Showing papers in "Outlook on Agriculture in 1983"
TL;DR: This review is limited to a few selected areas which have special relevance to the production of edible protein by farm animals.
Abstract: The deposition of proteins in tissues of farm animals is a consequence of the balance of the rates of protein synthesis and degradation tissues. This turnover contributes to the energy costs of protein deposition. Protein metabolism is strongly influenced by the hormonal status of the animal and this is being exploited currently by the use of several hormones and hormone-like substances as growth promoters. Numerous factors control the extent of and rate of protein deposition in animals. This review is limited to a few selected areas which have special relevance to the production of edible protein by farm animals.
106 citations
TL;DR: A very short survey of the application of tissue culture techniques to rice improvement can be found in this paper, concluding that there is still a need for more basic research whilst acknowledging that much progress has been made.
Abstract: that the frequency of androgenesis is still unacceptably low. Spontaneous diploidisation of calluses from pollen grains often occurs and the high percentage of albinos is still a major problem in some laboratories. Despite the opnrrusm of most of the authors for their techniques. and the final very short survey of the application of tissue culture techniques to rice improvement. the way ahead is not outlined very clearly. There is no discrimination between techniques already yielding results. and those whose potential lies well into the future. For example. there is enthusiasm for hybridisation by protoplast fusion of rice with sorghum. but regeneration cannot be attained from the protoplasts of either species individually. In contrast. IRAT (lnstitllt de Recherches Agronomiques Tropicalesi have produced commercial hybrid rice seed in only three years. but there is no exploration of the application of such results. It must be concluded that there is still a need for more basic research whilst acknowledging that much progress. particularly with anther culture, has already been madc. Jennet Blake
72 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the factors that influence the return to the producer depending very much on the mode of application of nitrogenous fertilizers and applied them to rice fields.
Abstract: Yields of rice can be substantially increased by the use of nitrogenous fertilizers, but the return to the producer depends very much on the mode of application. This article reviews the factors af...
42 citations
TL;DR: Pine forests of the Mediterranean area are subject to very serious depredations by the caterpillar of the Pine Processionary Moth as mentioned in this paper and traditional methods of containing it are unsatisfactory and better results are to be expected from measures designed to stabilise the population at an acceptable level rather than to eradicate it entirely.
Abstract: Pine forests of the Mediterranean area are subject to very serious depredations by the caterpillar of the Pine Processionary Moth. Although there are suitable habitats in other parts of the world, the moth has so far remained within this region because of its poor power of dispersal. Traditional methods of containing it are unsatisfactory and better results are to be expected from measures designed to stabilise the population at an acceptable level rather than to eradicate it entirely.
27 citations
TL;DR: In contrast to many parts of Asia, where large-scale formal irrigation schemes have a long history, organized irrigation projects in Africa are a relatively new concept as mentioned in this paper, and the Gezira scheme in Africa is a relatively recent concept.
Abstract: In contrast to many parts of Asia, where large-scale formal irrigation schemes have a long history, organised irrigation projects in Africa are a relatively new concept. In Africa the Gezira scheme...
22 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it is shown that flax is one of the oldest textiles, having been in use for some seven thousand years, and that its cultivation presents no major difficulties.
Abstract: Flax is one of the oldest textiles, having been in use for some seven thousand years. It is tough and durable and, as this article shows, its cultivation presents no major difficulties: under favou...
20 citations
TL;DR: Intercropping is defined as "the growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same area of land" as discussed by the authors, and it has been widely practised in tropical regions.
Abstract: Intercropping is defined as the growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same area of land. Although widely practised, particularly in tropical regions, it has often been considered to be...
19 citations
TL;DR: A very short survey of the application of tissue culture techniques to rice improvement can be found in this paper, concluding that there is still a need for more basic research whilst acknowledging that much progress has been made.
Abstract: that the frequency of androgenesis is still unacceptably low. Spontaneous diploidisation of calluses from pollen grains often occurs and the high percentage of albinos is still a major problem in some laboratories. Despite the opnrrusm of most of the authors for their techniques. and the final very short survey of the application of tissue culture techniques to rice improvement. the way ahead is not outlined very clearly. There is no discrimination between techniques already yielding results. and those whose potential lies well into the future. For example. there is enthusiasm for hybridisation by protoplast fusion of rice with sorghum. but regeneration cannot be attained from the protoplasts of either species individually. In contrast. IRAT (lnstitllt de Recherches Agronomiques Tropicalesi have produced commercial hybrid rice seed in only three years. but there is no exploration of the application of such results. It must be concluded that there is still a need for more basic research whilst acknowledging that much progress. particularly with anther culture, has already been madc. Jennet Blake
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the introduction of a new technology to farmers in developing countries frequently necessitates complementary changes in related traditional practices, and this has been particularly true where post-ha...
