Water Use And Yields Of No-Till Managed Dryland Grasspea And Yellow Pea Under Different Planting Configurations, F.J. Calderón, M.F. Vigil, D.C. Nielsen, J.G. Benjamin, D.J. Poss

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Grasspea (GP) (Lathyrus sativus) is a drought-tolerant legume that can be grown for forage and grain. It has potential value to be used as a nitrogen-fixing crop in dryland rotations with non-legume grain crops. However, the agronomy of GP for the Central Great Plains region have not been investigated. The objective of this research was to compare the grain and biomass yield, as well as N accumulation of GP relative to field pea (FP) in two planting configurations. We carried out a 3-year field experiment to compare dryland GP with Admiral yellow field pea (Pisum sativum) …

Biomass Yield And Nutrient Responses Of Switchgrass To Phosphorus Application, M. K. Kering, J. T. Biermacher, T. J. Butler, J. Mosali, John A. Guretzky

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Increasing desire for renewable energy sources has increased research on biomass energy crops in marginal areas with low potential for food and fiber crop production. In this study, experiments were established on low phosphorus (P) soils in southern Oklahoma, USA to determine switchgrass biomass yield, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient removal responses to P and nitrogen (N) fertilizer application. Four P rates (0, 15, 30, and 45 kg Pha⁻¹) and two N fertilizer rates (0 and 135 kg Nha⁻¹) were evaluated at two locations (Ardmore and Waurika) for 3 years.While P fertilization had no effect on yield …

Evaluation Of Algorithm Thresholds For Crop Canopy Sensor-Based In-Season Nitrogen Application In Corn, Brian T. Krienke

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nitrogen fertilizer is frequently the most limiting nutrient in corn production. Typically most nitrogen is applied before planting. Since nitrogen can leave the soil system fairly easily, the result can be an inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer. Previous research has shown increased efficiency with no reduction in yield by applying nitrogen later in the season when the crop is actively growing, with rates regulated spatially through the use of active crop canopy sensors. This study evaluated the potential for N cutoff thresholds using a sufficiency index as the threshold value for areas with poor stand or an unrecoverable N deficiency. …

Effects Of Species, Water, And Nitrogen On Competition Among Three Prairie Grasses, Jerry L. Weatherford, Randall W. Myster

The Prairie Naturalist

We conducted an experiment to investigate effects of species, water (W), and nitrogen (N) on competition among little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans). All biomass parameters and the root:shoot ratio of little bluestem were reduced by the presence off 1 of 2 other species, and its shoot biomass and total biomass were both increased by addition of N. Root and shoot biomass of sideoats grama were reduced by the presence of indiangrass and its total biomass was reduced by the presence of itself, whereas its shoot biomass was increased by addition of W at …

Dried Distillers Grain With Solubles In Laying Hen And Pullet Rations, Mahmoud K. Masa'deh

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objective of this dissertation was to test different inclusion rates of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) with or without enzyme supplementation. Study one was conducted to test DDGS at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% on egg production parameter (24 through76 wk). As DDGS increased, egg wt. decreased during Phase I. However; no difference in egg wt. was observed during Phase II. Yolk color linearly increased with increasing DDGS level. Nitrogen and P retention increased as DDGS increased. Nitrogen and P excretion decreased with increasing DDGS. Study two was conducted to test DDGS inclusion of 0, 2.5, …

What Is The Potential Of Substituting Legumes For Synthetic Nitrogen In Warm Season Perennial Grasses Used For Stocker Cattle Grazing?, J. Biermacher, John A. Guretzky, Ryan Reuter, Maru Kering, Twain Butler, Job Springer, James Rogers, John Blanton, Joe Bouton

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Stocker cattle grazing warm season perennial grasses is an important economic activity in the southern Great Plains. Substantial increases in the price of nitrogen fertilizer is negatively affecting forage producers’ profitability. Two alternative nitrogen management systems that use annual and perennial legumes have been developed for bermudagrass pastures. The goal of the study is to determine if the legumes systems are more profitable than the conventional practice of applying synthetic sources of nitrogen. Enterprise budgeting techniques were employed to compare the economics of the legume systems relative to the common practice. Results of the two-year grazing study show that the …

Composting Or Stockpiling Of Feedlot Manure In Nebraska: Nutrient Concentration And Mass Balance, Matt K. Luebbe, G. E. Erickson, T. J. Klopfenstein, Matthew A. Greenquist, J. R. Benton

