Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Nitrogen Value From Plowing A Sod, M. Scott Smith

Soil Science News and Views

With economic conditions as they are, crop producers need to effectively use all the resources available to them. To help offset high N fertilizer prices, one resource that may be used to significantly reduce production costs is the organic N accumulated in and on soils. When crops are planted into a tilled sod the requirement for added N fertilizer will usually be less than on land previously in row crops. The following discussion considers the processes and factors determining the quantity and availability of N in a sod, and offers some guidelines for estimating the N value of a sod.

Band Vs. Broadcast Application Of Fertilizer, Kenneth L. Wells

Soil Science News and Views

Current fertilizer prices coupled with other increased production costs have renewed interest in band applications of fertilizer as a means of lowering fertilizer costs while maintaining crop yields. Fortunately, much basic soil fertilizer research has been conducted over the years which provides an understanding of the relative merits of band and broadcast placement. The following discussion outlines the basic considerations involved in deciding which of these two placement methods may be more economically useful for specific crop production systems. To better understand these considerations, certain principles related to adding fertilizer to the soil should be kept in mind. These are …

Classification And Management Of Wetlands In The Western Kentucky Coal Field, William J. Mitsch, Robert W. Bosserman, Paul L. Hill Jr., Jan R. Taylor

KWRRI Research Reports

This is the first research report of a three-year project on wetland identification and management criteria in the western Kentucky coal field. The region is approximately 12,000 square kilometers and, due to its slight relief, contains many wetlands, some contiguous with surface coal mining operations. The overall objectives of the research project are 1) to identify, classify, and map wetlands in the western Kentucky coal field; 2) to evaluate the major biotic and abiotic factors that affect those wetlands; and 3) to develop strategies for the proper management of those wetlands.

The first report of this three-year project has involved …

The Aquatic Toxicity Of Organic Compounds To Embryo-Larval Stages Of Fish And Amphibians, Jeffrey A. Black, Wesley J. Birge, Willaim E. Mcdonnell, Albert G. Westerman, Barbara A. Ramey, Donald M. Bruser

KWRRI Research Reports

Aquatic toxicity tests were conducted on 11 organic compounds considered hazardous to water resources. The toxicity of each compound was evaluated using embryo-larval stages of two to eight fish and amphibian species. Exposure was initiated at fertilization and maintained through 4 days posthatching. The animal test species exhibited varying degrees of sensitivity to the selected toxicants. Combined frequencies for mortality and teratogenesis at 4 days posthatching gave LC₅₀ ranges of 3.66 to 8.25 mg/L for benzene, 1.16 to 22.42 mg/L for carbon tetrachloride, 0.11 to 1.20 mg/L for chlorobenzene, 2.03 to > 68 mg/L for chloroform, 3.01 to 5.56 mg/L …

Sunlight Induced Movement Of Planktonic Organisms And Their Relationships To Water Movements, John Calkins, Ed Colley, Jay Wallingford, Carol Hulsey, Kathy Lohr, Marc Bolling

KWRRI Research Reports

Previous studies have shown the planktonic organisms of various natural water bodies to be quite sensitive to the levels of solar ultraviolet radiation incident at the water surface in summer. It has been assumed that the majority of the phytoplankton are simply carried about in the mass of the water which they inhabit with little control of their position or sunlight exposure. Photosynthetic microorganisms must strike a delicate balance with regard to solar radiation; they must obtain enough visible light for adequate photosynthesis while avoiding an excessive exposure to the injurious solar UV-B radiation.

It is proposed that the circulation …

Liming Needs Of Kentucky Soils, William O. Thom

Soil Science News and Views

A sound liming program is the first step in building and maintaining soil fertility. Lime lowers the acidity (raises pH) of soil and prevents the adverse effects of high concentrations of soluble aluminum, iron, and manganese on crop growth--effects often associated with acid soils. Maintaining a suitable pH assures adequate levels of calcium and magnesium. Liming an acid soil increases the availability of most essential plant nutrients, increases the efficiency of fertilizers, improves the effectiveness of some herbicides, and makes beneficial soil organisms more active.

