Soil Science Commons^™

A Two Year Evaluation Of Nitrate-N And Triazine Herbicides In Groundwater And Surface Water Of An Intensively Row Cropped Agricultural Watershed In Western Kentucky, Larry Reber, John Potts

Soil Science News and Views

The quality of water in Kentucky's agricultural watersheds has received considerable attention in recent years. The main concerns in corn production areas usually center on water content of nitrate-N from commercial fertilizer and triazines from herbicide applications. Although N can be found naturally in Kentucky soils, it cannot supply all the N that corn needs to produce optimum yields. Therefore, fertilizer N is added to ensure ample nutrition. Triazines, on the other hand, do not occur naturally in the soil but are applied to the soil to effectively control weeds. Most commonly, these herbicides are applied at the time of …

Use Of Animal Wastes On Cropland, Monroe Rasnake, M. Scott Smith

Soil Science News and Views

In recent months, environmental issues relating to land application of animal and industrial wastes have been widely debated in Kentucky. On several occasions, members of the University of Kentucky Agronomy Department have been asked to provide scientific information and technical interpretation related to these complex and controversial issues. To be certain that the public and policy makers are provided with consistent and scientifically sound information, the Agronomy Department has decided to release consensus statements on some of the major agronomic issues involved. These statements reflect our best scientifically based interpretations of these important subjects. Several of our faculty with long …

No Tillage Use For Crop Production In Kentucky Counties In 1997, G. R. Haszler

Soil Science News and Views

Three years ago (1994) and again last year (1996), we reported the status of no-tillage adoption in Kentucky counties. Now, CTIC has published the results for 1997. As before, Kentucky leads the nation in percent of all crops produced under no tillage, but the percentage has slightly decreased from 1996. In 1994, 44% of all crops were produced under no tillage in Kentucky, whereas in 1996, that figure had reached 51% . It dropped to 48% in 1997. The results for 1994, 1996 and 1997 are shown in Table 1. The percentage of major grain crops (corn, soybeans and small …

Validating A Vegetative Filter Strip Performance Model, Puneet Srivastava, Thomas A. Costello, Dwayne R. Edwards, James A. Ferguson

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Vegetative filter strips (VFS) reduce losses of nutrients, solids, and other materials from land area treated with fertilizers and manures. A number of models are available that simulate nutrient and sediment transport in VFS. While VFS effectiveness is considered to depend on lengths of pollutant source area and VFS areas, few published studies have tried to validate these models using variable pollutant source area and VFS area. The objective of this study was to validate an event-based nutrient transport model (Chaubey et al., 1995) that simulates soluble nutrient transport in VFS. This model links three sub-models: modified Green-Ampt infiltration, non-linear …

Precision Agriculture: The Effect Of Variable Rate Fertilizer Application On Soil Test Values, Kenneth L. Wells, James E. Dollarhide

Soil Science News and Views

Use of variable rate fertilizer spreaders (VRS) is available to farmers in many areas of Kentucky. For use of VRS, a soil fertility map must be prepared for the field to be spread which requires subdividing the field into subunits. Each subunit is then soil sampled separately. A common procedure in commercial use is to grid a field into 2.5 acre blocks and to take a composite sample of 6-8 cores along the perimeter of a circular radius of 60-80 ft from the center of each block. Each block receives a separate fertilizer recommendation based on results from the soil …

Late Season Supplemental Nitrogen On Double-Cropped Soybeans, Curt Judy, Lloyd W. Murdock

Soil Science News and Views

Soybeans produce their own nitrogen for crop growth with the aid of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil that infect the soybean root and form nodules which contain the bacteria. This is a symbiotic relationship that benefits both the plant and the bacteria. The bacteria are able to take atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a form of nitrogen that the plant can use. Much of the nitrogen requirement for soybean production begins at seed development. Soybean physiology studies suggest that the amount of nitrogen supplied for the soybean plant from fixation in the nodules is less than the potential …

Solute And Bacterial Transport Through Partially-Saturated Intact Soil Blocks, Edmund Perfect, Mark S. Coyne, Michael C. Sukop, Gerald R. Haszler, Virgil L. Quisenberry, Ligia Bejat

