Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports Kansas Agricultural

Southeast Kansas Experiment Station is in its 30th year of operation. The emphasis has changed over this period to reflect changes in agricultural emphases of the area. The professional research staff consists of four scientists, each with a broad area of research responsibility. Together they emphasize improvement in crop production, forage production, beef cattle production and soil and water management.


INTRODUCTION
Southeast Kansas Experiment Station is in its 30th year of operation.The emphasis has changed over this period to reflect changes in agricultural emphases of the area.The professional research staff consists of four scientists, each with a broad area of research responsibility.Together they emphasize improvement in crop production, forage production, beef cattle production and soil and water management.The small-grain-variety test is to help southeastern Kansas growers select winter wheat, barley, and spring oat varieties best suited for the area.
Procedure: In 1979, 22 wheat varieties, six barley varieties, and eight spring oat varieties were compared.
Results: Wheat yields in 1979 were a record after unusually cool spring delayed heading and was followed by ideal cool weather and adequate rainfall during flowering and grain filling.Hart, a soft wheat, was the top yielder at 80 bushels per acre.The average for all varieties was 71 bushels per acre, with a range from 55 to 80. Complete wheat variety results are compiled in Kansas Agric.Experiment Station Report of Progress 370, available at county extension offices.
Barley varieties averaged 65 bushels per acre, with Paoli the high yielder at 82 bushels.
Spring oat varieties also set record yields, ranging from 131 to 152 bushels per acre.Barley and spring oat variety results appear in Tables 1 and 2.  Wheat seeding rates in southeastern Kansas have gradually increased the past several years, as more semi-dwarf and soft wheat varieties are grown.But the effect of seeding rates on semi-dwarf and soft wheat varieties has not been evaluated in southeastern Kansas.
Procedure: Beginning in 1978 four varieties (Trison, Newton, Centurk, and Abe) were seeded at 60, 90, and 120 pounds per acre.In 1979 Hart, a more popular soft wheat variety, was substituted for Abe.
Results: Wheat yields were outstanding in 1979 with the semi-dwarf (Newton) and the soft variety (Hart) yielding 68 bushels per acre.The 90and 120pound seeding rates were significantly better than the 50pound (1 bu.) rate.In 1978, when wheat was seeded in late November, the 120-pound rate was best for all varieties.

Effect of Fungicide Seed Treatments on Wheat Yields
Many fanners no longer treat seed wheat with a fungicide at planting time; however, where smutty wheat has been a problem, treating seed wheat with the proper fungicide is good managemen t.
Procedure: Since 1976 wheat has been grown continuous ly on the same soil site to evaluate fungicide seed treatments applied as planter-bo x formulatio ns.In 1979, Vitavax-25 08, Granox N-M and a control (no treatment) were compared.
Results: There was no yield advantage from fungicide seed treatments in 1979, although a year earlier fungicide treatments gave a slight yield benefit when wheat was planted in late November.Neither bunt nor loose smut has been a problem during the 4-year evaluation .Where either disease is present, fungicides generally increase yields.
EJfect of Ice Cover on Soil Surface Where Nitrogen is Applied to Winter viheat It is recommended that nitrogen be applied to winter wheat in late winter when there is no frozen ice cover on the soil surface.But the amount of nitrogen loss under these conditions has not been fully determined.
Procedure: In 1979 nitrogen, as urea, was applied (l) in February when there was a 2 to 3-inch ice layer and (2) when the ice cover was melted.
Results: Yields were about 5 bushels per acre less when N was applied on the frozen ice cover than when applied after the ice cover had melted.However, nitrogen applied on the frozen ice increased yields 5 bu/acre over the control (no nitrogen).

Fall and Spring Nitrogen Applications Compared for Wheat
When winter precipitation is above normal, farmers in southeastern Kansas wonder if much nitrogen is lost after being applied to wheat in the fall.They also wonder if semi-dwarf wheat varieties tolerate higher N rates without lodging.
Procedure: In 1979 we compared fall and spring N applications at 30, 60, and 90 N pounds per acre on Trison, a standard height variety, and Newton, a semi-dwarf.
Results: Fall and spring N applications showed no significant differences in yield or grain protein.Lodging from high N rates was not a problem with either variety.Optimum yields were obtained with 60 pounds of N per acre, although grain protein increases paralled applied nitrogen increases.
There was no significant yield difference between Trison and Newton in 1979 (Table 4), nor was there any interaction between variety and N rate.Results: Grain yields averaged 126 bushels per acre for all hybrids, with a range of 86 to 159 bushels per acre.Good growing conditons early in the season and adequate moisture during the critical grain-filling period led to high yields.Complete grain sorghum yield results are compiled in Agric.Expt.Station Report of Progress 375, available at county extension offices.

