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Evaluating Large Patch-Tolerant And Cold Hardy Zoysiagrass Germplasm In The Transition Zone, Mingying Xiang, Jack D. Fry, Megan M. Kennelly

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

AZoysia japonicagenotype, TAES 5645, that exhibited partial resistance to large patch in preliminary studies conducted by our collaborators at Texas A&M University, was used as a breeding parent at Texas A&M and crossed with 22 cold hardy zoysiagrasses, resulting in 2,858 progeny. These progeny were evaluated for cold hardiness and agronomic traits (establishment rate, overall quality, spring green up, leaf texture, and genetic color) in Manhattan, KS; West Lafayette, IN; and Dallas, TX; from 2012 to 2014. This report focuses on the Manhattan, KS, results. From this work, 60 progeny were identified for further evaluation in larger plots. …

2013 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Bermudagrass Test: 2013–2017 Summary Report, Linda R. Parsons, Michael J. Shelton, Jason J. Griffin, Jared A. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kansas represents the northernmost region in the central United States where bermudagrass 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.

2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test: 2012–2017 Summary Report, Linda R. Parsons, Michael J. Shelton, Megan M. Kennelly, Jason J. Griffin, Jared A. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research efforts to improve cultivar quality include selecting for disease resistance and stress tolerance as well as finer leaf texture, a rich green color, and better sward density. Several cultivars included in the 2012 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Tall Fescue Test performed well and showed good brown patch resistance in south central Kansas throughout the course of the study.

2013 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Bermudagrass Test: 2017 Data, Linda R. Parsons, Michael J. Shelton, Jason J. Griffin, Jared A. Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kansas represents the northernmost region in the central United States where bermudagrass 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.

Effect Of Late Nitrogen Applications On Grain Filling In Corn, J. A. Fernandez, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In order to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) with late-season fertilizer applications in corn, grain yield and grain filling parameters were evaluated for three genotypes under three N levels. Hybrids with different release years (3394, 1990s; P1151, 2000s; and P1197, 2016) and contrasting N application scenarios (zero-N, N at flowering, and N two weeks after flowering) were evaluated in two studies (dryland and irrigated) at the Ashland Bottoms Research Farm, Manhattan, KS, 2017 season. Results showed that under N stress conditions, the absence of N fertilization in corn significantly reduced yields, by affecting both grain number (GN) and grain …

Effect Of Fungicides On Southern Rust Of Corn, E. A. Adee, S. Duncan

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The decision to apply fungicides to corn is not an easy decision in Kansas, especially when grain prices are low. Numerous factors determine what diseases are present, and whether the plants will be defoliated enough to reduce yield. Correctly identifying the disease, knowing what environmental conditions favor the development of an epidemic, and knowing the hybrid’s resistance to the diseases can be known before making the decision. However, knowing if the conditions will be favorable for the spread of the disease up the plant is very unpredictable. A situation like a ‘perfect storm’ for foliar diseases defoliating corn occurred in …

High Yielding Soybean: Genetic Gain And Nitrogen Limitation, O. A. Ortez, F. Salvagiotti, J. M. Enrico, E. A. Adee, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The United States and Argentina account for more than 50% of the global soybean production. Closing yield gaps (actual on-farm yield vs. genetic yield potential) would require an improvement in the use of the available resources. Overall, 50-60% of soybean nitrogen (N) demand is usually met by the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) process. A scientific knowledge gap still exists related to the ability of the BNF process to satisfy soybean N demand at varying yield levels. The overall objective of this project is to study the contribution of N via utilization of varying N strategies under historical and modern soybean …

Best Management Systems To Intensify Soybean Production, G. R. Balboa, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The aim of this study was to evaluate different management systems to close the yield gap in soybean production. A soybean experiment was established in Scandia, KS, evaluating five management systems under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. For the 2017 season, dryland and irrigated average yields were similar (63–65 bu/a) due to herbicide injury on the irrigated phase. In both water scenarios, intensification (high input) increased yields compared with common practice (low input) systems. Under irrigation, a consistent response to a balanced nutrition program was documented.

