Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Tobacco Farming: The Persistence Of Tradition, Eugene Umberger Jr.

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The culture of tobacco has been associated with the history of Kentucky almost from the beginning and remains to this day a vital force in the state’s economy. In this age of scientific and technological advances – of increasing automation – we find that in tobacco farming, hand labor still figures prominently in the production of a major staple crop. This has resulted in the retention of traditional method, technology and terminology, long since lost in the culture of other crops which lent themselves more easily to mechanization.

The study is divided into three parts. Chapter I deals briefly with …

Management Of Four Alfalfa Varieties To Control Damage From Potato Leafhoppers, W. R. Kehr, R. L. Ogden, J. D. Kindler

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

The main purpose of this study was to obtain information on forage yield and quality of four alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varieties that differed in level of resistance to potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae Harris) yellowing, when cut at three stages of growth in the second and third cuttings in field plots, with and without insecticide application. The stages of growth were bud, 1/10, and full bloom. Other purposes included study of the same varieties in field cages manually infested at 20, 40, and 60 adult leafhoppers/square yard, and in supplemental cuttings of field plots under high natural infestation …

Reevaluation Of Common Wheats From The Usda World Wheat Collection For Protein And Lysine Content, K. P. Vogel, V. A. Johnson, P. J. Mattern

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

The protein and lysine content of wheat can be altered by breeding only if genetic variability exists for these traits. Lysine is a nutritionally limiting amino acid in wheat protein. Protein and lysine analyses of the common wheats of the USDA World Wheat Collection indicated that variability does exist for these traits. Some of the variability for protein and lysine among wheats of the World Collection may not be genetic in origin, because all the 12,000 wheats analyzed were not grown in the same environment. The purpose of this study was to reevaluate selected lines from the World Wheat Collection …

Pollution Of Surface Irrigation Waters By Plant Pathogenic Organisms, James R. Steadman, C. R. Maier, H. F. Schwartz, E. D. Kerr

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Systematic sampling of waterways and irrigation runoff from agricultural lands in the North Platte Project of Nebraska in July and August of 1972–1974 demonstrated that phytopathogenic organisms were disseminated. The organisms monitored included the bean common blight bacterium Xanthomonas phaseoli, the bean white mold fungus Whetzelinia sclerotiorum and various nematodes. Although many types of nematodes often were recovered from irrigation water, Heterodera sp. cysts which cause significant disease problems in the valley were found infrequently. Patterns of movement of the bacterial and fungal organisms were correlated with previous or current season infection of bean plants. The short-term survival of X. …

Bionomics Of Insects Associated With Corn In The Nebraska Sandhills, J. L. Wedberg, J. B. Campbell, T. J. Helms

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

Investigations were conducted in the Nebraska Sandhills to determine the impact of transition from grassland to irrigated corn on selected insect species, to identify indigenous species that may be economically important to corn production, and to provide a point of reference for future development of pest management programs for irrigated corn.

Leaf Freckles And Wilt Of Corn Incited By Corynebacterium Nebraskense Schuster, Hoff, Mandel, Lazar, 1972, M. L. Schuster

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

The new bacterial disease Leaf Freckles and Wilt (LFW) of corn (Zea mays L.) was first observed in 1969 on two farms in southcentral Nebraska. Since then it has spread to other areas in the state. LFW is a serious disease on farms in six Nebraska counties (Clay, Custer, Dawson, Furnas, Hall and Phelps) and has been found in isolated cases in at least 28 other counties. In 1971 LFW was found in a seedcorn field in western Iowa, in 1973 in two Kansas counties, and in 1974 in South Dakota and Colorado. Because of its explosive nature, several …

