Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Safe Disposal Of Pesticide Containers And Residue, Doug Johnson, Monroe Rasnake, James Martin

Soil Science News and Views

The use of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.) has been an important factor in improving productivity of American agriculture to the point that quantity and quality of food and fiber produced by American farmers is unequalled in the world. However, in recent years, increased concern is being expressed regarding potential harmful effects of pesticide use on the environment. Most farmers want to know how to safely handle pesticides and dispose of waste materials, and the pesticide industry is working hard to develop better systems for handling pesticides. However, poor disposal practices are still too common.

How Much Fertilizer Ls Needed For Corn?, Kenneth L. Wells, Keenan Turner

Soil Science News and Views

Corn producers are faced each year with the decision of how much money to invest in fertilizer for use on their crop. Differing philosophies used by those who make fertilizer recommendations often leave the grower bewildered as to what is best to do. It is not unusual for a producer to be told by his agricultural extension agent that he doesn't need any phosphate and potash on fields which test high in these nutrients while other sources may recommend fertilizer use. The philosophy behind the zero P-K recommendation made by extension agents in such cases is based on University of …

The Real Value Of Agricultural Limestone, Monroe Rasnake

Soil Science News and Views

There are big differences in quality of agricultural lime sold in Kentucky. According to the most recent test results, the Relative Neutralizing Value (RNV) of Kentucky aglime ranged from a low of 50 to a high of 89. Actually, some were below the RNV of 50, but these did not meet state lime law regulations and could not legally be sold as ground agricultural limestone.

Contending With Soil Compaction, Kenneth L. Wells, Lloyd W. Murdock

Soil Science News and Views

Most compaction results from use of machinery on soil which is too wet to work well, or from overworking soil and destroying natural structure. The resultant pressure from tires and tillage tools compresses more soil into a given volume. Regardless of reason, the proportion of solid soil material relative to total volume of soil increases. In the process, natural soil aggregates are broken down and large pores become smaller, generally resulting in soil more difficult for plant roots to penetrate.

Potential Of Surface Water Contamination From Three Triazine Herbicides, William W. Witt, Kip W. Sander

KWRRI Research Reports

The movement of atrazine, cyanazine, and simazine from the site of application was monitored under conventional, reduced, and no-tillage conditions. Less water and soil was lost from the no-tillage and reduced tillage conditions. Conventional tillage conditions had about 66,000 L/ha runoff in 1986-87 and about 123,000 L/ha runoff in 1987-88. Seasonal rainfall was 885 mm in 1986-87 and 397 mm in 1987-88. The rainfall intensity was greater during the first two events in 1987 than the corresponding events in 1986. The first rainfall event in 1986 accounted for 91, 89, and 78% of the total seasonal loss of atrazine, cyanazine, …

Canola: A New Cash Crop For Kentucky, James H. Herbek, Lloyd W. Murdock, Dan Kirkland, T. Gray

Soil Science News and Views

For the past few years, Kentucky farmers have become more interested in "alternative" cash crops for their farming operations. One such crop that is starting to receive attention is Canola. Classified as an oil crop, Canola is a type of oilseed rape. Rape is a member of the mustard family and is closely related to turnip. cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and mustards. It is a cool-season annual and an important oilseed crop in many parts of the world that is used for both human consumption and industrial purposes. Major rapeseed production areas are in Europe and Canada. The seed contains approximately …

The Effect Of Preozonation On The Anaerobic Biodegradability Of Resistant Phenolic Compounds, Yi-Tin Wang, Pin-Chieh Pai, James L. Latchew

KWRRI Research Reports

Ozone pretreatment studies of four model phenolic compounds were conducted to evaluate the effects of ozonation on the anaerobic biodegradability and toxicity of these compounds. Two types of batch studies, the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) and the Anaerobic Toxicity Assay (ATA), were performed on samples ozonated upon phenol, o-cresol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol.

Experimental results showed that toxic and refractory phenolic compounds were converted to methane gas by means of preozonation. In general, the biodegradable fraction of the oxidation products increased as the ozone dose was increased. However, ozonation to achieve at least 60% COD reduction was necessary to faciliate methane …

An Aeration Duct Design Model For Flat Grain Storage, Thomas C. Bridges, Douglas G. Overhults, Samuel G. Mcneill, G. M. White

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Traditionally most grain is stored in circular type bins which provide a convenient means for handling and management. With the excess grain production and government loan programs of the past few years, some producers have used rectangular structures and covered piles to complement their round storages. The recommended management practices used with round bins are still required in those alternative storages and may be more critical in obtaining a quality end product.

