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Preliminary Report Soybean Performance Tests 1970, Dennis B. Egli

Agronomy Notes

The data presented below represent the preliminary results of the 1970 Soybean Performance Tests . A more complete version of the data, including data from previous years , will be published at a later date in "Results of the Kentucky Soybean Performance Tests - 1970."

No-Tillage -- Suitability To Kentucky Soils, Robert L. Blevins

Agronomy Notes

As more farmers adopt no-tillage methods of farming the questions arises whether or not all soils are suited to this practice. To get an idea of how well suited the no-tillage method of corn production is to wide variety of soils, we made a survey in five different physiographic regions of Kentucky in 1969.

Summary Of Fertilizer Use And Estimated Use Of Plant Nutrients On Tobacco, Corn, Hay And Pastures In Kentucky, Kenneth L. Wells

Agronomy Notes

Nearly 650, 000 tons of fertilizer were used by Kentucky farmers during the first half of 1969. Plant food content (N+P₂O₅ + K₂O) was 38%, or nearly 247,000 tons. Slightly over half (58%) was sold in bagged, one-third (33%) in bulk, and 8% in fluid form. Mixtures made up 70% of the total tonnage, and materials made up 30%. The statistics tabulated below show a more detailed breakdown of the fertilizer tonnage used.

Soil Surveys In Kentucky, Harry Hudson Bailey, Robert L. Blevins

Agronomy Notes

Soil surveys are a scientific inventory of the soil and land resources of an area. They locate the different kinds of soils and provide information as to their physical and chemical properties. The surveys also contain tables and charts showing the use of the soils for agriculture, engineering, community development, recreational areas, woodland, and wildlife.

Today there is some type of soil survey activity in every county. The University has cooperative soil survey arrangements with the USDA Soil Conservation Service and the U. S. Forest Service.

Irrigating Corn On Well-Drained, Limestone-Derived Soils, John L. Ragland, J. C. Redman

Agronomy Notes

In trying to determine if it would pay Kentucky farmers to irrigate corn, one of the most important steps is to ascertain the long-time average yield increases to be expected from supplemental irrigation. The yield data reported below are the results of an experiment applicable for a fairly large group of soils occurring in Kentucky.

Molybdenum Recommendation For Legumes, J. L. Sims, Warren C. Thompson, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Molybdenum is recommended in Kentucky for legumes (soybeans, alfalfa, clovers and other forage legumes) beginning in 1969. The application should be made as a seed treatment and at the rate of 0.4 to 0.8 (4/10 to 8/10) ounces of molybdenum per acre. Molybdenum is recommended only on soils testing less than pH 6.2.

Kenblue Kentucky Bluegrass, Robert C. Buckner

Agronomy Notes

Since the early 19th century the Blue Grass Region of Kentucky has had a worldwide reputation for its Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) As early as 1835, people from adjoining states visited the region to see its luxuriant fields and to learn of the culture and management of this valuable grass. This interest has led to the development of a profitable seed industry in central Kentucky. Kentucky produced the bulk of Kentucky bluegrass seed for the nation during the latter half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries.

Since 1960, foreign importation and competitive production of …

Tobacco Bed Treatment With Enide 50w, J. W. Herron, J. F. Freeman

Agronomy Notes

Enide 50W is recommended for trial use on tobacco beds for 1968. The results of treatments with Enide in Kentucky in 1967 have been somewhat variable; therefor e, until additional information is obtained and the tobacco grower becomes more experienced in applying the chemical, it should be used on a trial basis.

Response Of Corn To Broadcast Applications Of Zinc, Harold F. Miller

Agronomy Notes

Where zinc deficiency in corn occurs on Kentucky soils it has been corrected by applying 3 to 6 pounds of elemental zinc per acre in the row at planting time. In some areas of the state, corn planters with row fertilizer attachments are not generally used, raising the question as to library the amount of zinc required when broadcast applications are made.

Through the cooperation of Clarence Mitchell, Area Extension Specialist, a field was located where the 1966 corn crop showed zinc deficiency. Since the field was to be planted in corn (Connecticut 860) in 1967, a field trial with …

Soil Surveys In Kentucky, Harry Hudson Bailey, Robert L. Blevins

Agronomy Notes

Forty-one Kentucky counties have been surveyed and the results published, using the classification schemes of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. These counties and the field survey dates are : Adair (1961) , Bath (1959), Caldwell (1962), Calloway (1937), Christian (1912), Clark (1961), Elliott (1961), Fayette (1931), Fulton (1961). Garrard (1921), Graves (1941), Henderson (1963), Jefferson (1962), Jessamine (1915) , Logan (1919), McCracken (1905), Madison (1905), Marshall (1938), Mason (1903), Mercer (1930), Metcalfe (1962), Muhlenberg (1920), Rockcastle (1910), Scott (1903), Shelby (1916), Union (1902), Warren (1904).

