Nitrate toxicity in drought-stressed forages
Drought-stressed crops tend to accumulate high nitrate levels in the lower leaves and stalk of the plant, which can be toxic to grazing animals. Crops such as forage and grain sorghum, sudangrass, hybrid sorghum-sudan, and pearl millet are notorious nitrate accumulators. Corn and other cereal grains can also accumulate potentially toxic levels of nitrate.
Pre-emergence herbicides in wheat
Pre-emergence herbicides with residual activity are an important component of high-yielding cropping systems. They are not emphasized as much in wheat production as other cropping systems in Kansas, but residual herbicides applied before wheat emergence can be part of a good weed management system in wheat.
Liming soils for optimum wheat production
Strongly acidic soils may present several problems for wheat production. These include aluminum toxicity and, in some cases, manganese toxicity, as well as deficiencies in phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and molybdenum. Where acid soils are reducing wheat production, liming the soils and raising the pH to an optimum range can significantly improve yield.
Allow time for lime applications when planting alfalfa this fall
Correcting acidic soil conditions by applying lime can significantly impact crop yields, especially for alfalfa. Acidic soils can significantly reduce nodule establishment and activity in alfalfa. Liming is one of the most essential but often overlooked management decisions a producer can make for alfalfa production.
Distinguishing between gray leaf spot and bacterial leaf streak in corn
Bacterial leaf streak was identified as a new corn disease in the U.S. in 2016. For this growing season, it has been confirmed in several locations in Kansas. Bacterial leaf streak can be mistaken for gray leaf spot, resulting in unwarranted fungicide applications. Learn how to distinguish between these two corn diseases.
Dual-purpose wheat variety performance 2024
An updated publication is now available in the Wheat Rx series that examines the performance of several wheat varieties grown for use in a dual-purpose system (grazing and grain). It evaluates fall forage yield, date of first hollow stem, plant height, grain yield, and test weight of current varieties in a dual-purpose system versus a grain-only system.
dual purpose wheat publication variety selection wheat variety
Coleoptile length of winter wheat varieties 2024
An updated publication is now available in the Wheat Rx series that examines the coleoptile lengths of many Kansas wheat varieties. Wheat varieties with long coleoptiles are more likely to emerge when planted deep enough to reach soil moisture from past rainfall.
Summary of Kansas growing season weather in 2024
Now that July has ended, where does Kansas stand with respect to normal temperatures and precipitation for the 2024 growing season? In this report, we examine some summary statistics. The latest Drought Monitor revealed that only 11% of Kansas is considered drought-free, a dramatic change from three weeks ago.