Life Sciences Commons^™

Do Winter Canola Hybrids And Open-Pollinated Varieties Respond Differently To Seeding Rate?, B. M. Showalter, K. Roozeboom, M. J. Stamm, G. Cramer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Several producers have turned to planting canola in 30-in. rows as a strategy to take advantage of residue management options (e.g. planter-mounted residue managers and strip tillage) to facilitate planting canola in high-residue cropping systems. Canola hybrids are gaining acres in the southern Great Plains and may require different management than the traditional open-pollinated cultivars. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of seeding rate on winter survival and yield of hybrid and open-pollinated winter canola cultivars in 30-in. and 9-in. rows. Experiments were conducted in 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 at two K-State Research and Extension facilities. …

Closing Corn Yield Gaps Via Improved Management: A Systems Approach, G. R. Balboa, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Three corn research trials were conducted during the 2016 growing season. Two studies were conducted at Scandia, KS, (dryland and irrigated) and one at Topeka, KS (dryland). The objective of these trials was to investigate the contribution of different farming systems for closing corn yield gaps. Each experiment consisted of five treatments: common practices (CP), comprehensive fertilization (CF), production intensity (PI), ecological intensification (CF + PI), and advanced plus (AD). Across all three experiments and under dryland and irrigation scenarios, CP presented the lowest yield. In environments with yield response, intensifying production without a balanced nutrition program did not increase …

Cover Crop Effects On Corn In A Corn/Soybean Rotation, D. E. Shoup, I. A. Ciampitti, J. Kimball, Gretchen Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A research study was established in 2013 in a corn and soybean rotation with cover crops planted soon after each crop harvest. A variety of complex cover crop mixtures were evaluated ranging from single-specie to 7-specie mixtures. Cover crops were terminated in the spring prior to corn planting. Corn yield responded differently among the three years of the study. In general, 2014 and 2016 showed a similar trend of decreased corn yield as the complexity of cover crop specie mixtures increased. Significant corn yield losses ranged from 8.6 to 15.1 bu/a across all cover crop treatments in 2014. In 2016, …

Cropping Sequence Influenced Crop Yield, Soil Water Content, Residue Return, And Co2 Efflux In Wheat-Camelina Cropping System, E. Obeng, A. Obour, N. O. Nelson, I. A. Ciampitti, Donghai Wang, E. A. Santos

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Camelina (Camelina sativaL. Crantz) is a short-seasoned oilseed crop with potential as a fallow replacement crop in dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum) - based cropping systems. Crop rotation management can affect the quality and quantity of crop residue return to the system. In addition, residue has the ability to sequester carbon and can affect plant available water. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing fallow with camelina on crop yield, soil water at wheat planting, soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) efflux from treatments, and residue return. Treatments were four rotation schemes, and included …

Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome Influenced By Macronutrient Fertility On Irrigated Soybeans In A Corn/Soybean Rotation, Eric Adee, Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, C. R. Little

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization on a corn/ soybean cropping sequence were evaluated from 1983 to 2016, with corn planted in odd years. There was a negative relationship between the P rate applied during the corn years and the severity of sudden death syndrome (SDS) in 2014 and 2016 soybean.

Sudden Death Syndrome And Soybean Planting Date, Eric Adee, C. R. Little, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The effect of planting date on severity of sudden death syndrome (SDS) and yield was evaluated for the second year in two studies at the Kansas River Valley experiment fields in 2016. One study was established to promote SDS and the other to minimize SDS. In both studies the severity of SDS was greatest with the earlier planting dates. The yield was greatest with the earlier planting date, except for the most susceptible variety. The severity of SDS was not as great as had been observed in previous years. There is a very positive benefit to planting in early May …

Seed Yield And Biological Nitrogen Fixation For Historical Soybean Genotypes, S. Tamagno, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seed yield formation and biological nitrogen (N) fixation (BNF) were evaluated during the seed filling period (SFP) for historical soybean genotypes under contrasting N strategies. Overall, seed yield increased with the year of release, primarily associated with increments in the seed number component. The study showed that seed weight factor was maintained across decades regardless of the improvement in seed number. Nitrogen factor, evaluated as zero-N application via inorganic fertilizers versus high-N added, influenced seed yield via impacting seed weight factor. The latter plant trait improved with the high-N treatment, which was related to changes in the duration of the …

Soybean: Genetic Gain × Fertilizer Nitrogen Interaction, O. Ortez, F. Salvagiotti, Eric Adee, J. Enrico, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The United States (US) and Argentina (ARG) account for more than 50% of the global soybean production. Soybean yields are determined by the genotype, environment, and management practices (G × E × M) interaction. Overall, 50-60% of soybean nitrogen (N) demand is usually met by the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) process. An unanswered scientific question concerns the ability of BNF process to satisfy soybean N demand at varying yield levels. The overall objective of this project was to study the contribution of N via utilization of different N strategies, evaluating soybean genotypes released in different eras. Four field experiments were …

Two Pass Weed Control Programs In Conventional Tillage Xtend Soybeans, D. E. Peterson, C. Thompson, C. L. Minihan

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The development of glyphosate-resistant weeds has greatly complicated weed control in soybeans. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend (dicamba tolerant) soybeans provide growers an alternative herbicide option for postemergence weed control in conventional tillage soybeans. Two pass programs consisting of preemergence residual herbicides followed by postemergence Roundup Power Max plus dicamba provided excellent weed control, superior to a single postemergence treatment with Roundup Power Max plus dicamba.