KWRRI Research Reports

Steady-state transport of water, chloride and bacteria was measured through intact blocks of Maury and Cecil soils, under partially saturated conditions. Major objectives were to determine if transport occurs uniformly or via preferential flow paths, and if soil physical properties could be used to predict breakthrough. The blocks were instrumented with TDR probes and mounted on a vacuum chamber containing 100 cells that collected eflluent. After each experiment the blocks were sampled for soil physical properties. The fluxes showed no spatial autocorrelation and the eflluent variance was not statistically different between soils. Less than 3% of the influent bacteria appeared …

What Leading Alfalfa Producers Do To Produce Quality Hay, Jimmy C. Henning, Garry D. Lacefield, Buddy Sims

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is the highest quality forage legume crop grown in Kentucky and is the number one cash hay crop. Hay raised by Kentucky farmers has been recognized for its quality at local, state (state fair and Kentucky Alfalfa Conference), and national (American Forage and Grassland Council) hay contests. The testing records of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture also document the high quality alfalfa hay of Kentucky. However, little has been written about the farm practices used to produce high quality alfalfa hay in Kentucky. The current practices of top hay growers may be helpful in defining the options available to …

Grazing Alfalfa In Tennessee: Experiences And Opportunities, Gary Bates

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Animal agriculture in the southeastern U.S. is based on forages. This area has the advantage over all other sections of the nation in forage production. From Kentucky to south Florida, with a little planning forage can be grown almost 12 months a year. Forage programs in Tennessee and Kentucky are based primarily around cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and orchardgrass. These grasses grow over a long portion of the year. In fact, producers have to deal with excess forage production during the spring and fall (Fig. 1). The quality and quantity of forage during these times of the year …

Grazing Alfalfa In Lincoln County, Dan Grigson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa grazing is becoming an important practice for our county's large livestock enterprise. Both dairy and beef producers use alfalfa grazing in various parts of their feeding operations. Lincoln County farmers have a reputation for being good forage producers and have over the years produced good yields and good quality alfalfa. Most producers realize that good forage leads to better profits for their livestock enterprises. That's very important to us as the livestock business generates over $21 million in cash receipts annually.

Alfalfa Seed Production In The Western U.S., Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is the primary forage for the dairy industry in the United States and provides a majority of the nutrients and energy needs for other classes of livestock including beef cattle, horses and sheep.

In order to maximize forage yield, quality and persistence, one should start with high quality seed. Seed must be free of noxious weeds, have a purity higher than 99.5 percent, a germination of 90 percent or higher and true to the variety stated.

Over 80% of the alfalfa seed was grown in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states prior to 1948. This was mostly uncertified, …

Do's And Don'ts Of Alfalfa Round Baled Silage, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Round baled silage provides an option for outside storage of round bales that protects them from weathering. With shorter field exposure times, silage can dramatically increase forage quality compared with hay. Harvest problems caused by wet weather and/or poor drying conditions during spring and for the freeze-down harvest during autumn could be alleviated by incorporating silage into the harvest system.

Alfalfa Hay: Quality Makes The Difference, Garry D. Lacefield, Jimmy C. Henning

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa "Queen of the Forage Crops" is one of the most important forage legumes grown in the U.S. It can be grown over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, it has the highest yield potential and the highest feeding values of all adapted perennial forage legumes. Alfalfa is a versatile crop which can be used for pasture, hay, silage, green-chop, soil improvements and · human consumption (sprouts, etc.).

A Solution To Some Spring-Seeded Alfalfa Problems, Paul C. Vincelli

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

One of the most important assignments I received when I assumed this position in 1990 was to address the question, "What is the cause of seeding failure when alfalfa is spring-seeded into soils that remain wet after seeding?" Six years of laboratory and field work have finally borne fruit. Based on our research, we can confidently present Kentucky alfalfa producers with three conclusions and a recommendation.

Manure On Alfalfa: Why, When, And How Much?, Monroe Rasnake

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Manure is an excellent source of nutrients for growing crops. Its' value has been recognized for thousands of years. Before the development of chemical fertilizers, it served as the primary source of nutrients. It has decreased in importance as a nutrient source in this century and in some cases has become a disposal problem. This has led many farmers to consider using it on legume crops such as alfalfa that don't need to have nitrogen added, but will utilize it and other . nutrients in relatively large amounts. The first question to be considered, then, is why apply manure to …

Controlling Weeds In New Seedings And Established Stands, Jonathan D. Green

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The importance of weed control in forage production should not be overlooked, especially when you consider the high investment associated with alfalfa and other legume forages. Weeds may reduce forage yield by competing for water, sunlight and nutrients. For example, yield obtained from the first cutting of alfalfa can be significantly reduced by a heavy infestation of common chickweed. In addition to yield losses, weeds can also lower forage quality, increase the incidence of disease and insect problems, cause premature stand loss, and create harvesting problems. In some cases weeds are unpalatable to livestock or may be poisonous.

