Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management最新文献

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a crucial crop for global food, feed, and biofuel industries, with its yield influenced by agronomic practices such as row spacing and seeding rate. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these practices on soybean yield across 7 years (2016–2023) in Iowa. Using a split-split-plot design, we examined three row spacings (15, 20, and 30 inches) and varying seeding rates at two experimental sites. The research was conducted under typical Iowa conditions with different soybean cultivars and soil types. Grain yield data were standardized to 13% moisture and analyzed using ANOVA to assess the interactions between row spacing, seeding rate, and cultivar. Results indicated the effects of row spacing and seeding rate on yield were inconsistent across years and locations. Narrower row spacings (15 and 20 inches) tended to improve yield in high-productivity environments, while wider spacing (30 inches) performed better in some low-yielding environments. The seeding rate response varied, with no clear pattern across site-years, suggesting that soybean plants can compensate for lower planting densities by adjusting branching and pod set. These findings highlight the adaptability of soybean to different planting practices, offering farmers flexibility in optimizing seeding rates and row spacings without significant yield loss. This research provides valuable insights into potentially reducing input costs while maintaining productivity in soybean production.

Cool-season annual grasses complement bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastureland production in the southern United States. These species can be planted in the fall or in late winter to provide supplemental forage strategically in the growing season. Late winter plantings can also provide emergency forage where perennial stands have been affected by drought. The optimum late winter planting date is not well established for these annual forages. This experiment sought to compare the forage production from three late-winter planting dates of four annual grasses. This experiment was conducted at the Arkansas State University farm in Jonesboro, AR, from 2021–2024. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), spring and winter oats (Avena sativa L.), and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were no-till planted into a glyphosate-suppressed bermudagrass sod on one of three planting dates. Early planting dates were in late February, Mid planting dates were in mid-March, and Late planting dates were in late Match. Plots were harvested once in early May of each year. Winter wheat was the least productive forage across planting dates in all years. Spring oat was the most productive forage (approximately 4200 lbs acre⁻¹). The early and mid-planting dates produced similar amounts of forage at time of harvest. Late plantings were less productive (approximately 3000 lbs acre⁻¹). These results were consistent despite the variability in weather conditions across multiple seasons and establishment attempts. This experiment suggested that the optimal planting period for late winter-planted annual forages is between late February and mid-March in the southern United States.

Effective disease and pest management in peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) requires adequate spray penetration within the canopy during pesticide applications. Field studies were conducted to assess spray deposition within the peanut canopy at three carrier volumes of 10, 15 and 20 gallons per acre (GPA), with each volume applied using three different nozzle types (extended range [XRC], air induction extended range [AIXR], and Turbo TeeJet Induction [TTI]). Spray deposition was assessed using water at various application timings (45, 60, 90, and 120 DAP) by placing water-sensitive paper at upper, middle, and lower positions within the peanut canopy. Fungicide applications using different carrier volume and nozzle treatments were made at regular intervals throughout the season, and disease ratings along with peanut yield were recorded at harvest. The carrier volume of 20 GPA consistently provided the greatest deposition in the upper and middle canopy, followed by 15 and 10 GPA. The XRC nozzle exhibited the greatest deposition in the upper canopy, followed by the AIXR and TTI nozzles. Within the lower canopy, the effect of carrier volume and nozzle type on spray deposition varied among the application timings. For disease control, the lower carrier volume of 10 GPA and XRC nozzle showed an increased incidence of late leaf spot (Nothopassalora personata) and southern stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.) in one of the study years. Carrier volume and nozzle type did not affect peanut yield during both years. Overall, the findings suggest that spray deposition within the peanut canopy is influenced by carrier volume and nozzle type; however, it does not necessarily lead to reduced peanut yield, especially in most fields with low to moderate disease pressure.

