Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Breeding Ewes Are Worth Feeding, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Despite potentially elevated grain prices, strong prices for meat and wool mean that Western Australian sheep farmers can confidently supplementary feed their underweight ewes in summer/autumn.

Analysis in 2019, based on then-current prices, showed it was a profitable investment to feed all ewes to maintain condition during pregnancy, and to feed low condition score single bearing ewes and low and medium condition score twin bearing ewes to gain condition.

In 2019, John Young from Farming Systems Analysis Service completed an analysis on the value of a ewe in the WA farming system. His report had some important messages for the …

Early Season Wheat Response To Electrochemically Precipitated Struvite In Various Soils In The Greenhouse, Tatum Simms, Kristofor R. Brye, Trenton L. Roberts, Lauren F. Greenlee

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fertilizer-phosphorus (P) materials can be recovered from wastewater and used to supplement mined phosphate rock, where one such material is struvite [MgNH4PO4·6(H2O)]. This study aimed to compare electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECST) reclaimed from synthetic wastewater to other commercial fertilizer-P sources in cultivated soils from Arkansas [silty clay loam (AR-SiCL) and silt loam (AR-SiL)], Missouri [(silt loam; MO-SiL 1 and 2)], and Nebraska [silt loam (NE-SiL) and sandy loam (NE-SL)]. A greenhouse pot study was conducted for 60 days with unvernalized wheat (Triticum aestivum) using five fertilizer-P sources [ECST, chemically precipitated struvite (CPST), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), triple superphosphate (TSP), …

Growth-Promoting Bacteria And Salicylic Acid Improve Essential Oil, Flower Yield, And Compatible Osmolyte Content Of Common Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium L.) Under Drought Stress, Mohsen Zarepour, Mohammad Mehdi Rahimi, Abdul Samad Kelidari, Moslem Abdipour

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Drought is one of the major constraints on agricultural productivity in arid and semiarid regions. Coping with drought stress involves several adaptations and mitigation strategies such as the use of plant-growth promoting bacteria and salicylic acid, which was examined in this study under two levels of water regimes (well-watered as control and drought stress) in southwest Iran in 2018 and 2020 on common yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Catalase levels significantly increased in response to drought stress and salicylic acid application. Salicylic acid and combined application treatment of both bacteria also resulted in a significant increase in proline compared with …

Effects Of Soil Type, Irrigation Method, And Biomass Application On Grain Yield And Its Determinants In Irrigated Lowland Rice Of Agusan [Research Note], Jehru C. Magahud

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Information about the influence of soil type, irrigation method, and biomass use on rice productivity in Agusan is insufficient, despite their importance in developing or improving irrigated lowland rice production. Hence, this study determined the influence of these factors on grain yield and yield-contributing crop traits. It also explained grain yield based on yield determinants and recommended water management for improving grain yield. The greenhouse experiment was laid out in a three-factor randomized complete block design with 10 replications. The treatments were [a] Butuan sandy loam soil (SLS) and Butuan loam soil (LS); [b] continuously flooded (CF) and controlled irrigation …

Willingness To Pay And Market Potential For Biowrap: An Economic Study Of A New Biodegradable Mulch Product In Home Gardening, Gengchen Cai

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study explores the market potential of BioWRAP, a biodegradable sprayable weed suppression product, by assessing the willingness to pay (WTP) among American home gardeners. Traditional plastic mulch offers significant agronomic benefits but poses considerable environmental challenges, making BioWRAP a promising alternative due to its similar benefits and reduced environmental impact. Using a double-bounded contingent valuation method, we analyze the WTP for BioWRAP among different demographic groups and gardening practices. Our findings indicate that the highest WTP for BioWRAP is among home gardeners who currently use chemical sprays for weed suppression, followed by those using physical barriers, with the lowest …

Assessment Of Variants Of Organic-Based Rice Production Systems In Negros Occidental, Philippines, Cielo Luz C. Mondejar, Gerald E. Bello, Karla V. Canto, Chenille Kaye L. Galvan, June Nill F. Paclibar

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

A survey was conducted to determine information needs and assess variants of organic rice-based production among rice farmers in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Survey data were gathered from 199 out of 400 identified organic rice practitioners in the province, which accounts for a > 95% confidence level and 5% of margin of error. Among the respondents, only 20.1% had organic certification from third-party representatives, and 42.2% can be classified under a low-input farming system. Some (21.1%) were in transition for certification or were farmers intending to go into organic certification with third-party representatives. The remaining (16.6%) used organic inputs but were not …

Testing Feed Is Vital For Feed Budgeting, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

A little knowledge of the nutritional value of your supplementary feeds can save you a lot of money and hassle.

