Ohio Agronomy Guide

155 Pages·2017·4.16 MB·English

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Ohio Agronomy Guide Bulletin 472
15th Edition
Ohio Agronomy Guide, 15th Edition
To: Ohio Farmers and Agricultural Industry Personnel
From: The Authors
The agronomic crop scientists at The Ohio State University are
pleased to present the 15th edition of the Ohio Agronomy Guide.
First published in 1966, the Ohio Agronomy Guide continues to
serve as the official compilation of adaptive research results and
recommendations from research and educational programs.
Ohio agronomic research programs are designed to determine responses
of various crops and cropping systems to management practices and resource
inputs, as well as to understand the basic biological and chemical mechanisms re-
sponsible for these responses. This basic research thrust allows us to model cropping systems and predict
their behavior under a variety of management schemes. Our aim is also to continue developing technolo-
gies and cropping systems that are efficient in capturing solar energy, sustainable over time, and environ-
mentally compatible.
This 15th edition contains updates to the previous publication. Additionally, three new chapters have been
added: “Considerations for Using Cover Crops” (Chapter 10), “Conducting On-Farm Research” (Chapter 11),
and “Precision Agriculture” (Chapter 12). We will continue to supplement the information in this guide with
other publications and fact sheets as necessary. For additional details and assistance, contact your local
county Extension educator or one of the authors. We welcome your suggestions and input for improve-
ment of both this publication and our research and educational programs.
Authors
Dr. David J. Barker Horticulture and Crop Science
Dr. Steve Culman Environment and Natural Resources
Dr. Anne Dorrance Plant Pathology
Dr. John Fulton Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering
Dr. Ryan Haden Agricultural Technical Institute
Dr. Edwin Lentz Extension
Dr. Alex Lindsey Horticulture and Crop Science
Dr. Laura Lindsey Horticulture and Crop Science
Dr. Mark Loux Horticulture and Crop Science
Dr. Ed McCoy Environment and Natural Resources
Dr. Andy Michel Entomology
Mr. Jim Noel NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center
Dr. Pierce Paul Plant Pathology
Dr. R. Mark Sulc Horticulture and Crop Science
Dr. Peter Thomison Horticulture and Crop Science
Dr. Kelley Tilmon Entomology
Dr. Jon Witter Agricultural Technical Institute
Acknowledgments
We would also like to thank Marketing and Communications for text editing, layout and
development of illustrations.
Copyright © 2017, 2005, The Ohio State University
Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are
available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic informa-
tion, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance with
United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA.
Roger Rennekamp, Associate Dean and Director, Ohio State University Extension
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing, please contact Ohio State University Extension using your preferred communication (e-mail, relay services, or video
relay services). Phone [phone] between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. Inform the operator to dial 614-292-6181.
3/17—3M—Globus
Contents
Chapter 1 - Ohio’s Climate and Soil . . . . . . . . . . 1 Exchangeable Calcium, Magnesium and
Soil Formation and Soil Properties ................... 5 Potassium...................................... 28
Soil Properties and Crop Management ............... 5 Calcium to Magnesium Ratio ..................... 28
Organic Matter Content........................... 5 Magnesium to Potassium Ratio ................... 28
Soil Texture...................................... 6 Soluble Salts ................................... 29
Subsoil pH .......................................7 Soil Health Assessment.......................... 29
Soil Water Available to Plants.......................7 Plant Tissue Sampling and Analysis ............... 29
Slope of the Topography.......................... 9 Optical Sensing of Leaf Chlorophyll and
Natural Soil Drainage............................. 9 Nitrogen Status Using NDVI Sensors .............. 30
Ohio Soil Regions..................................10 Interpretation of Recommendations..................31
Available Data on Soil Properties .................... 11 Chapter 4 - Corn Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Chapter 2 - Soil and Water Management . . . .12 How Climate Affects Corn Production ............... 32
Drainage—The Critical Factor........................12 Temperature.................................... 32
Two-Stage Drainage Ditches ........................13 Precipitation.................................... 32
Managing Soil Structure ............................13 Corn Growth and Development..................... 33
Efficient Water Use.................................14 Hybrid Selection ................................ 35
Irrigation..........................................15 Maturity........................................ 36
Soil Conservation..................................15 Days to Maturity Rating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Conservation Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Growing Degree Day (GDD) Maturity
Conservation Tillage and No-Till.....................16 Rating System .................................. 36
Basics of Conservation Tillage.....................16 Yield Potential and Stability ...................... 37
