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A Casio QV-10 digital camera was used to photograph images. A portable of desktop computer was used to convert the images to a digital image file and attached them to an electronic mail message sent from field extension staff to campus-based horticulture specialists. Images were examples of insect, disease, or cultural problems for diagnosis, plant identification questions, or an overview of a lawn or landscape. Electronic transmission allows immediate identification for a low cost, enables the specialist to see what is being described, and results in images that can be stored for news releases, newsletters, or problem warnings. Limitations exist for resolution and size of objects photographed and these will be described and demonstrated along with other problems and limitations encountered. Cameras are presently available in all five area extension centers and in several individual county extension offices. Two cameras are available for testing and demonstration purposes by individual agents. Transmission from a cellular phone from a remote location is possible, but has not been tested as of this writing. A campus-based “horticulture response center” was established to provide immediate responses to questions from field staff.
Field studies were conducted in consecutive years to evaluate the influence of seeding month and seed soaking on buffalograss [Buchloë ductyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] establishment, as measured by percentage of coverage and seedling emergence. In 1991, plots where `Sharp's Improved' buffalograss burrs were seeded in May, June, or July exhibited complete coverage 7 weeks after seeding (WAS). Between Apr. and Sept. 1992, mean high and low temperatures were ≈ 3C cooler than in 1991, and seeding in June or July resulted in >95% coverage 9 WAS. In the same year, seeding in April or May required 12 to 13 weeks for complete coverage. Buffalograss seeded in August exhibited <25% coverage by the end of the first growing season. Soaking buffalograss burrs in water before seeding resulted in the emergence of >30% more seedlings 2 WAS compared with nonsoaked burrs and increased coverage by up to 18% on selected rating dates 3 to 13 WAS. However, complete coverage occurred only ≈ week sooner where soaked vs. nonsoaked burrs were planted.
In 1992 and 1993, 12 postemergence herbicide treatments were applied to field-grown buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] seedlings having 1 to 3 leaves and 2 to 4 tillers, respectively. The only herbicide treatments that did not cause plant injury at 1 or 2 weeks after treatment (WAT) or reduce turf coverage 4 or 6 WAT compared to nontreated plots (in 1992 or 1993) were (in kg·ha–1) 0.6 dithiopyr, 0.8 quinclorac, 2.2 MSMA, and 0.8 clorpyralid. Evaluated only in 1993, metsulfuron methyl (0.04 kg·ha–1) also caused no plant injury or reduction in coverage. Fenoxaprop-ethyl (0.2 kg·ha–1) caused severe plant injury and reduced coverage by >95% at 6 WAT. Dicamba reduced coverage by 11% at 6 WAT in 1992 but not 1993. The chemicals (in kg·ha–1) triclopyr (0.6), 2,4-D (0.8), triclopyr (1.1) + 2,4-D (2.8), 2,4-D (3.1) + triclopyr (0.3) + clorpyralid (0.2), and 2,4-D (2.0) + mecoprop (1.1) + dicamba (0.2) caused plant injury at 1 or 2 WAT in 1992 or 1993, but coverage was similar to that of nontreated turf by 6 WAT. Chemical names used: 3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid (clorpyralid); 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba); (+/–)-2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]propanoic acid (diclofop); 3,5-pyridinedicarbothioic acid, 2-(difluoromethyl)-4-(2-methylpropyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-S,S-dimethyl ester (dithiopyr); 2-[4-[(6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyl)oxy]phenoxy] propanoate (fenoxaprop-ethyl); 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid (mecoprop); methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate (metsulfuron methyl); monosodium salt of methylarsonic acid (MSMA); 3,7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid (quinclorac); [(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy] acetic acid (triclopyr); (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4-D).
Evapotranspiration from tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and zoysiagrass turfs during the summers of 1992-3 was compared to evapotranspiration estimates from an evaporation pan, a black Bellani plate, and several empirical combination models, Actual measurement of turf water use was made with small weighing lysimeters. Soil was maintained at field capacity. Data were collected on 51 dates between June and September. Tall fescue was clipped weekly at 7.6 cm whereas ryegrass and zoysiagrass were clipped 3 times weekly at 2.5 cm, Although differences between the grass species existed, in general the rankings of estimate precision were Bellani plate > evaporation pan > empirical models when compared with measured evapotranspiration rates.
In recent years, many horticulture departments around the United States have been concerned with recruiting and retaining an adequate number of students. One potential recruitment opportunity is the horticulture Future Farmers of America (FFA) Career Development Events (CDEs). For the time period of 1999 to 2012 (14 years), 1462 students participated in the annual state-level horticulture contests, comprising floriculture and nursery/landscape CDEs, held at Kansas State University (KSU). Using the rosters from these two CDEs, we referenced the university’s student information database to determine whether the high school students who participated as FFA horticulture CDE contestants ultimately matriculated to KSU. Fifty-two percent of former FFA horticulture CDE participants were accepted to KSU and 32% matriculated. Of these, 58% enrolled in the College of Agriculture and 19% majored in horticulture. Therefore, 3.5% of total horticulture CDE participants majored in horticulture at KSU. Students who participated in more than one horticulture CDE over time were more likely to major in horticulture at KSU compared with students who competed only once. Thirty-nine percent of students who participated in both horticulture CDEs pursued a baccalaureate program in horticulture. These two student characteristics could be used as indicator data points to target recruitment of future horticulture students. Data about the high school programs that generated contest participants were also summarized. Exceling in the CDE contests was not an indicator CDE participants would pursue a baccalaureate degree in horticulture. These analyses suggest FFA CDEs have some potential to optimize student recruitment efforts.
A relatively accurate estimate of turfgrass evapotranspiration (ET) using environmental parameters readily obtainable from a local weather station would be of benefit to golf course superintendents, landscape managers, and homeowners. The Penman–Monteith model is clearly a poorer estimate than that obtained by Bellani plates or spheres. It has been suggested that, while the Penman–Monteith model is good in the drier climate of the southwestern United States, other models may be of greater practicable utility in climates such as are common in Kansas. Thus, other models have been evaluated for their suitability as turfgrass ET estimates in Kansas-like climates. Turfgrass ET was measured via lysimeters in 1992–94. Specifically, measurements were taken on three tall fescue varieties mowed at 6.35 or 7.62 cm, and zoysiagrass and perennial ryegrass mowed at 2.54 cm. Evaporation from black Bellani plates was measured simultaneously. These evaporation and ET rates were compared to those estimated by various empirical models whose data came from a weather station located within 31 m of the Bellani plates and lysimeters. Empirical models included temperature methods (e.g., FAO-24 Blaney–Criddle), radiation methods (e.g., Jensen–Haise, Hargreaves–Samani), combination equations (e.g., Priestly–Taylor, Penman), and variants. The best model(s) determined from these comparisons will likely become the method(s) of choice for estimating turfgrass ET in Kansas.