Abstract: The introduction of a new technology to farmers in developing countries frequently necessitates complementary changes in related traditional practices. This has been particularly true where post-ha...
6 citations
TL;DR: In the middle decades of this century large-scale intensive agriculture relied heavily on the availability of cheap synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers as discussed by the authors. But little attention then had to be paid to th...
Abstract: During the middle decades of this century large-scale intensive agriculture relied heavily on the availability of cheap synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers. Little attention then had to be paid to th...
5 citations
TL;DR: A review of recent developments in the search for more accurate methods of assessing carcass quality in breeding programs and in carcass classification and grading schemes can be found in this paper, where the authors discuss the importance of the carcass as the primary measure of output and a key selection criterion.
Abstract: The carcass is central to improvements in the efficiency of beef production. Carcass quality is the primary measure of output and a key selection criterion; it is the focus of trade and of marketing efforts by farmers to adapt output to changing demand. This article reviews recent developments in the search for more accurate methods of assessing carcass quality in breeding programmes and in carcass classification and grading schemes.
TL;DR: The potato is regarded as a temperate zone crop but in the last few decades it has been increasingly grown in tropical and sub-tropical countries as mentioned in this paper. At first sight both markets and suppliers were skeptical about the potato's suitability.
Abstract: Traditionally, the potato is regarded as a temperate zone crop but in the last few decades it has been increasingly grown in tropical and sub-tropical countries. At first sight both markets—and esp...
TL;DR: Bourne as discussed by the authors reviewed the last edition of the Animal Husbandry: A Review of Animal Welfare in the Veterinary Annual, 1989, with a focus on ten-day weaning of pigs.
Abstract: J. D. Wood production systems and as one might expect from Professor Ewer, who helped develop the study of animal behaviour and who has an intense interest in animal welfare, his comments in the last chapter are well balanced and constructive. I would hope that new editions will quickly follow, not because the book is out of date but because husbandry systems rapidly change. Thus although ten-day weaning of pigs is mentioned in the text the current increase in popularity of this system will warrant greater comment in the next edition. Future editions would, I believe, be improved by a more practical approach to animal feeding and by including a section on body-scoring of sheep, cattle, and pigs in view of its relevance to maximizing reproductive performance. A chapter on milk quality and hygiene would also be a useful addition. Readers of Professor Ewer's contributions on animal husbandry in the Veterinary Annual will be familiar with his clarity of presentation, which is also a feature of this book. F. J. Bourne
TL;DR: In this paper, the basic principles involved in the isolation and fusion of protoplasts and the ways in which desirable new genes can be introduced are reviewed, as well as the ways to introduce new genes.
Abstract: The rapid improvement of crop plants by genetic engineering is one of the most important of all recent developments in agricultural science: it has been called the Second Green Revolution. This article reviews the basic principles involved in the isolation and fusion of protoplasts and the ways in which desirable new genes can be introduced.
TL;DR: In this article, trends in pressures on land and water for food, animal feed, natural fibres and botanically-derived fuels, in world population, in demands per capita, and the growing interactions as a result of th...
Abstract: Trends in pressures on land and water for food, animal feed, natural fibres and botanically-derived fuels, in world population, in demands per capita, and the growing interactions as a result of th...
TL;DR: The cause ofHypomagnesaemia, in both its acute and chronic forms, is reviewed and the principles and practice of current methods of treatment are reviewed.
Abstract: Hypomagnesaemia, in both its acute and chronic forms, is a serious and economically important disease of dairy cattle, especially under modern conditions of intensive production in relatively cool climates. This article reviews the cause of the disease and the principles and practice of current methods of treatment.
TL;DR: Progress in plant growth regulators is reviewed, with special reference to mefluidide, where the rising cost of fuel and labour for mowing favours the development of chemical agents for this purpose.
Abstract: Interest in plant growth regulators is mainly concerned with general or selective stimulation of growth. This is largely true of grass but there are large areas of grassland–-some 9.2 million ha in the United States alone–-where growth has to be controlled for amenity reasons: examples are parks, golf courses, roadside and railway verges, and industrial estates. The rising cost of fuel and labour for mowing favours the development of chemical agents for this purpose. This article reviews progress in this field, with special reference to mefluidide.
TL;DR: The intrinsic scientific interest of biogenetic engineering, and the wide publicity it has received, has tended to create the impression that it is on the verge of replacing traditional methods of....
Abstract: The intrinsic scientific interest of biogenetic engineering, and the wide publicity it has received, has tended to create the impression that it is on the verge of replacing traditional methods of ...
