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Crop Production And Soil Properties Impacts Of Integrating Annual Forages And Ruminant Livestock Into Wheat-Based Cropping Systems, Zachariah C. Carson, Augustine K. Obour, John D. Holman, Kraig L. Roozeboom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Integrating annual forages and ruminant livestock to intensify dryland cropping systems can increase profitability, increase water use efficiency, and improve soil health. The objective of this study was to determine the crop yield and soil property impacts of intensifying traditional no-till winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench)-fallow (WW-GS-F) with annual forages as well as integrating livestock to graze forages and crop residues. This study was initiated in 2021 at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center-Hays in Hays, KS. Treatments were WW-GS-F (control), WW-GS-F with grain sorghum residues grazed, winter wheat/forage sorghum-forage sorghum-fallow (WW/FS-FS-F) with …

Zalo Tank Mixtures For Early Postemergence Herbicide Efficacy In Corn, Patrick W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study investigated Zalo herbicide with tank mix partners for season-long weed control in corn. All herbicide evaluated provided greater than 90% weed control early in the season, and Russian-thistle and buffalobur control remained high throughout the year. The best late-season puncturevine control was provided by Zalo plus Hornet; however, this treatment along with Liberty alone provided the least green foxtail control. Late season Palmer amaranth control declined to less than 90% with all treat­ments. Kochia control declined to less than 90% with Liberty, Zalo alone, Zalo plus S-metolachlor, and Zalo plus S-metolachlor and Hornet.

Surtain Herbicide Evaluation In Corn, Patrick W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study investigated the use of Surtain herbicide compared to commercial standards for efficacy in corn. All herbicides evaluated provided good control of kochia, Russian thistle, and green foxtail. Surtain and Trivolt each controlled common sunflower and Johnsongrass 90% or more, whereas only Surtain controlled Palmer amaranth more than 80% throughout the season. Relative to the untreated control, grain yields were greatest when Surtain was applied preemergence at the higher rate, as an early postemer­gence treatment, or when it was followed by a postemergence treatment.

Dual Purpose Corn Hybrids (Grain-Silage) Performance Assessment In Northeastern Kansas. I. Grain Yield, Felicitas Vignati, Lucas Lingua, W. E. Brown, Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Dual-purpose corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids are capturing the attention of farmers due to their versatility, as their final use can be decided for either grain or silage. This study compared eight dual-purpose corn commercial hybrids. During the 2023 growing season, a dryland field experiment was conducted in Manhattan, KS (US). We analyzed grain yield differences and the numerical and physiological yield components between hybrids. Furthermore, we assessed the hybrids’ grain dry-down rates, which are crucial to optimize harvest time and minimize post-harvest losses. Grain yield ranged from 141.5 to 182 bu/a, and the grain number explained more of …

Dual Purpose Corn Hybrids’ (Grain-Silage) Performance Assessment In Northeastern Kansas. Ii. Quality, Felicitas Vignati, Lucas Lingua, W. E. Brown, Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Dual-purpose corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids are capturing the attention of farmers due to their versatility, as their final use can be chosen as either grain or silage. This versa­tility emphasizes the importance of understanding the yield and quality performance of these hybrids. This study compared eight dual-purpose corn commercial hybrids’ quality performance. During the 2023 growing season, a dryland field experiment was conducted in Manhattan, Kansas. We analyzed quality at two crop growth stages: before and after the silage process. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) increased after ensiling, mainly due to starch digestibility of ~85 to ~95%. The 6152D1 …

Kansas River Valley Experiment Field: Field Station Weather Reports: 2023 Growing Season, Eric Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report includes the annual summary of precipitation and temperatures from 2023 at the research locations represented in the 2024 Field Research Report and further details about the east central Kansas locations.

East Central Kansas Experiment Field: Field Station Weather Reports: 2023 Growing Season, Eric Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report includes the annual summary of precipitation and temperatures from 2023 at the research locations represented in the 2024 Field Research Report and further details about the east central Kansas location.

Long-Term Effects Of April, August, Or October Prescribed Fire On Yearling Stocker Cattle Performance And Native Rangeland Plant Composition In The Kansas Flint Hills, Zachary M. Duncan, Alan J. Tajchman, Jack Lemmon, William R. Hollenbeck, Dale A. Blasi, K. C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of our experiment was to determine if prescribed fire applied in April, August, or October influenced stocker growth performance or plant community characteristics in the Kansas Flint Hills over a 6-year period.

