what are the three macronutrients discussed regarding fertilization? what are their roles in plant growth?
- nitrogen: green forage growth
- phosphorus: promotes seed germination, photosynthesis, and general health of plant
- potassium: opening and closing of stomata, movement of water, nutrients, and carbohydrates through the plant
what are some common names of Nitrogen?
urea, ammonia nitrate, ammonia sulfate, anhydrous ammonia
How long does it take for animal manure (cow and chicken) to break down into a usable form of Nitrogen?
cattle = 3 months
chickens = 5-6 weeks
what are symptoms of deficiencies for the three macronutrients?
N: can cause chloroplast of the leaves, necrosis on leaf edges, slow/stunted growth, low protein
P: purpling characteristic symptom, red to purple colors on leaf margins
K: stunting, shriveled seeds, scorching, weak stalks and poor root systems
what are native forages?
plants that are native to a specific region and are used as food for livestock or wildlife
what are non-native forages?
grasses introduced to areas where they don’t naturally exist and can negatively impact native ecosystems
switchgrass
- native
- perennial
- primarily used for soil conservation, forage production, game cover, ornamental grass, and the biomass has been used to produce ethanol and butanol
big bluestem
- native
- perennial
- main uses: good forage for horses and cattle (high in protein)
indiangrass
- native
- perennial
- primary uses: erosion control, wildlife habitat restoration, forage for livestock
eastern gamagrass
- native
- perennial
- primary uses: high class feedcrop
bermudagrass
- non native
- native to europe, africa, australia, and asia
- perennial
- primary use: sport fields
johnsongrass
- non native
- native to asia and northern africa
- perennial
- primary uses: for forage and erosion control
orchardgrass
- non native
- native to europe, temperate asia, and northern africa
- perennial
- primary uses: as hay and pastures
tall fescue
- non native
- perennial
- native to europe
- primary uses: forages and soil conservation
what are the two goals of proper sprayer application?
- uniform, precise rate +/- 10%, to achieve the desired biological effect
- avoid exposure to non-target plants, wildlife, and neighbors
what are the three main formulation types?
sprayable, dry, and liquid formulations
what are the three types of dry formulations and their abbreviation?
- water soluble powders (SP)
- wettable powders (WP, W)
- water dispersive granules (WDG, DF)
what are the four types of liquid formulations and their abbreviations?
- water soluble liquids (SL, S)
- emulsifiable concentrates (EC, E)
- water dispersable liquids (WDLE, L, F)
- microencapulated (ME)
what are the two dry formulations for direct applications?
- granules (% ai): used as ornamentals, lawn and turf
- pellets (% ai): used in brush control
what is a center pivot?
a form of mechanized, circular-pattern irrigation where a pipeline with sprinklers, supported wheeled towers, rotates around a central pivot point to water crops, forages, etc.
how does a center pivot operate?
- Water is drawn from a source like a well, river, or reservoir
- A pump sends water through the pipes to the central tower OR pivot point
- The water then travels through a long, segmented pipeline that rotates in a circle
- Sprinkler nozzles, often using drop pipes, are spaced along the pipeline to apply water to the field
- Electric motors on each wheeled tower power the movement of the structure around the pivot, often resembling the hand of a clock
- A control panel at the pivot point, or remote management systems, allows for precise control of the water application
what are the key components of a center pivot?
- Pivot Point: the stationary center from which the system rotates
- Spans: sections of pipe and their support trusses connecting the towers
- Towers/Drive Motors: motorized structures with wheels that support the pipe and provide movement
- Sprinklers: nozzles attached to the pipeline to distribute water evenly
label the picture of a center pivot
a. end gun
b. sprinkler drop
c. tower
d. truss system
e. pivot point
f. span
what are the benefits and challenges of center pivots?
benefits: efficiency, versatility, improved yields, labor savings, adaptability
challenges: initial cost, unirrigated corners (due to circular pattern), energy costs (power for the motors)
