Nitrogen Source Effects on the Growth and Development of Burley Tobacco Transplants in the Float System

During the spring of 1996, many tobacco producers used a water soluble 20-10-20 fertilizer in their float beds, only to have to throw out the stunted sickly plants that resulted, and start over. The fertilizer that caused the problems turned out to have 100% of the nitrogen (N) as urea-N. It was hypothesized that the poor growth was related to with the conversion of the urea-N to other forms of N. There have been numerous other cases where producers using fertilizers high in urea-N or ammonium-N (NH4-N) have had problems with stunted plant growth. Further study of nitrogen transformations is warranted to determine what caused the poor growth, and to improve nitrogen management in tobacco float systems

Evaluation of Soilless Media Used in Tobacco Float Systems

A wide range of soilless media is currently available to tobacco growers utilizing the float system for transplant production. Most of the media are predominantly made up of peat moss with varying amounts of perlite, vermiculite,and coconut fibers (coir). One of the most difficult problems for growers has been inconsistency in the media from year to year. Because peat is a natural product, some year to year variability is unavoidable. However, many manufacturers of soilless media have procedures in place to ensure that the final product is as consistent as possible

Should Burley Tobacco Farmers be Concerned About High Rates of Nitrogen Fertilizers?

The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for tobacco production is necessary because (1) tobacco takes up sizable amounts of N, and (2) most soils cannot provide adequate amounts of N. Rates of fertilizer N recommended by the University of Kentucky for burley tobacco production vary based on past cropping history, and under certain conditions can be as high as 350 lbs. N/A However, since tobacco is a high value crop, and profit margins are high, farmers often apply more N than is recommended as insurance against crop losses. The perception of widespread over-application of fertilizer N has resulted in increased concern among tobacco buyers, and environmental groups. Burley tobacco farmers need to be aware of these concerns

Influence of Dibble Shape and Depth on the Germination and Seedling Establishment of Burley Tobacco in the Float System

Direct seeding of pelleted tobacco seed into the float transplant system has become common in Kentucky. Direct seeding reduces labor compared to the plug and transfer method, but it increases the risk involved and requires more management by the producer. Uniform germination, and ultimately a high percentage of useable transplants are the keys to success with direct seeding

Influence of Topping and Harvest Management on the Evaluation of Data From Burley Tobacco Variety Trials

Tobacco producers are always interested in new tobacco varieties, and are continually searching for the best variety. Producers receive information about varieties from a number of sources including; research and extension publications, county extension agents, neighbors, farm supply workers, and seed producers. To help producers evaluate varieties, county agents in cooperation with tobacco specialists conduct many burley tobacco variety trials at the county level

Root Growth and Development of Float Tobacco Transplants Before and After Transplanting

In the production of float tobacco transplants, the seedling produces at least two different kinds of roots. The “media” roots are those that grow in the soilless medium within the float tray cell. They have a normal branched appearance similar to roots produced on soil-bed grown transplants. The “water” roots grow through the soilless medium in tray cells and into the nutrient solution below the float tray. They tend to be very fragile and less branched than roots growing in the soilless medium. In removal of seedlings from tray cells during transplanting, “water” roots are usually badly damaged or destroyed, which could affect establishment of transplants in the field since the most critical period in the development of tobacco plants occurs immediately after transplanting. When these young plants are removed from the protective environment of the float bed system and are subjected to radically different and sometimes adverse field conditions, stress on the juvenile plants is created. Field establishment of these young plants is dependent upon growth or new formation of the “media” and “water” roots. To maximize establishment of transplants, it is important to know how the \u27\u27water roots and the media roots develop in the float system and their contribution to transplant establishment during the first few weeks after transplanting. The objectives of this study were: 1) to characterize the growth of media and \u27\u27water roots on tobacco seedlings in the float system, and 2) to assess tobacco transplant growth with or without \u27\u27water\u27\u27 roots, at two and four weeks after transplanting

Tillage and Subsoiling Effects on Soil Compaction and Yield of Burley Tobacco

Historically, tobacco producers have relied heavily on surface tillage to prepare fields for transplanting. This typically involved moldboard plowing, followed by several secondary tillage operations, such as discing then leveling with a soil finisher. Transplanter developments and modifications in the late 1990’s, coupled with new chemicals for weed control, made no-till (NT) tobacco a viable option for tobacco producers in Kentucky (KY)

Potential Use of Ethephon to Control Lodging of Soybeans

Lodging is sometimes a serious problem with soybeans in Kentucky, especially with the full season crop. However, under, excellent growing conditions, or if planting rates are too high, substantial lodging of double crop soybeans can also occur. If lodging occurs early during seed fill, it can reduce yields directly by causing poorer light use and increasing diseases. If lodging occurs late during seed fill, it will have little direct effect on yield, but may have an indirect effect by slowing down harvest and increasing harvest losses. Thus, the use of an inexpensive chemical to reduce soybean lodging is attractive. Our primary objective in this study was to determine if ethephon (Cerone) could reduce lodging of soybeans. Since we suspected that the shorter plants resulting from ethephon treatment might have set pods closer to the ground, our secondary objective was to determine if ethephon would have a detrimental effect on yield by causing greater harvest losses. While ethephon is not labeled for use on soybeans, we wanted to study its potential use for this important Kentucky crop