Drainage........................................16 Stalk Quality and Lodging........................ 38
Soils............................................16 Disease Resistance and Tolerance ................ 38
Compaction Considerations.......................16 Grain Quality ................................... 38
Cover Crops.....................................17 Date of Planting................................. 38
Planting.........................................17 Seeding Depth.................................. 40
Fertilization......................................17 Row Width ......................................41
Soil Testing......................................17 Plant Populations and Seeding Rates...............41
Weed Control....................................18 Making Replant Decisions........................ 44
Considerations for Crop Production on Mine soils......18 Fertility Recommendations ........................ 45
Nitrogen ....................................... 45
Chapter 3 - Soil Fertility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Timing and Sources ........................... 45
Elements Essential for Plant Growth.................20
Rates ........................................ 45
4Rs of Nutrient Management........................21
Phosphorus and Potassium....................... 45
Primary Macronutrients .......................... 22
Application Methods........................... 45
Secondary Macronutrients ....................... 23
Sources...................................... 45
Micronutrients .................................. 23
Rates ........................................ 45
Animal Manure.................................. 24
Sulfur.......................................... 47
Calculating Fertilizer Rates ....................... 24
Crop Rotations.................................. 47
Lime and Liming Materials ......................... 24
Corn Pest Management............................ 47
Liming Materials ................................ 24
Weed Control................................... 47
Determination of Lime Requirement .............. 25
Insect Control .................................. 47
Lime Recommendations ......................... 25
Disease Management ........................... 49
Adjustments for the Type of Liming Material........ 25
Harvesting .......................................50
Adjust for the Depth of Tillage .................... 25
Test Weight and Shelled Corn Grades ..............51
No-Till Adjustments ............................. 26
Ear Corn ....................................... 52
Other Adjustments in Lime Recommendations . . . . . 26
Corn Silage..................................... 52
Acidic Subsoils ................................. 26
Specialty Corns................................... 53
Organic Soils (Muck and/or Peat) ................. 26
Isolation Requirements for Identity Preserved (IP)
High Organic Matter Soils ....................... 26
Non-GMO Corn Production ........................ 54
Diagnostic Methods............................... 26
Soil Testing..................................... 26 Chapter 5 - Soybean Production . . . . . . . . . . 56
Soil Sampling................................... 27 Variety Selection.................................. 56
Soil pH and Buffer pH............................ 28 Variety Performance Trials ......................... 56
Cation Exchange Capacity ....................... 28 Disease Control................................... 56
Available Phosphorus............................ 28 Crop Rotation..................................... 58
Tillage........................................... 58
i
Producing Soybeans Without Tillage ................ 59 Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) ............ 89
Rhizobium Inoculation .............................60 Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.)...... 89
Planting Date ....................................60 Ryegrass (Lolium species) ......................90
Late Planting ......................................61 Smooth Bromegrass (Bromis inermis Leyss.)......90
Row Spacing ......................................61 Tall Fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus
Plant Population .................................. 62 (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.)...................90
Replanting ....................................... 62 Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) ....................91
Planting Depth.................................... 63 Forage Species Identification......................91
Fertilization Recommendations..................... 63 Printed publications:............................91
Nitrogen (N) .................................... 63 Online resources: ..............................91
Phosphorus (P).................................. 64 Pre-Establishment Fertilization and Liming ..........91
Potassium (K) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Soil pH .......................................91
Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) ................ 65 Topsoil pH Levels for Forages:...................91
Sulfur (S) ....................................... 65 Phosphorus and Potassium .....................91
Manganese (Mn) ................................ 65 Sulfur ........................................ 92
Insect Control ....................................66 Pre-Establishment Fertilization for No-till........... 92
Weed Control..................................... 68 Starter Nitrogen............................... 92
