In descending order, by date published.
3/19/2024 (new)
Authors: John Grove, Brad Lee, Edwin Ritchey
The USDA NRCS has established a national land classification system to help landowners and farm operators with land use planning. This system classifies land for agricultural purposes by the intensity with which it can be used for crop production and by the nature of the limiting problem. In general, the better the Land Class (lower numeric values), the less management is necessary to produce a crop while protecting the soil resource and the environment.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 1.41 mb
Pages: 2
1/16/2024 (major revision)
Authors: Brad Lee, Edwin Ritchey
Soil is a mixture of weathered rock fragments (minerals) and organic matter at the earth's surface. It is biologically active - a home to countless microorganisms, invertebrates, and plant roots.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 1.53 mb
Pages: 18
8/24/2023 (new)
Authors: Sharon Bale, Tom Barnes, Jessica Bessin, Kenneth Clayton, Rick Durham, Bill Fountain, J.D. Green, Kelly Jackson, Krista Jacobsen, Jonathan Larson, Brad Lee, Kimberly Leonberger, Adam Leonberger, Gregg Munshaw, A.J. Powell, Edwin Ritchey, Rachel Rudolph, Robbie Smith, Matthew Springer, Lee Townsend, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Stacy White, Mark Williams, Erica Wood, Shawn Wright
Plants are essential to life on earth. Either directly or indirectly, they are the primary food source for humans and other animals. Additionally, they provide fuel, replenish the earth's oxygen supply, prevent soil erosion, slow down wind movement, cool the atmosphere, provide wildlife habitat, supply medicinal compounds, and beautify our surroundings.
Departments: Bell County, Christian County, County Extension, Entomology, Extension Office, Forestry and Natural Resources, Franklin County, Hopkins County, Horticulture, Mercer County, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 63.04 mb
Pages: 336
4/17/2023 (minor revision)
Authors: Bob Pearce, Edwin Ritchey
Land judging is a way of appraising the physical nature and capability of soils. Certain soil properties, such as slope, depth, and color, that can be seen, felt, or measured, are reliable indicators of soil characteristics that impact crop growth and productivity. Land judging does not replace soil testing. Laboratory tests that determine the chemical and physical nature of soil help us predict plant response to lime and fertilizer, estimate the amount of a waste product that can be safely applied to the soil, and determine the limitations for uses such as homesites and roads.
Departments: 4-H Programs, Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: 4-H Plant Science and Crops: Plant and Soil Science (4BA series)
Size: 7.92 mb
Pages: 26
4/13/2023 (new)
Authors: John Grove, Edwin Ritchey
Soil chemical health is strongly related to soil acidity. This acidity consists of acidic cations, hydrogen (H+), aluminum (Al3+), and in some soils, manganese (Mn2+). The acid cations are neutralized by basic anions, carbonate (CO32-), hydroxyl (OH-), and oxide (O2-) provided by materials such as agricultural, hydrated/slaked, and quick/burnt limes, respectively. Lime application rates are based on the amount of acidity measured in your soil sample.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 553 kb
Pages: 2
3/13/2023 (revised)
Authors: Josh McGrath, Edwin Ritchey
Recommended nutrient additions, based on a soil test, are only made when a crop yield or economic response has been measured for that crop under Kentucky soil-climatic conditions. Many field studies have been conducted by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station under Kentucky farm conditions to determine the extent of any primary, secondary, or micronutrient needs. Yield and soil test data from these studies serve as guidelines for establishing recommendations contained in this publication. Recommendations in this publication strive to supply the plant nutrients needed to achieve maximum economic return assuming good management practices.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 608 kb
Pages: 29
3/13/2023 (revised)
Authors: David Ditsch, Josh McGrath, Lloyd Murdock, Edwin Ritchey, Frank Sikora
Soil acidity is one of the most important soil factors affecting crop growth and ultimately, yield and profitability. It is determined by measuring the soil pH, which is a measure of the amount of hydrogen ions in the soil solution. As soil acidity increases, the soil pH decreases. Soils tend to be naturally acidic in areas where rainfall is sufficient to cause substantial leaching of basic ions (such as calcium and magnesium), which are replaced by hydrogen ions. Most soils in Kentucky are naturally acidic because of our abundant rainfall.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences, Regulatory Services
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 473 kb
Pages: 6
1/17/2023 (major revision)
Authors: Andy Bailey, Ric Bessin, Lowell Bush, Ann Fisher, J.D. Green, Bill Pearce, Edwin Ritchey, Wayne Sanderson, Will Snell
The 2022 season will be remembered as a year of extremes in weather patterns. Early in the field season, 2022 brought extreme drought and heat during transplanting in May and June followed by excessive rainfall in July in some areas. These conditions led to growers making significant replanting decisions as transplant shock was very widespread. There was a return of extremely dry conditions in August that extended through nearly the entire curing season. It was the driest field conditions that most burley and dark tobacco growers have experienced since 2012, and the driest curing season that many growers could recall. 2022 further emphasized the importance of access to irrigation to sustain the tobacco crop through extended dry periods in the field, as well as tight barns that allow management of air-flow to moderate the effects of dry curing seasons.
