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Estudos referentes à eficiência de absorção e utilização de potássio (K), bem como a definição de valores críticos de K no solo e na planta para cultivares de soja com tipo de crescimento determinado (TCD) e indeterminado (TCI) são fundamentais para a seleção de genótipos quanto às exigências nutricionais, possibilitando o posicionamento desses materiais para o cultivo em distintos ambientes edáficos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de absorção de K (rubídio - Rb) por meio dos parâmetros cinéticos de absorção (Vmáx, Km e Cmín) e da morfologia radicular; a eficiência de utilização de K por meio do transporte e redistribuição de K (e de Rb) nas partes das plantas; e definir valores críticos de K no solo e nas folhas utilizadas para diagnose em soja com TCI. Os dois primeiros experimentos (cinética de absorção de Rb e morfologia radicular, e transporte e redistribuição de K/Rb) foram desenvolvidos em condições de casa de vegetação no CENA/USP, no período de outubro de 2012 a janeiro de 2013, e o terceiro experimento, foi desenvolvido em condições de campo na Embrapa Soja, no período de setembro de 2010 a março de 2013. Para os dois primeiros experimentos, foi utilizado um cultivar de soja com TCD (TMG 1066 RR) e outros três com TCI (VMAX RR, NA 5909 RG e BRS 360 RR) e para o último experimento, utilizou-se os cultivares de soja com TCI VMAX RR e BRS 360 RR. Houve variação genotípica quanto aos parâmetros morfológicos de raízes, exceto para o diâmetro radicular. Os parâmetros cinéticos de absorção Vmáx, Km e Cmín variaram em função dos cultivares utilizados em cada concentração de Rb. Contudo, não foram verificadas diferenças quanto a eficiência de absorção de K entre cultivares do grupo TCD e TCI. Houve interação significativa entre genótipos e tratamentos de Rb para as variáveis produção de grãos, putrescina, acúmulo de K e Rb, redistribuição de Rb, transporte a longa distância e eficiência de utilização de K. Os cultivares TMG 1066 RR e VMAX RR possuem maior eficiência em produção e utilização de K. Não foram verificadas diferenças quanto ao acúmulo e redistribuição de K para cultivares TCD e TCI. No último experimento, foram verificados sintomas de deficiência de K nos dois cultivares de soja a partir do início da formação de vagens e enchimento de grãos. O NC externo de K para o cultivar VMAX RR e BRS 360 RR foi de, respectivamente, 0,38 e 0,29 cmolc dm-3, enquanto que o NC interno de K para os mesmos cultivares foi de 25,4 e 21,3 g kg-1, respectivamente. Os valores de NC externo e interno obtidos neste estudo são superiores aos verificados na literatura para genótipos de soja com tipo de crescimento determinado (TCD) / Studies on the potassium use efficiency (KUE), potassium uptake efficiency (KUpE) as well as the definition of critical values of K in soil and plant for soybean cultivars with determinate growth type (DGT) and indeterminate (IGT) are fundamental to the selection of genotypes to nutritional requirements and allow placement of these materials for cultivation in different edaphic environments. This study aimed to evaluate the K (and Rubidium - Rb) uptake efficiency by uptake kinetics (Vmax, Km and Cmín) assessment and root morphology, the K use efficiency (KUE) through the transport and redistribution of K (and Rb) in plant parts, and define critical values of K in the soil and leaves used for diagnosis for soybeans with IGT. The first two experiments (uptake kinetics of Rb and root morphology, transport and redistribution of K/Rb) were carried out in greenhouse conditions at CENA/USP, from October 2012 to January 2013, and the third experiment was developed under field conditions at Embrapa Soybean, from September 2010 to March 2013. For the first two experiments, one cultivar with DGT (TMG 1066 RR) and three with IGT (VMAX RR, NA RG 5909 and BRS 360 RR) was used, and for the last experiment was used the soybean cultivars with IGT VMAX RR and BRS 360 RR. There was genotypic variation in morphologic parameters of the roots, except for the root diameter. The uptake kinetics parameters Vmax, Km and Cmín ranged among the cultivars on each concentration of Rb. However, no difference was observed on the K uptake efficiency (KUpE) among the cultivars from DGT or IGT group. There was a significant interaction between genotypes and treatments of Rb for the variables grain mass yield, putrescine, K and Rb accumulation, Rb redistribution, long distance transport of K and K use efficiency (KUE). The TMG 1066 RR and VMAX RR cultivars have a greater efficiency in production and use of K. No differences were found concerning the accumulation and redistribution of K for DGT and IGT cultivars. Symptoms of K deficiency were found in two soybean cultivars from the beginning of pod formation and grain filling. The soil critical levels of K to VMAX RR and BRS 360 RR genotypes were 0.38 and 0.29 cmolc dm-3, respectively, while the plant-tissue critical levels of K for the same cultivars were 25.4 and 21.3 g kg-1, respectively. The soil and plant-tissue critical level values obtained in this study are higher than those in the literature for genotypes with determinate growth type (DGT)

