumption was moderate since the average genetic correlation within the family was 0.26. Heritability and breeding values for girth at breast height and stem sweep were estimated using individual-tree mixed models with either partial or full pedigree information. The results highlighted a minor bias in heritability estimation due to unknown paternity, as well as a high correlation for estimated breeding values between the partial and full pedigree models, suggesting that the genetic merit of the parental generation for backward selection was adequately predicted using the partial pedigree model. Finally, pedigree recovery was also discussed in a perspective of forward selection.

HERITABILITIES OF BODY SIZE BY GROWTH HORMONE (GH-Msp1) GENOTYPES USING PCR-RFLP IN ONGOLE GRADE CATTLE

Genotypic performance in term of heritability as the crucial factor of animal economical traits for body size inheritance had not been fully studied in Ongole-grade cattle. The objectives of this research were to define the heritability values of live weight, chest girth and body length in Ongole-crossbred cattle. Total of 37 blood samples were collected from parental cows and 2 blood samples from parental Ongole breed bulls. All blood samples were screened for the presence of growth hormone ( GH ) locus using PCR-RFLP method involving restricted enzyme Msp1 on agarose-gel (1.2%). Data were analyzed using statistical program in Excel XP. Results showed that the phenotypic estimation average of Ongole grade cattle population of live weight, chest girth and body length were 445.41 ± 45.95 kg, 175.35 ± 4.11 cm, and 139.70 ± 5.73cm, respectively. The heritability values of animal live weight, chest girth and body length in this study were 0.24, 0.003, and 0.41, respectively. These heritability values of animal live weight and body length would be categorized as moderate to high genotypic performance values, while the heritability of animal chest girth was included in low heritability standard of the animal economical trait performance.

Variations in body measurements and live weight of indigenous goat populations of Mahoba In Bundelkhand

This study was conducted to describe in morphometrical traits and body weight (BW) of indigenous goat populations reared in Belatal, Ajnar, Chhitarwara, Lamaura and Budhaura village of Jaitpur block in Mahoba. Data were obtained from 549 goats from 107 households. The BW and height at withers (HW) in Ajnar, Belatal and Budhaura doe aged 1-2 years were significantly high compared to others. Doe of Budhaura, Ajnar, Belatal and Chhitarwara had significantly high body length (BL). Significantly high chest girth (CG) values were obtained from Chhitarwara had Budhaura doe. Buck of Ajnar, Belatal and Lamaura had significantly high BW, BL and HW. Body weight of Belatal, Ajnar and Chhitarwara doe aged 1-2 years and bucks were better estimated using CG alone. However, the best predictor for Belatal, Ajnar and Chhitarwara doe aged 1-2 years old were CG, HW and BL. CG was the primary variable to explain most of the variations in BW. Budhaura and Ajnar goat had a relatively large body frame and emphasis may be given for their improvement.

Desenvolvimento inicial de clones IAC de seringueira em São José do Rio Preto, SP

Neste estudo, acompanhou-se o desenvolvimento de quatro clones de seringueira [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müell. Arg.] selecionados pelo Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC 35; 40; 300 e 301) com relação à testemunha RRIM 600, durante os primeiros 24 meses de cultivo. O experimento foi instalado com espaçamento 1,5x1,0m, em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com três repetições e quatro plantas por parcela, em São José do Rio Preto, SP. Foram avaliados o perímetro do caule e o número de lançamentos maduros; a taxa fotossintética e o conteúdo de pigmentos fotossintéticos. Ao final do acompanhamento, o perímetro médio do tronco, a 50cm do calo de enxertia, variou entre 5,85cm (IAC 301) e 10,53cm (IAC 300) e o número médio de lançamentos maduros, de 2,58 (IAC 301) a 3,91 (RRIM 600). No período seco, em idade de 22 meses após o plantio, os valores médios de taxa fotossintética de IAC 40 e IAC 301 (12mol m-2 s-1) foram inferiores aos dos demais clones (15mol m-2 s-1). Os teores de clorofila a, clorofila b e carotenoides totais foram iguais ou superiores aos da testemunha, mas nunca inferiores. Considerando as variáveis analisadas, com exceção do 301, os clones IAC mostram desempenho comparável ao do clone RRIM 600.

Comparative study on the performances of local and their crosses with Boer goats

For this comparative study, 50 kids of each of both Boer crossbred goats and local goats were supplemented with concentrate @100g, 150g and 200 g / head / day during 3–4 months, 4-6 months and 6-9 months of age, respectively. The birth weight and fortnight interval body weight of the goats were recorded. The biometric measurements of the goats were recorded at birth and at 3 monthly intervals. At 9 months of age, serum minerals and biochemical profile of the goats were determined. The body weight of Boer crossbred goats was significantly higher than that of local goats. The body length, height at withers, height at croup, chest girth, and paunch girth values of Boer cross goats and local goats differed significantly between the breeds in all the ages of study except the oblique body length of Boer crossbred and Local female kids at birth, oblique body length of Boer crossbred and local male kids at 3 months. The serum protein, serum glucose, serum albumin and serum globulin levels between male and female goats of local and Boer crossbred goats did not differ significantly. The serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and zinc levels between male and female goats of local and Boer crossbred goats did not differ significantly. The economics of production of Boer crossbred goats were found to be better than that of local goats. From this experiment, it may be concluded that Boer crossbred goats have higher growth rate with better net return per animal than that of local goats.

