New round of funding brings total to $1.5+ million

In August, the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association and Promotion Council selected the research projects that will receive Small Grain checkoff funding for the 2009-2010 growing season. The new round of projects brings the total dedicated funding toward research to more than $1.5 million since the checkoff was initiated in 1992.

Below is a summary of the research projects selected. Detailed reports of selected projects can be found throughout this newsletter.

CONTINUING PROJECTS

Primary Investigator: David Van Sanford, University of Kentucky

The goal of the University of Kentucky wheat breeding program is to increase profitability of Kentucky’s wheat production by developing and releasing improved wheat varieties. The breeding program targets economically important traits including yield, test weight, scab resistance and reduced lodging, among others. Significant progress towards these goals requires long term, sustained effort and commitment.

2009 Funding: $45,188

Total Funding to Date: $636,547

Primary Investigator: Chad Lee, University of Kentucky

Many farmers are interested in using soybean planters to plant wheat in 15-inch rows instead of the traditional 7.5 inches. Research from 2008-2009 growing season indicates that wheat yield differences between the two widths may be minor. The objectives of the 2009-2010 study are 1) To further determine wheat yield in 15-inch and 7.5 inch rows, and 2) To determine the effect of wheat row spacing on double-crop soybean yield.

KySGGA has also asked Lee to investigate additional row widths and the use of RTK satellite navigation, as well as, collaborate with Miles Opti-Crop on a similar study they are conducting.

2009 Funding: $9,000

Total Funding to Date: $15,000

Primary Investigator: Bill Bruening, University of Kentucky

Small grain production is an important component of Kentucky’s agricultural economy. New wheat and barley varieties are continually being developed by breeders. In order to maximize the profitability of small grain production, annual evaluation of varieties is needed to help farmers select varieties with superior agronomic performance.

Grain yield and test weight, as well as straw and forage yield are directly related to crop income, but varietal traits, such as plant height, lodging potential, maturity, and disease resistance are also important management-related components of profitability. The UK Small Grain Variety Testing Program annually evaluates the agronomic performance, general adaptability and pest resistance of small grain varieties grown in Kentucky.

2009 Funding: $6,000

Total Funding to Date: $66,000

Primary Investigator: Lloyd Murdock, University of Kentucky

The objective of this study is to: 1) Adapt variable rate nitrogen (VRN) technology (Greenseeker) to Kentucky conditions and 2) Fine tune nitrogen recommendations under today’s production practices and varieties for the most economical nitrogen rate on well drained and marginally drained soils.

Variable Rate Nitrogen Technology - The Greenseeker is a real-time, on-the-go sensor/applicator that senses the health of the wheat crop at the time nitrogen is applied and then simultaneously adds the precise amount of nitrogen that is determined to be needed by the machine. The sensing and application technology part of the machine has been very accurate and reliable. The weak part of the process has been the algorithm (formula) that is placed in the software of the machine to tell it how much nitrogen to add based on the plant health. Plant health is measured as Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) which is a combination of canopy greenness and total vegetation.

A previously completed project used algorithms from Oklahoma State University (OSU), where the technology was invented, and also from Virginia Technological Institute (VT). The early field trials from OSU showed a 5 bu/A yield increase while using 10 lb/A less N. The trials from VT showed an 8 bu/A yield increase while using 20 lb/A less N. Both places had different algorithms. Using these two algorithms and adding another that was quite dissimilar, the results in Kentucky were not as favorable as those found in Oklahoma and Virginia. No single algorithm was consistently superior over the three years of study. The use of variable rate nitrogen (VRN almost always reduced the overall nitrogen rate but did not result in superior yields to the current farmer practice and many times did not result in equal yields. Thus, it was concluded that an algorithm must be developed specifically for Kentucky high yield and intensive management growing conditions. Work began in 2006, but additional data is required.

With the price of N fertilizer doubling or tripling over the past three years, Murdock says it is more important than ever to use the nitrogen rate that returns the most profit to wheat production. In the past, N rates that resulted in maximum yields were the most profitable. This may no longer be true. This trial allows yields and returns to be closely examined on different soil types to determine the most economical rate of nitrogen needed for well drained soil well adapted to wheat production and somewhat poorly drained soils marginally adapted for wheat production.

2009 Funding: $5,000

Total Funding to Date: $20,000

Primary Investigator: Ole Wendroth, University of Kentucky

2009 Funding: $6,000

This project is a continuation of other projects headed by Wendroth which began in 2005. The objectives of this study are:

1) To investigate the nitrogen fertilizer response across a field and find out whether it is uniform or differs, 2) To find out to what extent soil information (textural variability and mineral nitrogen) is related to crop growth and yield, and 3) To study how various crop indices measured with the Greenseeker, HydroN Sensor, and the Yara ALS sensor reflect different crop growth and to what extent they reflect crop differences being related to nitrogen application rate.

Why is this research necessary? - When a farmer applies nitrogen and other fertilizers over an entire wheat field, he uses the same rate all over the field. This rate is based on the farmer’s experience and on recommendations from extension personnel or consultants. Usually, recommendations are derived from a response function that shows how much yield we can expect if we apply a certain level of fertilizer. When the wheat is harvested, and if a yield monitor is used with the combine that is hooked up to a global positioning system (GPS) the farmer finds that the yield is not the same everywhere. This result is expected by the farmer because he knows the variation in his field and its history. The farmer may also notice some spatial variation in seedling emergence and growth during the growing season.

