Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Intensification Of Sprinkler-Irrigated Corn Production, F. R. Lamm

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This corn intensification study was conducted under sprinkler irrigation from 2020 to 2021 at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center near Colby, KS. Two corn hybrids (Pioneer 1197 and Pioneer 1089) were grown with advanced fertilization at three plant densities (42,000, 38,000, and 34,000 plants/a) using three irrigation levels (115, 100, or 85% of calculated well-watered ET minus rain). As anticipated, there was no additional need for irrigation above normal amounts (100% of ET - Rain), giving further evidence that crop intensification is possible without negatively affecting water resource use. Yields were excellent in both years, averaging 227 bu/a …

Comparison Of Sensitivity To Fusarium Head Blight In Soft Red And Hard Red Winter Wheat Varieties, G. Sassenrath, K. Andersen Onofre, J. Lingenfelser, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fusarium head blight (scab) is a problem for wheat production in high rainfall areas. This is a report of research examining the response of wheat varieties on disease susceptibility and wheat yield and quality. Hard red wheat varieties had more disease than the soft red wheat varieties in 2021. Wheat yield was correlated with disease severity.

Efficient Irrigation Technologies For Corn—A Comparison, F. R. Lamm, D. M. O'Brien

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted from 2016–2021 at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center near Colby, KS. Two irrigation systems, subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and mobile drip irrigation (MDI) were compared for two irrigation capacities equivalent to 0.25 in./day and 0.167 in./day. Irrigation amounts were similar for the two systems when comparing the equivalent capacities, averaging 13.3 and 11.4 inches per acre. When averaged over the six-year period, SDI and MDI corn grain yields were 242.5 and 239.2 bu/a, respectively. Although irrigation amounts for the two systems at an equivalent irrigation capacity were similar, total crop water use was less …

Southeast Kansas Winter Wheat Variety Test Results - 2021, G. Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, J. Lingenfelser, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a summary of the winter wheat production conditions in southeast Kansas in 2020-2021 and the results of the winter wheat variety testing. Wheat production in 2021 benefited from dry conditions at planting and harvest. Overall yields were above multi-year averages. As in previous years, soft red winter wheat out-yielded hard red winter wheat varieties.

Crop Assurance Strategies For Irrigated Grain Sorghum Production, F. R. Lamm

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This sprinkler-irrigated study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center near Colby, KS, to evaluate four different water management strategies that could provide assurance of adequateyielding grain sorghum. The grain sorghum was grown on sites with good initial soil water at planting (>70% of field capacity within the 8-ft deep silt loam profile). Strategies were 1) No seasonal irrigation; 2) Irrigation of 100% of ET minus Rain after the boot stage through remainder of season; 3) Irrigation of 100% of ET minus Rain up to a limit of 6 inches; and 4) …

Single And Split Herbicide Applications For Efficacy In Corn, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to compare season-long weed control from single and sequential herbicide applications in corn. Control of all weed species was generally good (90% or more) early in the season regardless of preemergence (PRE) herbicide. However, Russian thistle and Palmer amaranth control was best later in the season when a PRE herbicide was followed by a postemergence (POST) treatment. While all herbicide treatments increased yields compared to the untreated control, yields were greatest when Lumax EZ PRE (atrazine/mesotrione/metolachlor) was followed by Acuron (atrazine/bicyclopyrone/mesotrione/metolachlor) and glyphosate POST.

Pyraflufen Tank Mixtures For Efficacy In Fallow, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to compare Vida (pyraflufen) tank mixtures for glyphosate- resistant kochia control in fallow. Early-season kochia control was best with tank mixtures that included Sharpen (saflufenacil), but tank mixtures including dicamba provided the best control later in the season. No herbicide controlled kochia more than 80% late in the season. All herbicides controlled downy brome more than 90% within 14 days after treatment, and 100% by 21 days after application.

2022 Western Kansas Agricultural Research Report

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Summary of research conducted at western Kansas research stations, including Hays, Garden City, Tribune, and Colby. Topics include corn, cropping and tillage systems, insect control, irrigation, management practices, weather, weed science, and wheat.