Study Description:A total of 1,939 yearling stocker cattle were assigned to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 11 ± 5.7 days), summer (August 25 ± 6.2 days or fall (October 2 ± 9.0 days) over a 5-year period. Calves were grazed from May to August for 90 days. Individual body weights were recorded at the start and end of the grazing season. Native …

Reducing Tick Populations Through Prescribed Burning, Andrea Salazar, Herman Griese, Victoria Pickens, Cassandra Olds

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Explore the effect of prescribed fire on tick population dynamics in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description:Ticks were collected from spring (April), summer (August), or fall (September) burned pastures as well as control, unburned areas. Burning had been carried out for four consecutive years prior to this study. Tick populations were sampled every other week from March to August using material dragging and dry ice bait sampling methods. Tick species, sex, and life stage were identified morphologically and the total numbers for each burn treatment were calculated.

The Bottom Line:Consecutive burning of grazing pasture could be considered …

The Effects Of Seasonal Prescribed Burning On Flint Hills Dung Beetle (Scarabaeinae) Populations, Herman Griese, Andrea Salazar, Victoria Pickens, Cassandra Olds

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:This study aimed to determine if the season of prescribed burning impacted dung beetle communities on pastures grazed by cattle in the Flint Hills.

Study Description:Dung beetle populations at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker unit were sampled biweekly for three months over the summer grazing period to determine if beetle populations varied between spring, summer, or fall burned pastures.

Results:At least eight species of dung beetles were identified with a total of 8,646 dung beetles collected. Dung beetle populations were not different (P>0.05) between spring, summer, and fall burned pastures although peak beetle populations …

Evaluation Of Grazing Options During Summer For Growing Heifers – Year 3, Jaymelynn K. Farney, Kloey Rash, Noelle Collins, Emily Black, Hailey Gillespie

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Developing methods to provide high quality forage through most of the year is important for cattle operations. The purpose of this study was to determine forage management options to offset the summer “slump” with fescue. Three grass pasture treatments (8 pastures total; 4 acres each) were used in a completely randomized design and stocked with growing heifers (n = 32; initial weight 559 ± 20 lb). Pasture treatments consisted of crabgrass (CRAB), bermudagrass (BERM), and sorghum-sudan interseeded into novel fescue (SS-FES). Novel fescue is fescue variety that has endophyte organism but does not produce toxin. Heifers were weighed and grazed …

Corn And Soybean Production – 2023 Summary, Gretchen F. Sassenrath, Jane Lingenfelser, Xiaomao Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soybean and corn varieties were tested in replicated field trials at the Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons through the Kansas State University variety testing program. In total, 21 corn varieties and full-, mid-, and short-season maturity checks were tested. Fifteen full-season and nine double-cropped soybean varieties were tested, with three maturity checks ranging in maturity from 3.1 to 5.2. Fourteen sunflower varieties were also tested. The 2023 summer crop growing season was nearly average for both temperature and rainfall. Yields from the variety tests were slightly lower than the 13-year average.

Hard Red And Soft Red Winter Wheat Variety Testing - 2023, Gretchen F. Sassenrath, Jane Lingenfelser, Xiaomao Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a summary of the winter wheat production conditions in Kansas, with particular emphasis on the variety trial results from southeast Kansas in 2023. After the dry conditions of 2022, adequate rain for wheat establishment and growth in the fall in southeast Kansas was received, although drought conditions were observed in central and western Kansas. The growing season had slightly below average rainfall, with adequate soil moisture in the fall for good stand establishment. Overall yields of hard and soft red wheat varieties were above multi-year averages, but slightly below the yields from 2022. As in previous years, soft …

Role Of Soil Management In Control Of Soil-Borne Diseases, Gretchen F. Sassenrath, Christopher R. Little, Xiaomao Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soil-borne diseases are a significant cause of crop yield reduction. Alternative soilmanagement methods can enhance the soil’s natural disease-controlling organisms. This study explores the effect of alternative production methods on a primary soybean disease, charcoal rot, caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. Treatments that could potentially enhance or reduce the disease pressure were implemented, and soil tests were conducted for nutrients, soil properties, and disease presence. Manure increased the nutrient levels in the soil, as expected, but did not influence disease control. Solarization increased the temperature within the plots and increased the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) of M. …

Southeast Kansas Climate Summary For 2023, Matthew Sittel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Temperature and rainfall are important factors influencing agricultural performance. This report summarizes weather conditions in southeast Kansas. Comparisons to long-term records are used to indicate deviations from historical averages. Overall, in 2023 the southeast region had below average precipitation and above normal temperatures.

