Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Effectiveness Of Tile Drainage On Karnak Silty Clay Soil, Gerald R. Haszler

Soil Science News and Views

Artificial drainage of agricultural lands has been practiced for centuries. Earlier techniques devised were open ditches to drain the excess water. The widescale development of subsurface tile drains began with the production and availability of clay tiles. Today, corrugated plastic pipe is the most popular and efficient way to install subsurface drainage lines. The objective of agricultural soil drainage is the removal and disposal of excess water from the rooting zone in order to improve soil productivity. The 1971 Soil Conservation Service (SCS) handbook estimated that 130 million acres or about one-third of all crop land in the United States …

Control Of Nitrate Leaching With Winter Annual Cover Crops, Daniel Mccracken

Soil Science News and Views

Public attention and Federal legislation have focused recently on the contamination of groundwater by nitrate. Seeking to establish standards for safe drinking water, the Federal Government has set the maximum concentration for nitrate (as nitrogen) at 10 parts per million. In large areas of the Great Plains, this value is now commonly exceeded in well water. The limited data from Kentucky appear to indicate that excessive nitrate concentrations are not as widespread in Kentucky water supplies as they are in the water of states more heavily involved in grain production and more dependent on shallow wells for supply. One of …

Fertilizer Value Of Cattle Dunghills In A Pasture Field, Kenneth L. Wells, Steve D. Davis

Soil Science News and Views

There were nearly 2.5 million cattle and calves in Kentucky in 1988. Most of these were maintained under pastureland conditions. Nutrients taken up by pasture plants, consumed by cattle, and re-cycled back onto fields by fecal and urine excretions can be a major source of nutrients for maintaining pastureland productivity. In order to estimate the value of this under grazing conditions, observations were made on a pasture field in Casey County, Kentucky, following stocking of the field with cattle.

Will Liming Acid Soils Now Be Adequate For Spring Needs?, Kenneth L. Wells, J. L. Sims

Soil Science News and Views

Each spring many farmers are faced with seeding forages, corn, and soybeans, and transplanting tobacco into acid soils. The choices are either to go ahead with planting and do nothing, don't plant, or to try some liming practice and hope that it works. The results from planting without doing anything may be disastrous or result in limited crop performance. While not planting is a viable option for some producers, most cannot afford this choice. The question most often faced is, "Will liming now do any good for this year's crop?"

Foliar Fertilization Of Burley Tobacco At Topping, Kenneth L. Wells, Kim D. Strohmeier

Soil Science News and Views

Many burley growers follow the practice of applying 1-2 gallons/A of liquid fertilizer to their tobacco crop by mixing it with their sucker control chemical and spraying the combined mixture on the crop soon after topping. This practice is thought to improve yields. However, previously reported testing of this practice by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture indicated that it did not improve yields.

Managing Soils For Optimum Crop Production, Kenneth L. Wells

Soil Science News and Views

The major resources which must be manipulated to develop a farm operation are LAND, LABOR, CAPITAL, and MANAGEMENT. Of these four broad categories of resources, LAND is the one which imposes constraints which ultimately determine the productive capacity of the individual farming system developed. This is because land is a fixed resource from the standpoint of the nature and amount of it available for developing a specific farming system. In this regard, the allocation of LABOR, CAPITAL, and MANAGEMENT should be directly linked to LAND productive capability in order to economically optimize the farming system developed. In other words, the …

Index To Oil And Gas Fields Of Kentucky, Brandon C. Nuttall

Information Circular--KGS

These data have been collected by the Kentucky Geological Survey as part of an ongoing project, and this report is subject to updating and revision as additional data become available. Where information is not available for a certain category, the entry is left blank.

Data are listed in order by county and field name. Producing formations generally are listed in approximate stratigraphic sequence from youngest to oldest. The date shown is the year of completion of the discovery well in the field. The Carter coordinate location pertains only to the discovery well of the field and in some cases may …

Guide To Interpretation Of Structural Features Associated With The Kentucky River Fault System Along U.S. Highway 27 Near Camp Nelson, Kentucky, J. A. Gilreath, Paul E. Potter, George Losonsky

Map and Chart--KGS

The spectacular, near- vertical roadcuts in the High Bridge Group (Middle Ordovician) in central Kentucky (Fig. 1) along U.S. Highway 27 just south of the Kentucky River (Fig. 2) afford an excellent opportunity to examine a major fault zone and study its complexity (Figs, 3, 4). These roadcuts are located in Garrard County approximately 12 miles south of Lexington and contain the oldest rocks exposed in Kentucky.