Seedling Rust Of Safflower -- Its Influence On The Performance Of Selected Varieties And Partial Hybrids, Jon James Jensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Rust-infested and uninfested seedlots of 14 safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) entries (4 resistant lines, 4 moderately or fully susceptible lines, and six F₁ hybrids from crosses between rust-susceptible females and rust-resistant males), were planted in replicated field trials. The four infested entries resistant to seedling rust incited by Puccinia carthami Cda. exhibited average stand losses of 2.4, 8.4, 18.4, and 27.7%. Stand reduction in the resistant entries was not greater than the inherent compensating ability of the surviving plants; consequently, the yield of these entries was not significantly reduced. Plots from the rusted seedlots of the moderately and …

Influence Of Time Of Application Of Nitrogen Fertilizer On Corn Yields, Harold F. Miller, Kenneth Wells, Morris J. Bitzer, G. W. Thomas, R. E. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Soil moisture conditions can have a large effect on crop responses to nitrogen fertilization. Kentucky's usual climatic pattern of periods of heavy rainfall and relatively warm temperatures during the winter and spring seasons influences expected yield responses of corn to applied nitrogen. If nitrogen fertilizer is applied in late winter or early spring, some of it may be lost before the plants have made sufficient growth to take up appreciable quantities. The amount of loss that might be expected will be influenced by the amount of rainfall, temperature, amount of organic matter and drainage of the soil.

1974 Seed Yield Of Early Maturing Crossbreds Under Wheatbelt Conditions, C. M. Francis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Small plot trials sited at Merredin, Bencubbin and Bungil again demonstrated the 'bred' varieties to be at least the equal of Geraldton or Northam A under wheatbelt conditions. Growing season conditions at Bencubbin were the best for pasture in recent years. Merredin and Bungil also received above average rainfall but encountered dry conditions in September. Predictably the coarse siliceous nature of the Wodgil soil at Bungil in conjunction with the dry period produced very low seed yields. Crossbred 175.1.3 the leading crossbred at Merredin in 1973, was again significantly better than Geraldton or Northam A at Merredin and Bungil (Table …

Summary Of 1974 Dock Control Field Trials, J M. Allen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Dock control - Spray graze evaluations - 73BY8, 73HA4, 73BU5, 73MA6, 73DE6 Dicamba in pastures - 73AL38, 73BU9, 73AR9

Summary Of Trial Results - 1974, N R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Observations and measurements were made on 10 grazing trials and 11 small-plot legume species trials in 1974. Three of the grazing trials were under crop, two of them concluding low oestrogen species trials which had been grazed since 1969, and one of them, 68M023, West Moora, as an interval between pasture phases. The small-plot trials dated from 1970 or later and on most of them half of each plot could be grazed by sheep and half was protected. These trials have continued to supply useful information on the suitabiliy of cultivars to soil and climate and will be the subject …

Phomopsis : The Causal Fungus Of Lupinosis, P Mcr Wood, A. G. P. Brown

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

It is now well known that lupinosis of sheep and cattle follows ingestion of lupin stubble colonised by the fungus Phomopsis rossiana. The fungus infects green lupins but persists on the stubble and under certain conditions apparently produces a toxin which causes the disease.

As Phomopsis is now widespread on lupins in Western Australia its ecology has been studied in detail as a basis for possible control measures.

This article outlines what is known so far of the disease and its control.

Decide : How Much Superphosphate, G A. Robertson, J. W. Bowden, N. J. Halse

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

* A 400 per cent increase in ihe price of superphosphate has reduced the economic optimum rates of super for crops and pastures in 1975.

* Many factors, both biological and economic, must be taken into account in determining the rate of superphosphate to apply.

• DECIDE, a model developed by CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture, provides a formal system in which all these factors can be considered.

• DECIDE is based on the results of all research on superphosphate carried out in Western Australia. However, each farmer's own knowledge of his farm, the soils, crops and animals is …

1975 Preliminary Reports - Take-All Survey - Wheat And Barley Crops, G C. Macnish

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Introduction - Surveys to determine the incidence of take-all in wheat and barley crops have been carried out for the past three seasons. Unavoidable delays in the completion of a growth room has meant that finalization of results for take-all assessments have been delayed. 75A26, 75A27, 75A28 Part I and II, 75A29, 75E18, 75M42, 75M43, 75M44, 75M45, 75N21, 75SG14, 75SG15, 75SG17, 75WH63, 75WH64.

