Life Sciences Commons^™

Biomass And Nutrient Accumulation By Dual-Purpose Hemp And Concurrent Soil Profile Water Depletion At Manhattan, Ks, In 2021, Kraig Roozeboom, Jason Griffin, Lucas Haag, Gerard Kluitenberg, Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, Michael Shelton, Tami Myers, Clint Wilson, Andrew Euler, Ike Bahr, Brian Owuoche

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Hemp has garnered interest as a potential crop that is not constrained by the typical food, feed, and fuel market channels. Although hemp varieties are available for the production of either grain, fiber, or both (dual-purpose: both grain and fiber) markets, little research-based information is available on hemp growth and water use in Kansas environments. In 2019, Kansas State University researchers began conducting experi­ments to characterize hemp growth, nutrient uptake, and soil water depletion at three locations representing the precipitation gradient across Kansas. In 2021, one fiber and one grain variety were evaluated with and without fertilizer nitrogen. Soil water …

Wheat Stubble Height On Subsequent Corn And Grain Sorghum Crops, A. Schlegel, A. Burnett, L. Haag

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A field study initiated in 2006 at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS, was designed to evaluate the effects of three wheat stubble heights on subsequent grain yields of corn and grain sorghum. Corn and sorghum yields in 2020 were near the long-term average despite lower than normal precipitation. When averaged across years from 2007 through 2020, corn grain yields were 8 bu/a greater when planted into either high or strip-cut wheat stubble than into low-cut stubble. Average grain sorghum yields were 5 bu/a greater in high-cut stubble than low-cut stubble. Similarly, water use efficiency was greater for high …

Wheat Stubble Height On Subsequent Corn And Grain Sorghum Crops, A. Schlegel, A. Burnett, L. Haag

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A field study initiated in 2006 at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS, was designed to evaluate the effects of three wheat stubble heights on subsequent grain yields of corn and grain sorghum. Corn and sorghum yields in 2019 were greater than the long-term average. When averaged from 2007 through 2019, corn grain yields were 8–9 bu/a greater when planted into either high or strip-cut stubble than into low-cut stubble. Average grain sorghum yields were 5 bu/a greater in high-cut stubble than low-cut stubble. Similarly, water use efficiency was greater for high or strip-cut stubble for corn and greater …

Cover Crop Management Effects On Soil Water Content And Winter Wheat Yield In Dryland Systems, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, J. R. Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Integrating cover crop (CCs) into dryland crop production in the semiarid central Great Plains (CGP) can provide several ecosystem benefits. However, CC adoption is slow and not widely popular in the CGP because CCs utilize water that otherwise would be available for the subsequent cash crop. Grazing or haying CCs can provide economic benefits to offset revenue loss associated with decreased crop yields when CCs are grown ahead of a cash crop. Objectives of the current research were to 1) determine forage production of CC mixtures, and 2) evaluate the impacts of removing CC for forage on soil water content, …

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was initiated in 1991 at the Kansas State University Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS. The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of tillage intensity on precipitation capture, soil water storage, and grain yield in a wheat-sorghum-fallow rotation. Grain yields of wheat and grain sorghum increased with decreased tillage intensity in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation. In 2018, available soil water at sorghum planting was greater for no-tillage (NT) than reduced tillage (RT) which was greater than conventional tillage (CT). For wheat there was a similar pattern as sorghum, with available soil water at wheat planting …

Wheat Stubble Height On Subsequent Corn And Grain Sorghum Crops, A. Schlegel, L. Haag

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A field study initiated in 2006 at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS, was designed to evaluate the effects of three wheat stubble heights on subsequent grain yields of corn and grain sorghum. Corn and sorghum yields in 2018 were greater than the long-term average. When averaged from 2007 through 2018, corn grain yields were 9 bu/a greater when planted into either high or strip-cut stubble than into low-cut stubble. Average grain sorghum yields were 6 bu/a greater in high-cut stubble than low-cut stubble. Similarly, water use efficiency was greater for high or strip-cut stubble for corn and high-cut …

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 …

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 …

Estimating Annual Forage Yields With Plant Available Water And Growing Season Precipitation, J. D. Holman, A. Obour, I. Kisekka, 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.

