Plant Sciences Commons^™

Tillage Study For Corn And Soybeans: Comparing Vertical, Deep, And No-Tillage, E. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Trends from a tillage study conducted since 2011 have shown no clear differences between tillage systems for either corn or soybeans in lighter soils under irrigation. One year out of eight years has shown a yield advantage for either corn or soybeans for any tillage system, which appears to be related to environmental conditions experienced during the season. Averaged across all years of the study, the treatments with deep tillage either every or every-other year had about 4.5% higher corn yields, and soybeans had up to a 3.2% yield increase with some form of tillage.

Southeast Kansas Winter Wheat Variety Test Results - 2021, G. Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, J. Lingenfelser, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a summary of the winter wheat production conditions in southeast Kansas in 2020-2021 and the results of the winter wheat variety testing. Wheat production in 2021 benefited from dry conditions at planting and harvest. Overall yields were above multi-year averages. As in previous years, soft red winter wheat out-yielded hard red winter wheat varieties.

A Tribute To Freddie R. Lamm, D. Rogers, J. Aguilar, A. R. Tomlinson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Freddie Lamm, who positively impacted many through his life and career, passed away on May 26, 2022. Kansas State University and the agricultural irrigation research community lost a great contributor to their field. Lamm was the research irrigation engineer at the Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby, Kansas. He passed away sooner than his family, friends, and colleagues were ready for—before his planned retirement from his remarkable career. View the PDF linked to the right-hand column to learn more about his legacy.

Weather Information For Tribune, D. Bond, J. Slattery

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Summary of 2021 weather for research conducted at the Tribune Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station field location.

Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth Control In Xtendflex Soybean, R. Liu, V. Kumar, T. L. Lambert

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

XtendFlex soybean is a triple-stacked trait technology that allows growers to use dicamba (XtendiMax) and glufosinate (Liberty) for in-season control of glyphosate-resistant (GR) weed species, including Palmer amaranth. A field study was conducted at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center (KSU-ARCH) near Hays, KS, to determine the effectiveness of POST applied XtendiMax and Liberty alone or in sequential applications for GR Palmer amaranth control in XtendFlex soybean. The study site had a natural infestation of GR Palmer amaranth. Results showed that early post-emergence (EPOST) applications of XtendiMax or Liberty followed by (fb) a late post-emergence (LPOST) application …

Environment And Nitrogen Rate Play Significant Roles In Winter Wheat Response To Nitrogen Management Intensification, L. M. Simão, D. A. Ruiz Diaz, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Poor nitrogen (N) management is among the leading causes of winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) yield gaps in Kansas, and sowing date—which is impacted by crop rotation—is among the most important variables determining winter wheat’s attainable yields in the U.S. central Great Plains. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between N management strategies and various cropping systems in Kansas. The treatments consisted of nine combinations of three N management practices (standard, progressive, and green N) and five crop sequences (WtWt = continuous winter wheat; SyWt = winter wheat after soybean; TrSyWt = triticale (hay) – soybean – winter …

Evaluation Of Grazing Options During Summer For Growing Heifers – Year 2, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Developing methods to provide high quality forage through most of the year is important for cattle operations. The purpose of this study was to determine forage management options to offset the summer “slump” with fescue. Four grass pasture treatments (10 pastures total; 4 acres each) were used in a completely randomized design and stocked with growing heifers (n = 49; initial wt 473 ± 60 lb). Pasture treatments consisted of novel fescue (FES), crabgrass (CRAB), bermudagrass (BERM), and sorghum-sudan interseeded into novel fescue (SS-FES). Heifers were weighed and grazed pastures from April to September (153 d). Heifers on FES were …

Assure Ii Alone And With Tacoma And Classic For Efficacy In Fallow, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this trial was to compare Assure II (quizalofop) at two rates with or without tank mix partners for grass control in fallow. Assure II at either rate alone provided similar control of volunteer corn and barley. Corn control was 90% or more regardless of rating date with all herbicides except Assure II at 8.0 oz/a plus Classic (chlorimuron) at 42 days after treatment (DAT). Tacoma (fenoxaprop) at 3.5 or 5.4 oz/a added to Assure II at 8.0 oz/a improved barley control later in the season.

