Life Sciences Commons^™

An Example Of An Outreach Program For Horse Pasture Management And Education, Krista L. Lea, S. Ray Smith

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Kentucky boasts over 30,000 horse farms that house over 200,000 horses. The University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program began in 2005 to assist horse owners and managers in improving pasture quality and quantity. This program collects detailed botanical composition and tall fescue analysis to provide horse owners and managers with a comprehensive picture of pasture composition and field by field recommendations on management practices that will improve each pasture. Samples of tall fescue are also collected and analysed for endophyte presence and ergovaline concentration to evaluate tall fescue toxicity risk. Management recommendations include tall fescue mitigation or elimination strategies. …

A Comparison Of Four Methods Of Botanical Analysis In Kentucky Cattle Pastures, Echo Elizabeth Gotsick, S. Ray Smith, Jimmy C. Henning, Christopher D. Teutsch

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Throughout the many decades of grassland and forage research, practitioners have used many different methods to assess botanical composition. While a few of these methods have proven to be accurate and efficient, there has been limited direct comparison between methods. The objective of this study was to determine an accurate and efficient method to determine botanical composition for researchers, practitioners, and students. Six farms with two pastures each were monitored across the state of Kentucky. Sampling started fall 2020 and continued through fall 2022 with measurements taken three times a year using the following measurement techniques: step point, visual estimation, …

The Bellarmine Bee Bed: Organizing A Native Plant Garden Using Feedback From The Local Community, Kate Moran

Undergraduate Theses

Animal pollinators are the cornerstone of healthy ecosystems. Their survival is essential for the persistence of entire food chains: from the flowers they cross-pollinate directly, to the animals who depend on those plants for nutrition. The establishment of pollinator gardens—particularly ones that consist of native plants—is an effective way to enhance their biodiversity, abundance, and well-being.

The main goal of this thesis is to construct a pollinator garden that maximizes the benefits for animal pollinators using feedback from local gardeners. A survey was used to gather information about the popularity and preferences of 40 flowering plants, and after analyzing the …

Kentucky’S Comprehensive Outreach Program For Horse Pasture Management And Education, Krista Lea, S. Ray Smith

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The University of Kentucky (UK) Horse Pasture Evaluation Program began in 2005 to improve pasture quality and quantity on Kentucky horse farms. This on-farm program collects detailed data of pasture species composition, tests for tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) toxicity, and provides farm managers with comprehensive recommendations for management. Species composition is determined using the occupancy method. In 2019, the UK Horse Pasture Health Score Card was developed to provide useful, survey-level information on pastures and allow evaluators to cover far more acres in less time, requiring fewer resources. The objective of this research was to compare accuracy …

Using On-Farm Monitoring Of Ergovaline And Tall Fescue Composition For Horse Pasture Management, Krista Lea, S. Ray Smith

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Central Kentucky horse pastures contain significant populations of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort) infected with an endophyte (Epichloë coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Bacon and Schardl) known to produce several ergot alkaloids, with ergovaline in the highest concentration. While most classes of horses are not adversely affected by average levels of ergovaline in pastures, late term pregnant mares have a low tolerance to ergovaline and the related ergot alkaloids. Endophyte-infected tall fescue has been known to cause prolonged gestation, thickened placenta, dystocia, agalactia, and foal and mare mortality. The University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program utilizes ergovaline …

Detecting Recent Crop Phenology Dynamics In Corn And Soybean Cropping Systems Of Kentucky, Yanjun Yang, Bo Tao, Liang Liang, Yawen Huang, Christopher J. Matocha, Chad D. Lee, Michael Sama, Bassil El Masri, Wei Ren

Geography Faculty Publications

Accurate phenological information is essential for monitoring crop development, predicting crop yield, and enhancing resilience to cope with climate change. This study employed a curve-change-based dynamic threshold approach on NDVI (Normalized Differential Vegetation Index) time series to detect the planting and harvesting dates for corn and soybean in Kentucky, a typical climatic transition zone, from 2000 to 2018. We compared satellite-based estimates with ground observations and performed trend analyses of crop phenological stages over the study period to analyze their relationships with climate change and crop yields. Our results showed that corn and soybean planting dates were delayed by 0.01 …

Bowling Green Rose Society - Bowling Green, Kentucky (Mss 712), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 712. Minutes, correspondence, show programs, and miscellaneous records of the Bowling Green Rose Society. The bulk of the material is from the 1980s and 1990s.

