Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management最新文献

Hurricane Helene reached Florida's coast on September 26, 2024, resulting in strong winds and heavy rainfall over a 4-day period throughout the eastern United States. The objective of this report is to document the prevalence of damage to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production after Hurricane Helene. Hurricane damage to soybean plants was variable depending on prior weather conditions and crop stage. Reported damage included: lodging (plants leaning or falling over), green stem (stems remain green while plant is physiologically mature), pod shatter (opening prior to harvest), sprouting (seeds germinating), and seed damage (cracked, shriveled, and discolored). Although extreme weather events are unavoidable, timely harvest is extremely important to help reduce damage. While soybean plants may exhibit green stem or other conditions undesirable for harvest, delaying harvest after seeds reach 13% moisture leave them vulnerable to damage from excessive rainfall events, such as Hurricane Helene.

The use of a cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop (RCC) before corn (Zea mays L.) can reduce erosion, limit herbicide dependence, and improve groundwater quality. However, adoption is limited due to planting challenges such as residue interference, uneven emergence, and yield reductions. Farmers often use aftermarket planter attachments to enhance emergence uniformity and yield, but their effectiveness in RCC systems remains unclear. Field trials in Indiana (2022–2023) evaluated the effect of three aftermarket closing wheels—standard rubber (SR), cruiser extreme (CE), and cupped razor (MCR)—on corn emergence and yield in RCC and no-RCC systems. In no-till conditions without RCC, differing closing wheels had no significant effect on emergence timing or final stand. However, in RCC treatments, CE increased total corn emergence (7–12 days after planting) by 6%–15% at two of three site-years, while MCR improved emergence by 8% at one site-year. Yield gains of 5–8 bu acre⁻¹ were observed with CE in RCC systems at two site-years, and MCR increased yield by 7 bu acre⁻¹ at one site-year. Results indicate that aftermarket closing wheels, particularly CE and MCR, can enhance emergence and yield in RCC systems, providing a practical solution for farmers facing planting challenges in high-residue environments

Southeast Asia faces a significant and growing ruminant feed deficit, constraining the development of sustainable livestock systems amidst rising demand for animal-sourced foods. This article analyzes the scale of the deficit and the role improved cultivated forage systems can play in closing it across five countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Laos, and Thailand. The analysis estimates that closing the feed gap over a period of 10 years will require the establishment of more than 314,000 ha of cultivated forage and the participation of over 400,000 adopting farmers. This highlights the untapped potential of forage seed systems, with a projected regional seed market value of up to $163 million over 10 years, alongside $1.6 billion in forage crop value under a gradual adoption scenario. However, achieving this scale requires overcoming systemic barriers, including weak seed markets, limited private sector engagement, fragmented policy implementation, and poor farmer access to quality planting materials. Forage development is therefore both a technical and institutional challenge, calling for farmer training, improved extension services, access to finance, embedding forage seed systems into national strategies, decentralizing seed production, harmonizing regional seed regulations, and incentivizing private sector engagement. With the right investments and policy frameworks, improved forage systems can enhance livestock productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods, and contribute to food security and climate resilience across Southeast Asia.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a versatile leguminous crop that is widely grown in many parts of the world. However, its productivity is challenged by several limitations of which declining soil fertility is one of the major factors. The problem is aggravated by lack of integration in use of organic and inorganic fertilizer. A study was conducted in 2023 and 2024 at two potential soybean growing locations in southern Ethiopia to investigate effects of combined applications of vermicompost and phosphorus fertilizer on soybean yield and economic benefits. Experimental treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four levels of vermicompost (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 t ha⁻¹) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, and 30 kg ha⁻¹) and were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results had shown significant differences in yield and yield-related components due to both main and interaction effects. Application of 10 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus combined with 7.5 t ha⁻¹, vermicompost resulted in the highest number of pods per plant with 44 in 2023 and 42 in 2024. This combination increased the number of pods per plant by 240% compared to the control, averaged over the 2 years. The highest biomass was obtained from the combined use of 10 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus with 7.5 t ha⁻¹vermicompost, resulting in 10.3 t ha⁻¹ average biomass yield. The combination 10 kg ha⁻¹of phosphorus with 7.5 t ha⁻¹of vermicompost resulted in the highest average grain yield of 3.67 t ha⁻¹. Similarly, this combination provided the highest net benefit of $995 and a benefit–cost ratio of 3. In conclusion, the study recommends the combined application of 10 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus and 7.5 t ha⁻¹vermicompost for the two test sites and similar agro-ecological environments based on best crop yield and economic benefit.

