School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses

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End date: 1970 × Type: Masters Research thesis ×

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 90
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    The role of diffused carbohydrates in the infection of stone fruit by Sclerotinia fructicola (Wint.) rehm
    Whan, James Henry. (University of Melbourne, 1970)
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    Sunraysia : a social survey of a dried fruits area
    McIntyre, A. J. (Alan John) (University of Melbourne, 1948)
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    An ecological comparison of California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii (Mask.)) and yellow scale (Aonidiella citrina Coq.) on citrus
    McLaren, Ian William. (University of Melbourne, 1970)
    Red scale (Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)) and yellow scale (Aonidiella citrina Coquillet ) have been compared by constructing age-specific life and fecundity tables over a range of temperatures and humidities. Using; the data from these tables the values were calculated for rm The Intrinsic Rate of Natural Increase, rc The Capacity for Increase, Ro The Nett Reproductive Rate, and LAMBDA The Finite Rate of Increase. A study of these parameters showed that: (1) The upper thermal deathpoint was similar for both species. (2) A. citrina multiplied more rapidly than A. aurantii over the median range of temperatures. (3) The threshold of population growth was about 13�C for A. aurantii and 18�C for A. citrina. A study was made of the settling behaviour of crawlers on leaves, and it was found that: (1) Crawlers of A. aurantii were negatively geotropic, and because of this they tended to settle on the upper tissues of the host plant. (2) Crawlers of A. citrina demonstrated negative phototaxis, and as a result they tended to settle on the shaded undersurface of leaves. Correlations were found between the fecundity of red scale females on leaves, and: (1) Size of the adult (+ve). (2) Increase in size from 2nd instar to adult (+ve). (3) Initial natality (+ve). (4) The feeding site w.r.t. distance from vascular tissue in the leaf (-ve). A further correlation (+ve) was found between delayed mating and initial natality. This was thought to result from continued ovulation in the unfertilized female, a postulate which was verified by examining the intreabdominal eggs in virgin females of various ages. These results have been used to discuss the relative abundance and distribution of both scale species in Sunraysia, the dispersai and invasiveness of each species, and the present limitations on biological control of red scale. On the basis of this project it has been possible to formulate a revised approach for regulating red scale populations in Sunraysia.
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    Performance recording of beef cattle in Victoria and adjacent regions
    Mason, W. E. (University of Melbourne, 1968)
    This thesis comprises four chapters. Chapters 1, 2 and 3 report scientific investigations involving performance recording of beef cattle. Chapter 4 contains conclusions and recommendations based on the investigations described in the first 3 chapters. My responsibilities in the preparation of this thesis included a detailed review of the scientific literature on subject matter pertaining to performance recording of beef cattle. This is presented in chapter 1 and this entire chapter was my complete responsibility. Chapter 2 describes the beef cattle breeding industry and the records which were available for this study. I am responsible for the contents and preparation of this chapter. Chapter 3 includes the analysis and interpretation of the records used in this study. Dr. R. G. Beilharz assisted with the statistical analysis. Chapter 4, which includes conclusions and recommendations resulting from this investigation, was entirely my responsibility.
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    The use & control of plants in Victorian irrigation & drainage systems
    Bill, S. M. (University of Melbourne, 1967)
    An account is given of the use of plants by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission of Victoria to stabilize soils in Victorian irrigation supply channel and drainage systems. Chemical methods of controlling the growth of plants that occur naturally and create problems are also described, together with the principles that are observed when developing these methods. The importance of control of plant growth to achieve maximum channel and drain capacities, while at the same time ensuring maximum soil stability is discussed. The need for regulation of chemical usage where water supplies and irrigated crops can be contaminated is stressed. Research conducted in Victoria is described and compared with that in the U.S.A., and recommendations are made regarding the most useful avenues for future research. Publications describing various aspects of the use and control of plants in Victorian irrigation and drainage systems are attached.
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    The effect of water stress on the growth of the wheat plant
    Elliott, Brian Ramsay. (University of Melbourne, 1965)
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    The grazing intake of sheep and related measurements
    Vercoe, J. (John) (University of Melbourne, 1960)
    In Australia, animal production is dependent largely on pasture. A basic requirement therefore in studying the nutrition of the gazing animal, is a satisfactory measurement of grazing intake. Such a measure would be desirable at the level of the individual animal and although some techniques offer this possibility, the errors associated with them at present limit their application to the investigation of comparatively large differences. Fortunately, at the present time, research into pasture utilization and the nutrition of the grazing animal is at the developmental stage and is consequently concerned with investigating large differences. As these differences become smaller however, so the techniques must become more refined. The problems associated with the measurement of grazing intake are many. Under Australian conditions there is a marked variation in both the quality and the quantity of feed available to animals throughout the year and furthermore the changes which occur can be rapid. The situation is further complicated by the feat that in the first place measurements must be made under controlled conditions with sheen in cages where the ability to select a diet is restricted. Under grazing conditions however, the opportunity for selection may be greatly increased, depending on the level of stocking, and direct application of the information from caged conditions is therefore impossible. There can be little doubt in the minds of those interested in the nutrition of the grazing animal, that there is an urgent demand for a system of feeding standards for grazing conditions. Metabolism and respiration data for animals under controlled conditions are showing which factors influence the utilization of dietary energy and protein by the animal. For this information to be applied to field conditions, a measure of the intake of energy and protein b the grazing animal is fundamental. In Chapter 1, the various techniques described in the literature to estimate the qualitative and quantitative intake of the grazing animal are reviewed and in the subsequent Chapters an experimental approach is described. Chapter 2 describes the application of one such technique to cheep grazing an annual pasture; Chapter 3 describes an appraisal of the same technique used for irrigated pastures; Chapter 4 includes the effect of sudden changes in diet on digestibility together with some observations on the measurement of digestibility and Chapter 5 describes some features of the feeding value of M. tribuloides pods which form a substantial portion of the diet of grazing sheep over the summer months.
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    A survey of farm water supplies in central parts of Victoria 1956-7
    De Laine, Robert James. (University of Melbourne, 1959)
    The aim of this survey was to assess the present level of stock and household water facilities on farms in a selected area of Victoria. 149 farms, chosen at random from 5 shires lying in the 20.25 inch rainfall country between Stawell and Benalla, were visited. Details of all the features associated with the collection, storage, and use of both stock and household water were obtained for each of these farms. In order that the standard of stock water supply could be compared with the management of the rest of the farm, personal particulars of each farmer and general details of the farm were also recorded. The survey found that the majority of farms had inadequate provision for stock water, for example 60% of the farms visited were unable to water more than 60% of their farm area, when stocked at the rate of 1 sheep to the acre. It was also found that the standard of household water was low, for example, 28% of farms were restricted to 10 gallons per person per day, or less.
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    Studies on plant pathogenic bacteria with emphasis on serological identification
    Naylor, Jill. (University of Melbourne, 1954)
    The major problem in the recognition of bacterial diseases of plants, and hence their prevention or cure, is the rapid isolation and identification of the causal organism from the infected host. Although isolation procedures are adequate, provided the diseased organ is not heavily infected with secondary invaders, the identification of the phytopathogen is very difficult as is its distinction from saprophytic species. Because of these difficulties, this investigation was commenced in order to study the present methods of classification, and the prospects for using serological tests in the rapid identification of phytopathogenic bacteria.
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