Grain Sorghum Hybrids and Planting Dates Compared
Grain sorghum hybrids with different plant maturities are planted from late April through early June in southeastern Kansas.Hybrid maturity and planting date are chosen to avoid flowering during the normal hot, dry period of late July and early August.More information is needed, however, to determine optimum planting dates with respect to hybrid maturities.
Res.ults:In 1979 the highest yields came from the mid-June planting, regardless of hybrid maturity.The early July planting was too late for the medium and 1onger season hybrids, as they did not reach physiological maturity befQre the first killing frost.Yield LSD .05Compa ring planti ng dates within the same hybrid = 14.4.
Compa ring hybrid s within a planti ng date = 9.6.
Fall and Spring Nitrog en Applic ation Compa red on Grain Sorghu ms Nitrog en norma lly is applie d to grain sorghum in the spring in southe astern Kansas .Depend ing on labor and weath er, late fall might be advant ageous some years, so resear ch is needed to determ ine if fall applic ations result in signif icant N losses in clay-p an soils.
Proced ure: For the past three years, fall and spring N applic ations on grain sorghum were compa red at four rates (40,80 , 120 and 160 pounds per acre).The N source s, urea and anhydr ous ammon ia, were also compar ed in this study.
Result s: Small , but signif icant, yield benef its favor spring N applic a- tions.Yield differ ences betwee n urea and anhydr ous ammon ia were not signif icant.Nitrog en rates exceed ing 120 pounds per acre have not increa sed yields under drylan d condi tions.Lower N rates, 80 to 100 lbs/A, result ed in greate r fertil izer effici ency (Table 6).Though more sensitive to herbicide injury than corn, grain sorghum is an important cash and feed crop in southeastern Kansas.The main concern with grain sorghum herbicides is to select a combination that control weeds without excessively injuring the crop.
Procedure: In 1979 we compared grain sorghum herbicides in conventional tillage and no-till systems.
Results: Where velvetleaf was a major problem, AAtrex and/or Bladex in several combinations with Sexton, and Ramrod/atrazine gave good control (Table 7).Incorporating Igran + AAtrex shallow reduced crop injury but also reduced velvetleaf control somewhat.AAtrex, applied after sorghum emerged, gave good control of small velvetleaf (less than 2 inches tall).
Modown, a newer broadleaf herbicide, gave fair control of velvetleaf.
Bicep at 2.7 lbs active ingredient per acre -incorporated lightly before planting or applied shortly after planting -did not control velvetleaf adequately.Even though the seed (Funk's 623GBR) had been treated with Concept, Bicep caused some early stunting injury and delayed maturity somewhat.
In the no-till study (Table 8 ), grain sorghum was planted no-till with a Buffalo slot-shoe planter into the previous years' grain sorghum residue that had been mowed.Most herbicides except Bicep, gave poor crabgrass control.Bicep controlled crabgrass longer than did tank mixtures containing Bexton or Igran.
• Paraquat effectively controlled winter annual species and small annual weeds present in late April.All Paraquat treatments, along with some of the residual tank mixes, were applied in late April when weeds were less than 4 inches tall.The remaining residual herbicide treatments were applied after planting and before sorghum emerged, or 10 days after the initial Paraquat application.3/ Applied after sorghum emerged and when velvetleaf was less than 2 inches tall.Soil type: Cherokee silt loam; 1.4% O.M. Major weed competition was a heavy velvetleaf population.Note: Used Funk's 623GBR that had been treated with Concept.
Bicep treatments caused some plant stunting, with somewhat later maturity.

Corn Herbicide Performance
Although corn acreage is limited in southeastern Kansas, it is an important cash and feed crop for many farmers.Keeping the crop clean of troublesome weeds is highly important in achieving optimum yields.
Procedure: In 1979 we evaluated several different herbicide combinations on three different soil sites harboring various weed species.
Results: Preplant incorporated herbicides (Eradicane and Sutan+) in combination with AAtrex and/or Bladex effectively controlled crabgrass, giant foxtail, velvetleaf and smooth pigweed.
At another site AAtrex and/or Bladex in a tank-mix with an anr1~al n,rass herbicide (Lasso, Dual, or Prowl) applied before corn emerged effectively controlled smooth pigweed and crabgrass.AAtrex controlled pigweed better than Bladex did, and Bicep controlled pigweed and crabgrass.
At one location where yellow nutsedge was a problem, Dual seemed to be more effective than Lasso.
None of the herbicides tested suppressed perennial problem weeds like climbing milkweed.

