Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

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 Observations and grazing results in Woodford county during the last 14 years, however, indicate that this view is no longer valid.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.

Controlling Annual Grasses In Spring Seeded Alfalfa With Eptc, J. F. Freeman

Agronomy Notes

Many Kentucky farmers plan to sow alfalfa in early spring on a prepared seed bed. A main objective is to avoid or reduce most of the damage of alfalfa weevil on the first-year crops . Eptam 6 E sprayed on the prepared seed bed at rate of 2 quarts in 10 to 20 gallons of water per acre and disked in 3-4 inches deep right behind the sprayer usually gives good control of annual grass weeds and some control of broadleaf weeds as well. A second disking, crosswise to the first, is needed for thorough mixing of the herbicide with …

Controlling Chickweed And Henbit In Alfalfa, J. F. Freeman

Agronomy Notes

Chickweed and henbit weeds are bad in alfalfa this fall. DNBP (premerge or Sinox PE) sprayed on infested fields at rate of 1 to 3 qt in 20 to 40 gallons of water per acre may destroy the weeds without harm to the dormant alfalfa. Use the higher rate if chickweed is matted on the ground or if henbit is heavy in the stand. Spray only when the temperature is 55 to 60 degrees or warmer and fair weather is predicted for 12 hours after treatment. The 1-qt rate applied in early fall when chickweed is very small (not until …

Where Is Moly?, A. L. Hatfield

Agronomy Notes

Is moly in hiding or has it gone down the river? Recent tests in Graves County suggest that it is probably just in hiding.

Moly (molybdenum) is of importance to Kentucky farmers because of its unique relation to soil acidity and legume growth. Many other trace or minor elements necessary for plant growth are most available to crops under acid soil conditions. Molybdenum becomes more available as the soil acidity approaches neutrality.

Agronomy Notes, No. 32, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Silo Fillers Disease, caused by nitrogen dioxide, was discussed in a joint Agronomy and Pharmacology release. Dr. Mark Luckens, College of Pharmacy, has prepared strips of potassium iodide - starch test paper to assist in detecting this deadly gas in silos and feeding areas. These strips are small (5/8" x - 2") and change to a blue color when in contact with nitrogen dioxide. We have 300 strips available for use by County Agents.

Agricultural Limestone In Kentucky, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Kentucky farmers invested about $6 million in agricultural limestone in 1964. However, much more lime than this should have been used if farmers get the most economical crop production and the most efficient use of fertilizers that are applied or the fertility that is already in the soil.

Small Grain Planting Information, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

No abstract provided.

Topdress Alfalfa This Fall, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Good stands of alfalfa should be fertilized even though the alfalfa weevil is causing some concern. This fall, say after the last harvest, is a good time to topdress with phosphate, potash and boron fertilizers.

Soil Test Summary For 1964 Now Available, Harold F. Miller

Agronomy Notes

The number of soil samples tested in soil testing laboratories under the supervision of the College of Agriculture in 1964 showed an increase of 6,028 samples. In 1963, 46,444 samples were tested compared to 52,472 in 1964. These figures do not include the thousands of samples tested in commercial laboratories.

Soil Surveys In Kentucky, Harry Hudson Bailey

Agronomy Notes

Twenty-two Kentucky counties have been surveyed and published using the classification scheme of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These counties and the dates of the field survey are: Adair (1961), Bath (1959), Calloway (1937), Christian (1912), Clark (1961), Fayette (1931), Fulton (1961), Garrard (1921), Graves (1941), Jessamine (1915), Logan (1919), McCracken (1905), Madison (1905), Marshall (1938), Mason (1903), Mercer (1930), Muhlenberg (1920), Rockcastle (1910), Scott (1903), Shelby (1916), Union (1902), Warren (1904). The maps and reports on Adair, Bath, Calloway, Clark, Fulton, Graves, Logan, Marshall and Mercer Counties are still available (1965) through: Agronomy Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington. The …

Forage Sorghums, W. H. Stroube

Agronomy Notes

Wide interest and publicity relative to summer annual grasses has developed with the release, availability and publicity of forage "sorghum-sudan hybrids."

There are many varieties of sorghum-sudan crosses and similar materials currently on the market making intelligent recommendations concerning specific varieties most difficult. Our experience and that of workers in some other states indicate that most of these varieties behave somewhat similarly. One of the best ways to choose a variety in this case, is to buy a variety that you or a neighbor have had favorable experience with and buy from a known reputable dealer.