Effects Of Nitrogen In Soybean Seed Quality Definition During Seed-Filling Period, S. Tamagno, E. A. Adee, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

During the seed filling period (SFP), parallel to the seed changes, translocation of assimilates and nutrients takes place from different plant organs to the seed in order to provide sufficient supply for the seed storage components (i.e., starch, oil, and protein) that ultimately will determine the seed quality. There are two processes that define the final seed weight in any crop: 1) the amount of dry mass deposited per unit of time (rate) and 2) the duration of this process from beginning of seed formation to physiological maturity. As seed number is defined, any source limitation during the SFP can …

Impact On Soybean Yield From Sudden Death Syndrome And Soybean Planting Date, E. A. Adee, C. Little, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) is a disease caused by the soilborne fungusFusarium virguliforme. This fungus prefers wet conditions and thus is usually most severe in irrigated fields. SDS tends to be most severe on well-managed soybeans with a high yield potential. It also tends to be more prevalent on fields that are infested with soybean cyst nematode (SCN) or planted early when soils are wet and cool. Historical yield losses from this disease are generally in the range of 1–25%.

Soybean planting dates have been moving increasingly earlier in much of the soybean growing region, including Kansas. Yield …

Palmer Amaranth Populations From Kansas With Multiple Resistance To Glyphosate, Chlorsulfuron, Mesotrione, And Atrazine, V. Kumar, P. W. Stahlman, G. Boyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Multiple herbicide-resistant (MHR) Palmer amaranth poses a serious management concern for growers across the United States. Since 2014, several Palmer amaranth populations with suspected resistance to most commonly used herbicides were collected in random field surveys across Kansas. This study aimed to characterize the resistance levels to glyphosate (EPSPS inhibitor), mesotrione (HPPD inhibitor), chlorsulfuron (ALS inhibitor), and atrazine (PS II inhibitor) in three suspected MHR Palmer amaranth populations (KW2, PR8, and BT12) compared to a known herbicide-susceptible (SUS) population. Dose-response studies revealed that PR8 and BT12 populations had 7- to 14-fold level resistance to glyphosate, and up to 12-fold level …

Timing And Positioning Of Simulated Hail Damage Effects On Wheat Yield In Kansas: 2015–2016 And 2016–2017 Growing Seasons, R. P. Lollato, A. De Oliveira Silva, R. E. Maeoka, G. P. Bavia, L. Bonassi, B. R. Jaenisch

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Hail events often decrease wheat yields in Kansas; however, estimates of yield loss due to hail event timing and position relative to the flag leaf are only available for older varieties. Our objectives were to quantify wheat yield losses as affected by timing of hail event relative to the crop development and positioning of the damage relative to the flag leaf. A total of 14 hail damage treatments including seven different timings during the growing season (boot, anthesis, watery ripe, milk, soft dough, hard dough, and ripe) and two different positioning relative to the flag leaf (above or below) were …

Variable Response Of Kochia Accessions To Dicamba And Fluroxypyr In Western Kansas, V. Kumar, P. W. Stahlman, R. Currie, R. Engel, G. Boyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The rapid development of glyphosate resistance in kochia has increased the use of auxinic herbicides (dicamba and fluroxypyr) in the US Great Plains, including Kansas. Increasing reliance on auxinic herbicides for controlling glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia may also enhance the evolution of resistance to these herbicide chemistries. The main objectives of this research were to (1) investigate the variation in kochia response to dicamba and fluroxypyr, and (2) characterize the dicamba resistance levels among progeny of kochia accessions collected from western Kansas. Greenhouse experiments were conducted at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center near Hays, KS. Discriminate-dose studies with field-use …

Wheat Variety Response To Seeding Rate In Kansas During The 2015–2016 And 2016– 2017 Growing Seasons, R. P. Lollato, G. Zhang, B. R. Jaenisch, R. Maeoka, L. Bonassi, A. K. Fritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Plant density is among the major factors determining a crop’s ability to capture resources such as water, nutrients, and solar radiation; therefore, different wheat varieties might require different seeding densities to maximize yield. The objective of this project was to better understand the response of different wheat varieties to seeding rate. Two field experiments were conducted during 2015–2016 and repeated during 2016–2017, evaluating seven wheat varieties subjected to five different seeding rates (0.6, 0.95, 1.3, 1.65, and 2.0 million seeds/a). Crop was managed for a 70 bu/a yield goal and pests were controlled using commercially available pesticides. Final stand and …

Wheat Development And Yield As Affected By Era Of Variety Release And In-Furrow Fertilizer, R. E. Maeoka, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nutrients play a major role in wheat yield determination; however, limited informa­tion exists on the differential responses of historical and modern varieties to in-furrow fertilizer. Our objectives were to estimate grain yield and differences in agronomic traits of historical and modern winter wheat varieties as affected by different fertilization programs. Two field trials were established during the growing season 2016–2017 (i.e., Ashland Bottoms and Belleville, KS). Seven winter wheat varieties released between 1920 and 2016–Kharkof (1920), Scout 66 (1966), Karl 92 (1988), Jagalene (2001), Fuller (2006), KanMark (2014), and Larry (2016)–were sown using one of two different fertilizer practices: either …

