Life Sciences Commons^™

Algorithm To Estimate Sorghum Grain Number From Panicles Using Images Collected With A Smartphone At Field-Scale, G. N. Santiago, A. J. P. Carcedo, L. Marziotte, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

An estimation of on-farm yield before harvest is important to help farmers make decisions about additional input use, time to harvest, and options for end uses of the harvestable product. However, obtaining a rapid assessment of on-farm yield can be challenging, especially for a sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL.) crop due to the complexity of counting the total number of grains in a panicle at field-scale. One alternative to reduce labor is to develop a rapid assessment method employing computer vision algorithms. Computer vision has already been utilized to account for the number of grains within a panicle, yet it …

Kansas Field Research 2023

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A summary of research conducted in 2021-2023 on field production and management practices for crops in Kansas. Published in 2023 from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.https://www.ag.k-state.edu/

Occasional Tillage In A Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation: 2022 Growing Season, John D. Holman, Augustine K. Obour, Lucas A. Haag, Mikaela A. Lawrence

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Beginning in 2012, research was conducted near 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. Treatments included no-till, single tillage post wheat harvest in mid-August, and single tillage mid-June during the fallow phase. This study was revised with two additional more intensive tillage treatments since 2019. The two additional treatments were 1) two tillage operations during the fallow phase and 2) one tillage during fallow phase and one tillage post wheat harvest. Grain yield varied greatly by year and location. Wheat yields ranged …

Observations On The Seasonal Abundance Of Sorghum Midge, Anthony Zukoff

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sorghum midge,Stenodiplosis sorghicola(Coquillett), is a major pest of sorghum production worldwide. Midge larvae develop within the sorghum spikelet protected from predation and chemical control. Feeding by larvae prevents grain development resulting in varying degrees of blank heads. Historically, sorghum midge has been considered a minor pest in Kansas. In recent years, significant midge infestations have been documented in several locations of the southwest and southeast portions of the state. Some basic information on sorghum midge seasonality in Kansas will help to refine some management recommendations if this pest becomes more prevalent. Sorghum midges were recovered from samples taken …

Kansas Field Research 2022

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A summary of research conducted in 2020-2022 on field production and management practices for crops in Kansas. Published in 2022 from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.
https://www.ag.k-state.edu/

2021 Kansas Summer Annual Forage Hay And Silage Variety Trial, J. Holman, A. Obour, S. Dooley, T. Roberts

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2021, summer annual forage variety trials were conducted across Kansas near Garden City, Hays, and Scandia. All sites evaluated hay and silage entries. Companies were able to enter varieties into any possible combinations of research sites, so not all sites had all varieties. Across the sites, a total of 104 hay varieties and 55 sorghum silage varieties were evaluated.

Historical Characterization Of Sorghum Grain Filling Dynamics, J. Grünberg, A. J. P. Carcedo, P. A. Demarco, L. Mayor, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Understanding crop response to manipulations in source (number of leaves) and sink (panicle) during the growing season provides useful information to develop crop breeding strategies. In the present study, we assessed how source-sink manipulation can affect sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL.) yield and its components—grain number and grain weight (including grain filling dynamics)—for hybrids released in the past 60 years. The field experiment was conducted during the 2021 growing season in Wamego, KS (US), testing six commercially available grain sorghum hybrids released between 1963 and 2020. Grain weight significantly decreased from 28 to 21 mg in defoliation treatments among hybrids …

Response Of Conventional Sorghum To Imiflex, Zest Wdg, And Firstact, R. Liu, V. Kumar, M. Marrs, T. L. Lambert

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Grass weed control in sorghum has been a serious challenge for sorghum growers. The newly developed herbicide-tolerant (HT) sorghum technologies such as igrowth, Inzen, and Double Team sorghum will allow growers to use IMIFLEX, ZestWDG, and FirstAct respectively, for in-season weed control. However, the adoption of these HT sorghum technologies may increase the use of these labeled herbicides and increase the likelihood of herbicide drift or tank contamination to conventional sorghum. Three separate field studies were conducted at Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center (KSU-ARCH) near Hays, KS, to understand the response of conventional sorghum to various rates of IMIFLEX, …

Crop Production 2020 – Corn, Sorghum, Soybean, And Sunflower Variety Testing, G. F. Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, J. Lingenfelser, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a summary of the variety testing for corn, sorghum, soybean, and sunflower. Nine corn varieties were tested in 2020, with an average yield of 107.6 bu/a. Twenty-four cultivars of soybeans from maturity groups (MG) 3-4 and twenty-seven cultivars from MG4-5 were tested in both full-season and double-cropped management. Full-season beans yielded an average of 54.5 bu/a for MG3-4 and 58.8 bu/a for MG4-5, which was greater than the average yields in the double-cropped beans at 32 bu/a for MG3-4 and 40.5 bu/a for MG4-5. The state-wide average soybean yield in 2020 was higher than the 10-year average. Nine …

2020 Kansas Summer Annual Forage Hay And Silage Variety Trial, J. D. Holman, A. Obour, S. J. Dooley, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2020, summer annual forage variety trials were conducted across Kansas near Garden City, Hays, and Scandia. All sites evaluated hay and silage entries. Companies were able to enter varieties into any possible combinations of research sites, so not all sites had all varieties. Across the sites, a total of 98 hay varieties, 78 sorghum silage varieties, and 11 dual-purpose sorghum silage varieties were evaluated.

