Soil Science Commons^™

Use Of Nitrification Inhibitors On Wheat, Lloyd W. Murdock

Soil Science News and Views

Nitrogen is one of the most important inputs 1in wheat production, but sometimes one of the most difficult to manage. Sources of nitrogen commonly used in Kentucky have most or all of their nitrogen in the ammonium (NH⁺₄) form or forms readily converted to NH⁺₄ (anhydrous ammonia 100%, urea 100%, N-solutions 75%, ammonium nitrate 50%), The ammonium form of nitrogen is used by the plant and retained in the soil with little chance 2f loss, In soils with temperatures above 50°F the ammonium is converted to the nitrate (NO₃) form of nitrogen. Nitrate …

Characterizing Soil Deformation By Direct Measurement Within The Profile, Randall K. Wood, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A unique feature of the University of Kentucky soil bin enables deformation to be characterized by studying a cross-sectional soil profile grid pattern. Modular sections of the bin are laterally removed to expose the cross-section after passes of a pneumatic tire.

The measured displacements of the grid points were converted to values of volumetric strain and then compared to soil density as measured by a dual probe gamma-ray density gauge following tests at various soil conditions. Final soil bulk density determinations using the two methods were not statistically different..

Fertilizer Use Changes In The U.S. And Kentucky, Monroe Rasnake, Dan Kirkland

Soil Science News and Views

The use of inorganic fertilizers for crop production is perhaps the most successful educational program ever attempted by Land-Grant Colleges, the Tennessee Valley Authority and other agencies. Not many producers in the United States or the world will attempt to grow a crop without the use of fertilizers. In fact, some producers over fertilize and in recent years, the educational program has been aimed at teaching producers to limit fertilizer applications to what is actually needed based on soil tests and cropping conditions.

Fall Application Of Fertilizer, Kenneth L. Wells

Soil Science News and Views

Fall application of fertilizer offers the advantages of (1) getting a job done which can delay early spring planting, (2) being able to get over fields when they are usually drier and less likely to compact, and (3) more often getting a price break from fertilizer dealers. Several crop-related advantages also apply and are discussed below. In terms of nutrients which can be fall applied, phosphate and potash are well adapted, Both these nutrients react strongly enough with soil to resist overwinter leaching. and the requirements for next year's production can safely be applied in the fall. Fall use of …

Specialty Vs. Farm Fertilizers For Turf, A. J. Powell Jr.

Soil Science News and Views

Professional golf course superintendents, lawn care supervisors and groundskeepers often spend 3-5 times more for a slow release, urea based, speciality fertilizer rather than urea or ammonium nitrate. Most speciality fertilizers contain 1/5 to 1/3 of its total N in insoluble or slow release form. This slow release nitrogen is included to Cll decrease the number of applications necessary (2) reduce burn potential (3) give uniform rather than a flush of growth and (4) increase N efficiency by reducing leaching and volatilization loss.

Considerations In No-Till Small Grain Production, David C. Ditsch, John H. Grove, Lloyd W. Murdock, James H. Herbek

Soil Science News and Views

Small grains have become an important component of many crop rotations in Kentucky. Seedbed preparation has typically involved various degrees of tillage in which much of the residue from the previous crop is buried. Under such conditions, a field may be vulnerable to severe soil loss during periods of heavy rainfall until the plants have produced enough vegetative growth to cover the soil surface. Eliminating tillage in small grain production would not only reduce soil loss but also reduce labor cost and increase the timeliness of planting. Interest in no-till small grain production is growing. One survey reports that in …

Micronutrients In Kentucky, William O. Thom

Soil Science News and Views

Micronutrients required for normal plant development and fruiting include boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. Unlike the macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S), the quantities of micronutrients needed by agronomic crops is very small. Kentucky soils may contain large amounts of micronutrients in their mineral composition but only small amounts may be available for plant uptake. The soil availability and crop uptake of micronutrients are influenced by soil pH, soil temperatures, crop root growth, soil moisture, crop species and soil organic matter content.

