Plant Sciences Commons^™

Agrobacterial Diversity And Competitive Interactions Within An Infected Sunflower, Veronica Mateo

Kansas State University Undergraduate Research Conference

Agrobacterial Diversity and Competitive Interactions Within an Infected Sunflower

Veronica E. Mateo, Kansas State University

Faculty Advisor/Mentor: Thomas Platt, Ph.D., tgplatt@ksu.edu

Co-Author(s): Emireth Monarrez, Seward County Community College; Priscila Guzman, Kansas State University; Ashlee Herken, Kansas State University; Teresa Shippy, Kansas State University

Bacterial communities are highly diverse with each being distinct in composition. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a common soilborne plant pathogen. Some A. tumefaciens strains can cause crown gall disease, in which infected plants develop a tumor. This bacterium disrupts the host plant by genetically transforming plant cells thereby manipulating the plant’s physiology to benefit the pathogen. Competitive interactions …

Soil And Water Conservation: An Annotated Bibliography, Colby J. Moorberg

NPP eBooks

Soil and Water Conservation: An Annotated Bibliography highlights freely-available online resources covering various aspects of soil and water conservation, and is designed to be a resource for conservation students and practitioners. The thirteen chapters in the annotated bibliography are grouped into four sections, including History and Fundamentals, Conservation Practices, Conservation Implementation, and Careers. Types of cited resources include extension bulletins, USDA NRCS conservation practice standards, and other government reports and resources. Cited resources are generally concise, easily read, and meant for general audiences. Annotations and images are used to provide context for each resource. Many contributors made Soil and Water …

Changes In Soil Microbiology Under Conventional And No-Till Production During Crop Rotation, C. J. Hsiao, G. F. Sassenrath, L. Zeglin, G. Hettiarachchi, C. Rice

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soil microbial activity is important for crop production. Soil microbes are involved in nutrient and water cycling within the soil, and interact with crop plants to provide the basic nutrient and water resources needed for crop production. Claypan soils have unique physical characteristics that impact soil biology. This study explored the tempo­ral changes in soil microbiology in a claypan soil under conventional and no-till produc­tion during a crop rotation of corn/winter wheat/soybean/fallow commonly planted in southeast Kansas. We found soil microbial activity changed more in the top two inches of soil than in the lower soil layers. Wheat resulted in …

Wheat Grain Yield And Protein Response To Nitrogen And Sulfur Rates, B. R. Jaenisch, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Winter wheat is often double-cropped after soybeans in no-tillage systems. The soybean crop removes large quantities of sulfur (S), which might unbalance ratios of nitrogen (N) to S for the following wheat crop. Our objective was to evaluate the responses of two wheat varieties to three N and four S rates representing a range of N:S ratios. The experiment was arranged as a complete factorial with a split-split-plot design. Variety was the whole-plot, N the sub-plot, and S the sub-sub plot. Nitrogen rates were 50, 100, and 150% of the recommended rate for 60 bu/a, which corresponded to ~45, 87, …

Cattle Preference For Annual Forages, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Many plant species that are available to use as cover crops also have potential as for­age for cattle. With this array of options it can be daunting to decide which plants to establish to meet goals as either a cover crop, forage, or for both. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the annual forages fed to cattle in the fall, winter, or sum­mer that cattle preferred. To summarize, grasses were the most highly preferred forage for cattle regardless of grazing period. Low glucosinolate brassicas such as ‘Graza’ forage radish was the most highly preferred brassica that was …

Anthem Maxx Tank Mixture Comparisons In Irrigated Corn, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The use of multiple herbicide modes of action in single versus sequential applications was examined for efficacy in corn. Common sunflower control was complete with all early postemergence and postemergence herbicides late in the season. Control of Russian thistle, Palmer amaranth, and green foxtail were 95% or more with all early postemergence and postemergence herbicides except Halex GT. All herbicide treatments increased grain yield 15–33% compared to the nontreated controls except Halex GT applied early postemergence.

Southeast Research And Extension Center Agricultural Research 2019, L. W. Lomas

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Report on agricultural research performed at Southeast Research and Extension Center. Full book to view.

