1988 Agricultural Research, Southeast Kansas Branch Station

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Presence of the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum has been regarded as the major factor contributing to poor performance of animals grazing tall fescue. The mechanism whereby animal performance is reduced is still unclear. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the endophytic fungus on forage quality and grazing behavior and the interrelationship of these factors with performance of stocker cattle grazing tall fescue pastures.
Experimental Procedure Forty, Angus x Hereford crossbred yearling steers (avg. wt. 500 lb.> were allotted by weight into eight replicates. Two replicates each were randomly allotted to pastures of either high-endophyte Kentucky 31 tall fescue <HE-31>, low-endophyte Kentucky 31 <LE-31>, HE-31 interseeded with ladino white clover <HE•LC>, or Missouri 96 CM096l tall fescue. The high-endophyte fescue contained approximately 65% infestation, whereas the low-endophyte Kentucky 31 and M096 varieties contained less than 10% endophytic infestation. Steers were stocked at a rate of 1 steer per acre from April 9 until November 4. The steers were not implanted and received no supplement during the study. Replicates within a pasture type were rotated at 14-day intervals to reduce the effects of pasture variation.
Three steers were selected at random from each pasture type and fitted with clocks that recorded grazing time for a 7-day period. Grazing behavior data were collected from these steers from July 8-15 and again from September 14-21.
Wire cages <1 square meter> were randomly placed in each pasture. Forage beneath the cages was harvested on May 7, June 4, July 10, August 27, and October 19. The cages were relocated following each harvest in order to more closely estimate forage that was available to the steers since the previous sampling date.

Results
Steers that grazed LE-31 and HE+LC gained faster <P<.01> during the 209day study than those grazing M096 or HE-31 <Table 1>. Weight gains were similar <P>.10l between cattle grazing M096 and HE-31 and between cattle grazing LE-31 and HE+LC.
Grazing time was pooled within a pasture type across the July and September sampling periods. Steers that grazed M096 and HE-31 tended <P>.10> to graze more than those grazing LE-31 and HE+LC. Steers that grazed HE-31 spent a greater portion <P<.10> of their total grazing time between lOpm and 6am than steers that grazed LE-31 <18.0 vs. 10.5X; Figure 1>. Grazing behavior appeared to change between the July and September measurements. Data pooled across treatments within a sampling date indicated that steers grazed less <P<.05~ Figure 2> during the September period than during the July period and that the grazing patterns had substantially changed. In July, the greatest frequency of total grazing time <29X> occurred between 6 and 10pm and only 10Y. between 10pm and 6am. Conversely, in September, the greatest frequency of total grazing time <24.5X> occurred between 2 and 6pm and 18.57. occurred between 10pm and 6am. The period of 6-10am, which ranked second in July had the lowest grazing frequency during September.
Crude protein content of HE-31, LE-31, and M096 were similar <P>.10>, with each being lower <P<.05> than the crude protein content of HE+LC <Figure 3>. Neutral detergent fiber content <Figure 4> of HE+LC was lover <P<.05> than that of the other forages. Missouri 96 had lower <P<.05) NDF than HE-31 but was similar to LE-31.
The reason for the poor performance by cattle grazing M096 and the similarity to those grazing HE-31 is unclear.
In 1986, cattle grazing the same M096 pastures gained 89 lb more than those grazing the HE-31 pastures. Forage quality and grazing behavior data do not help explain the relatively poor performance by cattle grazing M096. Cattle that performed best <LE-31 and HE+LC> spent the least amount of time grazing. Unfortunately, the grazing clocks measure time spent grazing and not grazing intensity. It is likely that cattle grazing LE-31 and HE+LC grazed more intensively. The positive effects on animal performance resulting from interseeding ladino clover into highendophyte fescue were apparent. Ladino clover addition improved performance by 122 lb. over that of cattle grazing pure stands of high-endophyte fescue. Since cattle grazing LE-31 gained 131 lb more than those grazing HE-31, the lad1no clover apparently overcame 931 of the endophyte effects. One must keep in mind, however, that the summer of 1987 was wetter than normal and favored ladino clover production. Also, the addition of ladino clover improved the quality of the available forage.
The shift in grazing patterns between the July and the September periods appears to be related to the time of dawn and dusk. Later dawn and earlier dusk in September apparently shifted grazing to later in the morning, earlier in the evening, and then mare at night.
In conclusion, fungal toxins did not affect the quality of the forage available to the cattle and did not reduce the time cattle spent grazing the high-endophyte fescue. Therefore, the decline in performance must have been due to other factors, such as a reduction in forage intake, lower nutrient utilization, or a combination of these factors.  Neutral Detergent Fiber Content of Different Fescue Varieties Throughout the Grazing Season Introduction Short-duration, intensive grazing has been used in other countries to improve the utilization of forage and provide a higher quality forage to grazing animals.
Interest in such systems has increased in the United States in recent years, but current research has not been particularly favorable for short-duration, intensive grazing. Interseeding ladino clover into tall fescue has proved to be a beneficial management alternative, particularly when the fescue competition is controlled. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate performance and grazing behavior of cattle that grazed fescue or fescue-ladino pastures and were managed in either a continuous grazing system or a short-duration, intensive grazing management system.

Experimental Procedure
Forty-eight crossbred Limousin steers were randomly allotted by weight into eight replicates of six head each. Each replicate was randomly assigned to one of eight 5-acre pastures that contained tall fescue <70% endophyte infestation) alone or fescue interseeded with ladino white clover. Two of the four pastures within a forage type were divided into 10 .5-acre strips using two-strand electric fences. Steers were allowed to graze for 197 days beginning on April 21. Steers allotted to the strip-grazing treatment were rotated through the .5 acre strips at 1 to 4 day intervals depending on forage growth and availability.
Three steers from each forage type and management combination were fitted with clocks that record grazing time during a 7-day period. Grazing behavior was monitored from August 10-17. Two steers that grazed fescue, one from continuous and one from strip-grazed groups, died after showing symptoms of extreme heat stress. Steer numbers in Table 1 reflect these losses.

Results
Interseeding ladino clover into pure stands of fescue appeared to be beneficial to cattle performance <Table 1>. Cattle continuously grazing fescue-ladino pastures outgained those continuously grazing pure stands of fescue by 35.6% <P<.05>, whereas cattle strip-grazing fescue-ladino gained 14.9% more CP>.10> than those strip-grazing pure fescue.
Presence of ladino clover in the pastures did not affect grazing time.
Strip-grazing had highly adverse effects on animal performance <Table 1>. Live-weight gain was reduced by 11.5% <P>.10) for cattle strip-grazing pure stands of fescue and by 25.0% for cattle strip-grazing fescue-ladino pastures. Strip-grazing also reduced grazing time of cattle on fescue by 29.6% and on fescue-ladino by 20.0%.
Forage type had minimal effects on grazing distribution <Figure 1>. The major differences in grazing distribution occurred during the 2-6pm period. Cattle grazing fescue-ladino pastures spent 17% of their total grazing time during this period, whereas cattle grazing fescue alone spent 10% of their total grazing time then <P<.01>. Cattle grazing fescue tended <P>. 10> to spent a greater portion of their total grazing during the night.
Strip-grazing not only significantly affected total grazing time <Table 1> but also substantially affected the distribution of grazing time <Figure 2>. Continuously grazed steers spent a greater portion of their total grazing time between 6am and 2pm than strip-grazed steers CP<.05>. Strip-grazed steers spent 22% of the total grazing time between 10pm and 6am, whereas continuously grazed steers only spent 13% of the total grazing time during this period <P<.01>. Therefore, performance may suffer when cattle are grazed in a shortduration, intensive grazing system. The reasons may be a substantial reduction in grazing time and altering the normal grazing patterns of cattle. To establish a successful intensive management system, one must consider animal behavioral aspects.  Tall fescue is the predominant cool-season grass in southeastern Kansas. Poor summer performance by cattle grazing tall fescue has been attributed to the presence of the endophytic fungus, Acremonium coenophialum. Many producers and feedlot operators have become concerned that the fescue toxins would adversely affect cattle even after the cattle were removed from pasture. Previous research has noted a 30 -60 day period in which feedlot cattle previously grazed on high-endophyte fescue perform slower than cattle from lowendophyte fescue. Other research has reported compensatory gains by these cattle, once they were removed from the infected fescue. The purpose of this experiment was to observe feedlot performance by cattle that previously grazed endophyte-infe cted tall fescue and compare their performance with that of cattle previously grazing low-endophyte fescue or high-endophyte fescue interseeded with ladino white clover.

Experimental Procedure
Thirty-seven crossbred steers were randomly allotted by weight to pastures consisting of either high endophyte <65X> Kentucky 31 tall fescue <KY31>, KY31 interseeded with ladino white clover <KY31+LC>, or Missouri 96 tall fescue <M096; less than 10% endophyte infection>. The cattle grazed their respective pastures from April 15 through December 11, 1986. Each group of cattle was then moved to the SEKES feedlot facility at Mound Valley and penned by replicate within the previous pasture treatment. The cattle were fed a finishing ration for 134 days, then slaughtered, and carcass data were obtained.
The finishing ration initially consisted of 30% ground grain sorghum, 6% supplement, and 64% corn silage on a dry matter basis.
Grain sorghum was substituted for silage at a rate of 5% per day until reaching the final ration of 74% grain sorghum, 6% supplement and 25% corn silage on a dry matter basis. The supplement consisted of soybean meal and a commercial monensin supplement formulated to provide 24g/ton monensin in the total diet dry matter.

Results
Steers that previously grazed M096 began the feedlot phase 48 and 88 lb. heavier than those previously grazing KY31+LC and KY31, respectively <Table 1>. At the end of the 134-day feeding period, the M096 cattle weighed 15 lb. more than those that previously grazed KY31-LC and 13 lb more than those that previously grazed KY31.
Cattle that previously grazed KY31+LC gained 33 lb more than the cattle previously grazing M096 during the feedlot phase, so the difference in weight was less at the time of slaughter. Therefore, the cattle previously grazed on endophyte-infected tall fescue appeared to compensate for most of the weight differential. The degree of compensation appeared to be related to the suppression in pasture performance. Suppression in pasture gain of cattle grazing KY31 was more than that of cattle grazing KY31+LC and, therefore, feedlot compensation was also greater. Cattle that previously grazed KY31 also more efficiently converted feed to live-weight gain CP<.10>.
Steers that previously grazed KY31+LC had greater backfat <P<.10> and quality grades <P<.05) and tended <P>.10> to have higher yield grades than those previously grazing the other forage types. Carcass characteristics of cattle previously grazed on KY31 and M096 were similar.
Overall performance data <Table 2> measured across pasture and feedlot phases showed no difference in weight from type of pasture grazed. The major concern to the cattle producer, therefore, would be comparing the cost of gain at the two phases to decide whether or not to retain ownership of the stocker cattle.
These data indicate that cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue may demonstrate compensatory gain when they are placed in a feedlot and finished with a high concentrate ration. The degree of compensation may be related to the reduction in performance observed during the pasture phase. Observation of interim weights measured at 28-day intervals revealed that the cattle previously grazing high-endophyte fescue appeared to begin compensation early in the feedlot phase and continued to compensate during the entire feeding period. Therefore, considering gain and feed efficiency data, discrimination against cattle pastured on fescue is likely unwarranted.

Summary
Two experiments vere conducted to evaluate the performance of stocker calves offered oxytetracycline in a free-choice mineral supplement. In Exp. 1, 24, yearling, crossbred heifers were utilized in a 112-day grazing study beginning on June 18. The heifers were offered ad-libitum access to either a control mineral mixture or one containing 250 mg oxytetracycline per ounce of mineral mix. Weight gains by the heifers were very low, making interpretation of performance data difficult. Consumption of the control and medicated mineral mixtures was .8 and 1.3 oz per head daily, respectively, resulting in an average oxytetracycline consumption of 327 mg per head daily. Approximately 82% of the total grazing time occurred during the daylight hours <6am -lOpm> for both treatment groups. Heifers offered the medicated mineral mix grazed 20 minutes more than heifers offered the control mineral mix. Hair scores and rectal temperatures were unaffected by oxytetracycline supplementation. In Exp. 2, 53 crossbred steers were utilized in an 83-day grazing study beginning on September 15. The steers were offered mineral mixtures similar to those used in Exp. 1. Steers offered oxytetracycline gained faster <P<.05> and tended to have lower <P=.12> rectal temperatures. Therefore, response of cattle to consumption of oxytetracycline from a mineral mixture may be variable. Heifers grazing endophyte infected tall fescue <Exp. 1> may not have gained sufficiently to support treatment differences.
However, when cattle were gaining weight <Exp. 2>, treatment differences were observed.

Introduction
The mode of action of the toxins in endophyte-infected fescue is currently uncertain. A number of the symptoms exhibited by cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue point to a problem with their immune system. This problem may result in a reduction of the animal's ability to fight off infections. Additional antibiotics may help alleviate this condition. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of supplemental 'Oxytetracycline and partial financial assistance were provided by Pfizer, Inc., Lee's Summit, MO.
•Extension Livestock Specialist, Southeast Kansas. oxytetracycline in a mineral mixture on cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue. and grazing behavior of Exp. 1.
Twenty-four, yearling, Limousin crossbred heifers were randomly allotted by weight to four replicates of six head each. Each was then randomly assigned to one of tvo salt which were provided ad libitum.
Two replicates received a control salt mixture and two replicates received a similar salt mixture containing oxytetracycline at a level of 250 mg/oz <Table 1>. The experimental mineral mixtures were free-choice from covered •weather vane 6 type mineral feeders. The were placed on four separate 7.5-acre fescue pastures (70% infestation> for a 112-day grazing study beginning on June 18.
Hair scores and rectal temperatures were measured at the beginning and end of the grazing study. Hair score was estimated on a scale of 1 to 1°' where 1 is a smooth short hair coat with no long hair and 10 is a rough long hair coat with dead hair on at least 75% of the body.
Three heifers from each group of six behavior observations. These heifers were recorded vhen and for hov long they grazed behavior was measured from July 16-23 and Exp. 2.
were randomly selected for grazing fitted with grazing clocks that during a 7-day period. Grazing 18-25 with the same heifers.
Fifty-three crossbred steers <512 lb) were randomly allotted to two groups and placed on separate endophyte-infected <68%) tall fescue pastures on Sept. 15. One group received a control mineral mix and the other group received the same mineral mix containing 250 mg/oz oxytetracycline <Table 1). Mineral mixtures were offered in wweather vanew mineral feeders. Body temperatures, hair scores, and weights were measured at the initiation and termination of the 83-day grazing study. Exp.1.
Mineral consumption <Table 2> tended oxytetracycline was added to the mixture. oxytetracycline vas 327 mg/head/day, which level of 400 mg/head/day. to be greater <P>.10> when Actual consumption of was somewhat below the anticipated Heifer performance was unaffected oxytetracycline supplementation <Table 3). Heifers receiving no oxytetracycline in the mineral mixture actually gained .15 lb/day more (P>.10> than those receiving oxytetracycline. However, these differences are trivial considering the low total gain for the study. At gains of this magnitude, small differences are more likely due to variability in response of the animals allotted to treatments. Although 14 differences in grazing time were not statistically different <P>.10>, heifers offered oxytetracycline in the mineral mix tended to graze more <Table 3). Approximately one-third of the total grazing time occurred between 6 and 10 pm for both groups <Figure 1>. Proportions of the daylight grazing time occurring at the other 4-hour increments were similar between treatments.
Although final temperatures were similar between treatments, heifers consuming oxytetracycline tended to show a greater reduction between the initial and final temperatures. Unfortunately, heifers allotted to the oxytetracycline treatment groups had greater initial hair scores CP<.01>. Final hair scores were similar <P>.10>, resulting in a tendency for a lover magnitude of increase in hair score from heifers offered oxytetracycline.

