Crop and Soil Sciences Resources
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B 1242-1
Watershed Assessment in Georgia
Watershed assessment is the measurement and use of chemical, physical and biological properties to determine the current health of streams. It also can include the use of predictive modeling of watershed conditions and suggests management practices that will maintain and improve the health of a watershed. This publication provides information on the components of a watershed assessment and how to implement these plans.
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B 1242-7
Bacterial Source Tracking (BST)
Fecal contamination of water impacts many regions of the U.S. and may carry risks to human health. When a water body fails to meet water quality standards for fecal bacteria, the Federal Clean Water Act requires a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis to establish how many bacteria are in the water, the sources of bacteria and whether the contamination varies seasonally. If all the point sources of contamination are acknowledged and there is still a bacterial problem, it may be time to try additional source identification tools, such as Bacterial Source Tracking.
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Cotton defoliation is a complex production decision with many chemical options to consider. Harvest aids are utilized to prepare the crop for machine harvest, and timely defoliation and harvest of cotton can reduce weathering losses (yield and quality) and decrease trash in the lint. A basic knowledge of crop development and maturity as well as an understanding of the physiological effects of harvest aids on cotton plants is necessary in making decisions concerning defoliation.
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B 1216
Pearl Millet for Grain
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) has a long history of use as a summer grazing and hay crop in the southeastern U.S. The recent development of new, adaptable and productive grain pearl millet hybrids in the Southeast gives crop producers a suitable alternative feed grain for dryland production.
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Foxtails (Setaria spp.) are invasive weeds in pastures and hayfields. The competitive growth of foxtails with pasture specie causes stand thinning and reductions in hay yields. Foxtails may be grazed in spring prior to inflorescence development. However, the production of seedheads is concerning in summer due to the sharp awns that can damage the gums of livestock. Hayfield growers are also concerned about the economic impact of foxtails on yield and hay quality. This publication discusses the identification of foxtail species along with cultural and chemical control options.
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Annual ryegrass, also referred to as Italian ryegrass, is the most problematic winter annual weed in Georgia hayfields. Seed germinates from September to November. Seedlings mature in the fall, overwinter in a vegetative state, and resume active growth in the spring. Annual ryegrass is a prolific seed producer that contributes to annual infestations. This resource summarizes the growth and identification of this weed. Cultural and chemical control options are also presented for tall fescue, bermudagrass, alfalfa, bahiagrass and other forage legumes grown for hay production.
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Annual bluegrass is the most problematic winter weed of lawns in Georgia. Plants have a light green color, coarse leaf texture, and produce unsightly seedheads. Annual bluegrass germinates in fall, overwinters in a vegetative state, and resumes active growth in spring. Annual bluegrass typically dies out by May in Georgia, but cool temperatures in spring and regular irrigation may extend survival of populations into early summer. This resource covers annual bluegrass identification, establishment, and cultural control for lawns. The development, detection, and control of herbicide-resistant annual bluegrass is also discussed.
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Compared to other grains, grain sorghum has unique characteristics that must be understood before successfully harvesting, drying and storing it. With some modifications, you can use existing equipment for both sorghum and other grains. This publication describes methods for harvesting, drying and storing grain sorghum.
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This circular is useful for anyone working directly with livestock producers on interpreting and using forage reports. It also provides a “checklist” for taking forage samples from hay or baleage bales. It summarizes how to properly collect a forage sample, read the basic components of the lab’s report, and use the report for developing a basic feed plan.
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