Soybean Variety Performance Test
Southeastern Kansas is the leading soybean producing area in the state, so extensive research is devoted to variety testing.
Procedure: In 1979, 42 soybean varieties, of private and university origin, were compared at the Columbus field in Cherokee county.
Results: Extremely dry weather during September and early October severely depressed soybean yields of later-maturing varieties.Varieties of Group III and early Group IV maturity yielded 30 to 35 bushels per acre, while later-maturing (Group IV and Group V) varieties yielded 20 to 30 bushels per acre.Complete soybean variety results are compiled in Agric.Expt.Station Report of Progress 376, available at county extension offices.

Soybean Varieties and Planting Dates Compared
The growing season in southeastern Kansas permits farmers to plant soybean varieties of various maturities over a wide range of dates.In general, full season varieties planted in June have yielded best, however, some of the newer varieties have not been evaluated over a wide range of planting dates.
Procedure: Since 1976 soybean varieties representing a wide maturity range have been planted from May through July.In 1976 varieties planted included Williams, Cutler 71, Crawford, Essex, and Forrest.In previous years, later maturing varieties (Tracy and Bragg) had been planted.
Results: Soybeans yields in 1979 were not normal for southeastern Kansas •because September and early October were unusually dry.As a result, later-m~turing varieties, caught in the pod-filling stage during the dry period, yielded below normal.
Four years of testing indicate that varieties of Essex maturity and earlier can be planted as late as July 10 in extreme southeastern Kansas, while Forrest normally should not be planted later than June 25.Varieties later in maturity than Forrest, like Tracy and Bragg, do not mature soon enough for southeastern Kansas.
Effects of Row Spacing on Soybean Yields with Full Season Varieties.
Narrower rows have been advocated as a way to boost soybean yields.How narrow rows affect longer season varieties grown in southeastern Kansas has not been studied.
Procedure: For the past three years, we planted Essex and Forrest at 7-, 14-, 21and 30-inch row spacings, with seeding rates adjusted for the different row spacings, with the per-acre rate nearly the same regardless of row spacing.
Results: With full season Group V varieties, narrower rows have not increased soybean yields.In 1979, the 21-inch spacing gave a slight but not significant advantage.Full season varieties seem to react differently to narrow row spacings than the shorter season varieties do north of here where narrow rows have increased yields substantially.

Effects of Cropping Sequence on Soybean Yields
Soybeans are the number one cash crop in southeastern Kansas, and they are grown in several cropping sequences.More information is needed, however, to determine how different cropping rotations influence soybean yields, residual fertility, crop residues, and results from double cropping.
rotations in 1979: (1) soybeansgrain sorghum-soybeans-wheat, soybeans fertilized every other Results: The effects of the different cropping sequences on soybean yields wi11 not be known for several more years.In 1979 wheat yielded 66 bushels per acre; ~rain sorghum, 107 bushels per acre; full season soybeans, 28 bushels per acre; and doublecrop soybeans after wheat, 12 bushels per acre.

Fluid Lime and Ag Limestone Compared
Interest in fluid lime developed several years ago when commercial, liquid-fertilizer vendors promoted applying a lime suspension with sprayer equipment.
Procedur e: Since 1977, we have been comparin g a liquid lime suspensio n with agricultu ral limeston e on an acid soil producing soybeans .An initial rate of 5,000 pound effectiv e calcium carbonat e (ECC) per acre has been compared with annual ECC rates of 500 and l ,000 pounds per acre applied each spring before spring tillage.
Results: After three years, results indicate that liquid lime suspensi ons and agricultu ral limeston e cause similar changes in pH.Low rates of lime (500-1000 pounds ECC per acre) require yearly applicat ions to raise the soil pH to an optimum level.

Residual Effects of Phosphor us on Soybean Yields
Many soils in southeas tern Kansas are low in availabl e phosphor us.When phosphor us fertilize r is applied, part of it becomes unavaila ble over time and cannot be taken up by the plant-ro ot system.How much phosphor us fixation results from residual P applicat ions is not fully known for our clay-pan acid soils.
Procedur e: Beginnin g in 1978, we initiated comparis ons to see if heavy, first-ye ar applicat ions (200 pounds P 2 o 5 per acre) would be as effectiv e for soybeans as 100 pounds P 2 o 5 per acre applied every other year, or as effectiv e as annual applicat ions of 50 pounds per acre.After 4 years, all plots will have received the same amount of P 2 o 5 .The two P sources used were diammoniu m orthopho sphate (AOP, 18-46-0) and ammonium polyphos phate (APP, 15-62-0) .
Results: Yields have increased 2 to 5 bushels per acre as a result of the applied phosphor us on a silt loam soil testing 10 pounds P/A.Two years after the 100-and 200-pound rates were applied, phosphor us responses are still good.Likewise , the annual 50 pounds P 2 o 5 per acre increased yields signific antly.Our recent results support earlier work that showed soybean yield response s from P fertiliza tion are normally signific ant on soils testing less than 15 pounds of availabl e P per acre.

