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Reducing Hay Losses — From Standing Crop Through Storage, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa management for maximum economic productivity is quite complex. Many factors ranging from cultivar selection and establishment to storage and feeding must be considered. In some cases these factors, yield and quality of a particular cutting of forage for example, are negatively correlated. Following good establishment of an adapted cultivar, cutting management has important effects on forage yield, forage quality, stand persistence, weed encroachment and other important responses. Maturity stage at the time of cutting greatly affects quality. After cutting, hay curing, packaging and storage conditions also affect quality. Clearly, in order to achieve the optimum combination of yield and …

No-Till Alfalfa Establishment, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The topic ''No-till Alfalfa" was discussed at the V Annual Alfalfa Conference this past February in Elizabethtown. At that conference, we reported results of demonstrations that had been conducted along with preliminary results of some of the research underway. In the presentation today, I would like to review some of the opportunities for no-till alfalfa and discuss some additional research results.

Herbicides For Alfalfa Weed Control, William W. Witt

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Numerous herbicides are available for controlling weeds in pure or mixed stands of alfalfa. In addition, these herbicides can be applied at different times and stages of alfalfa growth -from prior to planting to actively growing alfalfa to dormant applications during the winter. To be confident of achieving the desired weed control, it is important to apply alfalfa herbicides at the proper growth stage and rate.

The following tables contain information pertinent to proper utilization of the herbicides to obtain maximum weed control.

Foreword [1986], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

Effect Of Soil Mineral Variability On Soil Use And Management, Anastasios D. Karathanasis

Soil Science News and Views

Soil mineralogical variability arises from two factors. The mineralogical composition of the parent material and the degree to which the original composition has been modified by external soil forming factors and internal soil building processes during the course of weathering. Different stages of soil weathering are represented by different mineralogical compositions and therefore a different combination of physical and chemical properties. Some soil scientists have divided these weathering stages into fresh, juvenile, virile, senile, and lateritic. The ability of soil to provide nutrients to plants reaches a maximum at the beginning of the virile stage and then declines rapidly with …

Cutting Production Costs In 1986, Kenneth L. Wells, John H. Grove

Soil Science News and Views

With the stressful economic situation that continues to face Kentucky farmers in 1986, the College of Agriculture is continually asked, "What are some of the things which can be done to ease the cost-price squeeze?" In response to this question, the following suggestions for improved, more cost efficient soil and crop production management are offered: These management techniques to get the highest possible yields without added costs are sometimes overlooked although they can offer increased yield potential at no added cost.

Analysis Of Coal Samples From The Princess District, Kentucky (Boyd, Carter, Greenup, And Lawrence Counties And Part Of Lewis County), James C. Currens, Linda Jean Bragg, James C. Hower

Information Circular--KGS

Chemical and petrographic data are presented for 42 samples of coal collected in the Princess District, eastern Kentucky. These data include sample-site locations, sampling conditions, stratigraphic position, megascopic description of the coal, air-drying loss, proximate and ultimate analyses, Btu content, forms of sulfur, initial deformation temperature, softening temperature, fluid temperature, free-swelling index, concentration of major, minor, and trace inorganic elements, and petrographic analyses.

Bowen Fluoresence And He Ii Lines In Active Galaxies And Gaseous Nebulae, Hagai Netzer, Moshe Elitzur, Gary J. Ferland

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We have calculated the intensity of He II and the O III and N III Bowen lines under a variety of astrophysical conditions. Our line-transfer method is based on the escape probability formalism and is especially suitable for combining line fluorescence and photoionization calculations in a simple, straightforward way. It reproduces the results of the more sophisticated line-transfer calculations quite accurately and is much better for producing realistic ionization and thermal structures. An extensive grid of models is presented and discussed, with special emphasis on the case of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Many O III and N III Bowen lines …

