Extension Service Site Publications

• (2020) Omnivorous Leaftier A ubiquitous and often minor pest of small grains and other seed crops of Western Oregon The omnivorous leaftier has a wide host range and is known to cause damage to species from more than 20 plant families. Native parasitoid wasps manage this pest in natural and cropland settings. The first appearance of this insect in Oregon was noted in 1929 on strawberries and Dutch bulbous iris plantations near Portland. Soon, it was reported in Washington and California feeding on strawberry and flax grown for seed, respectively.
• (2019) Lime requirement buffer pH update 2019 This fact sheet describes recent discrepancies between SMP and Sikora buffer pH lime requirement tests for western Oregon soils and provides recommendations for what to do. Many soil testing labs in the U.S. are switching from the SMP to the Sikora buffer test for lime requirement in an effort to reduce the use of carcinogenic chemicals in the procedure. Wide-scale testing has shown good correlations between the SMP and Sikora tests, however some soils in western Oregon may not follow this pattern. Some soil testing labs serving Oregon are showing higher buffer test values from the Sikora test than the SMP test, while other labs are not reporting a difference between the two tests. Research is on-going and updated buffer pH recommendations are expected in 2020.
• (2016) Endophyte Toxins in Grass and Other Feed Sources: Risks to Livestock Many varieties of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass are infected with a fungal endophyte. Endophytes produce bioactive compounds that, while beneficial to the host plants, can be toxic to livestock that consume them. This publication explains what an endophyte is, describes livestock health problems associated with endophytes, outlines research on toxicity levels, and provides information on safe forage and feed management and endophyte testing services.
• (2013) Perennial Ryegrass Grown For Seed (Western Oregon) Nutrient Management Guide This guide provides nutrient and lime recommendations for establishment of turf and forage perennial ryegrass grown for seed in western Oregon. Healthy plants with adequate root systems are required to obtain the greatest return from your fertilizer investment. The nutrient recommendations in this guide assume that adequate control of weeds, insects, and diseases is achieved. Lack of pest control cannot be overcome by the addition of nutrients.
• (2014) Tall Fescue Grown for Seed: A Nutrient Management Guide for Western Oregon This guide covers key nutrient management topics related to tall fescue grown for seed in western Oregon. Crop growth and timing of nutrient uptake is covered. Specific recommendations for nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, and soil pH provided. A number of appendices address micronutrients, and other research projects that are relevant to the reader audience.
• (2013) Soil Acidity in Oregon: Understanding and Using Concepts for Crop Production Soil acidity, expressed by low soil pH, causes reduced crop growth and significant economic loss. It is the most commonly overlooked and poorly understood yield-limiting factor in western Oregon and a developing concern in eastern Oregon. This publication describes the concept of soil acidity and the limitations it causes for crop production.
• (2011) Using Seed Moisture as a Harvest Management Tool This video demonstrates how to sample for seed moisture content in grass seed crops. The video is a companion to OSU Extension publication EM 9012.
• (2013) Applying Lime to Raise Soil pH for Crop Production (Western Oregon) This publication describes how to estimate lime application rate and lists criteria for choosing liming materials (source), lime application method (placement), and how often to apply lime (frequency).
• (2012) Postharvest Residue Management for Grass Seed Production in Western Oregon This publication incorporates 20 years of field research by OSU faculty comparing two grass-seed residue management methods: full straw load (straw is chopped and left on the field) and clean nonthermal (straw is baled and removed from the field). Comparison includes discussion of seed yield and quality, nutrient management considerations and recommendations, soil characteristics, and recommendations for managing voles, slugs, and weeds.
• (2010) Using the Nitrogen Mineralization Soil Test to Predict Spring Fertilizer N Rate for Soft White Winter Wheat Grown in Western Oregon Soft white winter wheat is grown in western Oregon and requires a spring application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for optimum production. Determining the amount of N to apply has been a challenge for growers. Wheat obtains N from two sources: soil and fertilizer. Both available and mineralizable N can be measured to predict the spring fertilizer N rate for winter wheat by using the "N-min" soil test developed at Oregon State University.
• (2010) Evaluating Soil Nutrients and pH by Depth in Situations of Limited or No Tillage in Western Oregon Many nutrients and lime are not mobile in the soil. When applied to the soil surface without tillage, these materials remain in the top 2 inches, especially in production systems that lack tillage. If a soil sample is taken at a standard 8-inch depth, the top 1 to 2 inches, which have higher nutrient concentrations, will be mixed with the lower 6 to 7 inches, which have lower nutrient concentrations. Surface-applied nutrients that are not mixed will likely not be measured. In addition, continued application of ammonium-N and subsequent nitrification acidifies the surface soil. Therefore, soil collected from several depths should be used to evaluate surface and below-surface conditions.
• (2019) Soft White Winter Wheat (Western Oregon) Nutrient Management Guide Gives nutrient and lime recommendations for soft white winter wheat in western Oregon. Also discusses: impact of diseases, such as take-all root rot, on crop yield; planting in poorly drained soil; soils and settings for wheat production; fall and spring nutrient management; and postharvest evaluation of nitrogen. Includes sources of further information and an overview of the history of related research in western Oregon.