Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 30 of 83

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

East Central Kansas Experiment Field Introduction, E. A. Adee Jan 2015

East Central Kansas Experiment Field Introduction, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The research program at the East Central Kansas Experiment Field is designed to keep area crop producers abreast of technological advances in agronomic agriculture. Specific objectives are to (1) identify top-performing varieties and hybrids of wheat, corn, soybean, and grain sorghum; (2) establish the amount of tillage and crop residue cover needed for optimum crop production; (3) evaluate weed and disease control practices using chemical, no chemical, and combination methods; and (4) test fertilizer rates, timing, and application methods for agronomic proficiency and environmental stewardship.


Tillage And Nitrogen Placement Effects On Yields In A Short-Season Corn/Wheat/Double-Crop Soybean Rotation, D. W. Sweeney Jan 2015

Tillage And Nitrogen Placement Effects On Yields In A Short-Season Corn/Wheat/Double-Crop Soybean Rotation, D. W. Sweeney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2013, late planting resulted in corn yields that were less than 100 bu/a. Nitrogen (N) placement did not affect yields in the higher-yielding conventional tillage system, but knifing tended to result in greater yield in reduced and no-till systems.


Corn Response To Foliar-Applied Zinc Fertilizers, A. Lamb, N. O. Nelson Jan 2015

Corn Response To Foliar-Applied Zinc Fertilizers, A. Lamb, N. O. Nelson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted to determine corn response to three foliar-applied zinc sources. The study was conducted on dryland corn in Manhattan, KS, during the 2014 growing season. Yields were low as a result of very low precipitation during pollination and grain fill. There was no yield response to foliar-applied Zn; however, grain analysis show significant increases in grain Zn concentration from foliar-applied Zn. Foliar-applied Zn products are effective for increasing Zn uptake in corn. Additional studies need to be conducted to determine the yield response.


Tillage And Nitrogen Placement Effects On Yields In A Short-Season Corn/Wheat/Double-Crop Soybean Rotation, D. W. Sweeney Jan 2015

Tillage And Nitrogen Placement Effects On Yields In A Short-Season Corn/Wheat/Double-Crop Soybean Rotation, D. W. Sweeney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Overall in 2014, adding nitrogen (N) improved average wheat yields, but different N placement methods resulted in similar yields. Double-crop soybean yields were unaffected by tillage or the residual from N treatments that were applied to the previous wheat crop.


Identification Of Yield-Limiting Factors In Southeast Kansas Cropping Systems, G. F. Sassenrath, X. Lin, D. E. Shoup Jan 2015

Identification Of Yield-Limiting Factors In Southeast Kansas Cropping Systems, G. F. Sassenrath, X. Lin, D. E. Shoup

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Crop performance and yield within production fields varies as a function of growing environment and soil properties within the field. Components contributing to yield in corn, wheat, and soybean production were examined through on-farm measurements of soil properties in southeast Kansas. Additional tests in research plots explored components contributing to yield in greater detail. Environmental variability between the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons contributed to differences in yield. Additional variability in soil parameters influenced crop performance, particularly for soils high in clay content.


2014 Crop Performance In Southeast Kansas, G. F. Sassenrath, J. Lingenfelser, J. Mengarelli, K. Kusel Jan 2015

2014 Crop Performance In Southeast Kansas, G. F. Sassenrath, J. Lingenfelser, J. Mengarelli, K. Kusel

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.


Improving Yield Stability And Resiliency Of Agronomic Production Systems In Southeast Kansas, G. F. Sassenrath, J. K. Farney, Deann Presley, C. Davis Jan 2015

Improving Yield Stability And Resiliency Of Agronomic Production Systems In Southeast Kansas, G. F. Sassenrath, J. K. Farney, Deann Presley, C. Davis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soil health is a critical determinant of crop performance. Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties can be modified through production practices such as tillage. Use of cover crops has been shown to benefit soil health and may improve productive capacity of soils. High rainfall and intense crop production practices limit the ability to implement cover crops in current production systems in southeast Kansas. This study explores potential management of cover crops and their contribution to soil health, crop productivity, and animal grazing.


Weather Information For Tribune, H. D. Bond, R. Mai Jan 2015

Weather Information For Tribune, H. D. Bond, R. Mai

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tribune, Kansas: In 2014, annual precipitation of 16.31 in. was recorded, which is 1.59 in. below normal. Seven months had below-normal precipitation. June (3.61 in.) was the wettest month. The largest single amount of precipitation was 1.54 in. on July 30.