The Doublegee Problem In Western Australia, D J. Gilbey

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Doublegee is native to South Africa and is now naturalised as a serious weed of crops and pastures throughout the temperate areas of Australia.

Doublegee was introduced for cultivation as a vegetable by English migrants to the Swan River Colony in 1830, and a bed of doublegees is known to have been sown at Mr. J. Phillips' property on the Canning River in 1833. However, the plant soon became a troublesome weed and its name was changed from Cape spinach to Tanner's curse and later to doublegee.

More than 180 doublegee seedlings per square metre have been counted in a …

1975 Phosphorus And Sulphur Sources Trials, M D. Bolland

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Sulphur sources trials (a) Newdegate Gypsum Trials: Yarloop - 75YA3, Bridgetown - 75BR10, Busselton - 75BU6, Alexandria Bridge - 75BU7. (b) Gyplap - FeS04 Trial: McAlinden - 75BY4. 2. Phosphorus source trials: E. Chittering - 75NO7A E. Chittering - 75NO7B

1975 Magnetic Seed Treatment, M. W. Perry

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

In early 1975 a magnetic devise for treating cereal seed was imported into Western Australia from Canada, The device ("Zapper" Magnetic Seed Treater, manufactured by Agronetics Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.) consists of two parallel magnets with opposed poles, encased in a plastic moulding. Seed is treated by passing it through the magnetic field between the magnets. Literature accompanying the Zapper claimed earlier maturity and that - "...a majority of research tests have shown 5 - 15% increases in yield", The device was tested in five field trials and in laboratory tests during 1975. No effect of magnetic treatment was detected …

1975 Fallow Re-Assessment And Soil Physical Data Accumulation, D Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This report summarises progress and data available for the following investigations. 1. Fallow Re-assessment - 72M29. 2. Soil Physical Data Accumulation. (a) Evaluation of methods of bulk density measurement. (b) Water holding capacities and mechanical analyses of wheatbelt soils. (c) Water holding capacities of metropolitan sands. TABLE 3 Water holding capacities (1/10 - 15 Atmosphere water contents) of metropolitan sands (mm of water). Bulk density of 1.6 assumed. 1. Medina Research Station. 2. Morley White Sand. 3. Karrakatta Sand. 4. Bassendean Sand. 5. South Perth Lawn. 6. South Perth Scrub. 7. Underwood Avenue Research Station. 8. Floreat Park Sand. 9. …

1975 Control Of Silverleaf Nightshade And Saffron Thistle, P A. Rutherford

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

75NA6 - Rates of Tordon 50-D x times of application on Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) 75Na7 - Herbicide screening trial on Silverleaf Nightshade. 75Es25 Saffron thistle control in wheat. 75Es26 Saffron thistle control in pastures. 75Es25 Property - G. Graham, Circle Valley. 75Es26 Property - G. Graham, Circle Valley.

1974 Field Experiments On Legume Seed Inoculation, D. L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The response of sweet lupins to inoculation in Western Australia Before proceeding with details of the six lupin inoculation experiments conducted in 1974 the following comments are presented as a brief summary of the work so far done on lupin inoculation. Thirty nine inoculation experiments with sweet lupins (mainly Lupinus angustifolius var. Uniwhite, Uniharvest and Unicrop have been conducted in South-Western Australia since 1970. They have been drill-sown under farmer conditions and they have been aimed at finding where it is necessary to inoculate and the best method of inoculating seed. Of the 39 trials, 36 gave better nodulation following …