Paddy cultivation plays a pivotal role in ensuring global food security, yet it encounters persistent challenges posed by diverse pest species. This comprehensive review delves into the prevalent types of pest attacks in paddy fields and scrutinizes the efficacy of biological control methods, specifically focusing on botanical pesticides. Commencing with an overview highlighting key pest species and their detrimental effect on yield, the review encompasses an extensive examination of traditional pest control methods alongside the limitations associated with chemical interventions. Particular emphasis is placed on evaluating the feasibility of botanical pesticides in regulating pest populations, meticulously weighing their advantages, constraints, and future prospects. Ultimately, this study summarizes key findings that highlight the effectiveness of botanical pesticides in managing particular pests. The resultant insights significantly contribute to advancing the understanding of sustainable pest management practices within paddy cultivation, paving the way for informed strategies in agricultural sustainability.

Soil nutrient management for pastures in Arkansas often ignores nutrients applied from feeding hay to cattle. Discounting nutrient contributions from hay may increase the likelihood of unnecessary fertilizer over-application. This study evaluated the effects of unrolling bales (unroll fed, UF) and using a ring feeder (ring fed, RF), compared to an unamended control, on changes in soil properties in the top 4 inches in a rotationally grazed, beef [red angus (Bos taurus)] pasture on silt-loam soils in northwest Arkansas. Forty-six cow–calf pairs were fed hay at 6.6 tons acre⁻¹ year⁻¹ (14.8 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹; dry-weight basis) from December to February during the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 winters. Over the study period, extractable soil K and Mg concentrations increased (P < 0.05) by 83% and 33% for RF and by 126% and 51% for UF treatments, respectively. Soil bulk density (BD) decreased (P < 0.1) by 3.9% from 2015 to 2017 for the UF, while soil BD in the unamended control and RF treatments did not change over time. Mean overall infiltration was three times greater (P < 0.05) for the UF (1.76 mm min⁻¹) than RF (0.56 mm min⁻¹) treatment, while overall infiltration rate into the unamended control (1.1 mm min⁻¹) did not differ from the UF or RF treatments. Results demonstrated that hay-feeding strategies can impact soil BD and infiltration and that nutrients in winter-fed hay impart benefits to pasture soil fertility that should be accounted for in a soil fertility management scheme in a rotationally grazed, pasture system.

The green revolution, which came after the industrial revolution, boosted the crop yields produced per unit of land, but it also increased the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and lowered the water table and increased salinization. In order to improve farm productivity, soil fertility is crucial and for preserving soil fertility, boosting yields, and enhancing harvest quality, fertilizer is essential. The decline in the fertility of the soil is a key constraint in enhancing food production worldwide, and improper nutrient management is a significant cause of this problem. Agroecosystems will need to implement contemporary technologies in order to produce enough food and mitigate the detrimental effects of chemical fertilization on the environment. Hence, the agri-food industry is progressively utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to increase productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. AI uses computational models to process data and identifies patterns for predictions or decision-making. This review emphasizes how AI technology could be used for the predictions of manure compositions for improvement of food safety and quality. We aimed to identify the role of AI and the supporting evidences of field studies to characterize the controlled combinations of fertilizers for the efficient crop production with lowest possible plant toxicity. Also, we discuss the constraints and challenges of AI in the food and agricultural sector. In conclusion, AI-based approaches and field studies suggested that combining organic and inorganic fertilizers can synergistically improve crop growth and yield parameters.

Fraise mowing and hollow-tine aerification are disruptive cultural practices that alter soil physical properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of fraise mowing followed by hollow-tine aerification on soil physical properties in a Cecil sandy loam (loam) and a sand-capped soccer field (sand) beneath established ‘Tifway’ hybrid bermudagrass (C. dactylon x C. transvaalensis Burtt. Davy). Three fraise mowing depths (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 inches) and hollow-tine aerification were applied in mid-June in two consecutive years. Turfgrass quality (TQ), thatch-mat depth, surface hardness, and divot resistance were measured in both soils. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) was measured in the sand. All fraise mowing and hollow-tine aerification treatments resulted in unacceptable TQ for 2 to 6 weeks during the study. However, combining hollow-tine aerification with fraise mowing did not delay bermudagrass recovery. Thatch-mat depth decreased by ≥19% as fraise mowing depth increased but was unaffected by hollow-tine aerification. Fraise mowing did not affect Ksat; however, hollow-tine aerification increased Ksat by 54%. Surface hardness increased by ≤24% with increasing fraise mowing depths. Fraise mowing did not affect divot resistance in the loam. Divot resistance in sand decreased by 16 and 30% with the 0.5- and 1.0-inch fraise mowing depths, respectively. Hollow-tine aerification decreased surface hardness by 5% to 20% and divot resistance by 6% to 13%. When practiced concurrently, fraise mowing and hollow-tine aerification were complimentary and positively affected the soil physical properties in both soils.