In this study, slurry availability and the extent of the slurry mixing (i.e., among fresh slurry, spent slurry, and residual rinse-water) were varied via three different injection schemes. An ultraviolet enhanced fluorescence technique was employed to qualitatively indicate slurry availability and its flow on the pad during polishing. This study investigated standard pad center area slurry application and a slurry injection system (SIS) that covered only the outer half of the wafer track. Results indicated that the radial position of slurry injection and the alteration of fluid mechanics by the SIS played important roles in slurry mixing characteristics and availability atop the pad. Removal rates were found to decrease with slurry availability, while a higher degree of slurry mixing decreased the fraction of fresh slurry and consequently lowered the removal rate. By using a hybrid system (i.e., a combination of slurry injection via SIS and standard pad center slurry application), the polishing process benefited from higher slurry availability and higher fraction of fresh slurry than the conventional pad center slurry application and the shorter SIS, individually. This work underscores the importance of optimum slurry injection geometry and flow for obtaining a more cost-effective and environmentally benign chemical mechanical planarization process.

The aim of the study was to determine if significant differences, in terms of grazing parameters, intake, animal performane and digestibility, existed between foggage of Cenchrus ciliaris cv. Molopo and Cenchrus ciliaris cv. Gayndah. A grazing trial as well as a partial digestibility study was done with sheep. The following parameters were used: grazing parameters (dry matter availability and structure of the grazing), qualitative and quantitative intake, animal production and partial digestiblity. The grazing trial was conducted over two years and further divided into two separate periods of utilisation, middle and late winter. The second trial was a partial digestibility experiment conducted during the second year. In terms of the production parameters of the two varieties: dry material production and sward length of C. ciliaris cv. Molopo was constantly higher than that of C. ciliaris cv. Gayndah. In the grazing experiment the quality of selected material did not differ between C. ciliaris cv. Gayndah and Molopo. Differences in most parameters were not significant. Experimental animals grazing Gayndah selected a diet with higher N- and NDF-concentrations, as opposed to animals grazing Molopo. The same trend continued during the second year but only for N-concentration. In terms of quantitative observations in the grazing experiment the intakes of the two varieties were high for the whole duration of the trial. Only during the "out"-phase of period 1 in 1991, animals on C. ciliaris cv. Molopo couldn’t maintain an intake to meet maintenance requirements. Experimental animals gained weight in the first period of grazing of the first year of the study but not during the rest of the trial. Although intake was high in the other periods, these intakes didn’t support growth or maintenance. This suggests that supplementation in the form of a lick could address possible deficiencies. In the partial digestion trial animals grazing C. ciliaris cv. Gayndah, as opposed to animals on cv. Molopo, selected a better quality material but quantitatively there were no significant differences. For both varieties the amount of organic material consumed wasn’t adequate to meet maintenance requirements. There were no significant differences in the partial digestibility of organic material or nitrogen. Animals on both varieties were in a negative nitrogen balance. / Dissertation (MSc Agric (Animal and Wildlife Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Time budgets, avoidance distance scores-related behaviour and milk yield of pasture-based Jersey, Friesland and crossbred cows. by Madodana Sunson Dodzi The study was conducted at the University of Fort Hare farm to determine the time budgets, the avoidance-related behaviour variables and their relationship with milk yield in three pasturebased dairy genotypes: Jersey, Friesland and crossbreed. Twenty one clinically health dairy cows aged between 