Plant Sciences Commons^™

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.

Wheat Variety Test Results For South Central Kansas - 2021, J. Seiler, R. Hein, R. Flaming, J. Carr, K. Nordyke, R. Lollato, B. C. Pedreira

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

South central Kansas is an important winter wheat production area in the state. This report summarizes the results of winter wheat variety tests for 2020-2021 in five locations.

Effects Of Prescribed Fire Timing On Stocker Cattle Performance And Native Plant Composition: Year 3 Of 6, Z. M. Duncan, A. J. Tajchman, M. P. Ramirez, J. Lemmon, K. J. Suhr, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this experiment was to document the effects of prescribed-fire timing on stocker cattle performance, soil cover, and plant species composition over a six-year period.

Study Description:Yearling stocker cattle were assigned to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 9 ± 5.1 days), summer (August 23 ± 4.9 days), or fall (September 29 ± 8.7 days). Calves were grazed from May to August for 90 days. Individual body weights (BW) were recorded at the beginning and end of the grazing season to determine total BW gains and average daily gains. Native plant composition and soil cover …

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 …

Roundup 2022: Agricultural Research Center-Hays

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Roundup is the major beef cattle education and outreach event sponsored by the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center - Hays. This report communicates timely, applicable research information on beef production and rangeland topics.

Simulation Of Nitrous Oxide Emissions In Zoysia Turfgrass Using Daycent And Dndc Ecosystem Models, Mu Hong, Yao Zhang, Ross Braun, Dale J. Bremer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is an important greenhouse gas (GHG) implicated in global climate change. Process-based ecosystem models, such as DAYCENT and DNDC, have been widely used to predict GHG fluxes in agricultural systems. However, neither model has yet been applied to warm-season turfgrasses such as zoysiagrass. This study parameterized, calibrated, and validated the DAYCENT and DNDC models for N₂O emissions from Meyer zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonicaSteud.) using Bayes’ theorem and field data from Braun and Bremer (2018a, 2019) and Lewis and Bremer (2013). Results indicated DAYCENT, but not DNDC, reasonably simulated the impacts of irrigation …

Aerification Effects On ‘Innovation’ Zoysiagrass In 2020-2021, Dani Mcfadden, Jack D. Fry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When a thatch layer accumulates on turfgrass it can be detrimental to the stand. A field experiment was initiated to investigate aerification treatments and their influence on thatch (organic matter level), quality, and color of ‘Innovation’ zoysiagrass that was sodded within the past year. Turfgrass that was intensely aerified had less organic matter content in the surface inch of the profile compared to turfgrass that was not aerified. Color was also enhanced in treatments receiving aerification compared to non-aerified turf, which may have been attributed to trending of higher nitrate content in aerified plots.

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.

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 …

Crop Assurance Strategies For Irrigated Grain Sorghum Production, F. R. Lamm

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This sprinkler-irrigated study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center near Colby, KS, to evaluate four different water management strategies that could provide assurance of adequateyielding grain sorghum. The grain sorghum was grown on sites with good initial soil water at planting (>70% of field capacity within the 8-ft deep silt loam profile). Strategies were 1) No seasonal irrigation; 2) Irrigation of 100% of ET minus Rain after the boot stage through remainder of season; 3) Irrigation of 100% of ET minus Rain up to a limit of 6 inches; and 4) …

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.

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.

Evaluation Of Soil Test Phosphorus Extractants And Tissue Analysis For Corn, G. A. Roa-Acosta, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of four different soil test phosphorus methods (Mehlich 3, Bray 1, Bray 2, and Haney H3A) for corn production, and determine critical P tissue concentration at different growing stages. The experiment was conducted at 12 locations, and the fertilizer treatments consisted of five phosphorus fertilizer rates applied by broadcast pre-plant. Soil samples were collected at 0- to 6-in. depth, then samples were collected before treatment application by block. Tissue samples were collected at the V6 and R1 growth stages. The relationship between the different soil test phosphorus methods and the …

2021 Fertilizer Weather Station Report, M. Sittel

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report includes the annual summary of precipitation and temperatures from 2021 at the research locations represented in the 2022 fertilizer report.

Understanding The Perceptions Of Producers Regarding The Ogallala Aquifer Use: A Survey Report (2022), Jonathan Aguilar, Amariah Fischer, Matthew R. Sanderson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This survey asked producers in the Ogallala aquifer how they view their role in groundwater use, what they see as the consequences of groundwater depletion, and why they believe groundwater should be conserved. Producers were also asked about their worldviews and values. Together, these questions help provide an understanding of the cultural state of the Ogallala aquifer, especially as it pertains to groundwater use.

Crop Production Summary - 2021, G. Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, J. Lingenfelser, M. Knapp, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soybean and corn varieties were tested in replicated field trials at the Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons through the Kansas State University variety testing program. In total, 26 corn varieties and 28 soybean varieties were tested. Weather during 2021 was near average for both rainfall and temperature, though there were periods of high rainfall and high temperatures. Corn and soybean production was also near average, both across the state and in the cultivar trials at Parsons.