The growth of the livestock industry in the northwestern Indo-Gangetic plains is constrained by a persistent deficit in the sustainable supply of high-quality fodder. Silage production offers a viable solution to this challenge, with maize (Zea mays L.) being an ideal crop due to its rapid growth and high palatable biomass. However, weed competition and silage yield of spring maize (sown in February) can vary across different crop rotations. To identify a suitable crop rotation that minimizes crop–weed competition in subtropical conditions, the performance of spring maize was evaluated under both weedy and herbicide-treated (atrazine at 0.892 lb acre⁻¹) conditions across three crop rotations: summer maize–oat (Avena sativa L.)–spring maize (M-O-SpM), summer maize–turnip rape (Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera)–spring maize (M-T-SpM), and summer maize–rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–spring maize (M-RS-SpM) during 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. In these rotations, summer maize was cultivated for grain, while spring maize was grown for silage production following the harvest of the respective winter crops. Among the rotations, M-RS-SpM exhibited greater weed competition in spring maize compared to M-T-SpM and M-O-SpM rotations. Under herbicide-treated conditions, spring maize silage yield was 23.4% and 21.9% higher in M-T-SpM and M-O-SpM, respectively, than in M-RS-SpM. Additionally, silage quality, assessed in terms of nutritive value, fermentation characteristics and digestibility, was superior in M-T-SpM and M-O-SpM rotations. These rotations also recorded 6.2%–6.9% higher maize equivalent yield and11.2%–14.4% greater net returns under herbicide-treated conditions. Therefore, the maize–turnip rape–spring maize and maize–oat–spring maize rotations, when combined with chemical weed control in spring maize, are recommended for enhancing silage productivity and profitability in dairy farming systems of north-western India.

Waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J.D. Sauer] is one of the most problematic weeds in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production in the Midwestern United States. In recent years, the adoption of soybean resistant to dicamba, 2,4-D, and/or glufosinate have enabled the use of these herbicides to improve control of problematic weeds. Field experiments were conducted in Indiana in 2021 and 2022 to determine effective herbicide programs for controlling a waterhemp population resistant to herbicides in Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) Groups 2, 4, 5, 9, and 14. Two soybean varieties, one resistant to dicamba, glufosinate, and glyphosate, and the other resistant to 2,4-D, glufosinate, and glyphosate were evaluated. Preemergence applications included an auxin herbicide, either 2,4-D or dicamba, applied with pyroxasulfone and flumioxazin. Postemergence applications included combinations of 2,4-D or dicamba, glyphosate, and glufosinate. No more than 6% soybean injury from all postemergence applications was observed in 2021 and no injury was observed in 2022. By 21 days after the second postemergence application, two-pass herbicide programs increased waterhemp control by at least 30% compared to one-pass systems. Comparatively, two pass postemergence programs were more effective in 2021 and preemergence followed by postemergence programs were more effective in 2022. Control of waterhemp with 2,4-D and dicamba was similar in 2021; however, 2,4-D was more effective than dicamba in 2022, indicating the diminishing utility of dicamba in this field. Results from this study suggest that effective control of multiple-resistant waterhemp population is most likely achieved with two-pass herbicide programs that include 2,4-D tank-mixed with other effective herbicides, such as glufosinate.

Flooding and waterlogging from strong storms can negatively affect corn (Zea mays L.) growth and yield. Ensuring adequate nitrogen (N) supply after waterlogging is key to optimizing corn yield, though limited evaluations of enhanced efficiency fertilizers have been conducted in conjunction with waterlogging conditions. The objective was to quantify how different pre-plant incorporated N sources and post-emergence waterlogging affect corn N uptake, yield, and efficiency of applied N. A split-plot randomized complete block design was conducted in two locations from 2021–2023. Waterlogging regimes (0 or 4 days) were implemented by applying water at the V4–V6 growth stage. Pre-plant incorporated N source was the subplot factor consisting of a non-fertilized control or 200 lbs N acre⁻¹ applied as urea (U; 46–0–0) or urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN; 28–0–0) alone or combined with either nitrapyrin or N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), and polymer-coated urea (PCU, 44–0–0). The optimum ear leaf N concentration at R1 (2.75%–3.50%) was only achieved with U and PCU when waterlogging occurred. Waterlogging reduced grain yield by 9% to 25%, while N source (across waterlogging treatments) increased grain yield over the non-fertilized treatment by 14% to 45% or 236% to 343%, depending on location. Grain yield was optimized with U, PCU, and U with nitrapyrin regardless of waterlogging condition. Dry fertilizer sources also resulted in higher partial factor productivity compared to UAN treatments. These results suggest that dry N sources of U, PCU, or U with nitrapyrin should be considered in regions prone to waterlogging to optimize corn grain yield.

