Earlier research has shown that higher leaf yields of burley tobacco result from topping and controlling sucker (axillary bud) growth. Suckering practices which provide the greatest degree of sucker control generally result in highest leaf yields . Chemically suckering with maleic hydrazide (MH-30) and other chemicals provides for a higher degree of control than most hand sucker ing practices although hand sucker ing at frequent intervals may produce leaf yields comparable to those from use of maleic hydrazide. High leaf yields resulting from a high degree of sucker control has been attributed to the elimination of the use of photosynthate to produce suckers
