Life Sciences Commons^™

G89-905 Weed Control On Crp Acres (Revised July 1997), Robert N. Klein, Gail A. Wicks, John E. Watkins, Jerry D. Volesky

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Establishing perennial grasses on former cropland presents a challenge. Weed control can be accomplished with herbicides, tillage, burning, mowing, and crop competition. The key to weed control is timeliness. Weeds should be controlled on CRP acres to reduce the risk of seeding failure and eliminate possible reseeding costs. Soil moisture must be available for seed germination, seedling emergence, and establishment to be successful in getting stands of grasses and/or legumes. Weeds can quickly and thoroughly consume soil water throughout the upper soil profile and must be controlled to allow grass and legume seedlings to germinate and emerge. In addition, rapid-growing, …

G88-875 Weed Control In Soybeans, Russell S. Moomaw, Robert N. Stougaard, Alex Martin, Fred Roeth, David Mortensen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides information on mechanical and chemical weed control methods, including herbicides to use for preplant incorporated, preemergence and postemergence. Soybeans are a relatively easy crop to grow. Limited insect and disease problems presently are associated with their production in Nebraska. Weeds, however, are a major production problem. Each 100 pounds of weed growth results in a one bushel loss in soybean yield. Weeds that emerge with the crop and remain in the row are the strongest competitors. Those that emerge later than six weeks after planting have little effect on yield, so it is important to focus on …

G88-863 Annual Broadleaf Weed Control In Winter Wheat (Revised January 1990), Gail A. Wicks, Robert N. Klein, Alex Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses preventive, cultural, and chemical weed control in winter wheat. Best weed control is obtained by using a combination of these three methods. Winter and summer annual broadleaf weeds are economically important pests of Nebraska winter wheat. They reduce grain yields by competing with winter wheat for water, light and nutrients. Weeds are estimated to reduce Nebraska winter wheat yields 10 percent each year.

G87-834 Leafy Spurge (Revised February 1989), R.S. Moomaw, Alex Martin, R.N. Stougaard

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Identification and control of leafy spurge, a noxious weed established in about three-fourths of Nebraska's counties, is discussed here.

Leafy spurge, (Euphorbia esula L.) introduced to the United States from Eurasia in 1827, has become a troublesome weed in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska.

Leafy spurge is found in about three-fourths of Nebraska's counties. It is most common in the state's northern and eastern areas. Leafy spurge is found primarily on untilled land such as pastures, range, roadsides, woodlands and farmsteads. Leafy spurge is a noxious weed according to the Nebraska Seed Law and the Nebraska …

G86-802 Banvel And 2,4-D Damge To Fieldbeans And Soybeans, Roger G. Wilson, Drew J. Lyon

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the effects of Banvel and 2,4-D on soybean and fieldbean growth and yield. Banvel and 2,4-D are two herbicides commonly used for postemergence control of broadleaf weeds in corn, wheat, sorghum, pastures, and around field margins. Both herbicides can be moved off target by windy conditions at the time of spraying, or they can volatilize after spraying at temperatures above 85°F and drift off target. Fieldbeans and soybeans are both sensitive to Banvel and 2,4-D, and even rates as low as 0.001 lb/acre (1/100th of the use rate) can cause visual crop injury. The degree of crop …

G86-811 High Quality Seed Wheat, Lenis Alton Nelson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses high quality winter wheat, the options farmers have in obtaining high quality seed, seed size, year-old seed, seed treatment, and replanting the same seed year after year. Winter wheat uniquely allows the least time between the harvest of one crop and the planting of the next of any annual crop. This short time period may necessitate making a hurried decision about the seed to be planted. In the end, the farmer must be responsible for planting good, high quality seed. The phrase "high quality seed wheat" means different things to different people. High quality wheat seed is …

G84-723 Maximizing The Use Of Farm Strip Plots, John Havlin, Roger Wesley Elmore

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Strip plots are an effective means of comparing soil and crop management practices. Guidelines are given for establishing strip plots and evaluating the results. Farmers, extension and industry personnel, and researchers have a common interest in strip plots set out on farm fields to study various soil and crop management practices. Strip plots or tests are usually designed to compare differences between tillage methods, herbicide treatments, varieties, fertilizer sources or rates, methods of chemical application, and many other crop production inputs. Strip tests established in farmer fields could satisfy wider interests, and conceivably yield more useful information, if the planners …

G84-697 Ground Covers: Their Establishment And Maintenance (Revised June 1992), Don Steinegger, Luann Finke

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to plant and maintain ground covers to take advantage of their low-maintenance features.

