Plainsman Research Center, 2005 Research Reports

Technical Report TR06-02 January 2006
Ag ricultural Experiment Station

College of Agricultural Sciences

Department of Soil and Crop Sciences

Plainsman Research Center

Cooperative Extension

Plainsman Research Center 2005 Research Reports

Kevin Larson, Superintendent/Research Scientist Plainsman Research Center Box 477 42790 Hwy 160 Walsh, CO 81090 (719) 324-5643
Funded by the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with the Plainsman Agri-Search Foundation
• **Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute endorsement by the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station.** Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements in all programs. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services. In order to assist Colorado State University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic minorities, women, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply and to so identify themselves.

Plainsman Research Center, 2005 Research Reports

Content

Page

Small Grains Studies

Winter wheat variety performance trials

1

Dryland wheat strips for forage and grain yield

12

Long term residual P on dryland wheat study

15

Dryland wheat planting date and seeding rate study

18

Irrigated dual purpose wheat planting dates, seeding rates, and varieties 23

Long-term ripping study, 1997 to 2005

31

Sweep plow and chisel plow tillage comparison

34

Proso millet harvesting method comparison

36

Sorghum Studies

Early maturing dryland grain sorghum hybrid performance trial at Walsh 37

Dryland grain sorghum hybrid performance trial at Vilas

41

Dryland grain sorghum hybrid performance trial at Walsh

45

Irrigated grain sorghum hybrid performance trial at Walsh

49

Limited sprinkler irrigated grain sorghum hybrid trial at Walsh

Irrigated forage sorghum hybrid performance trail at Walsh

56

Sandbur control in grain sorghum with microencapsulated herbicides

61

Seedrow Zn on irrigated grain sorghum

63

Long-term, low rate, seedrow P on dryland grain sorghum

66

Skip row planting for dryland grain sorghum and corn

69

Strip-till for dryland grain sorghum

72

Corn Studies

Strip-till and surface N comparison for irrigated corn and grain sorghum 74

Limited sprinkler irrigated corn hybrid performance at Walsh

78

Corn Borer resistant and nonresistant hybrid comparison

81

High and low input comparison for subsurface drip irrigated corn

83

New Subsurface Drip Irrigation installation at the Plainsman Farm

85

Sunflower Studies

Irrigated sunflower hybrid performance trial at Walsh

86

Banded P rate for sunflower

88

Long-term N effects on wheat-sunflower-fallow rotation

90

Bindweed control for sunflower production

94

Crop Rotation Studies

Crop Rotation Sequencing Study

102

Dryland Crop Rotation Study

116

Alternative Crops

Weed control in garbanzo bean

119

Dry bean trial, row crop head and hand harvest comparison

121

National winter canola variety trial

123

This research booklet is dedicated to Dennis Thompson for his 25 years of service and commitment to the Plainsman Research Center and Plainsman Agri-Search Foundation. Ed Langin hired him in March 1981 and throughout his tenure Dennis has been a loyal and productive employee of Colorado State University. This year, on Dennis’ silver anniversary, he was also honored with the 2005 Agricultural Experiment Station Support Staff Award. We thank Dennis for his support and dedication to all the growers served by the Plainsman Research Center.

2005 Plainsman Research Center Staff and Personnel with Projects

Kevin Larson (719) 324-5643
Dennis Thompson (719) 324-5643
Deborah Harn (719) 324-5643
Calvin Thompson (719) 324-5643
Thia Walker (719) 336-7734
Jerry Johnson (970) 491-1454
Scott Haley (970) 491-6483
Gary Peterson (970) 491-6501
Dwayne Westfall (970) 491-6149
Neil Hansen (970) 491-6804
Mark Brick (970) 491-6551
Scott Brase (719) 336-7734

Superintendent, Plainsman Research Center, Agricultural Experiment Station, Colorado State University.
Technician III, Plainsman Research Center, Agricultural Experiment Station, Colorado State University.
Research Associate, RWA Project, Plainsman Research Center, Agricultural Experiment Station, Colorado State University.
Farm Coordinator, Plainsman Research Center, Agricultural Experiment Station, Colorado State University.
Area Entomologist, RWA Project, Plainsman Research Center, Agricultural Experiment Station, Colorado State University.
Extension Crop Specialist, Crop Testing Program Leader, Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Colorado State University.
Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences Department Wheat Breeder, Colorado State University.
Professor and Head, Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Colorado State University.
Professor, Sustainable Dryland Agroecosystem Management Project Leader, Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Colorado State University.
Associate Professor, Sustainable Dryland Agroecosystem Management Project Leader, Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Colorado State University.
Professor, Bean Breeder, Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Colorado State University.
Cropping System Specialist, Cooperative Extension Southeast Area, Colorado State University.

