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Impact Of Fertility And Mowing On Crabgrass Quantity And Quality For Hay Production In Southeast Kansas, D. Helwig, M. Haywood, J. K. Farney, B. C. Pedreira, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A crabgrass variety trial comparing Quick-N-Big and MoJo crabgrasses was conducted during the summer of 2020 at the K-State Research and Extension experiment station near Columbus, Kansas. The trial evaluated quantity and quality of forage produced under different nitrogen fertility scenarios and mowing management techniques. MoJo produced more biomass than Quick-N-Big. Addition of nitrogen fertilizer increased biomass production and forage protein content. Mowing was also found to enhance forage quality.

Fallow Weed Control With Liberty And Enlist One Tank Mixtures And Application Timings, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study evaluated Liberty (glufosinate) and Enlist One (2,4-D choline) at three application timings and with various tank mix partners for weed control in fallow. Most herbicides tested controlled 94% or more of volunteer sorghum 17 days after the late postemergence treatments in the season. Conversely, Palmer amaranth and crabgrass control was less than 90% with most herbicides. However, control of these species was good when Tricor, or Zidua plus OpTill were applied preemergence followed by Liberty or Liberty and Enlist One late postemergence.

2020 Kansas State University Industrial Hemp Dual-Purpose And Fiber Trial, Jason Griffin, Kraig Roozeboom, Lucas Haag, Andrew Euler, Michael Shelton, Tami Myers, Matthew Nielsen, Jared Petz, Clint Wilson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Hemp is a broad term used to describe the many varieties ofCannabis sativaL. that produce less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The crop is globally significant, but only recently was allowed to be grown again in the United States. There are many uses for industrial hemp, which include oil, seed, and fiber, and the market for industrial hemp is rapidly growing as more states are legalizing its production. The market for industrial hemp is expected to grow from $5.33 billion in 2020 to 15.26 billion (15.8%) by 2027 as it gains more popularity (Grand View Research 2021, Valuates Reports …

Effect Of Tank-Mixing Glyphosate, Dicamba, And Graminicides On Grass Weed Control In Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybeans, R. Liu, I. Effertz, T. Lambert, A. Jhala, V. Kumar

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The adoption of Roundup Ready 2 Xtendsoybean allows growers to use dicamba (Xtendimax or Engenia) in mixtures with glyphosate (Roundup PowerMax) or graminicides (Select Max or Assure II) for broad spectrum weed control. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that Xtendimax may cause antagonism when applied with Select Max and/or Assure II herbicides. The main objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Roundup PowerMax, Select Max, and/or Assure II alone or in tank-mixtures with Xtendimax for grass weed control in Xtendsoybean. Field studies were conducted in 2020 at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center (KSU-ARC) near Hays, KS, …

Working With Less Water For Corn Production, A. Schlegel, F. Lamm, D. O'Brien

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research was conducted at Colby and Tribune, KS, from 2018–2020 to evaluate irrigation strategies, hybrid maturity, and seeding rate on corn production. Irrigation strategies were a combination of irrigation frequency/timing (weekly or bi-weekly) applied pre- and post-silking, and irrigation amounts (1 and 1.5 inch/week). Hybrid maturities were 108- and 111-day hybrids planted at 25,000 and 30,000 seeds/a. Average irrigation amounts ranged from 7.33 to 12.50 in. at Colby and 8.41 to 13.44 in. at Tribune. At Colby, average corn yields were not affected by irrigation strategies or seeding rate but were 8 bu/a greater with the 108-day hybrid. At Tribune, …

Irrigated Corn Response To Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization, A. Schlegel, D. Bond

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long-term research shows that phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer must be applied to optimize production of irrigated corn in western Kansas. In 2020, N applied alone increased yields by 85 bu/a, whereas P applied alone increased yields 10 bu/a. Nitrogen and P applied together increased yields up to 136 bu/a which is 11 bu/a less than the 10-year average of 147 bu/a. The application of 120 lb N/a (with highest P rate) produced 98% of maximum yield in 2020, which is greater than the 10-year average (2011–2020). The application of 80 instead of 40 lb P₂O_{5 …}

Weather Information For Tribune, 2020, D. Bond, J. Slattery

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Summary of 2020 weather for research conducted at the Tribune Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station field location.

