Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Effect Of Irrigation On Corn, Soybeans And Alfalfa Yields In Kentucky, Lloyd W. Murdock

Soil Science News and Views

Irrigation is not widely used in Kentucky for two reasons: 1) high average yearly rainfall, and 2) lack of easily accessible and dependable water sources. However, even with the high yearly rainfall, droughts do occur during the growing season. According to past history, they are more likely to occur in West Kentucky than Central Kentucky and least likely to occur in East Kentucky.

Returning Pik Land To Grain Production, Wilbur W. Frye

Soil Science News and Views

With the end of the 1983 PIK program, much of the acreage that was in the program will be returned to grain production. Farmers who planted cover crops on their PIK fields in 1983 and who plan to return them to grain production in 1984 will be faced with deciding whether to use no-tillage or conventional tillage. The cover crops will provide mulch for no-tillage crops which may be an asset but can contribute to problems as well. Also, weed problems may be worse on PIK land and more difficult to control with no-tillage than with conventional tillage. The decision …

Fertilization Management In Double Cropping, John H. Grove

Soil Science News and Views

Double crop systems are being widely adopted by grain and silage producers in Kentucky. The wheat-soybean grain intensive system accounts for nearly 750,000 acres of cropland in the state each year. Alternative silage systems for beef and/or dairy producers involve a fall seeded small grain (wheat, barley, triticale) that is harvested at an immature stage of growth. Immediately afterward a crop for silage (corn, grain sorghum) or grain (soybean, grain sorghum) is planted. When reduced and no-tillage management practices are used the timeliness of planting is improved and losses of surface soil moisture are minimized as the second crop starts …

Stimulated Emission And The Flat Balmer Decrements Of Cataclysmic Variable Stars, Moshe Elitzur, Gary J. Ferland, W. G. Mathews, G. A. Shields

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Balmer emission lines from cataclysmic variables often have nearly equal intensities rather than the rapid decrement predicted by simple nebular theory. Traditionally, this has been interpreted in terms of local thermodynamic equilibrium emission from a dense gas with small volume located just above the accretion disk. In this Letter we show that the intense radiation field within a close binary system can affect excited-state populations and optical emission in ways which allow a relatively low density gas to closely mimic the high-density situation. In at least one case, the old nova V603 Aql, the emitting gas has a low density …

Water Requirement For Coal Slurry Transportation, David T. Kao, Sandra L. Rusher

KWRRI Research Reports

The amount of water required for coal slurry transportation is a function of the coal properties and the magnitude of coal movement. The pipeline system characteristics and the method of slurry preparation also affects the overall water requirement of the system. In the present study methodologies are developed based on reported and modified coal slurry flow correlation equations to determine the quantity of water needed under various coal transport and flow conditions. Auxiliary water requirements including start-up and flushing water storage; related evaporation and seepage losses are also included. A computer program and several monographs are presented to provide a …

Modeling Erosion On Long Steep Slopes With Emphasis On The Rilling Process, Michael C. Hirschi, Billy J. Barfield, Ian D. Moore

KWRRI Research Reports

A model of soil erosion, known as KYERMO, is presented which emphasizes those processes which are important on steep slopes. Particular emphasis is placed on modeling rill development and geometry since this is the least understood process in erosion mechanics. The model requires an input rill pattern.

Rainfall inputs to the model require the use of breakpoint rainfall and kinetic energy. Surface storage is calculated based on random roughness data of Linden (1979). Infiltration is modeled by use of the two layer Green-Ampt-Mein-Larson model as proposed by Moore and Eigel (1981). Runoff is related to rainfall excess and surface storage …

Improved Methods And Guidelines For Modeling Stormwater Runoff From Surface Coal Mined Lands, Michael E. Meadows, George E. Blandford

KWRRI Research Reports

The investgations, developments and guidelines for several hydrologic modeling strategies are presented. Investigations were conducted to determine appropriate event curve numbers for surface mined disturbed watersheds; and performance of four synthetic unit hydrograph models (SCS curvilinear, SCS single triangle, Williams and TVA double triangle) on 38 USDA experimental watersheds in 14 physiographic provinces using in excess of 270 events. A second test using only the SCS curvilinear unit hydrograph on 11 small watersheds and 48 events was conducted to investigate the excess rainfall pattern simulated with the curve number model. A procedure for developing a unit hydrograph using the time …

