Life Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating Single And Multi-Species Summer Cover Crops For Biomass Yield, J. K. Farney, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Cover crops have multiple benefits to integrated agricultural production systems. How­ever, information is needed on best species and mixes to use. In this one-year study, the single species grass cover crops produced the most biomass. Spring forage peas did not perform well as a summer cover crop, yielding the same biomass as the fallow areas. Adding collards to the mixtures generally reduced total biomass production compared to single species of grasses alone. Total biomass production was affected by the number of plants in the mixture. Yields of grass-only plots were ~868 lb of dry matter (DM) per acre more than …

Pre-Plant Nitrogen Rate And Application Method And Side-Dress Nitrogen Rate Effects On Corn Grown No-Till On A Claypan Soil, D. W. Sweeney, D. Ruiz-Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Corn yield in 2018 was increased by about 5 bu/a with knife application of pre-plant nitrogen (N) fertilizer compared with broadcast application. Fertilizing with increasing rates of N applied pre-plant, at side-dress, or both had little effect on yield or yield components of corn in 2018.

Response Of Soybean Grown On A Claypan Soil In Southeastern Kansas To The Residual Of Different Plant Nutrient Sources And Tillage, D. W. Sweeney, P. Barnes, G. Pierzynski

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The residual from previous high-rate turkey litter applications, which were based on nitrogen (N) requirements of the previous grain sorghum crop, increased 2018 soybean yield more than that obtained from the residual of phosphorus (P)-based turkey litter applications (low rate), commercial fertilizer, or the control. Even though early soybean growth was sporadically affected by residual treatments, the dry matter production at the R6 growth stage tended to be where the N-based litter was applied.

Use Of A Fungicide To Reduce Stomatal Conductance For Production Of Sweet Corn Planted At Different Populations With Limited Irrigation, D. W. Sweeney, M. B. Kirkham

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sweet corn in 2018 was affected by irrigation, plant population, and a fungicide applied for stomatal control. Even though measured stomatal conductance was unaffected and no disease pressure was noted, applying fungicide at V6 more than doubled the number of harvested ears per acre and per plant, but an additional application at R1 did not increase harvested ears. Applying 1 inch of irrigation at the VT growth stage resulted in approximately 20% greater number of harvested ears per acre and ears per plant, but did not increase fresh weight. Under these dry conditions, increasing plant population tended to decrease harvested …

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.

Controlling Soil-Borne Disease In Soybean With A Mustard Cover Crop, G. F. Sassenrath, C. Little, K. Roozeboom, X. Lin, D. Jardine

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Charcoal rot is a soil-borne disease that is prevalent in southeast Kansas. The disease infects multiple crops, including soybean, and causes yield reductions. A high-gluco­sinolate mustard with biofumigant properties reduced the population levels in soil and in soybean plants of the fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina) that causes charcoal rot. In this study, management practices that incorporate use of mustard as a cover crop in soybean production systems were tested. Results indicate that tillage increases the char­coal rot fungus. The mustard cover crop was tested in field studies for its impact on soil health, fungal disease and propagules, and soybean …

Modeling Wheat Susceptibility To Disease, H. Zhao, G. F. Sassenrath, X. Lin, R. Lollato, E. D. De Wolf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) or head scab is a disease caused by the soil-borneFusariumfungus. The disease occurs frequently in southeast Kansas and can result in reduc­tions in wheat yield and quality because of the mycotoxins developed by the fungus. Timely application of fungicides during the heading period of wheat is one option to reduce the fungus and control the infection rate. This study reports our research on use of fungicides to control head scab and improve wheat yield. We developed a model to predict wheat heading date. Accurate knowledge of wheat stage is the first step in developing …

Annual Summary Of Weather Data For Parsons - 2018, M. Knapp

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Annual summary of weather data for Parsons, Kansas, 2018.

Acknowledgments

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

We thank the following individuals, organizations, and firms that contributed to this year’s research programs through financial support, product donations, or services.

Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization Of Irrigated Corn, A. J. 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 2018, N applied alone increased yields by 76 bu/a, whereas P applied alone increased yields up to 17 bu/a. Nitrogen and P applied together increased yields up to 169 bu/a which is 26 bu/a more than the 10-year average of 143 bu/a. Application of 120 lb/a N (with highest P rate) produced 97% of maximum yield in 2018, which is slightly greater than the 10-year average. Application of 80 instead of 40 lb P₂O_{5 …}

Changes In Soil Nitrate And Ammonium During The Corn Growing Season As Affected By Nitrification Inhibitors, F. D. Hansel, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nitrification inhibitors (NI) are used to delay the nitrification process, increasing nitrogen fertilization efficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of NI on soil nitrate (NO₃-N) and ammonium (NH₄-N) content throughout the growing season for corn. The study was conducted at four locations (Manhattan, Scandia, Rossville, and Ashland, KS) during the 2017 and 2018 crop seasons. Most of the NI effects on soil NH₄-N and NO₃-N were observed early in the season and when the higher nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate was used. An increase in NO₃-N …

Correlation Between Mehlich-3 And Ammonium Acetate Extractable Potassium In Kansas Soils, B. Rutter, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The K-State Research and Extension Soil Testing Laboratory has been using Mehlich-3 soil test procedures for phosphorus (P) extraction, and ammonium acetate extraction for potassium (K). Previous research in other states has shown a strong correlation between these two tests for K, but data correlating the two in Kansas soils have been limited. A study was performed on soils from across the state to investigate the relationship between these two methods. A strong positive correlation was observed (r = 0.99) across the wide range of soil types, pH, and fertility conditions represented in the sample set. Linear regression suggests a …

Kansas Fertilizer Research 2019

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Report on agricultural research with fertilizers at Kansas State University.

Minimal Water Requirements Of Cool-Season Turfgrasses For Survival And Recovery After Prolonged Drought, Mu Hong, Dale Bremer, Steve Keeley

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sodded tall fescue (TF) and Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) turfgrasses were exposed to prolonged drought at several levels of deficit irrigation from 0% to 50% of reference evapotranspiration (ET) within the first year of establishment. Tall fescue watered at 40% and 50% ET maintained minimally acceptable performance longer during the dry-down phases and recovered faster after rewatering than lower ET treatments. Tall fescue with no water input (0% ET) maintained minimally acceptable performance for about 5 weeks, which was longer than KBG watered at 50% ET, which remained acceptable for less than 3 weeks during the dry down. Although KBG watered …

Thermal Imaging Detects Early Drought Stress In Turfgrass Utilizing Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Mu Hong, Dale J. Bremer, Deon Van Der Merwe

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Plots of fairway-height creeping bentgrass were watered differently to create a gradient of drought stress from severe deficit irrigation to well-watered, under an automatic rainout shelter in Manhattan, KS. Canopy temperature (Tc) measured by a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) predicted drought stress approximately 5 days or more before drought symptoms were evident in either turfgrass visual quality (VQ) or percentage green cover (PGC). The ability of Tc to predict drought stress was comparable to the best spectral parameters acquired by sUAS on companion flights [i.e., near infrared (NIR) and GreenBlue VI], and slightly better than with spectral data obtained …

Influence Of Herbicide Combinations And Sequential Applications On Windmillgrass (Chloris Verticillata) Control, Nicholas Mitchell, Jared Hoyle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Windmillgrass (Chloris verticillataNutt.) populations commonly infest turfgrass systems in the midwest, which result in aesthetically unacceptable turfgrass stands. Pylex (topramezone) and Acclaim Extra (fenoxaprop) have resulted in fair control of windmillgrass with single applications. For adequate control of windmillgrass, a sequential application of Tenacity (mesotrione), three weeks after the initial application, is recommended. Additionally, studies have shown the addition of triclopyr to HPPD inhibitor herbicides increases windmillgrass control in a controlled environ­ment. Field experiments were initiated in 2018, at the Kansas State University Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, KS, to determine the influence of herbicide combinations …

Winter Survival Of Experimental Bermudagrasses In The Upper Transition Zone, Mingying Xiang, Jack Fry, Yanqi Wu

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A winter with very cold temperatures in 2017–2018 allowed for good separation of standard and experimental bermudagrasses for freezing tolerance. When evaluated in May 2018, survival of commonly used cultivars was: Tifway, 0%; Latitude 36, 20%; Northbridge, 25%. Some experimental progeny had up to 98% winter survival on the same rating date.