Investigation Of Subsurface Tar-Sand Deposits In Western Kentucky, David A. Williams, Martin C. Noger, Patrick J. Gooding

Information Circular--KGS

Tar sands (also referred to as asphaltic sandstones, heavy-oil deposits, or bitumen-impregnated sandstones) in western Kentucky have been recognized as a potential mineral resource for over l 00 years. Past commercial development has been restricted largely to use as paving material. However, because of the ever-expanding demands for energy, these deposits have become the subject of increasing interest as a potential petroleum resource.

Previous studies have provided estimates of the potential resources of shallow mineable tar-sand deposits; these investigations have concentrated on the outcrop areas where tar sands are present at or near the surface. Data on subsurface deposits have …

Effect Of Herbicides On Performance Of Aerobic Dairy Lagoons, John D. Bottom, Joseph L. Taraba

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The herbicides glyphosate, bromacil, and dalapon were assessed for their affect on the oxygen uptake of microorganisms from an aerated dairy lagoon at 20 °C. The maximum recommended addition of herbicide active ingerdient to a lagoon is: glyphosate (isopropyl amino salt)—0.42 mg/L; bromacil—3.70 mg/L; and dalapon (85.8 percent Na salt and 14.2 percent Mg salt)—1.95 mg/L. In addition, microorganism isolates from the aerobic dairy lagoon were incubated under aerobic and anerobic conditions at room temperature to assess the effects of the herbicides. Under aerobic incubation, it was found that neither herbicide type nor herbicide concentration affected isolate growth. Under anaerobic …

Simulation Of Burley Tobacco Harvesting-Housing Systems, Ronald L. Bingner, Larry G. Wells, Thomas C. Bridges, George A. Duncan

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A computer model has been developed using systems analysis techniques to simulate the labor and equipment aspects of harvesting burley tobacco. By varying the parameters of the model the user can determine a harvesting and housing strategy based on labor and equipment availability.

Overview Of Sand And Gravel Resources Of Kentucky, Preston Mcgrain

Report of Investigations--KGS

Sand and gravel represent Kentucky's second-most important source of mineral construction material, being exceeded only by limestone. However, deposits which meet most requirements and specifications for aggregates are not evenly distributed. This report is an overview of the sand and gravel resources of Kentucky, summarizing data gathered from literature search and personal observations.

Principal production of sand and gravel in Kentucky is concentrated in the channels and valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Approximately two-thirds of Kentucky's current production is derived from floating dredge operations in the Ohio River itself and glacial outwash deposits of Wisconsin age along its …

Barite Deposits Of Kentucky, Warren H. Anderson, Robert D. Trace, Preston Mcgrain

Bulletin--KGS

Barite deposits are known to be present in 23 counties in Kentucky, principally in the Central Kentucky Mineral District and the Western Kentucky Fluorspar District. Field investigations and a literature search indicate the presence of barite at more than 170 outcrops, prospects, and abandoned mines.

Geologically, most of the Kentucky barite deposits are classified as vein or residual deposits. The vein deposits are cavity and breccia fills along faults and joints, commonly in limestone. Residual deposits occur in an unconsolidated clayey residuum formed by weathering of preexisting vein or breccia deposits. Most deposits are mixed ores commonly containing calcite, fluorite, …

A Multiobjective Branch-And-Bound Method For Planning Wastewater And Residual Management Systems, Masahisa Nakamura, Suraj M. Alexander, James M. Riley, Robert Simon, Susan Meyer, Kenneth F. Bloemer

KWRRI Research Reports

A multiobjective branch-and-bound algorithm is proposed for use in analysing multiobjective fixed-charge network-flow problems which are found commonly in water resources planning situations. Also proposed is a multiobjective imputed value analysis which makes use of the branch-and-bound tree structure and allows the comparison of the importance of facilities in the network as represented by individual arcs or sets of arcs. The mathematical formulation and the analysis procedure of the method are described, and the potential usefulness of the method is demonstrated using two hypothetical example problems dealing with regional wastewater treatment and residual management systems. A FORTRAN program for implementing …

Molybdenum Nutrition Of Crops In Kentucky, J. L. Sims

Soil Science News and Views

Molybdenum (Mo) is one of eight micronutrient elements required for the growth of plants. Research conducted in California nearly 40 years ago established its need for plant growth. Mo deficiencies have been reported throughout the world, especially on acid soils in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Generally, the Mo requirement of leguminous crops is greater than for non~legumes, but many non-leguminous field and vegetable crops have responded to additions of fertilizer Mo under severe deficiency conditions. Of all the nutrient elements required by plants for growth, Mo is needed in smallest amounts.