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

When feedlot pens are scraped in the spring and summer, manure is often stored before land application can occur in the fall. Manure stockpiled or composted was evaluated for nutrient losses in 2 experiments for 104 (Exp. 1) and 111 d (Exp. 2). Stockpiles (n = 2 in Exp. 1 and n = 3 in Exp. 2) and compost windrows (n = 6 in Exp. 1 and n = 4 in Exp. 2) were constructed with feedlot manure scraped from pens and sampled upon construction and throughout the storage period. In Exp. 1, N loss was 3 times greater (P < 0.01) for compost compared with stockpile on d 104 (43.6 and 14.3%, respectively). Loss of C was 34.7% greater (P < 0.01) for compost compared with stockpile on d 104 (54.4 and 40.4%, respectively). Total mass loss (water + DM) was not different (P = 0.30) among storage methods on d 104 (20.0 and 15.8% for compost and stockpile, respectively). In Exp. 2, N loss from compost was 42.1% greater (P < 0.01) compared with stockpiling on d 111. Carbon losses in Exp. 2 were not different (P = 0.77) among storage methods on d 111 (38.4 and 37.5% for compost and stockpile, respectively). Total mass loss in Exp. 2 was less compared with Exp. 1 and was not different (P = 0.23) among storage methods (5.7 and 3.6% for compost and stockpile, respectively). When evaluated on a nutrient basis, stockpiled manure had greater N and C concentrations compared with composted manure.

The Use Of High Distillers Grains And Nutrient Management In Beef Feedlots, Amy R. Rich

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of feeding wet distillers grains (WDGS) at 70% and wheat straw at 25% (DM basis) on finishing steer performance and N mass balance in open feedlot pens. Four treatments were tested as a 2x2 factorial with factors being diet and pen cleaning frequency (monthly or at the end of the feeding period). In both experiments the CON treatment (corn based diet) had greater DMI, ADG, HCW, marbling and fat depth. There was greater N intake and N excretion for both the WINTER and SUMMER experiments on the WDGS. Not all the additional …

Utilization Of Nitrogen In Cows Consuming Wet Distillers Grains With Solubles In Alfalfa And Corn Silage-Based Dairy Rations, A. M. Gehman, Paul J. Kononoff

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of forage type on nutrient digestibility, purine derivative excretion, nitrogen utilization, and milk production in dairy cattle consuming rations containing high levels of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). Primiparous (n = 8) and multiparous (n = 20) Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. Animals were fed 1 of 4 treatments during each 21-d period: 1) CONT-CS, 0% WDGS and high corn silage; 2) CONT-AS, 0% WDGS and high alfalfa silage; 3) WDGS-CS, 25% WDGS and high corn silage; and 4) WDGS-AS, 25% WDGS …

Nutritional And Management Methods To Decrease Nitrogen Losses From Beef Feedlots, Galen Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Nitrogen losses from open beef feedlots are a concern. Methods that decrease volatilization losses will lead to greater manure N, which is likely to be beneficial in open lot beef operations. Twelve or more pens were dedicated to N research whereby N intake, retention, and excretion were quantified and a mass balance conducted using manure, runoff, soil balance, and loss quantities. The objective was to decrease N volatilization losses or increase manure N or both. Dietary CP affects N excretion and N volatilization losses. Four experiments across 2 yr compared industry average CP (13%) to diets that were phase-fed to …

Fertilizer Rate Effects On Forage Yield Stability And Nutrient Uptake Of Midland Bermudagrass, John A. Guretzky, Maru K. Kering, Jagadeesh Mosali, Eddie Funderburg, Jon T. Biermacher

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Our objectives were to document effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer rates on forage yields and uptake of N, P, and K by Midland bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] on a Minco fine, sandy loam in southern Oklahoma. After six years of this long-term experiment, forage yield responses to fertilization were mixed and depended on year. Stability analysis indicated forage yields responded positively to N fertilization during favorable weather conditions but negatively during poor weather conditions. Application of 112 kg N ha⁻¹ provided the best yield stability and mean annual forage yield among treatments, …

The Influence Of Nutrients And Physical Habitat In Regulating Algal Biomass In Agricultural Streams, Mark D. Munn, Jeffrey Frey, Anthony Tesoriero

