SEPAC 2025 Research
SOUTHEAST PURDUE AGRICULTURAL CENTER
RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
2025
Joel Wahlman, Superintendent
4425 East County Road 350 North
Butlerville IN 47223
812-458-6977
jwahlman@purdue.edu
https://ag.purdue.edu/arp/pac/Pages/sepac-home.aspx
Department of Agronomy
Soil Drainage and Water Quality
Long-term project to determine:
1) The effect of tile drain spacing on corn and soybean yields on a Cobbsfork soil
2) Evaluate cover crop biomass across various tile drainage spacings
Eileen Kladivko, Agronomy
CSCAP Cover Crop effects on corn and soybean production
Measurement of cereal rye crop growth and subsequent effects on corn and soybean growth and yield. Determine if a historical cereal rye growth can provide nitrogen credit to corn crop.
Eileen Kladivko, Agronomy
IRA-GHG-Soil Carbon Monitoring Network Site
SE Illinoisan Till Plain site for NRCS long term soil carbon monitoring.
Eileen Kladivko, Agronomy
Conventional and precision seeded cereal rye and balansa clover with various nitrogen rates ahead of corn and soybean.
Shalamar Armstrong, SEND LAB team, Agronomy
Feasibility of Winter Hardy Legumes in the North Central Region 1
sUAS broadcast seeding of red, crimson and Balansa clovers across four seeding dates followed by corn at different nitrogen rates. Determine nitrogen credits that influence synthetic nitrogen fertilizer rates, corn yield, farmer economics and nitrogen fate.
Shalamar Armstrong, SEND LAB team, Agronomy
Feasibility of Winter Hardy Legumes in the North Central Region 2
Inclusion of wheat in corn and soybean rotation, followed by interseeding of cover crops into established double crop soybeans. Quantify above ground biomass, nitrogen uptake and total carbon in root and shoot portions of the cover crop prior to corn planting.
Shalamar Armstrong, SEND LAB team, Agronomy
Utilizing UAS imagery to document spatial variability of cover crop biomass and nutrient content
Utilize sUAS to sense and model cover crop biomass and nutrient uptake spatially across a
landscape
Dan Quinn, Sergio Sosa, Agronomy
Effectiveness of Annual Ryegrass to mitigate negative effects of fragipan soils
Establishment of annual ryegrass on fragipan soils and measure yield differences in corn and soybean with no ryegrass. Measure fragipan depths overtime.
Llyod Murdock, University of Kentucky, SEPAC staff
Popcorn Variety x Nitrogen Rates
Evaluate four popcorn varieties across five nitrogen rates for yield and grain composition
Dan Quinn, Agronomy
Seeding and Nitrogen Rate Trial for popcorn and yellow #2 corn
Reevaluate seed and nitrogen rate recommendations for popcorn.
Dan Quinn, Agronomy
Data-Intensive Farm Management Project (DFIM)
Utilize and evaluate open-source cloud-based software for intensive trial designs
Dan Quinn, Agronomy & University of Illinois
Evaluation of short stature and standard stature corn hybrids
Evaluate nitrogen, population and harvestability of short and standard stature hybrids
Dan Quinn, Erick Oliva, Agronomy
Evaluation of commercially available biological products to supplement corn nitrogen needs
Evaluate various biological products across multiple synthetic nitrogen rates to quantify
possible nitrogen contribution of biological product
Dan Quinn, Agronomy
Development of tool to design research trials based upon historical spatial variability
Utilize historical data to account for spatial variability and assist in trial design
Dan Quinn, Agronomy; Sneha Ja, Engineering
2024-2025 FiberX Corn ICMC
Assess the impact of corn stover removal percentages following grain harvest on nutrient removal rates and soil nutrient level changes across different hybrids and grain yield levels.
Dan Quinn, Agronomy; Bruno Paulus Scheffer Sr, Agronomy
Data Development and Modeling
Utilize and explore SEPAC’s archived GIS data to develop data flows and initiate and integrate modeling
Pratishtha Poudel, Agronomy; Adewumi Adeayo, Agriculture and Biological Engineering; Gustavo Zapata, Ag Data Services
Evaluating nitrogen fertilization impacts on the below-ground root system, CO2
emission flux and soil carbon pool of short stature corn hybrids
Yichao Rui & Binod Joshi, Agronomy
Long-term impact of cereal rye cover crops on biological soil health in a corn-soybean rotation in southeastern Indiana
Yichao Rui & Anshu Siwach, Agronomy
Evaluate the agronomic efficiency of currently recommended potassium fertilizer rates
Alex Helms PAC administration, Megan Bourns, Agronomy
Soybean Spatial Variability of Soybean Quality
Map spatial variability of soybean quality, protein, oil, fatty acids, etc. and predict it prior to harvest with remote sensing
Shaun Casteel, Agronomy & Kansas State University
Soybean Response to combinations of sulfur and nitrogen fertilizer x planting date
Evaluate soybean response to nitrogen and sulfur fertilization in combination with two planting dates.
