Massey Documents by Type

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Start date: 1950End date: 1959

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    A study of a strain of albino mice with regard to suitabilty for investigations of the role of the adrenal cortex in mammary gland growth : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1956) Munford, R E
    The experiments reported in this thesis were carried out in the hope that they might assist in the clarification of the role of the endocrine system in the regulation of mammary gland development. A large part of the work was concerned with the elucidation of the general effects of adrenal insufficiency in mice, and with the maintenance of adrenalectomised mice by the injection of cortisol acetate. It is hoped that the results obtained with these mice will be of some assistance in future studies of the endocrine control of the growth of the mammary glands in mice, where it is dersired to exclude any influence mediated by, or originating from the animal's own adrenal cortex. This study w_as prompted by Dr. D.S. Flux, to whom the author is indebted for guidance, encouragement, and patient instruction. The advice of Professor I.L. Campbell, in whose department the work was carried out, and the assistance of Mr D.J. Myers are gratefully acknowledged. The author also wishes to thank the staff of the College Library for their considerable efforts in obtaining a large number of .journals on loan from other institutions, and Mr. K.A. Rose for his work in connection with the reproduction of the illustrations. Thanks are also due to the following for gifts of material to Dr. D.S. Flux:­ Organon Ltd., England for oestrone (through the courtesy of Mr. G.B. Davis of The Dental and Medical Supply Co. Ltd.) A.M. Satterthwaite and Co. Ltd. for cortisol (through the courtesy of Mr. F.A. Hacking). [From Preface]
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    Systematics, bionomics and distribution of the plant bug Nysius huttoni White (Heteroptera : Lygaeidae) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1958) Eyles, Alan Charles
    Nysius huttoni White, endemic to new Zealand is a member of an almost cosmopolitan genus which shows remarkable adaption throughout the world. As it is the only Nysius species so far recorded from this country, some attention to it is surely due, if for no other reason. There are, however, other valid reasons which prompted this study, ands these are as follows. Relatively little work has been carried out on N. huttoni, there being only one study (by Gurr, 1957) specifically on this insect; the immature stages have not been described; no illustrations of any of the instars either nymphal or imaginal have been published, except for one photomicrograph by Blair and Morrison (1949) of a balsam-mounted image, but it is so distorted as to be unrecognisable; the systematics of the insect has not been fully studied, for Usinger (1945) states that two species may be represented; the number of broods per year is not known, but Myers (1926) states that there is probably more than one. An attempt has been made to elucidate the subject along these lines. Further, the insect occurs in large numbers and is easily caught, which two factors contribute much to the suitability of the insect for study material. Thus N. huttoni presents ample for a general study on the bionomics of an animal [From Introduction]
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    A study of milk production as it affects lamb growth in Romney and Cheviot crossbred sheep : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science of the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1952) Roberts, Euan Maurice
    Romney and Cheviot Threequarter bred 6 year old ewes, all with twin lambs, were found to produce similar quantities of milk in a 12 week lactation. The Cheviot halfbred ewes produced less milk than either the Romney or 3/4 Cheviot ewes but the disadvantage was not thought to be of an hereitary nature. Both Cheviot groups of ewes gave significantly richer milk than the Romney group. When mated to Southdown rams the ewes of the Romney and each Cheviot breed produced lambs which made similar liveweight gains.
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    Bloat in ruminants as a dysfunction of animal and pasture interaction : a consideration of the environmental and physiological factors associated with the condition, having particular reference to the grazing animal : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1951) Bathe, D. R.
    It is a simple and yet fundamental biological concept that one of the essential differences between plants and animals lies in their mode of nutrition. The plant is able to use soil nutrient and synthesize its nutritional requirements in the presence of light by the process of carbon assimilation. The animal ls entirely dependent on those synthesized plant products for its nutrition. In this very essential difference ruminants and herbage plants assume a commensal relationship, becoming increasingly interdependent as systems of pasture and animal production intensify. This relationship has become a well accepted principle in herbage agronomy as to appear almost a statement of the obvious. Nevertheless the writer submits that progress in this field during the past two decades has been concerned almost solely with the botanical aspects of plant production. The development of strains of plants for grazing conditions, with the additional benefits of an extended grazing season, and greater herbage bulk per acre, are achievements of the plant breeder which have been making an immeasurable contribution to animal production. In spite of the ultimate use of herbage plants however, studies of the interaction of animal and plant have lagged behind the advances made by the plant breeder. The animal has been used almost exclusively either as a measure of plant production in terms of liveweight increase, or as the controllable factor for the purpose of imposing particular environmental conditions upon individual plant species or communities. Bathe 1947 (1). [From Prologue]
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    A study of principles and methods of pasture improvement on New Zealand hill land, with particular reference to the effects of climate, biotic and anthropogenic influences upon the sward : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at the University of New Zealand, Massey Agricultural College
    (Massey University, 1951) Campbell, A.G.