Evaluation Of Long-Term Phosphorus Fertilizer Placement Effect On Soil Phosphorus And Crop Yield, M. J. Coelho, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Phosphorus (P) accumulation in soil with long-term P fertilizer placements can result in a potentially large available reserve of this nutrient for subsequent crop production. This study investigated the effect of phosphorus fertilizer management (placement: broadcast versus deep band) after ten years on soil P, and yield response of crop rotation. Field studies were conducted for a period of ten years in Manhattan, KS. Three treatments were evaluated: 1) control with no P fertilizer application and two fertilizer treatments (80 lb P₂O₅/a); 2) surface broadcast; and 3) deep band at approximately 4- to 6-in. depth. All …

Effects Of Late Summer Prescribed Fire On Botanical Composition, Soil Cover, And Forage Production In Caucasian Bluestem-Infested Rangeland In The Kansas Smoky Hills: Year 2 Of 4, M. P. Ramirez, A. J. Tajchman, Z. M. Duncan, J. Lemmon, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective was to document the effects late-summer prescribed fire on soil cover, botanical composition, and forage production in the Kansas Smoky Hills and the associated effects on dense Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii) stands therein.

Study Description:The study took place on a private ranch in Ellsworth County, in the Kansas Smoky Hills. Eighteen one-acre plots were assigned randomly to one of three prescribed-fire treatments: no burn, single burn (i.e., one burn treatment only in 2019), or biennial burn (i.e., two burn treatments in 2019 and 2021). Soil cover, plant composition, and forage production were evaluated annually. …

Yearling Cattle Grazing Pastures Burned During Summer Perform Similarly To Cattle Grazing Pastures Burned In Early Spring: Year 2 Of 6, Z. M. Duncan, A. J. Tajchman, M. P. Ramirez, J. Lemmon, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective was to evaluate the impact of prescribed fire timing on grazing performance of yearling beef cattle in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description:This study was conducted at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. Yearling stocker cattle were assigned randomly to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 7 ± 2.1 days), summer (August 21 ± 5.7 days), or fall (October 2 ± 9.9 days) and grazed from May to August of 2019 and 2020. Individual body weights were recorded at the beginning and end of the grazing season to determine total body weight gain and …

Using Cover Crops To Suppress Weeds And Improve Soil Health, J. A. Dille, L. I. Chism, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Herbicide-resistant weeds are creating challenges for producers to control weeds in crop fields. This study explores the potential of cover crops to reduce weed pressure and im­prove soil health. Cover crops were planted after corn harvest in tilled and no-till fields, and included Graza radish, winter wheat, annual ryegrass, spring oats, winter oats, and forage collards. The control was fallow with herbicide application but no cover crop. Soil health was determined prior to cover crop termination. Graza radish and forage collards did not grow consistently in all plots due to poor germination and winter kill. Significant weed biomass was produced …

2020 K-State Industrial Hemp Cbd Variety Trial, Jason Griffin, Clint Wilson, Tami Myers

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Hemp is a broad term used to describe the many varieties ofCannabis sativaL. that produce less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The crop is globally significant, but only recently was allowed to be grown once again in the United States. Varieties have been selected and are currently grown with a wide cannabinoid profile. Cannabinoids are of high interest for their putative medical and therapeutic role in humans and companion pets. Cannabidiol (CBD) and THC are the two cannabinoids of primary interest. THC is of interest because it determines whether the final product is considered hemp (0.3% THC). CBD is …

Wheat And Grain Sorghum In Four-Year Rotations, A. Schlegel, J. Holman, A. Burnett