The success of weed management decisions must be assessed not only in the short-term within season but also in the long-term over several seasons. This study investigated the effects of crop rotation and herbicide program structure on the population growth rates of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.). A field experiment was conducted over a 3-year period in North Carolina to compare cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)–sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.]–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], cotton–peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)–soybean, cotton–tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)–soybean, and cotton–soybean–soybean rotations and preemergence and postemergence herbicide application timings. Results showed that preemergence herbicide application in the soybean phase of the rotation reduced Palmer amaranth populations 79%. However, the preemergence herbicides were only effective at reducing weed populations for the current season, not beyond. Common ragweed population growth rate was highest after the first 2 years (λ = 1.63) of the cotton–tobacco–soybean rotation. Preemergence herbicides were effective in reducing common ragweed populations, particularly in rotations with cotton–sweetpotato and cotton–peanut. Soybean yields were similar across rotations ranging from 62 bu/ac to 68 bu/ac. Annual use of preemergence herbicides was essential to reduce Palmer amaranth populations. For common ragweed, the effectiveness of preemergence herbicides to mitigate population growth was reduced when poorly competitive crops were part of the rotation.

Late leaf spot disease [caused by Nothopassalora personata (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) U. Braun, C. Nakash., Videira & Crous] and southern stem rot (caused by Athelia rolfsii Sacc.) are economically important diseases in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in North Carolina. Fungicides are often applied on a 14-day schedule when these pathogens are active during the cropping cycle to protect peanut yield. The fungicide pydiflumetofen has been shown to provide protection from leaf spot disease for longer than 14 days and is labeled for protection for 28 days. However, efficacy for this length of protection has not been documented in North Carolina. Research was conducted from 2019 to 2022 in North Carolina to compare incidence of leaf spot and canopy defoliation when chlorothalonil plus tebuconazole were applied approximately 21, 28, and 35 days after pydiflumetofen was co-applied with flutolanil or the commercial mixture of azoxystrobin and benzovindiflupyr. Pydiflumetofen does not control southern stem rot whereas flutolanil and azoxystrobin plus benzovindiflupyr do control this disease. Applying chlorothalonil plus tebuconazole 21 or 28 days after pydiflumetofen combinations was equally effective in protecting peanut from yield loss. In some cases, yield was lower when chlorothalonil plus tebuconazole were applied 35 days after pydiflumetofen combinations or when follow up fungicide was not applied. These data suggest that farmers in North Carolina can apply pydiflumetofen and expect 28 days of protection from late leaf spot. However, suppression of disease and peanut yield decreased in some cases when chlorothalonil plus tebuconazole does not occur until 35 days after pydiflumetofen combinations were applied.

Tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca Hinds) feeding can reduce peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield and vector Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (family Tospoviridae, genus Orthotospovirus). Visible injury caused by tobacco thrips feeding was recorded from 2013 to 2022 at one location in North Carolina when peanut was not treated with insecticide, when imidacloprid or phorate was applied in the seed furrow at planting, and when acephate was applied to peanut approximately 21 days after peanut emergence. A positive linear response for peanut injury caused by tobacco thrips was observed from 2013 through 2022 for non-treated peanut and peanut treated with imidacloprid and phorate. No difference in injury caused by tobacco thrips was noted for acephate. In a survey of farmers in 2022 cropping cycle, the most popular systemic insecticide applied at planting for this pest in North Carolina and Virginia was imidacloprid. The majority of farmers in these states indicated that control of tobacco thrips was more difficult now than in previous years, and that they made routine applications of acephate to control this pest.