Use Of Satellite Imagery To Predict Corn Phenology At A Regional Scale, L. Nieto, R. Schwalbert, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Existing methods to report phenology are expensive, labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often not very accurate, especially at some specific crop growth stages. The objec­tive of this study was to develop large-scale phenology models via utilization of satellite imagery data and machine learning techniques for the southwest (SW) agricultural crop reporting district of Kansas. Different satellite images collected from Landsat were utilized as the main input to obtain different vegetation indices (normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI; enhanced vegetation index, EVI; green chlorophyll vegeta­tion index, GCVI; normalized difference water index, NDWI; and global vegetation moisture index, CVMI). Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD), temperature, precipitation, …

Influence Of Soybean Planting Date On Sudden Death Syndrome And Soybean Yield, E. A. Adee, C. R. Little, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a disease caused by the soilborne fungusFusarium virguliforme. This fungus prefers wet conditions and thus is usually most severe in irri­gated fields. Sudden death syndrome tends to be most severe on well-managed soybeans with a high yield potential. It also tends to be more prevalent on fields that are infested with soybean cyst nematode (SCN) or planted early when soils are wet and cool. Historical yield losses from this disease are generally in the range of 1–25%.

Soybean planting dates have been moving increasingly earlier in much of the soybean growing region, including …

Agronomic Optimal Plant Density By Yield Environment In Soybean, W. D. Carciochi, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This research report presents a summary of a peer-reviewed publication: Carciochi W.D.; Schwalbert R.; Andrade F.H.; Corassa G.M.; Carter P.; Gaspar A.P.; Schmidt J.; Ciampitti I.A. 2019. Soybean seed yield response to plant density by yield environment in North America. Agronomy Journal.

Recent economic and productive circumstances have caused interest in within-field variation of the agronomic optimal plant density (AOPD) for soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.]. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the AOPD by yield environment (YE) for soybean. During 2013 and 2014, nine site-years with a total of 78 yield-to-plant density responses were evaluated …

Management Strategies For Double-Crop Soybean Planted After Wheat, D. S. S. Hansel, J. Kimball, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Double-crop (DC) soybeans (Glycine maxL.) are gaining popularity as an alternative system to intensify productivity without expanding the farming area and can potentially increase net return. However, the DC soybean system faces many challenges such as late planting, which decreases yield potential. A study was conducted in four site-years in Ashland Bottoms, KS, during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. In both years, the soybean variety planted was Asgrow 4232 (MG 4.2). The soybean was planted right after two different wheat harvest timings (Study 1, early-wheat harvest 18–20% mois­ture; and Study 2, conventional-harvest 13–14% moisture). Seven treatments were …

Planting Date And Maturity Group Interaction For Soybean Productivity And Seed Quality In East Central Kansas, L. P. Pott, L. H. Moro Rosso, W. D. Carciochi, J. Kimball, E. A. Adee, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soybean seed quality is an important component for soybean meal. Different factors affect seed quality, such as genetics, environment, and management (G × E × M). The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate the effect of planting date and maturity group in soybean seed quality (protein and oil concentrations) and 2) investigate the relationship between soybean seed quality and productivity (seed weight and yield). Three field experiments were conducted during the 2018 growing season evaluating the combination of two factors, planting date and maturity group, with three levels of each one (early, medium, and late). Field measurements included: …

Integrated Wheat Management For Improved Wheat Yield And Protein In Kansas, B. R. Jaenisch, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In Kansas, seven to nine million acres of winter wheat are sown annually with grain yields averaging about 40 bu/a. Variety selection and management strategies are critical decisions to maximize wheat yield. Thus, the main objective of this experiment was to evaluate four wheat varieties and their response to six management strategies at three locations in Kansas. These strategies included a farmer practice, enhanced fertility, economical intensification, increased foliar protection, water-limited yield, and increased plant productivity. Locations were pooled based on tillage practice and envi­ronment within Kansas; conventional till in central (Hutchinson and Belleville), and no-till in western (Leoti). In …

Intensive Wheat Management For Yield And Quality: The Role Of Variety, Environment, And Management Practices, R. P. Lollato, B. R. Jaenisch, D. Marburger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Management (M), variety (V), and environment (E) greatly influence wheat yield and quality. With the objective of determining the partial influence of V, E, and M, we conducted a field experiment where we imposed four management intensities to five wheat varieties during six site-years in Kansas and Oklahoma. Management intensities were 1) low-input (N fertility for a yield goal of 60 bu/a); 2) high-input (foliar fungi­cide, sulfur and chloride fertilizers, growth regulator, and nitrogen (N) fertility for a yield goal of 100 bu/a); 3) high-input minus fungicide; and 4) high-input minus addi­tional N. We selected commonly grown wheat varieties with …