Evaluation Of Soil Test Phosphorus Extractants And Tissue Analysis For Corn, G. A. Roa-Acosta, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of four different soil test phosphorus methods (Mehlich 3, Bray 1, Bray 2, and Haney H3A) for corn production, and determine critical P tissue concentration at different growing stages. The experiment was conducted at 12 locations, and the fertilizer treatments consisted of five phosphorus fertilizer rates applied by broadcast pre-plant. Soil samples were collected at 0- to 6-in. depth, then samples were collected before treatment application by block. Tissue samples were collected at the V6 and R1 growth stages. The relationship between the different soil test phosphorus methods and the …

Comparison Of Mehlich-3 And Dtpa Soil Tests For Analysis Of Micronutrients In Kansas Soils, B. Rutter, D. A. Ruiz Diaz, L. Hargrave

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Mehlich-3 (M3) was designed as a multi-nutrient soil test procedure and has become common at soil testing labs across the U.S. In Kansas, Mehlich-3 is predominately used as a soil test for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), but recent studies have also investigated the use of M3 for the extraction of base cations and cation exchange capacity estimation. However, data relating M3 to traditional methods for soil micronutrient extraction remain scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between M3 and diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) extractable copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) across a wide …

2021 Fertilizer Weather Station Report, M. Sittel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report includes the annual summary of precipitation and temperatures from 2021 at the research locations represented in the 2022 fertilizer report.

Stocker Steer Gains And Fly Numbers As Impacted By Burn Date And Type Of Mineral On Tallgrass Native Range – Year 3, J. K. Farney, M. Frahm

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study aims to evaluate effectiveness of two operational management systems for steer gains and fly control. The first strategy evaluated was pasture burn date of March (MAR) or April (APR). The second management strategy was free-choice mineral with spices (SPICE) or without spices (CON). Eight pastures (n = 281 steers; initial weight 572 ± 75 lb) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure. Steers were weighed individually, randomly assigned to treatment, and grazed for 87 days. Weekly, 33% of steers were photographed to count flies and evaluated for hair coat score. Neither the date of pasture …

Evaluation Of Implants, Clover, And Fescue Variety On Stocker Steers – Year 2, J. K. Farney, M. Frahm, S. Strnad, T. Bottorff

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sixty-four growing steers were used in a split-plot experiment, where the whole plot was pasture, and the split-plot was the implant level. Whole plot treatment was a 4 × 2 factorial with four levels of fescue (High Endophyte, Low Endophyte, Novel, or Endophyte Free) and two levels of legume (Legumes or No Legumes). The split-plot included four implant levels (No Implant, Synovex One Grass, Revalor-G, or Ralgro). Data collected were weights, hair coat scores, hair length, rectal temperature (every 28 days), and ultrasound carcass characteristics when steers were coming off grass. Steers on High Endophyte had the lowest average daily …

Effects Of Prescribed Fire Timing On Stocker Cattle Performance And Native Plant Composition: Year 3 Of 6, Z. M. Duncan, A. J. Tajchman, M. P. Ramirez, J. Lemmon, K. J. Suhr, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this experiment was to document the effects of prescribed-fire timing on stocker cattle performance, soil cover, and plant species composition over a six-year period.

Study Description:Yearling stocker cattle were assigned to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 9 ± 5.1 days), summer (August 23 ± 4.9 days), or fall (September 29 ± 8.7 days). Calves were grazed from May to August for 90 days. Individual body weights (BW) were recorded at the beginning and end of the grazing season to determine total BW gains and average daily gains. Native plant composition and soil cover …

Impact Of Fertility And Mowing On Crabgrass Quantity And Quality For Hay Production In Southeast Kansas, B. C. Pedreira, D. Helwig, M. Haywood, J. K. Farney, G. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A crabgrass variety trial comparing Quick-N-Big and Mojo crabgrasses was conducted in 2021 at the K-State Experiment Station outside of Columbus, KS. The trial evaluated forage quantity and quality under different fertilization and harvest management practices.

Crop Production Summary - 2021, G. Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, J. Lingenfelser, M. Knapp, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soybean and corn varieties were tested in replicated field trials at the Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons through the Kansas State University variety testing program. In total, 26 corn varieties and 28 soybean varieties were tested. Weather during 2021 was near average for both rainfall and temperature, though there were periods of high rainfall and high temperatures. Corn and soybean production was also near average, both across the state and in the cultivar trials at Parsons.