The Red River Gorge: The Existence Of "Recreational Niches" And Their Management Implications, Sara E. Alexander, Billie R. Dewalt, Eugenie Scott

KWRRI Research Reports

Until the late 1960's, the Red River Gorge was just one of the more beautiful parts of the Daniel Boone National Forest. At this time, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed to dam the river for flood control, water supply, and recreation purposes. Intense opposition to the project generated considerable publicity and the Gorge area experienced substantial increases in visitation. The result has been not only severe environmental degradation but extensive overcrowding as well. These trends are presently overtaxing management capabilities of the United States Forest Service. The most pressing issue has come to be how to effectively manage this …

Effect Of Lime Quality On Soil Ph Changes, Monroe Rasnake

Soil Science News and Views

Quality of a liming material depends primarily on two factors - purity and size of the individual particles. Purity is an indication of how much active material is present. Particle size determines how fa st the lime can dissolve and react with soil acidity.

Effect Of Nitrogen Fertilization On Fall Stockpiled Ky 31 Fescue, Kenneth L. Wells

Soil Science News and Views

Much interest has developed during the past several years on improving utilization of tall fescue by accumulating its growth during the fall and delaying grazing until late fall and winter. This technique takes advantages of the buildup of sugars in the herbage which normally takes place as seasonal temperatures cool to near the freezing point. UK forage research has shown that content of sugars in tall fescue herbage can increase from around 8 percent in late summer to around 20 percent after the first few frosts have occurred in late fall. This sugar buildup greatly increases the feed value of …

Predicting Infiltration And Surface Runoff From Reconstructed Spoils And Soils, Larry G. Wells, Andrew D. Ward, Ronald E. Phillips

KWRRI Research Reports

A laboratory system was fabricated to measure infiltration and runoff from spoil and soil profiles constructed in rectangular bins. Construction, calibration and operation of a rainfall simulator is discussed and instrumentation used to measure transient infiltration and transmittance of water through experimental profiles is described.

Spoil and soil materials from surface mines in Eastern and Western Kentucky were transported to the laboratory and used in constructing experimental profiles in rectangular bins (0.91 x 1.83 x 1.07 m). An extensive series of infiltration experiments were conducted utilizing a rainfall simulator and soil moisture monitoring instrumentation. A dual probe gamma density gauge …

Atlas Of Wetlands In The Principal Coal Surface Mining Region Of Western Kentucky, William J. Mitsch, Jan R. Taylor, Kimberly B. Benson, Paul L. Hill Jr.

KWRRI Research Reports

This atlas contains maps of wetlands and surface mining activity in the Western Kentucky Coal Field, and focuses on a 3960 km² (1530 mi²) region where approximately 90 percent of surface mining in the Coal field occures. Some present and potential competition exists between surface coal mining and wetland protection. A wetland classification, based on the recent FWS classification, includes six types of palustrine systems and one each of riverine and laucstrine systems. Wetlands and surface mines are located on twenty-seven 7.5 minute USGS quadrangles that define the study region. A total of 460 km² (177 …

Modeling Surface And Subsurface Stormflow On Steeply-Sloping Forested Watersheds, Patrick G. Sloan, Ian D. Moore, George B. Coltharp, Joseph D. Eigel

KWRRI Research Reports

A simple conceptual rainfall-runoff model, based on the variable source area concept, was developed for predicting runoff from small, steep-sloped, forested Appalachian watersheds. Tests of the model showed that the predicted and observed daily discharges were in good agreement. The results demonstrate the ability of the model to simulate the "flashy" hydrologic behavior of these watersheds.

Five subsurface flow models were evaluated by application to existing data measured at Coweeta on a reconstructed homogeneous forest soil. The five models were: Nieber 's 2-D and 1-D finite element models (based on Richards' equation), the kinematic wave equation, and two simple storage …

Studies In Dye-Tracing Technologies In Karst Hydrogeology, John Thrailkill, Phillip E. Byrd, Stephen B. Sullivan, Lawrence E. Spangler, Charles J. Taylor, Greta K. Nelson, Kevin R. Pogue

KWRRI Research Reports

Information on fluorescent dyes used for water tracing and the results of six studies are reported. Optical brightener, direct yellow, fluorescein, rhodamine (WT), and other dyes are described and the procedures employed in their use ·in the field and in equilibration experiments are discussed. Three of the six studies consisted of investigations of the equilibration with passive detectors of three of the dyes. The absorption of optical brightener on fabric detectors was apparently linear with concentration and with immersion time, while detectors became rapidly saturated with direct yellow. Equilibrium of fluorescein on charcoal detectors with an elutriating solution was not …

Soybean Response To Fertilization, Monroe Rasnake

Soil Science News and Views

When can you expect soybeans to respond to fertilization? How large is a response likely to be? How much fertilizer will be needed to obtain the maximum economic response? These are questions that College of Agriculture personnel must answer in making recommendations. Farmers should also consider these questions when deciding how much fertilizer to use.