Exp. 2.
Mineral consumption tended to be greater <P>.10> vhen oxytetracycline was not included <Table S>. Average oxytetracycline consumption vas 600 mg/head/d. Steers consuming the medicated mineral mixture gained 26.SX faster <P<.05> and tended to have lover rectal temperatures <P=.12> than steers consuming non-medicated mineral <Table 6>. Hair scores were not affected by the addition of oxytetracycline to the mineral mix.

Conclusions
In conclusion, oxytetracycline had little effect on the heifers grazing tall fescue in Exp. 1. Huch of the reason may be the generally poor performance by all heifers. One possible solution to the problem vould have been to initiate the study earlier in the grazing season to take advantage of the spring growth of fescue. Another might have been to hand feed the oxytetracycline in a carrier of ground corn or grain sorghum. During the fall grazing experiment <Exp. 2>, gains were adequate, and treatment differences were apparent. Therefore, oxytetracycline supplementation in a free-choice mineral mixture may offset some of the performance reduction observed for cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue. However, this response may only be observed in cattle that are in a weight gaining status.  <P<.01>.    I I A  I  I  I  I I C \ I  I  I  I I A  I  I  I  I I X   I  I I I I X I   Sam -10am  10am -2om 2Pm -6prn Feather meal is a byproduct of the poultry industry made by subjecting chicken feathers to high pressure and steam. Feather meal is very high in protein (85-90%) but has only 83% of the energy level found in soybean meal. The protein in feather meal has high rumen escape or •by-pass• value. Because of the location of numerous poultry processing plants within a 150 mile radius, feather meal offers the potential to help meet the protein needs for cattle in the Southeast Kansas area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate feather meal as a protein source for stocker heifers grazing bermudagrass.

Experimental Procedure
Fifty-six, crossbred Limousin heifers (avg. wt. 636 lb.> were divided by weight into eight replicates, with each replicate randomly assigned to one of eight 5-acre bermudagrass pastures.
Four daily supplements shown in Table 1 were each offered to two replicates of heifers. Supplement formulation <Table 1> and level per day <Table 2> were balanced so that each supplement provided the same quantity of energy, and the three supplements containing protein sources provided the same quantity of protein and energy daily. Cattle were rotated through the eight pastures at 14-day intervals to minimize the effects of pasture variation. Mineral blocks were provided ad-libitum. Two heifers calved during the study. Their data were not used in any parameter listed.

Results
Addition of protein sources to the supplements improved performance by an average of 14.6% over the control supplement <P<.10>. Heifers offered the supplements with different protein sources performed similarly <P>.10>. Supplementation with a mixture of milo and feather meal resulted in performance similar <P>.10> to that from supplementation with soybean meal only. Kilo addition to the feather meal was necessary to maintain equal energy consumption of the supplements.
Initial acceptance of FM was poor. Dried molasses was added to the mixture daily for the first week of the study to encourage consumption. Thereafter, the molasses was removed and consumption was not limited. A similar problem was not observed with the FM-SBM supplement.
The major advantage to the supplements with feather meal was the cost. The extremely high protein content allows dilution with cheaper grain to balance the protein and energy with that of soybean meal. The cost of feather meal is typically very erratic. Feather meal used in this study was purchased for $230/ton but had been earlier quoted at $300/ton. Therefore, before utilizing feather meal in a supplement, one should consider its cost plus the cost of grain, then compare this with the cost of soybean meal.

Introduction
Tetronasin is an experimental feed additive, which has been shown to improve feed efficiency of feedlot cattle. Tetronasin is classified with a group of compounds called ionophores, which includes monensin and lasalocid. Data concerning the optimum dose of tetronasin for grazing stocker cattle are very limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective dose range of tetronasin that would produce maximum gains by stocker cattle grazing smooth bromegrass pastures.

Experimental Procedures
A total of 100 crossbred steers were utilized in a 112-day grazing study beginning on April 30. The cattle were dewormed and given clostridial, IBR, Pii, and BVD vaccinations upon arrival and vaccinated against Koraxella bovis <Pinkeye> on May 28. Following preliminary processing procedures, the steers were randomly divided into groups and offered 2 lbs of ground corn per head daily during a 12-day acclimation period; Following this period, the steers were divided into light and heavy replicates. Within a replicate, the steers were randomly allotted by weight and breed to five lots of 10 steers. Each lot received either 0, 15, 30, 60, or 90 mg of tetronasin per head daily in a 2 lb ground corn carrier.
Steers were allowed to graze one of 10 10-acre smooth broaegrass pastures. Cattle vere rotated through the pastures approximately every 14 days to minimize the effects of pasture variation.

Results
Live-weight response to increasing levels of tetronasin is shown in Table 1. In this study, steers continued to increase in weight vith each additional level of tetronasin greater than 30 mg/head/day. Improvements in live-weight gain over that of steers receiving no tetronasin ranged from 3.6X with 15 and 30 mg/head/day to 17.9% with 90 mg/head/day. The responses indicate that tetronasin is effective in improving live-weight gain by steers grazing spring and summer pastures and that the dose range of 60 -90 mg per head daily may be optimum for improving cattle performance. Steers offered molasses blocks with lasalocid consumed .3 lb more CP<.10) supplement per day than those offered supplement without lasalocid. Average lasalocid consumption was 222 mg/head/day. In Exp. 2, 24 yearling steers were used to measure consumption of lasalocid from chemically hardened molasses blocks. Lasalocid was included in the blocks at a level of 100 mg per pound of supplement. Average consumption of the blocks with lasalocid was 3.62 lb/head/day, resulting in lasalocid intake of 362 mg/head/day, which is far in excess of legally acceptable levels. These data indicate that incorporation of lasalocid into hardened molasses supplements may stimulate supplement consumption. Therefore, lasalocid intake may be underestimated if standard consumption estimates are used in the initial block formulation.

Introduction
Lasalocid is a commercially available feed additive used to alter rumen fermentation to improve feed efficiency and rate of gain. Lasalocid is presently approved for consumption by grazing cattle at levels of 60 -200 mg per head daily.
Before lasalocid may be included in free choice supplements, consumption of the supplement must be monitored to ensure that lasalocid intake falls within acceptable levels. Molasses blocks appear to be a popular delivery devise for lasalocid. These blocks have the advantage of providing lasalocid along with supplemental energy in a form that is convenient for most producers to feed. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate consumption of hardened molasses cattle blocks containing lasalocid to determine if lasalocid intake was within federally regulated levels and to measure resulting cattle performance.
'Molasses blocks and partial financial assistance for Exp.2 were provided by Cargill, Inc., Elk River, MN 55330.
Seventy-two crossbred steers (avg. wt. 527 lb> were randomly assigned to one of eight tall fescue pastures and rotated at 14-day intervals to minimize the effect of pasture variation. All cattle were allowed access to nonmedicated, heat-processed, molasses blocks containing molasses solids, fat, protein, minerals, and vitamins during a 14-day adaptation period. The steers were then grouped by body weight and randomly assigned to one of eight lots of nine steers each. The lots were randomly divided such that three lots received molasses blocks containing 200 mg/lb lasalocid, three received non-medicated molasses blocks, and two lots received no supplement during a 98-day winter grazing study beginning on December 3. Steers receiving supplementation were allowed ad libitum access to barrels containing the molasses supplements. Fescue-bromegrass hay, water, and commercial mineral blocks were provided ad libitum to each lot of cattle.

Exp. 2.
Twenty-four crossbred steers <avg. wt. 675 lbs) were allowed a 2-week period of adaptation to chemically hardened molasses blocks containing no lasalocid. The steers were then divided by weight into three replicates. Each replicate was allotted to one of three 5-acre bermudagrass pastures for a 63-day grazing study beginning on June 15. The steers were rotated through the three pastures at 14-day intervals to minimize the effects of pasture variation. Each replicate of steers received ad libitum access to commercial_, chemically hardened molasses 1 cattle blocks containing 100 mg lasalocid per lb of block. Water and commercial mineral blocks were provided ad-libitum.
Total gain and average daily gain by steers offered the heat-processed, molasses block with lasalocid were 50.6% greater <P<.10> than gains of those offered non-medicated molasses blocks <Table 1>. Steers offered no supplement gained 10.9% less (P>.25> than those offered supplement with lasalocid but gained 36.0% more <P=.22> than those offered non-medicated supplement.
Block consumption was greater <P<.10> by steers offered supplemental molasses blocks with lasalocid <Table 1>. Average medicated block consumption was 1.11 lb/head/day or 222 mg of lasalocid/head/day. The results of Exp. 1 were perplexing, especially the low performance of the steers offered non-medicated molasses blocks. The small amount of supplemental energy <.80 lb> consumed by this group should not have suppressed forage intake and thereby reduced performance below that of control steers. Furthermore, the extra .3 lb consumed by the steers offered supplement with lasalocid should not have resulted in the .15 lb greater daily gain from those steers. Likewise, it is unlikely that the 222 mg of 25 lasalocid per day would create such a response. The moat probable cause of the erratic data is the level of performance the steers attained. With low weight gains, such as observed in this experiment, treatment responses are typically erratic. Exp. 2. Average consumption of the chemically hardened molasses blocks across the three replicates for the 63-day study was 3.62 lb/head/day. Average consumption was above 2 lb/head/day from week 2 until early termination at 63 days and steadily increased throughout the study. Numerous trials had established consumption of the chemically hardened molasses blocks without lasalocid at approximately 1.5 -2.0 lb/head/day. The reason for the excessive consumption of medicated blocks is unknown. Forage was not limiting in any of the three pastures.
Average lasalocid intake vas 362 mg per head daily, which is far in excess of federal regulations. No adverse health effects were noted, but gains vere somewhat less than might be expected from cattle receiving 3.6 lb of energy supplement while grazing bermudagrass in the summer months.
These data indicate that consumption of hardened molasses blocks may be increased with the addition of lasalocid. However, performance by stocker steers may not be improved by use of hardened molasses supplements.

Introduction
Excessive rain and flooding in Southeast Kansas in the fall of 1986 caused considerable damage to unharvested milo. Much of the mile grain sprouted while still contained in the head. Grain dealers substantially reduced payment for sprouted mile, resulting in an immense economic loss to area milo producers. Many producers chose to feed the milo rather than take the price reduction at the grain elevator. Such decisions stimulated many questions concerning the feeding value of the sprouted grain. This project was conducted to answer some of these questions.

Experimental Procedure
Forty-eight, Charolais crossbred steers were randomly allotted by weight into six pens, each containing eight head. The pens then were assigned randomly to r.eceive finishing diets containing sprouted or unsprouted milo, both of which vere Hogemeyer 688 red milo. The sprouted milo contained 51% sprout-damage d kernels. Both diets consisted of 74% milo, 20% corn silage, and 6% supplement on a dry matter basis. The supplement consisted of soybean meal and a commercial monensin supplement formulated to provide 22.5 g/ton monensin in the complete diet. All steers were dewormed; implanted with Ralgro; vaccinated for IBR, Pia, Vibrio, Lepta S, and 7-way blackleg; and then offered the respective diets for 139 days. At the end of the feeding period, the cattle were slaughtered, and carcass data were obtained.

Results
Steers fed sprouted milo gained 28 lb. more <P<.10> and 8.4r. faster <P<.10) than those fed unsprouted milo <Table 1>. Quality grade, yield grade, and backfat of steers fed sprouted milo tended to be greater <P<.10> than those of steers fed unsprouted milo. Steers fed sprouted mile consumed S.3X more feed than those fed unsprouted mile but 2.7% less feed per pound of gain produced. Feedlot performance of steers fed both types of milo in this study were lower than expected. Much of the reduced performance may be attributed to extremely muddy conditions in the feedlot during the experiment.
These data indicate that sprout-damaged mile is as an acceptable feed source for finishing cattle. However, grain quality should still be considered. The milo used in this study had a test weight greater than 60 lb/bu, even though it had sprouted. Also, the sprouting damage <51%> was not as severe as in some instances. Therefore, projecting what might occur if cattle were fed milo with greater sprout-damage or lower test weights is not possible from this study. These factors should be considered when purchasing grain. •·bHeans within the same row with unlike superscripts differ <P<.10>.

Introduction
Creep feeding usually increases weaning weights of beef calves by 40 to 80 lb. Greatest response to creep feeding is obtained with fall calves or calves born to cows that are poor milkers or when forage availability for the cowherd is limiting. Cost of creep feed, feeder-calf prices, and age when calves are to be marketed determine the profitability of creep feeding. Corn is usually the energy source of choice because it is thought to be more palatable than mile. The performance of fall-dropped calves creep fed a mixture of 2/3 oats and 1/3 corn or 2/3 oats and 1/3 milo were compared in this study.