Effects of Phosphor us and Potassium Fertiliza tion on Soybean Yields
Soybeans have not responded consiste ntly to fertilize r applicati ons in southeas tern Kansas.More research is needed to determin e under what soil condition s a fertiliz er response is likely.
Procedur e: In 1979 three location s in Cherokee county were fertilize d with various rates of phosphor us and potassium according to soil test.Fertiliz er was broadcas t and incorpor ated before planting .
Results: 1979 results confirm earlier work, which indicated that soybean response to phosphor us and potassium likely will be small where soil P tests in the 20's or more and soil K exceeds 100 pounds per acre.However, under some medium testing soil conditio ns a 3-to 5-bushel response from phosphat e and potash has been observed , though not consista ntly.Yield benefits from added fertilize r have been more positive where both phosphat e and potassium were applied to low-test ing soils.Soybean Response to Fertilizer Applied Ahead of Wheat in a Double-cropping f<otation Double-cropping wheat and soybeans is common in southeastern Kansas, but farmers seldom apply more phosphorus and potassium to the wheat when soybeans follow in a doublecropping rotation.
Procedure: In 1976 we established a study to determine how applying phosphorus and potassium to wheat would influence soybeans that follow the same year.We also included lime as a variable.The study was on a site that tested medium in soil phosphate and low in potassium; pH was 5.8.
Results: Wheat yields the past three years have increased substantially from the additional phosphorus, but lime and potassium have had little effect.Soybeans have benefited from the lime, but the residual phosphate and potassium from the preceding wheat crop have not increased soybean yields significantly.(Table 10) Soybeans are the major cash crop for most southeastern Kansas farmers.Selecting the right herbicide combination is important to control troublesome weeds in soybean fields.
Procedure: In 1979 the main emphasis was evaluating soybean herbicides to control broadleaf weeds common in many southeastern Kansas fields.Herbicide studies were on sites heavily infested with velvetleaf, cocklebur, and annual morningglory.
Results: Sencor and/or Lexone at 0.25 a.i./acre effectively controlled velvetleaf, regardless of soil type.However, a near maximum labelled rate (0.38 to 0.50 a.i./acre)Sencor or Lexone was needed to control cocklebur in this silty clay loam soil, even then control was erratic.Velvetleaf and cocklebur control appeared to be improved when herbicides are applied after planting but before crop emergence rather than incorporated before planting.
Control of velvetleaf by Lorox on a medium textured soil required 0.75 lb a.i./acre.Higher rates severly damaged soybean germination, although 1.0 lb a.i./acre caused no injury on soils with more clay content.But cocklebur control was only fair even at the higher rates.
Goal, a newer broadleaf herbicide, controlled velvetleaf at 0.38 lb a.i./acre, but that rate severly reduced soybean germination on a medium textured soil.Likewise, Modown at l .5 lbs a.i ./acrereduced germination and gave poor velvetleaf control.Incorporating Modown before planting reduced damage, but the incorporation must be shallow for acceptable broadleaf control.
Basagran, applied after soybeans emerge gave excellent velvetleaf and cocklebur control.Morningglory control was fair.Blazer, another postemergent, broadleaf herbicide, did not control velvetleaf so well as Basagran did, but it controlled cocklebur and morningglory as well as Basagran.Blazer appeared to cause slightly more leaf burning than Basagran, but plants recovered within 10 days.
In a no-till study where soybeans were planted into existing wheat stubble, pigweed was satisfactorily controlled by all herbicides tested.More research is needed, however, to evaluate herbicides and rates in no-till wheat stubble.l/ Applied after planting and before soybeans emerged.
2/ Applied after soybeans emerged; cocklebur plants were less than 6 11 tall, velvetleaf plants were less than 2" tall, and morningglory had not started to vine.
Heavy weed pressure from cocklebur, velvetleaf, and annual morningglory.
Basagran and Blazer treatments resulted in temporary leaf burning, but plants recovered within 10 days.
There were no noticeable crop injury from the pre-emergent treatments.
Grain yields, not taken, were considered average.