Wheat Variety Test Results For South Central Kansas - 2021, J. Seiler, R. Hein, R. Flaming, J. Carr, K. Nordyke, R. Lollato, B. C. Pedreira

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

South central Kansas is an important winter wheat production area in the state. This report summarizes the results of winter wheat variety tests for 2020-2021 in five locations.

Cover Crop Grazing Effects On Soil Compaction Indicators In Western And Central Kansas, L. M. Simon, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, S. K. Johnson, K. L. Roozeboom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Grazing cover crops (CCs) on no-till (NT) croplands in western and central Kansas could increase the profitability of crop production in these water-limited environments. However, little information exists about potential soil compaction associated with grazing CCs in these cropping systems. From 2019 to 2021, two studies investigated the effects of grazing CCs on soil bulk density and penetration resistance in NT cropping systems. At the Kansas State University HB Ranch near Brownell, KS, CCs grazed with yearling heifers were compared to ungrazed CCs and fallow under NT or occasional tillage (OT). In another study, CCs grazed with yearlings or cow-calf …

Winter Wheat Response To Timing Of Fungicide Application During The 2020–2021 Growing Season, G. Cruppe, N. Giordano, L. M. Simão, L. Ryan, L. O. Pradella, J. R. Soler, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Foliar fungicides applied at the flag leaf stage can improve wheat grain yield in Kansas, but there is limited information on the impact of earlier or combined applications of fungicide on wheat grain yield. We conducted a field study in six Kansas locations during the 2020–2021 growing season to evaluate the yield and test weight of the winter wheat variety WB-Grainfield in response to different fungicide application timings. The trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications to evaluate (1) a non-treated control; Topguard applied at 5 ounces per acre at (2) jointing, (3) heading; and …

Deficit Irrigation Strategies For Subsurface Drip-Irrigated Alfalfa, F. R. Lamm, R. Reyes-Esteves, K. R. Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This subsurface drip-irrigated study was conducted from 2020 to 2021 at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center near Colby, KS, to evaluate five deficit irrigation strategies for alfalfa. All strategies were irrigated similarly (100% of Evapotranspiration (ET) minus Rain) through the first seasonal cutting. Following the first cutting, treatments were 1) Irrigate to replace 85% ET minus Rain; 2) Irrigate to replace 50% ET minus Rain between Cutting 2 and 3, then 85% ET-Rain; 3) Irrigate to replace 50% ET minus Rain between Cutting 2 and 4, then 85% ET-Rain; 4) Irrigate to replace 70% ET minus Rain between …

Imiflex Rates For Efficacy In Imidazolinone-Tolerant Grain Sorghum, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to compare ImiFlex rates and timings for efficacy and crop response in imidazolinone-tolerant grain sorghum. Volunteer corn and Johnsongrass control was generally best when ImiFlex (imazamox) was applied postemergence (POST), except when tank mixed with Huskie (bromoxynil/pyrasulfotole). Likewise, Palmer amaranth control was most consistent when ImiFlex was applied POST. Though all herbicides increased grain yields relative to the weedy controls, yields increased the most when Moccasin II Plus (metolachlor) plus Motif (mesotrione) preemergence (PRE) was followed by ImiFlex POST or Moccasin II Plus and Sharpen (saflufenacil) PRE was followed by ImiFlex plus atrazine POST.

Efficacy Of Miticides Applied At Tassel Stage For The Control Of Spider Mites In Corn, 2020, A. Zukoff

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spider mite populations peaked during the week of August 19 and declined rapidly by August 26. Mite populations were made up entirely of two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). The Portal with Exponent, Oberon, and Zeal treatments provided the best season-long control in this trial while Portal, Onager, and Mitomax II provided the most control 14 to 21 days after treatment. The lowest overall reduction in predatory mites during the season, when compared to control plots, occurred in the Portal and Onager treatments.

