Mid-Atlantic Grain and Forage Journal

Transcription

1 Mid-Atlntic Grin nd Forge Journl (formerly New Jersey Grin nd Forge Journl) A Compiltion of Reserch nd Extension Projects on Corn, Soyben, Smll Grin nd Forge Production Supported by: New Jersey Soyben Bord Grin nd Forge Producers Assocition of New Jersey Rutgers Coopertive Extension Cook College Rutgers-The Stte University of New Jersey Volume 7

2 PREFACE Mid-Atlntic Grin nd Forge Journl , Volume 7 This is the seventh edition of the Journl, formerly nmed the New Jersey Grin nd Forge Journl. Trditionlly the publiction hs presented work conducted in New Jersey by Rutgers Coopertive Extension fculty nd stff. The nme chnge reflects the fct tht submissions to this journl hve continued to come from reserchers nd Extension workers from the Mid-Atlntic region. Articles from New Jersey, Delwre nd Mrylnd re included in this issue. Grin nd forge production represents the lrgest griculturl crege in the Mid- Atlntic sttes, dding significntly to nd supporting relted industries. Not only does this support the locl nd regionl economy, but lso provides the benefits of open spce to the residents of the region. Unfortuntely t the sme time, dollrs to support personnel conducting field nd forge crop reserch nd extension efforts for this sector of the griculturl economy re declining. It is my hope tht this nd other collbortive efforts by field nd forge crop gents, specilists nd reserchers from lnd-grnt colleges nd universities in the region will ssist in informtion shring cross stte borders. I would like to cknowledge nd thnk the New Jersey Soyben Bord nd Grin nd Forge Producers Assocition for their finncil support. The Soyben Bord lloctes soyben check off funds for reserch nd promotionl ctivities tht benefit the soyben industry. The Grin nd Forge Producers Assocition promotes reserch, mrketing, legisltion nd eduction relted to the grin nd forge industry. In ddition I would like to thnk the following people who joined me s reviewers for this edition: Richrd Tylor, University of Delwre, Robert Krtochvil, University of Mrylnd, nd Greg Roth, Penn Stte University. Lstly, thnk you to the Cook College Computing Services Office for their ssistnce in publishing this web-bsed journl. I hope tht these results will be of interest nd use to you. Our gol is to provide informtion to frmers, industry personnel nd Coopertive Extension fculty nd stff. Your suggestions for reserch nd eductionl projects re lwys welcome, s it is our desire to develop progrms tht serve your most importnt needs. Dniel Kluchinski, Editor Rutgers Coopertive Extension E-mil: kluchinski@esop.rutgers.edu

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS MULTI-YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT RESULTS Effects of Row Width nd Plnt Popultion on the Performnce of Corn Grown for Grin in Mrylnd R. J. Krtochvil nd T. J. Miller Summry p. 1-2 Reserch Pper p. 3-7 Effects of Row Width nd Plnt Popultion on the Performnce of Corn Silge in Mrylnd R. J. Krtochvil nd T. J. Miller Summry p. 8-9 Reserch Pper p Yield nd Qulity of Potto Lefhopper Resistnt Alflf Vrieties J. W. Singer nd J. Ingerson-Mhr Summry p Reserch Pper p p. 1-7 p p SINGLE-YEAR RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATIONS A Comprison of Site-Specific Nitrte Testing nd Bulked Smple Anlysis: Does Site Specific Nutrient Smpling Chnge the Mngement Outcome? P. Tocco nd D. Lee Development of Site-Specific Monitoring nd Mngement System for Potto Lefhopper in Alflf P. Tocco nd D. Lee Soil Phosphorus Sttus of Southern New Jersey Pstures W. J. Bmk Orgnic No-Till Grin Rottions R. D. Myers Roundup Redy nd Trditionl Soyben Vriety Performnce Trils in Delwre B. Unitowksi, R. W. Tylor nd R. P. Mulrooney p p p p p