Effect of different stionic combinations on fruiting and quality of pear cv. PUNJAB BEAUTY

The rootstock and/or inter-stock, and in particular their union with the scion, bring about their effects upon the scion by influencing the endogenous hormones, water and mineral elements within the plant. Hence, the effect of various rootstocks and interstocks on growth, fruiting and quality of semi-soft pear cv. PUNJAB BEAUTY was evaluated at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the year 2013. The results show great variability among different stionic combinations. Double combination of Patharnakh cutting/Punjab Beauty resulted maximum plant height while minimum growth was observed in T10 (Patharnakh cutting/ Patharnakh/ Punjab Beauty) treatment. Rootstock and interstock girth was maximum in T5 (Kainth large fruited/ Sucker/ Punjab Beauty) treatment while T10 combination recorded lowest values of rootstock and interstock girth. Similarly, scion girth of Punjab Beauty pear was maximum when Kainth small fruited was used as rootstock. The fruit number and yield per plant were recorded highest in T5 treatment while T15 combination resulted lowest yield. The fruit weight was maximum from double stoinic combination of Shiara/Punjab Beauty. The fruits from stionic combination of Sucker/ Sucker/ Punjab Beauty were softer, while T4 treatment resulted maximum fruit firmness. Double combination of Kainth small fruited/ Punjab Beauty resulted maximum TSS contents of fruits while the acid content remain unaffected by any treatment.

Ranking of Nellore animals in cattle championships: genetic parameters and correlations with production traits.

Records of 17,141 Nellore cattle participating in cattle championships, born from 1994-2009, were used to estimate genetic parameters between animal rank in cattle championships, evaluated from weaning to 36 months of age as repeated traits, and growth, fertility, and carcass traits, evaluated at 365 days of age as single traits. Two traits were defined for animal rank in cattle championships: value 1 was attributed to animals ranked from 1st to 3rd place within the age category, and value 0 was assigned to the remaining animals (TOP3). Value 1 was attributed to animals ranked from 1st to 5th place within the age category and value 0 was assigned to the remaining animals (TOP5). The (co)variance components were estimated based on Bayesian inference under a 2-trait threshold-linear animal model. The posterior means of heritability estimated for TOP3 and TOP5 were 0.182 ± 0.010 and 0.260 ± 0.012, respectively, and their repeatabilities were 0.341 ± 0.007 and 0.400 ± 0.007, respectively. High-ranking animals generally presented higher breeding values for body weight, height, body length, and heart girth. The phenotypic correlations indicate that judges of cattle championships primarily rank animals based on weight and heart girth.

The effects of gender, age, and body mass on dynamic foot shape and foot deformation inchildren and adolescents

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to identify influences of gender, age, and body mass on the dynamic foot morphology and foot deformation of maturing feet. Only advancements in scanner technology enable recording of foot morphology during walking.Methods: Static and dynamic foot morphology of 2554 participants (6–16 years) were measured with DynaScan4D. Different foot measures corresponding to measures used in last construction were defined. Influences of gender, age, and body mass were calculated within the whole sample by multiple linear regression analysis and within matched groups by Student's t-test.Results: The results of multiple linear regression analysis show similar patterns in boys and girls. The explained variance (R2) of the differences between static and dynamic foot morphology is low. R2 is higher for the maximum dynamic foot measures where the respective static value mainly predicts the dynamic value. Relative maximum dynamic values of foot height, width, and girth are higher in overweight, younger, and male participants. The deformation of the instep height and the angle of the fifth toe differ between overweight and normal weight participants. Between boys and girls as well as children and adolescents there are differences in the deformation of the ball area.Conclusion: There are effects of gender, age, and body mass on dynamic foot morphology and deformation. The differences are small regarding the high variability. Thus, dynamic adjustments are applicable without customising to gender, age, and body mass. However, it is important to account for the high variability and for static and dynamic situations. This should be discussed with focus on use of resilient materials. These results can improve footwear design and thus contribute to healthy foot development.