Stand Establishment............................. 92
Chapter 6 - Small Grain Production . . . . . . . 69
Crop Rotation and Autotoxicity.................. 93
Wheat Production................................. 69
Seed Quality ................................. 93
Variety Selection................................ 69
Seed Inoculation .............................. 93
High-Quality Seed and Seed Treatment ........... 70
Seed Treatments ............................. 93
Crop Rotation................................... 70
Spring Seedings .............................. 93
Land Selection and Preparation................... 70
Late Summer Seedings ........................ 95
Planting Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Conventional Tillage Seeding .................. 95
Seeding Practices ...............................71
No-Till and Minimum-Till Seeding ............... 95
Producing Wheat in 15-Inch Rows................. 72
Seeding-Year Harvest Management...............96
Lodging Control............................... 73
Fertilizing Established Stands.....................96
Fertilization..................................... 73
Timing Topdress Phosphorus and Potassium
Nitrogen (N) .................................. 73
Applications ..................................96
Phosphorus (P)................................ 74
Nitrogen Fertilization ..........................96
Potassium (K) ................................. 74
Sulfur Fertilization ............................ 97
Sulfur (S) ..................................... 75
Micronutrients ................................ 97
Manganese (Mn) .............................. 75
Grass Tetany ................................. 97
Nutrient Value of Wheat Straw.................... 75
Established Stand Harvest Management........... 97
Disease Management ........................... 75
First Harvest Timing ........................... 97
Insect Control .................................. 79
Summer Harvest Timing ....................... 98
Weed Control...................................80
Intensive Cutting for High Quality ............... 98
Production of Other Small Grain Species ............80
Fall Harvesting ............................... 98
Weed Control for Small Grains.....................81
Minimizing Fall Harvesting Hazard to
Chapter 7 - Forage Production . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Tall Legumes ................................. 98
Perennial Forages................................. 82 Weed Management in Forages ...................99
Species Selection .............................. 82 Insect Pest Management......................... 99
Agronomic Adaptation and Intended Use ........ 82 Disease Management in Forages .................99
Pure Stands versus Mixtures ................... 82 Preserving Forage as Hay and Silage............. 100
Mixtures for Hay and Silage .................... 85 Perennial Warm-Season Grasses..................101
Mixtures for Pastures .......................... 85 Establishment ................................101
Seeding Rates ................................ 86 Managing Established Stands ................. 102
Examples of Seeding Rates for Mixtures ........... 86 Annual Forage Crops............................. 102
Characteristics of Perennial Cool-Season Forages .. 86 Corn Silage ................................... 102
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)..................... 86 Small Grains for Forage......................... 102
Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) ............. 86 Establishment and Fertilization ................ 103
Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) ........... 88 Harvest Management ........................ 103
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) ............... 88 Grazing Management ........................ 103
White Clover (Trifolium repens L.)................ 88 Animal Health Concerns with Small Grains ...... 103
Festulolium (xFestulolium Asch. & Graebn.)....... 88 Italian Ryegrass................................ 103
Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) ........... 89 Summer-Annual Grasses........................ 104
Meadow Fescue Establishment ............................... 105
(Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) . Beauv. ......... 89 Fertilization ................................. 105
ii
Harvest Management ........................ 105 Step 2: Conduct a Two-Way Analysis of
Animal Health Concerns ...................... 106 Variance (ANOVA) Test.........................137
Reducing the Risk of Prussic Acid Poisoning Summary ....................................... 139
in Sorghum Species ...........................107
Chapter 12 - Precision Agriculture . . . . . . . . .140
Brassica Crops..................................107
Precision Agriculture Technologies................. 140
Establishment ............................... 108
Benefits of Precision Agriculture....................143
Fertilization ................................. 108
Appendix - English and Metric
Harvesting .................................. 108
Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Animal Health Concerns with Brassicas......... 108
English to Metric ................................144
Chapter 8 - Multiple Cropping . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
English to English ...............................144
Multiple Cropping Requirements....................110
Metric to Metric .................................145
Double Cropping with Forages ...................110
