PPAC 2025 Research
Stephen Boyer, Superintendent
11402 South County Line Road
Wanatah, IN 46390
219-733-2379 office
765-744-4337 cell
sboyer@purdue.edu
https://ag.purdue.edu/arp/pac/Pages/ppac-home.aspx
The Pinney Purdue Ag Center conducted 108 total research projects in 2025.
Agronomy Department
Soybean Seed Treatment and Sulfur Fertilizer Use After Long-Term Continuous Corn
Purpose: Examine the effects of various soybean seed treatments and sulfur fertilizer applications after 20+ years of continuous corn monocropping.
Contact: Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
Phosphorous Deficiency in Soybean Production
Purpose: Evaluate phosphorous deficiency in soybeans due to Low P soil levels
Contact: Megan Bourns, Agronomy
Popcorn Response to Nitrogen Rates
Purpose: Industry funded research plots to examine the effects of nitrogen rates on commercial popcorn hybrids
Contact: Dan Quinn, Agronomy
UAV Sensing in Cereal Rye No-Till Corn Production
Purpose: Evaluate the use of new technology such as UAV imagery to create in-season nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer application recommendations
Contact: Dan Quinn, Agronomy
4 Small Plot Trials
Purpose: Industry funded research to examine various aspects of corn production
Contact: Dan Quinn, Agronomy
4 Small Plot Trials
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of soybean production using biological products, fertilizer blends, seed treatments, and different varieties.
Contact: Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
Xyway Fungicide Usage During Starter and Sidedress Applications
Purpose: Evaluate the yield and disease effects of Xyway fungicide applied at various growth stages
Contact: Dan Quinn, Agronomy
In-Furrow Potassium Fertilizer Applications in Soybeans
Purpose: Evaluate the yield response of in-furrow potassium (K) fertilizer in soybeans.
Contact: Shaun Casteel, Alex Helms, Stephen Boyer, Agronomy, Purdue Ag Centers
Sulfur Fertilizer Applications vs Planting Date in Soybeans
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of soybean planting dates and sulfur applications using AMS
Contact: Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
Corn Planter Technology Showcase
Purpose: Evaluate the high cost and ROI of new planting technology by comparing it to older conventional equipment
Contact: Alex Helms, Stephen Boyer, Purdue Ag Centers
Soybean Seeding Rate vs Planting Date Study
Purpose: Determine optimal soybean seeding rates for planting dates in April and May.
Contact: Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
Low Nitrogen Tolerance in Perennial Ryegrass Germplasm
Purpose: Evaluate nitrogen levels in ryegrass production.
Contact: Cankui Zhang, Agronomy
Sorghum Hybrids Production
Purpose: Evaluate various forage and grain sorghum hybrids
Contact: Tesfaye Tesso, Agronomy
6 Small Plot Trials
Purpose: Industry funded research to examine various aspects of corn production such as
corn root architecture, fertilizer applications, and carbon sources
Contact: Dan Quinn, Agronomy
In-Furrow Potassium Fertilizer Application
Purpose: Evaluate the yield response of in-furrow potassium (K) fertilizer in corn.
Contact: Dan Quinn, Megan Bourns, Alex Helms, Agronomy, Purdue Ag Centers
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of soybean production using biological products, fertilizer blends, seed treatments, and different varieties.
Contact: Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
Botany and Plant Pathology Department
23 Small Plot Trials
Purpose: Corn and soybean production with a focus on disease evaluation and management using various fungicide products, irrigation, spraying techniques, spraying timings, and other practices
Contact: Darcy Telenko, Botany & Plant Pathology
Soybean White Mold Demonstration and Evaluation
Purpose: Monitor and evaluate white mold disease in soybeans
Contact: Darcy Telenko, Botany & Plant Pathology
15 Trials – Weed Science Evaluation of Herbicides
Purpose: Determine the effectiveness of new chemicals, tank mixes, adjuvants, herbicide label recommendations, nozzles, and other technologys.
Contact: Julie Young, Botany & Plant Pathology
AMVAC Corn Herbicide Carryover Study
Purpose: Study the effects of various herbicide products and their carryover effects from year to year in corn and soybeans
Contact: Julie Young, Botany & Plant Pathology
Early Planted Soybeans and Residual Herbicides – Large Scale
Purpose: Evaluate the effects from cold and wet weather on residual herbicides and early planted soybeans from March through May in sandy soils
Contact: Julie Young, Estevan Cason, Botany & Plant Pathology
Early Planted Soybeans and Residual Herbicides – Small Plot
Purpose: Evaluate the effects from cold and wet weather on residual herbicides and early planted soybeans from March through May in sandy soils
Contact: Julie Young, Estevan Cason, Botany & Plant Pathology
Seed Treatment Effects on Early Planted Soybeans
Purpose: United Soybean Board funded trial investigating the effects of variuos seed treatments on soybeans planted throughout the spring (March – June)
Contact: Darcy Telenko, Botany & Plant Pathology
Horticulture Department
Herbicide Applications in Pumpkins
Purpose: Evaluate the effectiveness of various herbicides in pumpkin production
Contact: Steve Meyers, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
High Tunnel Cover Crop Demonstration
Purpose: Demonstrate the use of various cover crops in the outdoor high tunnel footprints
Contact: Liz Maynard, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Mary S. Rice Farm
6 Small Plot Trials
Purpose: Evaluate effects of various soybean production practices including biological products, fertilizer blends, and seed treatments
Contact: Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
DIFM Corn Population Variable Rate Planting Study
Purpose: Large scale research experiment utilizing prescription planting technology to determine the effects of variable rate seeding rates in corn production
Contact: Dan Quinn, Agronomy
Corteva Fungicide Timing Model
Purpose: Large scale corn research trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Corteva’s fungicide application and tar spot models
Contact: Carl Joern, Alex Helms, Stephen Boyer, Corteva, Purdue Ag Centers
Irrigation Scheduling Procedures
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of irrigation in corn production according to scheduling tools provided by Purdue and MSU
Contact: Stephen Boyer, Purdue Ag Center
Irrigation Scheduling Procedures
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of irrigation in soybean production according to scheduling tools provided by Purdue and MSU
Contact: Stephen Boyer, Purdue Ag Center
Valent Foliar Study
Purpose: Industry funded large scale research trial to evaluate the effects of Valent foliar biostimulant products in corn production
Contact: Dan Quinn, Agronomy
Forestry & Natural Resources Department
2005 Black Cherry Coppice Trial
Purpose: To test the effect of coppicing cherry trees after four years of growth on timber form and quality.