Characterization of Structural Composition and Diversity of Vegetation in the Kpashimi Forest Reserve, Niger State, Nigeria

Structural attributes and floristic composition of vegetation communities was investigated in the Kpashimi Forest Reserve, Niger State, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to describe the floristic composition and structure of the plant communities found in the study area. Biometric field inventory method; involving morphometric measurements, enumeration and application of allometric equations was employed for data collection. Vegetation variables including tree density, species diversity, tree girth, basal area, tree height, crown cover, shrub cover, and grass cover were measured within forty-eight sampling plots of 0.4096 hectares; distributed over the six vegetation physiographic units found in the area including riparian forest, savannah woodland, degraded forest, scrubland, grassland, and bare surface. For data analysis, the mean and coefficient of variation were determined from the data collected for each of the six vegetation physiographic units. The result showed that the Riparian forest is characterised by mean values of girth (1.16 metre), basal area (26.9 m2 ha-1) tree height (26.6 metre) and crown cover (68%). Savannah woodland recorded density of tree stand (0.0129 / m2) and diversity (13.75 Simpson’s diversity index), while Grassland and Bare surface classes are characterised by mean values of grass cover (89.9% and 51.1% respectively). Scrubland is characterised by mean value of shrub cover (64.8%); but with comparatively low trunk diameter, crown cover, tree height and tree density. The study area is thus characterised by a mixture of plant communities that vary in composition, diversity, heterogeneity, structure and complexity. This study presents acquired baseline information on the landscape vegetation structure and composition which could be useful for characterizing a typical savannah vegetation structure and composition. The data obtained could also provide a reference scenario against which future assessments could be compared; in order to understand the dynamics of vegetation communities.

Is V–Y plasty necessary for penile lengthening? Girth enhancement and increased length solely through circumcision: description of a novel technique

Our objective is to describe a novel ligamentolysis approach using a subcoronal incision technique and to determine its safety and efficacy. During the last 7 years, 82 consecutive patients had penile augmentation surgery. Ligamentolysis, through a lower abdominal incision (V-Y plasty) in the first 35 males, was performed (Group A), followed by circumcision ligamentolysis in the next 47 males (Group B). The operation time, complications, and the preoperative and postoperative values of penile length and girth along with the self-esteem and relations questionnaire score as well as satisfaction score was calculated before and after the surgery, and a comparison was conducted between the groups. The mean age at presentation was 32 years (range: 18-56 years). Seventy-nine patients suffered from penile dysmorphophobia, and three patients had micropenises (length <7.5 cm). The mean surgical times were 150.7 and 125.2 min for Groups A and B, respectively (P=0.005). Postoperatively, four Group A patients and three Group B patients (11% versus 6%, respectively) experienced penile retraction (P=0.453). Hypertrophic scars were observed in 18 men (51%) in the former [corrected] group. In the circumcision group, no major wound complications were recorded. The length and girth improvements between the groups were similar. In terms of satisfaction and SEAR improvement, the resulting difference for both variables favored the circumcision group (P=0.007 and <0.001, respectively). With strict selection criteria, the circumcision ligamentolysis procedure compared to the V-Y plasty demonstrated improved results in terms of safety, operation time, retraction rate and cosmetic appearance without any compromise in the gained penile size.

English

&nbsp; A study was performed to correlate the stipe length, pileus width and stipe girth of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown in different farm substrates. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with eight treatments and four replications. The farm substrates (treatments) were composed of mixtures of different types of agricultural wastes with lime and water as additives to each substrate. Also single agricultural waste supplemented with lime and water was also used to prepare some farm substrates. Higher mean values of stipe length, pileus width and stipe girth were obtained from mushrooms grown in the substrates composed of two different types of agricultural wastes while lower values were obtained from those grown in the substrate composed of single agricultural waste. Highest coefficient of determination was obtained from the correlation between biological efficiency and pileus width. The changes in the stipe length, pileus width and stipe girth of the mushrooms grown in the different farm substrates depended on the type of agricultural wastes, single or mixtures of two different agricultural wastes used in preparing the farm substrates. Biological efficiency was highest (97.9%) in the substrate made from maize cob and palm kernel cake. Farm substrates that were composed of two different agricultural wastes were recommended. The use of single agricultural waste for farm substrate production is not encouraged. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Pleurotus ostreatus,&nbsp;farm substrates, sprouting, maturity, correlation.