Metric to English ................................145
Double Cropping Wheat and Soybean............. 111
Useful Tables: Adjustments and Conversions ..... 146
Relay Intercropping Wheat and Soybean...........112
Bushels, Test Weights and Calculations..............147
Emergency Aerial Seeding.........................113
Chapter 9 - Pasture and
Grazing Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Grazing Systems..................................114
Stocking Rate.....................................114
Grazing Management..............................116
Feed Budgeting ..................................117
Improving Production..............................118
Fertilization.....................................118
Weed Control...................................118
Pasture Renovation..............................119
First Year Management of Renovated Pastures .......119
Pasture Species and Cultivar Selection ............119
Cool-Season Grass Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Legumes.......................................121
Other Species ..................................121
Mixtures ...................................... 122
Toxicity ......................................... 122
Chapter 10 - Considerations for
Using Cover Crops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Why are Cover Crops Needed, and What Species
Should I Use?.....................................124
Economic Considerations..........................127
Establishing a Cover Crop Stand....................127
Cover Crop Implementation ......................127
Planting Methods and Procedures ................128
Terminating a Cover Crop Stand ................. 129
Summary ....................................... 130
Chapter 11 - Conducting On-Farm
Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Determining Your Goal, Research Question
and Treatments...................................131
Trial Design and Replication are Key.................131
So How Do I Make Sense of the Data? ..............133
Performing the Data Analysis–A Few Examples.....133
Example 1: Paired t-Test Analysis..................134
Step 1: Data Entry .............................134
Step 2: Data Analysis ..........................134
Example 2: Calculation of an LSD from an
Experiment Using Randomized Complete
Block Design .................................. 136
Step 1: Enter Data into Excel ....................137
iii

Chapter 1
Ohio’s Climate and Soil
By Mr. Jim Noel and Dr. Ed McCoy
OHIO IS SITUATED between the Appalachian Mountains weather and climate environment. This active environment
to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south and the Great yields severe storms, floods, droughts, and almost the
Lakes to the north. In addition, the Ohio Valley is near entire climate spectrum.
the jet stream where the warm moisture air to the south
collides with the colder and drier air from Canada. This is Mean annual air temperatures for Ohio are in the lower
a perfect setup for a storm track through the region. For 50s but have steadily increased from about 50 degrees
Ohio, this means frequent periods of wet conditions mixed Fahrenheit prior to 1975 to near 52 degrees Fahrenheit
with short but intense dry periods in an overall active today (Figure 1-1).
Figure 1-1. Ohio mean annual temperatures 1895-2015.
Source: NOAA NCEI, ncdc .noaa .gov/temp-and-precip/state-temps/ .
Ohio Agronomy Guide, 15th Edition 1
Typical winter maximum temperatures are in the 30s
(lower north and upper south) to the 80s in sum-
mer (lower north and upper south). Typical winter
minimum temperatures are in the upper teens in
northern Ohio to the 20s in southern Ohio. Minimum
temperatures reach a peak in the summer in the 60s
(lower north to upper south).
Normal annual precipitation ranges from below 35
inches in northwest Ohio to just below 45 inches
near the Ohio River (Figure 1-2).
Figure 1-2. Ohio annual precipitation. Source: NOAA
Midwestern Regional Climate Center.
Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, mrcc .
isws .illinois .edu/.
Ohio’s annual snowfall is greatly impacted by a
combination of lake effect snow off the Great Lakes,
especially Lake Erie, and the storm track up the Ohio
Valley. Snowfall ranges from below 20 inches in
southern Ohio to 30 to 50 inches in northern Ohio.
Snowfall tops 80 inches annually in lake effect areas
of northeast Ohio (Figure 1-3. mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/).
Figure 1-3. Ohio annual snowfall. Source: NOAA
Midwestern Regional Climate Center. Illinois State
Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, mrcc .isws .illinois .
edu/.
2 Ohio Agronomy Guide, 15th Edition
In autumn, the median date of the first freeze ranges from before October 10th in northwest Ohio to
after October 20th in parts of southern Ohio and near Lake Erie around Cleveland (Figure 1-4).
Figure 1-4. Ohio median date for
first freeze autumn (32 F). Source:
NOAA Midwestern Regional
Climate Center. Illinois State
Water Survey, Prairie Research
Institute, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign,
mrcc .isws .illinois .edu.
In spring, the median date of the last freeze ranges from around April 15th in southern Ohio to April 25th in northern
Ohio. However, in far northwest Ohio and northeast Ohio this date often is not reached until early May (Figure 1-5).
Figure 1-5. Ohio median date for
last freeze spring (32 F). Source:
NOAA Midwestern Regional
Climate Center. Illinois State
Water Survey, Prairie Research
Institute, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign.