In dry seasons, it is likely that farmers will need to start supplementary feeding earlier than usual. The higher requirement for supplementary feeds over dry seasons means accurate feed budgeting becomes increasingly important to minimise feed wastage, for weaner survival, and to maintain stock at the right condition score (CS) for joining.

Diamondback Moth And Its Management In Canola And Crop Weeds, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Diamondback moth larvae are a serious pest of canola, brassicas, and forage crops, and are difficult to control. The pest breeds up on summer weeds and volunteer canola plants. If there are abundant early rains and mild winters, diamondback moth larvae pose a risk to canola crops.

Spray-Topping Pastures, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Spray-topping or pasture topping is the application of a sub-lethal rate of herbicide when grasses are coming into head and flowering.

The aim is to reduce the production of viable seed and the seedling population in the following year. The grass is not killed by the herbicide application.

Spray-topping is normally carried out in preparation for the following season's cropping program.

Leaf Diseases And Their Management In Oats, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Leaf diseases of oats impact on grain yield and quality and reduce hay quality characteristics, such as colour and digestibility. This page outlines the symptoms, factors favouring disease risk and spread, and management.

Major leaf diseases of oats are septoria avenae blotch, stem rust, leaf rust, and barley yellow dwarf virus. Their severity changes with seasons.

Foliar Diseases And Their Management In Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

This factsheet describes symptoms and management of the major fungal and viral diseases affecting lupin foliage, stems, and pods. Several of these diseases have the capacity to cause significant losses if not managed effectively.

Inoculum can be carried in soil, seed, stubble, on green regrowth, or by insect vectors, depending on the disease. Therefore, an integrated approach to disease management is required using tactics such as crop rotation, stubble management, fungicide seed dressing, variety selection, and seed testing

Are You Planting Resistant Weeds With Your Crop Seed?, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Key messages

• West Australian (WA) grain growers have significant weed seed contamination in their crop seed.

• WA growers are sowing herbicide resistant weed seed into their cropping paddocks.

• Crop hygiene (harvest, seeding, transporting) is important to minimise spread of weeds.

Harvest is well underway throughout the WA grainbelt, and growers will be harvesting grain and collecting seed for next year’s crop.

However, this crop seed can be contaminated with weed seeds and, if seed cleaning operations are only partially effective, this weed seed may be sown into paddocks with crop seed in the following season.

Russian Wheat Aphid And Its Management In Wheat And Barley, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Russian wheat aphid is found worldwide and has spread throughout all major grain growing countries. In Australia, Russian wheat aphid is present in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Western Australia, where it was first detected in 2020.

In Western Australia, Russian wheat aphid is found in low, medium, and high rainfall areas.

Presence of Russian wheat aphid in Western Australia is not an international trade issue and there are no trade implications for the grain industry, as bulk grain is not a host for Russian wheat aphid.

Managing Aphids And Viruses In Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Aphids reduce yields by direct feeding damage, which causes flower and pod abortion and occasionally plant death in lupins. The extent of damage varies between seasons, but losses can be severe in years that favour aphid population development.

Lupins are most vulnerable to aphids during budding and flowering, as severe feeding damage on growing tips can cause buds to drop, flowers to abort, and reduced pod set. Some lupin varieties are more susceptible to aphids than others.

Aphids transmit serious virus diseases, which reduce yields and contaminate seed stocks. Some species of aphids are more difficult to control than others.

Native Budworm Spraying Threshold, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

The number of native budworm caterpillars in a crop is the major factor determining potential economic damage from the pest. Table 1 was generated with results from department trials to provide an estimate of potential loss from native budworm damage.

Crop loss (kilograms per hectare (kg/ha)) for each caterpillar netted in 10 sweeps (or found per square metre (m2 )) is shown in Table 1. One caterpillar netted in 10 sweeps is equivalent to about 20,000 caterpillars/ha for most pulse crops, assuming an even distribution over the crop

Stem Rust And Its Management In Wheat, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) is a foliar disease that can significantly reduce wheat yields if it occurs in early spring and is not controlled. Risk factors, management strategies (including variety choices and foliar fungicides), and yield loss from different varieties are discussed here.

In Western Australia, stem rust typically causes losses of 10 to 50% in wheat, but this can increase to 90% when it occurs in early spring and is not controlled.