Shaun Casteel, Agronomy - SEPAC staff
Soybean Inoculant x sulfur study
Evaluate soybean response to various levels of inoculant with and without sulfur following a fourteen-year continuous corn field
Shaun Casteel, Agronomy; Dan Quinn, Agronomy
Soybean seeding rate x planting date
Evaluate soybean response to seeding rate in early and late planted timings
Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
Soybean Response to cover crop, sulfur and nitrogen fertilization
Evaluate soybean response to interactions of cereal rye, sulfur and nitrogen combinations
Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
Soybean N Credit
Establishment of corn, soybean and fallow treatments year one. Corn established across all treatments year two with various nitrogen rates.
Shaun Casteel, Agronomy
USDA-ARS Northern Soybean Uniform Test
Evaluate USDA_ARS Northern Uniform Soybean Test strains grouped by maturity for comparison and seed increases
Adam Brock, USDA-ARS
Resilient Ag Project
Long-term evaluation and monitoring of plant, soil and insects in a conventional management system versus a reduced input management system.
Roland Wilhelm, Agronomy- soil microbiome quantification
Resilient Ag Project
Long-term evaluation and monitoring of plant, soil and insects in a conventional management system versus a reduced input management system.
Yichao Rui -Agronomy-Deep and shallow cores for Organic Matter, Carbon, Nutrients
Long-term evaluation and monitoring of plant, soil and insects in a conventional management system versus a reduced input management system.
Siddhartho Paul, Geospatial Science – georeferencing fields
Department of Botany & Plant Pathology
Field Scale Fungicide applications methods to soybean
Evaluation of R3 and R5 fungicide applications via drone and ground rig at various carrier volumes
Darcy Telenko, Monica Mizuno, Ivis Miranda Botany and Plant Pathology
Field scale fungicide application methods to corn
Evaluation of R1 fungicide applications via drone and ground rig at various carrier volumes
Darcy Telenko, Monica Mizuno, Ivis Miranda Botany and Plant Pathology
Corn and Soybean Sentinel Plots
Establishment of susceptible hybrids for observation of various disease presence and severity throughout the growing season
Darcy Telenko, Botany and Plant Pathology
Waterhemp sampling network
Collection site of water hemp to sample various biotypes and resistance levels across the Midwest region under various cropping management systems. Evaluate genetic diversity and the expanse of herbicide resistance.
Julia Kreiner, University of Chicago, Department of Ecology and Evolution
USB Early Planted Soybean Trial
Evaluation of soybeans planting dates and various herbicide management programs
Bill Johnson, Estevan Carson, Botany and Plant Pathology
Tar Spot Spore Trapping
Collect and monitor tar spot spores throughout the growing season
Darcy Telenko, Morgan Goodnight, Botany and Plant Pathology
Layered Fungicide Applications in Corn
Apply combinations of planter applied, VT and R3 fungicides. Evaluate disease, grain yield, moisture and mycotoxin development
Darcy Telenko, Botany and Plant Pathology; Dan Quinn, Agronomy
Resilient Ag Project
Long-term evaluation and monitoring of plant, soil and insects in a conventional management system versus a reduced input management system.
Darcy Telenko, Botany and Plant Pathology- pathogen surveys in corn/soybean
Department of Entomology
Resilient Ag Project
Long-term evaluation and monitoring of plant, soil and insects in a conventional management system versus a reduced input management system.
Christian Krupke, Entomology – Pest/beneficial insect surveys in corn/soybean- pollinator (bumblebee) colony health data
Cooperative Ag Pest Survey (CAPS) for exotic insect pests of soybean corn and oak
Installation and monitoring of a trap array for exotic insect pests as part of a statewide survey network
Alicia Kelley, CAPS Indiana State Coordinator
Corn Earworm Pheromone Trapping
To monitor the presence of corn earworm moths.
Laura Ingwell, Entomology
Soybean Aphid Suction Trap
To monitor the presence of soybean aphid and other aphid species.
Dave Voegtlin, National Soybean Research Center
Spotted Lanternfly Trapping
Installation and monitoring of traps
John Couture, Entomology
Forest Insect Pest Monitoring
Establish annual insect sampling sites to monitor the spread of new and ongoing forest insects involved in the establishment and spread of forest pests and diseases
Phil Marshall, Indiana DNR
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System
An international collaborative research network that uses coordinated automated radio telemetry to facilitate research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals.
John Dunning, Kaitlyn Young, Brian Beheler, Don Carlson, FNR; SEPAC Staff
UAS Wildlife Inventory Method Testing
Purpose: Monitor activity of Northern Long-eared bats through various collection methods.
