Purdue News
Purdue News
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August 25, 2000 Annual Agronomy Day to feature 50 years of researchWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – History lessons will be mingled in with some of the latest information on farm technology during this year's Purdue University Agronomy Field Day to be held Sept. 7. The field day is free and runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Purdue Agronomy Research Center on U.S. 52, seven miles northwest of the Purdue campus. Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those wishing to purchase it. Parking is available at the front of the center. During this celebration of 50 years of research at the Agronomy Research Center, participants can learn about the progress made in improving corn, soybeans, forages and sorghum. An historical tour will provide a look back at hybrid improvement developments, comparing older varieties to today's crops. "We have planted corn inbreds that date back to 1923, and the difference between those and today's hybrids is dramatic," said Extension agronomist Ben Southard. Other test plots feature the Kingma soybean variety, dating back to 1910. Antique tractors and trucks also will be on display and the history of the Agronomy Research Center will be highlighted. Tours featuring present-day crop research also will be conducted. On the crop biotechnology tour, participants can learn how new genetic tools improve plants. On the tillage systems tour, earthworm management, soil microbial life and soybean rot will be discussed. Another tour will feature issues in site-specific crop management, such as soil electrical conductivity mapping, remote sensing and the challenges of operating yield monitors. The soil fertility and plant nutrition tour will focus on calcium and magnesium ratios, new soybean inoculants, and nitrate issues. The pest management tour will include information on soybean cyst nematodes, rootworms and new ways to control old pests. The tours will run throughout the day and will vary in length from 15 minutes to an hour-and a-half. Attendees also can earn continuing education credits. CONTACT: Southard, (765) 494-4799. Compiled by Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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