United States Geological Survey: Water Reports and Publications

This study examined the relative influence of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and habitat on algal biomass in five agricultural regions of the United States. Sites were selected to capture a range of nutrient conditions, with 136 sites distributed over five study areas. Samples were collected in either 2003 or 2004, and analyzed for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) and algal biomass (chlorophyll a). Chlorophyll a was measured in three types of samples, fine-grained benthic material (CHLFG), coarse-grained stable substrate as in rock or wood (CHLCG), and water column (CHLS). Stream and riparian habitat were characterized at each site. TP ranged from …

An Integrated Crop- And Soil-Based Strategy For Variable-Rate Nitrogen Management In Corn, Darrin F. Roberts

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nitrogen (N) management in cereal crops has been the subject of considerable research and debate for several decades. Historic N management practices have contributed to low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Low NUE can be caused by such things as poor synchronization between soil N supply and crop demand, uniform application rates of fertilizer N to spatially variable landscapes, and failure to account for temporally variable influences on soil N supply and crop N need. Active canopy reflectance sensors and management zones (MZ) have been studied separately as possible plant- and soil-based N management tools to increase NUE. Recently, some have …

Effect Of Nitrogen Application Timing On Corn Production Using Subsurface Drip Irrigation, David D. Tarkalson, Simon J. Van Donk, James L. Petersen

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The use of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) in row-crop agriculture is increasing because of potential increases in water and nutrient use efficiency. Research-based information is needed to manage N applications through SDI systems in field corn (Zea-mays L.) production. This study was conducted to assess the effect of different in-season SDI system N application timings on corn production and residual soil N0₃-N at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, Neb, on a Cozad silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Fluventic Haplustoll). We evaluated the effect of three N application timing methods …

Container And Installation Time Effects On Soil Moisture, Temperature, And Inorganic Nitrogen Retention For An In Situ Nitrogen Mineralization Method, Brian J. Wienhold, Gary E. Varvel, Wallace W. Wilhelm

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Mineralization contributes significantly to agronomic nitrogen (N) budgets and is difficult to accurately predict. Models for predicting Nmineralization contributions are needed, and development of these models will require field-based data. In situ mineralization methods are intended to quantify N mineralization under ambient environmental conditions. This study was conducted to compare soil moisture and temperature in intact soil cores contained in cylinders to those in adjacent bulk soil, compare the effect of two resin-bag techniques on water content of soil within cylinders, and assess the effect of installation duration on inorganic N retention by resins. The study was conducted at a …

Nitrogen Uptake, Fixation And Response To Fertilizer N In Soybeans: A Review, F. Salvagiotti, Kenneth G. Cassman, James E. Specht, Daniel T. Walters, Albert Weiss, Achim R. Dobermann

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Although relationships among soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr) seed yield, nitrogen (N) uptake, biological N₂ fixation (BNF), and response to N fertilization have received considerable coverage in the scientific literature, a comprehensive summary and interpretation of these interactions with specific emphasis on high yield environments is lacking. Six hundred and thirty-seven data sets (site–year–treatment combinations) were analyzed from field studies that had examined these variables and had been published in refereed journals from 1966 to 2006. A mean linear increase of 0.013 Mg soybean seed yield per kg increase in N accumulation in above-ground biomass was evident in …

Nationally Coordinated Evaluation Of Soil Nitrogen Mineralization Rate Using A Standardized Aerobic Incubation Protocol, T. S. Griffin, C. W. Honeycutt, S. L. Albrecht, K. R. Sistani, H. A. Torbert, B. J. Wienhold, B. L. Woodbury, R. K. Hubbard, J. M. Powell

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Aerobic incubation methods have been widely used to assess soil nitrogen (N) mineralization, but standardized protocols are lacking. A single silt loam soil (Catlin silt loam; fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic, Oxyaquic Arguidoll) was subjected to aerobic incubation at six USDA-ARS locations using a standardized protocol. Incubations were conducted at multiple temperatures, which were combined based on degree days (DD). Soil water was maintained at 60% waterfilled pore space (WFPS; constant) or allowed to fluctuate between 60 and 30% WFPS (cycle). Soil subsamples were removed periodically and extracted in 2 M potassium chloride (KCl); nitrate (NO₃) and ammonium (NH …

Evaluation Of Nitrogen Utilization And The Effects Of Monensin In Dairy Cows Fed Brown Midrib Corn Silage, A. M. Gehman, Paul J. Kononoff, C. R. Mullins, B. N. Janicek