Surface Lime Application In Long-Term No-Till Crop Production With Stratified Soil Ph, F. D. Hansel, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Lime application is a key management strategy to control the acidifying effects promoted by long-term application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers and is also a source of calcium for the crops. Two field studies located in Mitchell County was carried out during 3 years (2016-2018), exploring the effect of lime application in wheat (first year), corn (second year), and soybean (third year) crops. After the first year, there was an increase in wheat yield of up to 8% with lime application. For corn (second year), liming showed a yield response of up to 10%. Soybean (third year) yield response to lime …

Estimating Annual Forage Yields With Plant Available Water And Growing Season Precipitation, J. Holman, A. Obour, A. Schlegel, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Forage production is important for the western Kansas region’s livestock and dairy industries and has become increasingly important as irrigation-well capacity declines. Forages require less water than grain crops and may allow for increased cropping intensity and opportunistic cropping. Being able to estimate forage production is important for determining forage availability versus forage needs. Data from several studies were used to quantify annual forage yield response to plant available water (PAW) at planting and growing season precipitation (GSP). In addition, water use efficiency was quantified. Forages evaluated included winter triticale, spring triticale, and forage sorghum. Preliminary results showed PAW and …

Liberty Compared To Glyphosate Products In Irrigated Corn, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Postemergence treatments of Liberty (glufosinate) were compared to Durango DMA and Roundup PowerMax (glyphosate) after various preemergence treatments for efficacy in corn. Control of common sunflower, green foxtail, Russian thistle, and quinoa exceeded 92% regardless of herbicide treatment or evaluation date. Similarly, all preemergence (PRE) treatments controlled Palmer amaranth, kochia, and crabgrass by 93% or more. Later in the season, control of kochia was slightly less when Verdict (saflufenacil/dimethenamid) and atrazine PRE was followed by Roundup PowerMax and atrazine postemergence (POST). Palmer amaranth and crabgrass control was less when Verdict and atrazine PRE was followed by Roundup PowerMax or Liberty …

Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization Of Irrigated Corn, A. Schlegel, D. Bond

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long-term research shows that phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer must be applied to optimize production of irrigated corn in western Kansas. In 2018, N applied alone increased yields by 76 bu/a, whereas P applied alone increased yields by more than 17 bu/a. Nitrogen and P applied together increased yields up to 169 bu/a. This is 26 bu/a more than the 10-year average, where N and P fertilization increased corn yields up to 143 bu/a. Application of 120 lb/a N (with highest P rate) produced 97% of the maximum yield in 2018, which is slightly greater than the 10-year average. …

Wheat And Grain Sorghum In Four-Year Rotations, A. Schlegel, J. Holman, A. Burnett

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 1996, an effort began to quantify soil water storage, crop water use, and crop productivity on dryland systems in western Kansas. Research on 4-year crop rotations with wheat and grain sorghum was initiated at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS. Rotations were wheat-wheat-sorghum-fallow (WWSF), wheat-sorghum-sorghum-fallow (WSSF), and continuous wheat (WW). Soil water at wheat planting averaged about 9 in. following sorghum, which is about 3 in. more than the average for the second wheat crop in a WWSF rotation. Soil water at sorghum planting was only about 1 in. less for the second sorghum crop compared with sorghum …

Southwest Research-Extension Center Field Day 2019, R. Gillen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Agricultural research was conducted at the Southwest Research-Extension Center in Kansas. Topics include cropping, tillage, soil fertility, and weed science.

High And Low Management Input Regimes Result In Similar Net Carbon Sequestration Rates In Zoysiagrass Golf Course Fairway Turf, Ross C. Braun, Dale J. Bremer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted from 2013–2016 to determine how irrigation and N fertilization may be managed to enhance carbon (C) sequestration in turf. In this study, the annual rate of change in soil organic carbon (ΔSOC) was measured under two management regimes, a high management input regime (HMI) and low man­agement input regime (LMI), in a ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonicaSteud.) golf course fairway.

Both management regimes maintained acceptable turf quality and at least 75% green cover during both summers. In both management regimes, soil organic carbon (SOC) increased after the 3.16-yr (1154-d) period indicating that C was sequestered …

Strategic Tillage In Dryland No-Tillage Crop Production Systems, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, A. J. Schlegel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Emerging challenges in continuous no-till (NT) systems require developing flexible management strategies that will minimize the impacts of herbicide resistant (HR) weeds and nutrient stratification on soil and crop productivity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of strategic tillage (ST) operations as an option to redistribute soil nutrients and acidity, control perennial grass and HR weeds, and improve crop yields following tillage of an otherwise long-term NT soil. Treatments were five crop rotations: 1) continuous winter wheat (WW); 2) wheat-fallow (WF); 3) wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF); 4) continuous sorghum (SS); and 5) sorghum-fallow (SF) as main plots. Sub-plots were reduced tilled (RT), continuous …

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Use of legumes in wheat-bermudagrass pastures did not affect summer cow gains in 2018. Forage availability was greater (P<0.05) where nitrogen (N) alone was used than where crimson clover and ladino clover were used in the Legume system. Estimated for­age crude protein (CP) was similar (P>0.05) for the Legume and Nitrogen systems.

