Progress 07/01/99 to 06/30/05
Outputs
Management zones delineated by difference in soil electrical conductivity (ECa) were used to variably apply fertilizer nitrogen. The results were mixed. When field position (principally clay content) and levels of certain nutrients were taken into account, ECa showed a positive effect on the yield response of sugarcane. But soil moisture ranging from extremely wet early in the growing season to deficient during the grand growth stage had the effect of lowering sugarcane yield in the ECa zones with clayey soil. Because expectations were for the high clay content/high ECa zones to be more productive, it suggests that ECa delineated zones are not entirely satisfactory when growing conditions for clay soils are less than optimal from a water management standpoint. It also points to the need for a close examination of the interrelationship of soil attributes when application prescriptions are developed for site specific work. Possible scenarios for achieving topsoil
protection during the fallow period and reducing grower inputs were examined. The study consisted of planting LCP 85-384 on plots which were managed during the fallow period as follows: 1) conventionally managed; 2) occupied by a reduced-tilled soybean green manure crop; and 3) with retained plant residue from the final harvesting of green cane in the production cycle. Plant cane was indifferent to various fallow management treatments. Both cane and sugar yields were statistically equivalent for the three scenarios.
Impacts
The ultimate objective of research with harvest residue management is the elimination of residue burning, which should improve environmental quality and enhance soil fertility.
Publications
- Viator, H.P. and W.B. Hallmark. The Response of LCP 85-384 to the Application of Silicate Slag in Louisiana. 2004. Sugar J. 67(1):14. Abstr.
- Wang, J.J., C. Kennedy, S. Viator, and A. Guidry. Effect of Zinc Fertilization on Sugar Cane (LCP 85-384) Yields. 2004. Sugar J. 67(1):32. Abstr.
|
Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Calcium silicate slag application rate tests on sugarcane were placed on several light-textured soil sites in 2003. None of these plantcane sites responded significantly to the application of silica slag. Methods of extracting soil silica have not satisfactorily identified soils deficient in silica in the Louisiana sugar growing region. Numerous experiments on combine-residue management have consistently shown that a fall application of stabilized urea produces sugarcane yields statistically equivalent to that produced after burning of the residue. In a study designed to document the long-term effects of combine residue retention, yields have been reduced by the retained mulch an average of 672 kg of sugar/ha (P=.01) for stubble crops across two cycles of production. Elevated levels of soil N and C were detected in the mulched plots during the fallow period between the two production cycles. Several site-specific approaches to identifying management zones for variable
fertilizer applications are being evaluated for sugarcane.
Impacts
The ultimate objective of research with harvest residue management is the elimination of residue burning, which should improve environmental quality and enhance soil fertility.
Publications
- Hallmark, W.B., G.L. Hawkins, G.J. Williams and J.J. Wang. Effect of Silica on Sugarcane Yields in Louisiana. Abstracts of the Annual Meeting. Amer. Soc. of Agronomy. 2003. Denver, CO.
- Viator, H.P., Bob Downer and Maurice Wolcott. 2003. The Application of Precision Farming Technologies to Sugarcane - Using Soil Electrical Conductivity for Variable Nitrogen Rate Management. Sugar Bulletin. October, 2003. Vol. 82, No. 1, p. 15.
|
Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
A calcium silicate slag study on a light-textured soil showed that mixing 4.5 t/ha of slag into soil before planting increased sugar yields across two years by 1690 kg/ha. Research from a nitrogen fertilization date (mid-February, mid-March, mid-April, and mid-May) by nitrogen rate study (67, 134, 201 kg N/ha) showed that applying nitrogen in mid-March resulted in as good a sugar yield as where nitrogen was applied at the recommended date of mid-April. A variable nitrogen rate study was imposed on a plant cane field for which zones of differing soil electrical conductivity (EC) had been articulated. Data analysis is continuing, with special attention being given to evaluating the statistical strength of the spatial relationships between EC and certain crop production traits.
Impacts
It may be possible to reduce or eliminate residue burning of sugarcane combine residue, and thereby improve soil, air and water quality in Louisiana.
Publications
- Viator, R.P., J. Kovar, and W. Hallmark. 2002. Gypsum and Compost Effects on Sugarcane Root Growth, Yield, and Plant Nutrients. Agron. J. 94:1332-1336.
- Hallmark, W.B., G.J. Williams, and G.L. Hawkins. 2002. Management of Sugarcane Combine Residue. p. 44. Louisiana Plant Protection Association and Louisiana Association of Agronomists.
- Wang, Jim J., Chuck Kennedy, William B. Hallmark, and Benjamin Legendre. Improving Soil Fertility Tests for Sugarcane Production. Sugar Bulletin. August, 2002, Vol.80, No. 11, p. 22.
- Hallmark, W.B., G.J. Williams, Benjamin Legendre, and G.L. Hawkins. Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Sugarcane Yields in Louisiana. Sugar Bulletin. September, 2002, Vol. 80, No. 12, pp. 25-27.
|
Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Results from eight large plot sugarcane nitrogen fertilizer studies with variety LCP 85-384 continue to show that the LSU AgCenter nitrogen recommendations for this variety are too liberal for plant and first-stubble cane. Applying nitrogen stabilized urea to sugarcane combine residue within one month of harvest resulted in as good a yield as where the residue blanket was burned. Results across two years showed that potassium sulfate was not a superior source of potassium compared to potassium chloride. A calcium silicate slag study on a light-textured soil showed that mixing 4.5 t/ha of slag into soil before planting increased plant cane sugar yields by 1,270 kg/ha. Use of gibberellic acid across a four-year study did not result in increased (P>0.25) sugar yields. At the end of the first production cycle (plant cane through third ratoon crop) of a long-term combine harvest residue study, preliminary data show soil from plots on which sugarcane was burned standing
prior to harvest contained approximately 10% less nitrogen and 7% less carbon than soil from plots where harvest residue was retained.
