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Summary. Miller clay and Lufkin sandy loam soils were treated with fluorodifen (4‐nitrophenyl 2‐nitro‐4‐trifluoromethylphenyl ether) at 3–4 and 5 kg/ha. The disappearance was monitored using electron‐capture gas chromatography. Less than 10% of the herbicide remained 6 months after application. Persistence was increased by incorporation in the loam but not in the clay soil. Little leaching was detected in either soil. Fluorodifen was applied to both roots and leaves of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), grain sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea L.). The herbicide was absorbed by the treated tissue, but limited trans‐location into other plant parts was detected by gas chromatography, autoradiography and liquid scintillation spectrometry. Following root application, higher concentrations of fluorodifen were found in the lower stems of morning glory and grain sorghum than in other species. La persistance et la migration du fluorodifene dans divers sols et plantes Résumé. De I'argile de Miller et des sols sablo‐limoneux de Lufkin ont été traités avec du fluorodiféne (4‐nitrophényl 2‐nitro‐4‐trifluorométhylphényl éther) à 3, 4 et 5 kg/ha. La degradation a été suivie en utilisant la chromatographic en phase gazcuse avec détecteur à capture d'électrons. Aprés 6 mois d'application il ne fut détecté que moins de 10% de l'herbicide. La persistance fut accrue par l'incorporation dans le sol limoneux mais non dans le sol argileux; il ne fut mis en évidence qu'un faible lessivage dans les deux sols. Le fluorodifene fut appliquéà la fois sur les racines et sur les feuilles du soja (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), le sorgho à grains (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), l'arachide (Arachis hypogaea L.) et le volubilis (Ipomoea purpurea L.). L'herbicide fut absorbs par les tissus traites, mais il ne fut décelé qu'une migration limitée dans les autres parties de la plante, au moyen de la chromatographie en phase gazeuse, de l'autoradiographie, et de la spectrométrie à scintillation liquide. A la suite d'application par les racines, les concentrations de fluorodifene constatées dans les tiges basses du volubilis et dans le sorgho à grain furent supérieures à celles trouvées dans les autres espéces. Persistenz und Translokation von Fluorodifen in Böden und Pflanzen Zusammenfassung. Miller‐Ton und Lufkin‐Lehmboden wurden mit 3,5 und 5 kg/ha Fluorodifen (4‐NitrGphenyl 2‐nitro‐4‐trifluoromethyIphenylather) behandelt. Der Verlust der Aktivsubstanz wurde mit Hilfe der Elektroneneinfang‐Gaschromatographic bestimmt. Sechs Monate nach der Behandlung waren weniger als 10% der ursprünglich ausgebrachten Aktivsubstanz noch nachweisbar. Die Persistenz war im Lehmboden, nicht jedoch im Tonboden, durch Inkorporation erhöht; in keinem Boden war nennens‐werte Einwaschung zu beobachten. Fluorodifen wurde bei Sojabohnen (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), Körner‐Hirse (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), Erdnuss (Arachis hypogaea L.) und Ipomoea purpurea L. sowohl über das Blatt als auch über die Wurzel angewandt. Das Herbizid ...

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The Texas A&M University (TAMU) Beef Cattle Production model was expanded to include basic concepts of quantitative genetics. The traits simulated were birth weight, yearling weight, mature weight and milk production. The progeny inherited attributes from both the sire and the dam. The incorporation of genetic concepts into the model allowed for the introduction of variation between individuals and generations. This was achieved by interfacing the original model with stochastic genetic subroutines including a restricted selection index for desired genetic change. The index included birth weight and yearling weight. In addition, a function for estimating dystocia was also added. The model was used to simulate selection strategies for a small-to-moderate size breed of cattle and a large-size breed using a restricted selection index.There was an increase in both birth and yearling weight after 20 years of selection in the small-tomoderate size breed, and there was also an increase in dystocia. Antagonistic selection to decrease birth weight and increase yearling weight was simulated for the large breed. Birth weight and dystocia problems declined while yearling weight increased for all classes of animals. In both experiments correlated responses were recorded for mature size and milk production. It was concluded that the modified TAMU Beef Cattle Production model offers breeders an opportunity to compare different selection strategies and evaluate different breeding plans.

A model was developed for the economic evaluation of embryos for producing bull lines for use in commercial beef production. The fundamental concept underlying the model is that a cloned and sexed embryo of known genetic characteristics for beef traits is used to produce a bull. After reaching physiological maturity, the bull is used in natural matings. Equations relating feed energy requirements and growth rates based on NRC requirements and costs and returns discounted to present value allow investigation of expected economic merits of progeny from different embryo bull lines. The model has the flexibility to determine optimal embryo characteristics for different production environments. Model sensitivity to variation in progeny sex ratios, growth rates, yield and quality grades, and herd fertility characteristics was examined. Net present values (NPV) per embryo transferred were determined at the optimal marketing age of progeny produced from mating the bull to 30 cows per year for 5 yr. Relative to the lowest NPV of $18,209 for progeny with an expected quality grade of Select and yield grade of 4 at 400 d, increments in NPV ranged from $329 to $22,708 depending on differences in expected progeny carcass grade characteristics. The difference between NPV for 100% male and 40% male sex ratios was $7,518. The NPV differences between progeny growth rates of 1.6 and .9 kg/d holding herd conception rate constant at .9 and .5 were $8,311 and $4,611, respectively. The model evaluates relative economic values of embryo lines for producing bulls, accommodating interactions among progeny characteristics, and environments.