Gains of Yearling Steers on Brome Pasture with Energy Supplementation
Cool season grasses like fescue and smooth brome produce well during spring and again in fall, but not during the summer grazing period.So energy supplementation might economically maintain and improve summer gains of stocker cattle.This study compared supplementation at three levels with none and estimated possible returns from each level of supplementation.
Sixty yearling Hereford steers weighing approximately 525 pounds were innoculated for bovine viral diarrhea and blackleg and implanted with 36 mg Ralgro.Three days later they were allotted by weight to four groups of seven and four groups of eight each.On May 7 steers were placed one group to each of eight five-acre brome pastures.One group of seven head and one of eight were assigned to each of these treatments: .!.! Based on gain increment due to supplement.
Assuming the cost of the grain at six cents per pound, daily cost was 12, 24, 36 cents for treatments two, three, and four.There was the additional cost of labor to feed the supplement daily.However, the 12, 24 and 36 cents added cost resulted in 0.4, 0.8 and 1.0 pounds gain.
The pastures where steers were supplemented maintained grass growth much better than those with no supplement.
In a similar study over a shorter period, 32 steers averaging about 500 lbs were allotted by weight to four groups and each group placed on a ten-acre brome pasture.Two groups received no additional feed and two an energy concentrate feed (primarily ground grain sorghum) at two pounds per head per day from April 23 to August 13.Steers receiving only pasture gained 1.2 pounds per head per day compared with l .6 pounds by energysupplemented steers.The 0.4 pounds difference resulting from the supplementation is the same as in the previous study.The additional labor of daily feeding must be considered.
Although costs and returns may vary considerable, it is apparent that energy supplementation will be profitable under a wide range of economic conditions.

Comparison of Fescue and Bermudagrass as Summer Graze for Cow-Calf Pairs
Fescue, a cool season grass that thrives in southeastern Kansas, is highly useful for spring and fall grazing.Hot summer months reduce the growth and quality of cool season grasses so cattle on them gain little or nothing.A warm season grass, like Bermudagrass should improve summer gains.This study compared summer grazing on fescue, a cool season grass, with grazing on Bermudagrass.
Thirty-two cow-calf pairs, after two months on a fescue pasture were divided into two groups with 16 placed on fescue pasture and 16 on Bermudagrass.
Average weights for the 56-day period were as follows: The small net advantage of 15 pounds for the Bermudagrass grazed cows and 4 pounds for their calves came on grass that had suffered considerable winter kill and was badly weed infested, while the fescue had been only sparsely grazed and was lush when the trail began.