After 15 Years Of No-Tillage Corn, Robert L. Blevins

Soil Science News and Views

Farmers shifting from a system of agricultural production that includes intensive tillage operations to a reduced or no-tillage system are often concerned about how this change may affect soil properties and productivity. No-tillage leaves the residues and fertilizers on the soil surface with no mechanical incorporation and may result in soil properties greatly different from plowed soils.

Effect Of Soil Additives On Water Infiltration On Kentucky Soils, Lloyd W. Murdock

Soil Science News and Views

Many products are advertised and sold in Kentucky as soil additives to aid the movement of water into and through the soil. Most of these additives contain compounds that reduce the surface tension of water. That means that they change the way water is absorbed onto surfaces that have a tendency to repel water. However, their effectiveness in this regard has been questioned due to the huge volume of soil to be effected and the fact that our Kentucky soils are not hydrophobic. In order to determine the effectiveness of these types of products, an experiment was designed to test …

Efficient Use Of Fertilizer On Tobacco, J. L. Sims

Soil Science News and Views

Recent increases in fertilizer prices and other productions costs have stimulated interest in ways to increase the efficiency of fertilizer use while maintaining or increasing yields and quality of tobacco. Growers currently spend about $250 per acre for fertilizer. Although this represents only 15 to 20 percent of the total cash costs per acre, it is one category of cash expenses that can be decreased.

Spring Nitrogen Management For Winter Wheat, John H. Grove

Soil Science News and Views

Wheat producers commonly plan their nitrogen fertilizer management during winter months. The crop begins to break dormancy in many parts of the state in late February and early March and soon begins tillering and growing rapidly if nutrition is adequate. Nitrogen is the nutrient most often required and for which annual costs are the greatest for most wheat growers. Consideration of the following basic principles will help wheat producers improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their nitrogen fertilizer dollars.

Marketing Programs And Strategies, J. Kenneth Evans

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Hay has never been widely perceived as a cash crop, therefore, it has historically accounted for a very small part of the total cash sales by farmers. It has been estimated that more than 90% of all hay baled in the state is retained on the producing farms. Most of that which is sold is transported very short distances and of course if one farmer in a community has a good hay year, all do. Organized marketing efforts have been minimal in both scope and successes. In 1978, efforts were initiated toward a more organized system of marketing Kentucky hay. …

The Economics Of Stand Life In The Production Of Alfalfa, W. Donald Shurley

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is a crop which once established, can provide production of hay for several years thereafter. The productive years of the established crop are often referred to as the stand life. The life of an alfalfa stand is variable depending on many factors including variety grown, soil, weather conditions during the production period, insect and weed pressures, and of course the management skills of the producer in timely harvesting and other production jobs.

Alfalfa In Livestock Feeding Programs, Gary T. Lane

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

A magazine article entitled "Bidders Paid More For Quality at Wisconsin Hay Auction" caught my attention. Did they really pay more money for higher quality. I could not help but think of some hay sales which I have witnessed. One dollar per bale, large bales, small round bales, sixty dollars per ton, and $275 per ton are all some quotes I have heard recently in connection with hay purchases. Not much is said about quality. We may hear relative terms such as good, not much grass, cut early, not rained on or others but not much about nutrient content or …

Grazing Alfalfa, Charles T. Dougherty

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa (Medicaao sativa) is a native of an area south of the Black and Caspian seas and it still grows wild in Iran and eastern Anatolia. Alfalfa was the chosen forage for the fighting horses of ancient armies as long ago as 1800 B.C. when the Kassites conquered Babylon. The spread of alfalfa followed the pathway of armies through the Mediterranean, Europe, and the New World. For ages before man used alfalfa to fuel his fighting animals natural selection processes worked on the evolution of alfalfa and its predecessors. A scenario which would account for the morphology and …