Contact: Tina Jackson, Dr. Patrick Zollner, Forest and Natural Resources
Bacterial Leaf Scorch Disease monitoring
Monitor the spread and impacts of bacterial leaf scorch disease in a red oak provenance planting. Evaluate disease compared to red oak genetics from all regions of its native range.
Phil Marshall, Indiana DNR, Jenny Juzwic, US Forest Service, Matt Ginzel, Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Edge Feathering
Implementation of edge feathering management practices around wooded field borders for increased wildlife habitat and evaluation of crop yield response to the practice
Jarred Brooke, Don Carlson Forestry & Natural Resources – SEPAC staff
Field Edge Management Techniques and Demonstrations
Implementation of various field edge techniques to improve profitability and wildlife habitat
Jarred Brooke, Don Carlson Forestry and Natural Resources – SEPAC staff
Controlled Burn Management for Oak Regeneration
Evaluate the of effectiveness of utilizing controlled burn as a management strategy to increase oak species competitiveness in a regeneration site
Jarred Brooke, Don Carlson Forestry and Natural Resources
Warm Season Grass Plantings
Establishment of warm season grasses and forbs for demonstrating various management techniques and plant identification education
Jarred Brooke, Forestry and Natural Resources
Indiana Bat Survey Network
Part of a network surveying bat communities across the state of Indiana to evaluate maps predicting the current distribution of bats based on huge population declines
Scott Bergeson, Biological Sciences, Purdue Fort Wayne; Pat Zollner, Forestry and Natural Resources
Biomass Harvest Site Demonstration Tree Planting
Four, two-acre planting sites with four treatments and half of the acreage fenced.
Don Carlson, Forestry & Natural Resources
Woody Biomass Removal Study -2012
Harvest a woody biomass to document the economic returns and ecological impacts from varying woody biomass retention levels. Maintained as a demonstration and extension education site
Mike Saunders and John Dunning, Forestry & Natural Resources; Don Carlson, Forestry and Natural Resource
Characterizing abiotic and biotic tree stress using hyperspectral information - Started 2019
Incorporating digital approaches into forest monitoring and management to potentially mediate the negative impact of stressors on forests.
John Coulture Entomology, Doug Jacobs, Forestry and Natural Resources
Soil Suitability Studies – Started in 2019
Evaluate the framework of Wallace & Young (NRCS) black walnut suitability index by intensively sampling soils at black walnut sites. Further, analyses of soils data in conjunction with planted black walnut family genotype data will be used to look for trends in soil characteristics or survival of families on a particular site.
Shaneka Lawson, US Forest Service, Forestry and Natural Resources
Screening Butternut for Resistance to Butternut Canker Disease - Started 2011
To evaluate butternut canker disease.
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Ecological Fitness and Comparison of Pure and Hybrid Butternut - Started 2011
Evaluate butternut from all over the native range as well as hybrids and pure lines from the SEPAC orchard.
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Pure Butternut Seed Orchard of New Clones Resistant to Butternut Canker – Started 2011
Orchard seed production.
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Butternut Test - Started 2010
Evaluate butternut from all over the native range as well as hybrids and pure lines from the SEPAC orchard.
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Limited Range Provenance Test of Black Cherry – Started 2006
First year test in Southern Indiana of a limited range provenance (common garden) test to evaluate black cherry seedlings collected from the Allegheny National forest in Northwestern Pennsylvania in comparison to northern and southern Indiana sources along with seedlings from selections in an IDNR seed orchard with other plots in Central Indiana and Southern Michigan 50 miles north of the Indiana border.
Phil O’Connor, Indiana Department of Natural Resources; Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Mass Selection of Butternut for Resistance to Butternut Canker from a Range-Wide Collection – Started 2005
Evaluation of Butternut seedlings collected throughout the native range of butternut from resistant individuals for future breeding and development of Butternut Canker resistant germplasm.
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Mass Selection of Butternut for Resistance to Butternut Canker from a Wisconsin Forest – Started 2004
Evaluation of Butternut seedlings from a wood lot in Wisconsin where a large population of
Butternut trees with resistance to the butternut canker fungus are growing.
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Butternut Resistance Test – Started 2004
A test of susceptible, moderately resistant and resistant butternut seedling families for resistance to butternut canker disease.
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration
Butternut Resistance Seed Orchard – Started 2001
Grafted butternuts from resistant selections from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) to be used for future breeding of resistant butternut along with own-rooted cuttings from butternut seedlings.