TL;DR: In the current concern for increasing food production, the investigation of, and practical use of plant regulators offers one of the most promising lines for future development as mentioned in this paper, and a review can be found in this article.
Abstract: In the current concern for increasing food production the investigation of, and practical use of plant regulators offers one of the most promising lines for future development. This article reviews...
TL;DR: The total world area devoted to production of hops is only 88 000 hectares, but it is nevertheless a crop of considerable economic importance because of the demands of the brewing industry.
Abstract: The total world area devoted to production of hops is only 88 000 hectares, but it is nevertheless a crop of considerable economic importance because of the demands of the brewing industry. This dependence creates problems arising from changing tastes among beer-drinkers and new techniques of fermentation. Hop-growing is, therefore, a very competitive business, as is exemplified here by an analysis of the causes of the present plight of the British industry.
TL;DR: A wide range of products from the chemical industry, including plastic bags, polythene sheets, etc; pesticides and herbicides; mineral fertilisers; and feed additives for an...
Abstract: Soviet agriculture uses a wide range of products from the chemical industry, including plastic bags, polythene sheets, etc; pesticides and herbicides; mineral fertilisers; and feed additives for an...
TL;DR: More than thirty years have elapsed since the proposal to build the High Dam at Asswan was accepted and thirteen since it was completed as mentioned in this paper. From the outset it has been a centre of controversy.
Abstract: More than thirty years have elapsed since the proposal to build the High Dam at Asswan was accepted and thirteen since it was completed. From the outset it has been a centre of controversy–-initial...
TL;DR: The United States and Russia are roughly equally matched, but agriculturally there has been a dramatic shift in the balance of power during the last decade as mentioned in this paper, and more than one-half of the present Russian deficit will come from America.
Abstract: Militarily, the United States and Russia are roughly equally matched, but agriculturally there has been a dramatic shift in the balance of power during the last decade. Whereas both countries were exporters of grain in 1970, in 1981 Russia imported 45 m tons and America exported 115 m tons: more than one-half of the present Russian deficit will come from America. This imbalance, which is not limited to grain, has important political implications. Following the death of Brezhnev, who gave high priority to agriculture after his accession to power in 1964, his successor Yuri Andropov indicated in an important statement on 12 December 1982 that a comprehensive attack on weaknesses in the agricultural system will remain in the forefront of Soviet agricultural policy.
TL;DR: The importance of mechanisation in improving agricultural productivity needs no emphasis, but the most appropriate system depends very much on local socio-economic factors as mentioned in this paper. But mechanization is not a panacea.
Abstract: The importance of mechanisation in improving agricultural productivity needs no emphasis, but the most appropriate system depends very much on local socio-economic factors. In western countries, wh...
TL;DR: In the tropics, especially, the management of bees will be capable of much improveme... as mentioned in this paper, and this management will benefit from the fact that the social organization of the honeybee interests scientists.
Abstract: Apiculture has always benefited from the fact that the social organization of the honeybee interests scientists. In the tropics, especially, the management of bees will be capable of much improveme...
TL;DR: Pedgley as mentioned in this paper has condensed a vast amount of information into this slim volume on the role of weather throughout the world on the dispersal of pests and pathogens and has achieved this by use of a clear concise style of writing.
Abstract: David Pedgley has condensed a vast amount of information into this slim volume on the role of weather throughout the world on the dispersal of pests and pathogens. He has achieved this by use of a clear concise style of writing. and well chosen chapters which lead the reader through selected aspects of a complex subject. Firstly he introduces the reader to many examples which have been described in the literature. deliberately to illustrate the wide range of organisms. animal and vegetable, adapted to utilise the mechanisms governing the complex changes in the atmosphere known as weather. He writes as a specialist who is now professionally concerned with the application of meteorological knowledge to the understanding of dispersal of insects in particular. His experience has enabled him to select and limit the amount of jargon used to an essential minimum. Weather mechanisms are introduced as they are needed in chapters with descriptive headings such as weather at take off. staying airborne. downwind drift. dispersion. and concentration. Only some twenty pages outline descriptions of the weather clements and causes of sudden changes. The author's practical experience in association with scientists studying locusts and the African armyworm. has enabled him to write with first hand knowledge of all the factors to be considered in order to understand movements of insects on winds and their concentration by weather patterns. Consequently his sections on forecasting outbreaks of wind-borne insects and the use of radar. mark and recapture techniques. and back-tracks of winds. are all the more valuable for this. This book is strongly recommended for all scientists who are concerned with the movements and upsurges of pests and pathogens. In practice this means that. at the very least. all applied entomologists and pathologists should have access to a copy. D. J. W. Rose