4 Effects of Row Width nd Plnt Popultion on the Performnce of Corn Silge in Mrylnd Robert J. Krtochvil, Extension Specilist-Field Crops Deprtment of Nturl Resource Sciences nd Lndscpe Architecture University of Mrylnd, College Prk, MD E-mil: Thoms J. Miller, Regionl Extension Specilist Mrylnd Coopertive Extension Wye Reserch nd Eduction Center, Queenstown, MD Reserch Question Literture Summry Study Description Applied Questions The conventionl row width spcing for silge corn production is 30 inches. Recently, forge hrvesting equipment hs been developed tht will hrvest silge in ny row spcing. With the dvent of tht equipment, there hs been interest mong frmers regrding the gronomic performnce of silge corn produced in nrrower rows thn the conventionl row width s they consider the economics of purchsing this new technology. There hve been studies tht hve found improved yield performnce when corn is produced in nrrower row widths. There hve lso been reports of improved yield performnce when corn is produced t plnt popultions considered to be higher thn the recommended stndrds for region. This study compred the performnce of one silge hybrid grown in 15- nd 30-inch row widths nd t plnt popultions rnging from 24,000 to 45,000 plnts per cre under drylnd conditions during the three yer period ( ) in Mrylnd. Successful production of silge corn in row widths nrrower thn the stndrd for n re hs been reported by numerous reserchers the pst few yers (Cox, 1997 nd 1998; Roth, 1996). One common thred tht these reports hve is tht they ll occurred in northern ltitude sttes (i.e. north of the Mson-Dixon line) of the United Sttes. Reports from midltitude sttes hve either shown no yield dvntge to nrrower rows or inconsistent results (Frnhm, 1998). These sme scientists hve reported silge yield increses to plnt popultions greter thn the recommended stndrds for their sttes (Cox, 1997 nd 1998; Roth, 1996). Agin these reports re from sttes in the northern ltitude zone of the U.S. Bitzer (1996) reported tht he found no yield dvntge to higher thn norml plnt popultions. From 1997 to 1999, Pioneer brnd 3335 ws plnted t two loctions per yer in study tht compred its performnce in 15- nd 30-inch row widths nd t the popultions: 24,000, 30,000, 36,000, 42,000 nd 45,000 plnts/a. The experimentl design ws rndomized complete block (3 replictions) with split-split plot rrngement of tretments. The min plots were nitrogen fertility tretments (0, 100, 175, nd 250 lb/cre), the split plots consisted of the two row width tretments, nd the split-split plots were the popultion tretments. All the plots were over-plnted nd thinned to derived popultions by removing the excess plnts within four weeks fter plnting. Is there n dvntge to 15-inch row width corn in silge system? Averged over ll loctions, popultions nd nitrogen fertilizer tretments common to ll three yers of the study, the corn produced in the 30-inch row 8

5 width tretment produced 0.7 ton more silge thn the 15-inch row width tretment. Which plnt popultion performed best? Averged over ll loctions, nitrogen fertilizer tretments nd row-width tretments common to ll three yers of the study, plnt popultions of 36 nd 42,000 plnts/a produced 2.1 nd 2.3 tons/a more silge thn the 30,000 plnts/a tretment. After the first two yers of the study, it ws determined tht the lowest plnt popultion tretment of 24,000 plnts/a ws not n dequte popultion for silge system in Mrylnd. During those two yers the 24,000 plnts/a tretment produced 1.4 tons/a less thn the 30,000 plnts/a tretment. The gretest plnt popultion tested ws 45,000 plnts/a (evluted only in 1999) nd ws found to yield less thn either the 36,000 or 42,000 plnts/a tretments. Recommendtions No yield dvntge ws found for corn grown for silge when it ws plnted in 15-inch row widths. The cost incurred by investing in hrvesting equipment to hrvest silge produced in this nrrower row width would not likely be returned becuse there would most likely be no dditionl yield. Most Mrylnd silge producers re currently using seeding rte tht ttins plnt popultion between 24,000 nd 30,000 plnts/a. This work indictes tht plnt popultions for silge production in Mrylnd cn be incresed bove the current stndrd nd my go s high s 35,000 plnts/a for either irrigted frms or fields tht hve good moisture holding bility. 9

