Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Agronomy Department Tobacco Projects, John Ragland

Agronomy Notes

Here is a list of the 24 tobacco projects (state, USDA, and Smoking and Health Research) being conducted by the Agronomy Department at the University of Kentucky. We hope this will make you more fully aware of the research presently underway on tobacco. Information obtained from these projects will be sent to you from time to time in this newsletter. If you would like more information about these projects, write to the Department of Agronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky. 40506.

Tobacco Bed Treatment With Enide 50w, J. W. Herron, J. F. Freeman

Agronomy Notes

Enide 50W is recommended for trial use on tobacco beds for 1968. The results of treatments with Enide in Kentucky in 1967 have been somewhat variable; therefor e, until additional information is obtained and the tobacco grower becomes more experienced in applying the chemical, it should be used on a trial basis.

Results Of Nitrogen Applications On Ohio River Overflow Bottom Areas In Henderson County In 1967, Harold F. Miller

Agronomy Notes

In cooperation with Stuart Brabant, Area Extension Agent in Henderson county , four field trials with nitrogen fertilization on corn were conducted in the Ohio River Bottom area. In two of the trials where corn was followed by corn, nitrogen was applied at the rates of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 pounds per acre, with each treatment replicated 4 times. In the two other trials, where corn was grown following soybeans, nitrogen rates of 0, 100 and 200 pounds per acre were replicated 4 times in one field and 3 times in the other.

Planting was delayed until early …

Control Annual Weeds In Tobacco Fields With Herbicides, J. F. Freeman

Agronomy Notes

In the years 1957 to 1967 inclusive, many promising herbicides have been used in Kentucky research trials for controlling annual weeds in tobacco fields. Burley tobacco has been used every year at Lexington, for 4 years at Eden Shale farm in Owen county, and 1 year in McCracken county, while dark air-cured tobacco was used for 4 years at the Western Kentucky Substation, Princeton.

Grass Seed Production, Robert C. Buckner, Warren C. Thompson

Agronomy Notes

Producing cool season grass seed crops has historically been a profitable venture on Kentucky farms.

When growing maximum yields of grass seed, the pH level should be maintained between 6.0 and 7.0, when the recommended rates of limestone are used, and when phosphate and potash are maintained at medium-to-high levels (based on a soil test). Similarly, grass should be grown in pure stands. Weeds and insects must be controlled to prevent yield reduction.

Following seed harvest, excess herbage should be removed, preferably by grazing. All cool season grasses can be grazed until growth stops in the late fall or early …

Response Of Corn To Broadcast Applications Of Zinc, Harold F. Miller

Agronomy Notes

Where zinc deficiency in corn occurs on Kentucky soils it has been corrected by applying 3 to 6 pounds of elemental zinc per acre in the row at planting time. In some areas of the state, corn planters with row fertilizer attachments are not generally used, raising the question as to library the amount of zinc required when broadcast applications are made.

Through the cooperation of Clarence Mitchell, Area Extension Specialist, a field was located where the 1966 corn crop showed zinc deficiency. Since the field was to be planted in corn (Connecticut 860) in 1967, a field trial with …

Soil Surveys In Kentucky, Harry Hudson Bailey, Robert L. Blevins

Agronomy Notes

Forty-one Kentucky counties have been surveyed and the results published, using the classification schemes of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. These counties and the field survey dates are : Adair (1961) , Bath (1959), Caldwell (1962), Calloway (1937), Christian (1912), Clark (1961), Elliott (1961), Fayette (1931), Fulton (1961). Garrard (1921), Graves (1941), Henderson (1963), Jefferson (1962), Jessamine (1915) , Logan (1919), McCracken (1905), Madison (1905), Marshall (1938), Mason (1903), Mercer (1930), Metcalfe (1962), Muhlenberg (1920), Rockcastle (1910), Scott (1903), Shelby (1916), Union (1902), Warren (1904).

Breeding Tobacco Varieties, Paul D. Legg

Agronomy Notes

The principal objectives in breeding tobacco are yield, field and handling characteristics, disease resistance, and quality. Of these objectives, major emphasis has been placed on breeding disease-resistant varieties. Resistant varieties have provided one of the most effective means of combating many of the pathogens that attack the tobacco plant. However, the transfer of genes for disease resistance into susceptible varieties has been accompanied in many cases by other characteristics which are undesirable. It is often a difficult task to combine acceptable type, yield, and quality with desired factors for disease resistance into a single variety.

Strongly Acid Soil Must Be Limed For Corn, Harold Miller

Agronomy Notes

The necessity of liming strongly acid soils that will be planted in corn is well illustrated in a demonstration conducted by Harold Vaught, Area Extension Agent in Adair County.