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 Jan 2015

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 …


Determining Profitable Annual Forage Rotations, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell Jan 2015

Determining Profitable Annual Forage Rotations, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing forages, yet the southwest region of 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 2013 comparing several 1-, 3-, and 4-year forage rotations with no-till and minimum-till (min-till). Data presented are from 2013 through 2014. Winter triticale yields were not affected by tillage in 2013 but were increased …


Wheat Stubble Height On Subsequent Corn And Grain Sorghum Crops, A. Schlegel Jan 2015

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A field study initiated in 2006 was designed to evaluate the effects of three wheat stubble heights on subsequent grain yields of corn and grain sorghum. Corn yields in 2014 were similar to the long-term average, while sorghum yields were greater than the long-term average. Taller cut stubble in 2014 increased biomass production of corn and yield for grain sorghum. When averaged across 2007 through 2014, corn grain yields were 9 bu/a greater when planted into either tall or strip-cut stubble than into low-cut stubble. Average grain sorghum yields were not significantly affected by wheat stubble height. Water use efficiency …


Wheat And Grain Sorghum In Four-Year Rotations, A. Schlegel, J. D. Holman, C. Thompson Jan 2015

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 …


Fallow Weed Control With Preemergence Tank Mixes Of Sharpen, Zidua, Sencor, Banvel, Atrazine, Balance Pro, And Corvus, R. Currie, P. Geier Jan 2015

Fallow Weed Control With Preemergence Tank Mixes Of Sharpen, Zidua, Sencor, Banvel, Atrazine, Balance Pro, And Corvus, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

With the exception of the tank mix of Sharpen and Sencor, all other tank mixes that provided 100% kochia control 53 days after treatment (DAT) were three-way tank mixes of atrazine herbicide plus, Banvel, and Balance Pro or Zidua. Only two tank mixes provided 98% kochia control 143 DAT. These were also three-way tank mixes of these chemistries. Combinations of Balance Pro and Sencor were needed to provide greater than 93% control of Russian thistle 143 DAT. No tank mix provided good control of Palmer amaranth 143 DAT. However, tank mixes of Sharpen, Sencor, and Zidua provided 84% control 143 …


Evaluation Of Colorants On ‘Sharpshooter’ And ‘Cody’ Buffalograss, R. Braun, J. Fry, M. Kennelly, D. Bremer, J. Griffin Jan 2015

Evaluation Of Colorants On ‘Sharpshooter’ And ‘Cody’ Buffalograss, R. Braun, J. Fry, M. Kennelly, D. Bremer, J. Griffin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Turf colorants effectively enhanced green color of dormant buffalograss. Using a higher application rate or adding a midwinter application helped longevity of color. Colorants increased canopy temperatures more consistently than soil temperatures, which may encourage earlier spring greenup.


Dormant Turfgrass Paint And Glyphosate Application Timing Effects On Annual Bluegrass And Tall Fescue Control, J. Hoyle, J. Reeves Jan 2015

Dormant Turfgrass Paint And Glyphosate Application Timing Effects On Annual Bluegrass And Tall Fescue Control, J. Hoyle, J. Reeves

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Excellent annual bluegrass control can be achieved with dormant glyphosate and glyphosate + Endurant treatments applied November through February. The addition of Endurant to glyphosate in early applications (November and December) increases tall fescue control.


Efficacy Of Anthem, Anthem Atz, Solstice, Keystone Nxt, Corvus, And Surestart Ii In Glyphosate-Resistant Irrigated Corn, R. Currie, P. Geier Jan 2015

Efficacy Of Anthem, Anthem Atz, Solstice, Keystone Nxt, Corvus, And Surestart Ii In Glyphosate-Resistant Irrigated Corn, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The best treatments provided excellent green foxtail, crabgrass, or shattercane control. All treatments dramatically increased corn yield compared to the control.