Handling Leftover Spray Mixtures And Rinsates, James Martin, Monroe Rasnake, Doug Johnson

Soil Science News and Views

Pesticide applicators are faced with the issue of what to do with leftover spray mixtures and rinsewater from cleaning sprayers or other equipment involved with the mixing and application of pesticides. There is increasing concern that releasing these diluted pesticides around such places as the workshop and loading or mixing areas could be a potential risk to human health and the environment.

New Opportunities For Science Students In Agronomy, Wilbur Frye

Soil Science News and Views

High school students interested in science and looking for a field of study that will prepare them for a rewarding career will like the proposed new agronomy programs. The Agronomy Department at the University of Kentucky is preparing to offer undergraduate students three future-oriented options--Plant and Soil Management, Plant Science, and Soil Science. In designing these options, we tried to determine what agronomy students need to be prepared to do in a rapidly changing and highly competitive world of the 1990s.

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.

Evaluating Hay Quality, William C. Templeton Jr.

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

One of the frustrations to nutritionists interested in the feeding value of roughage has been that with all their book knowledge and technical aids no dependable scheme they could devise would consistently rank forages in feeding value, while the dumb ruminant animal could unerringly detect differences in their nutritive values.
-E. W. Crampton, 1965

Alfalfa Yield, Quality And Persistence, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa management in complex because it requires the simultaneous consideration of factors that affect the yield of the crop, forage quality for ruminants and the persistence of the stand. Considerable research has demonstrated the importance of agronomic factors such as soil pH, drainage and soil fertility in successful alfalfa production. Beyond soil factors and cultivar selection, selection of harvest date is one the most important management factors that influence yield, quality and stand persistence.

The Alfalfa Plant's Reaction To Grazing, Paul Deaton

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Will the alfalfa plan survive grazing intensively by cattle? This question is asked most frequently these days.

Let's review the parts of an alfalfa plant to begin this discussion. Those parts are: Roots, crown and top growth. Alfalfa has a tap root which is used to store nutrient reserves for survival. It's ability to store these reserves and pull from them during times of stress (drought, cutting, etc.) makes it a very hardy plant.

Grazing Alfalfa — A Reality, John H. Wilson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa offers an excellent opportunity to beef producers for receiving excellent performance. Exciting results have been seen for the past two years on the Thomas Farm (Registered Polled Hereford). A total of 1063 pounds of beef per acre produced this year, with similar results seen in 1986 - a total of 874 pounds of beef produced in 1986.

Weed Control In Alfalfa, Jonathan D. Green

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Since weeds which infest forages are harvested along with the alfalfa crop, total dry matter production does not necessarily increase with good weed control. However, controlling weeds which invade alfalfa improve the forage quality. In addition, maintaining good weed control may also prolong the productive life of the alfalfa stand.

If managed properly, established alfalfa stands can effectively prevent many annual and perennial weeds from becoming a major problem. Maintaining proper soil fertility, soil pH, and good soil drainage are some practices which help keep the alfalfa competitive against invading weeds. Other factors which put alfalfa under stress, such as …

Blister Beetles In Alfalfa, C. M. Christensen, Lee H. Townsend

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Blister beetles are Iong cylindrical beetles that may be black, gray, yellow and brown striped, black with gray margins on the wing covers or black with a red head. These insects are usually found feeding in clusters on alfalfa. They can cause severe sickness and sometimes death when livestock especially horses eat the live or dead beetles. They are usually not found in alfalfa in mid-July and early August which translates to the third or fourth cutting. Blister beetles (black ones, gray margined ones, and yellow striped ones) were collected in very noticeable numbers in several central Kentucky alfalfa fields …

Alfalfa Establishment, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa "Queen of the Forage Crops" is the most important forage legume grown in the United States. It is grown over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Alfalfa has the highest yield potential and the highest feeding value of all adapted perennial forage legumes. It is a versatile crop which can be used for pasture, hay, silage, green-chop, soil improvements and soil conservation. As a result. of this crops many merits; especially yield, quality and versatile use, it can be used successfully in many animal feeding programs.

Soil And Fertility Considerations For Growing Alfalfa, Monroe Rasnake

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is a widely adapted crop which is grown across the United states and in many other counties. However, it is very sensitive to many soil and fertility factors which can limit its productivity. It is important to understand these factors in order to be a successful alfalfa producer.