Burley Tobacco Production
2007
Gary Palmer
University of Kentucky
Useable plant percentage of TN 90 burley
tobacco seed on different brands of media
Brand of Media
Kentucky Burley
Molding Tray
Beltwide
“Shallow” Tray
Media Avg.
All Peat
90.4
89.3
89.8
Burley Gold
87.2
89.2
88.2
Carolina Silver
92.5
92.7
92.6
Carolina Choice
94.7
91.9
93.3
Kentucky Paydirt
91.7
89.0
90.4
Metromix Ag-Lite
94.2
94.2
94.2
Southern States
93.7
91.0
92.4
Southern States w COIR
87.0
89.1
88.1
Speedling Fortified
91.1
90.5
90.8
Sunshine LT5
91.3
92.7
92.0
Tray Avg.
91.4
91.0
Burley Variety
Update
Black Shank, Target Spot Incidence &
Burley Tobacco Vigor – Late Season
Harrison Co. – Ricci Rowland Farm
90
6
80
5
70
60
%
4
50
3
40
30
2
20
1
10
0
0
HB04P
K14 X L8
% Black Shank
KT204
KTH206
% Vigor
NC 6
TN 90
LSD 0.05
Target Spot (Rating (1-10)
Burley Tobacco Yield
Fayette Co. – Robert Eads Farm
3500
3316
3077
3000
3139
623
791
1720
1722
1786
1768
665
627
686
767
722
758
3255
3240
783
706
2867
3209
672
682
2000
1500
1905
1816
1796
1554
1000
500
689
502
740
630
TN
90
LC
B
30
4
R
7
N
C
6
N
C
73
71
N
6
K
TH
20
04
K
T2
P
0
H
B
04
Yield lb/a
2500
3008
Flyings
Lugs
Leaf
Total
Burley Tobacco Yield
Taylor Co. – Chad Sullivan Farm
3000
2954
2204
682
2000
1500
505
718
2265
1130
703
2458
649
538
137
649
210
868
280
402
194
546
634
555
714
764
611
607
1000
2754
2449
554
620
968
1020
730
848
373
357
FLYINGS
LUGS
LEAF
TIPS
TOTAL
D
LS
TN
90
LC
B
30
4
526
R
N
C
6
N
C
6
394
K
TH
20
04
K
T2
P
0
424
376
7
500
H
B
04
Yield lb/a
2500
2732
Burley Tobacco Stalk Diameter at Harvest
Woodford Co. – Rusty Thompson Farm
1.55
1.5
Inches
1.45
1.4
1.35
1.3
1.25
1.2
HB04P KT 204
KTH
206
N 7371
NC 5
LSD 0.05 = 0.12
NC 6
NC 7
R 307
TN 90
LCB
Burley Tobacco Yield
Woodford Co. – Rusty Thompson Farm
2714
3000
637
2715
814
698
2618
2629
642
2886
2965
2850
794
843
788
2396
387
163
802
750
2000
731
631
1500
1000
608
1008
907
964
337
380
445
615
638
608
589
559
981
954
388
314
1055
1114
533
145
809
200
304
109
1071
90
LC
B
30
7
R
7
TN
Flyings
Lugs
Leaf
Tips
Total
LS
D
401
395
NC
6
NC
5
NC
73
71
399
N
KT
H2
06
04
P
0
KT
20
4
500
HB
Yield lb/a
2500
2732
Fertilization
Nitrogen Fertilizer Issues

Economics


Production cost up
N fertilizer prices up



Availability


Homeland security issues
Nitrosamine concerns


Price tied to natural gas
Transportation costs up
Tobacco companies want less N applied
Quality concerns

Too little:


thin body, poor yield
Too much:

delayed maturity, fat stems
Alternative N Sources

Dolomitic – Ammonium Nitrate (27% N)

Ammonium nitrate mixed with lime


78% ammonium nitrate
Theoretically similar to ammonium nitrate

Can impregnate some chemicals ?
Relatively high cost?
 Availability (Bagged)
 Limited practical experience

Alternative N Sources



Sodium Nitrate (16% N)
Calcium Nitrate (15.5% N)
Sodium-Potassium Nitrate
(15% N)





Immediate uptake (good for
sidedress)
Good for low pH soils
Erratic availability
High cost
Low analysis – high transport
cost
Alternative N Sources