Ohio Agronomy Guide, 15th Edition 3
Droughts in Ohio from a climate perspective tend to be rainfall varies from 18 to 26 inches on average, it may not
short in duration compared to other parts of the country be adequate for maximum yield unless effective water
and world. Ohio typically experiences drought on a time- management practices are used throughout the grow-
scale most often less than one year in duration and tend ing season. Soil moisture declines during June, July, and
to have a fast onset, be intense, and then quickly end. This August; by the end of August, available soil moisture is
has a lot to do with the location of Ohio relative to mois- usually reduced by 80 percent or more.
ture sources such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic
Some agronomic crops (such as corn) progress through
Ocean. Further, the active jet stream nearby tends to keep
the various growth stages in response to heat units or
droughts short-lived in Ohio. Droughts most often occur in
growing degree days (GDD). Table 1-1 shows the GDD
Ohio in the warm season when high temperatures com-
for several sites in Ohio starting at various dates in May
bine with excessive evapotranspiration loss for onset of
through the 10 percent frost date in the fall. The informa-
rapid drought.
tion in this table is useful in predicting when corn hybrids
During the growing season from April to September, soils with varying heat unit requirements will reach various
transition from wet to drier. Most soils in Ohio are saturat- growth stages.
ed during March and early April. Although growing season
Table 1-1: Growing Degree Days (GDD) for Various Sites in Ohio from Several Dates in May Through the 10 Percent Frost
Date in the Fall.
Day in May Day in May
Station Name 1 8 15 22 29 Station Name 1 8 15 22 29
Akron-Canton 2324 2250 2176 2102 2028 Dorset 1977 1915 1852 1790 1728
Ashland 2650 2570 2489 2408 2327 Eaton 2769 2678 2588 2497 2407
Athens 2763 2663 2563 2463 2363 Elyria 2682 2603 2524 2445 2368
Barnesville 2391 2311 2231 2152 2072 Fernhank Dam 3324 3215 3107 2998 2889
Bellefontaine 2779 2691 2603 2514 2426 Findlay 2598 2518 2437 2357 2276
Bowling Green 2805 2718 2630 2542 2454 Franklin 2896 2796 2696 2596 2496
Bucyrus 2525 2444 2363 2282 2201 Fredricktown 2372 2293 2213 2134 2054
Cadiz 2820 2731 2642 2553 2464 Fremont 2828 2741 2655 2568 2481
Caldwell 2814 2718 2621 2524 2427 Gallipolis 3160 3045 2931 2816 2701
Cambridge 2676 2582 2488 2395 2301 Geneva 2525 2460 2395 2330 2265
Canfield 2277 2208 2138 2069 2000 Greenville 2707 2621 2535 2449 2365
Carpenter 2791 2691 2590 2489 2388 Hamilton 3132 3024 2915 2807 2698
Celina 2782 2687 2592 2497 2401 Hillsboro 2931 2835 2738 2642 2546
Centerburg 2501 2416 2331 2246 2161 Hiram 2460 2409 2338 2267 2196
Chardon 2434 2366 2298 2230 2162 Hoytville 2623 2535 2447 2359 2272
Charles Mill 2245 2176 2106 2037 1968 Ironton 3359 3240 3121 3002 2884
Chillicothe 3158 3049 2940 2831 2722 Irwin 2574 2487 2400 2313 2226
Chilo 3099 2994 2890 2785 2681 Jackson 2739 2638 2536 2434 2332
Chippewa Lake 2389 2313 2237 2161 2085 Kenton 2604 2523 2443 2362 2281
Cincinnati-Abbe 3391 3283 3175 3067 2959 Lancaster 2750 2654 2557 2461 2364
Circleville 3023 2917 2811 2704 2598 Lima 2706 2617 2529 2441 2353
Columbus-OSU 2777 2683 2590 2496 2403 London 2755 2665 2576 2487 2398
Coshocton 2787 2691 2596 2500 2404 Marietta 2918 2818 2719 2619 2520
Dayton 3237 3125 3014 2903 2792 Marion 2721 2629 2538 2447 2356
Defiance 2570 2489 2408 2327 2246 Marysville 2630 2545 2460 2375 2291
Delaware 2726 2637 2547 2457 2367 McConnelsville 2898 2805 2712 2618 2525
Dennison 2491 2405 2319 2233 2147 Millersburg 2528 2444 2360 2276 2192
4 Ohio Agronomy Guide, 15th Edition