Impacts
Our research shows that it may be possible to reduce or eliminate residue burning of sugarcane combine residue, and thereby improve soil, air and water quality in Louisiana.
Publications
- Hallmark, W.B., Williams, G.J., Brown, L.P. and Hawkins, G.L. 2001. Fertility research helps optimize sugarcane profits. Louisiana Agriculture 44(4):29-31.
- Viator, H.P. and Griffin, J.L. 2001. Fallow period cropping to soybeans can provide benefits. Louisiana Agriculture 44(4):15.
- Hallmark, W.B., Williams, G.J. and Hawkins, G.L. 2001. Management of Sugarcane Combine Residue. (Abstr.). Annual Meeting American Society of Agronomy. Charlotte, NC.
- Hallmark, W.B. 2001. Contributor to "Sugarcane Research Annual Progress Report".
- Hallmark, W.B., Williams, G.J., Brown, L.P. and Hawkins, G.L. 2001. Effect of urea nitrogen rates, a nitrogen stabilization package, winter vs. spring nitrogen fertilization, and varieties on sugarcane yields. (Abstr.). American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 21:167.
- Viator, H.P. 2001. Contributor to "Sugarcane Research Annual Progress Report".
- Hallmark, W.B., Williams, G.J. and Hawkins, G.L. 2001. Management of Sugarcane Combine Residue. (Abstr.). p. 27. Environmental State of the State-VI. Thibodaux, LA.
- Hallmark, W.B., Williams, G.J. and Hawkins, G.L. 2001. Effect of Fall Fertilizer on Sugarcane Yields. (Abstr.). Louisiana Association of Agronomists Meeting. Baton Rouge, LA.
|
Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Research results from twelve site-years show that the recommended nitrogen rate for sugarcane should not be exceeded. Other nitrogen research showed that nitrogen can be applied to sugarcane furrows (and sugarcane combine residue) in the winter if it is stabilized with a urease and nitrification inhibitor. Research with plant cane showed that potassium sulfate was not superior to potassium chloride as a source of potassium. Results from the completion of cycle one of a long-term combine residue management experiment revealed an average yield reduction associated with combine residue of 947 kg of sugar/ha for each crop in the three-year production cycle.
Impacts
Our research shows that liquid urea can be applied to sugarcane furrows and sugarcane combine residue in the winter if it is stabilized with urease and nitrification inhibitors.
Publications
- Salassi, M.E., Hallmark,W.B., Williams, G.J., Brown, L.P., and Hawkins, G.L. 2000. Optimal Use of Nitrogen Stabilization Package in Sugarcane Production to Increase Producer Economic Returns. American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 20:71-80.
- Hallmark, W.B., Brown, L.P., Williams, G.J., and Hawkins, G.L. 2000. Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on sugarcane variety yields. (Abstract) American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 20:114.
- Hallmark, W.B., Williams, G.J., and Hawkins, G.L. 2000. Effect of Fall Fertilizer on Sugarcane Yields. (Abstract) p. 271. Annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy. Minneapolis, MN.
- Hallmark, W.B., Williams, G.J., and Hawkins, G.L. 2000. Effect of Fall Fertilizer on Sugarcane Yields. (Abstract) Environmental State of the State-V. Baton Rouge, LA.
- Hallmark, W.B. 2000. Contributor to "Sugarcane Research Annual Progress Report."
|
Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Research results over a four-year cane cycle on a Baldwin silty clay soil showed that applying a urease inhibitor to dry urea did not increase (P>0.10) sugar yields when N was sidedressed in the spring. In a three-year study on a Jeanerette silt loam soil, applying 6.7 t/ha of composted sugarmill residue (with cane at planting) increased sugar yields by 1830 kg/ha; and using billets vs. whole stalk cane at planting reduced sugar yields by 2420 kg/ha. In a plant cane study, sugarcane variety LCP 85-384 outyielded varieties CP 70-321 and HoCP 84-845. Also, applying liquid urea with a nitrogen stabilization package (consisting of calcium chloride and a urease and nitrification inhibitor) to sugarcane furrows in January yielded statistically (P<0.10) equal (and numerically greater than) where liquid urea was sidedressed in May. In a first stubble sugarcane study, applying liquid super urea (which contained a urease and nitrification inhibitor) in January to plant cane
combine residue resulted in statistically equivalent (and numerically higher) yields compared to dry urea applied to row tops in May.
Impacts
Our research shows that liquid urea can be applied to sugarcane and sugarcane combine residue in the winter when it is stabilized with urease and nitrification inhibitors. This provides producers more options in the soil fertility program.
Publications
- Hallmark, W.B. 1998. Contributor to "Sugarcane Research Annual Progress Report."
- Hallmark, W.B., Brown, L.P. and Hawkins, G.L. 1999. Use of a nitrogen stabilization package to increase yields and reduce the nitrogen requirements of sugarcane. J. Amer. Soc. Sugar Cane Tech. 19:25-34.
- Hallmark, W.B., Brown, L.P., Hawkins, G.L., Fontenot, D. and Luke, G. 1999. Effect of fall fertilizer on sugarcane yield on a heavy-textured soil. (Abstr.) J. Amer. Soc Sugar Cane Tech. 19:61.
- Hallmark, W.B., Williams, G.J. and Hawkins, G.L. 1999. Effect of fall vs. spring nitrogen fertilization on sugarcane yields. (Abstr.) p. 253. American Society of Agronomy Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT.
|
|