Experimental Procedure
Twenty-two, fall dropped, Simmental, Simmental x Angus, and Angus calves <12 steers and 10 heifers> were allotted equally by weight, sex, and breed to two groups on November 24, 1986, and all steer calves were implanted with Ralgro 1 • 1 • One group was creep fed a mixture of 2/3 oats and 1/3 corn, whereas the other group was creep fed a mixture of 2/3 oats and 1/3 milo. Oats and corn were coarsely ground and milo was finely ground. Each group of calves and their respective dams were wintered on 15-acre Kentucky 31 fescue pastures and fed big round bales of mixed grass hay ad libitum. Calves were weaned on April 9, 1987 <134 days>, when they were approximately 6 months old.

Results
Results of this study are presented in Table 1. Average daily gains of calves creep fed corn +oats and milo +oats were 2.21 and 2.41 lb per head, respectively. These gains were not statistically different CP=.13>. Average daily consumption of corn+ oats and milo +oats were 4.77 and 7.31 lb per head, respectively. Although calves creep fed milo + oats consumed 53% more creep feed, gains were similar to those creep fed corn + oats. Gains and creep feed consumption of calves creep fed corn + oats were similar to those obtained in previous years for calves fed the same ration. Application of microbial inoculants to fresh, whole-plant material at the time of ensiling usually reduces dry matter losses during the fermentation process. However, these additives have not resulted in consistent improvements in cattle performance.

Experimental Procedure
Corn silage treated with Garst H-74 Plus 1 • 1 inoculant at the time of ensiling was compared to control silage that contained no additives. Both were whole-plant silages harvested in the mid-dent stage on July 24, 25, and 26, 1986 from Garst 8315 hybrid corn and stored in 16 x 50 ft concrete stave silos. Garst M-74 Plus 1 • 1 inoculant was applied at the blower at the time of ensiling at the manufacturer's recommended rate. Silos were opened on September 11, 1986 and emptied at a uniform rate during the next 44 weeks. Samples were taken on a regular basis to determine dry matter recovery.
Each silage was fed to 24 steer and 24 heifer calves <two pens of each sex per silage> in an 80-day growing trial, which began on Hay 5, 1987. Rations containing 88.0% corn silage and 12.0% supplement on a DM basis were fed ad libitum. Each ration was formulated to provide 12.5% crude protein <DH basis>, 22.5 g of monensin per ton of ration DH, and equal amounts of calcium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, D, and E. Silage and supplement were mixed in a feed wagon and fed as complete mixed rations. Feed offered was recorded daily for each pen. Feed not consumed was removed, weighed, and discarded.
All cattle were fed supplemented control prior to the start of the trial. At the of the study, all cattle were dewormed with with Ralgro 1 • 1 • Initial and final weights weights taken on 2 consecutive days. This 1987 (80 days). and steers were implanted were each the average of full was terminated on July 24,

Results
A summary of growing cattle performance is listed in Table 1. Since there were no significant interactions, sex of cattle was pooled within silage treatments, and silage treatments were pooled within sex of cattle. Performance was similar between cattle fed the control and inoculated silages. Dry matter recovery and cattle gain produced per ton of crop ensiled were similar for the control and inoculated silages. The importance of alfalfa as a feed crop and/or cash crop has increased in recent years. The worth of a particular variety is determined by many factors, including its pest resistance, adaptability, longevity under specific conditions, and productivity. The second growing season of this test has just concluded.

Experimental Procedure
The 15-line test was seeded (12 lb/acre> in April, 1986 at the Mound Valley Unit. Plots were sprayed with Furadan <1.5 pt/acre> on April 20, 1987 to control a moderate but increasing weevil population. Five harvests were obtained in 1987, and plots were fertilized with 0-40-150 lb/acre of N-P 2 0 5 -Ke0 on September 2.

Results
Forage yields for each of the five cuttings and total 1987 production are shown in Table 1. Yields were excellent in 1987, ranging from 6.52 to 7.27 tans/acre <12% moisture>, because of generally abundant moisture and relatively mild temperatures in much of the season. Good to excellent, uniform stands were maintained in 1987.
Total forage production of the top three cultivars, KS196, WL-320, and 'Endure' was significantly greater than production of the three that yielded least in 1987, 'Kanza', 655, and K82-21.
'Endure' has performed well both years of the test; K82-21, 655, and Southern Special performed well the first but not the second year; and WL-320 produced well this year but was only average in the first year.

Introduction
Tall fescue is the most important cultivated grass in southeastern Kansas and in much of the mid-temperate region of the U.S. It is an agronomically superior grass under a wide range of soil conditions and tolerates abusive grazing. However, animal performance on tall fescue forage is often inferior to that on other grasses, despite similarity in laboratory tests for forage quality. Many of the poor performance traits from using tall fescue seem to be associated with the presence of the endophytic fungus, Acremonium coenophialum.
The endophytic fungus appears to be transmitted solely as a seed-borne organism, but its elimination requires destruction of the host plant. Thus, fungus-free tall fescue pastures can be obtained only by planting fungus-free fescue seed. Since the elimination of fescue toxicoses would be of substantial benefit to livestock producers using tall fescue forage, the demand for lowendophyte seed will likely continue to increase. Most local seed fields have relatively high endophyte frequencies, but a method of eliminating live endophyte from seedlots could increase the supply of locally produced seed.
Reports from the southeastern U.S. indicated that seed aged for 1 year was usually very low in endophyte frequency. However, seedlots in other parts of the country varied considerably in endophyte level after a year of storage. An experiment at Manhattan indicated that the endophyte could survive in seed for weeks at a temperature in excess of 100° F. However, a slow but steady decline in endophyte viability in seed was observed in a 40° F coldroom with uncontrolled humidity. The importance of humidity was indicated in a preliminary experiment comparing seed incubated at 104° F for periods of up to 8 days in a germinator versus a convection oven. Plants from the germinatoraged seed had no live endophyte, but those from oven-incubated seed showed little change from pretreatment endophyte levels. Further experiments were designed to test the effects of accelerated <high-temperatu re> aging at high humidity on endophyte survival and seedling viability.

Experimental Procedure
Fescue seed with a high endophyte frequency was obtained in summer, 1986, and stored in a freezer. Seedlots were treated at 104° F in one of three environments: a convection oven (0% R.H.>, a seed germinator <100% R.H.>, and a controlled environment growth cabinet with humidity control set at 50% R.H. Samples were treated in open paper coin envelopes and removed at the specified time. Following treatment, the seed was kept dessicated at 40° F until seed germination and grow-out tests for endophyte frequency could be performed.
Fifty seeds were germinated on moist blotter paper at 68° F in the germinator, with each run repeated (replicated) three times. Seedlots were grown in flats of clay chips under artifical (16-hr/dayl lights in a growth bench, periodically watered with complete nutrient solution. Temperature reached almost 90° F during the day, 75° F at night. Six to 12 plants per row <replication> were selected for cytological examination of the leaf sheath after staining with a solution containing aniline blue, and frequencies were based on the number of plants testing positive for endophyte per number examined.

Results
The effects of seed incubation at three humidities for various lengths of time on seed germination and live endophte frequency are shown in Figure 1. Values are means of four seedlots, with and without Captan. The latter treatment had no effect on either parameter, and while seedlots varied significantly, they were similarly affected by treatment <no significant 2-way interactions>. Incubation in the dry environment produced no change in germination over the period, but did result in a slight reduction in endophyte frequency after 24 days. Results were similar, though more erratic, in the 50% relative humidity environment, except that the endophyte frequency was very low after 24 days. In the saturated environment, both germination and endophyte frequency were significantly reduced after 4 days. An additional 4 days' incubation at high humidity had little further effect, but by 16 days' incubation, all seedlings were killed.
A follow-up replicated experiment was performed using only seed from the Lewis Good farm northwest of Parsons. Seed was incubated as before, but only for an 8-day period, and comparisons included a control kept dessicated in the coldroom. Results of a cytological examination of 12 seedlings each for three replications are shown in Table 1. Results verified those of the previous experiment, with the high humidity treatment eliminating live fungus from that seedlot in 8 days. Lower humidities had minor effects on fungus frequencies. Hay production from native meadow has been increased by small amounts of nitrogen <N>. Returns from fertilization do not always cover the cost, and fertilization can encourage undesirable species. Since native hay is usually low in nutrients such as protein and minerals, legumes in the stand could add N for grass growth and improve overall forage quality. This study was to determine whether lime and/or P-K fertilization would promote legume establishment, production, and native forage yield and quality.

Experimental Procedure
Lime was applied to designated plots on March 19, 1980 at 2400 lb ECG/acre. Fertilizer sufficient to provide 40 lb/acre each of PeDs and K 2 0 was applied in April, 1980. Legumes were broadcast-seeded in 1981, but dry spring weather prevented stand establishment. In 1987, the plot area was burned on April 9, and seeding was performed with a no-till plot seeder using a rate of 20 lb/acre. Common Korean lespedeza seed was obtained locally and Ark S-100 seed was obtained from Dr. Beuselinck at the University of Missouri. Subplots <12'x 14"> were cut with a sickle on July 13,1987, and the forage was dried and saved for hand separation into its major components. Warm-season grass and lespedeza components were ground and assayed for crude protein content.

Results
Fertilization with P and K in 1980 increased warm-season grass and total forage production in 1987, but had no significant effect on lespedeza production or forage crude protein content <Table 1>. Interseeding treatment did not increase grass or total forage production or crude protein content. Dry matter production of lespedeza was low, despite fair to good stands in seeded plots. Liming had no effect on any forage characteristic measured and did not significantly interact with any of the other treatment factors.
The low amount of lespedeza produced was not sufficient to affect forage quality and also indicates that little N was fixed.
In any case, there should be little legume N for grass growth in the first season of legume growth.
will be seeded for at least another year to check for Nfixation effects. The first harvest year of the test, 'Stef' and 'Mozark' produced significantly less forage than 'Kenhy' in the first two cuttings.
'Forager' fescue was relatively poor in forage quality, whereas 'Phyter' had high forage quality. Maturity of first-cut forage varied among varieties, but the dry matter content of Forager forage was not significantly higher than that of Phyter.

Introduction
Tall fescue is the most widely grown forage grass in southeastern Kansas. New and old cultivars were compared for agronomic adaptation and forage quality, since the variety chosen for a new seeding will have effects for as long as the stand exists.

Experimental Procedure
Plots were seeded on September 4, 1986 at 20 lb/acre at the Mound Valley Unit, ostensibly with endophyte-free seed. Plots were 30 x 7.5 ft each, in four randomized complete blocks. Fertilizer application totalling 80-40-40 lb/acre of N-P 1 0 5 -Ka0 was made on March 10, 1987, with 40-40-40 applied on September 2,1987. Plots were cut on May 8, June 25, and October 27 in 1987 because of better-than-normal growing conditions. A subsample from each plot vas collected for moisture, crude protein, and neutral-detergent fiber <NDF> determinations.

Results
In the first cutting, Forager and 'Johnstone' yielded significantly more than 'Triumph', whereas Stef produced less forage than all other varieties <Table 1>. Forage dry weight percentages for the first cutting are shown to indicate the maturity differences seen in the varieties. By that criterion, Triumph and Forager were among the earliest maturing, whereas Johnstone was latest, with Kenhy and Stef appearing relatively late-maturing. By the second cutting, Triumph was in the higher-yielding group, while 'Festorina' yielded significantly less than Kenhy. Third-cut yields were not reported because of the possibility of collecting remnants of previous growth, but yield was greater from 'Mo-96' and ISI-TTFL than from Johnstone and Stef <data not shown>. 41 Forage quality information in the form of crude protein contents and percent NDF for the first two cuts are also in Table 1. First-cut forage crude protein was higher in Phyter and Ho-96 than in Forager and Festorina. Martin second-cut forage had more crude protein than Forager, Kenhy, 'Ky-31', and Mozark, whereas Phyter ranked second.
Lowest first-cut forage NDF values were found in Phyter and 'Fawn', which were significantly lower than Forager. From the second cutting, forage NDF was lower in Mo-96 and Phyter than in Festorina, Forager, Kenhy, Ky-31, or Fawn. Hartin was also lower in second-cut forage NDF than Festorina or Forager.
Forage quality parameters in the first cutting were more closely related to one another than to percent dry weight of forage. The two highest protein lines had low NDF values but were intermediate in forage dry matter percentage. The two lines lowest in forage protein were highest in NDF, but only one, Forager, was also high in dry matter percentage. Thus, it appears that other varietal factors in addition to maturity were influencing forage quality in the first cutting.
Third-cut forage quality estimates were similar in ranking to those of earlier harvests, with one notable exception <data not shown>. Crude protein percentage ranged from 12.7 to 9.4%, with Mozark, Phyter, and Mo-96 having higher concentrations than Festorina. Forage NDF percentages ranged from 63.9 to 69.0%, with Kozark, Fawn, and Phyter having less fiber than Triumph. Mozark showed an apparent relative improvement in quality of fall forage.  Two separate tests of warm-season, perennial grasses were harvested for forage production, and forage analyses were performed. Total production was similar among the entries, averaging about 1.2 and 1.5 tons/acre in the warmseason cultivar and big bluestem tests, respectively. Forage quality was also similar among cultivars.

Introduction
Warm-season, perennial grasses are needed to fill a production void left by cool-season grasses in certain forage systems. Reseeding improved varieties of certain native species, such as big bluestem, also could help fill the summer production "gap•. Certain introduced, warm-season grasses, such as the so-called Old World bluestems <Bothriochloa species>, have as much potential as big bluestem and are easier to establish, but may lack some quality characteristics.

Experimental Procedure
Warm-season grass plots were broadcast-seeded on 19 June, 1984 at the Mound Valley Unit, Southeast Kansas Experiment Station. Old World bluestems <'W.W. Spar' and 'W.W. Ironmaster' > were obtained from Dr. Chet Dewald, USDA Southern Plains Station, and seeded at 5 lb material/acre. Bluestem and indiangrass were seeded at 10 lb material/acre. Plots were clipped to control weeds in 1984 and early 1985. Harvests began in fall, 1985, two cuts were taken in 1986, and the 1987 harvest was taken on June 29.
Big bluestem was seeded with a cone planter in 12-inch rows on 20 June, 1985 at 12 lb PLS/acre in plots adjacent to those previously described. Stand counts, plant heights, and other seedling measurements were taken after the first growth season, the center rows were cut twice in 1986 and June 29 in 1987 for forage production, and culms from the outside rows were counted and threshed for estimation of seed production.
Forage yields, crude protein content, and neutral-detergent fiber CNDF> from the warm-season cultivar test are shown in Table 1. Plots with stands were not harvested, so significant differences were difficult to obtain.
Only W.W. Spar had solid stands in all four replications, and that cultivar yielded as much as 'Osage' indiangrass. The big bluestem cultivar, 'Kaw', had the highest crude protein content and lowest NDF, but forage seemed low for June 29 forage in all the entries.
The big bluestem test <Table 2) was harvested on the same day as the warm-season cultivar test. No differences in forage or seed yield or in quality parameters were found among the cultivars in 1987. Yields 1.5 tons/acre <12% moisture) for forage and 233 lb/acre for seed production. Production appeared higher in Kaw and T04237 than in 'Rountree' and 'Pawnee'. Rountree had relatively good forage quality, with 6.6% crude protein and 51% NDF. Both fescue and bromegrass responded to N fertilization up to 150 lb/a. Knifing of the fluid N fertilizer resulted in higher fescue and bromegrass yields than surface applications. Time of application <fall or spring combinations> did not affect either fescue or bromegrass yields in the first year of this study.