Effects Of Drip Irrigation And Cultivation Methods On Establishment Of Seeded Tall Fescue, Alex P. Bach, Dale J. Bremer, Cathie C. Lavis, Steven J. Keeley, Mu Hong

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) is becoming increasingly popular for maintaining turfgrass, in part because it conserves water. However, turf managers considering SDI may wonder if SDI is effective in establishing seeded turfgrass, should the need arise. Also, can verticutting or core aeration be used to establish the seedbed without damaging the buried driplines? Is one of those two cultivation methods better than the other? These questions were evaluated in this study. An aboveground drip irrigation system (AGD) was also evaluated because it has been suggested as a portable method for establishing turfgrass planted along roadsides.

Results indicated seeded tall fescue …

Vegetation And Animal Production In Pastures Sprayed For Western Ragweed Control, Keith Harmoney, John Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) is a common native forb found throughout Kansas native rangelands and in some seeded pastures. Over time, western ragweed can form dense colonies from growth of lateral creeping rootstalks with multiple buds that can initiate new growth and form an upright stem and plant. Past research has shown that western ragweed does not compete with native grass production until ragweed contributes over approximately 35% of the forage dry matter of a pasture area. Cattle have utilized western ragweed in past long-term historical grazing trials. In a previous long-term trial at Hays, KS, western ragweed …

Interseeding Sorghum-Sudangrass Into Perennial Cool-Season Western Wheatgrass Pasture, Keith Harmoney, John Guretzky

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Conversion of pastureland into cropland has occurred at a rapid rate on the Great Plains. A reduction in total acreage of pastureland from this conversion has resulted in a decline of total numbers of beef cows in the same region. One method to mitigate the decline in cow numbers is to increase the carrying capacity of the remaining pastureland acres. To achieve this goal, a study was conducted to introduce warm-season annual grass species into perennial cool-season grass pastures to increase dry matter production during the mid-summer time period that perennial cool-season grasses would be most dormant. An increase in …

2021 Kansas Summer Annual Forage Hay And Silage Variety Trial, J. Holman, A. Obour, S. Dooley, T. Roberts

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2021, summer annual forage variety trials were conducted across Kansas near Garden City, Hays, 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 104 hay varieties and 55 sorghum silage varieties were evaluated.

Identifying Herbicides For Use During Zoysiagrass Sprigging, Dani Mcfadden, Jack D. Fry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Weed control after planting warm-season grasses in the spring can be critical for acceptable establishment of the stand. However, many herbicide labels can be unclear on sprigging restrictions before or after the application of a product. Research was conducted on the growth effects of pre- and postemergence herbicides applied at or near the day of ‘Innovation’ zoysiagrass sprigging. Preliminary data from this study shows granular (Ronstar G) and liquid (Ronstar Flo) formulations of oxadiazon caused the least amount of injury to zoysiagrass.

Comparing Zoysia Experimental Genotypes Developed By Kansas State University, Texas A&M, And Purdue To Meyer In The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Test, Jack D. Fry, Dani Mcfadden

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Zoysia Test was planted in 2019 at the Kansas State University Olathe Horticulture Center, Olathe, KS. Since planting, three experimental genotypes developed at Kansas State University (with cooperators noted below) have outperformed ‘Meyer’ in establishment rate, turf quality, drought tolerance, and fall color. Earlier research has demonstrated large patch tolerance in all three experimental genotypes.

Imiflex Rates For Efficacy In Imidazolinone-Tolerant Grain Sorghum, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to compare ImiFlex rates and timings for efficacy and crop response in imidazolinone-tolerant grain sorghum. Volunteer corn and Johnsongrass control was generally best when ImiFlex (imazamox) was applied postemergence (POST), except when tank mixed with Huskie (bromoxynil/pyrasulfotole). Likewise, Palmer amaranth control was most consistent when ImiFlex was applied POST. Though all herbicides increased grain yields relative to the weedy controls, yields increased the most when Moccasin II Plus (metolachlor) plus Motif (mesotrione) preemergence (PRE) was followed by ImiFlex POST or Moccasin II Plus and Sharpen (saflufenacil) PRE was followed by ImiFlex plus atrazine POST.

