Education Commons^™

Ec91-735 The Impact Of Nitrogen And Irrigation Management And Vadose Zone Conditions On Ground Water Contamination By Nitrate-Nitrogen, K.D. Frank, Darrell Watts, Andrew Christiansen, Edwin Penas

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The single largest contaminant found in ground water samples taken throughout Nebraska is nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N). Much of it reaches the ground water as a "non-point source" contaminant leached out of the crop root zone.

Nitrate-N is essential to corn production. However, when leached from the crop root zone it can become a major source of ground water contamination. There are serious contamination problems in shallow aquifers beneath several river valleys in Nebraska. Increasing nitrate-N concentrations are beginning to appear in deeper aquifer.

G91-1010 Managing Corn And Sorghum Residues During The Ecofarming Fallow Period, Robert N. Klein, Gail A. Wicks

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide explains how to maintain an appropriate residue cover with ecofarming in the fallow period before winter wheat to reduce soil erosion and conserve soil moisture. Ecofarming is a system of controlling weeds and managing crop residues throughout a crop rotation with minimum use of tillage. This will reduce soil erosion and production costs while increasing weed control, water infiltration, moisture conservation and crop yields. In the winter wheat-ecofallow corn or grain sorghum-fallow rotation, corn or grain sorghum is no-till planted into winter wheat stubble in May. During the previous summer or fall the winter wheat stubble was treated …

Genetic Variation Among And Within S1 Progenies Of Maize, R. J. Getschman, A. R. Hallauer

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Inbred line development consumes a great portion of the breeder's time and resources in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs. Source populations for line development often are developed by selfing F2 populations developed from elite line crosses. Visual selection is practiced among and within selfed progenies during the selection process for one or two generations before evaluated in testcrosses for combining ability. Effective discrimination among and within inbred and testcross progenies depends on the amount of genetic variation present. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of selection among and within S₁ progenies developed from crosses …

Anatomical Characterization Of Western Corn Rootworm Damage In Adventitious Roots Of Maize, Walter E. Riedell, Alice Y. Kim

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Corn rootworms are one of the most economically damaging insect pests of maize, yet little is known about the feeding behavior of the larvae. This study was conducted to determine which tissues of the adventitious roots of maize are damaged by western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) larval feeding. Root axes (10 cm long) were removed from the fifth node of greenhouse-grown maize plants. Root segments 2 cm long, excised 4 or 6 cm from the root tip, were infested with second or third stage larvae, respectively, (0, 1, 3, or 6 larvae per segment) for a period of …

G89-906 Barley Yellow Dwarf Disease Of Barley, Oats, And Wheat, John E. Watkins, Leslie C. Lane

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The symptoms of barley yellow dwarf are covered here, as are disease occurrence and spread, and control.

Barley yellow dwarf (BYD) is distributed worldwide. It is the most economically important disease of barley and oats in North America. Barley yellow dwarf, wheat streak mosaic (WSM) and soil-borne wheat mosaic (SBWM), are three virus diseases that caused serious cereal grain yield losses in Nebraska during the last decade.

Since the mid-1980s barley yellow dwarf has become increasingly widespread in Nebraska, and now is a serious concern to oat and wheat producers. Outbreaks occasionally reach epidemic proportions as occurred in wheat in …

G89-899 Weed Control In No-Till Corn, Grain Sorghum And Soybean Production, R.S. Moomaw, Alex Martin, R.N. Stougaard, Fred Roeth, G.A. Wicks, Robert N. Klein, Paul J. Jasa

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Tips for successful no-till weed control, weed control principles for no-till row crop production, and no-till row crops planted into legume or small grain residues are covered here. Soil erosion by wind and water is a strong societal concern in our state and nation. Current estimates are that more than 100 million tons of topsoil are eroded annually in Nebraska, with 75 percent of that coming from row crop areas. Nebraska farmers have been implementing changes in their crop production practices to reduce soil erosion.

Ec89-119 Hail Damage Assessment And Replant Decisions, Charles A. Shapiro, Timothy A. Powell

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Hail is one of the many hazards that can damage a growing crop. Early in the growing season a producer has the option to replant a field seriously damaged by hail. The question is, how do you decide if it is worthwhile to replant, and what information do you need to make an informed decision? Factors to consider when deciding to replant are the expected yield reduction due to hail, the cost of replanting, and the yield potential of the replanted crop. Other information needed to make a rational decision is included in this publication, and several examples are given.