52 and 55 months, in mid lactation and comprising of seven cows from each genotype were used in the study. The time spent on different activities (grazing, lying down, standing and others) at pasture was recorded using stop watches across four seasons. The behavioural responses of the three genotypes to humans were determined by recording their avoidance distance scores (AD), exit speed (ES), pen scores (PS), pen behaviour scores (PBS), plat form scores (PLS) and the occurrence of kicking (KCK) and stepping (SPG) during milking on four consecutive days in four seasons. Time spent standing was higher (P < 0.05) for Friesland compared to Jersey and crossbred during the hot-wet season. In the cool-dry season the Jersey spent more time (P < 0.05) grazing than the other breeds. The Friesland and crossbred on the other hand devoted most of their time lying down compared to Jersey in the cool- dry season (P < 0.05). There were season differences in time spent on all activities (P < 0.05). Time spent on grazing was longest in post-rainy seasonal and lowest in hot- wet season (P < 0.05). The longest lying down period was observed in the hot-dry season and lowest in hot-wet season (P < 0.05). iii Daily milk yield Varied (P < 0.05) with genotype with the Friesland and Jersey producing higher yield than the crossbred. The highest amount was produced in hot-dry and the least in hot-wet season. Milk yield was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with lying down. Standing was negatively correlated with milk yield (P < 0.05). The Friesland had the highest avoidance distance scores (P < 0.05) and the Jersey had the lowest avoidance distance scores in all seasons. There was an association (P < 0.05) between genotype and exit speed scores, pen scores and stepping behaviour scores. The Friesland exhibited the highest exit speed scores than the other breeds. The Jersey had the lowest (P < 0.05) kicking behaviour scores. There was a relationship (r = 0.64) between avoidance distance scores and exit speed. Exit speed scores were correlated with pen score(r= 0.23). Milk yield was significant related (r= 0.17) to the occurrence of kicking behaviour. The genotypes showed different levels of sensitivity to season and milk yield was influenced by breed and season. It can be concluded that time budgets vary with season and farmers need to adopt measures that buffer the effect of season on welfare of dairy cows. It can also be concluded that avoidance distance scores differs according to genotype with Jersey being more confident to humans than other two breeds. It is therefore recommended that provision of shades or cooling mechanism should be adopted to buffer the effects of hot-wet season. Improving quality of feed during the cool-dry season may be critical for Jersey cows. Finally positive handling of the dairy cows is recommended in order to improve the welfare and milk yield of pasture based dairy cows.

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Two experiments were conducted to study the utilization of poor quality hay by ruminants. In the first experiment, several nitrogen supplements were compared under practical conditions when fed to stocker cattle receiving a hay diet. Sixty cattle were wintered on fescue hay with one of five supplements: 1) none, 2) liquid urea-molasses supplement injected into the bales, 3) liquid-supplement self-fed in lick-tank, 4) mixture of deep-stacked broiler litter and ground corn grain and 5) soybean meal. Preliminary observations showed that the liquid supplement injected into bales was poorly distributed. Highest daily weight gains were for the animals supplemented with urea-molasses self-fed, litter or soybean meal. Compensatory gains under spring-grazing conditions subsequently suppressed these differences. Feed intake was low for all treatments. Feed efficiency was best for the soybean-meal group but feed cost per unit of gain was lowest for the broiler litter supplemented group. In a second experiment, urea and carbohydrates were supplemented to a fescue hay diet fed to lambs cannulated at the rumen, abomasum and ileum. The treatment diets were: 1) hay, alone or supplemented with 2) urea, 3) urea and molasses and 4) urea and corn. Chromic oxide and Co-EDTA were used as markers. Urea supplementation improved N retention but did not affect DM, ADF and energy digestibilities. The extent and efficiency of rumen fermentations were low, with a high methane production. Supplementation did not significantly affect the partition of digestion of DM and N along the gastro-intestinal tract. ADF digestion in the large intestine was increased by urea supplementation. Mean retention time of food along the gastro-intestinal tract was similar among treatments. / M.S.