Using Cover Crops To Control Weeds And Improve Soil Health, J. Dille, A. Hewitt, G. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Herbicide-resistant weeds are challenging for producers to control in crop fields. This study explores the potential of cover crops to reduce weed pressure and improve soil health. Cover crops that had good canopy development, including grasses such as ryegrass and wheat, had the best weed control. Soybean yields were similar for all cover crops, though there was a trend towards lower yields for the brassica cover crops, Graza radish and forage collards. Soybeans grown after ryegrass had the highest yields.

Katagon At Two Timings Compared To Standards In Corn, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this trial was to compare Katagon (tolpyralate/nicosulfuron) to standard treatments for weed control in corn. Katagon plus atrazine applied early postemergence was as effective as any herbicide tested on the weeds present. When application timing was delayed to late postemergence, most herbicides were less effective. Early season corn injury was minor and did not persist. Although most herbicide treatments increased yields relative to the non-treated control, yields were generally best when any treatment was applied early postemergence.

Weather Information For Garden City, 2021, E. Russell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Summary of 2021 weather for research conducted at the Garden City Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station field location.

Firstact For Efficacy In Accase-Tolerant Grain Sorghum, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to compare FirstAct with several tank mix partners for efficacy in herbicide-tolerant grain sorghum. FirstAct (quizalofop) alone or in tank mixtures controlled Johnsongrass 94% or more. However, tank mixing FirstAct with any broadleaf herbicide was generally antagonistic to Palmer amaranth control. Minor sorghum injury was 5% or less by four weeks after postemergence treatment. Sorghum yields increased with all postemergence treatments except with atrazine alone.

Industrial Weed Control With Plainview, Esplanade, And Method Application Timings, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this trial was to compare Plainview, Esplanade, and Method at three applications for season-long weed control in noncropland. Glyphosate alone provided no residual weed control. Plainview (indaziflam/aminocyclopyrachlor/imazapyr) at 64 oz/a applied in the early or late fall controlled kochia similarly to Krovar (bromacil/ diuron) late in the season. Either rate of Plainview, as well as the tank mixture of Esplanade (aminocyclopyrachlor) plus Method (indaziflam), provided complete woollyleaf bursage control regardless of application timing. No treatment of Krovar controlled woollyleaf bursage more than 60%.

2022 Kansas Fertilizer Research Report

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A summary of research conducted in 2018-2021 on fertilizer use and management practices for crops in Kansas. Published in 2022 from the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
https://www.ag.k-state.edu/.

Tall Fescue Performance Under Low Maintenance Conditions In The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Test, Jack D. Fry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Tall Fescue Test was planted in 2018 at the Kansas State University Olathe Horticulture Center, Olathe, KS. Differences have been observed among entries maintained under low maintenance conditions.

Forage Crop Water Use And Production Under Dryland Conditions, R. Aiken, F. Lamm

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Forage crops contribute diversity and buffer agronomic risk in water-limited cropping systems. Knowledge of growth responses to uncertain water supply can help guide crop selection and management—including timing of harvest. Our research objective was to determine water use and growth responses of forage winter triticale and forage sorghum under rainfed conditions.

Efficacy Of Miticides Applied At Tassel Stage For The Control Of Spider Mites In Corn, 2020, A. Zukoff

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spider mite populations peaked during the week of August 19 and declined rapidly by August 26. Mite populations were made up entirely of two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). The Portal with Exponent, Oberon, and Zeal treatments provided the best season-long control in this trial while Portal, Onager, and Mitomax II provided the most control 14 to 21 days after treatment. The lowest overall reduction in predatory mites during the season, when compared to control plots, occurred in the Portal and Onager treatments.