Estimates Of Genetic Variability In F2 Maize Populations, Geng-Chen Han, A. R. Hallauer

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Maize (Zea mays L.) breeders emphasize selection within F₂ populations derived from crosses of inbred lines: Studies of the inheritance of quantitative traits in maize have been conducted primarily for generically broad-based populations. Objectives of our study were to estimate the generic variability in F₂ populations developed from crosses of related and unrelated lines and to determine the effects of five generations of random intermating of plants within F₂ populations on the estimates of genetic variability. Estimates of additive genetic variability were greater in the unrelated line crosses, but the estimates were not significantly different before and …

G88-884 Ecofarming: Selecting Corn And Grain Sorghum Hybrids, Planting Dates, And Planting Rates In A Winter Wheat--Row Crop--Fallow Rotation, Robert N. Klein, Gail A. Wicks, P. T. Nordquist

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses selecting corn and sorghum hybrids, factors that affect yield, plant populations, and more. Treating winter wheat stubble with herbicides after harvest, and then planting corn or grain sorghum in the untilled stubble the next spring, is a practice used for over 15 years in many parts of the Central Great Plains. The residue protects the soil from wind and water erosion. This method of farming is one of the most effective soil and water conservation practices adapted in this century.

G87-862 Holding Wet Corn With Aeration (Revised July 1995), David D. Jones, Robert D. Grisso

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses aeration recommendations and corn moisture level limitations for holding wet corn under Nebraska conditions.

Corn is a perishable commodity with a limited shelf life that depends on the moisture content and temperature of the corn. `Shelf life' is the length of time good quality, aerated shelled corn can be stored before losing one-half percent of dry matter. With this amount of dry matter decomposition, it is assumed that the corn loses some quality, but maintains its market grade.

G87-839 Corn Rootworm Control, Leroy L. Peters, Lance J. Meinke, J. F. Witkowski

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Corn rootworms -- damage they cause, and how to control them.

Three kinds of rootworms attack corn in Nebraska -- the western, the northern, and the southern. The western is the most common and most damaging and can be found over the entire state. The northern is found mainly in the northeastern counties. The southern can be found over the entire state.

G86-803 Assessing Hail Damage To Corn, J.J. Vorst

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication examines how hail damages the corn plant, how the degree of damage can be determined and how the extent of yield loss is estimated.

In the U.S., approximately half of all hailstorms occur between March and May. These early storms are responsible for only minor corn yield losses, however, because the corn either has not yet been planted or is too small to be damaged significantly. Even when fields are severely damaged early in the growing season, they can often be replanted.

On the other hand, about a third of all hailstorms occur between June and September. These …

G86-809 Ecofarming: No-Till Sorghum Following Ecofallow Corn Or Sorghum, Robert N. Klein, Gail A. Wicks

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes using no-till sorghum in ecofallow rotations, including hybrid selection, planting and weed control methods, fertilizing, and possible insect and disease problems. The ecofarming system using a winter wheat-ecofallow corn or sorghum-fallow rotation has increased corn and sorghum yields because more water is conserved by controlling weeds with herbicides than with tillage. The land is fallowed the year following corn or sorghum and planted to winter wheat in the fall. Often enough precipitation is received during winter and/or early spring that another crop of sorghum could be grown instead of fallowing and planting wheat. If about 2000 lb/A …

Mp51 Distillers Grains, Glen Aines, Terry Klopfenstein, Rick Stock

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

In the conventional production of alcohol from grain for fuel, byproducts are produced with excellent feeding value for ruminants. Appropriate use of these byproducts aids the efficient production of animals and enhances the economics of alcohol production. In the fermentation of corn to produce alcohol, the starch in the corn is converted to alcohol and carbon dioxide. The nutrients in the corn other than starch are concentrated about three times because corn is about two-thirds starch. Even though starch is high in energy, the one-third of the corn remaining in the byproduct after fermentation contains as much energy per pound …

Ec86-1541 Corn Insects — Above Ground

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This 4-color extension circular was prepared by Extension entomologists of the North Central States in cooperation with the Federal Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. It shows the following corn insects:

1. European corn borer (early leaf feeding and mature borers)

2. Southwestern corn borer

3. Common stalk borer

4. Chinch bug

5. Corn earworm

6. Armyworm

7. Corn rootworm beetles (lefet to right: Northern, Western, and Southern)

8. Grasshopper

9. Corn leaf aphid

10. Corn flea beetle and damage

G85-760 Natural Air Corn Drying, Richard O. Pierce, Thomas L. Thompson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses factors affecting natural air corn drying system performance, and gives recommendations for bins filled over a one- to two-day period.