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Twenty midlactation Holstein cows (4 ruminally fistulated) averaging 101 ± 34 d in milk and weighing 674 ± 77 kg were used to compare rations with brown midrib corn silage (bm3) to rations with dual-purpose control silage (DP) on N utilization and milk production. The effect of monensin in these rations was also examined. Animals were assigned to one of five 4 × 4 Latin squares with treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. Cows were fed 1 of 4 treatments during each of the four 28- d periods. Treatments were 1) 0 mg/d monensin and bm3 …

Epic Evaluation Of The Impact Of Poultry Litter Application Timing On Nutrient Losses, H. Allen Torbert, Thomas J. Gerik, Wyatte L. Harman, Jimmy R. Williams, Melanie Magre

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Recently, changes in the utilization practices of animal manures for fertilization have been encouraged to reduce the potential of nonpoint pollution of lakes and streams from agricultural land. However, the potential impact of changing some of these practices has not been fully studied. The objective of this study was to examine the potential impact of limiting poultry litter application times on nutrient movement important to water quality. The WinEPIC model was used to simulate poultry litter applications during the winter months and chemical fertilizer application, with both cool season and warm season grass pastures on the major soil regions of …

Comparison Of Laboratory Methods And An In Situ Method For Estimating Nitrogen Mineralization In An Irrigated Silt-Loam Soil, Brian J. Wienhold

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Nitrogen (N) mineralization makes a considerable contribution to crop-available N and is difficult to estimate. Reliable methods for measuring N mineralization are needed to produce data sets for developing N-mineralization models, as a component in fertilizer recommendation algorithms, and to assess the effect of management practices on N mineralization. Numerous methods are available for estimating N mineralization. Laboratory methods are relatively easy but may not reflect conditions in the field, and field methods are usually labor-intensive. A study was conducted to compare N-mineralization estimates using anaerobic and aerobic laboratory methods and an in situ field method for the 0- to …

Mineralization Of Nitrogen In Soils Amended With Dairy Manure As Affected By Wetting/Drying Cycles, D. B. Watts, H. A. Torbert, S. A. Prior

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Interest in manure management and its effects on nitrogen (N) mineralization has increased in recent years. The focus of this research was to investigate the N-mineralization rates of different soil types in Coastal Plain soils and compare them to a soil from Illinois. Soils with and without dairy composted manure addition were subjected to different wetting/drying cycles [constant moisture at 60% waterfilled pore space (WFPS) and cycling moisture from 60 to 30% WFPS] under laboratory conditions at three different temperatures (11 °C, 18 °C, and 25 °C). Samples were collected from three different soil types: Catlin (Mollisols), Bama (Ultisols), and …

Non-Composted Municipal Solid Waste Processing Byproduct Effect On Soil Reclamation, H. Allen Torbert, Dick L. Gebhart, Ryan R. Busby, Kenneth N. Potter, Deborah R. Curtain

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

A new garbage processing technology has been developed that sterilizes and separates inorganic and organic components of municipal solid waste. The non-composted byproduct of this process, Fluff ®, has the potential to be utilized as a soil amendment to improve soil conditions in highly degraded soils. A study was initiated to evaluate Fluff as a soil amendment for establishing native grasses on disturbed US Army training lands. The Fluff was incorporated into a sandy loam soil at Fort Benning Military Reservation, GA on two sites: a moderately degraded and a highly degraded soil. The Fluff was incorporated at rates of …

Comparison Of Ground-Based Remote Sensors For Evaluation Of Corn Biomass Affected By Nitrogen Stress, Soon-Dal Hong, James Schepers, Dennis D. Francis, Michael R. Schlemmer

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The nondestructive determination of plant biomass is not possible; however, crop-canopy sensors that determine the normalized difference vegetation index have the potential to estimate living biomass, which is indicative of plant vigor and stress. Pot experiments using sand culture were conducted in 2002 and 2003 under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) deficiency on corn biomass and reflectance. Stress was imposed by implementing six to eight levels of N in Hoagland’s nutrient solution. Canopy reflectance measurements made at three growth stages with a variety of handheld spectral sensors (active and passive) were closely correlated with dry weight …

Ec06-155 Nutrient Management For Agronomic Crops In Nebraska, Richard B. Ferguson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraska is blessed with fertile soil and vast supplies of groundwater which combine to create an environment well-suited to the production of corn, wheat, grain sorghum, alfalfa, edible beans, and other agronomic crops used for human or animal consumption.