Contact: Don Carlson, Brian Beheler, Department of FNR, Phil O’Connor, IN-DNR Forestry
2009 Black Cherry Progeny Test
Purpose: One of a series of progeny tests of various cherry families from a grafted seed orchard.
Contact: Don Carlson, Caleb Kell, and Brian Beheler - Department of FNR
2009 Containerized Stock Test
Purpose: Compare Red Oak and Walnut grown in two different sized containers vs. bare rootstock.
Contact: Don Carlson, Caleb Kell, Lenny Farlee, and Brian Beheler - Department of FNR
2011 MOG Butternut Study
Purpose: Compare hybrid and pure Butternut in relation to Black Walnut and Red Oak.
Contact: Don Carlson, Caleb Kell, Brian Beheler, and Doug Jacobs - Department of FNR
2011-2013 Advanced Butternut Seed Orchard
Purpose: A grafted seed orchard with new selections that have proven resistant to Butternut Canker fungus in screening tests at Purdue University.
Contact: Don Carlson, Caleb Kell, and Brian Beheler - Department of Forestry & Natural
Purpose: Study the Competition, coexistence and community structure: Identifying the mechanisms that structure Indiana forests.
Contact: Dr. Brady Hardiman
Natural Resources Demonstration Area
Purpose: Demonstration area to showcase FNR research and management examples for public Field Days, workshops, other trainings for future FNR students.
Contact: Don Carlson and Brian Beheler, Forestry & Natural Resources
Spatially Explicit Densities of Indiana Wildlife
Purpose: Use various small UAVs to test and optimize methodology for the detection of nocturnal and diurnal wildlife.
Contact: Tina Jackson, Forestry & Natural Resources
Entomology Department
Corn Ear Worm Trapping
Purpose: Monitor the presence of corn earworm throughout the corn growing season.
Contact: Laura Ingwell, Entomology
Indiana Invasive Species Council (CAPS)
Purpose: Detect, monitor, prevent, and manage new and established invasive species
Contact: Alicia Kelley, CAPS State Survey Coordinator, Entomology
Crop Rotation Impacts on Parasitic Nematodes
Purpose: Evaluating the effects of corn, soybean and mint crop rotations on nematodes
Contact: Elizabeth Long, Christian Krupke, Entomology
Purdue Extension and Other Cooperating Agencies
Soybean Aphid Suction Trapping
Purpose: Monitor the presence of soybean aphids in NW Indiana.
Contact: Doris Lagos-Kutz, USDA-ARS, University of Illinois
USDA Regional Soybean Trials
Purpose: USDA-ARS funded research to evaluate soybean varieties grouped by maturity.
Contact: Adam Brock, USDA-ARS
National Weather Service Station
Purpose: Provide daily weather information to the National Weather Service.
Contact: Rachel Cobb, Stephen Boyer, NWS, Purdue Ag Center
Purdue Mesonet Weather Station Network
Purpose: Automated collection of weather data
Contact: Beth Hall, Indiana State Climate Office Director
Porter Co. SWCD Corn Demonstration
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of corn production by comparing no-till and cover crop usage vs conventional tillage to promote conservative farming practices to NW IN farmers
Contact: Porter County Soil and Water Conservation District
Porter Co. SWCD Soybean Demonstration
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of soybean production by comparing no-till and cover crop usage vs conventional tillage to promote conservative farming practices to NW IN farmers
Contact: Porter County Soil and Water Conservation District
Corn Planting Dates
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of various corn planting dates from early April through May
Contact: Nikky Witkowski, Brieanna Slonaker, Area XI Purdue Extension
Soybean Planting Dates
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of various soybean planting dates from early April through May
Contact: Nikky Witkowski, Brieanna Slonaker, Area XI Purdue Extension
Corn Production Practices
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of no-till, tillage and cover crop usage in corn production
Contact: Nikky Witkowski, Brieanna Slonaker, Jesi Davenport, Area XI Purdue Extension
Soybean Production Practices
Purpose: Evaluate the effects of no-till, tillage and cover crop usage in soybean production
Contact: Nikky Witkowski, Brieanna Slonaker, Jesi Davenport, Area XI Purdue Extension
Evolution of Waterhemp Herbicide Resistance
Purpose: Weed sampling to evaluate potential resistance to herbicide applications
Contact: Julia Kreiner, University of Chicago, Dept of Ecology & Evolution