One such recommended practice used with round bins is aeration. This practice is used to maintain a uniform temperature in the grain mass, preventing condensation and "hot" spots …

Update On Ridge-Tillage In Kentucky, David C. Ditsch, Monroe Rasnake

Soil Science News and Views

Grain crop producers in Kentucky are constantly evaluating various tillage systems that will best fit their particular cropping environment. One such tillage system that has shown some promise primarily in the mid-west is a system referred to as ridge-tillage. Ridge-till is basically a system by which a grain producer plants his crop on an elevated row that is maintained each year during cultivation for week control. The same ridge is re-used year after year thereby developing a controlled traffic pattern. Since the cultivation procedure is also recommended for maintaining the ridge, many ridge-till farmers have reduced their herbicide cost by …

Effect Of Crop Rotation On Corn And Soybean Yields, James H. Herbek, Lloyd W. Murdock, T. Gray

Soil Science News and Views

Yield of both corn and soybeans has been shown to increase when grown in a rotation as compared to continuous cropping of either of the two crops. These yield improvements are commonly associated with fewer disease, insect and weed problems; better soil tilth; and in the case of corn, a nitrogen contribution from the preceding soybean crop. One or a combination of these factors are believed to have an effect. In the past few decades the yield benefits of rotations were often overlooked as fertilizers and pesticides were used as a substitute for crop rotation. However, research has shown that …

Carryover Effect Of New Soybean Herbicides On Corn, William W. Witt, J. A. Mills, G. L. Schmitz

Soil Science News and Views

Scepter, Canopy, Gemini, Classic, and Command are new soybean herbicides which were introduced in 1986 and are being used in Kentucky. These herbicides have gained widespread popularity because of their excellent control of cocklebur, pigweeds, morningglories, and velvetleaf. In addition, they can be applied in a variety of ways which makes them attractive to the soybean producer. However, these herbicides do have potential shortcomings in that they can persist in the soil for several months and cause injury to rotational crops such as corn or wheat. Since greater than 60% of the soybeans grown in Kentucky are rotated to corn, …

The Conservation Reserve Program (Crp) And Conservation Compliance---Two Components Of The 1985 Farm Bill, Monroe Rasnake

Soil Science News and Views

The Conservation Reserve Program: This component of the 1985 Food Security Act is still open to participation by qualified landowners. Participation in CRP provides for farmers to be paid an annual rental fee for ten years to take highly erodible land out of row crop production and maintain a conservation cover crop. The annual rental fee for CRP land already signed up in Kentucky has averaged about 58 dollars per acre.

Maximum Net Returns From Fertilizers, Lloyd W. Murdock, Kenneth L. Wells, William O. Thom

Soil Science News and Views

Considerable interest in trends taking place in the consumption of commercial fertilizers in Kentucky has been evident during the last two or three years. Due both to the stressed agricultural economy and to government programs, total tonnage has dropped significantly. This has made a direct impact on the fertilizer industry serving Kentucky. Concern has been expressed that UK is "telling farmers that they're using too much fertilizer", suggesting that this is the cause of the reduced volume experienced by many dealers. We hope to address this concern in such a way that UK's position regarding use of commercial fertilizers for …

Changes In Rainfall Patterns In Kentucky During The 1980'S, Kenneth L. Wells, R. E. Phillips, H. B. Rice

Soil Science News and Views

Annual rainfall patterns in Kentucky have not been average during the 1980's. During this timespan there have been two droughts of statewide significance, and there has been wide variability within the state during most years. Because of this wide fluctuation, there has been some concern that rainfall patterns either are changing or have changed. In order to evaluate this concern, rainfall data from sites in western, south central, north central, east central, and eastern Kentucky were analyzed. An average amount of rainfall which would be predicted for these sites was calculated, using the average of that which fell annually from …

Predicting Potential Aluminum Contamination Of Surface And Ground Waters From Acid Sulfate Enriched Drainages Emanating From Low Neutralization Capacity Watersheds, Anastasios D. Karathanasis, Vasilios P. Evangelou, Y. L. Thompson

KWRRI Research Reports

The composition of soil solutions and surface waters emanating from unreclaimed, or partially reclaimed, strip-mined watersheds with low buffering capacity in Kentucky were compared with soil solution compositions of unaffected strata in the watershed. The data suggests that almost 20 years after mining, most soil solutions and surface waters of the disturbed areas still contain high levels of undissolved Al, controlled primarily by the solubilities of a jurbanite-like material (upper limit) and alunite (lower limit).

Predicting Potential Aluminum Contamination Of Surface And Ground Waters From Acid Sulfate Enriched Drainages Emanating From Low Neutralization Capacity Watersheds, Anastasios D. Karathanasis, Vasilios P. Evangelou, Y. L. Thompson

KWRRI Research Reports

The composition of soil solutions and surface waters emanating from unreclaimed, or partially reclaimed, strip-mined watersheds with low buffering capacity in Kentucky were compared with soil solution compositions of unaffected strata in the watershed. The data suggest that almost 20 years after mining, most soil solutions and surface waters of the disturbed areas still contain high levels of dissolved Al, controlled primarily by the solubilities of a jurbanite-like mineral (upper limit) and alunite (lower limit). Soluble Al in solutions of undisturbed areas was consistent with the solubility of kaolinite or gibbsite. The absence of jurbanite x-ray diffraction peaks suggested the …