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 …

Effect Of Early Planting On Soybean Yield, E. Adee, S. Dooley

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In an effort to increase soybean yield potential, early planting dates have been promoted as a management practice that can increase soybean yields. Early planting of soybeans can be a relative term, meaning late April/early May for some soybean producers in Kansas. For the purpose of this study, the definition of early planted soybeans is late March/early April. Theoretically, the earlier planting date could allow for more vegetative growth and absorption of more light before blooming, increasing the yield potential. With the improvement of soybean seed treatments to protect seed when emergence is slowed due to cool and wet conditions, …

Soybean Seed Yield Productivity And Biological Nitrogen Fixation In Kansas, L. F. A. Almeida, A. A. Correndo, E. Adee, S. Dooley, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] productivity (seed yield) and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) were evaluated in response to different fertilization strategies. The study comprised four different locations in Kansas during the 2021 growing season, two irrigated (Topeka and Scandia) and two dryland (Kiro and Ashland Bottoms) sites. Greater seed yields were recorded in Topeka and Kiro (80 bu/a) relative to Scandia (55 bu/a) and Ashland Bottoms (51 bu/a), without observing fertilizer effects on yields. Overall, the relative abundance of ureides (% RAU), an indicator of the level of BNF, increased as the crop matured and showed a negative association …

Do Late Season Soybean Management Practices Impact Seed Yields In East Kansas?, A. A. Correndo, L. F. A. Almeida, E. Adee, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In soybean (Glycine max[L.] Merr.), maintaining favorable growth conditions (e.g., water, solar radiation, and nutrients) during the seed filling period is crucial to avoid limitations that could reduce seed weight and ultimately constrain seed yield. The objective of this study was to explore potential effects and identify if “late-season” management practices can contribute to increasing seed weight and seed yield in soybeans.

Increasing Winter Wheat Grain Yield By Replicating The Management Adopted In High-Yielding Commercial Fields, L. Ryan, L. A. Haag, J. D. Holman, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Large winter wheat yield gaps between farmer yields and yield potential in the southern Great Plains indicate the need to improve recommendations of best management strategies to profitably bridge this gap. Many studies have been completed on individual management factors pre-determined by the individual researcher, but we are not aware of studies comparing combination of practices that producers are currently using, which would be more relevant for real-world scenarios. Our objective was to determine the yield gains resulting from management intensification using combination of practices currently adopted in commercial wheat fields. Four management intensities (i.e., Low, Average, High, and Top) …

Winter Wheat Response To Timing Of Fungicide Application During The 2020–2021 Growing Season, G. Cruppe, N. Giordano, L. M. Simão, L. Ryan, L. O. Pradella, J. R. Soler, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Foliar fungicides applied at the flag leaf stage can improve wheat grain yield in Kansas, but there is limited information on the impact of earlier or combined applications of fungicide on wheat grain yield. We conducted a field study in six Kansas locations during the 2020–2021 growing season to evaluate the yield and test weight of the winter wheat variety WB-Grainfield in response to different fungicide application timings. The trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications to evaluate (1) a non-treated control; Topguard applied at 5 ounces per acre at (2) jointing, (3) heading; and …

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 …

Wheat Variety-Specific Response To Seeding Rate Under Intensive Management Conditions In Western Kansas In 2020–2021, R. P. Lollato, N. Giordano, L. Ryan, L. M. Simão, J. R. Soler, L. O. Pradella

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Wheat response to seeding rate is variable and depends on resource availability during the growing season (e.g., fertility, moisture, and temperature). Our objective was to evaluate winter wheat population and grain yield responses to seeding rate and its interaction with variety in a highly-managed production system where manageable stresses were limited. This study was established to evaluate the response of the wheat varieties Joe, WB-Grainfield, Langin, and LCS Revere to five seeding rates ranging from 200,000 to 1,000,000 seeds per acre. The site was managed by growers that consistently win state and national wheat yield contests near Leoti, KS. The …

Confirmation And Control Of Imazamox-Resistant Shattercane, V. Kumar, R. Liu, T. L. Lambert, R. Perumal, B. Bean

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Shattercane is a summer annual grass weed species commonly found in grain sorghum producing regions, including Kansas. Recent development and commercialization of grain sorghum hybrids with tolerance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) and acetyl-CoA-carboxylase (ACCase) inhibiting herbicides will allow producers to use these herbicides for in-season control of shattercane. In a recent field survey, three shattercane populations (DC8, GH4, and PL8) collected from sorghum fields in northwestern Kansas survived the field-use rate (6 fl oz/a) of postemergence (POST) applied IMIFLEX (imazamox). The main objectives of this research were to (1) confirm and characterize the level of resistance to imazamox in those …

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 …

Cover Crop Grazing Effects On Soil Compaction Indicators In Western And Central Kansas, L. M. Simon, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, S. K. Johnson, K. L. Roozeboom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Grazing cover crops (CCs) on no-till (NT) croplands in western and central Kansas could increase the profitability of crop production in these water-limited environments. However, little information exists about potential soil compaction associated with grazing CCs in these cropping systems. From 2019 to 2021, two studies investigated the effects of grazing CCs on soil bulk density and penetration resistance in NT cropping systems. At the Kansas State University HB Ranch near Brownell, KS, CCs grazed with yearling heifers were compared to ungrazed CCs and fallow under NT or occasional tillage (OT). In another study, CCs grazed with yearlings or cow-calf …

Spring And Summer Cover Crop Effects On Dryland Wheat And Grain Sorghum Yields In Western Kansas, L. M. Simon, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, S. K. Johnson, K. L. Roozeboom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Incorporating cover crops (CC) to replace fallow in traditional dryland cropping systems in the semi-arid conditions of western Kansas has the potential to enhance soil health, suppress weeds, and increase precipitation use efficiency. The returns from haying or grazing can help cover costs of CC establishment and any reduction in yield from the subsequent grain crop. Two studies were initiated in 2015 and 2016 near Brownell, KS, to investigate dual-purpose spring and summer CC management effects on subsequent grain yields in a three-year no-till (NT) dryland winter wheat-grain sorghum-fallow cropping system. Cover crops were planted in early spring between grain …

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.

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 …