6 Effects of Row Width nd Plnt Popultion on the Performnce of Corn Silge in Mrylnd Robert J. Krtochvil, Extension Specilist-Field Crops Deprtment of Nturl Resource Sciences nd Lndscpe Architecture University of Mrylnd, College Prk, MD E-mil: Thoms J. Miller, Regionl Extension Specilist Mrylnd Coopertive Extension Wye Reserch nd Eduction Center, Queenstown, MD Introduction A study ws conducted in Mrylnd from 1997 to 1999 to compre the effects of 15- nd 30-inch row width tretments t vrying plnt popultions on the performnce of corn hybrid grown for silge production. Recent reports from numerous sttes hve indicted tht greter yields cn be ttined when corn is produced in row width nrrower thn the conventionl, 30-inch wide stndrd used for both silge nd grin corn production. There hve lso been reports tht plnt popultions greter thn the recommended stndrd for region will provide yield benefit. This study ws designed to evlute both the row width nd the plnt popultion effects on silge corn production in Mrylnd. Cox et l. (1998) reported on study in New York in which he tested eight silge hybrids in 15- nd 30-inch row widths. The plnt popultions rnged form 18,000 to 42,000 plnts/a in 6000 plnt increments. He reported 4 percent yield dvntge in the 15-inch row width tretment. He found mximum economic yield occurred t 39,500 plnts per cre. There re lso some interesting results reported for incresed plnt popultions for silge production. G.W. Roth (1996) in Pennsylvni found 3 to 4 percent increse in corn silge yields with plnt popultion of 34,000 plnts/a compred to 27,000 plnts/a. Cox (1997) in New York determined plnt densities for silge production should verge bout 7.5 percent greter thn for grin production. The generl trend for the reported dt indictes yield dvntge for nrrow row silge corn production in sttes north of the Mson-Dixon line (i.e. New York, Pennsylvni). Reserch from mid-ltitude sttes indictes either no yield dvntge for nrrow row corn production or inconsistent response. The trend for higher plnt popultions is similr, the corn produced in the more northern ltitude sttes seems to respond better to higher popultions thn does corn produced in the mid-ltitude sttes. Mterils nd Methods This study ws plnted from t two loctions: Centrl Mrylnd Reserch nd Eduction Center-Clrksville Fcility (CMREC) nd Western Mrylnd Reserch nd Eduction Center (WMREC) locted ner Hgerstown, Mrylnd. Both these sites re locted in the corn-silge production region of Mrylnd. The experimentl design ws split-split plot rrngement of tretments within rndomized complete block with three replictions. The min plots were four nitrogen fertility tretments (0, 100, 175, nd 250 lb N/A) tht were included s prt of nutrient mngement component to the study nd not discussed in this pper. The split plots were two row width tretments (15- nd 30-inches). The split-split plots were the plnt popultion tretments. During the period 1997 to 1998, four plnt popultion tretments (24,000, 30,000, 36,000 nd 42,000 plnts/a) were evluted. During the third yer of the study, the plnt popultion tretments tht were evluted were 30,000, 36,000, 42,000 nd 45,000 plnts/a. The stndrd seeding rtes used by the mjority of Mrylnd frmers for silge corn production rnge between 24,000 nd 30,000 plnts/a. The 24,000 plnts/a tretment tested during the first two yers ws dropped from the study nd replced in the study by the 45,000 plnts/a tretment. This chnge in plnt popultion tretments ws mde for two resons. First, bsed upon the 1997 nd

