Developing a Fertilizer Program for Tobacco

Use of adequate amounts of required fertilizer nutrients are necessary to increase both yield and quality of tobacco if they are lacking in a soil. However, to insure maximum profits from the tobacco crop, careful consideration must be given to fertilizer management (kinds, rates, and methods and times of fertilizer application), the chemical and physical characteristics of the soil, and the crops grown in rotation with tobacco. To develop a profitable fertilization program for tobacco requires thoughtful planning on the part of the grower. Late summer and early fall is a good time to make these plans for the future

Soybean Inoculation

Well-nodulated soybean plants are needed for most efficient soybean production. Recent research by University of Kentucky Agronomy Department personnel indicated that on Maury soil without N fertilizer, nodulating plant types of Clark 63 variety yielded 8 bushels per acre more than the non-nodulating Clark 63. With application of 125 lbs N per acre to the non-nodulating type only, both types yielded the same, showing the value of good nodulation

Liming Tobacco Soils

Control of soil acidity by liming is very important in successful tobacco culture. Adding lime to an acid soil increases the availability of nearly all plant nutrient elements, increases the efficiency of added fertilizers, and prevents the toxic effects of high concentrations of soluble aluminum, manganese, and iron. It is a natural tendency for most Kentucky soils to become acid with time due to losses of bases (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) from soil by rainfall, However, tobacco soils possess certain unique problems that warrant careful monitoring of soil pH every two to three years

Molybdenum Nutrition of Crops in Kentucky

Molybdenum (Mo) is one of eight micronutrient elements required for the growth of plants. Research conducted in California nearly 40 years ago established its need for plant growth. Mo deficiencies have been reported throughout the world, especially on acid soils in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Generally, the Mo requirement of leguminous crops is greater than for non~legumes, but many non-leguminous field and vegetable crops have responded to additions of fertilizer Mo under severe deficiency conditions. Of all the nutrient elements required by plants for growth, Mo is needed in smallest amounts

Efficient Use of Fertilizer on Tobacco

Recent increases in fertilizer prices and other productions costs have stimulated interest in ways to increase the efficiency of fertilizer use while maintaining or increasing yields and quality of tobacco. Growers currently spend about $250 per acre for fertilizer. Although this represents only 15 to 20 percent of the total cash costs per acre, it is one category of cash expenses that can be decreased

Current Research on Band Application of Fertilizer To Burley Tobacco

Present Status: Generally, past research conducted in the United States has shown that only one-half to two-thirds as much fertilizer is required to produce maximum crop yields when the fertilizer is properly banded as when it is broadcast. However, the magnitude of plant response to banding compared to broadcast applications varies widely with soil nutrient levels, soil temperature, soil pH, and the mobility of the nutrient being applied. Greatest benefits from banding result from (a) applications to soils having low or very-low soil test levels of the nutrient in question, (b) applications to crops grown in cool climates, (3) applications to either acid or alkaline soils, and (d) applications of nutrients designated as being immobile. In contrast, broadcast and band applications have about equal efficiencies on soils with medium to high soil test levels, neutral pH, high temperatures, and the nutrient is considered to be a mobile nutrient in soil. Because of the potential for greater efficiency from banded banding may be one way to lower fertilizer costs under certain conditions

Timing N-P-K Fertilizer to Burley Tobacco

Recent changes in the Federal tobacco program (causing reduced income to growers} coupled with high fertilizer and other production costs have stimulated interest in fertilization practices that increase efficiency of tobacco production. Practices that increase yields and/or quality of cured leaf without increasing production costs should result in increased profit. Research conducted by Agronomists at the University of Kentucky indicates increased yield is possible through proper timing of fertilizer applications, split applications, and in some cases by banding applications

Approach to Bioremediation of Contaminated Surface Soils

Biological processes, including microbial degradation, have been identified as critical mechanisms for attenuating organic contaminants during transit through the vadose zone to the groundwater. On-site soil remedial measures using biological processes can reduce or eliminate groundwater contamination, thus reducing the need for extensive groundwater monitoring and treatment requirements. On-site remedial systems that utilize the soil as the treatment system accomplish treatment by using naturally occurring microorganisms to treat the contaminants. Treatment often may be enhanced by a variety of physical/chemical methods, such as fertilization, tilling, soil Ph adjustment, moisture control, etc. The development of a bioremediation program for a specific contaminated soil system includes: (1) a thorough site/soil/waste characterization; (2) treatability studies; and (3) design and implementation of the bioremediation plan. Biological remediation of soils contaminated with organic chemicals has been demonstrated to be an alternative treatment technology that can often meet the goal of achieving a permanent clean-up remedy at hazardous waste sites, as encouraged by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for implementation of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. Bioremediation is especially promising if it is incorporated in a remediation plan that uses an integrated approach to the cleanup of the complete site, i.e., a plan that involves the concept of a treatment train of physical, chemical, and/or biological processes to address remediation of all sources of contaminants at the site

Bioremediation of Contaminated Surface Soils

Biological remediation of soils contaminated with organic chemicals is an alternative treatment technology that can often meet the goal of achieving a permanent clean-up remedy at hazardous waste sites, as encouraged by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for implementation of The Superfund Amendments and Authorization Act (SARA) of 1986. Bioremediation is consistent with the philosophical thrust of SARA, for it involves the use of naturally occurring microorganisms to degrade and/or detoxify hazardous constituents in the soil at a contaminated slip to protect public health and the environment.Bioremediation of contaminated soils, including applications and limitations, has been addressed

Factors Affecting Crop Response to Liming

Soil acidity levels directly affect the rate, kinds, and degree of chemical reactions which take place in soil. Crops respond to varying degrees to these chemical reactions. For the most part, these reactions affect the solubility of mineral elements in soil and the activity of the soil\u27s biological processes. As a result, the availability of many plant nutrient elements is regulated by soil acidity. The level of availability of plant required nutrients can be adequate, deficient, or toxic to the plant, depending on the nutrient, soil acidity, and the crop. That is why measurement of soil acidity is regarded by many to be the single most important chemical test for use in determining how well plants are likely to grow in soil. Acidity in soil is best controlled by proper applications of agricultural limestone