PLAINSMAN AGRI-SEARCH FOUNDATION BOARD

2007

2005

Paul Hinds 12785 Road 34 Campo, CO 81029

Norman Smith 21715 Road 51 Walsh, CO 81090

James Hume 21491 Road 55 Walsh, CO 81090

Bill Brooks 37701 Road V Walsh, CO 81090

Tom Jacobs 27300 Road 25 5/10 Springfield, CO 81073

Troy Bishop 27351 Road 25 5/10 Springfield, CO 81073

Don Wood (Vice President) 36663 Road UU Two Buttes, CO 81084

Calvin Melcher 300 N. Main Holly, CO 81047

Lyndell Herron Box 64 Manter, KS 67862

Max Smith 48940 Road X Walsh, CO 81090

Terrill Swanson (President) 38724 Road T Walsh, CO 81090

Todd Randolph 53766 Road GG Walsh, CO 81090

2006

Dean Sides 49681 Road X Walsh, CO 81090

Don Lohrey Box 279 Walsh, CO 81090

Jack Walker (Secretary/Treasurer) 30780 Road 51 Walsh, CO 81090

Ron Batterton 1550 Hwy 89 Holly, CO 81047

Robert Wood 721 Barkley Springfield, CO 81073

Douglas Melcher 12845 Hwy 89 Holly, CO 81047

Month

2006 Climatological Summary

Plainsman Research Center

Temperature

Greatest

Max. Min.

Day of

Max. Min. Mean Mean Mean Precip. Precip-

F

F

F

F

F

In.

atation

SnowFall In.

Greatest Snow Depth In.

Evaporation In.

Jan.

72

1 45.9 22.3 34.1 0.74

0.40

7.90

5.00

Feb.

73

15 49.4 26.1 37.8 0.91

0.67

3.50

3.50

Mar.

77

18 57.2 28.5 42.9 0.92

0.40

5.50

4.00

Apr.

85

26 66.1 36.4 51.3 1.72

0.75

0.00

0.00

3.70

May.

97

32 75.7 48.2 62.0 2.53

0.53

0.00

0.00

8.56

Jun.

101

45 88.1 56.4 72.3 1.16

0.49

0.00

0.00

12.04

Jul.

106

48 94.9 61.7 78.3 1.01

0.80

0.00

0.00

15.84

Aug.

101

54 88.5 60.7 74.6 1.90

1.26

0.00

0.00

9.92

Sept.

98

41 86.3 55.8 71.1 0.24

0.12

0.00

0.00

12.93

Oct.

92

24 71.0 41.3 56.2 1.66

0.96

0.00

0.00

3.82

Nov.

83

12 60.9 29.7 45.3 0.10

0.07

1.00

1.00

Dec.

72

-8 47.0 19.2 33.1 0.06

0.03

0.25

0.25

Total Annual

69.25 40.53 54.89 12.95

18.15

***NOTE: Evaporation read mid April through October 15th. Wind velocity is recorded at two feet above ground level. Total evaporation from a four foot diameter pan for the period indicated. Very high evaporation for month of July- 15.84

Highest Temperature: Lowest Temperature: Last freeze in spring: First freeze in fall: 2005 frost free season: Avg. for 22 years:

2005 106 degrees on July 21 -8 degrees on Dec. 8 32 degrees on May 1 30 degrees on Oct. 7 160 frost free days Avg for 22 years 20.15 inches

2004 102 degress on June 8 -12 degrees on Dec. 24 30 degrees on May 14 32 degrees on Oct. 14 150 frost free days Avg for 21 years 20.50 inches

Maximum Wind:

Jan. 32 mph on 28th

Feb. 33 mph on 14th & 20th

Mar. 50 mph on 30th

Apr.