This manual is a guide to nutrient use from all sources for the production of Nebraska's major agronomic crops: corn, winter wheat, grain sorghum, oats, alfalfa, dry edible beans, soybean, sugar beets, popcorn, sunflower, millet, potatoes, and cool and warm season grasses for hay and pasture. Part I of the manual contains information focusing on basic principles of soil fertility for …

Wet Corn Gluten Feed And Alfalfa Hay Levels In Dry-Rolled Corn Finishing Diets: Effects On Finishing Performance And Feedlot Nitrogen Mass Balance, T. B. Farran, Galen E. Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein, C. N. Macken, R. Lindquist

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

One-hundred ninety-two crossbred steers (initial BW= 351 ± 11 kg) were used to determine the effects of removing alfalfa hay (AH) from dry-rolled corn-based diets containing wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) on animal performance and nutrient (N and OM) mass balance in open feedlot pens. Steers were stratified by weight and assigned randomly to 24 pens (2 × 3 factorial) and fed for 132 d from June to October 2002. Experimental diets contained either 0 or 35% WCGF and 0, 3.75, or 7.5% AH, and were formulated to be isonitrogenous. For efficiency of gain, an interaction occurred (P = 0.09) …

Fire Does Not Alter Vegetation In Infertile Prairie, Johannes M.H. Knops

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The paradigm in prairie ecology is that fire is one of the key factors deter-mining vegetation composition. fire can impact grassland ecosystems in various ways, including changing plant species composition and inducing nitro-gen loss. I found that 17 years of different burning frequencies in infertile grassland had only a minor impact on the vegetation composition and diversity. The only major impact from increasing the frequency of fires was a decrease of Poa pratensis abundance. However, other plant species did not r-spond to the change in Poa abundance. This result contrasts with previous studies in savannas and more productive grasslands, where …

2006 Beef Report Summaries, James Gosey

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Reports on recent beef research are briefly summarized in this publication. Summaries of the research featured in the 2006 Beef Report appear here. Topics include cow-calf, growing, finishing and beef products.

Maintenance Of A Narrow Host Range By Oxyops Vitiosa; A Biological Control Agent Of Melaleuca Quinquenervia, G. S. Wheeler

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Host range expansion in insect herbivores is often thought to be mediated by several factors, principal among them are secondary plant metabolites. In weed biological control, the host range of a prospective agent is one of the most important considerations in its implementation. Extensive host testing tests seek to determine the behavioral acceptance and nutritional value of different test plant species to the potential agent. A list of test plants is compiled that comprises species that are close taxonomic relatives of the target weed plus other species of economic or ecologic importance. The host testing of the Melaleuca quinquenervia biological …

Temporal Origin Of Nitrogen In The Grain Of Irrigated Rice In The Dry Season: The Outcome Of Uptake, Cycling, Senescence And Competition Studied Using A 15N-Point Placement Technique, J. E. Sheehy, M. Mnzava, Kenneth G. Cassman, P. L. Mitchell, P. Pablico, R. P. Robles, H. P. Samonte, J. S. Lales, A. B. Ferrer

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

It is often suggested that nitrogen absorbed in the vegetative stage of growth acts as a “reservoir” to supply the shortfall in demand during grain filling. The main objective of the work described in this paper was to investigate how effectively nitrogen absorbed at different stages of the growing season was retained and used for grain growth. The total nitrogen in the grain is the integral of the product of the total nitrogen absorbed at any instant and the eventual allocation of a fraction of that nitrogen to the grain. A point-placement technique was used to deliver small amounts of …

Effects Of Manipulating Protein And Phosphorus Nutrition Of Feedlot Cattle On Nutrient Management And The Environment, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Feedlot nutrition will play a role in meeting challenges such as nutrient management. Nitrogen and phosphorus are two nutrients that are currently studied in this context. One nutritional method is formulating diets not to exceed requirements for nitrogen and phosphorus. Requirements are different for calves and yearlings. The requirements also change during the finishing period. Phosphorus requirements have not been extensively studied for feedlot cattle between 270 and 600 kg. Therefore, P requirements studies were conducted to determine the P requirement of calves (265 kg) and yearlings (385 kg). The requirement was not detected with P levels as low as …