Agriculture Commons^™

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 effects of turkey litter and fertilizer amendments applied in previous years had little effect on the yield, yield components, and dry matter production of the following soybean crop grown in 2014.

Soybean Production: Planting Date × Variety, Southeast Kansas, G. F. Sassenrath, I. A. Ciampitti, D. E. Shoup

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Optimal soybean planting in southeast Kansas usually occurs from mid-May to mid- June for full-season or late June to early July for double-cropped soybean. Planting is timed to capture fall rains and cooler temperatures during critical periods of bean development and yield formation to avoid midsummer heat and drought.

Response Of Wheat To Residual Fertilizer Nitrogen Applied To Previously Failed Corn, D. W. Sweeney, D. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When drought conditions result in poor corn growth and yield, the potential exists for carryover of fertilizer nitrogen (N) to wheat. Soil sampling at the wheat jointing stage showed that NO₃-N levels increased slightly as previous N rate increased up to 240 lb/a N, but did not appear sufficient for the wheat yield increase to previous N rate. The relationship between wheat normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) measurements at jointing and wheat yield was linear. The use of crop active sensors such as the GreenSeeker (Trimble Navigation Ltd., Sunnyvale, CA) may provide plant response data to supplement soil …

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.

Kansas River Valley Experiment Field Introduction, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The Kansas River Valley (KRV) Experiment Field was established to study management and effective use of irrigation resources for crop production in the KRV. The Paramore Unit consists of 80 acres located 3.5 miles east of Silver Lake on U.S. Highway 24, then 1 mile south of Kiro, and 1.5 miles east on 17th street. The Rossville Unit consists of 80 acres located 1 mile east of Rossville or 4 miles west of Silver Lake on U.S. Highway 24.

Effects Of An Experimental Seed Treatment From Dupont 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. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and saturated soils contribute to the severity of the disease. Selecting varieties with some degree of tolerance to SDS is the only cultural practice that can reduce the severity of SDS and improve yields. Variety selection alone, however, doesn’t necessarily make soybean production profitable; an added complication is managing irrigation scheduling to avoid saturated soils. A study with seed treatments applied to soybean was conducted at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field in 2014, with treatments applied to two …

Forage Sorghum Performance Trial, J. L. Moyer, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In our sorghum trials, production of forage was greater (P<0.05) for ‘FS 4’ and ‘AF 7401’ than for ‘AF 7202,’ possibly related to differences in maturity. Estimated grain production was greater for ‘AF 7401’ than for all others, except for ‘AF 7102.’

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 …

Balanced Nutrition And Crop Production Practices For Closing Grain Sorghum Yield Gaps—East Central Kansas Experiment Field, B. Mchenry, E. A. Adee, P. V. Vara Prasad, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A field experiment was conducted at the East Central Kansas Experiment Field near Ottawa, KS, and at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field near Rossville, KS, in the summer of 2014 to evaluate diverse cropping systems approaches on closing sorghum yield gaps. Yield gaps can be understood as the difference between maximum yield and attainable on-farm yields. The factors that were tested include narrow row spacing; plant population; balanced nutrition practices, including various timings of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) and micronutrient applications; crop protection with fungicide and insecticide applications; plant growth regulator effects; and the use of precision ag …

Balanced Nutrition And Crop Production Practices For Closing Grain Sorghum Yield Gaps—North Central Kansas Experiment Field, B. Mchenry, P. V. Vara Prasad, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A field experiment was conducted at the North Central Kansas Experiment Field near Scandia, KS, in the summer of 2014 to evaluate diverse cropping systems approaches to closing sorghum yield gaps. Yield gaps can be understood as the difference between maximum and attainable on-farm yields. The approach taken in this project is system wide, rather than focusing on one factor and its interaction. The factors that were tested include narrow row spacing; plant population; balanced nutrition practices, including various timings of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) and micronutrient applications; crop protection with fungicide and insecticide applications; plant growth regulator effects; …

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

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 …

Breaking Soybean Yield Barriers: A Cropping Systems Approach, G. R. Balboa, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two soybean research trials were conducted at Scandia, KS, in dryland and irrigated environments. The objective of this trial was to study the contribution of different farming systems to developing efficient and high-yielding soybean production systems. Each experiment had five treatments: farmer practices (FP), comprehensive fertilization (CF), production intensity (PI), ecological intensification (CF + PI), and advanced plus (AD). Under dryland, FP and CF treatments yielded 34 bu/a, differing in 27 bu/a compared with PI, EI, and AD scenarios. Under irrigation, FP and CF presented comparable yield levels, differing by close to 36 bu/a compared with crop intensification treatments (CF …

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.

Evaluation Of Secondary And Micronutrients For Soybean Production In Kansas, M. N. Gutierrez, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Study of secondary and micronutrients is growing because of their potential contribution to yield increases. The objective of this study was to evaluate soybean response to secondary and micronutrient fertilizer application to maximize yields. A randomized complete block design was employed with four replications at five locations during 2013 and five locations in 2014. Treatments consisted of an unfertilized control; micronutrient fertilizer as individual nutrients for boron, copper, manganese, sulfur, and zinc; and a mix of these nutrients using two different placements (dry broadcast and liquid band). Soil samples were collected prior to planting and after harvest. Soybean trifoliates were …

Fertilizer Placement And Tillage Interaction In Corn And Soybean Production, A. T. Rosa, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Different tillage systems can affect the availability of phosphorus (P) by changing the soil environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects and interaction of fertilizer placement, tillage, and varieties for soybean and corn. The experiment was established at two locations in Kansas in 2014. The experimental design was a factorial in a randomized complete block with four replications. Three fertilizer treatments were combined with two tillage systems and two varieties of soybean and corn selected based on contrasting root systems. Plant tissue samples were collected during the vegetative and reproductive stages to evaluate P concentration, P …

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.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium Fertilization For Newly Established Tall Fescue, D. W. Sweeney, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

First-year production of tall fescue (Site 1 in 2013 and Site 2 in 2014) was affected by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) but not potassium (K) fertilization. Environmental conditions likely influenced the growth of the fescue and the response to fertilizer N and P in the first year of production at the two sites.