Ground covers are low-growing plants, usually less than 12 inches tall, that spread to form dense mats which bind and hold the soil in place. Many also have a season of effective bloom. Turfgrass is the most common ground cover. However, sites that are less suitable for turfgrass, such as slopes, steep banks, and shaded areas, can often grow other ground covers successfully.

A well-established ground cover generally requires less maintenance than the typical turfgrass lawn. Ground covers are not totally maintenance-free, nor …

G83-665 Hemp Dogbane, John D. Furrer, Alex R. Martin, Fred W. Roeth

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes hemp dogbane, including how it spreads, and provides recommendations for cultural and chemical control. Hemp dogbane is a perennial broadleaf weed native to North America. In Nebraska it is most prevalent in the eastern and central areas, but is occasionally found throughout the state.

G83-648 Wild Proso Millet (Revised April 1992), Robert G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes wild proso millet and its life cycle and provides recommendations for control.

Wild proso millet (Panicum millaceum L.) is one of the fastest spreading weeds in the corn belt. In the early 1970s, wild proso millet was found in a few isolated corn fields in Wisconsin. By 1987 wild proso millet had infested over one million acres in Wisconsin, had infested most of the southern corn-growing counties in Minnesota, and was present in Iowa, North and South Dakota, Illinois, Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska.

In Nebraska, wild proso millet was found first in a small area in …

G83-681 Velvetleaf, Fred Roeth, Russell Moomaw, Alex Martin, Orvin Burnside

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides guidelines on how to control velvetleaf by prevention, cultural and mechanical methods, and by use of recommended herbicides.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), a member of the Mallow family, is related to cotton, hollyhocks, and numerous weeds. Other common names include buttonweed, Indian mallow, butterprint, piemarker, velvetweed, and cottonweed. The preferred name, velvetleaf, amply describes its velvety-textured, hairy-surfaced leaves.

A native of China and presumably introduced into the U.S. from India as a fiber crop, this annual weed is adapted to cropland throughout most of the United States. Over the past 10 years, velvetleaf has increased dramatically …

G81-562 Guidelines For Using Pipewick And Other Selective Applicators, William E. Lueschen, Alex R. Martin, John D. Furrer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The use of selective applicators is being rapidly adopted by farmers to supplement their weed control programs. A low-cost method of removing tall, escaped weeds from short stature crops, selective application is also environmentally appealing since the herbicide is applied only to the target weeds and thus only small amounts of herbicides are used.

There are three basic types of applicators available: ropewicks, recirculating sprayers (RCS), and carpeted rollers. This NebGuide discusses each applicator and how it can be used on the farm.

G81-543 Establishing Dryland Forage Grasses, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Preparation, seed selection, seedbed preparation, fertilization, methods of seeding, time and rate of seeding, weed control and more are covered in this NebGuide.

Grass pastures provide more total nutrients to the cattle and sheep industry in Nebraska than any other feedstuff. However, many areas often face a shortage of pasture during certain seasons of the year.

In eastern Nebraska abundant cool-season pasture usually is available during spring and fail, but during July and August there is little or no grass growth. Conversely, warm-season native range provides much forage during summer in central and western Nebraska, but not in spring and …

G81-546 Ecofarming: Fallow Aids In Winter Wheat-Fallow Rotation, Gail A. Wicks, Charles R. Fenster

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the use of ecofarming to control weeds and manage crop residues.

Ecofarming is defined as a system of controlling weeds and managing crop residues throughout a crop rotation with minimum use of tillage so as to reduce soil erosion and production costs while increasing weed control, water infiltration, moisture conservation and crop yields. Energy requirements are much lower with ecofallow than with normal fallow systems. The ecofallow period in the 3-year rotation is the period between wheat or other small grain harvest and the planting of corn or sorghum. The fallow period in the 2-year rotation occurs …

G80-509 Canada Thistle, Robert G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The growth and control of Canada thistle is covered here.