60 mph on 6th

May 58 mph on 25th

Jun. 45 mph on 7th

Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

52 mph on 4th 36 mph on 12th 34 mph on 10th 40 mph on 31st 50 mph on 28th 44 mph on 1st and 28th

1
Winter Wheat Variety Selection in Colorado for Fall 2005 Jerry Johnson and Scott Haley (August 2005)
Colorado’s unpredictable climate and the occurrence of various insect, disease, and weed pests of wheat make it difficult to predict the future performance of wheat varieties based upon their performance in previous trials. Nevertheless, in the tables below we provide the information wheat producers need to make the best possible decision under our variable circumstances.
Issues specific to variety selection in 2005:
Stripe rust- The most common question thus far this year has been whether we will have stripe rust next year. No one knows of course because it has caused damage in three of the last five years and in 2005 appeared weeks earlier than we had seen it in previous years. On the other hand, stripe rust epidemics require a favorable environment, a susceptible variety, and presence of stripe rust spores - all three of which coincided in 2005. Many of the available varieties are susceptible to some degree, some more than others. The favorable environment last year was promoted by early planting, good moisture and good late-fall growing conditions followed by a mild winter, prolific tillering and rapid early spring growth. These environmental conditions are rare in Colorado and might not occur in 2006. The presence of spores is becoming more common in Colorado but clearly irrigated wheat production is at much greater risk than dryland wheat.
White wheat- CSU personnel and the Colorado wheat industry are convinced that white wheat is most promising future for wheat production and marketing in Colorado. The white wheat varieties, Avalanche and Trego, have performed well in the past few years but Trego must have been more affected by the heat and drought stress in May than Avalanche and some of the other varieties. We remain convinced that a white wheat variety should be high on the list for variety selection in 2005.
Russian wheat aphid- New forms (called "biotypes") of RWA have evolved and rendered ineffective the resistance found in all available RWA-resistant varieties. However, some of these varieties perform very well and should be considered for their yielding capability compared to other susceptible varieties. Hatcher, Bond CL, and Ankor are examples of RWA-resistant varieties that are high performance varieties for Colorado.
CLEARFIELD* wheat- The variety Above is still a top performing variety but the new variety from CSU, Bond CL, has performed even better under dryland conditions over the past three years. It is important to remember that you can’t save seed of these varieties - even to plant on your own farm. The Plant Variety Protection Act and a U.S. Utility Patent protect them.
Selecting your variety
Dryland wheat producers: Our first suggestion is to plant more than one variety in order to spread your risk. The yield table below is based on 3-Yr average performance in our trials, a method for variety comparison shown to be more reliable than single location or single year performance. Note that varieties are alphabetically ranked within a column, rather than ranked by average yields, to stress that differences among the varieties are not statistically significant.

2
Bond CL and Hatcher are the two newcomers to the highest potential performance column and are the newest CSU releases. These two varieties will be included in the new 2005/06 Collaborative On-Farm Test program. Relative maturity, measured by heading date, might be one way to spread risk related to drought, hail, or freeze damage. Susceptibility to stripe rust might also be a criterion for variety selection in 2005 although be careful not to base variety selection on stripe rust resistance alone. Under our normal low rainfall conditions, wheat streak mosaic virus might be a more consistent threat than stripe rust and worthy of consideration when selecting a variety. Plant height and coleoptile length might be important criteria for southeastern Colorado producers.
Irrigated wheat producers: Most irrigated producers plant a single variety and the most important criteria are yield and straw strength from the tables below. The Platte program has returned profit to many irrigated wheat producers through the incentive package, although some yield loss might be expected when stripe rust is a problem and is not effectively controlled with fungicides. The irrigated trials in Colorado have been very good the past three years and Jagalene, Yuma, Hatcher, and Ankor have performed very well even though Yuma and Jagalene are the only ones with above average straw strength. The newly released varieties Hatcher and Bond CL are welcome additions to our high yielding irrigated wheat varieties.