Irrigation Scheduling Based On Soil Moisture Sensors And Evapotranspiration, J. Aguilar, D. Rogers, I. Kisekka Jan 2015

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 …


Evaluation Of Overseeding And Colorants On ‘Chisholm’ Zoysiagrass During Winter Dormancy, R. Braun, J. Fry, M. Kennelly, D. Bremer, J. Griffin Jan 2015

Evaluation Of Overseeding And Colorants On ‘Chisholm’ Zoysiagrass During Winter Dormancy, R. Braun, J. Fry, M. Kennelly, D. Bremer, J. Griffin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Annual ryegrass overseeding into lawn-height zoysiagrass provided acceptable turf color for only four weeks. The colorant Green Lawnger provided a darker green and considerably longer duration of acceptable color as compared to the colorant Match Play (bermudagrass), which was lighter green on zoysiagrass. A single colorant application resulted in acceptable turf color for 7 to 24 weeks; a sequential midwinter application provided acceptable color until spring greenup.


Grain Sorghum Yield Response To Water Availability, J. P. Broeckelman, G. J. Kluitenberg, K. Roozeboom, I. A. Ciampitti Jan 2015

Grain Sorghum Yield Response To Water Availability, J. P. Broeckelman, G. J. Kluitenberg, K. Roozeboom, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Yield effects of irrigation on sorghum and corn were compared, focusing only on the grain sorghum phase. Average water use for irrigation was 22 in., and dryland sorghum used 17 in. Average yields based on 12.5% grain moisture for dryland and irrigated sorghum were similar, with 138 bu/a for the irrigated and 142 bu/a for the dryland environment. Irrigated sorghum yields were similar, but in dryland, the Pioneer 84G62 hybrid yielded 149 bu/a, a 10 bu/a increase over Pioneer 84Y50 and DKS 53-67 hybrids, which yielded 139 bu/a and 138 bu/a, respectively. Although there was a difference in the yield …


Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization Of Irrigated Corn, A. Schlegel, H. D. Bond Jan 2015

Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization Of Irrigated Corn, A. Schlegel, H. D. Bond

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long-term research shows that phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer must be applied to optimize production of irrigated corn in western Kansas. In 2014, N applied alone increased yields 58 bu/a, whereas P applied alone increased yields only 12 bu/a. Nitrogen and P applied together increased yields up to 152 bu/a. This is slightly above the 10-year average, where N and P fertilization increased corn yields up to 146 bu/a. Application of 120 lb/a N (with P) produced about 91% of maximum yield in 2014, which was similar to the 10-year average. Application of 80 instead of 40 lb P2O5/a …


Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Iron Chelates In Managing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis In Grain Sorghum, A. Obour, R. Perumal Jan 2015

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Iron Chelates In Managing Iron Deficiency Chlorosis In Grain Sorghum, A. Obour, R. Perumal

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Grain sorghum production in alkaline or calcareous soils is frequently affected by iron (Fe) chlorosis. Soil conditions such as high pH, high free calcium carbonate (lime), and low organic matter favor development of iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC), which can delay crop maturity and reduce yields. Two field experiments were conducted in the summer of 2014 to determine the effectiveness of Fe chelate application in alleviating IDC in grain sorghum. Treatments in the first study were four Fe chelate application rates (0, 3, 6, and 9 lb/a) applied either in-furrow with the seed at the time of planting or 2 weeks …


Adaptability Of Miscanthus Cultivars For Biomass Production, J. L. Moyer Jan 2015

Adaptability Of Miscanthus Cultivars For Biomass Production, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2014, miscanthus dry matter (DM) did not differ between cultivars, averaging 10,970 lb/a. Total two-year production totaled 15,920 lb DM/a.


Weather Information For Garden City, J. Elliott Jan 2015

Weather Information For Garden City, J. Elliott

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Garden City, Kansas: Precipitation for 2014 totaled 23.29 in. This was 4.05 in. above the 30-year average of 19.24 in. This was the first year since 2009 with above-normal precipitation and the highest level since 24.69 in. in 2004.


Soybean Planting Date × Maturity Group: Eastern Kansas Summary, I. A. Ciampitti, D. E. Shoup, G. Sassenrath, J. Kimball, E. A. Adee Jan 2015

Soybean Planting Date × Maturity Group: Eastern Kansas Summary, I. A. Ciampitti, D. E. Shoup, G. Sassenrath, J. Kimball, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Optimum planting time for soybean depends on the interaction between genotype and environment (G × E). Four field studies were conducted during the 2014 growing season across eastern Kansas (Manhattan, Topeka, Ottawa, and Parsons). This study explores the impact of planting date (early, mid, and late planting times) on yield for modern soybean cultivars from a range of maturity groups (early, medium, and late groups).


Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization Of Irrigated Grain Sorghum, A. Schlegel, H. D. Bond Jan 2015

Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization Of Irrigated Grain Sorghum, A. Schlegel, H. D. Bond

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long-term research shows that phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer must be applied to optimize production of irrigated grain sorghum in western Kansas. In 2014, N applied alone increased yields 49 bu/a, whereas N and P applied together increased yields up to 81 bu/a. Averaged across the past 10 years, N and P fertilization increased sorghum yields up to 73 bu/a. Application of 40 lb/a N (with P) was sufficient to produce more than 80% of maximum yield in 2014, which almost equals the 10-year average. Application of potassium (K) has had no effect on sorghum yield throughout the study …


Herbicide Evaluation For Control Of Kochia And Palmer Amaranth In Teff Grass, J. D. Holman, C. Thompson, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell Jan 2015

Herbicide Evaluation For Control Of Kochia And Palmer Amaranth In Teff Grass, J. D. Holman, C. Thompson, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Eleven postemergence herbicide treatments were applied to teff grown for forage to evaluate Palmer amaranth and kochia control, as well as crop tolerance. Effective Palmer amaranth control was achieved with all herbicide treatments, while less than satisfactory kochia control was obtained with atrazine and Harmony. Clarity, 2,4-D, and Huskie applied alone appeared to control kochia, but kochia density was low in the plots. Had the kochia population been higher, similar efficacy ratings may have been attained. Huskie or atrazine caused the most injury to teff. The first harvest suggests these herbicides reduced forage yield to less than 3,000 lb/a.


Effects Of Seed Treatment On Sudden Death Syndrome Symptoms And Soybean Yield, E. A. Adee Jan 2015

Effects Of Seed Treatment On Sudden Death Syndrome Symptoms And Soybean Yield, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a soybean disease that perennially limits yields in the Kansas River Valley. The presence of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and saturated soils have been implicated in contributing to the severity of the disease. Selecting varieties with some degree of tolerance to SDS is the only cultural practice that can potentially reduce the severity of SDS and improve yields. Variety selection alone, however, cannot improve the production of soybeans to make them profitable. The challenge of trying to manage irrigation scheduling to avoid saturated soils further complicates efforts to increase productivity with irrigation while still avoiding …


Late-Season Nitrogen Fertilizer Application In Soybean, G. R. Balboa, D. R. Hodgins, I. A. Ciampitti Jan 2015

Late-Season Nitrogen Fertilizer Application In Soybean, G. R. Balboa, D. R. Hodgins, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Field experiments were conducted at the North Central Kansas Experiment Field near Scandia, KS, in the summer of 2014 to evaluate effect of late-season nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on modern soybean genotypes under dryland and irrigated environments. The main objective was to determine if the N application late in the season has an agronomical benefit to soybean producers. A unique fertilizer N source (urea) was applied at five N rates (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 lb N/a) to soybean at the R3 growth stage. Overall soybean yields under dryland conditions ranged from 73 to 89 bu/a, whereas yield variation …


Corn Yield Response To Plant Populations, D. E. Shoup, E. A. Adee, I. A. Ciampitti Jan 2015

Corn Yield Response To Plant Populations, D. E. Shoup, E. A. Adee, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Corn hybrid development with a focus on drought tolerance has emerged in recent years, and producers have questions about their yield performance across a range of plant populations. A two-year study was conducted to determine the yield of corn hybrids across several plant populations. Corn hybrids responded differently in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, a lower yield environment occurred. The hybrid with drought tolerance had the greatest yield of 95 bu/a at a plant population of 21,500 plants/a, whereas the non-drought-tolerant hybrid’s greatest yield was 90 bu/a at a plant population of 13,500 plants/a. In 2014, the yield environment was …


Seeding Rates And Fertilizer Placement To Improve Strip-Till And No-Till Corn, D. W. Sweeney Jan 2015

Seeding Rates And Fertilizer Placement To Improve Strip-Till And No-Till Corn, D. W. Sweeney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2013, late planting resulted in corn yields that were less than 110 bu/a. Yields were not increased with seeding rates above 26,000/a, but a small increase in yield was obtained with knife applications of fertilizer nitrogen (N) compared with dribble.