Canada thistle plant

Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L) Scop.] is a native of Eurasia and was probably introduced to America around 1750. Since that time it has spread throughout the northern part of the United States. Canada thistle is estimated to infest 800,000 acres in northern and western Nebraska.

A perennial that reproduces from seed and by an extensive root system, Canada thistle is dioecious, with the male and female flowers on separate plants. For viable seed to be produced, both male and female plants need to be present.

G80-500 Ecofarming: Selection Of Tractor Mounted Or Pull-Type Sprayers, Norman L. Klocke, G. A. Wicks, R. Fenster

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Uniform application of dependable herbicides in the ecofarming program is a key to its success. A good sprayer is needed to accomplish this, and not every new sprayer available will do the job. The following sprayer components should be checked carefully: pump, tank, tank agitation, flow-control assembly, strainers and screens, distribution system (including boom), and nozzles. Each of the components is important if the sprayer is to do an accurate and uniform job of application.

G79-436 Control Of Downy Brome In Alfalfa, Charles R. Fenster, Gail A. Wicks, Robert G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Downy brome in alfalfa indicates poor alfalfa management or failure to control downy brome around field boundaries. It lowers the quality of the first cutting of hay, but can be controlled by one or more of the following: (1) planting in downy brome-free soil, (2) maintaining good vigorous alfalfa stands, (3) using adapted varieties, (4) having adequate fertility - especially phosphorus in the soil, (5) applying timely and correct amounts of irrigation water, (6) controlling downy brome in adjacent areas, and (7) use of herbicides.

G78-390 Right Crop Stage For Herbicide Use Alfalfa, Sugarbeets, Soybeans, And Fieldbeans (Revised January 1987), Robert G. Wilson, Alex Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

If you are using herbicides on alfalfa, sugarbeets, soybeans, or fieldbeans, information in this Guide will help you apply them at the proper time for best weed control with a minimum of crop injury. Proper timing of postemergence herbicides is essential to achieve maximum weed control with minimum crop injury. As field crops grow and mature, their tolerance to herbicides changes. As a general rule, annual and biennial weeds are more susceptible to postemergence herbicides when they are in the seedling stage, becoming increasingly difficult to control as they mature. The grower is thus faced with the problem of when …

G77-382 Right Crop Stage For Herbicide Use Corn, Sorghum, Small Grains (Revised May 1992), Drew J. Lyon, Robert G. Wilson Jr., Alex Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Herbicides recommended for postemergence application in corn, sorghum, and small grains are discussed in this NebGuide. Proper timing of postemergence herbicides is essential to achieve maximum weed control and minimum crop injury. As field crops grow and mature, their tolerance to herbicides changes. As a general rule, annual and biennial weeds are more susceptible to postemergence herbicides when they are in the seedling stage. As they mature they become increasingly difficult to control, facing the grower with the problem of when to apply the herbicide to achieve the least crop injury and the most satisfactory weed control. Field crops differ …

G76-294 Band Application Of Herbicides (Revised March 1986), Russell S. Moomaw, Alex Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Many row crop producers prefer to use hebicide band applications because of reduced costs. Savings can be substantial with the more expensive materials. Properly applied, band applications of herbicides can satisfactorily protect the crop from weed growth. Herbicide row banding can be done either at crop planting time or postemergence after the crop and weeds have emerged.

G76-322 How To Handle Insect And Plant Specimens For Identification (Revised March 1985), Luanne Coziahr, Stephen D. Danielson, John Furrer, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service offers the public a pest/plant identification service. Under this service, insects, weeds, plant diseases, and horticultural plants are identified and, if appropriate, methods for their prevention or control are recommended. Diagnoses of plant problems and control recommendations will be more precise if specimens are handled according to the suggestions offered in this NebGuide.

G74-121 Sandbur Control In Field Corn (Revised January 1999), Gail A. Wicks, Robert G. Wilson Jr.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Sandbur can be a major weed problem in cornfields if not properly controlled. This NebGuide discusses mechanical and chemical alternatives for controlling sandbur.

Sandbur is a problem weed on coarse to fine-textured soil. The North Platte Valley, southwest and west central Nebraska, and the Sandhills are areas in the state where sandbur is a major weed problem in corn. Sandbur seldom becomes a primary weed problem in eastern Nebraska. Both field (Cenchrus pauciflorus Benth.) and longspine [Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fern.] sandbur grow in Nebraska.