What I'Ve Learned From Three Years Of Intensive Experience With No-Till Alfalfa, Jimmy C. Henning, Garry D. Lacefield, Andy Anderson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Three years ago, a project was begun to better understand the 'hands-on' aspects of no-till establishment of legumes especially alfalfa into fescue sod. Although no-till drills and technology had been around for nearly two decades, farmer feedback on the success of no-till establishment was not uniformly good. The University of Kentucky initiated a program called the 'Establishment Initiative' in partnership with seed companies and Agco-Tye to conduct no-till establishment demonstrations of no-till establishment. These demonstrations focused on getting alfalfa and red clover established into fescue sod which had been suppressed with herbicides. The following are some of the lessons learned.

Foreword [1997], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

How Do Bacteria Move Through Soil?, Mark S. Coyne, J. M. Howell, R. E. Phillips

Soil Science News and Views

The contamination of water supplies by fecal bacteria is an important water quality issue in Kentucky. Contamination may come from point sources, such as straight pipes depositing raw sewage into streams, or nonpoint sources, such as manure runoff from cropland. A direct cost of contaminating water supplies is the expense that homesteads or water companies incur to chlorinate, filter, and otherwise treat water to make it potable. Indirect costs are the time lost to illness from drinking inadequately treated water, slower weight gain in livestock drinking contaminated water, and the degradation of aquatic habitats.

Profitability Of Variable Rate Fertilization On A Kentucky Soil (A Theoretical Analysis), Lloyd W. Murdock, Paula L. Howe

Soil Science News and Views

Grid soil sampling and variable rate fertilizer applications are a part of the precision agriculture movement that has captured the interest of many farmers. Variable rate fertilization requires extra expense and effort plus the use of often unfamiliar technology. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) equipment and computer software are used to outline and grid the field into small manageable units or “cells” (usually 2.5 acres). Each grid cell is soil sampled and tested for pH and available nutrients. Fertilizer recommendations are made on each grid cell and the fertilizer is spread by each grid cell using a truck equipped with GPS …

Detection Of Nitrate-N And Triazine Herbicides In Groundwater And Surface Water Of An Agricultural Watershed In Western Kentucky, John Potts, Larry Reber

Soil Science News and Views

The quality of water in Kentucky's agricultural watersheds has received considerable attention in recent years. The main concerns in com production areas usually center on content of nitrogen (N) from commercial fertilizer and triazines from herbicide applications in water. Although N can be found naturally in Kentucky soils, it can't supply all the N that com needs to produce optimum yields. Therefore, fertilizer N is added to ensure ample nutrition. Triazine herbicides, on the other hand, do not occur naturally in the soil but are applied to the soil to effectively control weeds. Most commonly, these herbicides are applied at …

No Tillage Use For Crop Production In Kentucky Counties In 1996, Gerald R. Haszler, Grant W. Thomas

Soil Science News and Views

Two years ago, we reported the status of notillage adoption in Kentucky counties in the year 1994. Now, CTIC has published the results for 1996. As before, Kentucky leads the nation in percent of crops produced under no tillage, but the percentage has increased significantly. In 1994, 44% of crops were produced under no tillage in Kentucky, whereas in 1996, that figure had reached 51 %. The results for both 1994 and 1996 are shown in Table 1. It is evident that Kentucky has both maintained first place and has also increased its lead over the other states. The percentage …

Filter Strip Length And Fecal Bacteria Trapping From Poultry Waste - An Update, Mark S. Coyne, R. A. Gilfillen, Robert L. Blevins

Soil Science News and Views

Cheap, efficient, and environmentally sound waste disposal will be needed as Kentucky's broiler industry expands. The filter strip length needed to protect water resources from contaminants in surface runoff is a pressing issue in waste management and water quality. In a previous Soil Science News and Views (Vol. 15, No. 8) we reported that grass filter strips as short as 15 feet can trap over 90% of the fecal bacteria eroding from land-applied and incorporated poultry waste during runoff following rainstorms. In this update, we provide some additional information and conclusions from that study on filter strip length, based on …

How Accurate Are Uk's Nitrogen Recommendations For Corn?, Kenneth L. Wells, James E. Dollarhide, David C. Ditsch