Grass Seed Production, Robert C. Buckner, Warren C. Thompson

Agronomy Notes

Producing cool season grass seed crops has historically been a profitable venture on Kentucky farms.

When growing maximum yields of grass seed, the pH level should be maintained between 6.0 and 7.0, when the recommended rates of limestone are used, and when phosphate and potash are maintained at medium-to-high levels (based on a soil test). Similarly, grass should be grown in pure stands. Weeds and insects must be controlled to prevent yield reduction.

Following seed harvest, excess herbage should be removed, preferably by grazing. All cool season grasses can be grazed until growth stops in the late fall or early …

Fertilizing No-Tillage Corn And Soybeans, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Planting corn and soybeans in sod (commonly referred to as "no-tillage" planting) is increasing in parts of Kentucky, and interest in this practice in other parts of the state is growing.

One question is often asked: 'What is the best method of liming and fertilizing no-tillage corn and soybeans?"

Since no-tillage planting is a comparatively new practice, only a limited amount of research on methods of fertilization has been done. However, research designed to find out how well plants can recover phosphorus and potassium applied on the surface of the soil will be started by the Department of Agronomy at …

Using Birdsfoot Trefoil In Kentucky Pastures, W. C. Templeton Jr., C. F. Buck, D. W. Wattenbarger

Agronomy Notes

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is an excellent pasture legume in the Corn Belt and in northeast United states . It has usually been considered too poorly adapted to Kentucky to merit trial by the farmers. Observations and grazing results in Woodford county during the last 14 years, however, indicate that this view is no longer valid.

A grazing trial was established in 1954, with birdsfoot trefoil and Kentucky bluegrass as one of three mixtures used. Trefoil was seeded alone in the spring, and an excellent stand was obtained. Bluegrass was drilled in the established trefoil in September 1954. There …

Certified Seed Of Kenblue Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Available, Department Of Agronomy, College Of Agriculture, University Of Kentucky

Agronomy Notes

A limited quantity of certified seed of Kenblue, a new variety of Kentucky bluegrass, will be available this fall. Kenblue was developed last year and officially released July 31, 1967 by the University of Kentucky and the USDA-ARS.

Kenblue is more insect- and disease-resistant than any of the other named varieties of bluegrass . Its adaptability to Kentucky conditions is also much higher, because Kenblue was developed from seed taken from 12 farms in seven Central Kentucky counties where bluegrass is normally grown for seed purposes . In each case, fields from which the seed was taken had been in …

Barsoy-A New Winter Barley, V. C. Finkner, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

The early maturity of Barsoy winter barley will fill a gap in the maturity dates of the barley varieties presently recommended. Double cropping of small grain and wheat has grown to the extent that 30,000 to 40,000 acres in Kentucky grow two crops each year. This practice will continue to develop and become more important on grain farms. The early maturity characteristic of Barsoy will allow an earlier planting of soybeans than will other barley varieties.

Apply Fertilizer And Limestone This Fall, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

As farmers push towards more economical crop production, fertilizer and limestone use will increase. If Kentucky farmers continue to help feed the world, the rate of increase will accelerate during the next decade .

New Bluegrass Variety Kenblue, Robert C. Buckner, Paul B. Burrus Jr.

Agronomy Notes

The production of certified seed of Kenblue, a new Kentucky-grown bluegrass, may start this fall. It will be the first time a Kentucky-grown bluegrass of what the scientists call "known origin" is available to farmers and home owners.

It will be much more desirable for Kentucky use than the other standard varieties such as Merion, Delta, or Newport. All of these are considered "good" varieties, but not under Kentucky conditions. These are more susceptible to diseases than the new variety, Kenblue.

Summer Annual Grasses - Kentucky, W. H. Stroube

Agronomy Notes

During the summer of 1965 , several varieties of summer annual grasses were seeded at the rate of 10-12 pounds per acre, in rows 3 feet apart, at the Woodford County Farm and at the Western Kentucky Substation. These varieties were replicated four times and harvested three times at each location. Harvest data are reported in the attached table. It should be noted that data from Woodford county are reported in dry matter per acre and that from Princeton in air-dry forage. Previous studies have indicated that yield data from 3-foot rows of this type of material should be multiplied …

Zinc Deficiency In Corn, Harold Miller, Shirley Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Status of Zinc Deficiency

Corn is the only field crop presently grown in Kentucky that has shown zinc-deficiency symptoms and that has definitely given a response to zinc applications. Isolated instances of zinc deficiency have been reported from nearly every area of the state. However, the difficulty appears to be more prevalent in soils of the central Bluegrass and the western Pennyrile regions.