Introduction
Several million acres of seeded cool-season grasses exist in eastern Kansas, mostly tall fescue and smooth bromegrass pastures. Much of the cool-season grass in southeastern Kansas has been in long-term production and continually fertilized by top-dressing. This study was initiated in 1986 to determine how yield of tall fescue and smooth bromegrass is affected by 1> timing of N application, 2> method of fluid N application as either broadcast, dribble, or knife at 4 6 , and 3> N rates of 75 and 150 lb/a. Experimental Procedure N fertilization timing schemes were 1> 100% of the N applied in the fall, 2) 100% of the N applied in the spring, or split N applications consisting of 3> 67% of the N in fall and 33% of the N in spring, and 4> 33% of the N fall applied and 67% of the N in spring. Fall UAN <urea-ammonium nitrate solution -28% N> fertilization dates were Oct. 30 and 31, 1986, whereas spring N applications were made on March 9 and 10, 1987 for the fescue and bromegrass, respectively. Dribble and knife spacing were 10 inches. Uniform broadcast applications of 39 lb PaDs/a and 77 lb KeO/a were made to all plots on Oct. 29, 1987. A 3 ft x 20 ft area was harvested on May 13 and 21, 1987 for fescue and bromegrass, respectively.

Results
Tall fescue or bromegrass yields were not affected by timing of N application <Table 1>. Timing also did not interact with either method or N rate, which suggests that fertilizer placement may not influence the availability of fall-as compared to spring-applied N for either fescue or bromegrass. However, regardless of N application timing, knife applications resulted in approximately 0.3 ton/a higher yields than broadcast for fescue and bromegrass. Knife applications also resulted in higher yield than dribble application for f escue, whereas dribble and knife applications for bromegrass were not significantly different.
Increasing the N rate from 75 to 150 lb/a increased both fescue and bromegrass yields by approximately 0.5 ton/a. However, a 0.7 to 0.8 ton/a increase was obtained when 75 lb Nia was applied as compared to the check. Grain sorghum yields were higher following either red clover or hairy vetch than following grain sorghum. Grain sorghum yields were also higher in reduced tillage areas than no-tillage. The lack of response to applied fertilizer N in any of the systems was likely related to the high organic matter and organic N levels of the soil at the two sites used in this study.

Introduction
This study was initiated to evaluate the use of a spring-seeded <red clover> and a fall-seeded (hairy vetch> legume in reduced and no-tillage systems on subsequent grain sorghum production. Nitrogen rates from 0 to 120 lb/a were applied in each system to estimate the ff contribution from the legumes.

Experimental Procedure
The experiment was a split-split plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design with three replications. The whole plots were previous crop: red clover, hairy vetch, or grain sorghum. The first split was tillage system: reduced tillage or no-tillage. The second split was N rates of 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 lb/a. The experiment vas conducted on two adjacent sites at the Parsons Field of the Southeast Kansas Branch Experiment Station. One site <Site 1> had 24 lb available P per acre and 160 lb available K per acre, whereas the other site (Site 2> had 8 lb available P per acre and 120 lb available K per acre in the surface soil zone. Site l was plowed from native grass in spring 1979, whereas Site 2 was plowed from native grass in fall 1983. To establish the previous crop for subsequent grain sorghum production, red clover was planted on "arch 21, 1986, grain sorghum was planted on June 17, 1986, and hairy vetch was planted on September 10, 1986. No-till plots in the red clover and hairy vetch areas were sprayed with 1 qt/a of glyphosate on Kay 11 and 3 pt/a of 2,4-D ester on Kay 18, 1987. No-till plots in the previous grain sorghum area were sprayed with 1 qt/a of glyphosate on May 21, 1987. Reduced tillage plots in all previous crop areas were offset disced with one pass on May 11, 1987. Nitrogen as LIAN solution <287. N> was dribble applied on June 10, 1987 at the rates listed above. Pioneer 8585c grain sorghum seed was planted in all areas at 62,000 seed/a on May 15, 1987.

Results
At Site 1, yields of grain sorghum following either red clover or hairy vetch were higher than those of grain sorghum following grain sorghum <Table 1). At Site 2, the lower soil P and K fertility site, grain sorghum yields following hairy vetch were 11 bu/a higher than those following red clover; however, this difference was not significant. Both previous legume crop systems resulted in higher yield than continuous grain sorghum. At both sites, reduced tillage resulted in more than 15 bu/a higher yields than with no-tillage. Nitrogen rate did not significantly affect grain sorghum yields at either site. Koisture stress induced by only 1.14" of rainfall from July 19 through August 12, with average day temperatures near 100°F and in conjunction with sorghum webworm, likely reduced the grain sorghum yield potential in all systems.
Nitrogen concentration in the above-ground portion of the grain sorghum plants at the soft dough growth stage tended to be higher following a legume or with reduced tillage, even though these main effects were not significant at Site 1 <Table 1>. However, at both sites, increasing N rate increased N concentration in the plant. Nitrogen uptake by grain sorghum was greater following either legume or with reduced tillage at both sites. In contrast to the H concentration data, N uptake was not significantly affected by N rate. The small responses to N rate are likely related to the soil organic matter and organic H content. Background soil organic matter content was approximately 3% at both sites, and soil organic N levels were approximately 1400-1500 ppm (2800-3000 lb Nia>. Therefore, the response of grain sorghum to previous legume systems or tillage may be related to additional factors as well as to N.  First year results were obtained on an established alfalfa stand that had very low P and low K soil levels. Yields at the first cutting were increased by the application of at least 80 lb PaOs/a. However, at the second and third cuttings, yields were only increased by the addition of 160 lb KaO/a. Knifing the fluid fertilizers resulted in highest first and third cutting alfalfa yields as compared to surface applications, but placement did not affect the second cutting yields.

Introduction
Alfalfa production in Kansas totals approximately 1 million acres. Efficient fertilizer use can result in large economic returns for alfalfa producers. Limited work has been done in Kansas concerning fertilizer options for alfalfa. Therefore, a study was initiated to determine how alfalfa yields are affected by P and K rates and method of fluid fertilizer application.

Experimental Procedure
An off-station site was established in spring 1987, using an alfalfa stand that was planted in fall 1984. Background soil P and K levels in the surface G• vere 10 and 120 lb/a, respectively. The treatments were randomized in a complete block with four replications. Two separate analyses <experiments) were made. The first analysis compared liquid fertilizer P rates of O, 40, 80, and 120 lb PaOs/a and K rates of 0, 80, and 160 lb KeO/a when dribble applied. The second analysis compared broadcast, dribble, and knife at 4-inch application methods at Prates of 40 and 80 lb PaOs/a and K rates of 0 and 80 lb KaO/a. Fertilizer applications were made on April 2, 1987. Three cuttings from a 3 x 20' area from each plot were taken on May 19, June 22, and August 5. The site was abandoned after August 5 for logistic reasons.
'Research is partially supported by grant funding from the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation.

Experiment 1
At the first cutting, P rate significantly affected yields; however, K rate had no effect <Table 1). P rates of 80 and 120 lb PaOs resulted in higher first cutting yield than no P. However, the differences in mean yields were small, regardless of P or K level. At the second and third cuttings, P had no effect on yield~ howeve~ K applied at a rate of 160 lb K10/a increased alfalfa yield. Total yield from the three cuttings was not affected by P rate, but was approximately 0.5 ton/a higher with 160 rather than 0 or SO lb KaO/a application rate.

Experiment 2
The only factor that significantly affected individual cutting or total yields was fluid fertilizer placement <Table 2>. At the first cutting and for the total, knifing resulted in higher yields than either broadcast or dribble. Yields at the second cutting were not affected by placement. However, at the third cutting, knife resulted in significantly higher yields than dribble applications. At the P and K rates used in this analysis, total alfalfa yield was increased 0.5 ton/a by knifed applications. The reason that PaOs rates of 40 and 80 lb/a and KaO rates of 0 and 80 lb/a did not affect yields regardless of application method may be explained from the data obtained in Experiment 1. It is likely that P and K rates similar to those in Experiment 1 were needed to obtain a yield response at this site under the environmental conditions experienced.

Introduction
Doublecropping soybeans after wheat or other small grains such as oats is practiced by many producers in southeastern Kansas. Several options exist for dealing with straw residue from the previous small grain crop. The method of managing the residue may affect not only the doublecrop soybeans but also the following small grain crop. Since wheat <or oat> residue that is not removed by burning or is not incorportated before planting soybeans may result in immobilization of N applied for the following small grain crop <usually wheat>, an additional objective of this study was to observe whether an increase in N rate, especially where doublecrop soybeans were grown with no-tillage, could increase small grain yields.

Experimental Procedure
Three wheat residue management systems for doublecrop soybeans with three replications were established in spring 1983: no-tillage, disc only, and burn then disc. After the 1983 soybean harvest, the entire area was disced, field cultivated, and planted to wheat. Before field cultivation, 300 lb/a of 6-24-24 was broadcast in all areas. In spring 1984, 67 lb N/a as urea was broadcast as a topdressing to all plots. Wheat yield was determined in areas where the three residue management systems were imposed previously. In spring 1985, residue management plots were split, so that two topdress N rates were applied. Topdress N rates of 57 and 103 lb Nia gave total yearly N applications for wheat of 83 and 129 lb Nia, respectively. These residue management and N rate treatments were continued through 1986 and 1987. However, because of poor stands of late-planted wheat in 1986 and the inability to plant wheat in fall 1986, spring oats were planted in 1986 and 1987.

Results
Wheat residue management had no significant effect on the yield of soybeans in 1983 <data not shown>. Drought conditions resulted in an overall mean yield of 5.4 bu/a. Soybeans planted daublecrop in 1984 were also severely affected by drought conditions. Soybean plants were too small ta be harvested; therefore, no harvest data were obtained. Even though rainfall conditions were more favorable in 1985, no rain for approximately 3 weeks after planting resulted in poor weed control in no-till plots and, thus, no yield. In 1985, soybeans planted after discing the wheat residue yielded 21.1 bu/a, whereas soybeans planted after burning and then discing yielded 14.4 bu/a. The topdress N rate for the previous wheat crop did not affect the doublecrop soybean yields. Soybeans in 1986 were not affected by residue management or residual N rate, resulting in a mean yield of 10.4 bu/a <data not shown>. In 1987, an interaction between the residue management and residual N rate occurred. In the burn-then-disc and the disc only systems, a high N rate applied to the wheat resulted in 3 to 4 bu/a higher soybean yields than the low N rate, whereas soybean yields tended to be 1 bu/a less when the high N rate was applied to wheat in no-till management systems <data not shown>. The highest soybean yields of 18.2 bu/a in 1987 were with the disc-only system in the area that received the high N rate for wheat.
Management of wheat residue in 1983 significantly influenced the 1984 wheat yields <Table 1>. When soybeans had been planted no-till in 1983, the 1984 wheat crop yielded 16 and 20 bu/a less than when the residue had been disced or burned then disced, respectively. <No significant occurrence of disease, including tan spot, was evident in the plots. > The percent protein in the grain was also lover Cp<0.10> where no tillage had been used for the doublecrop soybeans than with the other systems. This suggested a possible N immobilization when the previous years' wheat straw was tilled into the soil after no-till, doublecrop soybeans and immediately prior to wheat planting.
Because of the above results, two N rates were applied to the wheat grown in 1984-85 as well as in the following years. Since work during the past several years by Ken Kelley at the Southeast Branch Station has shown no yield advantage to N rates exceeding 90 to 100 lb/a, total N rates were established at 83 and 129 lb/a. This was done so that if immobilization were a factor in limiting wheat yields in areas that previously grew no-tillage, doublecrop soybeans, yield responses to N rate would be likely in those plots but not in the burn-disc or disc-only plots. Wheat harvested in 1985 yielded 7 and 11 bu/a less when the previous doublecrop soybeans had been planted no-till rather than disc-only or burn-then-disc, respectively <Table 1>.
<All plots showed moderate disease pressure; however, no differences were noted between tillage systems. > Yield was not affected by N rate nor was there an interaction between residue management systems and N rate. In addition, there was no statistical difference in protein level as affected by any treatment factor.
Oat yields in 1986 were also affected by the previous years' residue management system for planting doublecrop soybeans CTable 1>. Oat yields were 15 and 21 bu/a less when doublecrop soybeans had been planted no-till as compared to a burn-then-disc or disc-only system, respectively. Similar to the 1985 wheat crop, 1986 oat yields were not significantly affected by N rate or the interaction between residue management and N rate. Oat yields in 1987 were affected by an interaction between residue management system and N rate. Increasing N rate lowered oat yields in areas where doublecrop soybeans had been planted no-till, whereas increasing N rate increased oat yields where the residue management had been either burn-then-disc or disconly. Protein values in oats in 1986 were affected by residue management and N rate but not by the interaction of these factors. However, in 1987, increasing N rate increased grain protein only at the 0.10 level, whereas residue management had no effect on percent protein. Since the above data show that increasing N rate from 83 to 129 lb/a does not increase yields of small grain crops, especially where soybeans had been planted no-till, if immobilization is a problem in •residual• no-till areas, other factors may limit the effectiveness of additional N.  1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987  Even though tillage did not affect grain sorghum yields in 1983, no tillage resulted in lower grain sorghum yield in 1985 and 1987 than either conventional or reduced tillage. Tillage did not affect soybean yield in either 1984 or 1986. N fertilization schemes did not affect grain sorghum yields in 1983 and have resulted in little or no effect on soybeans. However, N fertilization did increase grain sorghum yields in 1985 and 1987, with anhydrous ammonia application resulting in the highest yields.

