School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses

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    Observations on fomes pomaceus (pers.) big. & guill. infecting plum trees ; An investigation of sooty moulds with particular reference to their taxonomy and their growth in culture
    Fisher, Eileen. (University of Melbourne, 1974)
    I. The Taxonomy of "Sooty Mould "-Fungi. 1. Existing schemes of classification are discussed. 2. A classification is offered in which, the inaccuracies of other taxonomic schemas, are corrected. 3. "Sooty Moulds� are arranged, according to the macroscopic appearance of their growth, into four groups. 4. Diagnostic features are given for five families of ��sooty mould"-genera. 5. The families Capnodiaceae v. Hohn. and Chaetothyriaceae Th. are emended. A key to the identification of the genera Included in each of these families Is given. 6. Chaetothyrium Citri (Arn.) nov. comb. is recorded for the first time in Australia. 7. A new species, Phycopsis australiensis is described. II. An Instigation of the Cultural Behaviour of some "Sooty Mould" Fungi with reference to Climatic Conditions. 1. Eight species which, were isolated from epiphytic moulds, are included in this study. 2. A preliminary survey is made of the nutritional recuirementa of these species. 3. The methods used for recording measurements of colony-size and for calculating the rate of growth are described. 4. Measurement is made of the growth occurring at the following temperatures: 10�C., 15�C., 18�C., 20�C. and 25�C. The optimum growth temperatures determined for seven "sooty mould" endemics lie between 15�C and 20�C. 5. The methods which were adopted for growing these fungi under conditions of controlled atmospheric humidity are described. 6. The humidity growth-rate relations determined here are similar to those of fungi from quite unrelated habitats. 7. The geographic distribution of epiphytic "sooty moulds" is discussed in relation to the temperature and humidity requirements of the species examined here. The temperature-growth relations of the Capnodiaceae species do not confirm the assumption that high temperatures are favourable, rather It would appear that growth is active during the winter months. 8. It la suggested that the deciduous nature of the flora in cool temperate regions is responsible for the almost entire absence of the Capnodiaceae in these regions.
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    Soil-plant relationships : with particular reference to soil physical properties and root growth
    Barley, K. P. (University of Melbourne, 1974)
    The candidate was admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Agricultural Science (1948) and Master of Agricultural Science (1952) in the University of Melbourne. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (1958) by the University of Adelaide. The candidate is eligible, subject to approval of the Faculty of Agriculture, for candidature for the degree of Doctor of Agricultural Science. This thesis is submitted to the University of Melbourne towards the requirements for that degree. The experiments described in the thesis were conducted chiefly at the C.S.I.R.O Regional Pastoral Laboratory, Deniliquin, New South Wales (l950-54), and at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide (1955 onwards). During these periods, one year, 1952, was spent at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and another, 1961, at the Department of Soils and Plant Nutrition, University of California, Berkeley. Part of 1968 was spent at the Department of Botany, University of Edinburgh. The papers presented in the thesis deal with processes operating in soil-plant systems of agronomic interest. Although the work has not, for the most part, been immediately applied to agriculture by the candidate, it is hoped that it may lead to a better understanding of principles that affect soil management. The work is viewed as a contribution to the scientific study of the soil as a medium for the growth of crops. A short account of the general development of the work is followed by sections dealing with particular subjects. The following sequence is adopted for each subject: Firstly the relevant papers of the candidate are listed in chronological order. Secondly, the papers are discussed in relation to other published work. Finally, the candidate's papers are assembled, also in chronological order. References to papers mentioned in discussion are given at the end of the thesis.
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    THe role of stock agents in the rural industry
    Dunn, A. M ( 1974)
    The role of many servicing groups has been looked at by research workers interested in determining the influence these organisations have on the process of change in the rural industry. However, most of the research has concentrated on Government groups such as the agricultural extension services. Little attention has been paid to private groups such as stock agents. This research project used the theory of social roles to describe and evaluate farmers' and agents' perceptions of tasks which comprise the agents' role in the rural industry. Twelve agents and 20 farmers from two rural centres were interviewed to determine their perceptions of the agents' job. One aim of the study was to describe the main tasks that comprise the service agents offer farmers. The relative importance of the various tasks, defined areas of agreement and disagreement between farmers and agents. Another aim of the study was to determine the agents' activity in promoting change and improvements in marketing wool and livestock. There were differences between the two groups as to how the agents' role was perceived. The data are presented in four sections: First, the overall role relations between agents and farmers are broadly defined and in particular the tasks concerned with the agents' overall role are emphasised. Points of consensus and disagreement between agents and farmers are discussed. Second, perceptions by both groups, of the agents' tasks in woolbroking are discussed and attention is paid to points of agreement and disagreement. In a similar way to woolbroking, the agent's tasks in stock selling and finance are discussed. In all sections of results, the perceptions of both groups towards change or improvement of the agents' role are discussed. Concluding comments and recommendations are made with regard to the future role of agents in the service they provide for farmers and suggestions are made for further research.
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    Studies on metabolizable energy values of poultry feedstuffs
    Guirguis, N ( 1974)
    This thesis describes studies carried out on metabolizable energy values of a number of feedstuffs available in the State of Victoria for poultry nutrition. These investigations were part of a research project in the poultry research section of S.S.Cameron Laboratory (Animal Research), Werribee. I was responsible for the design and execution of the experiments and for all chemical analyses. The statistical analysis was done by Mr. Jardine, Biometrician, Department of Agriculture, Melbourne. The interpretation of the results and the preparation of the review and the manuscript have been my responsibility. Chapter 1 includes a literature review of the different methods that are used in determining metabolizable energy values for poultry as well as the factors that may affect the metabolizable energy content of diets and feed ingredients. Chapter 2 describes the general procedure of the metabolizable energy assay. The specific material and methods of the experiments were included in each of the experimental chapters. Chapter 3 outlines the balance studies carried out to determine metabolizable energy values of various feedstuffs with different sexes. A comparison between the biologically determined values and those calculated from the chemical composition of the feedstuffs also was included. Chapters 4, 5 and 6 concern the investigations carried out to study the effect of sex of chicks on metabolizable energy content of soyabean, rapeseed, fish meals, tallow and sunflower oil at various levels of inclusion in diets. Chapter 7 summarises the results obtained and recommended avenues for future work. Note: The experimental chapters (3-6) are presented in the format required for publication in the Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
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