Lasalocid Compared with Rumensin for Yearling Steers on Pasture
For many years various feed additives have been tested for ability to increase gains or improve efficiency of feed utilization by cattle.One of the most effective has been monensin (Rumens in), a product of Elanco.Lasalocid, a product of Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc., is another one currently under investigation.To compare the two, 48 yearling steers weighing approximately 500 pounds were allotted to six equal groups.Each group was placed on a 10-acre brome pasture and two groups were assigned to one of the three treatments from April 23 to August 13, 112 days:  Lespedeza, a warm-season annual legume, can be interseeded into tall fescue to effectively complement grass production.Managing the mixture for optimum production differs from managing a pure stand of tall fescue with regard to nitrogen fertilization.Two methods of lespedeza interseeding were tested, along with responses of fescue and lespedeza to spring and fall nitrogen applications, and to phosphate-potash fertilization.Interseeding methods tested were broadcast and 1 zip 1 -seeding, with a control.On April 9, 1979, 'Summit' lespedeza seed was broadcast at 20 lb/A or drilled with a Midland 'Zip' seeder at 12 lb/A.Plots receiving spring fertilizer were treated February 27, 1979.Fifty lbfA each of phosphate and potash were applied to half the plots.Nitrogen (N) treatments were control (0 N), 40 N in spring, 40 in fall, or 40 N spring+ 40 N fall.All plots were cut May 15, and lespedezaseeded plots were stand-rated and cut September 4. Fall N was applied September 7, and no further harvests were obtained in 1979 because of the dry fa 11.
First:cut yields contained only fescue because lespedeza seedlings were still small (Table 13).No yield differences were found between interseeding methods, nor between lespedeza-seeded and unseeded fescue.There was a small, nonsignificant (5% level) yield advantage by plots with 50 lb/A of phosphate and potash, and a highly significant (1% level) difference between plots that did and those that did not receive 40 lb/A of spring N.
Lespedeza stands were significantly reduced by spring N. Stands without spring N rated 1.4, while plots receiving 40 lb N/A in spring averaged a 3.2 rating, where 1 represents a perfect lespedeza stand.The two seeding methods produced similar stand ratings.
Second-cutting yields contained mostly lespedeza, so fescue-only plots were not cut.Hence, comparisons for second-cutting and total yields (cut 1 + cut 2) were only among interseeded plots.Broadcast-seeded plots yielded slightly but not significantly more than 'zip'-seeded plots.Adding phosphate and potash significantly increased second-cutting and total yields over control plots.Spring N decreased second-cut yields significantly compared with plots without spring N, but total yields did not differ with N treatment because differences in second-cut yields offset differences in firstcut yields.
Jj Rated 1-5, where l is a perfect stand and 5 is no lespedeza.2/ Anticipated third cutting did not materialize.First cutting was -practically all fescue, and second cutting was mostly lespedeza with some wann-season annual weeds.5/ Means of a column within a comparison, followed by the same letter -did not differ at the 0.05 significance level, while means followed by different letters differed at the 0.01 level. 27 Effects of Burning and Low Fertilizer Rates on Native Grass in Southeastern Kansas J. L. Moyer, John Meisenheimer, and Tom Glick The effects of low fertilizer rates on yield, composition, and quality of native hay were measured with or without spring burning on land managed by the Kansas Fish and Game Commission.Treatments, begun in 1976, consisted of burned and unburned blocks containing eight fertility levels -a control and 30 lb N/A with 0, 10, or 30 lb/A of phosphate and/or potash applied annually.
Yields in 1979 averaged 2.48 tons/A at 12% moisture, ranging from 1 .90tons/A for the control to 3.03 tons/A for the 30-30-30 treatment.Phosphorustreated plots yielded significantly more than plots receiving no phosphate, 2.81 and 2.15 tons/A, respectively.Burning had no significant effect on yields in 1979.Soil phosphorus (P) was higher in burned than unburned plots, and higher in plots that received 30 lb P 7 o 5 ;A than in all other plots.Soil K in 1979 was higher in plots receiving 30 Tb KO/A than in plots receiving no K.Neither soil pH nor soil organic mafter content were affected by any treatments.
Crude protein content of forage averaged 5.8% in 1979.Fertilizer treatments interacted significantly with burning because burned plots varied less with fertilizers than unburned plots.The latter often seemed higher in crude protein than burned plots.Highest protein contents came when N and K were applied; lowest in the N-P treatments.Forage digestibility was improved by burning the three previous years, but analysis of 1979 forage is yet to be done.
Burning increased the proportion of warm-season perennial grass in the forage in 1979.
Unburned plots averaged 65% warm-season grasses by weight, and burned plots 83%.Fertility had little effect on 1979 composition, since P did not reduce the warm-season grass percentage as it did in previous years.
Effect of Time and Method of N Application on Fescue Forage Yields K. W. Kelley and J.L. Moyer Tall fescue pastures often are fall-fertilized to improve fall and winter pasture.This study, started in August, 1977, was to determine if fall-applied nitrogen benefits spring fescue growth, particularly after a dry fall, and whether method or rate of application affects carryover.
In 1977-78, a wetter-than-normal fall, no spring response to fall N application was found.However, only 7.83 inches of moisture (50% of normal) were received from July through October, 1978, and 15% of the average October amount, so fall forage yields (November 30) averaged only 0.52 ton/A (12% moisture), with no yield differences among treatments.
Spring, 1979 fescue responded to both August and February N applications (Table 14 ).The 50-lb N rate produced the same yield applied spring or fall, but the fall 100-lb rate produced less than 100-lb applied in the spring.The 150-lb fall N application produced the same as the 100-lb spring treatment.
Overall, we found no real yield difference between 11 dribble 11 application of 28% N solution and broadcast dry urea.Optimum rates were usually about 100 lb/A in spring and 50 lb/A in fall.Table 14.Spring, 1979 .l! fescue yields as affected by time and rate of nitrogen application.Studies were initiated in 1979 in Labette and Cherokee counties to study various fertility-tillage management systems for grain sorghum and soybeans.Previous work had indicated that no-till systems performed poorly.Our 1979 results are shown in Table 15.
Tillage systems used included conventional, reduced, and no-till.Several fertility management variables were included.
Results of the 1979 studies show exceptional grain sorghum yields.Reduced tillage gave yields equal to conventional tillage under several fertility management regimes.No-till yields were good, except where UAN was the N source and yields were reduced.Apparently, UAN broadcast on no-till plots was lost to volatilization, as tissue N analysis indicated.
The Labette county site (soybeans), where yields were reduced by a late season dry spell, gave different results.Conventional tillage resulted in highest yields over all fertility management systems, followed by reduced tillage, and no-till gave significantly lower yields than conventional tillage.
These initial results indicate that soybeans are more affected by tillage than grain sorghum.The studies will be continued to further evaluate these fertility-tillage management systems.