Introduction
Many kinds of rotational systems are employed in southeastern Kansas. This experiment was designed to determine the effect of selected tillage and nitrogen fertilization options on the yields of grain sorghum and soybeans in rotation.

Experimental Procedure
A split-plot design with four replications was initiated in 1983 with tillage systems as whole plots and N treatments as subplots. The three tillage systems were conventional, reduced, and no-tillage. The conventional system consisted of chiseling, discing, and field cultivation. The reduced tillage system consisted of discing and field cultivation. Glyphosate was applied each year at 1.5 qt/a to the no-till areas. The four nitrogen treatments for the 1983, 1985, and 1987 grain sorghum were a> zero N applied, b) anhydrous ammonia knifed to a depth of 6 inches, cl broadcast urea-ammonium nitrate CUAN -28% N> solution, and d> broadcast solid urea. N rates were 125 lb/a. Harvests were collected from each subplot for both grain sorghum and soybean crops, even though N fertilization was applied only to grain sorghum.

Results
No significant differences as affected by tillage or N fertilization were found for grain sorghum yield in 1983 <Table 1>. Dry growing conditions resulted in an overall mean yield of 45 bu/a. Soybean yields in 1984 were not affected by tillage but were affected by the residual effect of 1983 N fertilizer application. However, since drought conditions existed in 1984 as well as in 1983, these yield differences were small. Tillage and N fertilization options significantly interacted to affect grain sorghum yields in 1985. For both conventional and reduced tillage, the addition of N of source) resulted in an approximately 20 bu/a increase in yield, to the check • However, with no-tillage, the application of anhydrous ammonia resulted in 40 bu/a higher yield than in the check and 10 to 20 bu/a yield than from the application of solid urea or UAN solution. Even though from different N sources, these data suggest that deep placement of N fertilizer may produce higher grain sorghum yields in no-tillage systems. The lower mean yields obtained with no-tillage as compared to reduced or conventional tillage systems in 1985 may have been due to increased weed competition. The lack of precipitation for over 3 weeks after application reduced the effectiveness of the preemergent herbicides. Soybean yields in 1986 were not affected by tillage or residual effects of grain sorghum N fertilization. The trend for lower yield in no-tillage areas may have been due to moderate weed pressure. In 1987, grain sorghum yields were affected by both and N fertilization but no interaction was found. Yields were between 17 and 24 bu/a higher in conventional or reduced tillage than no-tillage areas. Yields were increased by 30, 50, and 62 bu/a above the check with the addition of UAN solution, urea, or anhydrous ammonia, respectively. Weed pressure in no-till areas was minimal in 1987, as evidenced by the 87 bu/a yields obtained with the application of anhydrous ammonia in those plots. -------------bu/a-------------

Summary
In the first year of this study, the soil compaction regimes used did not affect yields of either soybean or grain sorghum.

Introduction
Claypan soils are typical in southeastern Kansas. Though some variation occurs, these soils have approximately 1 ft of silt loam overlying 3 ft or more of silty clay. Therefore, mechanical operations that affect the top 12w of soil may significantly impact plant growth and crop production. Soil compaction is one possible consequence of tillage and harvesting operations. Thus, the objective of this experiment was to determine the long-term effect of selected compaction systems on soybean and grain sorghum growth and yield and on soil properties.

Experimental Procedure
The experiment was established at the Columbus Field of the Southeast Kansas Branch Experiment Station in 1987. Five compaction systems comprised the whole plots of a split-plot experimental design. The compaction regimes include 1> entire area compacted, 2) wheel track compaction, 3> wheel track compaction that has received a subsequent chisel operation, 4> wet disc operation, and 5) no intentional compaction. Subplots were two soybean varieties, Williams 82 and Bay, and one grain sorghum variety, Pioneer 8585. Plots were compacted on March 20, 1987 by use of a four-wheel drive tractor with a total weight of 18640 lb. Double passes in the same track were made by the tractor. In addition, since the tire width was 20•, side-by-side, double-passed tracks were used to make a 4ow compacted area. These tracks were made perpendicular to the subsequent row planting. The chisel operation for designated wheel track treatments was done perpendicular to the wheel tracks on April 22 at a depth of s• and on a spacing of 12 8 • Wet disc operations were done on May 8 and June 2. All plots, including those receiving no intentional compaction, were disced and field cultivated on June 16. Soybeans and grain sorghum were 'With collaboration of R.E. Wary, Jr. planted on June 16 at approximately 140,000 and 66,000 seeds/a, respectively. Soybeans were fertilized with 153 lb/a of 6-24-24 applied as a side band with the planter. Grain sorghum was fertilized with a blend of 67 lb Nia as urea <46-0-0> and 145 lb/a of 6-24-24 applied as a side band with the planter.
Plots were harvested for yield. Yield components were determined from a sample taken from a 30 x s2• area within the plot. In addition, plant height at maturity, leaf area index, and dry weight were measured. Oxygen diffusion rates at 4• and gravimetric moisture content at 2-6• were measured in the soil.

Results
The compaction systems did not result in yield differences for soybeans or grain sorghum or in differences in most of the measured plant and soil parameters (data not shown>. Oxygen diffusion rate on Sept. 30 was the only soil or plant response that was significantly affected by the five compaction systems. This study will be continued to determine long-term effects of annual compaction schemes. 63 Introduction Irrigation of soybeans is not extensive in southeastern Kansas. This is due, in part, to the lack of large irrigation sources. Limited irrigation, supplied by the substantial number of ponds in the area, could be used to help increase soybean yields. The objectives of this experiment were to determine the optimum reproductive growth stage for irrigation with a limited water supply and to determine if planting date affects the soybean response to irrigation.

Experimental Procedure
An experiment was established in 1987 to determine the effect of four irrigation schemes on yield of three soybean cultivar planted at two dates. The four irrigation schemes were no irrigation, 1• applied at the Rl growth stage (first bloom>, 1• applied at the R4 growth stage (pod 0.75 9 long at one of four uppermost nodes>, and 1• applied at R6 growth' stage <full-sized grren beans at one of the four uppermost nodes>. The tvo planting dates were early and late June. The three soybean cultivars were Crawford, Douglas, and Sparks. The first planting date was June 9, 1987, and the second planting date was June 26, 1987. All cultivars were seeded at approximately 146,000 seed/a. All areas were fertilized with 112 lb/a of 6-24-24 on June 8, 1987. The soybeans planted at the first date were harvested on Oct. 9, 1987, and those planted at the second date were harvested on Oct. 22, 1987.

Results
Soybean yield was not significantly affected by irrigation scheme, planting date, or cultivar selection <Table 1> and averaged 38.7 bu/a. An interaction between planting date and variety shoved that Sparks was little affected by planting date, whereas both Crawford and Douglas yielded approximately 2 to 3 bu/a less when planted in late June rather than in early June.
An interaction <p<0.10> between irrigation scheme and planting date suggested that yields of the three cultivars were similar for the irrigation schemes when planted at the early date. However, when the three cultivars were planted in late June, they appeared to respond to the irrigation systems. Yields were increased by 3 to 6 bu/a when the soybeans received lB of irrigation at the Rl and R6 reproductive growth stages, as compared to either no irrigation or irrigation at the R4 stage <data not shown>. Even though rainfall occurred sporadically in 1987, the yields suggest that moisture stress periods were minimal.
This study will be continued to eval.uate response in years when rainfall and other environmental patterns may differ. Wheat and barley were not planted in fall of 1986 because of wet weather, and spring oats, spring barley, and spring wheat were planted in early March, 1987. The spring small grains were harvested in late June. Spring oat varieties Ogle and Bates have a high yield potential. The spring barley yields averaged 29 bu/a, with Bowers having the highest yield of 40 bu/a. Yields of spring wheat were lover than those of winter wheat. The spring wheats do not appear very promising because of the warm humid conditions in early spring in southeaster n Kansas, which increase the potential for diseases.

Introductio n
The small grain variety tests are conducted to help southeaster n Kansas growers select varieties best adapted for the area. Complete results are available in Kansas Agric. Expt. Stn. Report of Progress 537. The small grains tested in 1987 included spring oats, spring wheat, and spring barley. Winter wheat and barley were not tested in 1987 because of a wet fall.

Experimenta l Procedure
Eight spring oats, six spring wheats, and eight spring barley varieties were were planted on March 6, 1987. Seeding rates were 1,080,000 seeds per acre for spring wheat, 70 lb. per acre for spring barley, and 90 lb. per acre for the spring oats and were fertilized with 75 lb. N per acre, 67 lb. PeOs per acre, and 67 lb. KaO per acre.

Spring Oats Results
Yields and yield components of spring oats are shown in Table 1. Average yield of the test was 37 bu per acre, and test weights averaged 24 lb per bushel. Yields ranged from 26 to 43 bu per acre, with Ogle being the highest yielding variety. Speckle leaf blotch was a problem this past spring, with Webster having the highest incidence of the disease and Ogle and Hazel having the lowest. 1 Department of Agronomy, KSU.

Spring Barley Results
Yields for spring barley averaged 29 bu per acre <Table 2>. Bevers vas the highest yielding variety. Lud and Steptoe had the lowest lodging percentage. Lud and Otis are two-row barleys, whereas Bowers and Robust are six-row barleys. Robust is used for malting. These spring barleys have lover yields than winter barleys, thus, the potential of growing them in southeastern Kansas does not appear to be good.

Spring Wheat Results
Yields and yield components for spring wheat can be found in Table 3. The spring wheat averaged 32 bu/a and the highest yielding cultivar was Guard (37 bu/a). Protein content ranged from 14.4 to 15.3 percent.   Corn hybrids are irrigated conditions. southeastern Kansas is irrigation facilities.
Introduction grown in southeastern Kansas in both dryland and Determining which hybrids will perform best in of prime importance to area farmers with and without Experimental Procedure In 1987, 48 corn hybrids were planted in an off-station test with and without irrigation. The corn was planted on April 9 in 30-inch rows in Montgomery County. The irrigated corn was watered on June 15 and June 16 with 1 inch of water on each day. The irrigated test was thinned to a plant population of 24,600 plants/a, and the dryland test was thinned to 16,100 plants/a. Corn from both tests was harvested on September 2.

Results
Moisture was very good for most of the growing season. The irrigated test averaged 156 bu per acre, with a range of 139 to 174 bu per acre. Table 1 shows the yields and yield components of some of the highest yielding corn hybrids in the irrigated test. The dryland test averaged 130 bu per acre in response to the excellent growing conditions. Herbicide: Aatrex at a rate of 2 lb/a and Lasso at a rate of4 qt/a. Irrigation and Amounts: June 15 and June 16 with 1 inch each day.  Soybeans from maturity groups III, IV, and V were planted in mid-June at the Columbus Field of the Southeast Kansas Branch Station. Weather conditions were good for soybean growth during the early part of the growing season, but were dry for July and August. Maturity groupV soybean varieties continue to show the most consistently high yields in southeastern Kansas. The group III soybeans had low yields because.of charcoal rot and the dry conditions during July and August when these soybeans began to bloom and set pods.

Introduction
Soybeans are an important crop for southeastern Kansas, which has approximately one-third of the state's acreage. Testing and developing varieties that are adapted to the area is of prime importance to local farmers.

Experimental Procedure
Maturity groups III, IV, and V were tested in 1987 at the Columbus Field. Soybeans were planted on June 10 in 30-inch rows with a John Deere Maxi-merge planter equipped with cones.

Results
Moisture was good during some of the growing season, but rainfall was low in July and August. Yields were good for maturity group V soybeans, with a test average of 28 bu per acre. However, the group III and IV soybean's yields were much lover. Some of the more commonly grown varieties are listed in Table  1. Complete variety results are compiled in Kansas Agric. Expt. Stn. Report of Progress 533.

Summary
Soybean varieties from maturity groups V and VI were obtained from private and public sources and planted in early June. Several maturity group V soybeans, which are not currently marketed in the area, have potential for southeastern Kansas. Maturity group VI soybeans yields were slightly less than those of group V soybeans.

Introduction
Many maturity group V soybean varieties are not currently grown in southeastern Kansas. Some private companies have not promoted these soybeans in the area. The possibility also exists that maturity group VI soybean varieties might be grown.

Experimental Procedure
Soybeans varieties from maturity group V and VI were obtained from public and private breeders. These were planted at the Columbus field on 20 May in 30-inch rows with eight viable seeds per foot in a linear row <139,000 seeds per acre>. Sencor DF at the rate of 0.33 lb/a and Dual at the rate of 1.5 pt/a were applied after planting.

Results
Soybean yields ranged from 20 to 32 bu per acre, with Teano, a group V soybean, having the highest yield <Table 1>. The highest yielder in group VI was Eagle Seed's HSC B2J, with 31 bu per acre. Two-year averages ranged from 15 to 30 bu per acre, and 3-year averages ranged from 20 to 32, with Forrest having the highest yield <Table 1>.

PERFORMANCE OF POPCORN HYBRIDS Introduction
Alternative crops are being sought to provide some relief from the poor economic situation in agriculture. One possible crop to grow in southeastern Kansas is popcorn. Popcorn could probably be grown on the same ground as field corn with irrigation. The objective of this test was to examine the yield potential of popcorn with irrigation in southeastern Kansas.

Experimental Procedures
Eight popcorn hybrids were obtained and planted on April 7 in 30-inch revs at Mr. Vernon Egbert's farm near McCune. Popcorn was planted at a target population of 23,200 plants per acre. Popcorn was irrigated on June 23 with 1 inch of water. Data collected include mid-silk date, plant population, percent lodging, test weight, number of kernels per 10 grams, and yield per acre. After harvesting, a popping test was conducted to determine the quality of the popcorn. This was done by weighing 250 grams of seeds and placing them in a Cretors' popper at 480°F in a half a cup of cocoanut oil. After popping, the volume was measured. Generic popcorn has a popping quality of 32 cc/g or higher.

Results
Rainfall was good until late July, when conditions became dry and one irrigation application was applied. P410 had the highest yield, and 03196, 12164, and P203 had the highest popping quality <Table 1>. Lodging was high for all hybrids, with 03196 and 8365 having the lowest percentage.

Introduction
Doublecropping of soybeans in southeastern Kansas is a common practice, when time and soil moisture are available. Selecting the best cultivar is usually based on the results from the soybean performance report, which is for full-season soybeans. Several states have reported that the results from the performance report can be used for doublecrop systems; however, other states have indicated there are differences. A study was initiated in 1985 to examine the response of different soybean cultivars after wheat in three different tillage systems.

