Pertanika Vol. 7 No. 1 April 1984
PERT-0219-1984
A Preliminary Survey of Farm Structures in Malaysia
Abang Abdullah Abang Ali and Syed Mansur Syed Junid
Keywords
Farm structures; dimensional coordinations, planning and design standard.
Summary
A preliminary survey o f farm structures in Malaysia is presented to id entify the state of art in the
planning, design, construction and management of farm structures in this country. A need for
greater dimensional coordination for farm structures is apparent. Efforts to produce a national
code of practice or planning a n d design standard for farm structures is recommended.
PERT-0220-1984
Effects of Prolonged Post-absorptive State on Body Weight and Body Fat
Mohamad Nordin Bin Abdul Karim
Keywords
Post-absorptive state; body weight; body fat; energy intake; protein intake; energy expenditure.
Summary
The effects o f prolonged post-absorptive state on to d y weight and b o d y fat were observed on
20 volunteers who abstained from food and water for 12 hours. Parameters studied were found to
decrease at the en d o f the experimental period (28 days). Differences were observed between
males an d females. The decrease in b o d y weight was significant (p < 0.01) both males and
females. Changes observed in body fat were only significant (p < 0.05) for males. Energy and
prote in intakes o f the volunteers were found to be sufficient, suggesting that changes had
occured in the b o d y metabolism.
PERT-0221-1970
The Reproductive Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.)
Lim Eng Siong and Wan Norziah W Othman
Keywords
Reproductive efficiency; maize.
Summary
The Metro variety of maize was studied for its reproductive efficiency. The basic fertility o f the
crop was found to be adequate for yield s u p to 5000 kg per hectare. However, in the s tu d y it
was shown that less than 50 percent of this potential was achieved un d er normal cropping
conditions. The main reason fo r the low reproductive efficiency was the lack o f syn chronisation
between tasselling and silking periods. As a consequence, late earshoots did n o t receive an
adequate supply of pollen. A kernel y ie ld o f 2,300 kg. per hectare was produced by cobs from
early earshoots. Earshoot silking during the fir s t 2 weeks o f tasselling acco u n ted fo r 88 p
ercen t o f the y ie ld obtained. Although the female flowrs were receptive from the fir s t day o f
silking, pollen viability was low with only 46 perecent germination on the fir s t day and decreasing
rapidly on the follow in g days. The planting o f pollen donors and selection o f plants with
simultaneous tasselling and silking periods can improve yield through increased e ffic ien c y in
pollination.
PERT-0222-1984
Population and Activity of Hydrocarbon-degrading Microorganisms in the Coastal Waters of
Peninsular Malaysia
A.T. Law
Keywords
Hydrocarbon-degrading Microorganisms; Coastal Waters; Malaysia.
Summary
The m o s t probable n umber (MPN) o f hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms found in the
coastal waters a t Port Kelang, Port Dickson, Kuala Selangor, Malacca and Kuala Trengganu
were 451, 513, 1163, 1388 and 14 8 c e lls/100 m l respectively. The results indicated that the
population of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms in the Straits o f Malacca were 3 - 1 0 limes
higher than that found in Kuala Trengganu (South China Sea). A significant level o f the
hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms was also detected in the sediment of the Kelang estuary.
These microorganisms were active in oil degrading and may play an important role in degrading
oily substances bro u g h t down from Kelang River. The studies o f the biodegradation of crude
oil and selected paraffin hydrocarbons in the above coastal waters indicate that the hydrocarbondegrading microorganisms present in Malaysian coastal waters have high a bility in utilizing
hydrocarbons.
PERT-0223-1984
The Use of 13C and 'H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Chemical Shift Cross Correlation in the
Determination of the Structure of a Pyrroline
Mohd. Aspollah Sukari and John M. Vernon
Keywords
Nuclear magnetic resonance; spin decoupling; lead tetra-acetate.
Summary
A spin-decoupling tech n iq u e was used in the nuclear magnetic resonance study to confirm the
structure o f a pyrroline obtained from lead tetra-acetate oxidation of dimethyl anilinofumarate.
PERT-0224-1984
Selected Aquatic Vascular Plants as Biological Indicators for Heavy Metal Pollution
Low Kun She, Lee Chnoong Kheng and Tan Swee Hain
Keywords
Aquatic plants; Ottelia alismodes; Fimbristylis pauciflora; B ly xa malayana; Fimbristylis,
acuminate, Hydrostemma motley, Hydrilla veirticillate, heavy metal.uptake pollution, indicator
Summary
Concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium, lead, nickel, iron and chromium in fiv e submerged
plants are presented. Metal en richmen t was found to be dependent on the p la n t species and
metal type. The uptake of copper, zinc, cadmium, chromium and nicke l from n u tr ien t solutions
enriched with these metals using Ottelia alismoides Pers., Fimbristylis pauciflora FT. Br. and
Blyxa malayana Ridley was studied. All plants demonstrated the ability to remove copper, zin c
and cadmium more rapidly than chromium and nickel. Metal accumulation was a direct function of
the exposure level and varied with the plant species. The possible use of Ottelia alismodes and
Fimbristylis pauciflora as biological indicators o f water pollution is also discussed.