Morphological characterization of indigenous sheep in Southern Regional State, Ethiopia

Information on morphological characteristics is a prerequisite to sustainable breed improvement, utilization and conservation. The present study was initiated to describe the physical and morphological characteristics of indigenous sheep reared in Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte, Gamogofa and Wolaita zones of Southern Regional State of Ethiopia. Data on the assessment of qualitative characters and linear body measurements were obtained from a total of 3966 sheep that were drawn from 928 households. The results indicated that the most common tail form in the Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte and Wolaita sheep was of long fat type ending with a straight tip, whereas that of Gamogofa sheep was long thin tail ending with a curve tip. Hair coat colour pattern was mainly plain followed by patchy. The common hair of sheep in all studied zones was short and smooth. Sheep from Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya and Gurage-Silte were devoid of wattle and ruff. Rams of Gurage-Silte and Wolaita had higher (P &lt; 0.05) body weight values than those of other locations. Ewes of Sidama-Gedeo and Wolaita had relatively high (P &lt; 0.05) body weight, whereas those of Gurage-Silte, Gamogofa and Wolaita had significantly high chest girth values. Gurage-Silte and Gamogofa rams had large (P &lt; 0.05) chest girth values. The height at withers was high (P &lt; 0.05) for both sexes in Sidama-Gedeo, Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya and Wolaita sheep. The highest body length was obtained from Wolaita rams, followed by Gamogofa and Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya rams, whereas the lowest body length was obtained from Gurage-Silte rams. Ewes of Sidama-Gedeo had higher (P &lt; 0.05) body length values than those of other zones. The dendrogram indicated a close association among the sheep of Kembata Tembaro-Hadiya, Gurage-Silte and Sidama-Gedeo. However, sheep in Wolaita and Gamogofa were more distantly associated with those of the three zones. It can be concluded that the sheep in the study zones may possess unique adaptive features useful in designing sustainable sheep improvement strategies. However, a molecular-based genetic assessment of the population structure found in the study region might be given due consideration.

Organic amendment of an ultisol: effects on soil properties, growth, and yield of maize in Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria

Abstract Background The Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria is characterized by inherently low soil fertility status and rapid nutrient depletion especially soil organic matter. However, this zone is characterized by abundant agricultural land and is a potential for crop production. Field experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the effects of integrated use of agricultural waste materials and compound mineral fertilizer on soil and plant nutrient status, growth, and yield of maize in ultisol in the Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. Results Application of organic waste alone and in combination with mineral fertilizer enhanced root and shoot biomass, leaf area development, and yield and components of maize. Treatment effects were significant on growth characteristics of maize (stem girth, leaf area, plant height and days to 50% tasselling, root and shoot biomass). Sole application of NPK fertilizer (400 kg/ha) was not significant over the combined use of poultry manure and NPK on girth, leaf area, and plant height. Mean values of stem girth, leaf area, and plant height ranged between 2.05 and 3.8 cm, 0.26 and 0.54 m2, and 84.7 and 209.4 cm, respectively. Root and shoot dry weights were highest under sole NPK application compared with plots where either sole wastes or wastes in combination with reduced NPK were application of NPK fertilizer (400 kg/ha) was not significant over combined use of poultry manure and NPK on stem applied. Integrated use of agricultural wastes and NPK also enhanced root and shoot dry weights compared with sole application of wastes as well as seed weight per plant, 100-seed weight, and number of seeds per cob and grain yield. Among the agricultural wastes applied, poultry manure enhanced the growth and seed yield characteristics of maize. This treatment increased the seed weight per plant, number of seeds per cob, 100-seed weight and seed yield by 55.6%, 66.5%, and 55.4%, respectively over Chromolaena and neem seed cake. Chromolaena and neem seed cake produced similar grain weight per plant, 100-seed weight, number of seed per cob, and seed yield. Poultry manure significantly enhanced the growth and seed yield characteristics of maize over Chromolaena and neem seed cake. Conclusions Integrated use of organic wastes and mineral NPK fertilizer showed promising potential for improving soil fertility, growth, and yield of maize in the Southern Guinea savanna agroecological zone of Nigeria. It is recommended that poultry manure at 7 t/ha plus NPK fertilizer at 200 kg/ha be adopted for maize cultivation in the study area.

Häggkvist–Hell graphs: A class of Kneser-colorable graphs

For positive integers n and r we define the Häggkvist–Hell graph, H n : r , to be the graph whose vertices are the ordered pairs ( h , T ) where T is an r -subset of [ n ] , and h is an element of [ n ] not in T . Vertices ( h x , T x ) and ( h y , T y ) are adjacent iff h x ∈ T y , h y ∈ T x , and T x ∩ T y = ∅ . These triangle-free arc transitive graphs are an extension of the idea of Kneser graphs, and there is a natural homomorphism from the Häggkvist–Hell graph, H n : r , to the corresponding Kneser graph, K n : r . Häggkvist and Hell introduced the r = 3 case of these graphs, showing that a cubic graph admits a homomorphism to H 22 : 3 if and only if it is triangle-free. Gallucio, Hell, and Nes˘etr˘il also considered the r = 3 case, proving that H n : 3 can have arbitrarily large chromatic number. In this paper we give the exact values for diameter, girth, and odd girth of all Häggkvist–Hell graphs, and we give bounds for independence, chromatic, and fractional chromatic number. Furthermore, we extend the result of Gallucio et al. to any fixed r ≥ 2 , and we determine the full automorphism group of H n : r , which is isomorphic to the symmetric group on n elements.