Movement Of Bacteria Through Macropores To Ground Water, M. Scott Smith, Grant W. Thomas, Robert E. White

KWRRI Research Reports

Effects of soil type, flow rate, antecedent soil moisture and other factors on transport of E. coli through soils was measured on disturbed and intact columns 20 cm in diameter by 25 to 30 cm in depth. Added E. coli were distinguished from indigenous microbes using an antibiotic resistance marker. Transport of Cl^- and ³H₂O was also measured. Up to 96 percent of the bacteria irrigated onto the surface of intact columns were recovered in the effluent. Soil structure appeared to be related to the extent of transport. Columns prepared from mixed, repacked soil were much …

Effects Of Surface Application Of Dairy Manure On The Infiltration Rate And Quality Of Surface Runoff, Joseph L. Taraba, I. J. Ross, John D. Bottom, Bill J. Barfield

KWRRI Research Reports

Dairy manure was surface spread on 12 ft x 12 ft plots on an established fescue pasture in the summer and fall of 1981 and 1982. The soil was a Maury silt loam. A simulated rainfall was applied to plots to test the effects of nitrogen loading rate (75, 150, and 300 #N/acre) time delay between manure application and the simulated rainfall events (0, 3, 6, 24, 48, 96 hours and a 120 hour test repeated on 0 hr plot with 300 #N/acre), and type manure (semi-solid - 1981 and liquid - 1982) on the concentrations of pollutants in the …

The Induction Of Tolerance To Heavy Metals In Natural And Laboratory Populations Of Fish, Wesley J. Birge, William H. Benson, Jeffrey A. Black

KWRRI Research Reports

Aquatic toxicity studies were performed on two natural populations of fathead minnows. One group of organisms was taken from a metal-contaminated flyash pond associated with a coal-fired power plant and the other group was collected from relatively uncontaminated hatchery ponds. Acute tests indicated that flyash pond fish were significantly more tolerant to cadmium and copper than were hatchery fish. At an exposure concentration of 6.0 mg Cd/L in moderately hard water, the median period of survival for flyash pond fish was 50.0 hr compared to 6.8 hr for hatchery fish. Both groups of organisms were about equally sensitive to zinc. …

Nitrogen Placement For No-Till Corn, Kenneth L. Wells

Soil Science News and Views

An estimated 18 to 20 percent of all corn grown in Kentucky is no-till planted. This 400 to 500 thousand acres is directly planted into sod, residues from the previous year, or a winter cover crop. Many field trials have been conducted by University of Kentucky agronomists during the past 15 years to determine nitrogen fertilization practices best suited for this kind of corn production. These recommendations are published annually in "AGR-1 Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations," and call for 25 lbs more actual fertilizer N per acre than conventional corn. This is largely justified by: (1) a greater potential for …

Anhydrous Ammonia Use For Corn, William O. Thom

Soil Science News and Views

Anhydrous ammonia is the most concentrated form of nitrogen fertilizer available to corn producers in many areas of Kentucky. It is a simple chemical compound made up of one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen (NH₃), existing as a gas at normal outdoor temperatures. This makes it necessary to store and handle the material in closed containers under pressure. The product contains 82% nitrogen, making it one of the highest analysis and most economical fertilizers available for corn production.