Natural air drying is an energy efficient drying method that is particularly well suited to Nebraska weather conditions. A high quality dried product, with little of the stress cracking or heat damage associated with high temperature drying, is an added attraction. However, good management practices must be followed to achieve satisfactory drying results.

A major concern with this method is overloading the bin with corn too wet to be dried without spoilage or deterioration, especially when the …

G85-770 An Introduction To Grain Options On Futures Contracts, Lynn H. Lutgen, Lynne A. Todd

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication, the third of six NebGuides on agricultural grain options, explains how to use futures options as a marketing tool.

A new agricultural marketing tool is available to farmers. A futures agricultural option is much like an insurance policy. It is a marketing alternative that gives farmers insurance against unfavorable price moves, but allows producers to take advantage of favorable price moves. To better understand terms used in this paper, please see NebGuide G85-768, Basic Terminology For Understanding Grain Options.

G84-696 Small Grains For Silage Or Hay, Paul Q. Guyer, Terry L. Mader

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using small grains for silage or hay, including handling, storage, feeding, animal performance, and nitrate toxicity potential.

Small grain crops are potentially important sources of high quality forage. Harvesting small grains for hay or silage rather than as grain may mean increased dollar returns per acre. Small grain silage or hay represents more total nutrient production per acre than harvest as grain and, when fed to ruminants, results in increased animal production.

G84-692 Aeration Of Stored Grain (Revised April 1993), David P. Shelton, Thomas L. Thompson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the role of aeration as part of a comprehensive management program for maintaining the quality of stored grain.

Grain is stored for a variety of reasons including expectations of higher prices and for use as animal feed. Regardless of the reason, a comprehensive management program is required to maintain grain quality. This includes: 1) making sure that the grain going into storage is dry, clean and in good condition; 2) regularly inspecting the grain to locate temperature, moisture, or insect problems; and 3) aerating the grain to maintain uniform temperature and moisture conditions, prevent localized hot spot …

G83-681 Velvetleaf, Fred Roeth, Russell Moomaw, Alex Martin, Orvin Burnside

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides guidelines on how to control velvetleaf by prevention, cultural and mechanical methods, and by use of recommended herbicides.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), a member of the Mallow family, is related to cotton, hollyhocks, and numerous weeds. Other common names include buttonweed, Indian mallow, butterprint, piemarker, velvetweed, and cottonweed. The preferred name, velvetleaf, amply describes its velvety-textured, hairy-surfaced leaves.

A native of China and presumably introduced into the U.S. from India as a fiber crop, this annual weed is adapted to cropland throughout most of the United States. Over the past 10 years, velvetleaf has increased dramatically …

G82-602 Predicting The Last Irrigation For Corn, Grain Sorghum And Soybeans (Revised August 1991), Norman L. Klocke, Dean E. Eisenhauer, Terry L. Bockstadter

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide presents criteria and "rules of thumb" for predicting the last irrigation for corn, grain sorghum and soybeans.

Determining when to apply the last irrigation of the season is an important water management decision. One extra irrigation may mean wasting an additional one to three inches of water and two to five gallons of diesel fuel per acre. On the other hand, applying that one extra irrigation could mean several bushels per acre in crop yield.

G82-601 Using Phosphorus Fertilizers Effectively, E.J. Penas, D.H. Sander

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

For most effective use of phosphorus, the fertilizer needs to be placed to ensure quick contact by growing roots and minimal contact with the soil.

Phosphorus (P) fertilizers are second only to nitrogen fertilizers in importance for growing crops in Nebraska. However, the principles affecting efficient phosphorus use are totally different. Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient both inside the plant and in the soil, while phosphorus moves very little in the soil. In addition, total plant phosphorus requirements are much lower than those of nitrogen. Plant leaves commonly contain ten times more nitrogen than phosphorus. However, phosphorus is concentrated in …

G81-552 Effects Of Weather On Corn Planting And Seedling Establishment, Ralph E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Corn planting usually begins when the average daily temperature first rises 55°F and the soil becomes sufficiently warm enough to initiate germination and sustain seedling growth. This may be as early as the middle of March in central Texas 700 miles south of Nebraska or as late as the middle of May in central South Dakota. Corn may be planted as early as the first week of April in southeast Nebraska and continue into the first week of June. Most of the corn, however, is planted between May 4 and May 21.

