Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management最新文献

Improving tuber yield size to boost seed potato (Solanum tuberosum) production efficiency is a paramount goal, particularly in Punjab, India, a major contributor to the nation's seed supply. To optimize nutrient absorption, soil quality, and yield of seed-sized tubers, research was conducted in Ludhiana and Jalandhar over two years. Employing a split-plot design, three organic treatments (farmyard manure [FYM], biofertilizer, control) were tested in main plots, while five phosphorus fertilizer levels (46.9, 62.5, 93.8, 125, 0 kg ha⁻¹ P₂O₅) were examined in subplots. Results revealed that FYM notably enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake in both haulm and tubers compared to other organics. Moreover, higher phosphorus levels, particularly 125 kg ha⁻¹ P₂O₅, maximized nutrient uptake. Soil attributes like available nitrogen remained unaffected, whereas phosphorus availability increased with FYM and higher phosphorus levels. Available potassium remained consistent across treatments. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon were unchanged with 125 kg ha⁻¹ P₂O₅ treatments. FYM and biofertilizer significantly increased total tuber yields, with FYM showing a remarkable 30% boost compared to the control, and 125 kg ha⁻¹ P₂O₅ phosphorus levels resulting in a notable 24% increase, indicating enhanced seed potato production strategies. Principal component analysis underscored the positive correlation between tuber yield and soil attributes, particularly favoring FYM and 125 kg ha⁻¹ P₂O₅ treatments. Overall, FYM application and optimal phosphorus fertilizer levels are pivotal for augmenting nutrient uptake, soil health, and yield in seed potato cultivation.

Although humans have studied biological nitrogen (N) fixation for nearly two centuries, our understanding of how legumes–microbiome interactions impact agroecosystem function is still evolving. To understand the effects of organic fertilizers and dual inoculation with Rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on root activity, N fixation and nutrient uptake of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), a two-year greenhouse study was conducted in 2020–2021 at the research station of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The experiment design was a randomized complete blocks in the factorial arrangement with three replications. The first factor consisted of two seedbeds including S1 (field soil) and S2 (soil + humic acid + 40 ton ha⁻¹ cattle manure). The second factor included inoculation with Rhizobium alone, mycorrhiza alone, both Rhizobium and mycorrhiza and non-inoculated treatment. The results showed that the application of organic fertilizers increased the number of nodules, nodule weight, AMF colonization, leaf N content, leaf P content, root volume, root biomass and N uptake of chickpea, significantly. Also, the effect of seed inoculation was significant on all studied parameters where the highest root biomass (2 g), root volume (3.6 cm³) and leaf phosphorus (0.54%) were obtained in co-inoculated treatments. There was no significant difference between the effect of single inoculation of Rhizobium and dual inoculation of mycorrhiza and Rhizobium on nodule number, nodule weight, leaf N and N uptake of chickpea. Generally, rhizobia and AMF can benefit nutrient uptake and root activity of chickpea, potentially leading to higher crop production.

Alfalfa–grass mixtures sown in the northeastern United States provide high-quality dairy forage, and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) may improve the quality of these mixtures. Our objectives were to evaluate competitiveness and nutritive value of nine meadow fescue (MF) cultivars in New York State at spring harvest. Three farms, two in central New York State and one in northern New York state, were used. Conventional alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was sown (15 lb acre⁻¹) to nine MF cultivars (three tetraploid and six diploid) and one tall fescue Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) ‘Darbysh’ cultivar in a randomized complete block design with four field replicates at each field site at three seeding rates (1, 2, and 3 lb acre⁻¹). Grass proportion in mixtures was estimated visually. Grass samples were collected shortly before first harvest and analyzed for neutral detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), acid detergent fiber, in vitro digestibility, and crude protein. Most meadow fescue cultivars maintained a grass proportion between 20%–45% across farms and growing seasons when seeded at 1lb acre⁻¹. Seeding rates above 1lb acre⁻¹ resulted in grass proportions above the recommended 20–30% grass proportion rate. Drought in early 2022 resulted in an average drop in grass percentage of 16.9% units for meadow fescue in mixtures, compared to 2021. Nutritive value of cultivars varied among farms and over growing seasons. Meadow fescue cultivars averaged 2.7% units higher NDFD than tall fescue, and cultivars with consistently high NDFD were Hidden Valley, SW Revansch, SW Minto, and Schwetra. Tetraploid cultivars averaged 4.0% units lower NDF compared to diploid cultivars, which is very advantageous for grass in alfalfa–grass mixtures.