7 dt, the 24,000 plnts/a popultion ws determined to not be n cceptble stndrd for silge production. Second, the 36,000 nd 42,000 plnts/a tretments hd not reflected the upper limit yield response to high popultion during the first two yers of the study. The corn hybrid used in the study ws Pioneer brnd 3335 nd ws supplied by Pioneer Hybrids, Intl. The 30-inch plots were plnted with John Deere Mx-Emerge plnter. The 15-inch plots were plnted with the sme plnter equipped with its splitter. Stndrd fertilizer nd pesticide prctices were used t both loctions ech yer. All the plots were plnted t seeding rtes tht exceeded the highest plnt popultion tretment by t lest 10 percent. The tretment plnt popultions were ttined within four weeks fter the plnting dte by removing the excess plnts from ech plot by cutting them below their growing point. The plnting dtes for WMREC were: 15 My, 1997; 28 My, 1998; nd 11 My, The plnting dtes t CMREC were: 7 My, 1997; 19 My, 1998 nd 6 My, Silge hrvest begn shortly fter blck-lyer formtion. The hrvest ws ccomplished by rndomly selecting nd cutting eight consecutive plnts within one of the two center rows of ech plot. The plnts were cut t pproximtely six inches from the ground nd similr to wht would hve been ttined with forge hrvester. The eight plnts were weighed. Silge yield for ech plot ws determined by clculting the individul plnt weight from the eight hrvested plnts nd then multiplying by the tretment plnt popultion for ech plot nd is reported in tons/a djusted to stndrd 65 percent hrvest moisture content. Two rndomly selected plnts from ech plot were used for determintion of the hrvest moisture content nd for silge nutritive qulity nlysis. These two plnts were chopped using Crftsmn Chipper/Shredder. The chopped smple ws weighed nd then plced in dryer mintined t 130 o F for 96 hours. The dry weight of ech smple ws used for the clcultion of hrvest moisture content. These dried smples were stored until they could be ground through Wiley mill equipped with 10-mesh screen. These smples were then stored until they could be sent to lbortory for nutritive nlyses tht re pending. Results nd Discussion Row Width Response A significnt row width response ws found. The silge yield verged over the six loctions, the four nitrogen tretments, nd the three plnt popultions common to the three yers of the study (30,000, 36,000 nd 42,000 plnts/c.), ws 0.7 T/A more in the 30- inch row width tretment (Figure 1). There ws significnt row width by loction interction present. At four of the loctions (Figure 1), there were no differences for yield between the two row width tretments. At two of the loctions, CMREC in 1998 nd WMREC in 1999, the yield response fvored the 30-inch row width tretment (Figure 1). This inconsistent yield response to nrrow rows ws similr with the results reported by Frnhm (1998) for shell corn in Iow. Since the study ws conducted during three of the driest yers tht Mrylnd experienced during the 1990 s, the results were somewht surprising. Hypotheticlly, the corn produced in the 15-inch row width nd t the sme popultion s the 30-inch row width tretment should hve performed better since there ws less interplnt competition for the limited moisture mong the plnts in the nrrow rows becuse of their improved sptil rrngement. However, there were no row width by plnt popultion interctions present indicting this ws not the cse. Plnt Popultion Response For the period 1997 nd 1998, significnt response mong the four plnt popultion tretments ws found. The silge yield for the 36,000 nd 42,000 plnts/a tretments ws found to be significntly greter thn for either the 24,000 or the 30,000 plnts/a tretments (Figure 2). During 1999, the 45,000 plnts/a popultion ws found to yield significntly less thn either the 36,000 or 42,000 plnts/a tretments. Three of the plnt popultion tretments (30,000, 36,000 nd 42,000 plnts/a) were common to the study during the period There ws significnt yield response to popultion. Averged over the six loctions, the four nitrogen tretments nd the two row width tretments, the best silge yields were produced t 36,000 nd 42,000 plnts/a (Figure 3). There ws no row width by plnt popultion 11

8 25 20 LSD.05 = 0.73 T/A t 6 sites LSD.05 = 1.85 T/A t loction b b b site vg. CMREC- 97 WMREC- 97 CMREC- 98 WMREC- 98 CMREC- 99 WMREC in 30 in Figure 1. The effects of row width verged over the four nitrogen fertility tretments nd three plnt popultion tretments common to the three yers of the study upon the yield of silge hybrid for the six loctions nd for ech individul loction for the period A pir of brs with the sme letter indicte tht the difference found ws not sttisticlly significnt. 25 LSD.05 = 0.49 T/A 20 Tons/cre b c c ,000 30,000 36,000 42,000 Plnts/cre Figure 2. Effects of plnt popultion upon the yield of silge hybrid verged over the four loctions, four nitrogen fertility tretments nd two row width tretments common to the study during the period of in Mrylnd. Two brs with the sme letter re not sttisticlly different from one nother. 12