Corn planted early when the temperature is cool …

G81-551 Ecofarming: Spring Row Crop Planting And Weed Control In Winter Wheat Stubble, Gail A. Wicks, Norman L. Klocke

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Weed control, stubble management and planters for planting in winter wheat stubble are covered here.

Planting corn, sorghum or soybeans into untilled, weed-free winter wheat stubble that is 10 months old is an accepted practice in the Central Great Plains States. In Nebraska, this system is known as ecofallow. Treating the stubble with herbicides following wheat harvest (ecofallow) offers several advantages:

Weed and volunteer wheat growth can be eliminated. Weed growth robs valuable moisture that could be used by the next year's crop.

Standing stubble provides an excellent snow trap during the winter. Snow melt can provide moisture for the …

G80-526 The Effect Of Weather On Corn: Preseason Precipitation And Yield Of Unirrigationed Corn, Ralph E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide examines the results of studies done on the effects of weather on unirrigationd corn.

Studies of the effects of weather on unirrigationd corn in Nebraska between 1950 and 1974 show the following four factors to be closely related to yield:

Technology--the availability of better hybrids, nitrogen fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides and other improvements have resulted in a yield increase averaging 1.3 bushel per acre per year since 1950.

Preseason precipitation--that which occurred between September 1 and May 15 had a beneficial effect. Yield increased on the average of 1.1 bushel per acre for each inch that preseason precipitation was …

G80-509 Canada Thistle, Robert G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The growth and control of Canada thistle is covered here.

Canada thistle plant

Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L) Scop.] is a native of Eurasia and was probably introduced to America around 1750. Since that time it has spread throughout the northern part of the United States. Canada thistle is estimated to infest 800,000 acres in northern and western Nebraska.

A perennial that reproduces from seed and by an extensive root system, Canada thistle is dioecious, with the male and female flowers on separate plants. For viable seed to be produced, both male and female plants need to be present.

G80-521 Common Stalk Borer In Corn (Revised April 2000), Robert J. Wright, Thomas E. Hunt, Keith J. Jarvi

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The life history and appearance of common stalk borers is described, along with information on damage they can cause, economic injury levels and ways to control them in corn.

In the past, the common stalk borer, Papaipema nebris, has not been a major pest of corn in Nebraska. Stalk borer damage in corn commonly is confined to occasional plants in the first few rows near field margins, fence rows, grass terraces and waterways. In addition to attacking corn, this insect attacks over one hundred other species of plants, including ornamentals, broadleaf weeds and grasses. It may feed on soybeans …

G79-471 Choosing Corn Hybrids, Lenis Alton Nelson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication explains what factors to consider and compare when selecting a corn hybrid and how to obtain recent hybrid test data. One of the most important decisions a corn producer makes is choosing the hybrid seed. Hundreds of hybrid names and numbers are advertised and offered for sale. Selecting the few that offer the greatest yield and profit potential requires time, effort, and study. This should be a continuous process for a corn grower because important information on new or established hybrids may be encountered at any time.

G79-430 Oat Production In Nebraska (Revised March 1992), Russell Moomaw, Charles A. Shapiro

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Information is provided for various oat production practices including seed selection, fertilizing, planting, weed control and harvest. Oats were among the first crops grown by pioneers who settled eastern Nebraska. As recently as 1950, Nebraska produced 2.7 million acres of oats. Acreage has declined steadily, however, and in 1990 there were just 300,000 acres. Oats are grown throughout the state, with the majority being in eastern Nebraska where the cool, moist climate provides for the best growth. The feed value of oats also favors its production in northeast Nebraska where swine, dairy cattle, and beef cattle production are heavy. An …

G79-481 Setting A Realistic Corn Yield Goal (Revised January 2004), Achim Dobermann, Charles A. Shapiro

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Corn growers need to set a realistic corn yield goal in order to make sound decisions on corn hybrid, seeding rate, fertilizer application, and irrigation need. The goal should be the most profitable yield that can be expected for the particular set of soil, climate, and management practices. Yield goals should gradually increase over time, but cannot exceed the theoretical yield potential. This NebGuide discusses how to set a realistic corn yield goal by acknowledging climatic yield limitations of corn in Nebraska and the yield history in a field.