Scheduling irrigation events is important for high corn (Zea mays L.) yield, water use efficiency, economic returns, and water conservation. The use of shallow subsurface drip irrigation (S3DI) is cost effective for small irregular shaped field areas. Currently there are no irrigation scheduling recommendations for S3DI systems for corn production. The objective was to evaluate three water potential value strategies for scheduling irrigation events and the effect on corn yield, test weight, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and value water use efficiency (VWUE). Corn was grown multiple years (2012–2013; 2019–2023) at two locations (Dawson and Shellman, GA) using soil water potential sensors to schedule irrigation events. Sensors were installed at 10 and 20 inches (25 and 50 cm) soil depth. Irrigation events were scheduled when the average water potential was between 40 to 60 cbar (I1), 60 to 80 cbar (I2), 80 to 100 cbar (I3), and compared to a dryland control (I0). There was no difference in corn yield, IWUE, or VWUE between irrigation treatments, but all irrigation treatments had greater yield than I0, except in high rainfall years. At the Shellman location, total water applied for I3 was 46% less than for I1. At Dawson, I2 applied 17% more water than either I1 or I3. Across both sites, I1 and I2 applied 1.5 and 1.3 times more water than I3, respectively. Therefore, irrigation events scheduled at 80 to 100 cbar can be a viable technique for irrigating corn using S3DI without yield reductions while promoting water conservation.

The subterranean sod webworm, also known as cranberry girdler (Chrysoteuchia topiaria), is one of the most damaging insect pests in cool-season grass grown for seed crops in Oregon. Chemical control options are limited and require irrigation or rainfall for adequate insecticide incorporation to control C. topiaria larvae. Epichloë endophytes associated with cool-season turfgrass species and their mycotoxin profiles are well-documented in offering plant protection against invertebrates; these fungi may offer sustainable pest management tools. Our objectives were to characterize endophyte-mediated resistance to C. topiaria in 19 commercially available cultivars of tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue grown for seed in Oregon. Endophyte status (presence and viability) of fungal endophytes and their mycotoxin profiles were measured using polymerase chain reaction, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. No-choice assays were conducted in the laboratory to measure the impact of endophyte status on C. topiaria larvae in two separate no-choice experiments. Our results suggested that increased mortality of C. topiaria larvae (R² = 0.8526, Experiment 1; R² = 0.6628, Experiment 2) in tall fescue cultivars was most influenced by total peramine and ergot alkaloid, and total ergoline concentrations in Experiment 1 and 2, respectively. However, no significant effect on insect mortality was found in the perennial ryegrass and fine fescue cultivars included in this study. Overall, these findings suggest a viable grass–endophyte association can be utilized as a sustainable alternative to foliar insecticides for C. topiaria management in tall fescue seed crops.

Pyraclonil is a new herbicide to control weeds in California water-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). The objectives of this research were to evaluate weed control and rice response from pyraclonil applied alone at different timings and when applied in combinations with other herbicides. In one field study, pyaclonil was applied at 0.3 lbs a.i. ac⁻¹ on pre-seed bare ground, 1-inch flood, 4-inch flood and 3 days after flooding in water-seeded rice. In another study, pyraclonil was applied at 0.3 lbs a.i. ac⁻¹ at day of rice seeding and followed by various registered herbicides. Pyraclonil applications resulted in similar weed control across timings. Pyraclonil provided greater than 92% control of smallflower umbrella sedge (Cyperus difformis L.) and broadleaf weeds but less than 60% control of ricefield bulrush [Schoenoplectus mucronatus (L.) Palla] at 42 days after treatment. Watergrass (Echinochloa spp.) control was achieved with pyraclonil if applied before emergence. Early-season rice injury from pyraclonil was observed; however, rice appeared uninjured later in the season. The addition of other herbicides after a pyraclonil application increased weed control levels across weed species and resulted in grain yields from 6,925 to 8,623 and 9,182 to 10,865 lbs ac⁻¹ in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Pyraclonil provides early-season weed control and, when incorporated with other herbicides, will be a useful herbicide in water-seeded rice.

Golf course superintendents may use bensulide to control annual grassy weeds and carfentrazone-ethyl (CE) to control silvery-thread moss (Bryum argenteum Hedw.) in creeping bentgrass putting greens. Creeping bentgrass injury has been reported if CE is applied soon after treatment with bensulide and the safe application interval varies as much as 68 days. Our goal was to improve the precision of recommendations for safe application of CE following bensulide, considering both CE rate and timing. We used a factorial treatment structure that included (1) bensulide or no bensulide, (2) three rates of CE, and (3) nine CE application timings in 2018 and 2019 at locations in Nebraska and Ohio. Because of limited effects in 2018, different CE rates and application timings were used in 2019. Significant creeping bentgrass injury was only observed at 6.7 or 13.4 fl oz acre⁻¹ rates of CE that were applied within 3 days of applying bensulide. Even the 13.4 fl oz acre⁻¹ rate (a 2× rate) of CE did not injure creeping bentgrass when applied at least 7 days after applying bensulide. The 2.0 fl oz acre⁻¹ rate of CE never injured creeping bentgrass, even when applied the same day as bensulide. Cultivar, management, and environmental differences may influence whether subsequent application of bensulide and CE injures creeping bentgrass. Based on the environmental/cultural conditions and cultivars used in this research, golf course superintendents should expect little to no injury when CE is applied at least 1 week after applying bensulide.