Effects Of Various Grazing Systems On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 mixed black yearling steers were used to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance from pastures with ‘MaxQ’ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Daily gains of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, or wheat-crabgrass were similar (P>0.05) in 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass were greater (P>0.05) than those that grazed MaxQ fescue in 2011 and 2012. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater (P>0.05) than those …

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

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred ninety-two yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evalu­ate the effects of fescue cultivar and interseeding ladino clover on available forage, grazing gains, and subsequent finishing performance in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Fescue cultivars evaluated were high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ low-endophyte Kentucky 31, ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ In 2016 and 2018, 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). In 2017, steer gains were similar (P>0.05) among all cultivars. High-endo­phyte Kentucky 31 pastures had more (P<0.05) available forage than low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ pastures during both 2016 and 2017. Steer gains and gain/acre were similar (P>0.05) between pastures fertilized with nitrogen (N) in the spring and those interseeded …

Effects Of Supplementation With Corn Or Dried Distillers Grains On Gains Of Heifer Calves Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 150 heifer calves grazing smooth bromegrass pastures were used to compare supplementation with 0.5% of body weight per head daily of corn or dried distillers grains (DDG) in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Daily gains of heifers supplement­ed with corn or DDG were similar (P>0.05) in all years except 2018, when heifers supplemented with DDG had greater (P<0.05) gains than those supplemented with corn.

Evaluating Single And Multi-Species Summer Cover Crops For Biomass Yield, J. K. Farney, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Cover crops have multiple benefits to integrated agricultural production systems. How­ever, information is needed on best species and mixes to use. In this one-year study, the single species grass cover crops produced the most biomass. Spring forage peas did not perform well as a summer cover crop, yielding the same biomass as the fallow areas. Adding collards to the mixtures generally reduced total biomass production compared to single species of grasses alone. Total biomass production was affected by the number of plants in the mixture. Yields of grass-only plots were ~868 lb of dry matter (DM) per acre more than …

Pre-Plant Nitrogen Rate And Application Method And Side-Dress Nitrogen Rate Effects On Corn Grown No-Till On A Claypan Soil, D. W. Sweeney, D. Ruiz-Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Corn yield in 2018 was increased by about 5 bu/a with knife application of pre-plant nitrogen (N) fertilizer compared with broadcast application. Fertilizing with increasing rates of N applied pre-plant, at side-dress, or both had little effect on yield or yield components of corn in 2018.

Controlling Soil-Borne Disease In Soybean With A Mustard Cover Crop, G. F. Sassenrath, C. Little, K. Roozeboom, X. Lin, D. Jardine

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Charcoal rot is a soil-borne disease that is prevalent in southeast Kansas. The disease infects multiple crops, including soybean, and causes yield reductions. A high-gluco­sinolate mustard with biofumigant properties reduced the population levels in soil and in soybean plants of the fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina) that causes charcoal rot. In this study, management practices that incorporate use of mustard as a cover crop in soybean production systems were tested. Results indicate that tillage increases the char­coal rot fungus. The mustard cover crop was tested in field studies for its impact on soil health, fungal disease and propagules, and soybean …

Modeling Wheat Susceptibility To Disease, H. Zhao, G. F. Sassenrath, X. Lin, R. Lollato, E. D. De Wolf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) or head scab is a disease caused by the soil-borneFusariumfungus. The disease occurs frequently in southeast Kansas and can result in reduc­tions in wheat yield and quality because of the mycotoxins developed by the fungus. Timely application of fungicides during the heading period of wheat is one option to reduce the fungus and control the infection rate. This study reports our research on use of fungicides to control head scab and improve wheat yield. We developed a model to predict wheat heading date. Accurate knowledge of wheat stage is the first step in developing …

