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Full-Text Articles in Plant Sciences
Enhancing The Sustainability Of Integrated Biofuel Feedstock Production Systems, Amanda Joy Ashworth
Enhancing The Sustainability Of Integrated Biofuel Feedstock Production Systems, Amanda Joy Ashworth
Doctoral Dissertations
As use of second-generation biofuel crops increases, so do questions about sustainability, particularly their potential to affect fossil energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrogen (N)-fixing legumes interseeded into switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) may be an alternative to inorganic fertilizer in forage-feedstock systems. Research herein is divided into four general experiments: I). N replacement and feedstock impacts from legume intercrops and biochar in switchgrass; II). N-fixation rates in intercrop systems; III). impacts of biofuel systems under enhanced climate change; and, IV). projected sustainability of regional switchgrass production. Approaches included: characterization of feedstock/forage quality traits based on legume, biochar and …
Determining Profitable Annual Forage Rotations, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell
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 …
Evaluating Multispecies Cover Crops For Forage Production, C. Davis, D. Presley, J. K. Farney, G. F. Sassenrath
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 …