2018 Integrated Agronomic Systems Fellowship

Student conducting research

Effect of Switchgrass Row Spacing on Inter-Seeded Legume Establishment

March 15, 2019
This project evaluated the effect of switchgrass row spacing on the establishment of Illinois bundleflower, partridge pea, alfalfa, white clover, and hairy vetch.

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Figure 1. Soil disturbance after disking and interseeding legumes.
Figure 1. Soil disturbance after disking and interseeding legumes.

Burning, Disking, and Spraying Consequences on Big Bluestem Forage Yield, Nutritive Value, and Native Legume Establishment

March 14, 2019
A two-year study evaluated establishment of two native legume species into five-year old established big bluestem pastures and compared seven treatments.

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Chart showing row spacing effects on switchgrass yields.

Effect of Row Spacing on Switchgrass Yield and Nutritive Value

March 14, 2019
This study was conducted from 2010 to 2015 to evaluate effects of row spacing on switchgrass forage yield. It compared two varieties: ‘Shawnee’ an upland ecotype, and ‘Kanlow x Summer HP1 NETO2 C1’, an experimental lowland ecotype later released as ‘Liberty’.

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Figure 1. Cattle grazing smooth bromegrass pasture at Mead.
Figure 1. Cattle grazing smooth bromegrass pasture at Mead.

Variables Affecting Establishment of Sorghum-Sudangrass in Smooth Bromegrass Pastures

March 13, 2019
This study evaluates how nitrogen management affects establishment of sorghum-sudangrass, thought to be an option in eastern Nebraska to increase productivity of smooth bromegrass pastures and fill the summer forage gap.

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Graph showing the effects of four planting dates and two hybrids on plate internode length.

Planting Date Impact on Corn Growth and Ear Issues

March 12, 2019
Do delayed planting dates affect plant growth (leaf height, stem diameter, and internode length) and ear formation issues in corn? See what this student researcher learned from trials conducted near Clay Center in summer 2018.

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Rye cover crop

Soil Microbial Communities under Cover Crops

March 12, 2019
This study examined impacts of using a cereal rye cover crop in corn systems in eastern Nebraska and found that it boosted the microbial community in the upper two inches of the soil. This may improve soil aggregation, nutrient cycling, and other soil health benefits.

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person measuring corn stalk diameter
Figure 1. Corn height and stalk diameter for the different treatments were measured weekly and compared.

Effect of Rye or Oat Cover Crop on Corn Growth and Development in a Rain-Fed, Wheat-Corn Rotation

March 12, 2019
Cover crop species and planting date are two factors that could affect the following crop. In this student study the effects on corn of cover crop species and planting dates were evaluated.

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Rye in continuous corn April 19, 2018 at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Education Center near Mead
Rye in continuous corn April 19, 2018 at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Education Center near Mead

How Does Cover Crop Planting Date Affect Soil’s Susceptibility to Water Erosion?

March 11, 2019
This Nebraska student study of how cover crops planted pre- and post-harvest affected soil erodibility found that the amount of water-stable aggregates and biomass production increased with pre-harvest planting.

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