Kansas Fertilizer Research 2021

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A summary of research conducted in 2018-2020 on fertilizer use and management practices for crops in Kansas. Published in 2021 from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Servicehttps://www.ag.k-state.edu/

Sorghum Grain Filling And Dry Down Dynamics For Hybrids Released Over The Past Six Decades In The Us, P. A. Demarco, L. Mayor, P. V. Prasad, C. D. Messina, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL. Moench) is mainly grown in the Great Plains region of the United States, with the state of Kansas as the premier cropland for its cultivation. Over time, improvements in sorghum have been related to genetic and management interactions, however, scarcity of information on the grain filling and the dry down processes have been reported. This study characterizes grain filling and dry down dynamics for hybrids with different released years. Field trials were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Kansas, testing 20 commercially available grain sorghum hybrids released between 1963 and 2017. Grain dry …

Kansas Field Research 2021

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A summary of research conducted in 2019-2020 on field production and management practices for crops in Kansas. Published in 2021 from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service https://www.ag.k-state.edu/

Southeast Kansas Crop Production Summary - 2019, G. F. Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, J. Lingenfelser, X. Lin, E. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a summary of the crop production conditions in southeast Kansas in 2019, and the results of the variety testing for corn, soybean, sorghum, sunflower, and wheat.

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Forage production is important for the 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.

Occasional Tillage And Nitrogen Application Effects On Winter Wheat And Grain Sorghum Yield, Augustine K. Obour, John D. Holman, Alan J. Schlegel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Occasional tillage ahead of winter wheat planting could alleviate herbicide-resistant weeds, redistribute soil acidification, and improve seedbed at wheat planting. The objec­tive of this study was to determine occasional tillage and nitrogen (N) fertilizer ap­plication effects on winter wheat, and grain sorghum yields and soil quality in a wheat-sorghum-fallow cropping system. Treatments were three tillage practices: 1) continuous no-tillage (NT); 2) continuous reduced-tillage (RT); and 3) single tillage operation every 3 years (June-July) ahead of winter wheat planting [occasional tillage (OT)]. The sub-plot treatments were assigned to four N fertilizer rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 lb/a of N). Results …

Kansas Fertilizer Research 2020, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A summary of research conducted in 2018-2020 on fertilizer use and management practices for crops in Kansas. Published in 2020 from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Servicehttps://www.ag.k-state.edu/.

Determining Profitable Forage Rotations, J. 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 op-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 2018. Tillage …

Southeast Kansas Crop Production Summary – 2018, G. F. Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, J. Lingenfelser, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a summary of the crop production conditions in southeast Kansas in 2018, and the results of the variety testing for corn, soybean, sorghum, sunflower, and wheat.

Integrating Half Rates Of Dicamba And Atrazine With Increasing Sorghum Density And Nitrogen Rate For Palmer Amaranth Control, I. B. Cuvaca, A. J. Foster, R. Currie

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sorghum is an important crop in Kansas. However, in-season weed control options for sorghum are limited. This limitation is exacerbated by Palmer amaranth season-long interference and resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action.

This 2-year study investigated the ability of a contrasting combination of cultural and chemical practices to control Palmer amaranth while maintaining or improving sorghum grain yield. Particular research emphasis was to evaluate the effect(s) of integrating half rates of dicamba and atrazine applied as PRE with increasing sorghum density and nitrogen rate on Palmer amaranth control and grain yield in an irrigated environment.

Forage Type And Maturity Effects On Yield And Nutritive Value, J. D. Holman, A. Obour, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL.) and sorghum × sudan (Sorghum bicolor sssp. Drummondii) are important annual forages in the High Plains. Advancements in brown mid-rib (BMR) cultivars will likely affect forage yield and nutritive values. A study was initiated in 2017 at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Garden City, KS, comparing one variety each of BMR and non-BMR forage sorghum and sorghum × sudan cultivars. Forage type and growth stage affected yield and nutritive value, and occasionally there was an interaction between forage type and maturity.