A field that was well fertilized with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium produced low corn yields in 1966. Analysis of a soil sample from the field showed that it was strongly acid soil. (Similar conditions have been reported by many farmers throughout the state in recent years.) Since this field was to be planted in corn again in 1967, a liming demonstration was planned .

Fertilizing No-Tillage Corn And Soybeans, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Planting corn and soybeans in sod (commonly referred to as "no-tillage" planting) is increasing in parts of Kentucky, and interest in this practice in other parts of the state is growing.

One question is often asked: 'What is the best method of liming and fertilizing no-tillage corn and soybeans?"

Since no-tillage planting is a comparatively new practice, only a limited amount of research on methods of fertilization has been done. However, research designed to find out how well plants can recover phosphorus and potassium applied on the surface of the soil will be started by the Department of Agronomy at …

Use Of Wild Species In Developing Varieties, Glenn B. Collins

Agronomy Notes

The familiar plant known as tobacco has the more technical name of Nicotiana tabacum L. It belongs to a family of plants called the Solanaceae or Nightshade family. This family includes many familiar species besides tobacco: tomato, potato, bitter sweet, horse-nettle, ground-cherry, jimsonweed, henbane, and petunia, to mention only a few. In addition to these more distant relatives of tobacco, there are approximately 65 Nicotiana species. Morphologically, the Nicotiana species are very diverse, ranging from those resembling tobacco to the extreme types that look more like cabbage. The species are widespread geographically, with a particularly large concentration in South and …

Marketing Burley Tobacco, Ira E. Massie

Agronomy Notes

When your tobacco has been stripped, sort it (on the farm) into its respective groups. Sort in daylight or under fluorescent lighting, never by yellow (muzda) electric or lantern light.

After the sticks of tobacco have been carefully sorted and checked, they should be packed on the truck in the following order: first, the sticks of the lowest quality, then the flyings, then the next quality, etc. Next load the high quality lugs. The leaf is then loaded, beginning with that of the highest quality and then in the order of quality to the lowest.

Using Birdsfoot Trefoil In Kentucky Pastures, W. C. Templeton Jr., C. F. Buck, D. W. Wattenbarger

Agronomy Notes

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is an excellent pasture legume in the Corn Belt and in northeast United states . It has usually been considered too poorly adapted to Kentucky to merit trial by the farmers. Observations and grazing results in Woodford county during the last 14 years, however, indicate that this view is no longer valid.

A grazing trial was established in 1954, with birdsfoot trefoil and Kentucky bluegrass as one of three mixtures used. Trefoil was seeded alone in the spring, and an excellent stand was obtained. Bluegrass was drilled in the established trefoil in September 1954. There …

1967 Recommended Small Grains-Planting Dates, Varieties, And Description, V. C. Finkner, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Wheat

Planting Dates - - - September 15 to October 20
Varieties - - - - - Benhur, Knox 62, Monon, Red Coat

Barley

Planting Dates - - - September 15 to October 20
Varieties - - -- - Barsoy, Datyon, Harrison, Kenbar, Will

Oats (Fall varieties)

Planting Dates - - - August 20 to October 1
Varieties - - - - - Dubois and Nor line

Certified Seed Of Kenblue Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Available, Department Of Agronomy, College Of Agriculture, University Of Kentucky

Agronomy Notes

A limited quantity of certified seed of Kenblue, a new variety of Kentucky bluegrass, will be available this fall. Kenblue was developed last year and officially released July 31, 1967 by the University of Kentucky and the USDA-ARS.

Kenblue is more insect- and disease-resistant than any of the other named varieties of bluegrass . Its adaptability to Kentucky conditions is also much higher, because Kenblue was developed from seed taken from 12 farms in seven Central Kentucky counties where bluegrass is normally grown for seed purposes . In each case, fields from which the seed was taken had been in …

Barsoy-A New Winter Barley, V. C. Finkner, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

The early maturity of Barsoy winter barley will fill a gap in the maturity dates of the barley varieties presently recommended. Double cropping of small grain and wheat has grown to the extent that 30,000 to 40,000 acres in Kentucky grow two crops each year. This practice will continue to develop and become more important on grain farms. The early maturity characteristic of Barsoy will allow an earlier planting of soybeans than will other barley varieties.

Apply Fertilizer And Limestone This Fall, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

As farmers push towards more economical crop production, fertilizer and limestone use will increase. If Kentucky farmers continue to help feed the world, the rate of increase will accelerate during the next decade .

Comparison Of Recommended Wheat Varieties, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

No abstract provided.

What's Wrong With The Red Clover This Year?, Warren C. Thompson, Norman L. Taylor

Agronomy Notes

Red clover looks sick in a lot of fields this year. "Why?" is one of the most often asked questions here in the department.