Recent Shrinkage And Fragmentation Of Bluegrass Landscape In Kentucky, Bo Tao, Yanjun Yang, Jia Yang, S. Ray Smith, James F. Fox, Alex C. Ruane, Jinze Liu, Wei Ren

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

The Bluegrass Region is an area in north-central Kentucky with unique natural and cultural significance, which possesses some of the most fertile soils in the world. Over recent decades, land use and land cover changes have threatened the protection of the unique natural, scenic, and historic resources in this region. In this study, we applied a fragmentation model and a set of landscape metrics together with the satellite-derived USDA Cropland Data Layer to examine the shrinkage and fragmentation of grassland in the Bluegrass Region, Kentucky during 2008–2018. Our results showed that recent land use change across the Bluegrass Region is …

Forage News [2020-02], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Forage News [2019-03], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Novel Tall Fecue Workshop - March 20
• Round Bale Binding Materials Evaluated
• Impact of Tedding on Alfalfa Silage
• Spring Grazing School April 23-24
• Spring Fencing School: 3 Dates, 3 Locations

Effects Of Bacillus Mycoides Supplement In A Reduced Frequency Fungicide Program On Chambourcin Grapevines (Vitis Vinifera L.), Ryan Alan Mairs

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Fungal diseases pose significant challenges for grapevine producers in Kentucky due to the region’s abundant moisture and relative humidity. Methods to reduce fungicide application frequency would prove both economically and temporally valuable to producers. A field experiment was established in Bowling Green, KY in 2017 to investigate Bacillus mycoides isolate J (LifeGard) as a supplement to a fungicide program for systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Three fungicide treatment regimens were implemented consisting of a program modelled from the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide (2017) and an identical program supplemented with 140 g ha-1 LifeGard per application (both applied on 14 day …

Forage News [2018-06], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• New Publication – Crabgrass as Forage (AGR-232)
• New Publication – Foxtail Millet (AGR-233)
• Sivanto Prime (insecticide) Available on Sweet Sorghum for 2018

Kentucky Women In Agriculture (Mss 611), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

FA Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Project 611. Minutes, financial records, conference handouts, and newsletters related to Kentucky Women in Agriculture, an awareness and support group for women farmers in the Commonwealth. Also includes interviews with members and digital images of members.

The Vascular Flora Of The Red River Gorge In Powell, Menifee, And Wolfe Counties Kentucky, Thomas Steele Mcfadden

Online Theses and Dissertations

The Red River Gorge (RRG) is a 26,283 ha natural area within Menifee, Powell, and Wolfe counties of Kentucky. This area is in the Cumberland Plateau Physiographic Section which is a southern subsection of the Appalachian Plateau Physiographic Province. It is a mecca of outdoor recreation, hosting thousands of visitors each year, while also being home to a unique flora worthy of continued protection. A vascular flora was conducted between the fall of 2016 and the summer of 2018. Additional vouchers donated by Dr. Ross C. Clark and the Stanton Ranger District office, as well as vouchers deposited at regional …

Pickering, Tammie & Gary Collins (Fa 348), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

FA Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 348. Student paper titled “Trees in Folk Crafts” in which Tammie Pickering and Gary Collins explore the connection between trees and traditional folkways. Paper details the medicinal properties of sassafras tea, which is made from tree roots, the production of maple syrup, and the expressive crafts of wood-carving and carpentry. Data collected from three working-class residents of Caldwell County. Paper also includes field journals, recorded interviews, and transcripts.