PERT-0225-1984
The Uptake Mechanism of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose by the Rhizomes of Imperata Cylindrica
Salleh Harun and Mohd. Aris Abu Yamin
Keywords
Uptake Mechanisms; Rhizome; /. Cylindrica; -2-Deoxy-D-Glucose; Active Transport.
Summary
The intake o f 2-deoxy-D-glucose by the rhizomes o f lalang (I. cylindrical was carried out in two
states; the normal state and the de-energized state. The samples in the normal state were
prepared by cutting the rhizome o f the naturally grown lalang into small pieces. The de-energized
samples were prepared by incubating the samples in the normal state in solutions o f metabolic
inhibitors (2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and sodium azide (NaN3). The results showed that the normal
state possessed a very highly active and efficient transport mechanism which can accumulate the
intracellular glucose concentration up to 10 x 103 times that o f the concentration outside. The
maximum velocity constant was fo u n d to be 7.66 ± 0.20 mmoles per gram fresh weight per
minute and the half-saturation constant to be 3.33 ± 0 .1 7 mM. When the specimen was deenergized by DNP, those parameters changed to 1.13 ± 0.03 mmoles per gram fresh weight per
minute and 0.88 ± 0.07 mM respectively; when de-energized by NaN3, the values changed to
1.05 ± 0.06 mmoles per gram fresh weight per minute and 2.02 ± 0.03 mM respectively. The role
o f chemical inhibitors in the energy coupling mechanism is also discussed..
PERT-0226-1984
Effect of Malathion on Sepat Siam and Tilapia
A.K.M. Mohsin, Ong Siew Lui and Mohd. Azmi Ambak.
Keywords
LC50 value; malathion; Tilapia; Sepat Siam; Malaysia..
Summary
A study was undertaken to compare the tolerance lesel o f Sepat Siam and Tilapia to malathion.
Fish reaction and behaviour when exposed to malathion was noted and discussed. The 96-hr
LCS0 values fo r Tilapia and Sepat Siam were 0.29 ppm and 0.98 ppm respectively. Reasons fo r
high tolerance exhibited by Sepat Siam are given and discussed.
PERT-0227-1984
The Effect of Annual Weed Density and Nitrogen Fertilization on the Yield of Maize (.Zea mays
var. Bakti-I)
Sayed Mohamed Zain S. Hasan and Mohd Sadni Miro
Keywords
Weed Density; Nitrogen Fertilization; Zea mays var. Bakti-I; competition.
Summary
A field experiment was conducted to study the effects o f different weed density and nitrogen
fertilization on yield o f maize /'Zea mays var. Bakti-I), using a 3 x 4 factorial experiment in a
randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. A high weed density (338, 980
plants per ha) suppressed maize growth. On an average, the number, length and weight o f cobs,
and the height o f maize were significantly reduced by weed competition, when 200 g weed seeds
(169,490 weeds) per ha was used. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased the number, length
and weight o f cobs, grain dry weight and height o f the maize crop, and dry weight o f weeds.
It is suggested that nitrogen fertilization at about 112 kg N/ha with adequate control o f weed
density would give the highest satisfactory yield o f maize.
PERT-0228-1984
Efficiencies of Maximum Likelihood Estimators for the Normal Model Under Certain
Heteroscedasticity
Mohd. Nawi Abd-Rahman and Thomas M. Gerig
Keywords
Mean-dependent variance: method of scoring; Monte Carlo study; asymptotic variance.
Summary
As an alternative to the classical assumption o f homogeneous variance model, a normal model
whose group error variance is proportional to some unknown power o f the mean has been
proposed. When the power takes the value zero it becomes the homogeneous variance model.
For the value two, it fits the homogeneous coefficient o f variation model. A maximum likelihood
method of solutions is developed. In implementing the method o f scoring, a proper scaling is
sought for large simulated ranges o f parameter values. Under some regularity conditions, the
solutions are shown to be unique and consistent. In general, the estimates o f the asymptotic
variances are smaller than those under the homogeneous variance assumption. The behaviour o
f the estimates as the model departs from (a) the homogeneous variance model and (b) the
homogeneous coefficient o f variation model are thoroughly studied. An example is shown as an
illustration o f the method.