Experimental Procedures
Wheat was planted in the fall of 1985, 1986, and 1987 at the recommended rate and harvested in mid-to late June. After wheat harvest, three tillage systems were established: a> burn <burn wheat stubble, disc several times>; b) minimum tillage Cdisc twice with offset disc>; and c> no-tillage. Twelve soybean cultivars from three maturity groups <Table ll were planted in 30-inch rows with a John Deere Kaxi-emerge planter modified with cone. In 1985, the study was planted at the Parsons and Columbus fields; in 1986, at the Parsons Field~ and in 1987, at the Columbus Field. In all years, wheat was planted at a different site and was not in a continous, wheat doublecrop soybean system.
Soybeans were planted at a target population of 139,000 plants per acre (8 seeds/foot>. Data collected were stand count, plant height, maturity, number of seeds per pound, and yield. Number of seed per pound was determined by the conversion of 100-seed weight.
In June, 1986 before wheat harvest at Parsons, plots were re-established to determine if the previous soybean cultivar and tillage system had any effect on subsequent wheat yields and yield components. Yield components determined were percent stand, test weight, and percent protein.

Soybean Yields
Yield and yield components for 1985 and 1986 are shown in table 2. In 1985, there was a significant difference in yield at the Parsons <P<0.10> and Columbus CP<0.05> locations from the interaction of soybean cultivar and tillage system. Some soybean cultivars at both locations did better in one tillage system than in another. Bay, at both locations, had its highest yields in the burn system, whereas Coker 393 had its highest yields in the minimum and no-tillage systems. In 1986, yields were lower than in 1985 because of the rainfall pattern. Tillage systems and the interaction of soybean cultivar X tillage systems did not significantly affect yield or maturity. Although not significant, there was a trend.for the interaction of soybean cultivar X tillage system to influence yield as it did in the Parsons' 1985 data. Plant population was significantly different for tillage systems at Parson in 1985 and 1986. The no-tillage system had a significantly lower population than either the burn or minimum systems. This was probably due to poor soil to seed contact, resulting from straw residue that was either mixed in or left on the soil surface. Significant differences for yield, maturity, and plant population among soybean cultivars were found in 1985 and 1986 <Table 2>. The highest yielding cultivar was Bay.
Yield and yield components for 1987 are shown in Table 3. Significant differences in yield, plant population, and seed size were measured for soybean cultivars and tillage systems. Northrup King 544-77 was the highest yielding cultivar, whereas Pioneer 9442 had the highest population. Zane produced the largest seed. The minimum system had the highest yield and plant population, whereas the no-tillage system produced the largest seeds. The interaction of soybean cultivar X tillage system did not significantly affect yield, plant population, or seed size.
Wheat yields and yield components were not significantly affected by the previous soybean cultivar, tillage system, or their interaction <Table 4>.
Although not significant, the previous no-tillage system tended to result in the highest yields and stand, but a lover protein content. Highest wheat yields were measured where the previous soybean cultivars were Crawford and NK S42-40, whereas wheat yields were lowest where Williams 82, Essex, and Pershing had been grown the previous year. This suggests a possible allelophatic effect from certain cultivars.     1985 1986 1985 1986 1985 1986 Cul ti var S:      Fertilizer: 300 lb of 6-24-24/a plus 75 lb N/a as urea.

Introduction
Approximately 33 percent of Kansas' soybeans are grown in the southeastern part of the state. Soil test results from 1980 and 1981 indicated that over half of the soils in this area were low to medium in K, and 78 percent were low to medium in P. Charcoal rot is a major disease in southeastern Kansas and recently has been estimated to reduce yields by as much as 50 per cent in some fields. In a study initiated in 1985 and continued in 1986 and 1987, we examined the effects of P, K, or Cl levels individually or the P-K interaction on several yield parameters and on the incidence of charcoal rot in different soybean cultivars.

Experimental Procedures
The experimental design was a split plot with a factorial arrangement of P, K, and Cl as whole plots and soybean cultivars as split plots with three replications. Rates of P were O, 60, and 120 lb PaOs per acre; K rates were O, 75, and 150 lb KaO per acre; and Cl rates were 0 and 118 lb Cl per acre. Phosphorus was applied as triple superphosphate; K was applied as muriate of potash <potassium sulfate was used in plots receiving K but not Cl>; and Cl was applied as calcium chloride where K was not added. Six soybean cultivars from three maturity groups were used: Harper and Sprite <maturity group III>, Desoto and Douglas (maturity group IV>, and Bay and Essex <maturity group V>. The experiment was conducted on a Parsons silt loam at the Parsons Field. Fertilizer was broadcast by hand and incorporated on 22 May 1985, 13 May 1986, and 15 May 1987, and soybeans were planted on 23 May 1985, 14 May 1986, and 15 Hay 1987. Six weeks after planting, 20 leaflets per treatment were sampled and analyzed for and and roots from four plants per treatment were sampled to determine the amount of charcoal rot in the plants, except in 1987, when root samples were taken only at the R6 growth stage. Sampling was continued during the growing season at 3-veek intervals until seed harvest. Whole plant samples were taken at the R6 growth stage and analyzed for N, P, K, and Cl. Plant height, seeds per pound, and yield per acre were measured.

Results
The mean test yield was 39 bu/a in 1985, 19 bu/a in 1986 and 29 bu/a in 1987. Rainfall in August and September was higher than normal in 1985, whereas rainfall patterns in 1986 and 1987 were more typical for the area.

P and K Effects
Application of KaO significantly affected yield, number of seeds per pound, and plant height <Table 1>. In 1985 and1987, 75 lb KaO/a significantly increased soybean yield over the control. Although not significant, in 1986, 75 lb KaO produced a higher yield than the check. Seed size was increased <i.e., number of seeds per pound was decreased> as KaO was increased. The largest seeds in 1986 were produced with 150 lb KaO/a. Plant height was unaffected by potassium application in 1985, but in 1986 and 1987, 75 lb KaO significantly increased plant height. A significant potassium-by-cultivar interaction was found for yield in 1987 <Table 2>. Sprite and Bay had significant yield increases with an application of 75 lb KaO/a, whereas Douglas and Essex had yield increases with 150 lb KaO/a. Harper and DeSoto did not show an increase with either application of potassium.

K and Cl Effects
The effects of KaO, Cl, and cultivar on yield, plant height, and number of seeds per pound are shown in Table 3. Chloride did not significantly affect yield, plant height, or number of seeds per pound. KaO increased yields significantly for all years tested and increased plant height in 1986 and 1987. Desoto and Harper were the highest yielding cultivars in 1985, whereas Bay was highest in 1986 and 1987.  1985 1986 1987 1985 1986 1987 1985 1986 1987 1985 1986 1987 1985 1986 1987 1985 1986 1987 Lb/a Lb/a ------Bu/a------------In------ Introduction Sulfur at four rates was applied to four soybean cultivars to determine if sulfur-containing fertilizers would increase yields. The experiment was conducted at the Parsons Field of the Southeast Kansas Branch Experiment Station and at an off-station site near Hallowell.

Experimental Procedures
The experimental design for both locations was a split plot with sulfur rates as whole plots and soybean cultivars as subplots. Sulfur rates were O, 25, 50, and 75 lb S per acre, and soybean cultivars were DeSoto and Douglas from maturity group IV and Bay and Essex from maturity group V. Sulfur was applied as <NH4 >a SO. and broadcast by hand before planting. Since N was applied with S <even though not recommended for soybeans>, N was balanced with urea in all plots to equal the N rate that resulted from the 75 lb S per acre application.
The soil at the Parsons Field was a Parsons silt loam <Mollie Albaqualf). The Hallowell location was a Cherokee silt loam <Typic Albaqualf>. Both sites were chiseled and disced before planting in early June. At the R6 growth stage, six plants from the border row were harvested for measuring leaf area, then leaves were dried for specific leaf weight. Plant height, seeds per pound, population, and per acre were the yield components that were measured. Results Sulfur did not significantly affect any of the yield components and there was no interaction between sulfur and cultivar for either location. The data suggest that S is not a yield limiting factor for soybean production on typical soils in southeastern Kansas.
•Research partially funded by grants from The Sulfur Institute and The Allied Corporation.

Introduction
Interest has increased in growing early soybeans and then following them with wheat in the fall. Maturity group 00, O, and I soybeans are normally grown in the northern part of the United States; however, the possibility exists of growing these soybeans in southeastern Kansas. The growing season will be shorter and plant height will be reduced. The objective of this study was to examine yield potential of three groups of early soybeans.

Experimental Procedures
Thirty soybean cultivars from maturity groups 00, 0, and I were obtained and planted on 10 April at Kr. Calvin Flaharty's field, McCune and on 23 April at the Columbus Field of the Southeast Kansas Branch Experiment Station. Soybeans were drilled in 7-inch rows at the rate of 2 bushels per acre. Plant height, maturity, yield per acre, and number of seeds per pound were recorded.

Results
Yields at McCune ranged from S to 38 bu per acre, whereas the yields at Columbus ranged from 15 to 37 bu per acre <Tables 1 and 2>. All varieties at both McCune and Columbus matured during July and were harvested in early August. Northrup King S15-50 and Weber 84 were the highest yielding varieties at McCune, while Asgrow A 1525, Pioneer 9202, and Jacques J-201 were the top varieties at Columbus. Varieties from maturity group I generally yield higher than varieties from maturity gro~p 0 or 00.

Summary
Soybeans from maturity groups 00, O, and I were planted in early April, mid-April, and early May. Yield and yield components were measured. Soybeans from maturity group I planted in mid-April had the highest yields of 33-38 bu per acre.

Introductio n
Interest in early soybeans has increased in southeaster n Kansas. However, the best time to plant them has not been determined. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of planting dates on yield and yield components of soybean cultivars from three, early maturity groups.

Experimenta l Procedures
Three soybean cultivars each were obtained from aaturity groups 00, 0, and I. Soybean cultivars were planted on April 9, April 24 and Hay 11 at the Parsons Field. They were planted at a rate of 2 bu per acre with a 12 row, 7inch plot grain drill. Yield, maturity, plant height, pod height, seeds per pound, and seed quality were measured. In February, a sample of harvested seeds were sent to State Seed Laboratory for germination , hard seed, total germination , and accelerated aging.

Results
Yield and yield components are shown in Table 1 and germination and germination components are shown in Table 2. There were significan t differences for yield, plant height, and maturity from the interaction of soybean cultivar and planting date. Hodgson 78, Sibley, Weber 84, Dawson, and McCall had their highest yields on the April 24 planting date, whereas the other cultivars peaked on the Hay 11 planting date. Plant height of the soybean cultivars followed the same pattern as yield.

Introduction
Interest in planting early soybeans (maturity groups 00, 0, and I> has increased, but questions have been asked about how they compare to full-season soybeans (maturity groups III, IV, and V>. A study was initiated to examine how early soybeans yields and yield components compare to those of full-season soybeans.

Experimental Procedures
Soybean cultivars from maturity groups 00, 0, I, III, IV, and V were obtained and planted at the Columbus and Parsons Fields of the Southeast Kansas Experiment Station. Soybeans were drilled in 12 7-inch rows at the rate of 2 bushels per acre on April 23 and April 24 and planted in 30-inch revs at a rate of 139,000 seeds per acre on June 10 and June 4 at the Columbus and Parsons Fields, respectively. Yield, maturity, plant height, pod height, seed size, and seed quality were measured.

Results
Yield and yield components for the Columbus Field and Parson Field are shown in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. Yields for Columbus ranged from 12 to 33 bu per acre, whereas yields at Parsons ranged from 15 to 39 bu per acre. Hodgson 78, a group I soybean, planted in April had yields equal to or better than yields of Bay, a group V soybean, regardless of planting date. Yields of the early soybeans were reduced dramatically with the June planting, whereas yields of the full-season soybeans were about the same for either planting date. The full-season soybeans may have yielded well at both planting dates because of a cooler than typical August. 'Soybeans planted in April were drilled in 7-inch rows at the rate of 2 bu/a; June planted soybeans were planted in 30-inch rows at the rate of 139,000 seeds/a. •score --Rate on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 -very good,~ 2 -good; 3 -fair; 4 -poor; 5 -very poor.

COMPARISON OF CLEANED BIN-RUN WHEAT SEED AND CERTIFIED WHEAT SEED
George V. Granade

Summary
Three hard red winter wheat varieties, one hybrid hard red winter wheat, and two soft red winter wheat varieties were planted in fall, 1985 and harvested in June, 1986. Wheat seed was blown and saved until fall, 1986. In the fall, certified seed and cleaned bin-run seed were planted. In June, 1987, wheat yields were measured. Generally, cleaned bin-run seed yields were higher than those of certified seed, but were similar for the hybrid hard red winter wheat. Certified seed of one soft red winter wheat gave higher yields than the clean bin-run seed.

Introduction
Seed saved from year to year usually yields lover than certified seed, especially seeds of hybrids. Corn seed that has been saved from the previous season yields lower and produces a lot of variation in plant height. It would seem that wheat hybrids would follow a similiar pattern. A study was initiated to examine the effect of saving seeds from wheat varieties or hybrids compared to using certified seed of the same wheat varieties or hybrids.

Experimental Procedures
Three hard red winter wheat varieties <Arkan, Chisholm, and TAM 107>, one hard red winter hybrid wheat <Bounty 205>, and two soft red winter wheat <Caldwell and McNair 1003> were planted in the fall, 1985 in a 10 by 50 foot block and harvested in June 1986. Wheat seed was blown once and stored for fall planting. Certified seed of the same wheat varieties was obtained in the fall, 1986. On October 21, both clean bin-run seed and certified seed was planted with a 5-foot plot grain drill <7-inch row spacing> at a rate of 1,080,000 seeds per acre. Wheat was harvested on June 15, 1987. Plant stand and incidence of disease were estimated in early spring. At harvest, yield, test weight, protein content, kernels per head, thousand kernel weight, and heads per acre were determined.

Results
Plant stand, disease rating, yield, end yield components are shown in Table 1. Significant differences were found for yield from seed source, variety, and the interaction of seed source X variety. Cleaned bin-run wheat seed yields generally were higher than those of the certified wheat seed. Caldwell was the highest yielding wheat variety and Arkan was the lowest. Yields from the cleaned bin-run seed were significantly higher than yields from the certified seed for ncNair 1003. Higher yields were obtained with certified seed for Caldwell.  1987. 11 Rating for disease on a scale of l to 5, with 1 being no disease on the flag leaf and 5 flag leaf completely infected with disease; disease was barley yellow dwarf. 3 TKW --Thousand kernel weight.