Performance Of Endophyte Infected Tall Fescue In Europe And North America, Kari Saikkonen, Timothy D. Phillips, Stanley H. Faeth, Rebecca L. Mcculley, Irma Saloniemi, Marjo Helander

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Human assisted plant invasions from Europe to North America have been more common than the reverse. We tested endophyte-mediated performance of tall fescue in parallel three year experiments in Europe and the USA using endophyte infected and uninfected wild and cultivated plants. Experimental plants were subjected to nutrient and water treatments. Whereas endophyte infection increased tall fescue performance in general, the effects of endophytes on plant growth and reproduction varied among plant origins under different environmental conditions. Naturally endophyte-free Finnish cultivar ‘Retu’ performed equally well as ‘Kentucky-31’ in both geographic locations. All Eurasian origin plants performed well in the US. …

Analyzing The Phenologic Dynamics Of Kudzu (Pueraria Montana) Infestations Using Remote Sensing And The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index., Faye Peters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Non-native invasive species are one of the major threats to worldwide ecosystems. Kudzu (Pueraria montana) is a fast-growing vine native to Asia that has invaded regions in the United States making management of this species an important issue. Estimated normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values for the years 2000 to 2015 were calculated using data collected by Landsat and MODIS platforms for three infestation sites in Kentucky. The STARFM image-fusing algorithm was used to combine Landsat- and MODIS-derived NDVI into time series with a 30 m spatial resolution and 16 day temporal resolution. The fused time series was …

Reductions Of Wheat Yield And Yield Components And Nitrogen Loss Following Frozen Soil Nitrogen Applications, Carrie Ann Knott, Edwin L. Ritchey, Lloyd W. Murdock

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

Most wheat producers in Kentucky apply nitrogen (N) as a split application. The first N increment is applied when wheat plants begin actively growing (green-up) in late winter, which is typically in mid- February between growth stages Feekes 2 to 3. The second N increment typically occurs in March when wheat is between Feekes 5 to 6. Many producers in Kentucky, especially Western Kentucky, have become accustomed to beginning first N applications in late January when the ground is frozen and the wheat is still dormant. This practice allows them to apply N to large acreages of wheat while avoiding …

The Status Of The Genus Taxus In Kentucky, Robert Reed Pace

Online Theses and Dissertations

This study involved a detailed study of the genus Taxus in Kentucky. A thorough examination was conducted, including a review of the literature, examination of field and herbarium specimens from both native and non-native species, microscopic analysis of leaf ultrastructure, chemical analysis of taxane content, and the construction of GIS models to predict the occurrence of the native species. In the review and examination of morphological features, it was found that the best features for separation of the taxa were plant height, the number of the rows of stomata per abaxial leaf band, and the location of papillose cells on …

The Vascular Flora Of Boyle County, Ky, Heidi M. Braunreiter

Online Theses and Dissertations

The vascular flora of Boyle County, Kentucky, was conducted from March 2013 to March 2015. Boyle County is located in central Kentucky and is part of the Bluegrass Physiographic Section. A total of 127 families, 392 genera, and 722 species, varieties, and subspecies were documented from Boyle County. Twelve plant communities were described: acidic mesophytic forest, acidic sub-xeric forest, acidic xeric forest, Bluegrass woodland, bottomland ridge/terrace forest, calcareous mesophytic forest, calcareous sub-xeric forest, depression pond/mudflat, dry limestone cliff/outcrops, riparian forest, wet prairie/meadow, and one rare state-listed plant community, the shale/siltstone glade. Five rare species with state rankings were discussed: American …

Comparison Of Herbicide Systems For Dark Fire-Cured Tobacco, William A. Bailey, Tim Lax, Bobby Hill

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

Field experiments were conducted at Murray, KY in 2005, 2006, and 2007 to compare dark tobacco tolerance and weed control from various herbicide systems applied prior to transplanting. Herbicide treatments included sulfentrazone at 0.38 lb ai/A (12 oz/A Spartan 4F) applied pretransplant (PT), clomazone at 1 lb ai/A PT (2.67 pt/A Command 3ME), sulfentrazone at 0.38 lb ai/A plus clomazone at 1 lb ai/A PT, pendimethalin at 1.48 lb ai/A (3.6 pt/A Prowl 3.3EC) applied pretransplant incorporated (PTI), pendimethalin at 1.48 lb ai/A PTI followed by sulfentrazone at 0.38 lb ai/A PT, pebulate at 4 lb ai/A PTI (2.67 qt/A …

Impact Of Climate Change On Wheat Production In Kentucky, Kathleen Russell, Chad Lee, Rebecca L. Mcculley, David Van Sanford

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

Summary:

• From 2002 to 2012, Kentucky winter wheat ranged in value from $52 million to $209 million.
• Climate change and variability have the potential to significantly impact this important economic enterprise within our state.
• This report summarizes the current state of knowledge of the potential of climate change to impact wheat production in Kentucky and surrounding states.