A Comparative Study Of Ribonuclease From Two Winter Barley Cultivars Based Upon Separation, Purification And Partial Characterization Of Rna-Degrading Enzymes, Raymond Sze-Chung Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The differences in the response to KCl of the RNA-degrading enzymes of two barley cultivars, “Dicktoo” (a hardy type) and "Tennessee Winter” (a non-hardy type), were investigated. Two types of enzymes, ribonuclease (RNase) and nuclease, were separated from crude extracts by disc electrophoresis. The electrophoretic gels were assayed for RNA-degrading activity in the presence and absence of EDTA (EDTA is a nuclease inhibitor). By means of density gradient isoelectric focusing, the nuclease preparation from Tennessee Winter was shown to have an isoelectric point between 5.3 and 5.5, while the nuclease preparation from Dicktoo has three isoelectric points of 4.9, 5.5 …

1975 Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereals - Trials With Wheat, Oats And Barley, M. G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Rates of nitrogen on wheat - soil test - Fifty-one sites were selected and soil sampled during February- March. All these proposed trials consisted of four replications and these reps were soil sampled separately. In each rep. 20 samples were taken to 10cm depth with pogo stick samplers. In addition, from three holes at random across each trial bulk samples were obtained from the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil intervals These soil samples were air dried (if not already dry) and sieved to remove > 2 mm fraction (gravel). Portions of these < 2mm fractions from the 0-10cm samples were sent to the Government Chemical Laboratories and to C.S.B.P. & Farmers Ltd. At C.S.B.P. analyses were carried out to determine P and K content and the C.S.B.P. soil nitrogen test was also carried out on them. This measures nitrate content before and after incubation with moist soil at 32c for seven days. A measurement was also made after 14 days. At Government Chemical Laboratories analyses were to be carried for Organic carbon and for a number of nitrogen fractions, including Total Nitrogen, MH4 + NO3 Nitrogen and several incubation techniques. These were also to be determined on the profile samples, which were also to be subject to the following analyses: a) Mechanical Analysis b) pH (in water) c) Cation Exchange Capacity d) Moisture Holding Capacity All of these trials were planted except for one at Jerramungup, where the marker pegs were ploughed out by the farmer. Vegetative cuts were then taken during the August - September period on 46 of the remaining 50 sites. Three of the other four sites were abandoned because of severe waterlogging (Neridup), extreme weediness (Nugadong) or due to poor plant survival (possibly due to webworm) combined with weeds (Mallalying). The trial at Wannamal was sown to oats, by the farmer. The nitrogen treatments were still applied and the trial was retained but not sampled for dry matter production. These samples were to be analysed for nitrogen content. Dry matter production and grain yields are set out in the following tables. 61M11, 75A1. 75A2, 75A3, 75AL1, 75AL2, 75BA2, 75BA3, 75BR1, 75BR2, 75C1, 75C2, 75C3, 75E2, 75E3, 75ES1, 75ES2, 75ES4, 75GE1, 75GE2, 75GE3, 75JE1, 5JE2, 75KA1, 75KA2, 75LG1, 75LG2, 75LG3, 75M2, 75M3,75M4, 75ME1, 75ME2, 75ME3, 75MO1, 75MO2, 75MO4, 75MT2, 75MT3, 75N1, 75N2, 75N3, 75NA1, 75NA3. 75NA4, 75NO2, 75NO3, 75SG1, 75SG2, 75TS2, 75TS3, 75TS4, 75WH4, 75WH5, 75WH6, 75WH7.

Peanuts For The Ord, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Peanuts were extensively tested in experiments on the Ord River in the early 1950s, but it is only recently that varieties better adapted to heavier soils have re-opened prospects of commercial production.

The new varieties remain dormant after maturity and an irrigation just before harvesting allows the crop to be lifted with the soil friable enough to reduce harvesting losses and the amount of soil sticking to the kernels.

These varieties have been extensively tested in Department of Agriculture trials at Kimberley Research Station since 1958, and preliminary recommendations for crop production and pest and disease control have been formulated.