Introduction
Charcoal rot is a late-season, fungal disease that affects a variety of crops grown under conditions of stress. Until recently, all isolates of the charcoal rot fungus were considered to be one group equally able to attack any host. Comparative studies with many isolates of this fungus, however, indicate that the pathogen can be partitioned into three groups: one attacks corn, one attacks soybean, and one primarily attacks soybean but may also infect corn under certain conditions. These isolates can be identified when the fungus is grown on a test medium containing potassium chlorate. Soybean isolates are inhibited in their growth on this medium,vhereas corn isolates are not. The inability of soybean isolates to attack corn, and vice versa, suggests that crop rotation might serve as a possible disease management practice. A study was initiated in 1985 to determine the impact of corn and soybean cropping sequences on soil and tissue populations of the charcoal rot fungus.

Experimental Procedures
During 1985, the soybean cultivar Douglas and the corn cultivar Garst Blend 120 were planted in a randomized complete block design in eight row plots. Soil samples were collected prior to planting and assayed for the charcoal rot fungus; no corn types of the fungus were observed. During 1986, corn <C> and soybeans CS> were planted into the same area to give four cropping 1 Department of Plant Pathology, KSU. 104 sequences: C-C, C-S, S-C, and S-S. In the third season, the 1986 plots were divided in half and planted with the soybean cultivar Douglas and the corn cultivar Garst 8315 ( a split-plot design>, thus resulting in 8 cropping sequences: C-C-C, C-C-S, C-S-S, C-S-C, S-C-C, S-S-C, S-C-S, and S-S-S. In September of each year, soil and plant samples were collected and assayed for frequency of the three fungal types.

Results
The level of charcoal rot fungus recovered from the soil in 1987 was influenced primarily by the preceding <1986> crop; the 1987 and 1985 crops did not significantly alter soil levels of the fungus for 1987 <Tables 1, 2>. The corn type of the fungus vas not recovered from the soil during 1985, 1986, or 1987. In this experiment where soil-borne inoculum was composed of isolates that preferred soybeans as a host, less fungus was recovered from areas cropped to corn <Table 2>. Poor colonization of corn by soybean-type isolates may have limited inoculum production and reduced fungus soil populations. Soil levels of fungus were highest after a 2 yr <1985/1986> S-S sequence and lowest after a C-C sequence. Although cropping history did not significantly alter the relative frequencies of the two soybean types of charcoal rot fungus recovered from soil, 3 yr sequences of C-C-C and S-C-C tended to have lover levels of the intermediate type and slightly elevated levels of the soybean type fungus. This tendency may be a function of inoculum survival in which a small portion of both fungal types may survive for long periods. Death of even a few propagules under such conditions might be perceived as a large shift in charcoal rot fungus types.
The level of the fungus recovered from root tissue was influenced by the current <1987> crop, with significantly less fungus from corn than from soybeans <Tables 1, 3>. It should be noted, however, that the level of fungus isolated from corn vas approximately 10 times higher in 1987 than in 1986 (data not shown>. Although none of the isolates obtained from corn tissue in 1986 were of the corn type, nearly 60% of the strains recovered in 1987 were of this type <Table 3>. The dramatic increase in the corn group of the fungus was not related to cropping history and was not associated with a change in the soil populations of the fungus.
The charcoal rot fungus may be introduced in or on seed. The seed-borne nature of the fungus has been commonly observed in peanut, okra, lima bean, jute, and soybean, Corn seed used to plant the 1987 crop of our study was evaluated for the presence of the charcoal rot fungus. The corn type of the fungus vas recovered from 0.25% of the seed. This cropping sequence study will be continued in 1988.

Introduction
The objective of intensive cereal management <ICM> is to produce winter wheat as efficiently as possible. Although the practice has been popular in the European wheat producing countries, it has not been researched fully in the more humid wheat producing regions of the Great Plains.

Experimental Procedure
The experimental design was a split-plot arrangement, which included four management practices as main plots: 1> fall N, 2> fall N + systemic fungicide, 3> fall + late-winter N, and 4> fall + late-winter N + systemic fungicide. Ten winter wheat varieties represented the subplots. The N source was urea, and rates of N application were 55 and 110 lb/A. Tilt, a systemic foliar fungicide, was applied in late April at 4 oz/A.

Results
Although wheat planting vas delayed until late November because of wet soil conditions during October in southeastern Kansas, wheat emergence was good, and the milder than normal winter promoted good spring growth. Fall applied nitrogen produced significantly higher yields than a fall + late winter application <Table 1>.
The systemic fungicide treatment significantly increased both grain yield and quality <Table 2>. The range of yield increase from Tilt was 0.6 to 18 bu/A for the 10 varieties. Leaf rust and septoria were the main diseases present during the critical reproductive stage of development in May <Table 3). Chisholm and Tam 107, which are susceptible to foliar leaf diseases, showed the highest yield response to the fungicide, but they also produced the most without Tilt. Evidently, their early maturity vas a factor in the interaction of yield and fungicide response.  This research was initiated to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization when wheat follows three different crops -small grains, soybeans, or grain sorghum.
In southeastern Kansas, wheat is typically grown after these three crops. To further evaluate nitrogen fertilizer response, time and rate of N applications were also included.

Experimental Procedure
The experimental design was a split-plot, with the previous crop rotation <oats, grain sorghum, or soybeans) as main plots and subplots consisted of four nitrogen rates CO, 40, 80, and 120 lb/Al and three application dates Cpreplant N in the fall, topdressed N in late-winter, and split N treatments>. Urea was the N source for the fall and late-winter applications, whereas liquid 28Y. N was the source for the early spring foliar treatment.

Results
Although the fall of 1986 was extremely wet in southeastern Kansas, wheat emergence and fall growth were excellent. The milder than normal winter conditions also promoted good early spring wheat development.
The previous crop rotation did not have a significant effect on wheat yield, test weight, grain protein or yield components in 1987 <Tables 1, 2, and 3>. However, nitrogen treatments did significantly affect grain yield, although the N response was somewhat low for the initial year of this crop rotation study. Despite the extremely wet soil conditions in the fall, nitrogen that had been applied in the fall as a preplant treatment was still superior to late-winter or split applications in both fall and late-winter. The plot site had good surface drainage, so water did not stand on the soil surface, which might have promoted the loss of fall-applied N under denitrification conditions.

Introduction
Wheat is planted over a wide range of planting dates in southeastern Kansas because of the varied cropping rotations of the area. However, yields are often significantly lower as a result of the delayed planting. More research is needed to evaluate the effects of planting date on yield and also on the occurence of foliar leaf diseases.

Experimental Procedure
Twelve winter wheat cultivars were evaluated at two different planting dates <Oct. 21 and Nov. 24>. Subplots consisted of either a systemic fungicide application <Tilt> or no treatment. Tilt was applied at 4 oz/A after the flag leaf had fully emerged. Wheat seeding rate was approximately 1,000,000 seeds/acre for the October planting and 1,250,000 seeds/acre for the November planting.

Results
All wheat cultivars yielded significantly higher when planted in October <Table ll. The response to the systemic fungicide treatment was nearly the same for the October and November plantings, although variety response varied according to disease resistance and plant maturity <Tables 2 and 3>. In general, cultivars with low resistance to foliar leaf diseases showed the greatest yield benefit from the Tilt application. However, some cultivars that have low resistance to leaf rust and septoria leaf spot also yielded the highest even though no fungicide was applied. Evidently, some early maturing cultivars can complete the grain filling process even though flag leaves are moderately infected with foliar diseases.      yield of continuous soybeans has been significan tly lower, even though phosphorus and potassium fertilizer s were applied annually.

Introducti on
Soybeans are the major cash crop for many farmers in southeaste rn Kansas. Typically, they are grown in several cropping sequences with wheat and grain sorghum or in a doublecrop ping rotation with wheat. More informatio n is needed to determine the long-term agronomic effects of cropping sequences on fullseason soybeans.

Experimen tal Procedure
In 1979, four cropping rotations were initiated at the Columbus Field: <1> [wheat -doublecrop soybeans] -soybeans, <2> wheat -fallow -soybeans, (3) grain sorghum -soybeans, and C4) continuous soybeans. Full-seaso n soybean yields were compared across all four cropping systems in even-numb ered years. Beginning in 1984, an identical study was started adjacent to the initial site so that full-seaso n yield effects could also be compared in odd-number ed years. All rotations received the same amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer <BO lbs/Al, which was applied to the crop proceeding full-seaso n soybeans.

Results
Effects of four different cropping sequences on soybean yields and soil properties are shown in Table 1. Continuous soybeans typically have yielded 2 to 4 bu/A less than the other cropping rotations. Soil test values have not changed significan tly since the beginning of the study, although it appears that in the continuous soybean rotation, the phosphorus level is gradually becoming higher. Also, soil and leaf samples were analyzed to determine if the crop rotations had any effect on the level of charcoal rot disease. Results indicated no significan t difference s in charcoal rot population s in 1987.

Introduction
In southeastern Kansas, producers often rotate wheat after soybeans, or doublecrop soybeans are planted following wheat harvest. Management practices of one crop, therefore, may affect the production of the next crop.
The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effects of doublecropping and the risk factor associated with a particular cropping rotation.

Experimental Procedure
Beginning in 1981, three different wheat and soybean cropping rotations were established at the Parsons Field: 1> [wheat -doublecrop soybeans], 2> [wheat -doublecrop soybeans] -soybeans, and 3l full-season soybeans following 2 years of wheat. Wheat straw has been burned and then disced prior to planting doublecrop soybeans. Soybeans of group III or IV maturity have been used for doublecropping, whereas group V soybeans are planted in fullseason rotations. When wheat has been winter-killed or wa~ not planted in the fall because of wet soil conditions, spring oats were planted in late winter.

Results
Soybean yields have been very variable over the 7-year period, depending on the amount of available soil moisture during the critical reproductive stage of soybean development. Doublecrop soybean stands also have been dependent upon adequate soil moisture at the time of planting; however, 1984 was the only year when doublecropping was a complete failure. Soybean yields for the 7-year period are shown in Table 1. Climatic conditions have been very unfavorable for wheat production in the past 3 years, so wheat results are not shown. Economic risk analyses have been performed on the preliminary crop rotation data by Dr. Robert Burton, Department of Ag Economics, KSU.
An in-depth risk analyses will be performed after 10 years of data collection.  1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987   Four tillage methods (plov, burn -disc, disc, and chisel-d isc> have been compared for doublec rop soybean product ion to evaluate both the short-and long-ter m effects in a wheat and soybean cropping system. Plowing the stubble under has given signific antly higher doublec rop yields over a 5-year period. However, none of the tillage methods has affected the yield of the subsequ ent full-sea son soybean crop that follows in the rotation .

Introdu ction
Produce rs in southea stern Kansas typicall y grow doublec rop soybean s after wheat, when soil moistur e and time permit. Various tillage methods are used, dependin g to some degree on the type of equipme nt that is availab le. The priaary goals of doublec ropping are to plant soybean s as quickly as possible after wheat harvest and produce accepta ble grain yields as economi cally as possible . However, the long-ter m effects from the doublec rop tillage methods have not been thoroug hly evaluate d for shallow, claypan soil conditio ns.

Experim ental Procedu re
Beginnin g in 1982, four tillage methods have been compared for doublec rop soybean s after wheat harvest at the Columbu s Field. Tillage methods are: <1> plow under stubble , <2> burn stubble and then disc, <3> disc stubble, and <4> disc -chisel -disc stubble. The tillage study is alternat ed each year between two differen t sites, so that the doublecr op tillage methods can be compared yearly, when the cropping rotation is Cwheat -doubecro p soybean s]full-sea son soybean s. All plots are chiseled in the spring followin g doublecrop soybean s. Fertiliz er is applied only to the wheat crop.

Results
Doublec rop soybean yield <Table 1) has been highest when the wheat stubble was plowed under. Burning the wheat stubble, followed by discing, has not been signific antly differen t than leaving the straw near the soil surface by discing only; however , seed emergen ce normally has been better when the straw was removed by burning or plowed under. Full-sea son soybean s <Table 2> that follow in the rotation have not been affected so far by the previou s doublec rop tillage method. Effects on soil chemica l and physica l propert ies will be monitore d after further cropping rotation s.  1982 1983 1985 1986 1987 Avg.

Introdu ction
Cockleb ur is one of the major problem weeds in many soybean fields of southea stern Kansas. It is a strong compet itor for availab le water, light, and nutrien ts. When cockleb urs are allowed to compete with the soybean plant for the entire growing season, yields in many cases are reduced by SOX or aore, and the weeds also cause mechan ical harvest ing problem s. Our objecti ves vere to evaluat e various herbici des and applica tion methods both in narrow and wide row spacing and also to determi ne the added benefit of cultiva tion.

Results
Scepter , applied preemer gent or posteme rgent, gave excelle nt cockleb ur control for the entire growing season <Table 1>. However , one cultiva tion in 30-inch rows increas ed yields 3 to 5 bu/a, even though weeds were control led. Canopy, Preview , and Pursuit , when applied preemer gent, gave less than satisfa ctory weed control in 1987; however , weed control was accepta ble for these treatme nts with one cultiva tion in 30-inch rows. Pursuit has not receive d full label clearan ce at this date.
Basagra n and Classic , applied posteme rgent, gave better cockleb ur control than Cobra. Rescue, applied as a salvage type treatme nt, also gave good weed control . However , grain yield was reduced with this treatme nt either because of the longer weed compet ition with the soybean plants or moderat e crop injury from the herbici de treatme nt.   Sixtee n differ ent herbic ides and applic ation method s were compar ed for velvet leaf contro l in soybea ns. All treatm ents provid ed excell ent weed contro l in 1987, when applie d accord ing to label instru ctions .

Introd uction
Velve tleaf has become a seriou s broadl eaf weed problem in many fields of southe astern Kansas . When the velvet leaf popula tion is modera tely heavy and germin ates at the same time as soybea ns emerge , it compet es with soybea ns for availa ble light and soil moistu re and can reduce yields signif icantl y. Our object ive in this study was to evalua te many of the never soybea n herbic ide produc ts and applic ation method s for contro l of velvet leaf.