Departments: Agricultural Economics, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 5.74 mb
Pages: 92
12/13/2022 (major revision)
Authors: Carl Bradley, J.D. Green, John Grove, Greg Halich, Erin Haramoto, Cam Kenimer, Carrie Knott, Chad Lee, Travis Legleiter, Sam McNeill, Michael Montross, Hanna Poffenbarger, Dan Quinn, Edwin Ritchey, Montse Salmeron, Jordan Shockley, Tim Stombaugh, Raul Villanueva, Ole Wendroth, Kiersten Wise
Corn is a summer annual crop that is grown widely across Kentucky, the United States, and around the world. In the United States, field corn is grown on about 85 million acres (34 million hectares) while sweet corn is grown on about 600,000 acres (240,000 hectares) and popcorn is grown on about 200,000 acres (81,000 hectares). Most of the field corn across the United States is yellow dent corn. In Kentucky, both yellow dent corn and white dent corn are grown. Corn acres in Kentucky peaked at 3.85 million in 1917 and have been around 1.2 to 1.5 million acres since the 1970s (USDA-NASS, 2020). Most corn in Kentucky today is grown in minimum tillage or no-tillage conditions. Most corn acres are rotated with soybean or wheat and double-crop soybeans.
Departments: Agricultural Economics, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 62.42 mb
Pages: 108
1/13/2021 (new)
Authors: Carl Bradley, John Grove, Carrie Knott, Chad Lee, Travis Legleiter, Sam McNeill, Edwin Ritchey, Raul Villanueva, Kiersten Wise
A quick resource on grain crop production.
Departments: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 370 kb
Pages: 8
1/13/2021 (new)
Authors: Carl Bradley, John Grove, Carrie Knott, Chad Lee, Travis Legleiter, Sam McNeill, Edwin Ritchey, Raul Villanueva, Kiersten Wise
A quick resource on grain crop production. NOTE: This poster is 25 x 38 inches. ID-268 is the booklet-sized version.
Departments: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 191 kb
Pages: 1
6/7/2018 (new)
Authors: Ric Bessin, Carl Bradley, J.D. Green, John Grove, Greg Halich, Erin Haramoto, Carrie Knott, Chad Lee, Travis Legleiter, Josh McGrath, Sam McNeill, Javier Reyes, Edwin Ritchey, Montse Salmeron, Jordan Shockley, Claire Venard, Raul Villanueva, Ole Wendroth, Kiersten Wise, Xi Zhang
This publication provides information on soybean growth and development, principles of variety selection, and management practices to maximize soybean profitability in Kentucky.
Departments: Agricultural Economics, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 38.99 mb
Pages: 84
2/8/2016 (new)
Authors: Carl Bradley, Doug Johnson, Carrie Knott, Chad Lee, Jim Martin, Sam McNeill, Edwin Ritchey
Grain sorghum can be used for a variety of purposes including animal feed, unleavened breads, cakes, wallboard, starch, dextrose, brooms, ethanol, high quality wax, and alcoholic beverages. Grain sorghum produced in Kentucky is most commonly used for animal feed and was first grown here in the 1920s. Although acreage in Kentucky has fluctuated considerably over the years, yields have generally exceeded the national average since the 1970s, indicating that grain sorghum is an option for producers interested in diversifying grain crop operations.
Departments: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 1.80 mb
Pages: 8
1/22/2015 (new)
Authors: Josh McGrath, Edwin Ritchey
Soil texture refers to the proportion of sand, silt, and clay in a soil. Texture influences almost every aspect of soil use, both in agricultural and engineering applications, and even how natural ecosystems function. Many scientists consider soil texture the most important soil property as it can influence soil/water relationships, gas exchange, and plant nutrition. Accurately determining soil texture in a lab requires time and money; therefore, it is often necessary to estimate soil texture in the field by feel, which can be very accurate if done correctly.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 250 kb
Pages: 3
1/15/2015 (new)
Authors: Chad Lee, Will Martin, Sam McNeill, Lee Meyer, Michael Montross, Edwin Ritchey, Tom Sikora
The number of organic dairy cows in Kentucky has been steadily increasing for years, yet there's not enough organic corn produced in the state to feed the growing herds. In short, a new market has developed in the state, but few local farmers are taking advantage of it. While Kentucky farmers are no strangers to corn, growing corn organically utilizes different management, cultural and marketing practices and requires new skills. And, importantly, organic production must follow an approved farm plan that allows farmers to sell their corn as certified organic. This publication is designed to be both an introduction to a new enterprise as well as a practical manual for those interested in pursuing organic corn production on their own farms.