Plant Population And Fungicide Treatment Reduce Winter Wheat Yield Gap In Kansas, B. R. Jaenisch, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Despite the large winter wheat yield gap in Kansas, limited research is available on integrated agronomic practices to increase grain yield. Our objective was to quantify the contribution of individual and combined management practices to reduce wheat yield gap. An incomplete factorial treatment structure established in a randomized complete block design was conducted in three locations in Kansas during 2016–2017 to evaluate the impacts of 14 treatments on yield and grain protein concentration of the modern wheat variety ‘Everest.’ We individually added six treatments to a low-input standard control or removed from a high-input intensive control, which received all treatments. …

Reducing The Wheat Yield Gap Through Variety-Specific Management, A. De Oliveira Silva, A. K. Fritz, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In Kansas, wheat yields have been nearly stagnant at approximately 40 bu/a for the past 30 years, which corresponds to a yield gap (the difference between average producer yield and yield potential) of approximately 35 bu/a relative to the state average yield potential of ~75 bu/a. Our objective was to continue investigation on the influence of varieties with different genetic and agronomic characteristics and management practices on grain yield to demonstrate that appropriate variety-specific management can help producers to achieve long-term profitability in a sustainable manner. The Kansas State University wheat variety performance tests (VPT) evaluate 35–50 varieties in more …

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 are beginning to show that corn yields are greater when there is an occasional deep tillage. The yield of soybeans have not been affected significantly by tillage systems ranging from no-till to conventional tillage every year.

Evaluating Teff Grass As A Summer Forage, J. M. Davidson, D. Min, R. M. Aiken, G. J. Kluitenberg

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objectives of this study were to determine the forage yield, nutritive value, and water use efficiency of teff grass (Eragrostis tef) under field conditions as compared to sorghum sudangrass and forage pearl millet. Water use efficiency was determined by regressing above-ground biomass on crop water use between sampling periods. Yield was determined by quadrat area clippings of above-ground biomass. Nutritive value was determined using wet chemical analysis. Cultivars showed significant differences in biomass production at all sampling dates in both years. Teff grass demonstrated potential to provide producers with a fast-growing and competitive forage crop by reaching …

Kansas Field Research 2018

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The research program at the Kansas State University East Central Kansas Experiment Field is designed to keep area crop producers abreast of technological advances in agronomic agriculture.

The Kansas State University Kansas River Valley Experiment Field was established to study management and effective use of irrigation resources for crop production in the Kansas River Valley (KRV).

Determining Profitable Forage Rotations, J. D. Holman, A. Obour, A. Schlegel, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Annual forages are an important crop in the High Plains, yet the region lacks recom­mended annual forage rotations compared to those developed for grain crops. Forages are important for the region’s livestock and dairy industries and are becoming increasingly important as irrigation capacity and grain prices decrease. Forages require less water than grain crops and may allow for increased cropping system intensity and opportunistic cropping. A study was initiated in 2012 at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Garden City, KS, comparing several 1-, 3-, and 4-year forage rotations with no-tillage and minimum-tillage. Data presented are from 2013 through 2017. Tillage …

Estimating Annual Forage Yields With Plant Available Water And Growing Season Precipitation, J. D. Holman, A. Obour, A. Schlegel, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Forage production is important for western Kansas region’s livestock and dairy industries and has become increasingly important as irrigation-well capacity declines. Forages require less water than grain crops and may allow for increased cropping intensity and opportunistic cropping. Being able to estimate forage production is important for determining forage availability versus forage needs. Data from several studies were used to quantify annual forage yield response to plant available water (PAW) at planting and growing season precipitation (GSP). In addition, water use efficiency was quantified. Forages evaluated included winter triticale, spring triticale, and forage sorghum.