The objective of this study was to examine the use of technical indicators, in an econometric context, as guides in making pricing decisions relative to feeder cattle production. Technical indicators were developed for both the short and long term. Short term indicators were designed to capture divergence/convergence between the Relative Strength Index and the futures price stream to form the Price Linked to Divergence index. A long term indicator using an average difference in price over a longer period was developed to form the Price Linked to Trend index. These indicators were used in the econometric models which in conjunction with cash production costs formed a hold/price/sell decision framework. Analysis was conducted on fall-to-spring, spring-to-fall, and fall-to-fall production programs. Results for the three production programs in both the in and out-of-sample environments showed that on average a futures price in the top half of the futures price range was captured. This resulted in average improvement in returns through hedging for every program. / Master of Science

Influence of light, dietary amino acid levels, feeding space, and ambient temperature on male broiler body weight, feed efficiency, percentage abdominal fat, and incidence and severity of leg abnormalities was studied in two experiments. Broilers subjected to intermittent light (1 hr on:2 hrs off) had heavier 49 day body weights, and similar feed efficiencies than birds given continuous illumination. Feeding high [106 and 114% of NRC for lysine and total sulfur amino acids (TSAA), respectively] versus low (100% of NRC for lysine and TSAA) amino acid diets, improved body weight and feed efficiency at market age. Providing broilers with increased feeding space (from 1.47 to 2.94 cm/bd) resulted in improved body weight at market age. Birds under high ambient temperatures (29 to 26° C) had significantly higher feed efficiencies at four weeks of age than those given low temperatures (29 to 18° C). However, at market age broilers provided low temperatures had significantly greater gains with similar feed efficiencies. Birds fed high amino acid diets had significantly more abdominal fat than those given low amino acid diets. Light, feeding space, ambient temperature and relative humidity had no significant effect on percentage abdominal fat. Broilers provided intermittent light had significantly fewer and less severe leg abnormalities than birds under continuous illumination. Dietary amino acids, ambient temperature and relative humidity had no significant effect on the incidence or severity of the leg disorders. / Master of Science

Four experiments were conducted to compare adipocyte dynamics and body composition among adult chickens from lines differing in growth rate and feed consumption. In Experiment I, forced caloric overconsumption increased weight gain and fat deposition, with concomitant increases in the total adipocyte DNA content of the assayed fat depots. Injections of DNA-specific [methyl³H] thymidine resulted in higher radioactivity levels in the fat depots of forced versus ad libitum or restricted-fed birds. Evidently, stimulation of fat deposition in adult chickens can be associated with adipocyte hyperplasia. A second experiment was conducted to histologically examine the effects of forced caloric overconsumption on adipocyte size, number, and distribution in the retroperitoneal fat depot of adult weight-line birds. Similarly to Experiment I, force feeding increased fat deposition, resulting in increases in the retroperitoneal fat depot total adipocyte DNA content. The lipid/adipocyte DNA ratio also decreased during rapid depot expansion. This resulted in an increase in the small adipocyte population of the force fed birds when adipocyte diameter was increasing. Subsequently, when the constraints of force feeding were removed, adipose depot reduction occurred, with the mobilization of lipid from small as well as large adipocytes. In a third experiment, the effects of estrogen administration and partial lipectomy were examined. In addition to the weight-line birds, a commercial broiler breeder stock was utilized. Estrogen administration depressed body weight gain and abdominal fat deposition when compared to placebo implanted birds. Partial lipectomy depressed body weight, fat deposition, and abdominal fat total adipocyte DNA content. Lipectomy modified several components of carcass composition without altering feed intake. No indication of a compensatory hyperplastic response to lipectomy was indicated. A final experiment was conducted examining the effects of forced body weight fluctuations on body composition of male and females from the weight-selected lines. Although numerous first-order interactions were detected, force-feeding resulted in transient modifications in carcass composition and fat deposition which were more apparent in the high than low weight line, in females than males. After release to ad Iibitum feeding, the differences resulting from force feeding were reduced. / Ph. D. / incomplete_metadata