Plant Growth Regulators To Decrease Wheat Height In High Fertility Scenarios, F. D. Spolidorio, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Lodging is a common concern in wheat production, and its intensity depends on many factors including the straw strength of the variety, nitrogen (N) levels, and plant growth regulator (PGR). However, there are limited data exploring how current Kansas wheat varieties respond to PGR applications at different fertility levels. Thus, our objective was to assess the effects of PGR on wheat varieties exposed to different levels of N fertilization. A field trial was established in a split-split-plot design and four replica­tions in two Kansas locations (Great Bend and Ashland Bottoms) during the 2017–18 growing season. Factors evaluated were two N …

Wheat Variety Response To Seeding Rate In Kansas During The 2018–19 Growing Season, R. P. Lollato, L. Molssato, C. Rapolla, G. Zhang, A. Fritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Different wheat varieties might require different seeding densities to maximize yield. Thus, the main objective of this project was to better understand the response of different wheat varieties to different seeding rates. Three field experiments were conducted during the 2017-18 growing season evaluating six wheat varieties subjected to five different seeding rates (0.6, 0.95, 1.3, 1.65, and 2.0 million seeds per acre). Crop was managed from a 70 bu/a yield goal and pests were controlled using commercially available pesticides. We measured final stand and grain yield, and all statistical analyses were performed for relating emerged plants per acre to grain …

Herbicide Strategies For Managing Glyphosate- And Dicamba-Resistant Kochia In Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybean, V. Kumar, R. Liu, T. Lambert, P. W. Stahlman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kochia populations with multiple resistance to glyphosate and dicamba are an increasing concern for growers in the High Plains region, including Kansas. A field study was conducted at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center near Hays, KS, to evaluate and develop herbicide options for controlling glyphosate- and dicamba-resistant kochia in Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybean. The study site was uniformly infested with a glyphosate- and dicamba-resistant kochia population prior to soybean planting. Fifteen herbicide treatments (programs), including PRE alone and PRE followed by (fb) POST-applied herbicides, were investigated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. …

Effective Herbicide Options For Controlling Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth In Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybean, V. Kumar, R. Liu, T. Lambert, D. E. Peterson, C. L. Minihan, P. W. Stahlman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth has become a serious challenge for soybean producers in the mid-south and central United States, including Kansas. Field experi­ments were conducted at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center (KSU-ARC) near Hays, KS, and Kansas State University Ashland Bottoms (KSU-AB) research farm near Manhattan, KS, to determine the effectiveness of preemergence (PRE) and PRE followed by (fb) postemergence (POST) herbicide programs on GR Palmer amaranth control in Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybean. The study site at Hays was infested with GR Palmer amaranth population prior to soybean planting; whereas, the Manhattan site had natural …

Influence Of Cultural Practices And Herbicide Programs For Managing Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth In Cold-Tolerant Sorghum, R. Liu, V. Kumar, R. Perumal, T. Lambert, T. Ostmeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The widespread evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth (Amaran­thus palmeriS. Wats) has become a serious management concern for grain sorghum producers in western Kansas. To develop an integrated weed management (IWM) system, a field study was conducted at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center (KSU-ARC) in Hays, KS, in 2018, to evaluate the effect of sorghum hybrid, row spacing, and herbicide programs on GR Palmer amaranth control, shoot dry weight reduction, and sorghum grain yield. Treatments included two cold-tolerant grain sorghum hybrids: Pioneer 87P06 (commercial check) and ATx645/ ARCH12012R (developed by the KSU-ARC breeding program); row spacing …

Sugarcane Aphid Resistance In Pearl Millet, D. D. Serba, J. P. Michaud

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sugarcane aphid, (Melanaphis sacchari(Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)) has become an important pest of sorghum in the US. This recent invasion is assumed to be either as a result of a host shift from sugarcane in the south or introduction of a special­ized strain from tropical Africa. If host shift happened through adaptive change to infest sorghum, other closely related species such as pearl millet are in danger from this voracious pest. The resistance level of pearl millet genotypes representing A-, B-, R-lines and germplasm were evaluated under climate-controlled growth chamber along with resistant and susceptible sorghum hybrids. Ten plants …