Surface sealing and hardpans in loam soils are problematic in the Mid-South U.S. because of intense tillage. Two experiments quantified the effects of soil management practices on infiltration and maize yield in loam soils. The first study measured the impacts of in-row subsoiling frequency × furrow irrigation frequency. In-row subsoiling significantly improved the infiltration of irrigation but not the infiltration of precipitation. In-row subsoiling with low irrigation frequency is optimal to achieve profitable maize yields while encouraging groundwater conservation. In the second study, six soil management treatments were imposed. For single-ring infiltrometer tests, infiltration rates were different between the two measurement dates but not between measured treatments. In 2022, neutron attenuation data indicated no differences in soil water content between measured treatments. Based on both studies, in-row subsoiling was proven to be an economically viable option in comparison to other Mississippi Delta on-farm conservation practices in the short term.

Water level declines in the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer (MRVAA) are attributed largely to withdrawals for rice (Oryza sativa L.) irrigation. This study was performed to determine if alternative irrigation strategies for rice could reduce withdrawal from the MRVAA without having an adverse effect on grain yield, grain quality, control of barnyardgrass, and profitability. Research was conducted in Stoneville, MS and 19 on-farm locations across the Delta region of Mississippi from 2014 through 2017 to determine the irrigation threshold for alternate wetting and drying (AWD) rice irrigation, the effect of AWD management on barnyardgrass control, and effects of irrigation water management practice, i.e., conventional flood via cascade (CONV), multiple side inlet (MSI), and MSI coupled with AWD, on aquifer withdrawal, rough rice grain yield, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and net returns above irrigation costs. An AWD threshold of -20 cm below the soil surface had no adverse effect on grain yield or grain quality, reduced irrigation applied by 50%, and improved IWUE by 45% compared to a continuous flood (CF). Control of barnyardgrass in AWD was either maintained or improved compared to CF for both Clearfield and conventional rice production systems. At the production scale, up to 39% less water was applied to AWD compared to CONV and MSI. Rice grain yield for AWD was not different from either CONV or MSI, despite substantial reductions in water use. Relative to standard irrigation strategies, AWD maintained or increased net returns up to $238 ha-1 for pumping depths from 5.5 m to 122 m and diesel prices from $0.42 L-1 to $0.98 L-1. Irrigation water use efficiency was up to 59% greater for AWD relative to conventional systems due to the positive effects of the former on water use while maintaining yield. These data demonstrate that AWD can reduce withdrawal from the MRVAA while maintaining or improving yield and net returns relative to irrigation strategies currently employed across the midsouthern USA rice belt.

Optimal plant populations are critical in achieving high rice yields. The purpose of this research was to investigate yield penalties associated with inadequate, non-uniform plant populations for modern rice cultivars. Research was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS, in 2019, 2020 and 2021. In one study, inbred, herbicide-resistant ‘CL153’ was drill-seeded at 73-18 kg ha-1 after being mixed with inbred, herbicide-susceptible ‘Rex’ at 0-55 kg ha-1. Likewise, hybrid, herbicide-resistant cultivar ‘CL XL7521’ was seeded at 29-8 kg ha-1 mixed with hybrid, herbicide-susceptible ‘XP753’ at 0-21 kg ha-1. At the two- to three- leaf growth stage, imazamox was applied to eliminate ‘Rex’ and ‘XP753’ in their respective studies to achieve the target plant population (TPP). Results indicate that when plant populations are reduced up to 30% in both inbred and hybrid cultivars, grain yields should be comparable if not greater than an adequate, uniform plant population.