Virus Diseases In Agriculture, George Mclean

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Viruses are extremely small particles which can only be seen with an electron microscope. A virus is present in a diseased plant as huge numbers of tiny particles within the cells of the plant. Viruses which are infectious can cause disease, and reproduce only inside the cells of a living plant.

Many insects transmit plant virus diseases—aphids, leafhoppers, mealy bugs, thrips and beetles. Generally a virus is spread by only one of these groups of insects.

The Western Australian Department of Agriculture is expanding the diagnostic service for the identification of plant viruses.

Blackleg Of Rapeseed, A Bokor, M. J. Barbetti, A. G. P. Brown, G. C. Mac Nish, P. Mcr. Wood

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Unless blackleg can be controlled there is little future for rapeseed as a major commercial crop in W.A.

Until 1972, oilseed rape showed great promise as an alternative cash crop for Western Australian farmers, especially in the Great Southern and south coastal areas.

However, like most other cruciferous crops, rape is prone to attack from diseases and insect pests. Most of these can be controlled, but the fungus disease blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) emerged as a major threat to the industry.

Clearly, unless the disease can be controlled, there is little future for rapeseed as a major commercial crop in Western …

Kenaf : A Possible Multi-Purpose Crop For The Ord River Irrigation Area, I M. Wood

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Kenaf is a tropical crop which shows promise for use in paper pulp, oil and protein production; the young growth is a nutritious animal feed.

It has proved a highly productive crop in the Ord River Irrigation area, raising speculation about its possible use as a commercial crop there. In this article a CSIRO research worker describes the properties of kenaf and reviews research results with the crop on the Ord

Lupinosis, M R. Gardiner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In spite of many years of intensive investigation lupinosis remains a remarkably complex and baffling problem. Current research is throwing new light on the disease and it is now much better understood— although far from beaten.

Lupinosis research is co-ordinated by the Department of Agriculture's Lupinosis Committee, on which are represented all groups working on the disease. These include veterinary surgeons and pathologists, chemists, plant pathologists and animal husbandry specialists.

Chairman of the Committee is Dr M. R. Gardiner, Chief of the Department's Animal Division and a veteran of lupinosis research.

In this article Dr Gardiner summarises the current state …

Promising Results With Pineapples At Carnarvon, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Pineapples were investigated commercially in Carnarvon in the early 1930's but drought, sunscorch, alkaline soils and problems with transport and marketing caused the infant industry to collapse in 1936.

Recently however, trials at Gascoyne Research Station have shown that pineapples can produce good yields of high quality fruit in the area.

The trials have been aimed at establishing the viability of pineapple production at Carnarvon and have been carried out by officers of the Horticulture Division.

Docks In Western Australia, J M. Allen

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A survey carried out by the Department of Agriculture has shown that docks are the most serious weed of the higher rainfall areas of Western Australia. They are estimated to cost farmers $400 000 annually in lost production. One of the main reasons why they are important weeds is that they regenerate rapidly from tubers and compete with desirable annual pasture species. Also the upright dock flowering stems are woody and unpalatable. Individual plants become intertwined and deter stock from grazing summer pastures.

Results from the survey of the dock problem are given in this article. The findings show that …

Breeding Better Rape And Lineseed For Western Australia, N N. Roy, J. Reeves

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Rapeseed and linseed—the main oil seed crops grown in the south-west of Western Australia—have both been beset by problems which have limited farmers' interest in them.

Rapeseed was first grown commercially in 1970, when wheat quotas and low prices for other cereals forced farmers to seek alternative cash crops. The area sown to rapeseed increased rapidly, but disastrous outbreaks of the disease blackleg caused rapid decline, and little rapeseed is now sown.

Linseed has been grown in W.A. for more than 30 years. Linseed rust proved disastrous but was overcome by the introduction and breedbreeding of rust-resistant varieties. In recent …