Integrated Grain And Forage Rotations, J. D. Holman, A. Obour, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Interest in growing forages and reducing fallow has necessitated research on soil, water, and crop yields in intensified grain/forage rotations. Fallow stores moisture, which helps stabilize crop yields and reduces the risk of crop failure; however, only 25 to 30% of the precipitation received during the fallow period of a no-till wheat-sorghum-fallow rotation is stored. . The remaining 75 to 70% precipitation is lost, primarily due to evaporation. Moisture storage in fallow is more efficient earlier in the fallow period, when the soil is dry, and during the winter months when the evaporation rate is lower. It may be possible …

Value Of Fungicide Application In Wheat Production In Southwest Kansas, 2017 Report, A. J. Foster, R. Lollato, M. Vandeveer, E. D. De Wolf, R. Currie

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

During the past several years, applying fungicide to wheat has become a more common practice. The availability of cost-effective generic fungicides, as well as the positive yield responses often reported, seem to be the potential drivers for the adoption of such prac­tices by producers. A wheat fungicide trial was conducted in Garden City, KS, to answer the following questions: 1) Are fungicide applications profitable? and 2) Can remote sensing technology be used to quantify the efficacy of different fungicide products? The study consisted of two wheat varieties sown on September 30, 2016 (Oakley CL, highly resistant to stripe rust; and …

Effects Of Fallow Replacement Crops On Wheat And Grain Sorghum Yields, J. Holman, A. Obour, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Interest in replacing fallow with a cash crop or cover crop has necessitated research on soil, water, and wheat yields following a shortened fallow period. Fallow stores moisture, which helps stabilize crop yields and reduces the risk of crop failure; however, only 25 to 30% of the precipitation received during the fallow period of a no-till wheat-fallow rotation is stored. The remaining 75 to 70% of precipitation is lost, primarily due to evaporation. Moisture storage in fallow is more efficient earlier in the fallow period, when the soil is dry, and during the winter months when the evaporation rate is …

Alternative Cropping Systems With Limited Irrigation, A. Schlegel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A limited irrigation study involving four cropping systems and evaluating four crop ro­tations was initiated at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS, in 2012. The cropping systems were two annual systems (continuous corn [C-C] and continuous grain sorghum [GS-GS]) and two 2-year systems (corn- grain sorghum [C-GS]) and corn-winter wheat [C-W]). In 2017, corn yields were greatest in the corn-wheat rotation and least with continuous corn. Grain sorghum yields were greater following sorghum than following corn. The wheat was destroyed by a severe infestation of wheat streak mosaic virus and not harvested.

Occasional Tillage In A Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation, A. Schlegel, J. D. Holman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Beginning in 2012, research was conducted in Garden City and Tribune, KS, to de­termine the effect of a single tillage operation every 3 years on grain yields in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation. Grain yields of wheat and grain sorghum were not affected by a single tillage operation every 3 years in a WSF rotation. Grain yield varied greatly by year from 2014 to 2017. Wheat yields ranged across years from mid-20s to 80 bu/a at Tribune and about 10 (hail damage) to near 60 bu/a at Garden City. Grain sorghum yields ranged from less than 60 to greater than 140 …

Tillage Intensity In A Long-Term Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation, A. Schlegel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Grain yields of wheat and grain sorghum increased with decreased tillage intensity in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation. In 2016, available soil water at wheat and sorghum planting was greater for reduced till (RT) than no-till (NT) and least for conventional till (CT). Averaged across the 16-yr study, available soil water at wheat and sorghum planting was similar for RT and NT and about 1 inch greater than CT. Averaged across the past 16 years, NT wheat yields were 4 bu/a greater than RT and 7 bu/a greater than CT. Grain sorghum yields in 2016 were 15 bu/a greater with long-term …

Wheat And Grain Sorghum In Four-Year Rotations, A. Schlegel, J. D. Holman, C. Thompson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In recent years, cropping intensity has increased in dryland systems in western Kansas. The traditional wheat-fallow system is being replaced by wheat-summer crop-fallow rotations. Is more intensive cropping feasible with concurrent increases in no-till? Objectives of this research were to quantify soil water storage, crop water use, and crop productivity of 4-year and continuous cropping systems.

Seeding Rate For Dryland Wheat, A. Schlegel, J. D. Holman, L. Haag

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Four winter wheat varieties (PlainsGold Byrd, Limagrain T158, Syngenta TAM 111, and WestBred Winterhawk) were planted at five seeding rates (30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 lb/a) in the fall of 2014, 2015, and 2016 at Colby, Garden City, and Tribune, KS. The objective of the study is to identify appropriate seeding rates for dryland winter wheat in western Kansas. Averaged across varieties, a seeding rate of 60 lb/a seemed to be adequate at all locations in 2015. However, with higher yields in 2016, a higher seed­ing rate (75 lb/a) was beneficial. Although yields were less in 2017 than 2016, …