Experi mental Proced ure
Prepla nt incorp orated treatm ents were applie d with a field cultiv ator prior to planti ng. Incorp orated and preeme rgent herbic ide treatm ents were applie d on the same day as soybea ns were plante d. Postem ergent treatm ents were applie d 16 days later, when velvet leaf was in the 2-to 4-leaf stage of growth . Soil textur e was a Parson s silt loam with 1.3% organi c matter .

Result s
Velve tleaf contro l was good to excell ent for all herbic ide compa risons in 1987 <Table 1). Soil moistu re was ideal for the activa tion of prepla nt and preeme rgent treatm ents, and velvet leaf was growin g active ly when postem ergent treatm ents were applie d.
Soybea n yield was reduce d somewh at when Scepte r was applie d howeve r, yields were not affecte d with the preeme rgent treatm ent. reduct ion associ ated with the prepla nt applic ation of Scepte r has before on light textur ed soils. prepla nt; The yield been observ ed Postem ergent herbic ide treatm ents were improv ed in 1987 when liquid 28% nitrog en was added to the tankmi x at the rate of 1 gallon per acre. For velvet leaf to be contro lled succes sfully with postem ergent applic ations , weed size should not exceed the 2-to 4-leaf stage of growth .  Treflan was applied preplant incorporat ed for grass control.

Introduction
Annual grass and broadleaf weeds can become serious problems for soybean producers in southeastern Kansas. When weeds compete for available light, water, and soil nutrients during the entire growing season, soybean yields are often reduced significantly . Crop rotations are helpful in breaking some weed cycles, but proper selection and application of herbicides are essential for obtaining optimum soybean yields in most fields. Herbicide performance studies are useful to compare the currently labeled products for the climatic conditions of southeastern Kansas.

Experimental Procedure
The site was a Parsons silt loam with 1.3% organic matter and a soil pH of 6.8. Preplant treatments were incorporated with a field cultivator on the same day as planting. Preemergent treatments were applied immediately after planting. Postemergent treatments were delayed until 30 days after planting because of delayed weed emergence. Major weed species included smooth pigweed, cocklebur, large crabgrass, and fall panicum.

Results
Results of herbicide comparisons are shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3. Smooth pigweed and grass control was good to excellent for nearly all treatments. Cocklebur control was more variable, since some of the tankmixes were not labeled for that particular weed.
Slight to moderate crop injury effects were observed with some of the herbicide comparisons. When Scepter was applied preplant incorporated, soybean plants showed stunted growth during the growing season, which was reflected in somewhat lower yield. However, neither preemergent nor postemergent treatments with Scepter affected crop growth or grain yield.
Pursuit has not received clearance for soybean use at this date and will likely be targeted for postemergent broadleaf weed control. However, it was tested as a prelant incorporated and preemergent treatment in our comparisons in 1987. Cinch also has not received clearance at this date. In our trials, Cinch was evaluated as a preemergent treatment for annual grass control.
Excellent annual grass control and good pigveed control were obtained with all of the dinitroanalin e, preplant incorporated herbicides <Treflan, Prowl, and Sonalan>. Lasso and Dual, used as shallow preplant incorporated or preemergent applications , also gave excellent grass and pigveed control.
Command, applied preplant incorporated, is an excellent herbicide for annual grass and velvetleaf control, although it is weak on pigweed control. Scepter, Canopy, and Preview are never broadleaf soybean herbicides that can be applied preplant incorporated or preemergent. These never herbicides gave excellent pigweed control; however, Scepter seems to give better cocklebur ·control, whereas Canopy and Preview provide better control of velvetleaf.
Lorox (+) and Gemni are never preemergent herbicides for broadleaf weed control. Both gave excellent pigveed control and good control of velvetleaf and cocklebur. For the light-texture d soils of southeastern Kansas, Lorox (+) would likely result in less crop injury, whereas Gemni would be preferred for finer textured soils. Hetribuzin <Sencor/Lexo ne), applied preplant incorporated or preemergent, provides a broad spectrum of weed control for many soybean fields, when cocklebur is not the major weed competitor.
Postemergent treatments in southeastern Kansas typically are applied for broadleaf weed control. The key to successful weed control with postemergent herbicides is to spray when the weeds are small and actively growing. Basagran and Blazer/Tackle have been used successfully in the past for cocklebur and pigveed control, respectively . Several newer herbicides also can be applied postemergent, depending on the weed.species that is to be controlled. Classic gave excellent control of cocklebur and good control of pigweed and velvetleaf. Cobra, another never postemergent herbicide, gave excellent pigweed control and fair to good control of cocklebur and velvetleaf. Leaf burning normally is more severe initially with Cobra, but the soybean plants soon resume normal growth, and yield has not been reduced in our trials. Scepter also gave good postemergent control of. cocklebur. The tankmix of Rescue + Blazer gave good control of cocklebur and pigweed, but this treatment should not be applied when soybeans are under drought stress or yield may be reduced.
Annual grass control can also be obtained with the never postemergent soybean herbicides. However, they are probably better suited for control of perennial grasses, such as johnsongrass, and of shattercane, which is an annual grass problem when soybeans are cropped after several years of growing grain sorghum. Fusilade 2000, Poast, Verdict, and Assure have similar chemical properties, and all provided excellent large crabgrass control. They also should be applied when the grass is actively growing, and crop oil should be added to the tankmix to improve control. Crop tolerance to these newer postemergent grass herbicides is excellent.  Weed species : Main competi tion from smooth pigveed CSmpv> and grassy weeds (large crabgra ss and fall panicum ). Cockleb ur CCocb) was less competi tive.  Date of herbicide treatment : July 9 <posteme rgent grass herbicide s>; July 15 Cposteme rgent broadleaf herbicide s>. Surfactan t <AG-98> vas added to postemerg ent broadleaf treatment s at the rate of 0.25 X; crop oil <1%> was added to postemerg ent grass treatment s. Weed species: Kain competiti on from smooth pigveed <Smpw> and grassy weeds <large crabgrass and fall panicum>. Cocklebu r CCocb> was less competiti ve.

136
EFFEC TS OF APPLIC ATION TIME FOR PREPL ANT SOYBE AN HERBI CIDES Kenne th Kelle y

Summ ary
Soybe an herbi cide tankm ixes that were appli ed 4 weeks ahead of plant ing as prepl ant, incor porat ed appli catio ns gave good to excel lent weed contr ol with less crop injur y compa red to the same appli catio ns made imme diatel y prior to plant ing.

Intro ducti on
Some prepl ant incor porat ed herbi cides , such as the dinit roana lines <Tref lan, Prowl , Sonal an>, are often appli ed with a tillag e opera tion sever al weeks prior to plant ing. Howev er, it is not known wheth er the newer broad leaf soybe an herbi cides that are curre ntly being marke ted could also be appli ed at the same time as the incor porat ed grass herbi cide witho ut sacri ficin g weed contr ol. In addit ion, less crop injur y might occur if the time perio d betwe en herbi cide appli catio n and plant ing date were length ened.

Exper iment al Proce dure
Selec ted soybe an herbi cide tankm ixes were compa red at two diffe rent appli catio n times : 1) 4 weeks prior to plant ing and 2> imme diatel y ahead of plant ing. All prepl ant treatm ents were incor porte d with a field culti vator . The soil site was a silty clay loam with 1.5% organ ic matte r and a soil pH of 6.9. Also, sever al postem ergen t herbi cide treatm ents were includ ed.

Resu lts
Grass contr ol with the dinit roana line herbi cides was good to excel lent for both appli catio n times <Table 1). Howe ver, broad leaf weed contr ol was more varia ble, depen ding on the herbi cide tankm ix treatm ent. Pigwe ed contr ol was poor when Sonal an was applie d 4 weeks prior to plant ing as compa red to imme diatel y befor e plant ing. Also, the Comm and tankm ix gave poor broad leaf weed contr ol when appli ed 4 weeks ahead of plant ing, since Comma nd contr ols prima rily annua l grass speci es and velve tleaf. Dinit roana line tankm ixes with Scept er, Canop y, and Previe w gave excel lent pigwe ed contr ol, regar dless of appli catio n time; howev er, Scept er gave the best cockl ebur contr ol among prepl ant treatm ents. Both Basag ran and Class ic gave excel lent poste merge nt cockl ebur contr ol. Also, soybe an crop injur y was reduc ed when Scept er or Canop y treatm ents were applie d sever al weeks prior to plant ing. In 1988, addit ional herbi cide compa risons are plann ed for _ _ci:i_f fereni, :_soiL typtis. -----~-~~~· ----'" -  The addition of crop oil or liquid 28% nitrogen to a postemerg ent tankmix improved control of late-seas on pigweed in soybeans, compared to a surfactan t tankmix treatment . However, the liquid nitrogen spray additive was not as effective as the surfactan t for late-seas on cocklebur control in soybeans.

Introduct ion
Postemerg ent spray applicati ons in soybeans are sometimes delayed because of dry or wet weather condition s in southeast ern Kansas. When this happens, weeds are often taller than the optimum size for good postemerg ent control. The addition of a spray additive to the postemerg ent tankmix could improve weed control in these situation s.

Experime ntal Procedure
Selected postemerg ent soybean herbicide s were compared with several different spray additives for late-seas on pigveed control at one site and for late-seas on cocklebur control an another site. Spray applicati ons were made in mid-July, when weeds were taller than the optimum size for effective control and soil condition s were somewhat droughty.

Results
Herbicide results for the pigveed site are shown in Table 1 and for the cocklebur site in Table 2. Pigveed control was better for the Blazer tankmix and also the Cobra treatment than for the Tackle + Scepter tankmix. Crop oil (1% of spray volume> and liquid 28% N <1 gal/A> improved ~igweed control over the AG-98 surfactan t treatment . However, both crop oil and liquid nitrogen increased injury to the soybean crop, but the plants soon resumed normal growth, so yields were not reduced.
Three postemerg ent herbicide s CBasagran , Classic, and Scepter> were compared at another site for late-seas on cocklebur control. Classic and Scepter gave slightly better cocklebur control, but the site also had a moderate populatio n of teaweed, which Basagran controlle d. Liquid nitrogen added to the spray mix did not improve cocklebur control significa ntly over the surfactan t treatment for the draughty condition s in 1987.  Date of herbicid e applica tion: July 15; weed height = 12 to 18 inches. Crop injury rating <July 18>: 1 =no injury, 5 =top leaves severely burned.  Grain sorghum herbicid es were compared for annual grass and broadlea f weed control using convent ional tillage methods. Good to excelle nt veed control vas obtained with nearly all of the preplan t and preemer gent treatme nts. Posteme rgent herbicid es gave good control of broadle af weeds.

Introduc tion
Grain sorghum is an importa nt grain and feed crop for many produce rs in southea stern Kansas. It is often grown in rotation with wheat and soybean s, which helps in breaking up the veed cycle that often exists vhen a monocrop is grown. The use of safened seed treatme nt has also allowed produce rs a wider choice of herbicid es vith the ability to control a wider array of weed species. Our objectiv e was to evaluat e grain sorghum herbicid es and various tankmix es for veed control and crop injury effects.

Experim ental Procedu re
Safened grain sorghum seed vas planted on a site where the previous crop vas grain sorghum . Nineteen herbicid e treatme nts vere compared as preplan t incorpo rated, preemer gent, and posteme rgent applica tions. Preplan t treatme nts were incorpo rated with a field cultiva tor equipped with a 3-bar tine mulcher. Weed competi tion vas primari ly from smooth pigweed and large crabgras s.

Results
Weed control results and grain yields are shown in Table 1. Lesso and Dual, alone or in combina tion with Atrazine , gave excelle nt grass and pigweed control when applied preplan t incorpo rated or preemer gent. Atrazine gave signific antly better grass control when applied preplan t or preemer gent as compared to a posteme rgent applica tion. Ramrod, applied preemer gent, has shorter residua l activity , although the late grass competi tion did not reduce grain yield in 1987.
Posteme rgent treatme nts with Atrazine and 2,4-D gave excellen t pigveed control. However, grass control was poor, which reduced grain yields signific antly. Buctril did not cause as much crop injury as 2,4-D when applied posteme rgent, but it is somewha t weak in control ling pigweed. The charts that follow show graphically the daily weather in Parsons during the last 2 years. Each chart has three smooth curves to represent the average weather conditions at Parsons based on 30 years of records from the Experiment Station files. The actual temperature and accumulated precipitation totals that occurred throughout 1986 and 1987 are also plotted by the rough lines on these charts, so that the •weather• can be compared with the climatic averages. Table 1 summarizes the monthly average values for weather conditions at the station. These values are also compared to the monthly normal values.
As indicated by the charts and table, the weather in Parsons during 1987 was cooler than normal, with above normal precipitati on for the year. Unusually heavy snowfalls in January and again in December contributed to an annual total snowfall that was over twice the normal amount; the precipitati on total cf almost 43 inches vas more than 4 inches above the annual average. Daytime temperature s were cooler than normal for 10 of the 12 months in 1987. Only February and Kay had mean maximum temperature s that were warmer than normal. October and November were particularl y cold, with monthly mean temperature s that were more than 8 degrees below normal.
Temperature extremes for the year ranged from 100°F on 4 days during the early part of August to 0° on December 16th. There vere only 5 days durinc the year when temperature s dipped below 10°F. The last freeze occurred on April 5th 1 and a temperature of 32°F or less was recorded for the first time in the fall on October 12th,giving a freeze-free period of 180 days.
Precipitati on total for the year was above normal for 7 of the 12 months. The cold-season months January-Feb ruary and November-De cember had much greater than normal amounts of precipitatio n. February's total of 4.48 inches was almost an inch more than the previous record (since 1925>, which occurred in 1951. Rains were frequent during the growing season and crops suffered water stress less in 1987 than in the past fev years. There were 16 stressful days in late July and early August, when there was no rain. During this period, teaper atures were usually in the upper 90's. Howeve r, rainfa ll during the rest of August was suffici ent to relieve water stress.
Total snowfa ll in Parson s during the year exceede d the previo us record of 34.5 inches set in 1958. Two, partic ularly heavy, snowst or•s occurr ed in southe ast Kansas in 1987--o ne in January and anothe r in Decemb er.
Except for the snow and ice storms during the first and last months of the year, there were no signifi cant storms in this area in 1987. Thunde rstorms were freque nt, but few would be classed as severe. An intense storm on Kay 21st produc ed hail in the vicinit y; 3/4 inch hail was reporte d 6 miles east of Parson s. :c < (,) ...