Chemical Preservation Of Alfalfa Hay, Dan O. Riddell

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Kentucky farmers harvest about 3 million tons of hay annually. In order to minimize dry matter losses and quality deterioration, hay should be baled with about 20% moisture. Unfortunately, adequate time required to field-dry hay to 20% moisture is often not available due to weather conditions. This is especially true for the first cutting of alfalfa in the spring. Many farmers are forced to choose between letting cut hay get rained on or baling hay wetter than is recommended. Hay baled with more than 20-25% moisture generally becomes moldy and undergoes a heating process which makes part of the protein …

Biological Control Of Alfalfa Insect Pests, Chris M. Christensen

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is a succulent plant that obviously is good feed for large herbivores such as cattle and horses. Therefore, it should not be surprising that a large number of small herbivores such as insects also find this plant delicious. Fortunately, most of these insects are not major pests. However, we do have a couple pest insects that annually attack this valuable crop and often cause economic damage.

Controlling insect pests is expensive and time consuming. However, not controlling them can be disastrous to the profit margin of the alfalfa producer. Entomologists who work on the insect pests of alfalfa have …

Weed Control In Alfalfa — Present & Future, Charles H. Slack

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

To achieve maximum alfalfa production and maintain excellent stands and forage quality for a number of years, producers need to start including weed control in their management program. Unfortunately good stands are not being established because of early weed competition where herbicides are not used. Alfalfa stands tend to play out before achieving their maximum number of years of production unless maintenance herbicides are used. Fortunately there are now herbicides registered to meet most every phase of alfalfa production.

This paper will deal primarily with the herbicides that are currently labeled for use on alfalfa. Several herbicides that are not …

Fertilizing Alfalfa For Optimum Production, Lloyd W. Murdock

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is a high producing crop. Therefore, it only makes sense not to limit its production or longevity by establishing it on unsuitable soil and by the use of unsound fertility practices. It is the aim of this paper to propose practices which will not limit the production of alfalfa, but, also allow it to be done as efficiently as possible with only the necessary inputs.

No-Till Alfalfa — Research And Observations, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In previous addresses to this Conference, I have suggested four basic goals be included in your alfalfa program: 1) attention to details prior to and during establishment such that you establish a thick, weed-free stand; necessary management to; 2) keep the stand productive for five years; 3) produce five tons per acre per year, and; 4) market your harvest product either as a cash crop or through your livestock program for profit. In the presentations to follow today, information will be presented which, if adapted to your program, will permit you to reach and surpass the above goals.

The topic …

Kentucky's Soils Potential For Alfalfa Production, Kenneth L. Wells

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

A description of Kentucky's land base indicates that of nearly 15 million acres suitable for cropland usage, approximately three-fourths has an erosion hazard potential of some degree, relating largely to steepness of slope (1). For this reason, there is a large potential acreage of alfalfa and other perennial forage crops relating to their sod forming growth habit which provides them an inherent value in erosion control.

Foreword [1985], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

Did Combine Traffic On Wet Soils Damage Fields Last Fall?, Lloyd W. Murdock

Soil Science News and Views

Fields rutted by wheel tracks during harvest last fall are a common sight in the grain producing areas of Kentucky. And, foremost on many producer's minds now, is whether this damage will lower productivity from those fields during 1985 and beyond. This concern also exists among some leading agronomists in the United States who think that the amount of soil compaction due to machinery traffic is increasing. One of the reasons cited for this is the use of larger and heavier equipment. One such piece of equipment which has increased in size and weight is the combine. A combine with …

Mineralogy Of Kentucky Soils, Anastasios D. Karathanasis

Soil Science News and Views

Very few mineralogical data have been published for soils in Kentucky. As an initial attempt to classify mineralogy of the subsoil, a general mineralogy map of the state was constructed based on currently available information (Fig. 1). The map suggests that quartz, mica, and feldspars are the dominant minerals of the sqnd and silt size fractions and that illite, smectite, kaolinite and hydroxyinterlayered vermiculite or smectite dominate the clay size soil fraction. Soils of the Western Coalfields, Eastern Coalfields, and Eastern Pennyrile regions generally contain more quartz in the sand and silt fraction than soils of the Purchase, Western Pennyrile, …