Current Research On Band Application Of Fertilizer To Burley Tobacco, J. L. Sims

Soil Science News and Views

Present Status: Generally, past research conducted in the United States has shown that only one-half to two-thirds as much fertilizer is required to produce maximum crop yields when the fertilizer is properly banded as when it is broadcast. However, the magnitude of plant response to banding compared to broadcast applications varies widely with soil nutrient levels, soil temperature, soil pH, and the mobility of the nutrient being applied. Greatest benefits from banding result from (a) applications to soils having low or very-low soil test levels of the nutrient in question, (b) applications to crops grown in cool climates, (3) applications …

Quality Of Legume Inoculants In Kentucky, M. Scott Smith

Soil Science News and Views

Successful and profitable production of legumes requires nodulation by Rhizobium bacteria which supply the crop with fixed N. The appropriate strains of bacteria are often absent from soils, since they do not persist without a suitable host plant. Under these conditions, that is when the specific legume crop has not been planted in the field for more than 3 or 4 years, it is necessary to inoculate the seed (or sometimes the soil) with Rhizobium.

Hydraulic Analysis Of Surcharged Storm Sewer Systems, Don J. Wood, Gregory C. Heitzman

KWRRI Research Reports

Surcharge in a storm sewer system is the condition in which an entire sewer section is submerged and the pipe is flowing full under pressure. Flow in a surcharged storm sewer is essentially slowly varying unsteady pipe flow and methods for analyzing this type of flow are investigated. In this report the governing equations for unsteady fluid flow in pressurized storm sewers are presented. From these governing equations three numerical models are developed using various assumptions and simplifications. These flow models are applied to several example storm sewer systems under surcharge conditions. Plots of hydraulic grade and flow throughout the …

Forage Moisture Testers, George Turner, Doug Overhults

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The quality of forage used for feed is affected by the moisture content at which it was harvested and stored. To guess moisture content from experience or by hand squeezing and wadding is not accurate enough for today's methods of putting up hay, haylage or silage.

There are several very accurate and rapid types of sophisticated moisture indicators used in various industries, but these are too complex and costly to be considered for portable use by farmers. Other smaller instruments are also available that do a less accurate but acceptable job of determining moisture content of forage. One of these …

Alfalfa Production And Marketing — Producer Story, Reeves Davie, Alfred Davie, Gene Davie

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Our decision to plant a hundred acres of alfalfa in the late summer of 1981 was not made hastily. Past experiences of others in the area who had grown alfalfa commercially, an economic study of the alfalfa hay situation and the declining prices of corn, wheat, and soybeans all had their affect on our decision. However, we did not anticipate the price of corn, wheat and soybeans sinking to the levels they did this past year of 1982.

An Economic Examination Of Kentucky's Potential For Alfalfa Production, W. Donald Shurley

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In managing a farm successfully, a major decision faced by the farmer is the choice of enterprises and the level of production for each of the enterprises chosen. For each enterprise or combination of enterprises, an initial investment in land, buildings, and machinery is required. The enterprises chosen and the production levels of each enterprise must be sufficient to reward investments above their cost. Once the choice of enterprises is made and investment incurred, little flexibility exists in making changes among enterprises unless some investments are liquidated and new investments made.

Chemical Preservation Of Alfalfa Hay And Silage, Charles T. Dougherty, J. Kenneth Evans

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

A wide range of substances are being marketed throughout the forage world to enhance, preserve and otherwise modify hay and silage. Some of the products are ineffective, while the benefits of others depend on the correct application and some are used at rates far below that which is effective. Alfalfa can be made into high quality hay and silage without the use of additives if recommended practices are employed, however, when the use of best management practices is not enough, additives may make economic sense. Such is the case in N.W. Europe where the weather prevents haymaking, and the high …

Harvest Management, Harold Vaught

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Harvest management is not an easy topic to address. Every farm or field may present a different situation, thus, decisions must be made by the grower as to the harvest schedule he uses. Most everything I will discuss has research to back it up but I will not reference it. I must say that some of my comments have come from experience and observation over a period of many years.

Managing Leaf Spot Diseases Of Alfalfa, William C. Nesmith

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Approximately 25-30 diseases attack and reduce the yield, quality or stand longevity of alfalfa in Kentucky. The largest number of these diseases are leaf spot. Generally, the leaf spots diseases are more important in reducing quality due to leaf loss than direct killing of plants. Some of the leaf spots are severe enough to warrant specific controls aimed directly at them while others are managed through more general practices.

Weed Management In Alfalfa, William W. Witt

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Weeds compete with alfalfa for water, nutrients, light, and space. This competition can decrease yields, lower forage quality, increase disease and insect problems, create harvesting problems, and initiate or poison the animals which will consume the forage. Premature loss of alfalfa stands is usually the result of the interaction of the pest complex - diseases, insects, and weeds.