Interaction Of Seeding And Nitrogen Rate On Grain Sorghum Yield In Southwest Kansas, A. J. Foster, A. Schlegel, J. D. Holman, I. A. Ciampitti, C. Thompson, D. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study compared drilled planted sorghum at four seeding rates to planted sorghum at three different nitrogen (N) fertility levels at two locations in southwest Kansas (Garden City and Tribune). At the Garden City location, no difference was observed in yield among the drilled seeded sorghum populations greater than 27,000 seeds/a compared to the standard planted sorghum (sorghum planted at 27,000 seeds/a with a planter at 30 in.-row spacing). At Tribune, there was no difference in yield between the drilled sorghum and the standard planted sorghum (sorghum planted at 40,000 seeds/a with a planter at 30 in.-row spacing) regardless of …

Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) Suppression With Half Rates Of Dicamba And Atrazine With Increasing Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor) Density And Nitrogen Rate, I. B. Cuvaca, R. Currie, A. J. Foster

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Palmer amaranth (PA) competition can result in severe yield loss in grain sorghum. Increasing sorghum density and nutrient supply could promote early/rapid canopy closure and therefore reduce the amount of light that could otherwise penetrate the canopy and promote PA growth in sorghum. A study was conducted at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Garden City, KS, to determine if PA could be suppressed with dicamba and atrazine applied as PRE at half rates combined with increasing sorghum density (60,000, 90,000, and 120,000 seeds/a), and nitrogen rate (0, 100, 200 lb/a). Preliminary results indicate that increasing plant density and nitrogen rate …

Interaction Of Seeding And Nitrogen Rate On Grain Sorghum Yield In Southwest Kansas, A. J. Foster, A. Schlegel, J. D. Holman, I. A. Ciampitti, C. Thompson, Dorivar Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study compared drilled planted sorghum at four seeding rates to planted sorghum at three different nitrogen (N) fertility levels at two locations in southwest Kansas (Garden City and Tribune). At the Garden City location, no difference was observed in yield among the drilled seeded sorghum populations greater than 27,000 seeds/a compared to the standard planted sorghum (sorghum planted at 27,000 seeds/a with a planter at 30 in.-row spacing). At Tribune, there was no difference in yield between the drilled sorghum and the standard planted sorghum (sorghum planted at 40,000 seeds/a with a planter at 30 in.-row spacing) regardless of …

Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) Suppression With Half Rates Of Dicamba And Atrazine With Increasing Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor) Density And Nitrogen Rate, I. B. Cuvaca, R. Currie, A. J. Foster

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Palmer amaranth (PA) competition can result in severe yield loss in grain sorghum. Increasing sorghum density and nutrient supply could promote early/rapid canopy closure and therefore reduce the amount of light that could otherwise penetrate the canopy and promote PA growth in sorghum. A study was conducted at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Garden City, KS, to determine if PA could be suppressed with dicamba and atrazine applied as PRE at half rates combined with increasing sorghum density (60,000, 90,000, and 120,000 seeds/a), and nitrogen rate (0, 100, 200 lb/a). Preliminary results indicate that increasing plant density and nitrogen rate …

Large-Scale Dryland Cropping Systems, A. Schlegel, L. Haag, D. O'Brien

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted from 2008 to 2015 at the Kansas State University Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, Kansas. The crop rotations evaluated were continuous grain sorghum (SS), wheat-fallow (WF), wheat-corn-fallow (WCF), wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF), wheat-corn-sorghum-fallow (WCSF), and wheat-sorghum-corn-fallow (WSCF). All rotations were grown using no-till practices except for WF, which was grown using reduced-tillage. Precipitation capture efficiency was not greater with more intensive rotations. Wheat yields were not affected by length of rotation. Corn and grain sorghum yields were about 60% greater when following wheat than when following corn or grain sorghum. Grain sorghum yields were almost twice as great …

2015 Crop Performance In Southeast Kansas, Gretchen Sassenrath, Jane Lingenfelser, L. Mengarelli, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Crop variety testing determines the production potential of newly released crop cultivars in Southeast Kansas. The genetic potential is moderated by environmental conditions during the growing season as well as soil productive capacity.

Development Of A Berry Processing Score For Sorghum Silage, J. R. Johnson, J. P. Goeser, Michael Brouk

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was done in an effort to develop a berry processing score (BPS) for sorghum silage, similar to the kernel processing score (KPS) currently used for corn silage. Sorghum silage samples were collected from 3 dairies in Kansas and processed in the Grain Science & Industry grain processing laboratory at Kansas State University using one of four different roll gap settings to give four differently processed samples: unprocessed, 1.5, 1.0, or 0.5 mm. After drying, samples were placed into a Ro-Tap particle separation machine for 10 minutes until the whole sample was separated. Whole samples, as well as separated …

Balanced Nutrition And Crop Production Practices For Closing Sorghum Yield Gaps, B. Mchenry, Eric Adee, J. Kimball, P. V. Vara Prasad, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In order to study how diverse cropping system approaches influence grain sorghum productivity, field experiments were conducted in Topeka, KS at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field; and in Ottawa, KS at the East Central Kansas Experiment Field. The primary objective of this study was to understand how to close yield gaps between the current on-farm yields and the maximum attainable yields. The factors that were tested include narrow row spacing; high and low plant population; balanced nutrition practices, including various timings of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K); micronutrient applications of iron and zinc (Fe and Zn); crop protection with …

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 …