Fallow Replacement Crop (Cover Crops, Annual Forages, And Short-Season Grain Crops) Effects On Wheat And Grain Sorghum Yields, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing cover crops and reducing fallow. Growing a crop during the fallow period would increase profitability if crop benefits exceeded expenses. Benefits of growing a cover crop were shown in high rainfall areas, but limited information is available on growing cover crops in place of fallow in the semiarid Great Plains. A study was conducted from 2007–2017 that evaluated cover crops, annual forages, and short season grain crops grown in place of fallow. In the first experiment (2007-2012), the rotation was no-tillage wheat-fallow. The second experiment (2012-2017) rotation was no-tillage wheat-grain sorghum-fallow. This report presents results …

Determining Profitable Annual Forage Rotations, J. D. Holman, A. Obour, I. Kisekka, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing annual forages, yet western Kansas lacks proven recommended crop rotations such as those for grain crops. Forage production is important to the region’s livestock and dairy industries and is becoming increasingly important as irrigation-well capacity declines. Forages require less water than grain crops and may allow for increased cropping intensity and opportunistic cropping. A study was initiated in 2012 at the Southwest Research-Extension Center in Garden City, KS, comparing several 1-, 3-, and 4-year forage rotations with no-tillage and minimum-tillage (min-tillage). Data presented are from 2013 through 2016. Winter triticale yields were increased by tillage. …

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing forages in rotation with grain crops. Many producers are interested in diversifying their operations to include livestock or grow feed for the livestock industry. By integrating forages into the cropping system producers can take advantage of more markets and reduce market risk. Forages require less water to make a crop than grain crops, so the potential may exist to reduce fallow by including forages in the crop rotation. Reducing fallow through intensified grain/forage rotations may increase the profitability and sustainability compared to existing crop rotations.

This study was started in 2013, with crops grown in-phase …

Response Of Drought-Tolerant Hybrids To Environmental Yield Potential, T. Newell, K. Roozeboom, I. A. Ciampitti, Eric Adee, G. Cramer, J. D. Holman, A. Schlegel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Due to increasing non-irrigated corn acres, decreasing availability of irrigation water in some areas of western Kansas, and increasing water restrictions, producers are looking for more efficient ways to use available water. Drought-tolerant (DT) hybrid technologies are marketed for their ability to produce more stable yields in stress-prone environments. The objective of this research was to understand how DT and non-DT corn hybrids respond to a wide range of environmental conditions in terms of soil water status change, canopy indicators of stress, dry matter partitioning, and grain yield. Two DT hybrids, and one non-DT hybrid were compared in 2014 and …

Fallow Replacement Crop (Cover Crops, Annual Forages, And Short-Season Grain Crops) Effects On Available Soil Water, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell, I. Kisekka, A. Obour

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing cover crops and reducing fallow. Limited information is available on growing crops in place of fallow in the semiarid Great Plains. Between 2012 and 2015, spring cover, annual forage, and grain crops were grown in place of fallow in a no-till wheat-grain sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation in southwest Kansas. Growing a cover, hay, or grain crop in place of fallow reduced the amount of stored soil moisture at wheat planting. On average, cover crops stored slightly more moisture than hay crops, but this soil moisture difference did not affect wheat yields. Soil moisture after grain crops …

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research on 4-year crop rotations with wheat and grain sorghum was initiated in 1996 at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, Kansas. Rotations were wheat-wheat-sorghum-fallow (WWSF), wheat-sorghum-sorghum-fallow (WSSF), and continuous wheat (WW). Soil water at wheat planting averaged about 9 inches following sorghum, which is about 3 inches more than the average for the second wheat crop in a WWSF rotation. Soil water at sorghum planting was only about 1 inch less for the second sorghum crop compared with sorghum following wheat. Grain yield of recrop wheat averaged about 80% of the yield of wheat following sorghum. Grain yield of …

Irrigation Scheduling Based On Soil Moisture Sensors And Evapotranspiration, J. Aguilar, D. Rogers, I. Kisekka

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Irrigation scheduling is crucial to effectively manage water resources and optimize profitability of an irrigated operation. Tools that can be customized to a field’s characteristics can greatly facilitate irrigation scheduling decisions. Soil moisture sensors and the evapotranspiration (ET)-based KanSched are two of the tools that could be implemented in an irrigated farm. Focusing on the installation of soil moisture sensors, demonstration set-ups were established at the Southwest Research-Extension Center plots in Garden City, Kansas, and in a producer’s field, each with three types of moisture sensors at different depths. Among others, this project validates the importance of moisture sensors being …

Cover Crop Impacts On Soil Water Status, M. Kuykendall, K. Roozeboom, G. J. Kluitenberg, P. V. Vara Prasad

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Water is a primary concern for producers in the Great Plains; as such, research is warranted to quantify how much cover crops affect the amount of soil water available to subsequent cash crops. Cover crop mixes have been marketed as a means to conserve water in no-till cropping systems following winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) harvest. The objectives of this study are to quantify changes in soil profile water content in the presence of different cover crops and mixtures of increasing species complexity, to quantify their biomass productivity and quality, and to quantify the impact of cover crops on …