The farmer may have access to a soil map and knows about the two or more soil types found in his field based on soil texture and other properties. Upon a closer look and a comparison between the soil map and yield map, he finds that even within the same mapping unit or for the same soil type, the yield is not the same throughout each subarea that is supposed to have similar properties. One may even find the same variability within the same mapping unit as over the whole field that consists of different soil mapping units.

Therefore, this research is based on the following questions:

1) What are the factors that make yield vary over the field?

2) How can we get our hands on using crop status variability that the farmer sees with the naked eye and using soil information in order to improve the nitrogen application system?

3) Because there are so many factors that cannot be isolated from each other, is a computer simulation model helpful in better understanding differences in soil and crop response to fertilizer?

2009 Funding: $6,000

Total Funding to Date: $22,500

Primary Investigator: Chad Lee, University of Kentucky

The benefits of no-till wheat are evident to any producer who has tried the method. There is some evidence that previous corn residue affects growth and development of wheat, and possibly the yield of wheat. As corn yields increase and the resulting residue increases, the relationship between corn residue and no-till wheat yields needs more understanding. We need to understand the biological and physical relationships between corn residue and wheat yield before we can make sound management recommendations. The aim of this study is to better understand the relationship between corn residue and wheat yield from a field-scale perspective.

The objectives of this year’s study are 1) To determine if planting wheat parallel to corn rows will result in higher wheat grain yield than wheat planted at a diagonal to corn rows, and 2) To understand the impact of old corn rows and corn residue on wheat yields at a field scale.

2009 Funding: $14,000

Total Funding to Date: $24,000

Primary Investigators: Carl Griffey & Wynse Brooks, Virginia Tech

Barley is a short-season, early maturing crop with high yield potential and wide range of adaptation. While winter barley is an integral component of the Eastern U.S. cropping system, production has declined dramatically in recent years due to low prices. Production of two winter annual crops allows producers to extend the time available for both harvesting barley and wheat and planting of soybeans, and also provides an alternate crop to reduce the buildup of crop-specific pathogens.

Several years ago the Virginia Tech breeding program began breeding barley and the major objective was developing hulless types for the following end uses: 1) Low beta-glucan feed types for mono gastric animals, 2) Waxy and high amylase types for the food industry, and 3) High starch and protein types for the fuel industry. The major sources of initial winter hulless barley germ plasm used as parents were from breeding programs in South Carolina and Texas. A large number of these parents were not adapted, very low yielding, susceptible to diseases, too tall, had poor straw strength, poor head types, and small kernel size. Therefore, our biggest challenge has been to develop hulless lines that are more comparable in yield to traditional hulled barley cultivars. In this regard, Virginia Tech has focused their interest primarily on high yield potential along with other desirable and critical agronomic characteristics. Yield potential and other value-added traits will continue to be incorporated, evaluated, and selected for in the breeding program.

The primary objective of this project is to develop hulless barley varieties that are more comparative in yield to conventional barley varieties and, thereby, making hulless barley a more cost comparative crop.

2009 Funding: $10,000

Total Funding to Date: $74,000

NEW PROJECTS

Primary Investigator: James Martin, University of Kentucky

Giant ragweed and marestail are examples of weeds that emerge in wheat. While they may sometimes interfere with wheat harvest, the greatest concern is their impact on double-crop soybeans following wheat harvest. Marestail is especially difficult to control since most populations are tolerant of glyphosphate.

Limited observations indicate that certain management practices may aid in the control of certain warm-season weeds in wheat. For example, a competitive wheat stand limits the development of warm-season weeds in wheat. Also, preharvest applications of glyphosphate are sometimes used to help manage weeds that emerge in wheat and can facilitate wheat harvest.

The objective of this research project is to evaluate the effect of seeding rate of wheat and preharvest applications on managing giant ragweed and marestail in wheat.

2009 Funding: $6,000

Primary Investigator: David Hildebrand, University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky is evaluating chia as a new crop for Kentucky farmers due to its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber. After three years of initial studies, Hildebrand said chia has shown considerable yield potential showing very vigorous growth with minimum inputs, but seeds do not set and mature in Kentucky growing conditions. In this study, Hildebrand and co-investigators will work to produce early flowering chia lines and evaluate their field performance.

2009 Funding: $5,000

Primary Investigator: Philip Logsdon, Miles Opti-Crop

This research is designed to examine a normal cultural practice of 7.5 inch row wheat to wider 15 inch row spacing wheat. Research on seeding and nitrogen rates will also be examined relative to each row width.

Some farmers in the state are starting to plant wheat in 15-inch rows. This is happening for a couple of reasons. One is producers are looking to maximize their current investment in machinery by only owning one planter/drill. The other is due to the amount of no-till wheat in the state. Row unit planters usually contain the planter attachments to handle heavy residue. Planters also have better down pressure and better control of seeding depth.

Miles is studying the effects of population and nitrogen rates based on past experiences with the amount of seed a farmer can put in 15 inch rows. Most 15 inch row planters will not deliver the typical amount of seed that is put in 7.5 inch rows. Past research shows that lower seeding rates can be successful when managed accordingly with planting dates and nitrogen applications.

KySGGA has asked Miles Opti-Crop to collaborate with Chad Lee at the University of Kentucky on his row-width research.

2009 Funding: $5,000

Primary Investigator: Philip Logsdon, Miles Opti-Crop

The objective of this research is to investigate the potential for Kentucky farmers to successfully and economically raise winter oats. This research will investigate winter oat varieties available to Kentucky farmers and their agronomic fit in the state. Miles’ work will explore timings relative to planting dates and various input applications. They will also examine the implications of how oats could fit into Kentucky crop rotations and other effects that oats may have within production practices.

2009 Funding: $5,000