Crop Sciences

2008 Listing of Research Projects in Crop Sciences

The Effects of Tillage on Soil Organic Matter- this study is looking at how different tillage practices affect changes in soil organic matter in a corn/soybean rotation. Michelle Wander, NRES, and M.. Vose, Crop Sciences

Biofuel Crops Study - In this study we are trying to find out how miscanthus (a perennial C_4 sterile grass) and switchgrass (a perennial C_4 grass) yield in terms of total biomass as well as their response to nitrogen fertilizer. These two crops are candidate biofuel crops which have the potential to provide feedstock for a future of cellulosic ethanol. Our hope is to find the optimum nitrogen rate as well as to understand the nitrogen dynamics in these cropping systems.
Fernando E. Miguez, Germán Bollero, Stephen Long and M. Vose Crop Sciences

Nitrogen Rate/Rotation Study- this study is comparing different rates of nitrogen and fungicide treatments in a continuous corn and a corn/soybean rotation to see where we get the most economical yield. Emerson Nafziger, and M.. Vose, Crop Sciences

Soybean Fungicide/Insecticide Interaction Study: This study is designed to see if we get a yield response from using different fungicide/insecticide combinations. We will use one variety of soybeans planted at two different dates to see if planting date and/or growth stage affect yield. Mike Roegge and Loretta Ortiz Ribbing UI Extension and M . Vose, Crop Sciences

Crop Rotation Study- this study is comparing five different crop rotations with corn, soybeans, and wheat in 0-till and conventional till. Emerson Nafziger, and M . Vose, Crop Sciences

Corn-Corn-Soybean Rotation Study- this study is designed to look at yields under corn-corn-soybean, corn-soybean, and continuous corn rotations. Emerson Nafziger, and M. Vose, Crop Sciences

Nitrogen Rate/Population Study: This study is designed to see if we need to apply more nitrogen when we plant at higher populations. We will compare responses to N rate over 4 nitrogen rates and 4 plant populations. Emerson Nafziger, and M.. Vose, Crop Sciences

Variety Trials- the variety trials compare large numbers of commercial varieties and hybrids of wheat, soybeans and corn. The corn and soybean trials are located off- center because of their large size. Ralph Esgar, Darin Joos, Brian Henry, M . Vose and others, Crop Sciences

Herbicide Evaluations- this set of studies is designed to compare different herbicides and herbicide combinations to achieve maximum weed control and yields. Studies include herbicide and tillage combinations. Doug Maxwell, Aaron Hager, Lisa Gonzini, and M . Vose, Crop Sciences

Managing Continuous Corn for High Yields- this is a study designed to test the independent and interaction effects of different tillages, higher fertilizer (N, P, and K) rates, fungicides and higher plant populations on the yields of continuous corn. Emerson Nafziger, and M .Vose, Crop Science

Soybeans Aphid Trapping- we are using a suction trap for weekly sampling to determine if and when the soybean aphid is moving into our area and to monitor their movement throughout the state. David Voegtlin of the Nation Soybean Research Center, and M. Vose, Crop Sciences

Soybean Fungicide Study- this study will have 5 different varieties of soybeans planted in 15" rows then sprayed with different fungicides to evaluate their performance on different soybean diseases and soybean rust should it show up. Carl Bradley, Kieth Ames, and M .Vose, Crop Sciences

Corn Rootworm Beetle Study- This is study designed to test the effectiveness of different insecticides and Bt in controlling Western Corn Rootworm. Last year we planted a trap crop of corn and pumpkins that will be used for the treatments this year. We will plant another trap crop of corn and pumpkins for the 2009 treatments.
Mike Gray, Kevin Steffey, and Ron Estes, and M. Vose, Crop Sciences

Corn Date of Planting/Population Study- This is a study designed to update information on responses to planting date and plant population in a corn/soybean rotation. Results will tell us the planting dates and populations for maximum yields and economic return, and will also tell us whether planting rates should change with planting date. Emerson Nafziger, and M.. Vose, Crop Sciences

Continuous Corn Date of Planting/Population Study- This is a study designed to update information on responses to planting date and plant population in a continuous corn rotation. Results will tell us the planting dates and populations for maximum yields and economic return, and will also tell us whether planting rates should change with planting date. Emerson Nafziger, and M.. Vose, Crop Sciences

Corn Residue Removal Study: In this study we are trying to find out how much, if any yield loss occurs from plant diseases that come from the corn residue in a continuous corn rotation. This study has three levels of residue removal, two tillage practices, and four nitrogen rates. Our hope is to find out what variable or combination of variables causes the most yield response.
Jeff Coulter, Emerson Nafziger, and M .Vose, Crop Sciences

Monitoring Rootworm Beetle Movement - By using sticky traps we are trying monitor the movement of adult rootworm beetles from corn fields into adjacent soybean fields.
Mike Roegge, UI Extension and M . Vose, Crop Sciences

Continuous Corn On-Farm N-Rate Trial- this study is comparing different rates of nitrogen in a continuous corn rotation on a very large plot scale to see where we get the most economical yield. This study is just one of several done across the entire state. Emerson Nafziger, and M.. Vose, Crop Sciences

Rotation Corn On-Farm N-Rate Trial- this study is comparing different rates of nitrogen in a corn/soybean rotation on a very large plot scale to see where we get the most economical yield. This study is just one of several done across the entire state. Emerson Nafziger, and M. Vose, Crop Sciences

Tillage Comparisons- in this study we are comparing spring and fall strip-till tillage systems, to chisel plow, and o-till tillage systems in a corn/soybean rotation. Emerson Nafziger and
M. Vose, Crop Sciences

Demonstration Plots

Rootworm Bt/Insecticide Comparisons - in this demonstration plot we are comparing Yieldgaurd and Herculex rootworm genes against granular insecticides and seed treatments in a continuous corn rotation.

Corn Planting Date/Population Demonstration - this demonstration plot is used to show how a particular hybrids physical characteristics change as the planting date is delayed and as population is increased and decreased.

Soybean Planting Date Demonstration - in this demonstration plot we are trying to show how planting date changes the physical appearance of a soybean plant by using three different maturities of soybeans (2.8, 3.4 and 4.0) planted at three different dates (May 1st, June 1st and July 1st )

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