Use Of Magnesium (Mg) For Crop Production In Kentucky, John H. Grove

Soil Science News and Views

Magnesium (Mg) is an important element in the nutrition of plants and animals, although it has long been considered a "secondary" nutrient for plants. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are "primary'' nutrients and are usually given the greatest consideration in crop fertility programs. However, as yield levels have risen, more attention has been directed towards Mg and other nutrient elements. Concern about hypomagnesemia (grass tetany) in ruminants (cattle, sheep) has led to particular concern about soil and plant Mg levels.

Nitrification Inhibitors, Wilbur Frye

Soil Science News and Views

Nitrogen often limits the production of nonlegume crops because of inefficiency of N fertilizers. In some cases, more than half the fertilizer N may be lost from the soil. Therefore, it is important to use it as efficiently as possible. One way in which N fertilizer efficiency may be improved is by slowing the nitrification process in the soil.

Cover Crops And Crop Residues, Robert L. Blevins

Soil Science News and Views

In Kentucky, erosion hazard is by far the major limitation for use of cropland. It has been estimated that about 11.4 million acres are subject to erosion hazards. This means that approximately 75% of the soils potentially suited for cropland is sloping enough that risk of erosion is the greatest limitation in its use for crop production. Probably the greatest risk of erosion results from leaving row-cropped fields unprotected over winter. The use of cover crops and proper management of crop residues to stablize these soils during the winter months are relatively inexpensive agronomic practices that are very effective in …

Low Pressure Membrane Separation Process To Remove Heavy Metal Complexes, Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Chin-Shun Cheng

KWRRI Research Reports

The overall objective of this investigation is to establish the rejection behavior of heavy metals in the presence of complexing agents, utilizing negatively charged ultrafiltration membranes. An extensive experimental investigation is conducted with Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cu¹⁺ in the presence of cyanide, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, and oxalates, under insignificant concentration polarization condition. The rejection dependence of the heavy metals is found to be a function of feed metal concentration, metal types, complexing agent to metal feed molar ratio, pH and ionic strength. The dependence of rejection behavior of heavy metals and complexing …

Soil Surveys In Kentucky, Harry Hudson Bailey

Soil Science News and Views

Fifty-four Kentucky counties have modern soil surveys (published 1959, or later) using the mapping and soil classification procedures of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. The cooperators in the program include the USDA-SCS, USDA-FS, Kentucky Department for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.

The Status Of Sulfur Fertilization Of Crops In Kentucky, Lloyd W. Murdock

Soil Science News and Views

Sulfur has long been recognized as being essential for the growth of plants and animals due to it being necessary for production of several amino acids. Although regarded as a "secondary" element, it is required by plants in fairly high amounts, very similar to that of phosphorus. Sulfur deficiency symptoms in plants are somewhat similar to those of nitrogen since an overall uniform pale-green leaf color develops. Sulfur deficiencies are often found in crops growing on sandy soils with low organic matter content.

Use Of Plant Analysis, William O. Thom

Soil Science News and Views

Plant analysis is the laboratory determination of several nutrient elements on a single sample of plant material. In recent years this technique has been more frequently used to diagnose soil fertility problems 0r to monitor soil fertility recommendations on growing crops. Current instrumentation makes it possible to rapidly determine several elements on an extract from a plant sample.

Influence Of Soil Type On Nitrogen Fertilization Of Corn, Grant W. Thomas

Soil Science News and Views

In Kentucky, response of corn to nitrogen fertilizer is influenced strongly by soil characteristics. These soil properties are of both a permanent and temporary nature.

Fertilizing Soybeans, Monroe Rasnake

Soil Science News and Views

Soybeans need a fertile soil with a pH of about 6.4 for maximum production. This condition is best attained through a regular soil testing and fertilization program. A fertility program based on fertilizer and lime. use as determined by soil testing is more economical and more effective than applying large amounts of fertilizer at planting. Soil testing is the key.

Modeling Soil Water Contents And Their Effects On Stream Flow In Kentucky, Grant W. Thomas, Ronald E. Phillips, David E. Radcliffe, Scott Shepard

KWRRI Research Reports

Soil water contents of eight important soil series in Kentucky were measured periodically during the summer growing season for four years, 1977 through 1980. The soils divided into three groups according to their behavior. The first group (Maury and Crider) is well-drained and never showed excess water above field capacity at any time during the four seasons. The second group (Zanesville, Lowell, Calloway, Grenada and Shelbyville) showed perched water tables at times, especially during the early part of the growing season. The third group was represented by the Huntington soil which has a permanent water table.

