K-State Research and Extension

Q: At the KSRE Field Pea Plot tour last week we had some questions on various types of rye.

A: Bruce Anderson, the University of Nebraska forage specialist, notes on the difference between rye and ryegrass: the words rye and ryegrass cause much confusion. Rye (Secale cereal) typically refers to the cereal or small grain plant. It produces a grain with string flavors and colors. Flour made from it is used to make rye breads. Recently, rye has become popular as a forage crop. It grows well in the poorer soils and harsher climates than most other cereals. It survives tough winters or late planting better than other small grains like wheat and triticale. Rye can produce high forage yields but is more coarsely stemmed and less palatable than some other forages. Like wheat, rye varieties can be either winter ryes or spring ryes. When planted during spring, the spring types grow tall and will form seed if allowed to grow towards maturity but winter types may stay short with only leaves. Spring types also grow tall when planted in late summer or fall but they freeze and die over winter, Winter varieties stay leafy during fall, but survive during winter. Often they are among the earliest grasses to green up in spring, making them popular for early grazing before brome and native pastures are ready to graze.  Ryegrass sounds similar to rye in name but it is very different grass. Ryegrass are very palatable, high quality forage grasses. There are several types of ryegrass with varietal differences within each type. The biggest name confusion occurs between annual ryegrass and Italian ryegrass. Botanically, they refer to the same plants (Lolium multiflorum) but in the forage world they have acquired different meanings. These ryegrasses are not true annuals. Under mild winter conditions, especially with sufficient snow cover, annual or Italian ryegrass can survive like a perennial. The term “annual” ryegrass usually refers to cultivars that are used for turf or for cultivators us in the Gulf states that are planted in the fall and grazed during the winter and spring before dying during the summer. In our area, spring plantings grow rapidly and can produce seed heads with each growth cycle. Growth rate slows during the heat of summer and they usually die over winter. “Italian” ryegrass tends to refer to cultivators that grow more like a biennial. They produce mostly high quality leaves while growing vigorously throughout summer and fall if moisture is available. They frequently survive mild winters and produce seed heads the following spring. These cultivars have become increasingly popular for thickening winter-injured forage strands, as a companion crop for seedings of new perennial forages, and as a temporary high quality forage. We often use Italian ryegrass in mixtures with oats to take advantage of abundant early growth of oats followed by the continued high quality growth of Italian ryegrass the remainder of the summer and fall. Perennial ryegrass produces very high quality pasture. It is more persistent than annual (Italian) ryegrass but requires relatively consistent moisture and moderate temperatures to survive. It usually is irrigated and even then only lasts a few years. The different types of ryegrass readily cross with one another. The result of a cross between perennial and annual ryegrass is called by various names including intermediate, short rotation, and hybrid ryegrass. Characteristics vary widely but usually are intermediate to the parents. When purchasing seed for your planting, be sure to understand these terms so you can select the best choice for your plan of use.

Q: I have several dead spots in my established buffalograss lawn, what might it be?

A: There are many factors that could be negatively affecting your buffalograss lawns, but this time of year is typically when we begin to see presence of chinch bugs. Two chinch bug species may cause concern in Kansas. The common “field” chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus is primarily an agronomic pest associated with wheat, corn, and sorghum. They sometimes migrate out of production fields and infest adjoining cool- or warm-season lawns. The western chinch bug, Blissus occiduus, historically has been associated with wheat, brome, and native grasses. They became popularly known as the buffalograss chinch bug when they emerged as a serious pest in buffalograss lawns. They have a wide host range, including zoysiagrass, perennial rye, and Kentucky bluegrass and fescues.

Chinch bugs cause damage by withdrawing plant sap in the crown area. At the same time, they inject a salivary secretion that injures cells and inhibits the translocation of water and nutrients. Initial yellowing progresses to entire plants taking on a straw-brown appearance. Damage ranges from minor thinning to extreme cases where grass is killed. Chinch bugs can be detected by removing a small section of turf and vigorously shaking it over a sheet of white paper to dislodge the insects. You can also detect chinch bugs by removing both ends from a 2-lb metal coffee can, pressing it firmly into the ground in an area with a suspected chinch bug infestation and filling the can with water. Chinch bugs will float to the surface.  If chinch bugs are estimated to exceed 20-25 per square foot (five coffee cans = one square foot) of turf and feeding damage is apparent, control measures are likely to be required.  The best defense against chinch bugs are sound cultural practices to keep the turf stand in optimal condition. Since these insects prefer turf areas high in thatch and organic debris, cultural and mowing practices minimizing thatch accumulation should discourage initial infestations and also may help reduce existing chinch bug problems.  A second approach for deterring western chinch bug infestations involves planting chinch bug-resistant turfgrasses.