9 18 LSD.05 = 1.05 T/A b b Plnt Popultion Figure 3. The effects of plnt popultion upon the yield of silge hybrid when verged over the six loctions, four nitrogen tretments nd two row width tretments common to the study during the period in Mrylnd. Two brs with the sme letter re not significntly different. interction becuse the response to plnt popultions ws the sme whether the corn ws produced in either 15-inch or 30-inch row widths. These results were surprising since the study ws conducted during three droughty yers nd becuse the opposite response to plnt popultions ws found with grin study conducted concurrently (Krtochvil nd Miller, 2001). Becuse of the dry conditions, conventionl wisdom hd suggested tht the best silge yields should hve been found t the lower plnt popultions. These results did correspond to the silge work reported by Cox (1998) in New York. Through his work, the stndrd seeding rte recommendtions for silge production in New York hve been djusted to plnt popultions of 32,000 34,000 plnts/a for good soils nd 26,000 28,000 plnts/a for droughty soils. Conclusions The production of silge corn in 15-inch row width system in Mrylnd does not pper to follow the sme trend s our neighboring nd more northern sttes, Pennsylvni (Roth, 1996), nd New York (Cox, 1998). Not one instnce of improved silge yield in 15-inch production system ws found t ny of the six loctions during the three-yer period. Production of silge corn in 15-inch row widths is not recommended for Mrylnd. Yield response to plnt popultions, however, did conform to the findings of both Cox (1998) nd Roth (1996). In this study, the best silge yields were obtined t plnt popultions of 36,000 nd 42,000 plnts/a. The optimum plnt popultion to produce mximum yield is likely to be within this rnge of seeding rtes s 45,000 plnts/a tretment during 1999 hd yield significntly lower thn both of these rtes. Since the mjority of frmers re currently plnting corn for silge t rtes between 25,000 nd 30,000 plnts/a, n increse to pproximtely 35,000 plnts/a ppers to be wrrnted nd is recommended when production is either on good soils or is irrigted. The impct tht higher plnt popultions hs on forge qulity is pending the results of lbortory nlyses. Forge hrvesters equipped with Kemper type forge heds re cpble of hrvesting silge plnted t ny row width. The informtion gined from this study does not indicte tht the purchse of this type of costly forge equipment would be economiclly justified under ny conditions. In ddition, switch to nrrow row production would impct the potentil for post-emergent pesticide nd nitrogen pplictions. In order to continue with this prctice, the frmer would most likely hve to mke some equipment 13

10 modifictions which would lso be n dditionl cost tht does not pper to be economiclly justified bsed upon the results reported here. References Cox, W.J Corn Silge nd Grin Yield Responses to Plnt Densities. Journl of Production Agriculture. 10: Cox, W.J., D.R. Cherney, nd J.J. Hnchr Row Spcing, Hybrid, nd Plnt Density Effects on Corn Silge Yield nd Qulity. Journl of Production Agriculture. 11: Frnhm, D.E Will Nrrow Corn Rows Previl?: A Centrl Corn Belt Perspective? p Agronomy Abstrcts. ASA. Mdison, WI. Roth, G.W. nd L.E. Mrshll Corn Grin nd Silge Yield Response to Nrrow Rows. p Agronomy Abstrcts. ASA, Mdison, WI. 14

11 Mention or disply of trdemrk, proprietry product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute n endorsement by Rutgers Coopertive Extension nd does not imply pprovl to the exclusion of other suitble products or firms. Rutgers Coopertive Extension N. J. Agriculturl Experiment Sttion Rutgers, The Stte University of New Jersey New Brunswick Distributed in coopertion with U. S. Deprtment of Agriculture in furthernce of the Acts of Congress of My 8 nd June 30, Coopertive Extension work in griculture, fmily nd consumer sciences, nd 4-H. Adesoji O. Adelj, director of Extension. The U. S. Deprtment of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimintion in ll progrms nd ctivities on the bsis of rce, color, ntionl origin, gender, religion, ge, disbility, politicl beliefs, sexul orienttion, or mrtil nd fmily sttus. (Not ll prohibited bses pply to ll progrms.) Rutgers Coopertive Extension is n Equl Opportunity Employer.