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 …

Reductive Dechlorination Of Toxic Chlorocarbons, K. Grant Taylor

KWRRI Research Reports

The sodium hydride based reducing agents were prepared the method of Caubere (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 1983, 22, 599-613). Reagents were prepared containing nickel, iron and zinc metals. All were effective in dechlorinating 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 4-methoxy-chlorobenzene, and arochlor 1254. Most work focused on nickel based reagents, the most active. The nickel-based reducing agent used in THF at 65°C reduced to 200 ppm 1,3-dichlorobenzene (to benzene) and arochlor 1254 (to biphenyl) to below 0.2 ppm in less than 15 minutes. A two stage reduction reduced arochlor 1254 to below a detectable level as determined by gas chromatography using f.i.d. detector. Using …

Modeling Soil Erosion With Emphasis On Steep Slopes And The Rilling Process, Michael C. Hirschi, Billy J. Barfield, Ian D. Moore

KWRRI Research Reports

A soil erosion model, known as KYERMO, was developed for use in soil erosion research. The model was written in Microsoft FORTRAN, which is a subset of the ANSI FORTRAN 77 standard, allowing the model to be run on an IBM-PC as well as a mainframe computer. The model structure consisted of many interrelated subroutines which facilitated model development, testing, and future expansion.

A sensitivity analysis of the detachment component was performed, examining the number of rills, the number of space and time steps, and the detachment parameters. This analysis indicated that the model performed as expected for the detachment …

Estimation Of Equivalent Axleloads, John A. Deacon, Jerry G. Pigman, Jesse G. Mayes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The primary objective of this research study was to develop a procedure for estimating equivalent axle loads for purposes of flexible-pavement design. Maximum use was made of historical data and well-accepted procedures were used in developing the prediction model. A series of computer programs was developed to summarize truck-weight and classification data such that traffic characteristics could be estimated from a matrix of data classified by geographic area, Federal highway system, volume, and extent of coal haulage. An equation was developed with the following seven parameters as independent variables; 1) annual average daily traffic volume, 2) average fraction of trucks …

A Computerized Analysis Of Flexible Pavement Rutting Behavior (Pavrut), David L. Allen, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The behavior of asphalt-bound layers, unbound aggregate bases, and foundation soils (subgrades) may be affected by such variables as gradation, asphalt and (or) moisture contents, type of aggregate, density, method of compaction, temperature, magnitude and frequency of loading, duration of each load cycle, and other less significant variables. The complex interaction of all these variables yields a composite behavior for a particular pavement structure that could become manifest in some form of distress or even complete "failure."

Flexible pavements are susceptible to rutting. But it is not well known where and to what extent rutting takes place within a pavement …

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.

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..

Jefferson Freeway Investigation (Westbound Lanes), Herbert F. Southgate, Gary W. Sharpe, Theodore Hopwood Ii, James H. Havens, Mark Anderson, David Q. Hunsucker, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Research Program (KTRP) was retained to perform an investigation for the Kentucky Department of Highways to assess damage that may be attributed to passage of the Model 992C over portions of the Jefferson Freeway. KTRP investigators conducted visual surveys, performed Road Rater deflection tests, did in-place California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing on subgrade materials, obtained pavement cores, and conducted laboratory tests and analyses.

It appeared the pavement was damaged by the front-end loader. No evidence of damage to the bridges attributable to the front-end loader was detected. Damage to the pavement attributable to passage of the front-end …

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.

Traffic Trends And Their Relationship To Highway-Use Revenues, Jerry G. Pigman, Manouchehr Vaziri

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

With increasing concerns about the present level of highway funding, this study was initiated to investigate historical trends and to develop predictive methodologies for considering alternatives available for increasing highway revenues. Emphasis was placed on historical trends, and a data base of highway-related and socio-economic variables were prepared to document the relationship between these variables and highway-user revenues. A historical file of 37 variables was prepared for the period 1964 through 1984.