G74-113 A Quick Test For Atrazine Carryover (Revised March 1989), Alex Martin, R.N. Stougaard, Patrick J. Shea

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

How can you tell if you have atrazine carryover in your fields? Plants grown in soil samples can tell.

Residues of atrazine may remain in the soil and affect some susceptible crops the next year. Crops most often affected include soybeans, field beans, sugarbeets, alfalfa, oats, wheat and many broadleaf horticultural crops.

Attempts to predict the extent of carryover and damage to sensitive crops the year following atrazine use have been only partially successful. The rate of atrazine disappearance and, therefore, the amount remaining the next year, is affected by soil texture, pH and organic matter content, as well as …

G74-108 Wilts Of Cucurbits (Revised October 1994), James R. Steadman, David L. Keith, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Discussion covers the symptoms, disease cycles, and control measures for bacterial and Fusarium wilts of cucurbits, including cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelons, squash, and pumpkins. Wilt caused by squash vine borer also is covered.

G74-123 Weed Control In Reduced Tillage Corn (Revised May 1982), Russell Moomaw, Alex Martin, David P. Shelton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Weeds compete with corn plants for water, nutrients and light. Historically, the soil has been extensively tilled to prepare a seedbed and to lessen or remove weed competition. This tillage centered around moldboard plowing.

Results of a recent survey indicate that most Nebraska farmers now use some form of reduced tillage, with the moldboard plow being used on only 11 percent of Nebraska's corn acreage. Reduced tillage is used in many forms.

This NebGuide discusses how to control weeds using the different types of tillage systems.

G73-71 Lettuce (Revised April 1990), R.E. Neild, Roger D. Uhlinger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Successfully growing and harvesting lettuce is the focus of this NebGuide.

Lettuce is an increasingly popular vegetable in the United States. Because it is a basic ingredient in salads, lettuce is eaten more frequently than any other vegetable. Lettuce can be served alone with a variety of dressings or mixed with other fresh vegetables.

Its fresh color and crisp texture serve well as a garnish, and its leaves may be stuffed with fruit, cheese, seafood, poultry, ham, or egg salads. Although usually consumed fresh, leaf lettuce and chopped green onions "wilted" with warm vegetable oil and vinegar make a pleasing, …

Leoti For Starch, R. L. Cushing

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Circulars

The popular forage crop, Leoti sorghum, has possibilities of becoming an important special purpose grain crop for industrial utilization. Investigations of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry have shown that starch manufactured from the waxy grain of this variety has properties similar to those of tapioca starch. Tapioca starch, made from the roots of the cassava plant, has been imported by the United States to the extent of 175,000 tons annually. The chief source of supply, the Dutch East Indies, has been eliminated by the war, and domestic substitutes are being urgently sought by the industry. This type of starch is …

Nebraska Pastures: Seeding And Management, A. L. Frolik, E. F. Frolik

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Circulars

Pastures are an important source of feed in the livestock industry. Approximately 70 per cent of the income from Nebraska farms is from the sale of livestock and livestock products, and for this reason consideration should be given to the maintenance of good pastures. Poor pastures, like other poor crops, are expensive. Good grass cover is also an effective means of conserving the soil resources.

Fifty Years Of Achievement In Agricultural Investigation, R. T. Prescott

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Circulars

In Nebraska, a hustling frontier state in 1887, the legislature hesitated not at all in taking advantage of the provisions of the Hatch Act, and now that fifty years have elapsed since the Station was founded, seventy-five years since the Land Grant College Act was passed and the U. S. Department of Agriculture established, and almost twenty-five years since the Agricultural Extension Service was added, it seems worth while to present a general summary of achievement within the state. The main object will be to show some of the important things that have been learned through the investigations of the …

Transpiration As A Factor In Crop Production, T. A. Kiesselbach

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

The object of experiments reported in this bulletin has been to determine principles according to which water is used by crops. In many agricultural districts, water is frequently a seriously limiting factor in crop production. It has been thought that some means might be devised through a correct understanding of the principles involved, whereby economy in the use of water in farm practice could be increased. In this effort there are two chief points of attack, namely, (1) adjusting the external factors to the needs of the plant, and (2) selecting plants adapted to the conditions.