Stem rust affects wheat and triticale, but barley can also be a host during summer months.Stem rust produces large, reddish-brown spore masses on both …

Cover Crop And Wheel-Track Effects On Soil Properties Under Cotton Production In Eastern Arkansas, Shelby G. Lebeau, Kristofor R. Brye, Michael Daniels, Lisa S. Wood

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Repetitive use of heavy farm machinery in cultivated agriculture may cause soil compaction that can adversely affect soil-health-related properties. Cover crops (CC) are well-documented to alleviate problems associated with compaction and improve overall soil health in time. The objective of this field study was to evaluate the cumulative effects of CC treatment (i.e., with ≥ 6 years cereal rye [Secale cereale L.] CC and ≥ 4 years with no cover crop [NCC]) and sample/measurement placement (i.e., in the bed [B] and in the wheel-track [WT] and no-wheel-track [NWT] furrow) on near-surface soil physical-, chemical-, and infiltration-related properties in an …

Cover Crop Utilization Across Nebraska And Implications For Cropland Lease Arrangements In 2024, Jim Jansen, Jeffrey Stokes

Cornhusker Economics

The Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey and Report 2023-2024 provides insight on recent trends in the market value of land and cash rental across the state. Each year, the special feature section covers topics on new or emerging issues related to the agricultural land industry in Nebraska. These topics reflect the interest expressed by panel members and readership of the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Highlights Reports. The special feature section in 2024 focuses on trends and considerations for cover crops across Nebraska and implications on lease arrangements.

Findings from the 2022 Census of Agriculture in Table 1 provide …

Association Mapping Of Important Agronomic Traits In Mucuna Pruriens (L.) Dc., Patrush Lepcha, Mahesh Shekhar, Leelambika Murugesan, Mahammad Jaheer, Ratan Chopra, Vikas Belamkar, Narayana Sathyanarayana

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Background The tropical legume Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. can meet three agricultural needs: low-cost protein, highvalue medicines, and green manure or cover crops. But like other underutilized crops, it needs more modern breeding resources. Identifying marker-trait associations (MTAs) can facilitate marker-assisted breeding and crop improvement. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of identifying MTAs using a small number of accessions (< 100). We have characterized a panel of 70 M. pruriens accessions across two consecutive years and performed association analysis for 16 phenotypic traits related to seed (seed length, seed width, seed thickness, seed yield per plant, hundred seed weight); pod (pod length, pod width, number of pods …

How Advection Affects The Surface Energy Balance And Its Closure At An Irrigated Alfalfa Field, Tianxin Wang, Joseph Alfieri, Kanishka Mallick, Ariane Arias-Ortiz, Martha Anderson, Joshua B. Fisher, Manuela Girotto, Daphne Szutu, Joseph Verfaillie, Dennis Baldocchi

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Orbiting around the non-closure problem in eddy covariance, a new generation of high-resolution thermal imagery has revealed that advection may be more common than previously expected. To investigate this, we conducted an extensive study over an irrigated alfalfa field that experienced heat and moisture advection. Over the course of five analysis periods (37 days total), multiple tower arrays and profile measurements were deployed to measure the horizontal advection and vertical heat flux divergence. Latent heat flux (λE) measured at the anchor tower showed an enhancement (i.e., increase) due to both local and non-local processes. Locally, as a result of the …

Pastoral Grasses And Legumes As Potential Host Plants For Fall Armyworm Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) Development, Saleh Adnan, Holly Cattermole, Kim Saligari, Helen Spafford

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

The fall armyworm, Spodopterafrugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a highly polyphagous, migratory pest native to the tropical and subtropical region of Americas. Grass crops particularly corn have been most heavily impacted since S. frugiperda invaded Australia in 2020. In northern Western Australia, S. frugiperda is primarily a problem in dry season (May to October) crops when there are abundant host plants available in monocultures. During the wet season (November to April) it is not known what host plants may support larval growth and development. Accordingly, this present study undertook a no-choice feeding bioassay to assess larval and pupal …

Rotary Spading To Ameliorate Soil Water Repellence, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

One-off deep cultivation can reduce the severity of soil water repellence by mixing some of the repellent topsoil into the wettable subsoil and bringing wettable subsoil to the surface.

Rotary spading or deep cultivation increases water infiltration by providing pathways for water entry; diluting the water repellent soil with non-repellent soil; increasing the breakdown of soil organic matter causing water repellence; in some soil types, spading and other deep cultivation can lift subsoil with higher clay content to the surface.