The Vascular Flora Of Garrard County, Kentucky, William Overbeck

Online Theses and Dissertations

Garrard County, Kentucky, was the subject of a floristic study conducted from 2010 to 2013. The study documented 961 species in 494 genera and 137 families. Garrard County encompasses 60,570 hectares in central Kentucky and includes parts of both the Bluegrass Section and the Knobs-Norman Upland of the Interior Low Plateaus. Permitted collecting at The Felix Reynolds Prairie, The Nature Conservancy's Sally Brown and Crutcher Preserve, Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve, and Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory was coordinated with state and private conservation agencies. Two plant communities known to occur in the county, Limestone/Dolomite Prairie and Bluegrass Mesophytic Cane …

Pace Family Papers (Mss 458), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 458. Pace family documents (chiefly related to land transactions) including deeds, land grants, mortgages; as well as Bible records for the Pace and related families (click on "Additional Files" below for scans), and probate records. A significant portion of the collection documents the garden club activities of Lillian (Tynes) Pace and her efforts to have the Viceroy butterfly designated as the Kentucky state butterfly.

Neal, Mary Julia, 1905-1995 - Compiler (Sc 898), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 898. Research notes from journals of the South Union, Kentucky, Shakers concerning entries about trees and plants, compiled by Shaker historian Mary Julia Neal.

Lafferty, Maude (Ward), 1869-1962 (Sc 2616), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2616. Typescript copies of "A Brief Sketch of Rafinesque and the Transylvania Botanic Garden" and the "Journal of Samuel Constantine Ranfiesque," by Maud (Ward) Lafferty, Lexington, Kentucky.

What Controls The Abundance Of Tall Fescue In Native Grassland Restorations In Kentucky?, Rebecca L. Mcculley, Sarah Hall, Ben Leffew

Plant and Soil Sciences Presentations

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Tray Type And Tray Covering On Wicking Speed, Germination, And Spiral Rooting Of Tobacco, William A. Bailey, Bill Pitt

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

Poor tray wicking and spiral rooting continue to be recurring concerns in tobacco float systems. Poor wicking of trays can usually be attributed to old media or media that was improperly stored for extended periods of time. Tray design may also influence speed of wicking. The clay-based pelleting materials used to coat tobacco seeds are thought to cause damage to the emerging root radical under certain conditions, leading to an increased incidence of spiral root. Practices that change the microenvironment at the top of the cell area surrounding the seed may reduce spiral rooting by altering the breakdown of the …

Co-Grazing Beef Cattle And Goats In Kentucky, David C. Ditsch, Patty Scharko

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

A two season grazing study of mixed (goats and beef cattle) species was conducted in 2006 and 2008 at Sebastian Farms in Breathitt County KY. The objective of this study was to determine if the order of mixed species grazing affected beef cattle and goat weight gain and goat exposure to the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) in a rotational grazing system. In this study, two co-grazing management strategies were tested. In treatment 1, goats and cattle were rotationally grazed together. In treatment 2, goats rotated through pastures as first grazers followed by cattle. Each co-grazing treatment was …

Tillage And Subsoiling Effects On Soil Compaction And Yield Of Burley Tobacco, Edwin L. Ritchey, Robert C. Pearce, John H. Grove

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

Historically, tobacco producers have relied heavily on surface tillage to prepare fields for transplanting. This typically involved moldboard plowing, followed by several secondary tillage operations, such as discing then leveling with a soil finisher. Transplanter developments and modifications in the late 1990’s, coupled with new chemicals for weed control, made no-till (NT) tobacco a viable option for tobacco producers in Kentucky (KY).