Variety Trial And Fertility Of Fescue Cultivars In Southeast Kansas, Dale Helwig, Bruno Pedreira, Junior Yasuoka

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In fall 2021, five varieties of fescue were planted at the K-State Research station outside of Columbus, Kansas. The varieties included two endophyte free (E-) varieties, two novel endophyte (NE) varieties, and one endophyte (E+) variety. The varieties were Atlas (E-), Cajun (E-), Bar Optima (NE), Estancia (NE), and K-31 (E+). Three rates of nitrogen were applied in the spring to each variety; 0, 50, and 100 units and each treatment was replicated three times. Due to the drought, measurements were not taken in 2022 but samples were obtained in 2023. The only stress the plots received was lack of …

Southeast Research And Extension Center Agricultural Research 2024

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The 2024 Southeast Research and Extension Center Agricultural Research report includes research conducted in the areas of beef cattle management, cropping systems, and forage crops.

Wheat Variety Test Results For South Central Kansas – 2023, Jeff Seiler, Randy Hein, Ryan Flaming, Romulo Lollato, Bruno Pedreira

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sedgwick and Sumner County are two of the highest producing wheat counties in Kansas. This report summarizes the results of winter wheat variety tests for 2022- 2023 in four locations. The year 2023 was the second consecutive growing season with drought in Kansas that caused significant impacts on the wheat crop. Precipitation from sowing to harvest was minimal. A number of wheat acres in the state were termi­nated before harvest because of their poor potential. Yields in the four trial locations were below average.

Nitrogen Sensing Across Different Corn Growth Stages Using Soil Plant Analysis Development Meter, Lucas H. Suguiura, Leonardo L. Bosche, Luiz Felipe A. Almeida, Ignacio A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) meter is a sensor widely utilized as an indirect method to monitor nitrogen (N) status in various crops. However, the sensor’s accuracy can be affected by environmental and crop-specific factors. This study aimed to investigate the utility of employing the SPAD to monitor N in corn leaves at different growth stages, using the Nitrogen Sufficiency Index (NSI). For this reason, a trial was conducted in Topeka, KS (US), during the 2023 growing season featuring twelve treatments with varied N levels, rates, and fertilization timings. The study analyzed the relationship between 1) SPAD meter readings …

Evaluating Corn Yield Response To Nitrogen According To Soil Parameters In Midwest American Farmland, Joaquin Enrria, Carlos Hernández, Francisco Palmero, Ana Julia Paula Carcedo, Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nitrogen (N) availability is one of the most common factors limiting corn yields. Corn N requirements are determined mainly by seasonal conditions and soil characteristics. An inaccurate N fertilization program could compromise the economic and environ­mental sustainability of the activity. The aim of this study was to determine the influ­ence of soil characteristics (clay, sand, water content, pH water, and organic matter) on corn’s yield response to N fertilization in the midwestern USA. A published data set was analyzed, containing 49 experiments (year-site combinations) related to corn N fertilization and soil characteristics in eight midwestern American states. The soil vari­ables …

Effect Of Early Planting On Soybean Yield: 2023 Growing Season, Eric Adee, Scott Dooley, Mehraj Dar, Vaishali Sharda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In an effort to increase soybean yield potential, early planting dates have been promoted as a management practice that can increase yield of soybeans. Early planting of soybeans can be a relative term, meaning late April/early May for some soybean producers in Kansas, but this study’s definition of early planted soybeans is late March/early April. Theoretically, the earlier planting date could allow for more vegetative growth and interception of more light before blooming, increasing the yield potential. With the improvement of soybean seed treatments to protect seed when emergence is slowed due to cool and wet conditions, the early planting …

Assessing Planting Date Effect On Soybean Yield And Dry Down For Different Maturity Groups And Planting Dates In Eastern Kansas, Tainá H. Da Silva, Venicius E. Pretto, Gabriel Da R. Hintz, Eric Adee, Ignacio A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The United States (US) ranks as the second-largest global soybean producer. Especially in Kansas, soybean relevance relates to the double-cropped soybean after winter wheat. While this cropping system allows efficient land use, late planting dates may reduce soybean yields. For this reason, understanding the impact of planting dates on yield is crucial for Kansans farming. Our goals were to: 1) explore the interaction between planting date and soybean maturity group (MG); and 2) characterize the soybean seed filling and dry down processes in Kansas. An experiment was carried out in Topeka, under irrigation during the 2023 growing season. Five genotypes …

Nitrogen And Sulfur Fertilization’S Effect On Soybean Quality And Yield In Kansas, Yuri A. B. Gross, Luiz Felipe A. Almeida, Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study evaluates the effects of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilization on soybean yield and quality. Over three years (2021-2023), nine site-year studies in Kansas tested five fertilization strategies, including Check (no fertilization), S (30.3 lbs S ac^-1), N (26.8 lbs N ac^-1), NS (26.8 lbs N ac^-1 + 30.3 lbs S ac^-1), and Full (30.3 lbs S ac^-1 + 299.8 lbs N ac^-1). Seed yield was recorded, and the seeds were analyzed for protein content. Weather data was summarized into four growth periods. There were no yield or …