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 1996, an effort began to quantify soil water storage, crop water use, and crop productivity on dryland systems in western Kansas. Research on 4-year crop rotations with wheat and grain sorghum was initiated at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS. Rotations were wheat-wheat-sorghum-fallow (WWSF), wheat-sorghum-sorghum-fallow (WSSF), and continuous wheat (WW). Soil water at wheat planting averaged about 9 in. following sorghum, which is about 3 in. more than the average for the second wheat crop in a WWSF rotation. Soil water at sorghum planting was only about 1.5 in. less for the second sorghum crop compared with sorghum …

Weed Control With Imazamox Rates And Timings In Herbicide-Tolerant Grain Sorghum, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this trial was to evaluate weed control and crop response using imazamox (KFD-365-02) in herbicide-resistant grain sorghum. Palmer amaranth control was 80% or less late in the season due to the herbicide-resistant weed biotype in the experiment. Both velvetleaf and shattercane control exceeded 90% with most herbicides late in the year. Using KFD-365-02 at the 9.0 oz/a rate applied preemergence alone or with atrazine or Moccasin II Plus controlled green foxtail and puncturevine the best. Most early postemergence treatments caused minor sorghum necrosis 6 days after treatments, but sorghum recovered fully within one week.

Foxtail Management In Smooth Brome Hay Meadows, S. R. Lancaster, S. R. Duncan

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Three different herbicides were applied at early bromegrass greenup and at post hay harvest to assess their effectiveness in controlling foxtail at two producer hay meadow sites in Pottawatomie (PT) and Dickinson (DK) counties. Pendimethalin applied early resulted in the greatest foxtail control, but control did not extend through the season to reduce late-summer infestations. Metsulfuron applied early resulted in approximately 30% visible brome injury. The injury was associated with 77 and 48% brome hay losses when compared to the untreated check, at the PT and DK sites, respectively. Injury from the early spring treatments was exacerbated by six freeze …

Effects Of Prescribed Fire Timing On Native Plant Composition, Forage Biomass Accumulation, And Root Carbohydrate Reserves In The Kansas Flint Hills: Year 2 Of 6, Z. M. Duncan, A. J. Tajchman, M. P. Ramirez, J. Lemmon, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective was to document the effects of prescribed fire timing on native plant composition, forage biomass, and root carbohydrate concentrations in key native tallgrass species in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description:This experiment was conducted at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. Eighteen pastures were grouped by watershed and assigned to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 7 ± 2.1 days), summer (August 21 ± 5.7 days), or fall (October 2 ± 9.9 days). Botanical composition, forage biomass, and root carbohydrate concentrations in big bluestem, little bluestem, Indian grass, and purple prairie clover were evaluated …

Corn Grain Weight: Dependence Upon Nitrogen Supply And Source-Sink Relations, J. A. Fernandez, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

From a yield component perspective, final grain yield in corn (Zea maysL.) is the result of the number of grains per unit area and their final grain weight. The understanding of grain weight parameters, the rate and duration of grain growth, is critical to improve our rational design of management practices and breeding strategies. In this study, we attempted to determine the effect on grain weight and grain-filling parameters of source-sink modifications (i.e. the amount of assimilates available per grain) during linear grain fill under contrasting levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization in two commercially available US corn hybrids. …

Efficacy Of Imiflex, Zest, And Assure Ii On Green Foxtail Control, V. Kumar, I. Effertz, T. Lambert, R. Liu, B. Bean

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Grass weeds pose a serious management challenge in grain sorghum. Recent development of three herbicide-tolerant grain sorghum technologies such as Inzen, Igrowth, and DoubleTeam will provide the opportunity for producers to use nicosulfuron (Zest), imazamox (Imiflex), and quizalofop-p-ethyl (FirstAct) for grass weed control, respectively. The main objectives of this research were to (1) determine the effectiveness of Imiflex applied preemergence (PRE) on green foxtail control in comparison to commonly used group 15 herbicides; (2) compare the efficacy of Zest, Imiflex, and Assure II applied early- or late-POST at two different rates; and (3) determine the tank-mix compatibility of Zest, Imiflex, …