PERT-0229-1984
The Effects of Weathering on Mungbean ( Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek) Seed Quality
Mohammad Bin Mohd. Lassim, Chin Hoong Fong and Wan Darman Abdullah
Keywords
Weathering; Mungbean; Seed quality.
Summary
U-Thong mungbean seeds were first harvested when they attained field maturity, 58 days after
planting. Three subsequent harvests were made at weekly intervals. It was found that weathering
reduced seed yield and quality. Yield losses were manifested by reductions in szed weight and
threshing percentage. Overripe pods became detached from the plants. Quality losses included
decline in seed germ inability and vigour. Seed dry weights for the first, second, third and fourth
harvests were 54, 53, 49 and 40 mg/seed, and germinability was 98%>, 94%, 85% and 79%,
respectively. Seedling emergence declined from 93% to 89%> to 82% to 70%. Shoot dry weight
showed a significant decline with each harvest interval but root dry weight showed no significant
difference. Seeds o f later harvest showed a higher degree o f infection by seed borne fungi,
especially, Fusarium spp. Infection by Aspergillus spp. and Curvularia spp. were also observed.
The severity o f infection increased after the onset o f the rainy season.
PERT-0230-1984
A Survey of Mange Mite Infestation in Goats from Serdang, Malaysia A Survey of Mange Mite
Infestation in Goats from Serdang, Malaysia
A.R. Sheikh-Omar. M. Zamri and C.C. Lee
Keywords
Mange; mite; goats; Malaysia; survey;.
Summary
Forty goats submitted for necropsy to Universiti Pertanian Malaysia were studied for lesions
caused by mange mites and for the presence of mites. Twenty-eight goats had lesions, 24 (83%)
in the adults showing both generalised and focal distribution and 4 (36%) in the kids, all focally
distributed. Half of the focally distributed lesions were mild while the majority (83%) of the
generalised lesions was severe. Four different species, Sarcoptes scabiei, Ch o rio p tes bovis,
Psoroptes sp. and Demodex caprae, were isolated from 18 goats. Three goats had mixed
infestation.
PERT-0231-1984
Platynosomum Fastosum Infestation in a Cat: A Case Report
M. Zamri Saad, U. Chulan, W.T. Wong
Keywords
Platynosomiasis; Cat.
SUMMARY
Platynosomum fastosum infestation in a cat with clinical manifestation is described. The cat
showed anorexia, laboured breathing and generalised oedema. The most prominent autopsy
findings were hydroperitoneum, hydrothorax and an enlarged, firm and distorted liver.
Histologically, there were hyperplasia of bile duct mucosa and fibrosis o f bile ductular wall with
fluk es in the lumen. The cat died o f respiratory embarrassment resulting from hydro thorax
probably as a complication o f the liver condition.
PERT-0232-1984
COMMUNICATION I
A Preliminary Serological and Bacteriological Survey of Leptospirosis in Pigs in Selangor
SUMMARY
Three hundred and four serum samples and 50 kidneys were sampled from pigs at the Shah
Alam Abattoir, Malaysia fo r evidence o f leptospiral infection. The serum samples were tested
against 8 leptospiral serovars and the overall prevalence o f agglutinating antibodies was 26.6%
as disclosed by the leptospiral microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Serological examination
showed that 9.2% o f the pigs had titres (>1:30) to icterohaemorrhagiae, 5.3% to p omo n a and
4.3 to tarassovi. Nine o f the 81 positive sera had titres to 2 or more antigens. Leptospires were
seen in two o f the kidney cultures but the organisms could not be isolated due to excessive
bacterial contamination. The significance of these findings in relation to the epidemiology o f
leptospiral infection in pigs is discussed.
PERT-0233-1984
COMMUNICATION II
Fecundity of ‘Ikan Sebarau’, Hampala Macrolepidota (Van Hasselt) and its Relationship to Fish
Length
SUMMARY
The fecundity of 'ikan sebarau’ Hampala mac ro lep id o ta (Van Hasselt), a local carp, ranged
from 7,132 to 62,031 eggs fo r fish measuring from 205 mm to 375 mm in total length. The
relationship between fecundity (F) and total length (L) was found to be F = 0.0159L with a
coefficient correlation o f 0. 760.
PERT-0234-1984
COMMUNICATION III
Fitting Production Functions to Perennial Tree Crops
SUMMARY
“Number of trees” is usually used as the proxy variable for capital in fitting production functions to
perennial tree crops. This is theoretically incorrect. This note suggests a simple solution to this
stock-to flow problem.