    This dissertation deals with principles rather than with practices. When trying to enfold a vast subject within limited bounds no detailed analysis of practices can be made, for these vary from farm to farm, almost from paddock to paddook, as the aspect, climate, soil type and terrain change. However, practices are based on principles which have much wider application and a cognizance of which is fundamental to the institution of' any practice. The essential principles are those of raising fertility where necessary, of introducing species of grass and legume which can either utilise or enhance the increased fertility and themselves provide nutritious and palatable stock feed, and, finally, so to manage stock on these improved pastures that the improvement is consolidated and not dissipated. Practice, however, is not ignored, but is used rather to demonstrate some of the means by which the ideals underlying the principles may be achieved. Just as no attempt has been made to catalogue all possible practices so certain principles not strictly within the realm of plant husbandry have been omitted. The most important of these is the necessity for any farming operation to be carried out within a suitable economic context. Where the economic context is unfavourable, practices detrimental to the proper, conservative utilisation of land inevitably come into being, and the deterioration of hill swards thus brought about frequently culminates in erosion. When the economic state of the hill farming industry is favourable, however. deterioration and erosion are frequently the outcome of a failure to appreciate or put into practice the principles which are set out hereinafter. [From Introduction]
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    A study of the effects of plane of nutrition on milk secretion and lamb growth in Romney sheep, and the effect of weaning date on the growth of Romney lambs : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Agricultural Science of the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1952) Murray, Paul Frederick
    The productivity of an animal depends on two factors, its potentiality, which is governed by its hereditary make-up, and the extent to which that potentiality is allowed to develop, this being regulated by the environment that characterises the habitat. The effects of genotype are obviously shown by the differences between breeds of stock in the amount and quality of meat, wool and milk they produce; but within breeds these effects are not so apparent though they have been conclusively demonstrated, e.g. yield and quality between flocks of Romney sheep. Environmental influence on productivity is limited at the maximum level by the genotype, i.e. no matter how good the environment, the animal cannot produce more than the maximum ordained by the genes it possesses. Conversely, below the genotypic maximum, the environment can regulate the coiling level of production. This interplay of factors is well illustrated by the adaptability of different breeds of sheep to different habitats, e, g. the Romney is predominant in the North Island hill country while in the South the Merino and its crosses assume a greater importance. Within a population with approximately common genotype, e.g. a single flock of uniform breed, the effects of environment below the threshold set by the genotype can be widely varied, e.g. the growth of lambs in a drought can be severely set back. It is with the effects of a particular factor of environment, i.e. nutrition, on the milk production and lamb growth of such a population that this investigation is concerned.
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    A study of the growth form and behaviour of Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and of its dry matter production compared with perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne), both with and without fertilizers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey Agricultural College, University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1957) Basnyat, Netre Bahadur
    New Zealand is a land of pastures and the greatest reliance is placed on them by farmers for the maintenance of their live-stock, which is the main source of national income. She is favoured by an equable climate and well distributed rainfall, which tends to keep her predominantly a grassland country. Every farmer should accept the aim expressed by Swift (1) to make "Two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before". Hill country pasture development is of paramount importance in New Zealand and must be extended if we are to maintain the present standard of living of an increasing population. Calder (2) said that farm production must increase greatly in the next 20 years. "We will have three-million people for when we must provide not only food, but also additional overseas exchange to maintain the standard of living of increasing population." High pasture production can only be maintained if suitable species of grasses are grown according to the soil fertility gradient. It is not uncommon for the high producing pasture species to lose their producing power where fertility falls below a certain level or where practices inimical to their best growth are followed. [From Introduction]
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    A study of the early development of the root systems of various grass species, and, a study of the importance of various roots, particularly the seminal roots to Lolium perenne : thesis submitted in part fulfilment for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Plant Husbandry, University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1950) Yates, Milton Earle
    New Zealand is essentially a land of pasture. Greater reliance is placed on pastures for the sustenance of stock by the farmer in New Zealand than probably anywhere else in the World. The study of pastures is theretore of paramount importance to the national welfare of New Zealand and their improvement will be reflected in raised living standards and at the same will provide more food for the hungry world of today. There is no doubt that New Zealand is favoured by an equable climate and well distrtbuted rainfall which enables her to derive a considerable portion of her wealth trom grasslands. Nevertheless we have had to adopt farming methods to suit the environment so that the greatest benefits may be derived from the natural advantages with which New Zealand is endowed. New Zealand has proceeded a long way since the early days of her farming when little was known of the environmental requirements of individual species in order that they may produce to their maximum. It is unquestionable that much of the progress already made in grassland husbandry in this country is due to the wide range of trials conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Grasslands Division, D.S.and I.R., particularly over the last quarter of a century. Much has been learnt in the past and investigations being pursued at the present time will no doubt be reflected by improved methods of grassland husbandry with consequent increased pasture production in the future. [From Introduction]
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    A study of some fungal leafspot diseases of Dactylis glomerata in the Manawatu : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1957) Latch, G. C. M.
    New Zealand is unique in that the entire basis of her national economy is based upon livestock-pastoral farming. Of the fortythree million acres in occupation for agricultural and pastoral purposes, seventeen and a half million are of sown pasture and about thirteen and a half million of natural grasslands. The seventeen and a half million acres of sown pasture are down in imported grasses of which approximately one half has been surface sown and the remainder sown on cultivated land with high producing English grasses. These have been selected for such qualities as leaf area and density of leaves, form of the plant, resistance to drought and many other desirable agronomic properties. Regarding the disease factor, there has been no attempt in New Zealand at breeding for resistance to disease with the exception of Blind seed disease of Ryegrass caused by Gloeotinia temulenta (Prill. et Delacr.) Wilson, Noble et Gray. [From Introduction]
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    Soil nitrogen studies with particular reference to fruit-tree nutrition : being a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science (Hort.) of the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1952) May, E.B.
    The importance of nitrogen for the nutrition of fruit trees is well established and it is largely for this reason that much attention has been given by overseas workers to factors influencing the level of soil mineral nitrogen. Soil managment methods have been shown to exert a considerable infleunce on mineral nitrogen level of the soil, those methods which make nitrogen available most readily depleting the total supply in the soil most rapidly. In view of the importance attached by overseas workers to the influence of soil managment practices on the level of the soil mineral nitrogen, and as no previous study of this problem appeared to have made in New Zealand, the present investigation was undertaken. A study was made to compare the effects of clean-cultivation and sod-culture on both the mineral level and pH in a silt-loam orchard soil over a period of several months. This afforded an opportunity to investigate also the effect of seasonal factors on the periodic variations in mineral nitrogen under both systems of management. [From Introduction]