Winter Wheat Response To Different Fungicide Management (Products And Timing Of Application) During The 2019-2020 Growing Season, G. Cruppe, B. R. Jaenisch, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Foliar fungicides can improve wheat grain yield in Kansas, but there is limited information on the efficacy of different products as well as the timing of application. We conducted a field study in five Kansas locations to evaluate the yield, test weight, and protein responses of WB-Grainfield to different commercial fungicides applied at different times during the growing season. The trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design to evaluate (1) a non-treated control; Topguard applied at 5 ounces per acre at (2) jointing, (3) heading, and (4) jointing plus heading; (5) Delaro applied at 6 oz/a at jointing; …

Large-Scale Dryland Cropping Systems, A. Schlegel, L. Haag, A. Burnett

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted from 2008–2020 at the Kansas State University Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS. The purpose of the study was to identify whether more intensive cropping systems can enhance and stabilize production in rainfed cropping systems to optimize economic crop production, more efficiently capture and utilize scarce precipitation, and maintain or enhance soil resources and environmental quality. The crop rotations evaluated were continuous grain sorghum (SS), wheat-fallow (WF), wheat-corn-fallow (WCF), wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF), wheat-corn-sorghum-fallow (WCSF), and wheat-sorghum-corn-fallow (WSCF). All rotations were grown using no-tillage (NT) practices except for WF, which was grown using reduced-tillage. The efficiency of precipitation …

Comparison Of Mehlich-3 And Ammonium Acetate Extractable Calcium And Magnesium In Kansas Soils, E. B. Rutter, D. A. Ruiz Diaz, L. Hargrave

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The use of the Mehlich-3 (M3) soil test procedure to assess the plant availability of numerous macro and micronutrients has become common at soil testing labs across the US. Mehlich-3 is used for soil tests for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in Kansas; however, data for other base cations for existing methods are scarce for Kansas soils. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between M3 and ammonium acetate (AA) extractable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). Regression analyses indicate a near 1:1 linear relationship between M3-Mg and AA-Mg across a wide range of soil pH and soil …

Corn Yield Response To Sulfur Applied With Nitrogen Fertilizer, T. E. Husa, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) with added sulfur (S) fertilizer on corn yield. The treatments included 1) a control with no sulfur and no nitrogen; 2) urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) (180 lb N/a; 0 lb S/a); and 3) UAN plus ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) (180 lb N/a; 15 lb S/a). Both the UAN and UAN+ATS were balanced to 180 lb N/a. These three treatments were evaluated at two locations in 2019 and three locations in 2020. Preliminary results show that yield trended upward with the application of nitrogen plus sulfur fertilization over N …

Biomass And Nutrient Accumulation By Dual-Purpose Hemp And Concurrent Soil Profile Water Depletion At Two Locations In Kansas In 2020, Kraig Roozeboom, Jason Griffin, Lucas Haag, Gerard Kluitenberg, Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, Michael Shelton, Tami Myers, Clint Wilson, Jared Petz, Matthew Nielsen, Andrew Euler

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Some crop producers are considering hemp as an alternative to the typical crops grown in the region. Hemp is viewed as a crop to potentially access new markets. Two of those potential markets are hemp grain and fiber. Little information is available for this region about production management for hemp intended for those markets. Experiments were planted in 2020 at Manhattan, Haysville, and Colby, KS, to characterize plant growth, nutrient uptake, and soil water depletion. Results illustrated typical biomass and nutrient uptake patterns. Half of the total biomass was accumulated by 2,200 growing degree days (GDD), but accumulation continued until …

Macronutrient Fertility On An Irrigated Corn/Soybean In Rotation, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization on a corn/soybean cropping sequence were evaluated from 2013 to 2020 (corn planted in odd years) from a study initiated in 1983. Corn yield was near optimum at 160 lb/a N. Phosphorus and K fertilization alone increased corn yield 31 and 7 bu/a, respectively; and soybean yields 22 and 1.7 bu/a, respectively. As N fertilization increased, the response to P increased corn yield from 13 to 40 bu/a. The best return on fertilizer investment was when the N and P needs were met for both crops.