Mungbean: A New Alternative Crop For Kansas Farmers, Natalia Da Silva Volpato, Claire Bott, Victor Gimenez, Ana Julia Paula Carcedo, Ignacio A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Over the last two decades, mungbean demand has significantly increased worldwide and in the United States (US), driving production increases. This crop is primarily used for human consumption due to its high content of protein. However, the factors causing yield variability are not widely known. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the critical period for seed yield in mungbean crops. A field experiment was conducted using shading treatments at different periods throughout the crop cycle to investigate the effects of plant stress at different stages. The critical period for seed yield determination seems to be concentrated during …

Effect Of Defoliation At Different Stages On Grain Sorghum Yield And Yield Components, Kraig L. Roozeboom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Loss of leaf area usually results in yield loss in grain crops, but the amount of yield loss varies with extent and timing of defoliation. Grass crops, such as corn and grain sorghum, are particularly sensitive to leaf area loss near the time of seed set because there is little opportunity for the plant to compensate. An experiment to quantify yield reductions associated with various levels of defoliation imposed at different stages of grain sorghum development was conducted at Manhattan, KS, in 2023. Target defoliations of 0, 33, 66, and 100% were imposed at 5-leaf, flag leaf appearance, half bloom, …

Unraveling Sorghum Canopy Structure’S Genotypic Variability’S Effect On Yield, Matias F. Lucero, Ana J. P. Carcedo, Lucia Marziotte, L. Mayor, Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Determination of hybrids that are outstanding in performance requires the study of the morphological and phenological characteristics that contribute to crop yield and agronomics. This study explores the performance of 20 sorghum hybrids during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons in Wamego, Kansas, United States (U.S.), focusing on yield dynamics, crop phenology traits, and canopy structures. Hybrid HYB7 consis­tently demonstrated superior yields, reaching 157 and 147 bu/a in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Conversely, hybrids ‘HYB4’ to ‘HYB2’ exhibited lower productivity. Principal component analysis highlighted key variables influencing grain yield, revealing positive correlations within grain yield, grain filling duration, leaf length, …

Herbicides And Cereal Rye For Palmer Amaranth Management In Corn And Soybean, Igor G. R. Lima, Alec C. Adam, Wade T. Burris, Salina Raila, Sarah Lancaster

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Palmer amaranth control is a substantial problem for corn and soybean producers in the United States. Farmers are increasingly interested in cover crops a tool to manage this troublesome weed. Studies were conducted at Rossville, Kansas, in 2023, to assess the most effective combination of herbicides and cereal rye cover crop termination time to control Palmer amaranth in corn and soybean. Treatments that included atrazine + an HPPD-inhibiting herbicide + a VLCFA-inhibiting herbicide plus glyphosate provided the greatest weed control in corn. For soybeans, the combination with the greatest weed control was a PPO-inhibiting herbicide + a VLCFA-inhibiting herbicide + …

Rooting Comparison Of Zoysiagrass Cultivars In The Greenhouse, Olayemi Ojeokun, Jack Fry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study evaluated the growth performance of 12 zoysiagrass genotypes under controlled conditions to assess the relationship between rooting characteristics and shoot quality for drought tolerance. The experiment was conducted from May to August 2023 at the Kansas State University Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Throckmorton Plant Sciences, Manhattan, KS. Zoysiagrass cultivars were sampled from turf plots and planted in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes filled with calcined clay to facilitate root observation. The experiment used a completely randomized design with five replicates for each cultivar. Weekly data collection included recording maximum root length and shoot quality on a 1 …

Impact Of Sod Growers’ Grow-In Strategies On The Performance Of Zoysiagrass Sod, Olayemi Ojeokun, Jack Fry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Cultural practices such as mowing heights or nutrient application at sod growers’ farms can affect zoysiagrass sod performance postharvest and laying. A study conducted with 'Meyer', 'Innovation', and DALZ 1808 involved varying nitrogen levels and mowing heights. The sod, sprigged in June 2021 at the Olathe Horticultural Research and Extension Center (OHREC), was harvested in the summer of 2023 and laid at OHREC and Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center (RFTRC), Manhattan, Kansas. Results showed that aerification before sodding reduced the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and quality of DALZ 1808 but not Meyer and Innovation. RFTRC has a Chase silty …

2019 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Bermudagrass Test: 2023 Data, Linda R. Parsons, Jason J. Griffin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kansas represents the northernmost region in the central United States where bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) can be successfully grown as a perennial turfgrass. Historically, few cultivars that have both acceptable quality and adequate cold tolerance have been available to local growers. Because new introductions are continually being selected for improved hardiness and quality, both seeded and vegetative types need regular evaluation to determine their long-range suitability for use in Kansas.