Effects of N-P-K Rates and Application Methods on Soybean Yields
Studies were initiated at two locations in southeast Kansas to evaluate rates of N, P, and K applications as well as application methods on yields and tissue composition of soybeans.Soil tests showed both sites low in available phosphorus and potassium.Potassium tripolyphosphate (0-26-25) liquid fertilizer was used to facilitate knifing in of the P and K.The broadcast treatments were applied and incorporated with a springtooth.All fertilizer applications were preplant.Results are shown in Table 16.
Soybean yield response due to fertilizer treatments was not significant in 1979 at either location although adding P and K increased yields somewhat.In Neosho county, knifed applications gave higher yields than broadcast and significantly higher P and K concentrations in soybean plant tissues.Yields at both sites were reduced by a late-season dry period.These studies will be continued in Studies were initiated in 1979 at two southeastern Kansas locations to evaluate P-K rates, carriers, and application methods on soybean yields.Both sites were low to very low in available phosphorus and potassium according to soil tests.P-K carriers compared were dry (0-46-0, 0-0-60) and liquid (0-26-25).All dry solid fertilizer was broadcast and incorporated.Broadcast and knifed methods were used for the liquid fertilizer.
Soybean yield responses to P and K rates, carriers, and methods of application were nonsignificant.Results indicate yield benefits when P and K were applied and from knifed applications of P and K. Again, late season drought caused pod abortion and dampened effects of fertilizers.Similar studies will be continued in 1980.
Effects of N, P, and K Rates and Application Methods on Yields and Tissue Composition of Grain Sorghum Studies were initiated at two locations in southeastern Kansas to evaluate rates of N, P, and K applications and application methods on yields and tissue composition of grain sorghum.N rates used were 0, 50, 100, and 150 pounds of N per acre.All N was applied as NH .P-K rates were 0 and 50 pounds of P 2 o 5 and K?O per acre, as potassium t~ipolyphosphate liquid (0-26-25).ApplTcations were broadcast and knifed for the P and K; where P and K were knifed, they were applied simultaneously with the NH 6 to 8 inches deep.Both sites were low in both available phosphorus and potassium according to soil test.Results are shown in Table 17.
Labette county grain sorghum showed a significant yield response to N and a significant increase in tissue N concentrations with added N.There also was a response to P and K at the Parsons Field and knifed P and K gave the highest yield.P and K rate and method effects on tissue analysis were nonsignificant at Parsons.Yields in Neosho county (Weidert farm) were exceptional.This location had been in fescue for several years and high organic matter probably resulted in no yield response to added N. Adding P and K increased yields, though nonsignificantly, and there was no significant difference in yields from broadcast versus knifed P and K. Similar studies will be continued in 1980.

Effects of Methods of A N and P and N-Form on Yield and Com osition o Winter Wheat
In recent years, the technique of simultaneously injecting anhydrous ammonia with ammonium polyphosphate (10-34-0) 6 to 8 inches deep has proven to be a highly efficient way of fertilizing winter wheat.A study was con-ducte~ in Neosho county in 1979 to determine if the ionic form of fertilizer N, NH 4 or No3, in conjunction with methods of applying N-P affected use of P and winter wheat yields.N application rate totaled 75 pounds per acre and P was applied at 40 pounds of P 0 per acre.N carriers used were urea-a~onium nitrate solution (UAN)~ ~nhydrous ammonia (NH 3 ) (predominantly NH 4 -N) and sodium nitrate (N0 3 -N).Results are shown 1n Table 18.Leaf tissue concentrations of P were generally higher with treatments involving dual knife N-P applications.N tissue generally was highest in treatments receiving knifed N applications.Grain yields at this location were depressed by hail damage estimated to cause a 40 percent loss.Dual knife N-P using NH resulted in a significantly higher grain yield than any other treatment e~cept the dual knife N-P with UAN.Dual knife N-P with sodium nitrate as the N source gave the lowest of the dual-knife yields.
The data from this study suggest maxium ~fficiency with the dual knife N-P technique is obtained with an ammonium (NH 4 ) form of nitrogen.* Hail reduced yields an estimated 40%.
Because interest continues high throughout southeastern Kansas about different primary tillage operations and no-till, we are evaluating the different tillage operations and no-till at both the Parsons and Columbus fields, using grain sorghum at Parsons and soybeans at Columbus.After the primary tillage operations, which were done on April 16 at both sites, all tilled plots received identical seedbed preparation.Results are summarized in Table 19.
Yield data show that no-till performed poorly in 1979 for both crops.Yields were low despite excellent stands in the no-till plots, which corroborates earlier work with no-till at Parsons.The moldboard plow gave the highest yields at both locations but not significantly higher than other primary tillage operations for grain sorghum.This work will be continued in 1980 with a subsoiler included as a treatment.]J Manufactured by Glencoe, combination heavy disk and chisel.