A common method of re-establishing putting greens following winterkill is to vertically mow and apply seed. There is very little information available on when spring seeding should occur and what creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) cultivars should be used in the field. The objective of this study was to evaluate spring establishment rate of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass [Poa annua var. reptans (Hauskn.)] seeded three consecutive weeks in the spring of 2023 and 2024. Seed entries included creeping bentgrass cultivars, ‘Penncross’, ‘Pure Distinction’, ‘Declaration’, ‘Penn A-4’, one annual bluegrass seed, ‘Two-Putt’, a 50/50 (w/w) Pure Distinction and Two-Putt mix, and a non-seeded control. To simulate winterkill, non-selective herbicide was applied twice prior to seeding and plots were vertically mowed in two directions. Seed was applied at 2 lb 1000 ft⁻² three consecutive weeks once soil temperatures reached a daily average of 45°F at a 2-inch depth. Digital image analysis was collected for 5 weeks during the establishment period to assess turfgrass cover. Seeding date one had the highest turfgrass cover at the beginning of data collection for two rating dates in 2023 and one rating date in 2024. By the end of the study, seeding date was not significantly different. In 2023, Penn A-4 and Penncross had the highest turfgrass cover, but differences were small and biologically insignificant. In 2024, there were no differences among creeping bentgrass cultivars, and in both years, Two-Putt annual bluegrass was one of the worst establishing entries.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop globally, including in Ethiopia, where it plays a significant role in food security. However, fungi, particularly Fusarium species, pose significant threats to food safety and security worldwide. Among these fungi, the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) is a major pathogen that causes Gibberella ear rot (GER) in maize. In addition to reducing yield, FGSC pathogens produce harmful mycotoxins, primarily deoxynivalenol (DON), Deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3G), zearalenone (ZEN), and nivalenone (NIV). Thus, disease assessment was conducted to identify the distribution of GER, as well as the associated production practices and biophysical factors, affecting the disease development in southern and western Ethiopia during 2020 and 2021. This study also aimed to analyze the concentrations of mycotoxins (DON, DON-3G, and ZEN) in field samples. The survey revealed significant differences (p < 0. 001) in GER intensity and grain yield loss across the assessed zones. The highest disease severity and corresponding estimated grain yield loss were observed in West Wallaga, while the Gurage zone had the lowest disease severity and yield loss. All the maize samples (n = 52) contained ZEN, while more than 75% of the samples tested positive for DON and DON-3G. Mycotoxin contamination levels ranged from 1 to 4291 µg kg⁻¹ (a mean 635 µg kg⁻¹) for DON, 1 to 1554 µg kg⁻¹ (a mean 174 µg kg⁻¹) for DON-3G, and 6 to 2236 µg kg⁻¹ (a mean 202 µg kg⁻¹) for ZEN. The frequency and levels of mycotoxins in this study were greater than those reported in previous studies on maize in Ethiopia. This could be attributed to less adoption of the recommended production practices by most farmers in the area and varying environmental factors that could favor the disease. Moreover, 25% of the maize samples exceeded the European Union's recommended value for ZEN and DON in unprocessed cereals. The severity of GER disease was significantly and positively correlated with biophysical factors like insect and weed infestations, but significantly negatively correlated with production/agronomic practices such as the correct fertilizer applications and use of resistant/tolerant maize hybrids. The right sowing date and cropping methods also significantly influenced the variation in GER disease intensity among the maize farms. Furthermore, there was a strong positive association between disease severity and the concentrations of DON, DON-3G, and ZEN in maize kernels. Overall, the study highlighted the necessity for integrated approaches to manage GER and associated mycotoxins. The role of agronomic practices under varying environmental conditions is not fully understood, but implementing preharvest ear rot management strategies can help mitigate GER disease and the associated mycotoxin risks.

Green stem is a term used to describe abnormal or delayed senescence maturation patterns in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] where the stems of affected plants stay green even after pods reach physiological maturity. Green stem has been reported by agronomists throughout the United States, but it is generally more prevalent in the Southern United States. Green stem occurs when nutrient sink strength is weak, which can be associated with environmental stress, insect feeding, and some diseases. There is a genetic component to green stem development, and some varieties are more prone to green stem than others. Management options are somewhat limited, since by the time green stem is observed, most management choices will require delaying harvest, which reduces seed quality. Primary options include waiting to harvest until after a hard frost or using desiccant products prior to harvest.