Wheat Variety Response To Seeding Rate In Kansas During The 2018–19 Growing Season, R. P. Lollato, L. Molssato, C. Rapolla, G. Zhang, A. Fritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Different wheat varieties might require different seeding densities to maximize yield. Thus, the main objective of this project was to better understand the response of different wheat varieties to different seeding rates. Three field experiments were conducted during the 2017-18 growing season evaluating six wheat varieties subjected to five different seeding rates (0.6, 0.95, 1.3, 1.65, and 2.0 million seeds per acre). Crop was managed from a 70 bu/a yield goal and pests were controlled using commercially available pesticides. We measured final stand and grain yield, and all statistical analyses were performed for relating emerged plants per acre to grain …

Tillage Intensity In A Long-Term Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation, A. Schlegel, A. Burnett

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was initiated in 1991 at the Kansas State University Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS. The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of tillage intensity on precipitation capture, soil water storage, and grain yield in a wheat-sorghum-fallow rotation. Grain yields of wheat and grain sorghum increased with decreased tillage intensity in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation. In 2018, available soil water at sorghum planting was greater for no-tillage (NT) than reduced tillage (RT) which was greater than conventional tillage (CT). For wheat there was a similar pattern as sorghum, with available soil water at wheat planting …

Mobile Drip Irrigation For Water Limited Crop Production: Initial Results, J. Aguilar, T. Oker, I. Kisekka

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The farmers within the Ogallala aquifer desire to extend the usable life of this aquifer despite experiencing diminishing well capacities, thus the quest for more efficient irrigation application technologies. Mobile drip irrigation (MDI), which integrates drip lines onto a mechanical irrigation system such as a center pivot, has attracted their attention lately. The concept is that by applying water along crop rows, it was hypothesized that MDI could eliminate water losses due to spray droplet evaporation, wind drift, and reduce soil evaporation due to limited surface wetting especially before canopy closure. A study was conducted with the following objectives: 1) …

Zest Efficacy And Crop Response In Two Acetolactase Synthase-Tolerant Grain Sorghum Hybrids, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two ALS-tolerant grain sorghum hybrids were evaluated for efficacy and crop tolerance to Zest (nicosulfuron). Weed control and crop response in two herbicide-tolerant sorghum hybrids were similar. All herbicides controlled kochia, common sunflower, velvetleaf, and quinoa well. Palmer amaranth control was inadequate when no preemergence (PRE) herbicide was applied. Puncturevine and green foxtail control was 90% or more with all Zest (nicosulfuron) treatments applied early postemergence (EPOST) or postemergence (POST). Sorghum injury from the Zest treatments was minor and transient. Relative to the untreated controls, grain yields were greater when a PRE or PRE followed by POST program was used. …

Comparisons Of Acuron, Surestart Ii, And Valor For Residual Weed Control In Grain Sorghum, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Herbicides were compared to standard treatments for preplant efficacy and crop response in grain sorghum. All herbicides controlled buffalobur and velvetleaf similarly late in the season. SureStart II and Acuron provided the best Palmer amaranth, puncturevine, and green foxtail control. Valor at 1 or 2 oz/a provided less than 70% puncturevine and green foxtail control late in the season. Only minimal visual injury was observed, and all herbicides increased sorghum yield 47–122% relative to the untreated controls.

Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization Of Irrigated Corn, A. J. Schlegel, H. D. Bond

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long-term research shows that phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer must be applied to optimize production of irrigated corn in western Kansas. In 2018, N applied alone increased yields by 76 bu/a, whereas P applied alone increased yields up to 17 bu/a. Nitrogen and P applied together increased yields up to 169 bu/a which is 26 bu/a more than the 10-year average of 143 bu/a. Application of 120 lb/a N (with highest P rate) produced 97% of maximum yield in 2018, which is slightly greater than the 10-year average. Application of 80 instead of 40 lb P₂O_{5 …}

Correlation Between Mehlich-3 And Ammonium Acetate Extractable Potassium In Kansas Soils, B. Rutter, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The K-State Research and Extension Soil Testing Laboratory has been using Mehlich-3 soil test procedures for phosphorus (P) extraction, and ammonium acetate extraction for potassium (K). Previous research in other states has shown a strong correlation between these two tests for K, but data correlating the two in Kansas soils have been limited. A study was performed on soils from across the state to investigate the relationship between these two methods. A strong positive correlation was observed (r = 0.99) across the wide range of soil types, pH, and fertility conditions represented in the sample set. Linear regression suggests a …