Effects of Irrigation and Irrigation Scheduling on Yields of Corn and Soybeans
Irrigation acreage continues to increase in southeast Kansas, exceeding 22,000 acres in 1978.Because irrigation practices in our area are unique, we initiated irrigation studies on corn and soybeans at the Columbus field.Our 1979 results are shown in Table 20.
Rainfall was excellent in May through August with average to above average amounts each month.Corn reached physiological maturity September 2. September and early October were very dry with no rain received in September, which was the critical stage for the Group V Essex beans.
Corn yields were exceptional, thanks to timely rainfall.Even with the timely rains, supplemental irrigation of 0.75 inch at tassel or blister significantly increased yields, but two irrigations were no better than one.One irrigation gave an extra 14 to 18 bushels of corn per acre.On December 1, 1979, corn prices existed that would mean an extra $30 to $40 per acre.Whether or not that would be profitable would depend on type of irrigationJ system pumping costs, and other factors.
Even though the soybeans were irrigated during a time of stress, irrigation did little to increase yields.Two irrigations significantly increased yields but not enough to be economically feasible.Irrigation studies will be expanded in 1980.A study was initiated in Labette county in 1979 to evaluate the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; and application method on yield and composition of tall fescue.A soil test indicated low P and K (12 lbs/A available P and 85 lbs/A exchangeable K) and a pH of 6.8.Results of the study are shown in Table 21.
Nitrogen was applied at 50, 100, and 150 pounds per acre and phosphorus and potassium at 0 and 40 pounds per acre.All fertilizers were in liquid form, 28-0-0 (UAN) and 0-26-25 (potassium tripolyphosphate).Broadcast treatments were applied through flat spray nozzles.The dribb1e applications involved removing spray nozzles from the boom to apply the fertilizer in a band on the soil surface.Knifed treatments were applied through an injection tube behind a narrow shank 6 to 8 inches deep on 15-inch centers.
Yield data indicate a highly significant response to nitrogen and phosphorus-potassium. Adding 40 pounds of P and K increased forage yields nearly 850 pounds per acre.
Knifed applications gave highest yields -significantly higher than dribble applications and 300 pounds an acre more than broadcast applications.
N application rates significantly affected plant N content, which increased as N was increased.Adding 40 pounds of P and K significantly increased N, P, and K in the forage.The knifed application produced significantly higher forage N, P, and K than other methods.
Results of this study indicate that we need to add phosphorus and potassium on low testing soils to obtain maxium production of good quality forage.The 1979 results also indicate that knifed applications, to place fertilizer materials deeper in the root zone, were superior to surface applications.This work will be expanded in 1980.

Table 3 .
Effect of seeding rate on wheat yields,Parsons, 1979.

Table 4 .
Effects of nitrogen rates, application times, and varieties on winter wheat,Parsons, 1979.(continued) Procedure: In 1979, 67 hybrids entered by private seed companies were compared at the Parsons field in Labette county.

Table 6 .
Effects of nitrogen rates, nitrogen carriers and application times on grain sorghum yields,Parsons, 1979 and 1977-79averages.

Table 7
Jj Applied after planting and before sorghum emerged.yIncorporated shallow with a harrow before planting.

Table 10 .
Soybean response to fertilizer applied to preceding wheat crop in a double-cropping rotation,Parsons, 1979.
Pastures declined to the point that hay was placed in each August 8 and replenished as needed until the end of the trial September 25.Results for the trial are shown in the following table: Least significant difference, p < .05::: 0. 2 3.

Table 13 .
Yields and stand ratings of lespedeza-interseeded fescue as affected by fertility treatments.

Table 15 .
1980.Evaluations of fertility-tillage management systems in Southeast Kansas ov

Table 16 .
Effects of P-K Carriers, Rates, and Application Methods on Soybean Yields

Table 17 .
Effects of N, P, and K Rates and Application Methods on Yields and Tissue Composition of Grain Sorghum

Table 18 .
Effects of Methods of Applying N and P and N-form on Winter Wheat, Terr~ Weidert farm, Neosho co.

Table 19 .
Effects of different primary tillage operations and no-till on yields of soybeans and grainsorghum, 1979.

Table 20 .
Effects of irrigation and of corn and soybeans.Effects of N, P, K Rates and Application Methods on Yield and Composition of Tall Fescue Forage R. E. Lamond and J. L. Moyer

Table 21 .
Effects of N, P, K rate and method of application on the yield and composition of tall fescue forage, Terry vJeidert Farm, Labette count , 1979.