Deep cultivation increases the risk of wind and water erosion. To minimise the risk of erosion, follow the guidelines on …

Detection Of Fungicide Resistance In Population Of Corynespora Cassiicola From Arkansas Soybean And Cotton Fields, Rafael Zaia

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Target spot, caused by the fungus Corynespora cassiicola, has reemerged since 2016 as an economically important disease on soybean and cotton across the Southern U.S. The quinone outside inhibitors (QoI) and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI) are important fungicide classes used to control foliar diseases in soybean and cotton. The efficacy of these products is rapidly decreasing, impacting control, and causing significant yield losses. The overall objective of this study was to determine the risks associated with chemical control by screening fungicide sensitivity, evaluating target site alterations, and analysis of disease control efficacy and yield response of fungicides for soybean in …

Oats – Essentials For Growing A Successful Crop, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Oats in Western Australia are grown for grain, hay, grazing, or silage. Each year, between 250,000 and 350,000 hectares are sown for grain production. This page provides essential management practices for growing a successful oat crop.

Hay – Essentials For Growing A Successful Crop, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Export hay fits into most of the accepted cropping rotations and helps reduce weed seed banks, overcome herbicide resistance, provides a break from traditional chemical regimes and good paddock preparation for the subsequent crop, and is an alternative profitable crop.

Talk to your local hay exporter about their requirements for hay produced for export before sowing oats for export hay. Hay exporters have different requirements, which will affect how you manage your crop.

Developing A Controlled Traffic (Tramline) Farming System, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Controlled traffic farming (CTF) is a farming system built on permanent wheel tracks where the crop zone and traffic lanes are permanently separated. It can improve profitability and sustainability.

Implements for seeding, spraying, spreading and harvesting have a particular span, or multiple of it, and all wheel tracks are confined to specific traffic lanes.

CTF increases profit by more yield, better grain quality, improved operation timeliness, and reduced costs. The environment can improve, with less nutrient leaching, less water erosion, better water infiltration, and less greenhouse gas emission. Implementation needs a clear, long-term plan, and prioritisation of soil health.

Another …

Button Grass And Its Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) is a native species found throughout Australia. It is a common summer weed species that depletes soil moisture and nutrients, reducing the yield potential of the subsequent crop. It also acts as a green bridge for crop pests and disease.

The rapid emergence and growth of button grass after rainfall makes it important for the Australian plague locust.

It can be a valuable pasture species in arid areas, although overgrazing of button grass can result in toxicity for sheep and cattle.

Assessment Of American Tannin-Free Grain Sorghum As Feedstuff For Poultry: Nutrient Composition, Amino Acid Digestibility And Bird Performance, Santiago Sasia

All Dissertations

Given the rising cost of poultry diets, alternative ingredients like sorghum are crucial for maximizing returns without compromising product quality. Sorghum's drought tolerance and adaptability, along with its nutritional profile, make it a viable corn substitute. This dissertation examines the nutrient composition, amino acid digestibility, and performance of poultry fed with American tannin-free grain sorghum. Chapter II evaluates the impact of sorghum-based diets, with or without phytase superdosing, on broiler performance, including body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Results indicate that sorghum can replace corn without adverse effects on broiler performance. Chapter III explores the partial …

Approaches To Controlling Palmer Amaranth And Its Interference In Furrow-Irrigated Rice, Tanner Austin King

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats) is the most troublesome and problematic weed in most mid-southern U.S. row crop production systems. With the increased adoption of furrow-irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.), there is a greater occurrence of Palmer amaranth due to sustained moist conditions allowing continual emergence of the weed throughout the growing season. Palmer amaranth has previously been shown to negatively affect crop yields when left unmanaged. Therefore, there is a high potential for rice yield loss due to the weed’s ability to emerge over an extended period and interfere with crop development. However, there is a lack of …

Assessment Of The Drivers Of Adoption Of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices Among Field Crop Farmers In Zambia, Faindani Nyirenda

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Climate smart agriculture (CSA) practiced has been promoted in Zambia since the 1980s to address the declining crop productivity due to increased occurrence of drought or dry spells caused by climate change. Despite considerable research indicating that CSA practices have many potential benefits such as increased yield and income, the adoption rate in southern Africa is still low especially where farmers have stable off farm income. This might be because most of the research and promotion has been directed to the main staple crop maize and other context specific impacts related to agroecological and socioeconomic heterogeneity. In this study we …