Modern genetics have improved maize hybrids to better tolerate stress, use nutrients more efficiently and potentially yield higher. Management practices, such as narrow row technology and high plant population density (PPD) may further improve yields in modern maize under irrigated, non-limiting conditions. High PPD (74, 99, 124, 148 K seeds ha-1) were tested in narrow rows with up to four nitrogen (N) rates in three locations over two years in Kentucky with a modern maize hybrid in irrigated, non-limiting conditions. Results indicate that optimal seeding rates were 99,000 to 124,000 seeds ha-1, providing maximum yield and highest partial return, likely due to increasing seed number ha-1 and greater canopy closure, although seed size declined and pollination was more asynchronous as PPD increased. Excess N did not overcome silking delay or the decline in kernel mass associated with higher PPD, indicating 252 kg N ha-1 was adequate for high yields at any population, although data indicates better utilization of supplied N at higher populations. Implications can be used to implement better management techniques in high-yielding maize to supplement use of improved genetics.

The lack of effective broadleaf weed control represents one of the major factors having detrimental effects on growth and yield of soybeans. Broadleaf weeds are a serious threat to soybean growers in the southeastern United States. A broad range of herbicides is being used in an effort to control broadleaf weeds in soybeans, and research is still being conducted to find new herbicides that can best work for this purpose. This study involved the use of one these herbicides. It was fomesafen, 5-[2-chloro-4-trifluromethyl) phenoxy]-N-(methyl-sulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide, which controls a broad spectrum of broadleaf weeds in soybeans. The experiment was conducted in the summers of 1987 and 1988. Broadleaf weed control treatments with fomesafen at rates at 0.07, 0.14, 0.28, and 0.35 kg ai/ha in single early postemergence and late postemergence applications were evaluated using the herbicide with a nonionic surfactant at 0.25% and 0.50% of the solution. All treatments were compared with a check which did not receive herbicide application. Among the most common broadleaf weeds found in the area under study during the summer of 1987 were morningglories (Ipomoea spp), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), carpetweed (Moliugo verticillata L.), and prickly sida (Sida spinose L.), For the summer of 1988 the most prevalent broadleaf weeds were morningglories, horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.), horseweed [Conyza canadensis (L.), Cronq.], and prickly sida. The results of the experiment showed no significant differences between early postemergence and late postemergence treatments. There were no significant differences in broadleaf weed control in treatments which received 0.14, 0.28 and 0.35 kg ai/ha of fomesafen for either 1987 or 1988. Poor broadleaf weed control resulted with the application of fomesafen at its lowest rate (0.07 kg ai/ha). No significant differences were found in broadleaf weed control between concentration of 0.25% and 0.50% of the nonionic surfactant added to fomesafen. Statistically significant yield variation did occur among treatments in 1987. No significant differences in yields were found between any of the herbicide treatments in 1988. Soybean yields were significantly higher in 1988 than in 1987.

At least 110 million landmines have been planted since the 1970s in about 70 nations, many of which remain in place today. Some risk of detection may be mitigated using currently available remote sensing techniques when vegetation is present. My study focused on using plants as phytosensors to detect buried explosives. I exposed three species representing different functional types (Cyperus esculentus (sedge), Ulmus alata (tree), Vitis labrusca (vine)) to 500 mg kg-1 of Composition B (Comp B; 60/40 mixture of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)), a commonly used explosive mixture, and measured functional traits and reflectance over a nine-week period. Cyperus esculentus was not a good indicator for the presence of explosive compounds. Comp B treatment woody species, U. alata and V. labrusca, exhibited changes in pigment content, leaf area, specific leaf area, dry leaf biomass, and canopy reflectance. The efficacy of plants as landmine detectors is species and/or functional group dependent.

Modern maize hybrids exhibit higher yields, increased biomass production, stress tolerance and greater nitrogen (N) use efficiency. Increased biomass accumulation can influence nutrient uptake and lead to increased nutrient removal. Hybrids were tested at seeding rates (SR) of 74000 (low) and 148000 (supraoptimal) plants ha-1 and at N rates of 0 (deficient) and 390 (non-limiting) kg N ha-1. Plants were sampled at V7, V14, R3, R5 and R6 and separated into vegetative and reproductive fractions for determination of dry matter and N accumulation. Grain yield was harvested at R6. The high SR and high N treatment combination resulted in greatest biomass accumulation, crop growth rates, and N accumulation per hectare in both vegetative and grain tissues. The high SR and high N combination maximized grain yield at 20.6 Mg ha-1, essentially through an increase in kernels ha-1. High SR decreased kernel weight, even with high N. At the higher plant densities resulting from the high SR, however, average utilization of available N was enhanced. The results have implications for improved management practices under high input systems and providing insight to growers who incorporate variable seed and N rates.

