Research Updates

Triticale crimped before adding green beans

Production of Soybean or Green Bean Following a Crimped Cover Crop

March 7, 2019

Based on Nebraska research and a review of findings from other studies, best management practices for crimping rye before planting soybean or green bean are explored. Data on degree of weed control and soybean yields are included.

Visual representation of gene sequences — Nebraska's James Schnable has helped sequence nearly the entire genetic catalog of proso millet. The resulting genetic insights could help raise yields of the drought-resistant crop in the Nebraska Panhandle and infertile regions likely to face food shortages in coming decades. (Nature Communications / James Schnable / Scott Schrage)

Sequencing of Proso Millet Genome Could Raise Yields, Expand Production Range

March 4, 2019

Researchers have now sequenced and mapped the genome of proso millet – a feat essential to raising yields of the drought-resistant crop in the Nebraska Panhandle and semiarid regions where population booms foreshadow food shortages.

Figure 1. Nebraska's Joe Louis with a collection of leaves infested by corn-leaf aphids. Louis and his colleagues have found that spraying a corn plant with one of its own defensive compounds might reduce aphid colonization by as much as 30%. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)

Experiments Underscore Overlooked Aspect of Defending Corn from Pest

March 4, 2019

Spraying a corn plant with one of its own compounds — 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, or OPDA — can help deter the virus-carrying, pollination-disrupting insect known as the corn-leaf aphid.

David Holding and Leandra Marshall analyzing corn — Nebraska's David Holding (right) and Leandra Marshall (left) are developing lines of popcorn featuring higher levels of lysine, an amino acid essential to the diets of humans and some livestock. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)

Genes to Proteins: Enriching the Nutritional Value of Popcorn, Sorghum

February 21, 2019

After years of research a University of Nebraska-Lincoln team led by David Holding has roughly doubled the content of lysine, an essential amino acid, in both popcorn and sorghum. For sorghum it could mean a more complete source of nutrition for many in the developing world.

Plots of field peas and chick peas studied as possible alternatives to fallow in more arid production areas.

Research Examines Water Balance of Field Peas, Chickpeas and Soybeans vs Fallow

February 21, 2019

This research compared fallow to field peas, chickpeas, and soybeans in terms of water balance, impact on next year’s wheat crop, and profitability. It was conducted near Grant in western Nebraska.

Figure showing the marginal net returns to N fertilizer application for irrigated corn following corn and corn following soybean. The analysis was done for $4/bu corn and fertilizer costs of 7 lb N and 9 lb N equal to value of one bushel of grain or of $0.57/lb N and $0.44/lb N, respectively.

Effects on Profitability and Nitrogen Loss from Reducing N Rate for Corn

February 5, 2019

This study looks at how various reductions in nitrogen application rates in corn might reduce nitrogen loss to the environment and what the costs of those changes would be in yield and profit.

Three soybean plants demonstrating how plant architecture responds to planting population.

Variable Seeding Rate for Soybean

January 23, 2019

Discussion of findings from on-farm soybean research to identify uniform field management zones and the optimum seeding rate within each zone. This is from one of the presentations to be made at the Nebraska Crop Management Conference Jan. 28-29 in Kearney.

Bar graph showing distribution of various ear abnormalities within the tested group.

Corn Growth and Development: What We Have Learned About Corn Development From Studying Ear Issues