Evaluating Multispecies Cover Crops For Forage Production, C. Davis, D. Presley, J. K. Farney, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Cover crops offer potential benefits for improving soil health, but establishment and management costs can be expensive. One way for farmers to recover these costs is to graze the forage, which benefits producers by integrating crop and animal production. More information is needed on the potential forage quantity and quality for grazing livestock of cover crops and mixed species of cover crops. Researchers have suggested that different plant species complement each other, but additional work is needed to determine how best to balance forage production and how competitive the various species are when added to a mix. Sixteen treatments were …

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.

Tillage Study For Corn And Soybean: Comparing Vertical, Deep, And No-Till, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The need for tillage in corn and soybean production in the Kansas River Valley continues to be debated. The soils of the Kansas River Valley are highly variable, with much of the soil sandy to silty loam in texture. These soils tend to be relatively low in organic matter (<2%) and susceptible to wind erosion. Although typically well drained, these soils can develop compaction layers under certain conditions. A tillage study was initiated in the fall of 2011 at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field near Topeka to compare deep vs. shallow vs. no-till vs. deep tillage in alternate years. Corn and soybean crops are rotated annually. This is intended to be a long-term study to determine if soil characteristics and yields change in response to a history of each tillage system.

Seeding Date Effects On Camelina Seed Yield And Quality Traits, E. Obeng, A. Obour

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Identifying crops that are adapted to dryland environments of the central and northern Great Plains (GP) has been a major challenge. An alternative crop with potential for dryland crop production in the GP is camelina (Camelina sativaL. Crantz). Time of planting is an important management consideration that can affect camelina production. Early planting allows camelina to mature before the onset of hot summer temperatures in the central GP that can affect seed yield. A study was carried out in the spring of 2013 and 2014 to evaluate planting date effects on spring camelina varieties grown under dryland conditions …

Grain Sorghum Yield Response To Water Availability—North Central Kansas Experiment Field, 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 …

Corn Yield Response To Water Availability, T. Newell, K. Roozeboom, G. J. Kluitenberg, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Drought-tolerant technologies have become popular in hybrids for low-yielding corn environments across central and western Kansas and are marketed for their ability to produce higher grain yields with less water. The objective of this study was to compare water use, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) of two types of drought-tolerant (DT) corn hybrids and a high-yielding non-DT hybrid. Water use and yield of two DT and one non-DT, high-yielding hybrid were compared in both dryland and irrigated situations. The average yield for the irrigated corn was 217 bu/a, and the average was 127 bu/a in dryland, representing a yield …

Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome Influenced By Macronutrient Fertility On Irrigated Soybean In A Corn/Soybean Rotation, E. A. Adee, D. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization on a corn/ soybean cropping sequence were evaluated from 1983 to 2014, with corn planted in odd years. We observed a relationship between the P rate applied during the corn years and the severity of sudden death syndrome (SDS) in 2014 soybean.

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Field experiments were conducted at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field, located near Rossville and Topeka, KS, in the summer of 2014 to evaluate effects of late-season nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on modern soybean genotypes. 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. The main objective was to determine if late-season N application has an agronomical benefit to soybean producers. Overall soybean yields ranged from 43.7 to 57.5 bu/a considering both experimental fields. At Rossville, sudden death syndrome (SDS) affected the …

Grain Sorghum Yield Response To Water Availability—Kansas River Valley Experiment Field, J. P. Broeckelman, E. A. Adee, G. J. Kluitenberg, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Yield effects of irrigation on sorghum and corn were compared, but this report is merely focused on the sorghum phase of the crop rotation. Mean yield for irrigated sorghum was 168 bu/a, whereas dryland yield was 145 bu/a. The latter represents a yield improvement of 24 bu/a, an increase of approximately 2 bu/a per unit (in.) of water applied (considering a total of 11 in. of water applied in the irrigation block).

The irrigated sorghum used a mean of 7.8 in. more water than the dryland, which suggests that the dryland sorghum consumed 3.4 in. more water from the soil …

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 …

Breaking Corn Yield Barriers: A Cropping Systems Approach, G. R. Balboa, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A corn research trial was conducted at Scandia, KS, during the 2014 growing season. The objective was to study the contribution of different farming systems in developing efficient and high-yielding corn production systems. The experiment had five treatments: farmer practices, comprehensive fertilization, production intensity, ecological intensification, and advanced plus. Farmer practice was the lowest-yielding treatment, and ecological intensification and advanced plus treatment presented similar yields.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium Fertilization For Newly Established Tall Fescue, D. W. Sweeney, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

First-year spring yields of tall fescue in 2013 responded to phosphorus (P) fertilization, but lodging at the R5 growth stage in the spring with higher P fertilization rates may have influenced subsequent fall harvest yields, which declined with increasing P rates. As N rates increased, R5 yields declined but fall harvest yields increased.