Title:

Cultivar Identification and on Farm Technology For Sustained Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Production

Investigators:

Glen A. Murray, Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sci., U of I
William J. Johnston, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, WSU

Cooperators:

Dr. Herb Hinman Extension Economist Ag Econ WSU
Dr. Keith Saxton Biol. Sys. Engr. USDA-ARS WSU
Dr. Donn Thill Weed Scientist PSES UI
Dr. Jim Maguire Director, Seed Lab Crop- Soils WSU
Vickie Parker-Clark Agric. Ext Agent Kootenai Co. ID
Paul Peterson Agric. Ext. Agent Spokane Co. WA
Bill, Warren, and Mike Dole, Growers Kootenai Co. ID
John Cornwall, Grower Spokane Co. WA

Objectives:

Our goal is to find, demonstrate, and inform growers of a practical, economical, non-hazardous, sustainable production system of grass seed field post-harvest residue removal and utilization as an alternative to the current practice of open-field burning.

1. To identify the physiological basis and morphological-anatomical indicators for variable bluegrass cultivar seed yield in response to mechanical residue removal treatments.
2. Field Research
   1. On-farm tests to evaluate mechanical residue removal, weed control, and companion crop practices that maintain economic seed yields without annual burning.
   2. Conduct dust emission monitoring during grass residue removal treatments and assess potential downwind impact.
   3. Evaluate low-input, on-farm composting trials to obtain long-term results.
3. Perform economic analyses to determine estimated costs of producing grass seed utilizing mechanical removal and composting techniques compared to open-field burning.
4. Integrate research findings in extension/technology transfer into a production/economic knowledge base that will enable growers to produce grass seed in a practical, economic, energy efficient, environmentally sustainable system.

   Abstract:

   Aggressive cultivar Glade had 3% floral induction on Dec. 1, while non aggressive Kenblue had 40%. Irrigated 'Shamrock' produced 960 Ib/a with open-field burning. Bale only areas produced 487 Ib/a. Needle nose raking, crewcut vacuum sweeping, and rotary raking were not significantly different, but averaged 233 Ib/a less than open-field burned areas. Dryland 'Kenblue' averaged 429 Ib/a and yields were not influenced by residue removal method. Dust emissions were low, 6-71 Ib/a, because of wet conditions. Except for bale only treatment, mechanical residue removal costs 3-4 times that of open-field burning. Grass weeds were highest in bale only areas and lowest with open-field burn and crewcutting.