Weed Control Programs For Xtend Soybeans In No-Tillage, D. E. Peterson, C. Thompson, C. L. Minihan

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The development of glyphosate-resistant weeds has greatly complicated weed control in soybeans. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend (dicamba tolerant) soybeans provide growers an alternative herbicide option for preplant and postemergence weed control in no-tillage soybeans. Preplant programs that included dicamba provided excellent control of giant ragweed. All sequential programs provided excellent control of the weeds present in the experiment.

Intensive Management Strategies To Close Wheat Yield Gaps In Central Kansas, B. R. Jaenisch, R. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Winter wheat is the most widely sown crop in Kansas, and yields had not surpassed 50 bushels per acre until 2015-16, when average state wheat yield was 57 bushels per acre. However, recent estimates of the long-term winter wheat yield potential in central Kansas indicate that it lies around 75 bushels per acre. A particular crop’s yield gap in a given region is determined by the difference between potential and actual yields. The long-term yield gap in Kansas is approximately 45 bushels per acre, which corresponds to more than 50% of the yield potential. Yield gaps have the potential to …

Wheat Variety Response To Seed Cleaning Method And Pesticide Seed Treatment Following A Growing Season With Severe Infestation Of Fusarium Head Blight, R. Lollato, R. Maeoka, B. R. Jaenisch, A. De Oliveira Silva

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fusarium head blight (scab) is a common concern in eastern and central Kansas. Wheat seed quality might be compromised following a growing season with severe infestation of scab. Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of variety, seed cleaning method, and seed treatment, on wheat stand establishment and yield following a growing season where scab was severe. A trial was established during the 2015-16 growing season using seed harvested from the 2014-15 growing season, which was characterized by severe infestation of scab. Three commonly grown wheat varieties with differing levels of scab resistance (Everest, SY Wolf, and WB Grainfield) were …

Optimum Seeding Rate For Different Wheat Varieties In Kansas, R. Lollato, G. Cramer, A. K. Fritz, G. Zhang

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seeding rate is an important management practice affecting wheat yield. Wheat varieties differ in their tillering capacity and therefore in their yield response to seeding rate. Our objectives were to evaluate the tillering and yield response of different modern wheat varieties to seeding rate. The study was conducted in Hutchinson and Manhattan, KS, during the 2015-16 growing season. Seven wheat varieties (Everest, KanMark, 1863, Joe, Tatanka, Larry, and Zenda) were sown at five different seeding rates (0.6, 0.95, 1.3, 1.65, and 2 million seeds per acre). Tiller number and grain yield were measured in the spring. Increasing plant population decreased …

Development Of A Berry Processing Score For Sorghum Silage And Assessment Of Processing Effects On Sorghum Silage Starch Digestibility, J. R. Johnson, J. P. Goeser, Michael Brouk

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objectives of this study were to develop a berry processing score (BPS) for sorghum silage, similar to the kernel processing score currently used for corn silage, and to evaluate the effects of processing on starch digestibility. Sorghum silage samples were collected from commercial farms in Kansas and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 processing levels differing in roll gap spacing: unprocessed (UNP), 1.5 (1.5P), 1.0 (1.0P), or 0.5 (0.5P) mm. Differences in BPS and starch digestibility were found–as the roll gap decreased, both BPS and starch digestibility increased. Thus, by processing sorghum silage during harvest and measuring the extent …

Effects Of Interseeding Ladino Clover Into Tall Fescue Pastures Of Varying Endophyte Status On Grazing Performance Of Stocker Steers, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sixty-four yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evaluate the effects of fescue cultivar and interseeding ladino clover on grazing gains and available forage. Fescue cultivars evaluated were high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ Steers that grazed pastures of low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ gained significantly more (P<0.05) and produced more (P<0.05) gain/a than those that grazed high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ pastures. Gains of cattle that grazed low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ were similar (P>0.05). High-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ pastures had more (P<0.05) available forage than lowendophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ pastures.

Adaptability Of Miscanthus Cultivars For Biomass Production, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2016, miscanthus dry matter production (DM) averaged 8,890 lb DM/a and did not differ between the two cultivars in production at the Mound Valley Unit of the Southeast Agricultural Research Center. Total three-year production for the cultivars was also similar, averaging 35,050 lb/a.