Deficit Irrigation Strategies For Subsurface Drip-Irrigated Alfalfa, F. R. Lamm, R. Reyes-Esteves, K. R. Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This subsurface drip-irrigated study was conducted from 2020 to 2021 at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center near Colby, KS, to evaluate five deficit irrigation strategies for alfalfa. All strategies were irrigated similarly (100% of Evapotranspiration (ET) minus Rain) through the first seasonal cutting. Following the first cutting, treatments were 1) Irrigate to replace 85% ET minus Rain; 2) Irrigate to replace 50% ET minus Rain between Cutting 2 and 3, then 85% ET-Rain; 3) Irrigate to replace 50% ET minus Rain between Cutting 2 and 4, then 85% ET-Rain; 4) Irrigate to replace 70% ET minus Rain between …

Intensification Of Sprinkler-Irrigated Corn Production, F. R. Lamm

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This corn intensification study was conducted under sprinkler irrigation from 2020 to 2021 at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center near Colby, KS. Two corn hybrids (Pioneer 1197 and Pioneer 1089) were grown with advanced fertilization at three plant densities (42,000, 38,000, and 34,000 plants/a) using three irrigation levels (115, 100, or 85% of calculated well-watered ET minus rain). As anticipated, there was no additional need for irrigation above normal amounts (100% of ET - Rain), giving further evidence that crop intensification is possible without negatively affecting water resource use. Yields were excellent in both years, averaging 227 bu/a …

Corn Tiller Yield Contributions Are Dependent On Environment: A 17 Site-Year Kansas Study, R. L. Veenstra, D. Berning, P. Carter, S. Wallace, M. Legleiter, L. Currie, C. D. Messina, P. V. Vara Prasad, T. J. Hefley, L. A. Haag, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Historic breeding efforts in corn (Zea maysL.) have resulted in uniform, single-stalked phenotypes with limited potential for environmental plasticity. Therefore, plant density is a critical yield component for corn, as corn is unable to successfully compensate for a deficit of plants. Other grass crop species can overcome plant density deficits via vegetative branching (tillering), but this trait is historically undesirable in corn. Improving corn flexibility across plant densities has potential benefits, particularly considering diverse yield environments and seasonal weather uncertainties due to climate change. The present study evaluated tiller presence with two hybrids in a range of plant …

Wheat Yield Response To Nitrogen Rate Depends On Foliar Fungicide Application, R. P. Lollato, L. O. Pradella, N. Giordano, L. Ryan, L. M. Simão, J. R. Soler

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nitrogen (N) and fungicide are among the most important factors impacting wheat yields in Kansas. However, there is limited information on whether foliar fungicides interact with N rates in wheat yield determination. Thus, our objectives were to evaluate wheat yield as impacted by different N rates with or without the use of foliar fungicide. One field experiment was established using a factorial structure of five N rates (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 pounds of N per acre) by two fungicide management practices (either absent or 13 fluid ounces per acre of Nexicor) in a split-plot design near Hutchinson, KS, …

Wheat Grain Yield Response To Seed Cleaning And Seed Treatment As Affected By Seeding Rate During The 2020–2021 Growing Season In Kansas, R. P. Lollato, L. O. Pradella, L. Ryan, L. M. Simão, N. Giordano, J. R. Soler, L. A. Haag

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this project was to evaluate the winter wheat stand count and grain yield responses to seeding rate and its interaction with seed cleaning and seed treatment in Kansas during the 2020–2021 growing season. Experiments evaluating the response of the wheat variety SY Monument to three seeding rates (600,000, 900,000, and 1,200,000 seeds per acre), three seed cleaning intensities (none, air screen, and gravity table), and two seed treatments (none and insecticide + fungicide) were established in a split-split plot design conducted in a complete factorial experiment in ten Kansas locations. In-season measurements included stand count and grain …

Historical Characterization Of Sorghum Grain Filling Dynamics, J. Grünberg, A. J. P. Carcedo, P. A. Demarco, L. Mayor, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Understanding crop response to manipulations in source (number of leaves) and sink (panicle) during the growing season provides useful information to develop crop breeding strategies. In the present study, we assessed how source-sink manipulation can affect sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL.) yield and its components—grain number and grain weight (including grain filling dynamics)—for hybrids released in the past 60 years. The field experiment was conducted during the 2021 growing season in Wamego, KS (US), testing six commercially available grain sorghum hybrids released between 1963 and 2020. Grain weight significantly decreased from 28 to 21 mg in defoliation treatments among hybrids …