A novel lepidopteran sex pheromone lure which was thought to be species-specific to the citrus pest Marmara gulosa (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) Guillén (McElfresh et al. 2009) has attracted male moths exhibiting two distinct morphologies. The morphological features examined were the sclerotized parts that make up the male genitalia; which include the valvular lobes, costal lobes, cucullar lobes, and the aedeagus. The sclerotized parts were methodically dissected and mounted on microscope slides. Digital images captured of the slide-mounted specimens proved to be inconsistent with the illustrations provided in the original Marmara gulosa species description (Guillén et al. 2001). The morphologies of all specimens from both the San Joaquin and Coachella valley show remarkable consistency; regardless of host plant origin, collection method, and collection date. Two specimen groups (one from an orchard in Northern Mexico and the other from backyard citrus in Riverside, California) exhibited entirely different morphological features in which the three lobes mentioned above are fused together. This difference in morphology can only be noticed when examining the sclerotized parts of the male genitalia under a microscope; it is otherwise indistinguishable from M. gulosa via macroscopic features such as antennae shape and wing pattern. These two specimen groups with fused lobes are considered a new species belonging to the genus Marmara and currently remain undescribed. A genetic study conducted at UC Riverside, which concentrated on the CO1 region of mitochondrial DNA, reported significant differences in genetics based on the geographic origins of specimens (Vickerman and Stouthammer 2006). Geographically, the genetic distribution described in the 2006 study does not coincide with the distribution of morphologies described in this paper. The species description of Marmara gulosa is in need of revision. In addition, further collection and research is required in order to describe and name the newly discovered Marmara species.

No description available.

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area encompasses more than 50,585 hectares (125,000 acres) of the Cumberland Plateau along the border of Tennessee and Kentucky. Highly dissected and steep terrain have made accessibility to much of the park limited, thus little work has been done to investigate the formation of these soils. Seven native soil profiles were selected for chemical and physical analysis representing Pennsylvanian-aged acidic sandstone and shale geology and landforms. The objectives of this study included the characterization of selected native profiles by physical and chemical analysis, as well as classification using US Soil Taxonomy, to determine baseline soil fertility through chemical analysis, to provide fertilizer recommendations for Bicolor Lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor) to be grown as wildlife food plots. The parent materials and site- specific geology, including the Pennington Formation, were compared to the profiles in order to establish any relationships that might exist. The methods of chemical analysis included: total carbon analysis, cation exchange capacity, percent base saturation, pH, particle size analysis, KCl total acidity, total elemental analysis and Mehlich I extraction. From the data, soils examined from an upland summit have the lowest Mehlich I extractable phosphorus (M1P) ranging from 0.8-3.14 mg kg-1, and this soil was classified as a Typic Hapludult. Soils examined on backslopes and sideslopes had M1P values ranging from 0.3-11.53 mg kg-1 and these soils were classified as either Lithic Dystrudepts or Typic Dystrudepts. The footslope soils examined have M1P values ranging from 1.95-19.79 mg kg-1 and were classified as Typic Hapludults. Floodplain soils had M1P values from 7.69-56.85 mg kg-1 and were classified as Fluventic Dystrudepts. Landscape position and parent material play major roles in the formation of soils, and their degree of weathering controls the amount of plant available nutrients. Using geologic and topographic maps for comparison, it was concluded that the development of these soils was directly related to the underlying geology and the surrounding topography throughout various landscapes. This information can be used as a guide to aid in predicting the chemical and physical properties of native soils on the Cumberland Plateau.