Timing Of Side-Dress Applications Of Nitrogen For Corn In Conventional And No-Till Systems, D. W. Sweeney, D. E. Shoup

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Corn yields were affected by tillage and nitrogen (N) side-dress options in 2016. Corn yields were 12% greater with conventional tillage than with no-till. Side-dress applications of N at V10 resulted in greater corn yield than side-dress N applications at V6.

Tillage And Nitrogen Placement Effects On Yields In A Short-Season Corn/Wheat/ Double-Crop Soybean Rotation, D. W. Sweeney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2016, adding nitrogen (N) greatly improved average wheat yields, but the response to tillage and different N placement methods was minimal. Double-crop soybean yields were unaffected by tillage or the residual from N treatments that were applied to the previous wheat crop.

Crop Production Summary, Southeast Kansas – 2016, Gretchen Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, Jane Lingenfelser, X. Lin, D. E. Shoup

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Crop production in southeast Kansas is summarized from variety trials and research plot experiments conducted at the Southeast Research and Extension Center fields in 2016.

Cover Crop System To Control Charcoal Rot In Soybeans, Gretchen Sassenrath, C. R. Little, C. J. Hsiao, D. E. Shoup, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This research compares methods of controlling charcoal rot in soybean cultivars from three maturity groups commonly grown in southeast Kansas. The results indicate that a mustard plant that produces high levels of glucosinolates can be used as a cover crop to reduce the charcoal rot disease in soybeans.

Including Legumes In Bermudagrass Pastures, J. L. Moyer, L. W. Lomas

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Use of legumes in bermudagrass pastures did not affect summer cow gains in 2016. Forage availability was also similar where ladino clover was used in the Legume system compared with where Nitrogen (N) alone was used. Estimated forage crude protein (CP) was greater for the Legume than the Nitrogen system in early summer, but was similar by mid-summer.

Wheat Production, Gretchen Sassenrath, D. E. Shoup, R. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Wheat production in southeast Kansas is often limited due to high rainfall during the harvest. In some years, this high rainfall can exacerbate disease pressure, especially fungal infections. This study presents results from a test of fungicide applications to control Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab in poor quality wheat.

Evaluation Of Tall Fescue Cultivars, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spring 2016 yield of tall fescue was higher for ‘NFTF 1051’ than for 12 of the 19 other cultivar entries. Summer production of ‘PBU-B2’ was greater than summer production of the three lower-yielding entries. Fall production of ‘BarOptima PLUS E34’ was higher than that of 12 other cultivar entries, but total 2016 production was greater for PBU-B2, ‘PBU-B7’, and NFTF 1051 than for eight other cultivars.

Measuring Soil Electrical Conductivity To Delineate Zones Of Variability In Production Fields, Gretchen Sassenrath, S. Kulesza

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Production fields in southeast Kansas are highly variable. Differences in elevation and changes in soil texture contribute to unevenness in plant-available moisture and nutrients, resulting in significant inconsistencies in crop production and yield within a field. These variabilities complicate management and impact the return on investments from different areas of the field. Identification of the regions of variability is possible through several methods, including visual inspection, remote imagery, and yield maps. An additional method of assessing soil variability is by measuring the electrical conductivity of the soil. Measuring apparent electrical conductivity gives a map of the spatial distribution of soil …

Research Center Personnel, Acknowledgments, L. W. Lomas

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research Center Personnel, Southeast Agricultural Research Center, Kansas

We thank the following individuals, organizations, and firms that contributed to this year’s research programs through financial support, product donations, or services.

Forage Report 2015, J. D. Holman, Jane Lingenfelser, A. Obour, A. Esser, J. L. Moyer, G. Cramer, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2015 summer annual forage variety trials were conducted across Kansas near Garden City, Hays, Hutchinson, Mound Valley, and Scandia. All sites evaluated hay and silage entries, except Hutchinson, which only evaluated hay entries. Companies were able to enter varieties into any possible combinations of research sites, so not all sites had all varieties. Across the sites, a total of 30 hay varieties and 22 silage varieties were evaluated.

Forage Report 2016, J. D. Holman, G. Cramer, A. Esser, Jane Lingenfelser, S. Maxwell, J. L. Moyer, A. Obour, T. Roberts

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2016 summer annual forage variety trials were conducted across Kansas near Garden City, Hays, Hutchinson, Mound Valley, and Scandia. All sites evaluated hay and silage entries. Companies were able to enter varieties into any possible combinations of research sites, so not all sites had all varieties. Across the sites, a total of 99 hay varieties and 99 silage varieties were evaluated.

Searc Agricultural Research 2017, L. W. Lomas

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Southeast Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research 2017. Topics include grazing and supplemental feed for beef cattle, forage, pasture, hay, grasses, legumes, tillage, fertilizer, corn, soybeans, wheat, and soil health and variability.