Considerable variation in respect to zinc deficiency has occurred within these regions, characterized by no consistent pattern. Corn producers in these areas particularly should watch this crop closely for deficiency symptoms during the period 4 to 6 …

What Is Good Agricultural Limestone?, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

During the 10-year period, 1955- 64, Kentucky farmers used more than 14 million tons of agricultural limestone. The investment in the limestone plus hauling and spreading was in the neighborhood of $45 million. In 1964 alone. Kentucky farmers invested about $7 million in about 2 million tons of limestone.

Agricultural Limestone In Kentucky, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Kentucky farmers invested about $6 million in agricultural limestone in 1964. However, much more lime than this should have been used if farmers get the most economical crop production and the most efficient use of fertilizers that are applied or the fertility that is already in the soil.

Soil Surveys In Kentucky, Harry Hudson Bailey

Agronomy Notes

Twenty-two Kentucky counties have been surveyed and published using the classification scheme of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These counties and the dates of the field survey are: Adair (1961), Bath (1959), Calloway (1937), Christian (1912), Clark (1961), Fayette (1931), Fulton (1961), Garrard (1921), Graves (1941), Jessamine (1915), Logan (1919), McCracken (1905), Madison (1905), Marshall (1938), Mason (1903), Mercer (1930), Muhlenberg (1920), Rockcastle (1910), Scott (1903), Shelby (1916), Union (1902), Warren (1904). The maps and reports on Adair, Bath, Calloway, Clark, Fulton, Graves, Logan, Marshall and Mercer Counties are still available (1965) through: Agronomy Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington. The …

Different Soils Need Different Amounts Of Limestone, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Two different soil types may show the same acidity levels by soil test but they may need different amounts of limestone to obtain the same reduction in soil acidity.

Practices To Increase Grass Seed Yields Ky. 31 Fescue, Orchardgrass And Ky. Bluegrass, Robert C. Buckner, Paul B. Burrus Jr.

Agronomy Notes

Grass seed is a specialized crop in Kentucky. High per acre seed yields can be obtained by using the following suggestions that are made from research findings by the University of Kentucky Agronomy Department.

Preserve And Use Tobacco Stalks, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

When Kentucky's 1964 tobacco crop is stripped , there will be about 176,000 tons of stalks in and around stripping barns. There will be more than $2 million worth of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in them.

If these stalks are left outside the barn and exposed to winter rains, 61 percent of the nitrogen, 38 percent of the phosphorus, 83 percent of the potassium and 41 percent of the organic matter may be lost.

Farm Manures, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

More than 16 million tons of farm manures valued at more than $47 million are produced on Kentucky farms each year.

Almost half of these manures accumulate in barns, feedlots, and loafing areas. A large part of this will accumulate in these areas between now and pasture time next spring. These manures must be removed from time to time and the cost of handling is unavoidable. Preserving their value and using them wisely on crops and soils that benefit from them will give a fair return on handling costs.

Agronomy Notes, No. 19, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

A Test Ban Treaty designed to stop nuclear explosions above ground was signed. World tension was eased. Fear of radioactive fallout was lessened. The Chinese have the atomic bomb. They did not sign the Test Ban Treaty. World tension is on the up-swing.

What has all this to do with agriculture in Kentucky?

Phosphorus And Potassium Elemental Or Oxide, Harold F. Miller, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Soil tests for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are reported on the elemental basis by all soil testing laboratories (state and county) in Kentucky.

Calcium Deficiency Symptoms In Burley Tobacco, Jones H. Smiley, Ira E. Massie, George Everette

Agronomy Notes

Calcium is an element required by all higher plants in relatively large quantities. It appears to be closely related to the formation of buds and flowers.

Calcium is usually available in sufficient quantities in Kentucky soils to produce a normal crop of tobacco. However, when certain varieties of burley tobacco commence to bloom and produce suckers, the tips of the calyx lobes of the flowers may turn brown and die and the edges of the small leaves of the suckers may be necrotic, resulting in irregularly shaped sucker leaves. In severe cases the apical bud may be killed. These calcium …