Departments: Agricultural Economics, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 2.60 mb
Pages: 30
9/8/2014 (new)
Authors: Bob Pearce, Edwin Ritchey
Historically, between-row cultivation for weed control has been an integral part of tobacco production. In one season, a grower might perform five or more cultivations and several hand weeding operations for adequate weed control. Early herbicide chemistries would control some weeds, but not all, forcing the producer to cultivate and hand weed. The development of better herbicides improved the range of weeds controlled, sometimes to the point that cultivation for weed control was not warranted. Many producers are so accustomed to cultivating they have forgotten why cultivation was necessary. The decision to cultivate should largely be based on the presence of weeds, but there are exceptions.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series:
Size: 155 kb
Pages: 4
8/15/2014 (new)
Authors: Edwin Ritchey, Ray Smith
The most successful land use decisions are those where the intended use matches the capabilities of the land. Determining the capability of the land begins with a visual assessment of the landscape such as topography (percent slope) and surface drainage patterns followed by a closer examination of the soil physical and chemical characteristics. The purpose of this publication is to provide a basic understanding of the relationship between these landscape and soil properties to facilitate wise land use decisions.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 630 kb
Pages: 3
7/22/2014 (new)
Authors: Gregg Munshaw, Edwin Ritchey
Most homeowners desire an aesthetically pleasing landscape and will take steps to ensure success. Proper fertilizing, watering, and pest control are all steps that will lead to a quality lawn. However, some confusion surrounds when and why lime should be applied to a lawn. Many homeowners believe that lime needs to be applied on an annual basis for a quality lawn. The purpose of this publication is to explain why lime is needed and whether it is required on your lawn.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 909 kb
Pages: 4
4/24/2014 (new)
Authors: John Grove, Carrie Knott, Chad Lee, Edwin Ritchey
Soybean grows best on fertile soils. For decades, the University of Kentucky has conducted field studies to establish the relationship between soil nutrient supplies and soybean yield. Adequate soil fertility must be present so that yields are not limited.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 1.02 mb
Pages: 5
1/8/2014 (new)
Authors: David Ditsch, Lloyd Murdock, Edwin Ritchey, Greg Schwab
Alfalfa is a high quality, valuable forage crop that can be successfully produced on most well-drained soils in Kentucky for hay, silage, and grazing. Fertilizing alfalfa can be uniquely challenging because it is a high-yielding crop that removes a tremendous amount of soil nutrients when compared to other crops grown in Kentucky. A thorough understanding of alfalfa's growth habits, nutrient requirements, and soil nutrient supply mechanisms is necessary to effectively manage fertilizer inputs and maximize profitability while minimizing environmental impact.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 4 kb
Pages: 4
10/16/2013 (major revision)
Authors: Cheryl Kaiser, Edwin Ritchey, Nicole Ward Gauthier
Iron deficiency is a nutritional deficit that can occur in woody and herbaceous plants in landscapes, nurseries, greenhouses, and production fields. It is most often associated with soils that have neutral or alkaline pH (pH 7.0 or above). Plants that grow best in acidic soils are particularly vulnerable to this condition. In Kentucky, iron deficiency is most commonly observed on pin oak, willow oak, azalea, rhododendron, and blueberry, but other woody plants are also susceptible.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology
Series: Interdepartmental (ID series)
Size: 3.13 mb
Pages: 4
1/31/2013 (new)
Authors: John Grove, Bob Pearce, Edwin Ritchey
Historically, tobacco producers have relied heavily on surface tillage to prepare fields for transplanting. This study was established to determine how soil penetrometer resistance and burley tobacco yields were influenced by surface and subsurface tillage (subsoiling) on soils with no known compaction present.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series:
Size: 350 kb
Pages: 4
8/16/2011 (new)
Authors: Edwin Ritchey
Landscapes with little or no topsoil can make it difficult to produce a garden, lawn, or other plants. Topsoil, dark in color compared to the underlying soil, is the part of a soil that is most biologically active, nutrient rich, and easily managed. It also is usually more easily worked than underlying soil, supplies most of the plant's water and nutrients, and is generally best for plant growth.
Departments: Plant and Soil Sciences
Series: Agronomy (AGR series)
Size: 430 kb
Pages: 4
7/10/2000 (new)
Authors: Richard Barnheisel, Morris Bitzer, Jimmie Calvert, Glenn Collins, Mike Collins, Mark Coyne, David Ditsch, Charles Dougherty, Larry Grabau, J.D. Green, Dan Grigson, John Grove, Dennis Hancock, Jimmy Henning, Jim Herbek, John James, John Johns, A.D. Karathanasis, Brenda Kennedy, Garry Lacefield, Eugene Lacefield, Len Lauriault, Bill Maksymowicz, Jim Martin, Bob Miller, Tom Mueller, Gregg Munshaw, Lloyd Murdock, Gary Palmer, Bob Pearce, Todd Pfeiffer, Chuck Poneleit, A.J. Powell, Monroe Rasnake, Edwin Ritchey, Scott Shearer, Frank Sikora, Robert Spitaleri, Norm Taylor, Charles Tutt, Dave Van Sanford, Paul Vincelli, Ken Wells, David Williams, Bill Witt
Departments: Animal and Food Sciences, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, County Extension, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology, Regulatory Services
Series: Progress Report (PR series)
Size: 550 kb
Pages: 55