Bifenthrin (Talstar, Ortho Bug-B-Gon), lambda-cyhalothrin (Spectracide Triazicide), or carbaryl (Sevin), applied in 3 to 5 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet, should provide acceptable chinch bug control. Prior to treatment, mow the turf to a height of 1 1/2 to 2 inches and remove the clippings. This will minimize interception of the insecticide by the turf canopy.  Immediately following application, irrigate the treated area with 1/8 inch of water to wash the insecticide off grass blades and down into plant crowns and thatch where chinch bugs are feeding. If a granular insecticide is applied, irrigate the turf with at least one-fourth inch of water to activate the insecticide.  In areas where chinch bug numbers are very high, two insecticide applications may be required to achieve satisfactory control. Typically, the first treatment should be applied during mid-June and the second in late July.

In an effort to protect the Kansas poultry industry and to promote stronger biosecurity practices throughout the state, Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health has issued a stop movement order, signed by Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey, targeting Kansas poultry and live birds, effectively cancelling all poultry-related shows and events through calendar year 2015. This includes all types of poultry activities where birds from different flocks are co-mingled.

This will include, but is not limited to: regional and county fairs, festivals, the Kansas State Fair, swap meets, exotic sales and live bird auctions. This measure is being implemented in an effort to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI). Kansas experienced a positive case of HPAI in Leavenworth County in 2015.

This decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with the K-State Research and Extension, Kansas 4-H, Kansas State Fair representatives and other poultry industry officials. Dr. Justin Smith, Deputy Animal Health Commissioner made the announcement.

“The decision to issue movement restrictions regarding poultry and bird events has been made in an effort to protect the poultry industry in Kansas and the economic contribution that the industry makes to our agricultural economy. It is a difficult decision, as I know youth and adults would soon be exhibiting their projects at local fairs,” said Smith. “This decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary we do everything possible to protect the Kansas poultry flock.”

K-State Research and Extension and Kansas 4-H, along with the Kansas State Fair, is working to identify options for youth enrolled in poultry projects to showcase their learning and participate in fairs in ways other than having their birds present.

It is important that all poultry producers continue to monitor their flocks for symptoms of the virus, and notify KDA immediately if they suspect any problems. All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should prevent contact between their birds and other birds including wild fowl.

The Rawlins County fair will be substituting their poultry exhibits with educational displays on poultry, encouraging participants to enter the market egg show and hosting a poultry skillathon on Thursday July 23^rd at noon.  Poultry participants will compete for prizes by testing their knowledge and hands on skills related to poultry and the poultry industry during this competition.

Q: I was purchasing plants over the weekend and the store clerk pinched the buds of the flowers. Why?

A: Some plants will bloom more profusely if the old, spent flowers are removed, a process called deadheading. Annuals especially, focus their energy on seed production to insure that the species survives. If you remove old flowers, the energy normally used to produce seed is now available to produce more flowers. Perennials can also benefit by lengthening the blooming season. However, some gardeners enjoy the look of spent flowers of perennials such as sedum or purple coneflower. Also, the seed produced can be a good food source for birds.

Not all plants need to be deadheaded, including sedum “Autumn Joy”, melampodium, implatiens, most flowering vines, periwinkle (Catharanthus), and wishbone flower (Torenia).

Those that do increase a bloom in response to deadheading include hardy geraniums, coreopsis, petunias, marigolds, snapdragons, begonias, roses, campanulas, blanket flowers, delphiniums, zinnias, sweet peas, salvia, scabiosa, annual heliotrope, geraniums (Pelargonium), and yarrow.

Deadheading is easily accomplished by removing spent flowers. With some plants, pinching between a thumb and finger can do this, but tough, wiry stems will require a scissors or pruning shears.

Q: Multiple plants in my vegetable garden are curling up on themselves, what’s the problem?

A: Our recent heavy rains may have resulted in waterlogged soils that cause root damage due to lack of oxygen. The longer the air is cut off, the greater the root damage. The dying roots decay and cannot supply the plants with nutrients and water. The plant losses vigor and may curl at the leaves and stems, become stunted or turn yellow. Once the soil dries out, new plant growth should come on without these symptoms. It will be vital to use proper watering techniques this summer as the planting season was wet enough to compromise most new root systems.

As a general rule, beds should be watered when the top several inches of soil is dry. Dig down two-four inches with a towel to determine if soil needs additional water. If water is needed, thoroughly moisten the soil to a depth of six-eight inches. In well amended or prepared soil, this should take one to tow inches of rain or irrigation. When daytime temperatures average 85 degrees, water clay soils to absorb water without ponding on the surface. During warm weather, water loamy soils approximately every five to seven days with one to two inches of water. Water sandy soils twice a week. Watch plants and adjust amounts and frequency as needed.

Soil type influences water infiltration rate, holding capacity, and root establishment. Amending the soil with organic matter such as compost, peat moss, cotton burr, or manure opens heavy soil so it can receive moisture more readily. It helps sandy or porous soil retain moisture. Vegetable gardens should only be amended with manure in the fall after crops have been removed.