The in-situ field capacity …

Fluid Fertilizers, Kenneth L. Wells

Soil Science News and Views

Fluid fertilizers are available in a wide range of products to Kentucky farmers. Although the term "liquid fertilizer" is commonly used to describe all fluid fertilizers, in reality the two terms do not imply the exact same meaning. Technically, all fertilizers of fluid consistency which can be transferred by pump are called "fluid f ertilizers11. This is the proper term to use in the broadest sense to describe such materials. There are two general types of fluid fertilizers. One group is called "suspensions" or "slurries", and the other group is referred to as "clear liquids".

Algorithms For Pipe Network Analysis And Their Reliability, Don J. Wood

KWRRI Research Reports

Algorithms for analyzing steady state flow conditions in pipe networks are developed for general applications. The algorithms are based on both loop equations expressed in terms of unknown flowrates and node equations expressed in terms of unknown grades. Five methods, which represent those in significant use today, are presented. An example pipe network is analyzed to illustrate the application of the various algorithms. The various assumptions required for the different methods are presented and the methods are compared within a common framework.

The reliabilities of these commonly employed algorithms for pipe network analysis are investigated by analyzing a large number …

Mathematical Model For Water Quality In Streams Impacted By Point And Nonpoint Source Pollution, Michael E. Meadows

KWRRI Research Reports

Modeling the impacts of stormwater runoff on small streams, requires that the prediction model has the capability of simulating the behavior of the hydrologic and water quality components of the stream system. Development of such a model involves coupling the equations for pollutant transport during unsteady flow with the appropriate flood routing equations. The decision on which equations to choose requires a full understanding of the pollutant transport and hydrograph dispersion processes.

This research was undertaken to develop a rigorous theoretical evaluation of the pollutant transport and hydrograph dispersion processes during unsteady flow, and to recommend a suitable model for …

Water Relationships Of Kentucky Soils, Ronald E. Phillips, Grant W. Thomas

Soil Science News and Views

Plant water stress is the most limiting single factor in crop production in Kentucky. It almost always occurs sometime during July and/or August even though it's variability makes it hard to predict. Even though the 1979 growing season was an exception to this generalization the 1980 growing season was a vivid reminder of this fact especially in Western Kentucky.

Field Preparation For Pasture Renovation, Harold B. Rice

Soil Science News and Views

Grassland renovation is the improvement of pasture and hay fields by partial destruction of the sod, plus liming, fertilizing, and seeding as may be required to establish or re-establish desirable forage plants without an intervening crop. In Kentucky, this improvement has been primarily through the seeding of legumes such as clovers and alfalfa into grass sods.

Since liming and fertilizing are essential steps in pasture renovation the FIRST step is to have your soil tested to determine how much lime and plant nutrients to apply. Seedbed preparation will range from none to complete disturbance of the existing sod depending on …

Quality Of Surface Water In Bell County, Kentucky, Robert B. Cook Jr., Reese E. Mallette

Information Circular--KGS

Reconnaissance data for surface waters in Bell County, Kentucky, have been gathered in response to the anticipated need for baseline information related to Federal and State surface-mining regulations. Bell County is particularly well suited for such a study due to past and current coal mining, the widespread distribution of mining and diversity of stratigraphic units affected, the diverse array of both disturbed and undisturbed drainage basins, and the relative ease of access within the county.

Estimated flow rate, temperature, pH, conductivity, and concentration of iron, manganese, and suspended solids were determined for flowing waters collected at 71 scattered sites. Sample …

A Simulation Model For Assessing Alternate Strategies For Beef Production With Land, Energy And Economic Constraints, Otto J. Loewer, E. M. Smith, G. Benock, Thomas C. Bridges, Larry G. Wells, Nelson Gay, S. Burgess, L. Springate, David L. Debertin

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A computer model has been developed to analyze alternate management strategies and energy and economic constraints. Daily production of beef animals and growing crops is simulated in response to prevailing conditions and system interactions using the GASP IV simulation language. Complete inventories of plant dry matter, animal status, production resources and economic net worth are maintained over the simulation period.