A Tribute To Freddie R. Lamm, D. Rogers, J. Aguilar, A. R. Tomlinson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Freddie Lamm, who positively impacted many through his life and career, passed away on May 26, 2022. Kansas State University and the agricultural irrigation research community lost a great contributor to their field. Lamm was the research irrigation engineer at the Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby, Kansas. He passed away sooner than his family, friends, and colleagues were ready for—before his planned retirement from his remarkable career. View the PDF linked to the right-hand column to learn more about his legacy.

Weather Information For Tribune, D. Bond, J. Slattery

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Summary of 2021 weather for research conducted at the Tribune Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station field location.

Roundup 2022: Agricultural Research Center-Hays

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Roundup is the major beef cattle education and outreach event sponsored by the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center - Hays. This report communicates timely, applicable research information on beef production and rangeland topics.

How Relevant Is High-Cadence Earth Observation For Maize Crop Phenology Classification?, L. Nieto, R. Houborg, A. Zajdband, A. Jumpasut, P. V. Vara Prasad, B. J. S. C. Olson, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Crop phenology can be defined as the study of biological processes such as emergence, flowering, and senescence that are associated with and affected by environmental growing conditions. The ability to reliably detect crop phenology and its spatial-temporal variability is critical for farmers, policymakers, and government agencies, since it has implications for the entire food chain. Currently, two methods are the most used to report crop phenology. Land surface phenology provides insight into the overall trend, whereas USDA-NASS weekly reports provide insight into the development of specific crops at the regional level. High-cadence earth observations may be able to improve the …

Effect Of Early Planting On Soybean Yield, E. Adee, S. Dooley

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In an effort to increase soybean yield potential, early planting dates have been promoted as a management practice that can increase soybean yields. Early planting of soybeans can be a relative term, meaning late April/early May for some soybean producers in Kansas. For the purpose of this study, the definition of early planted soybeans is late March/early April. Theoretically, the earlier planting date could allow for more vegetative growth and absorption of more light before blooming, increasing the yield potential. With the improvement of soybean seed treatments to protect seed when emergence is slowed due to cool and wet conditions, …

Soybean Seed Yield Productivity And Biological Nitrogen Fixation In Kansas, L. F. A. Almeida, A. A. Correndo, E. Adee, S. Dooley, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] productivity (seed yield) and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) were evaluated in response to different fertilization strategies. The study comprised four different locations in Kansas during the 2021 growing season, two irrigated (Topeka and Scandia) and two dryland (Kiro and Ashland Bottoms) sites. Greater seed yields were recorded in Topeka and Kiro (80 bu/a) relative to Scandia (55 bu/a) and Ashland Bottoms (51 bu/a), without observing fertilizer effects on yields. Overall, the relative abundance of ureides (% RAU), an indicator of the level of BNF, increased as the crop matured and showed a negative association …

Increasing Winter Wheat Grain Yield By Replicating The Management Adopted In High-Yielding Commercial Fields, L. Ryan, L. A. Haag, J. D. Holman, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Large winter wheat yield gaps between farmer yields and yield potential in the southern Great Plains indicate the need to improve recommendations of best management strategies to profitably bridge this gap. Many studies have been completed on individual management factors pre-determined by the individual researcher, but we are not aware of studies comparing combination of practices that producers are currently using, which would be more relevant for real-world scenarios. Our objective was to determine the yield gains resulting from management intensification using combination of practices currently adopted in commercial wheat fields. Four management intensities (i.e., Low, Average, High, and Top) …

Wheat Grain Yield Response To Seed Cleaning And Seed Treatment As Affected By Seeding Rate During The 2020–2021 Growing Season In Kansas, R. P. Lollato, L. O. Pradella, L. Ryan, L. M. Simão, N. Giordano, J. R. Soler, L. A. Haag

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this project was to evaluate the winter wheat stand count and grain yield responses to seeding rate and its interaction with seed cleaning and seed treatment in Kansas during the 2020–2021 growing season. Experiments evaluating the response of the wheat variety SY Monument to three seeding rates (600,000, 900,000, and 1,200,000 seeds per acre), three seed cleaning intensities (none, air screen, and gravity table), and two seed treatments (none and insecticide + fungicide) were established in a split-split plot design conducted in a complete factorial experiment in ten Kansas locations. In-season measurements included stand count and grain …