Soil Science News and Views

Average corn yields produced on soils with high yield potential have steadily been increasing in Kentucky during the past several years. Yields from such soils in years with adequate amounts of rainfall well distributed over the growing season (May-September) may average 180 to 200 bushels per acre. A bushel of corn with crude protein content of 8 to 9% contains about 1.3 to 1.4% total nitrogen (N) on a dry matter basis. This is about 0.6 to 0.7 lbs total N per bushel of corn (at 15.5% moisture), or 108 to 126 lbs N per acre for a 180 bu/A …

Economics Of Precision Farming: Payoff In The Future, Jess Lowenberg-Beboer

Soil Science News and Views

Precision agriculture is an infant technology. This infant has some of the signs of eventual greatness, but its full capacities will not be evident for some years. Like all infants, it will require an investment of time and resources to help it to maturity. This investment will have some short term payoff, but the main benefits will be in the future.

The purpose of this presentation is to help you manage your adoption of precision farming technology for that future payoff. The specific objectives will be to:review what we have learned about the economics of precision farming, identify future benefits, …

Pelletized Lime - How Quickly Does It React, Lloyd W. Murdock

Soil Science News and Views

Pelletized lime is made by granulating finely ground agricultural (ag) lime. It may be dolomitic or calcitic depending on the nature of the original limestone. The fine lime particles are bonded together with lignosulfonates during the pelletizing process. In general, the pelletized lime contains about 9% lignosulfonates. Pelletized limestone is a product that has been on the market for many years. The price of the material on a per ton basis is considerably higher than bulk ag lime, so its use has mainly been confined to specialty markets, with little use in production agriculture. However, the product is becoming more …

Tillage Slows Fecal Bacteria Infiltration Through Soil, Mark S. Coyne, S. W. Mcmurry, E. Perfect

Soil Science News and Views

Bacterial pathogens can degrade ground water quality by infiltrating and eroding from land treated with poultry wastes. The potential for ground water contamination (as well as associated health risks and cost of water treatment) greatly depends on the depth of soil to the water table or bedrock and soil structure. Pathogens must move through the soil profile to contaminate ground water (although sinkholes can provide a direct channel from the soil surface to the water table in karst areas). Deep soils have less potential for contamination than shallow soils. Structureless soils retain fecal bacteria better than well structured soils. Research …

Soil Management For Intensive Grazing, Kenneth L. Wells, Charles T. Dougherty

Soil Science News and Views

Recycling of plant nutrients is of major concern in managing paddocks in pasturefields for intensive grazing. Redistribution of nutrients present in fecal and urine deposits is an important issue in growing climatically and seasonally-adapted forage species and for efficient conversion of herbage into animal products while adding to the sustainability of the system. Some of the questions that arise in managing soils for intensive grazing are discussed below.

Vegetative Filter Strip Removal Of Metals In Runoff From Poultry Litter-Amended Fescuegrass Plots, Dwayne R. Edwards, P. A. Moore Jr., Tommy C. Daniel, Puneet Srivastava, D. J. Nichols

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Runoff from land areas amended with poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus) manure can contain elevated concentrations of metals such as Cu, Fe, and Zn. Vegetative filter strips (VFS) can reduce runoff concentrations of animal manure components, but reported studies have typically focused on nutrients and solids rather than metals. This experiment assessed the impact of VFS length (0 to 12 m) on concentrations and mass losses of Cu, Fe, K, Na, Ni, and Zn in runoff from fescuegrass (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) plots (1.5 m wide × 6 and 12 m long) treated with poultry litter. The runoff was produced from simulated …

Modeling Transport Of Colloid-Bound Herbicides And Heavy Metals To Groundwater, Anastasios D. Karathanasis, R. E. Phillips, A. K. Seta

KWRRI Research Reports

Recent studies have suggested that contaminant transport to groundwater may be enhanced by association with colloidal particles. This study evaluated the role of water dispersible colloids with diverse mineralogical composition in co-transporting selected herbicides and heavy metals through intact soil columns. Colloid recovery in the eluents ranged from 45-90% for the herbicides and 10-60% for the heavy metals. The presence of colloids enhanced the transport of atrazine by 2-18%, and metolachlor by 8-30%. The corresponding increase for Cu and Zn was 2-150 and 5-30 times, respectively. For Pb, there was essentially no elution in the absence of colloids, suggesting nearly …