As a means of investigating future alternatives that will affect highway-user revenues, a series of nine equations or models were developed that represented historical data. Input data necessary …

Modeling Of Overland Flow By The Diffusion Wave Approach, Rao S. Govindaraju, S. E. Jones, M. L. Kavvas

KWRRI Research Reports

One of the major issues of present times, i.e. water quality degradation and a need for precise answers to transport of pollutants by overland flow, is addressed with special reference to the evaporator pits located adjacent to streams in the oil-producing regions of Eastern Kentucky. The practical shortcomings of the state-of-the-art kinematic wave are discussed and a new mathematical modeling-approach for overland flows using the more comprehensive diffusion wave is attempted as the first step in solving this problem. A Fourier series representation of the solution to the diffusion wave is adopted and found to perform well. The physically justified …

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 …

Development Of General Guidelines For The Planning Of Stormwater Management Facilities: Application To Urban Watersheds In Kentucky, Lindell E. Ormsbee, Vincent T. Reinert

KWRRI Research Reports

This report provides a planning methodology and a design tool to help determine the appropriate location and volume of detention basins required to control critical storm events. The technique involves using watershed characteristics including the SCS curve number, time of concentration, peak outflow rate, watershed area and the storage recurrence interval to help predict these detention volumes.

Historical rainfall records are used in a revised continuous simulation program (SYNOP, Hydroscience, Inc,) to determine the rainfall excess from which runoff hydrographs are produced. Various combinations of the watershed characteristics were input and computer analyses done to obtain the required data base. …

Investigation Of Pollution In A Karst Aquifer Utilizing Optical Brightener, John Thrailkill, Ralph F. Wiseman, Bridget R. Scanlon

KWRRI Research Reports

Optical brightener is an additive to laundry detergents and is found contaminating groundwater. Its concentration may rapidly and inexpensively be determined by fluorescence techniques, and because its source is human wastewater, its presence in groundwater serves as a direct indication of pollution from septic tanks, sewer leaks, and landfills.

A total of 105 wells and springs in an area within the Inner Bluegrass Karst Region near Lexington, Kentucky, were described and sampled. Analyses were made for optical brightener (430 samples), total coliform (91), fecal coliform (93), and fecal streptococci (90). As many as 20 optical brightener and 4 bacterial samples …

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.

Identification Of Soil-Water Chemical Parameters For The Prediction And Treatment Of Suspended Solids In Surface Water Reservoirs Of Coal Mine Lands, V. P. Evangelou, J. H. Grove, R. I. Barnhisel

KWRRI Research Reports

High concentrations of suspended solids in coal mine sedimentation ponds are a factor in lowering water quality. Colloidal particle settling simulations were carried out in the laboratory to test the influence pH and dissolved solids have on concentration and settling rates of suspended solids. The results of the study reveal that the pH range of colloidal coflocculation for the samples tested is between 3.5 and 4.5. Furthermore, liming simulation of acidic sediments, as expected increased colloid dispersion. This increase was dependent on the magnitude of the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). The greater SAR systems maintained a greater concentration of colloidal …

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 …

Effects Of Load Distributions And Axle And Tire Configurations On Pavement Fatigue, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Damage factor relationships for axle and tire configurations are presented. Adjustment factors are provided to account for variations in load distributions within axle groups, distances between axles of a tandem, and variations in tire pressure for both dual and flotation tire configurations.

Properly accounting for accumulated fatigue of a pavement requires an accurate Measure of traffic volume, proportions of vehicle styles (classifications) within the traffic stream, dates of service, estimate of the average damage factor for each classification, and estimate of the tire contact pressure. Weigh-in-motion equipment in its current form provides all of the above ingredients except for the …

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.

Long-Term Movements Of Highway Bridge Approach Embankments And Pavements, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Long-term movements of highway bridge approach embankments and pavements are described and factors that may lead to settlement of highway bridge approach pavements are discussed. Six case histories are presented. The bridge approach sites were observed at different times during the period 1966 to 1985. At four sites, lateral movements, measured from slope inclinometers, of the approach embankments were monitored over time periods ranging from 8 to 14 years. Settlements of the highway bridge approaches were monitored some three to four years after paving. Estimated and observed settlements of the foundations at the study sites were obtained for a length …