Corn Tiller Yield Contributions And Ear Development In Low Plant Densities, R. Veenstra, C. D. Messina, D. Berning, S. Wallace, M. Legleiter, L. Haag, P. V. Prasad, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research in modern corn (Zea maysL.) hybrids investigating tiller contributions and ear development at low plant densities is scarce, particularly in water-limited environments. To fill this research gap, a second season of replicated experiments was conducted in 2020 at 7 sites across Kansas (Keats, Buhler, Greensburg, Garden City, Goodland, and two sites in Colby) evaluating two common, tiller-prone corn hybrids (P0805AM and P0657AM) at three target plant density levels (10000, 17000, and 24000 plants/a). Five of the listed sites also considered a tillering factor (tiller removal at development stage V10 [tenth-leaf] or tiller maintenance). Seasonal phenology, partitioned grain …

Does Grazing Cover Crops Impact Soil Properties?, A. K. Obour, L. M. Simon, J. D. Holman, S. K. Johnson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Grazing of cover crops (CCs) by cattle could provide supplemental forage and additional revenue to offset grain yield losses when CCs are grown in semiarid rainfed cropping systems. However, grazing CCs could reduce the amount of residue retained on the soil surface and subsequently affect soil physical and chemical properties. This study evaluated effects of grazing CCs on soil bulk density, aggregate stability, and chemical properties using soil samples collected from three producer fields in west central Kansas that had paired grazed and non-grazed CC treatments, as well as adjacent native perennial pastures. Across sites, CC residue after grazing averaged …

Yield Response To Nitrogen Management In A Corn-Soybean Sequence In North Central Kansas, A. A. Correndo, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield to nitrogen (N) fertilizer application and its residual effect on soybean (Glycine max(L.) Merr.) seed yield. During the 2020 growing season, a corn-soybean rotation study was continued at Scandia, KS (USA), evaluating five N fertilizer rates in corn under both dryland and irrigated conditions. Average corn grain yields ranged from 110 to 206 bu/a for dryland, and from 198 to 221 bu/a for irrigated conditions. Under dryland, maximum corn yields were achieved with an apparent soil N supply level …

Co-Inoculation And Sulfur Fertilization In Soybeans, L. H. Moro Rosso, A. F. De Borja Reis, S. L. Naeve, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] rely on large nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen (N), to produce seeds with high nutritional value. Biological N fixation (BNF) supplies most of the plant N demand and enhancement of this process might improve cropping systems’ sustainability. Although seed inoculation withBradyrhizobiumspp. for soybean crop is a well-known management practice, co-inoculation with the freeliving N-fixerAzospirillum brasilensehas not been deeply investigated in the US, to our knowledge. Thus, this research explores the effect of co-inoculation withA. brasilenseon soybean yield and seed nutritional quality (protein, oil, essential and sulfur (S) amino acids …

Tillage Study For Corn And Soybeans: Comparing Vertical, Deep, And No-Tillage, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Trends from a tillage study conducted since 2011 have shown no clear differences between tillage systems for either corn or soybeans in lighter soils under irrigation. One year out of eight years has shown a yield advantage for either corn or soybeans for any tillage system, which appears to be related to environmental conditions experienced during the season. Averaged across all years of the study, the treatments with deep tillage either every or every-other year had about 3.5% higher corn yields, and soybeans had up to a 2.9% yield increase with some form of tillage.

Forage Accumulation Of Spring And Summer Cover Crops In Western Kansas, L. M. Simon, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, S. K. Johnson, K. L. Roozeboom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Intensification of no-till dryland cropping systems in western Kansas with cover crops (CCs) may provide important ecosystem services while also supplying annual forage for livestock. Two experiments were initiated in 2015 and 2016 near Brownell, KS, to determine the forage production potential of spring and summer CCs in a winter wheat-grain sorghum-fallow crop rotation. Cover crops were mechanically harvested as hayed forage to a height of 6 inches or mob-grazed with yearling heifers (weighing approximately 1000 lb each) stocked at 3 head/acre/day. Forage accumulation was determined for the hayed treatment using a small plot forage harvester, and samples of the …