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center; Mike Ostry USDA-Forest Service -Northern Research Station; John Seifert, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Progeny Test of Black Walnut Families for Timber Production via Sprouted Seed - Started 2004
Evaluation of select black walnut families for vigor and timber quality using sprouted seed as a means of better controlling variables such as initial seedling size and to make grid-planting easier and more economical
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Effect of Genotype and Seedling Size on Early Walnut Plantation Performance
Test walnut seedlings from 9 diverse mother trees grown at 3 different planting densities in the IDNR State Forestry Nursery for out-planting survival and growth.
Doug Jacobs, Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Limited Range Black Cherry Provenance Test – Started 2007
Second year test in Southern Indiana of a limited range provenance (common garden) test to evaluate Black Cherry seedlings collected from the Allegheny National forest in north western Pennsylvania in comparison to northern and southern Indiana sources along with seedlings from selections in an IDNR seed orchard. Other plots are in Central Indiana and Southern Michigan 50 miles north of the Indiana border.
Brian Beheler, Forestry & Natural Resources; USDA Forest Service, National Forest - Region 9; Phil O'Connor,Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Red Oak Progeny Test – Started 2008
The beginning of a northern red oak improvement program using genetic testing of select northern red oak seed trees.
HTIRC, Forestry & Natural Resources; Phil O'Connor, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Black Walnut Progeny Test – Started 2008
Ongoing genetic improvement of select black walnut seed trees to develop improved walnut seed sources for Indiana and the Midwest.
Keith Woeste, and Jim McKenna, Forestry & Natural Resources
Deer Fencing, Select Genetics, & Slow-Release Fertilizer Mixed Hardwood Plantation – Started 2008
Demonstration of research results that have shown improvement in tree growth and form utilizing deer fencing, select genetic stock, and fertilizing with slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting with each main factor being tested in large blocks to demonstrate their applied application with species including northern red oak, white oak, black walnut & cherry.
Don Carlson, Lenny Farlee, Mike Saunders, Doug Jacobs, and Keith Woester, Forestry & Natural Resources; Phil O'Connor and Bob Hawkins, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Red Oak Progeny Test – Started 2009
Ongoing genetic improvement of select black walnut seed trees to develop improved
northern red oak seed sources for Indiana and the Midwest.
Keith Woeste, and Jim McKenna, Forestry & Natural Resources; Phil O'Connor, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Black Walnut & Northern Red Oak Container-grown vs. Bare-Root Nursery Grown Stock – Started 2009
Assess the performance of containerized grown tree seedling to determine uniformity, yearto-year consistency and lower cost of planting of red oak and black walnut.
Lenny Farlee,Keith Woeste, Don Carlson, and Jim McKenna, Forestry & Natural Resources; Anthony Davis, University of Idaho
White Oak Regeneration Study – Started 2023
Evaluation of techniques to encourage white oak reestablishment in forested ecosystems
Mike Saunders, Don Carlson, Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue Continuous Forestry Inventory Plots
Maintain forestry inventory data from all forested compartments
Don Carlson, Forestry & Natural Resources
Oak Wilt Management
Monitoring of forested compartments to detect and asses oak wilt outbreaks in red oak stands. Confirmed infected stands will be salvaged at the appropriate times to contain or eradicate the disease.
Don Carlson, Forestry and Natural Resources
Timber Stand Improvement
Conducted as necessary on forested compartments and tree plantings to maximize forest productivity and maintain forest health.
Don Carlson, Forestry and Natural Resources
Timber Sales and Harvesting
Management of timber resources in conjunction with forest management plans and FNR policies. Standing timber is marked, advertised and sold via sealed bid sales. FNR and SEPAC staff do conduct some timber harvesting to address salvage, research, extension or other unique situations presented.
Don Carlson, Forestry and Natural Resources & SEPAC Staff
Invasive Plant Control
Control of non-native invasive plants (IPs) in forested areas. Controlled IPs include: Asian bush honeysuckle, multi-flower rose, autumn olive, Japanese honeysuckle, Tree of Heaven (ailanthus), Japanese stilt grass, common buckthorn, reed canary grass, Japanese barbary, wintercreeper, privit, perrywinkle, burning bush, Johnson grass. Development of boundary identification and GIS mapping of infestations.
Don Carlson, Forestry and Natural Resources;
SEPAC STAFF/Collaborations
Mechanical termination vs. chemical termination of Balansa clover
Demonstration of management techniques to provide nitrogen to corn crop
SEPAC staff
Early Planted Soybean Row Spacing Study
Revisit row spacing 15” vs. 30” on early planted soybeans
Corn Management System Demonstration
Plant multiple hybrids under low and high management programs and evaluate yield
SEPAC staff
Evaluate soybean yield with treatments of fungicide, fungicide + micronutrient packages, control
Evaluation and Implementation of 3D Land forming utilizing advanced software and GPS technologies
Utilize commercially available software platforms: OptiSurface and Trimble WM Form on southeastern Indiana soils with significant surface drainage problems to determine if the technology can improve surface drainage