First, we must not overlook the effect of the early growth followed by the hard freezes in March. This unusual condition started a chain reaction that made the insects and diseases more important in reducing stands. The early start, followed by the freeze, caused unseasonable maturity or false dormancy. Thus, many stands stopped growing at 6" to 10" heighths. Many stands were thinned and some killed by this freeze.

Where the first harvest has already been …

Make Good Hay From Perennial Grasses, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Good quality hay can be made from the perennial grasses if they are fertilized properly and mowed while in the boat stage.

The alfalfa weevil has reduced yields of alfalfa in Kentucky to the point where some farmers will be short of hay , Many of these fields have a good stand of grass . Some of the hay shortage can be eased by applying nitrogen fertilizers on these fields.

New Bluegrass Variety Kenblue, Robert C. Buckner, Paul B. Burrus Jr.

Agronomy Notes

The production of certified seed of Kenblue, a new Kentucky-grown bluegrass, may start this fall. It will be the first time a Kentucky-grown bluegrass of what the scientists call "known origin" is available to farmers and home owners.

It will be much more desirable for Kentucky use than the other standard varieties such as Merion, Delta, or Newport. All of these are considered "good" varieties, but not under Kentucky conditions. These are more susceptible to diseases than the new variety, Kenblue.

Notice Of Release Of Custer Soybean, J. F. Shane, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

The Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, and the cooperators listed above announce the release of a new phytophthora and cyst nematode-resistant soybean variety named Custer. Custer is the second cyst nematode-resistant variety to be released. It is earlier than the previously released variety Pickett.

Enide Recommended For Trial Use On Tobacco Beds, J. W. Herron, J. F. Freeman

Agronomy Notes

Enide 50W has now been cleared for use on tobacco beds. Treatments with Enide on tobacco beds in mid to late March. at time of seeding have given satisfactory weed control in experimental plots during the past 2 years. No injury or reduction in stand of tobacco plants was observed on plots treated at this time. Reduction in stand of plants did occur in plots treated in late fall. and there are some indications that there may be a reduction in stand from early treatments in February. To insure best results. the chemical should be applied evenly over the treated …

Stamp Out Chickweed And Henbit From Alfalfa, J. W. Herron, Warren C. Thompson

Agronomy Notes

What are chickweed and henbit?

Chickweed and henbit are winter annual weeds that grow during cool weather. The seeds germinate primarily in the fall, and the plants continue to grow and live through the winter. They develop new seeds from April until early summer. Then they die.

Finely Ground Agricultural Limestone Is Available, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Kentucky farmers can purchase a more finely ground limestone than they could 1 year ago.

The Department of Agronomy, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Kentucky, recommends that agricultural limestone be ground fine enough that at least 45 percent will pass through a 50-mesh screen. This is equivalent to the old recommendation that at least 40 percent pass through a 60-mesh screen.

Recommended Small Grain Varieties, Description, & Planting Dates, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

No abstract provided.

Summer Annual Grasses - Kentucky, W. H. Stroube

Agronomy Notes

During the summer of 1965 , several varieties of summer annual grasses were seeded at the rate of 10-12 pounds per acre, in rows 3 feet apart, at the Woodford County Farm and at the Western Kentucky Substation. These varieties were replicated four times and harvested three times at each location. Harvest data are reported in the attached table. It should be noted that data from Woodford county are reported in dry matter per acre and that from Princeton in air-dry forage. Previous studies have indicated that yield data from 3-foot rows of this type of material should be multiplied …

Zinc Deficiency In Corn, Harold Miller, Shirley Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Status of Zinc Deficiency

Corn is the only field crop presently grown in Kentucky that has shown zinc-deficiency symptoms and that has definitely given a response to zinc applications. Isolated instances of zinc deficiency have been reported from nearly every area of the state. However, the difficulty appears to be more prevalent in soils of the central Bluegrass and the western Pennyrile regions.

Considerable variation in respect to zinc deficiency has occurred within these regions, characterized by no consistent pattern. Corn producers in these areas particularly should watch this crop closely for deficiency symptoms during the period 4 to 6 …

What Is Good Agricultural Limestone?, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

During the 10-year period, 1955- 64, Kentucky farmers used more than 14 million tons of agricultural limestone. The investment in the limestone plus hauling and spreading was in the neighborhood of $45 million. In 1964 alone. Kentucky farmers invested about $7 million in about 2 million tons of limestone.

New Soybean Varieties, J. F. Shane, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Several new soybean varieties have been released during the past few months. Many have appeared in the Uniform Soybean Nurseries at Henderson or Fulton as number strains or named varieties. The following abbreviated descriptions may be of help in comparing these newer releases with more widely known material.