UAN 28%
Effects of Ammonium Nitrate
Application on Soil pH
Anhydrous Ammonia, Urea, UAN solutions : similar
0N
240 lbs N
Soil pH
6.4
6.2
6
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
21-Aug
14-Aug
7-Aug
31-Jul
24-Jul
17-Jul
10-Jul
3-Jul
26-Jun
19-Jun
12-Jun
5-Jun
29-May
22-May
15-May
8-May
1-May
5
Effect of Liming an Acid Soil Prior to Use of
Urea and Sodium Nitrate Sources of Nitrogen
Sodium Nitrate
Urea
7
6.3
6.5
5.8
Soil pH
6
6
5.5
5.3
5.7
5
4.5
4.7
4
0
5
Tons of Lime/A
7.5
Both N sources applied at 225 lb N/A pre-plant.
Soil pH (water) measured at midseason of each year. Soil pH before liming was 5.4.
Effect of Liming an Acid Soil Prior to Use of
Urea and Sodium Nitrate Sources of Nitrogen
Sodium Nitrate
Yield lb/a
3000
2765
2800
2612
2600
2772
2750
2647
2400
2200
2358
2000
0
5
Tons of Lime/A
Both N sources applied at 225 lb N/A pre-plant.
7.5
Urea
Revised Nitrogen
Recommendations
For Tobacco
Well Drained
Soil
Moderately Well
Drained Soil
------------Lb N/A-----------Low N levels: following
tobacco or row crops
225-250
250-275
Medium N levels: first-year
tobacco following a grass
or grass-legume sod
200-225
225-250
High N levels: first-year
tobacco following legume
sod or legume cover crop
150-175
175-200
Influence of Nitrogen Rate on Burley Yield
UK Woodford Co. Farm
3000
2500
2896
687
2788
2746
2897
717
727
782
2000
LB/A
1500
787
1000
916
793
506
525
100 + 0
100 + 100
500
753
2577
337
716
97
685
107
762
804
700
726
681
123
557
585
495
109
200 + 0
200 + 100
300 + 0
LSD
Total
Tips
Leaf
Lugs
Flyings
0
Broadcast N
N source = 28% UAN Broadcast units +Ammonium Nitrate Sidedressed units
Effect of Broadcast & Sidedress
Nitrogen Source on Burley Yield
Fayette County – Robert Eads Farm
3500
3000
3261
3335
3103
3135
3230
3334
862
909
804
821
850
905
1584
1684
1563
1560
1576
1695
814
742
736
754
804
734
Liquid
UAN
28%
Urea
AN
CN
LB/A
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
AN 27 AN 34
Broadcast (150 units/ acre)
Sidedress (100 Units/ acre)
AN = Ammonium Nitrate, CN = Calcium Nitrate
Total
Leaf
Lugs
Flyings
Controlling
Insects


Admire 2F
Admire Pro


0.5 fl oz/1000
Platinum
Hornworms
Budworm and Hornworm
Insecticides
Acephate 75 SP,
Orthene 75 SP
Orthene 97
*Agree WG
Rate/Acre
2/3 lb (HW) to 1 lb (BW)
2/3 lb (HW) to 1 lb (BW)
½ lb HW 3/4 lb BW
1 to 2 lbs
Harvest Interval
(Days)
3
0
*Biobit HP or F
½ to 1 lb
1 to 4 pts
0
Denim 0.16 EC
8 to 12 fl oz
14
*Dipel 10 G
*Dipel DF
*Dipel ES
5 to 10 lbs
0
1/2 to 1 lb
1 to 2 pts (BW)
½ to 1 pt (HW)
0
Endosulfan 3E
2/3 to 1-1/3 qt
5
*Javelin WG
1/8 to 1-1/4 lb
0
Lannate SP
½ lb
14
*Lepinox WDG
1 to 2 lbs
0
Sevin 80S
1-1/4 lbs
0
Tracer 4SC
1.4 to 2.9 fl oz
3
Warrior 1 CS
1.9 to 3.8 fl oz
40
*XenTari DF
½ to 2 lb
0
Pesticide Concerns

Illegal pesticides


Could void contract
Indiscriminant use of labeled pesticides
Endosulfan (Golden Leaf)
 MH

Do not use at or after topping
Current Sucker Control
Recommendation

Reduce MH rate and add a local systemic


1.5 gal MH + 0.5 gal Butralin, Flupro or
Prime+
Use Coarse nozzles

TG-3 or TG-5 full cone nozzles
Effects of Application of MH by Coarse
vs Fine Nozzles on Yield of Burley
Tobacco
4000
3500
Yield lb/a
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Bath
Fleming
Jackon
Knox
Laurel
Lawrenc
e
Nelson
Pendleto
Average*
n
Fine
2398
3105
1713
2352
2074
2697
2194
2911
2355
Coarse
2617
3474
1998
2498
2291
2949
2397
3014
2524
Application

Coarse nozzles
TG-5 or equivalent
at 4 - 4.5 mph
 TG-3 or equivalent
at 2.5 - 3 mph

Range of MH Residues in
Kentucky for 1997 - 2004
100
90
80
70
60
% 50
40
30
20
10
0
Extremely High
Very High
High
Medium
Low
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2
14
21
29
34
9
10
14
30
38
5
15
21
25
33
0
5
13
33
49
1
5
5
27
63
2
3
9
22
64
0
2
7
26
63
3
5
6
16
71
Low < 41, Medium = 41-80, High = 81-120, Very High = 120 - 200, Extremely High >200 ppm
Advantages 










Disadvantages
Higher yields
 Higher Cost
Better returns
Improved sucker control
Lower MH residue
Extended Control 5-7 wks
Rain safety after 2 hrs
Not as weather dependent
No cover crop concern
No ground sucker concern
Improved grower confidence
Produces darker cured leaf
MH Free Tobacco
Each Leaf
Directs Sucker
Material to the
Stalk

3 whorls of 8 leaves

Directs spray material
down the stalk
Successful
Methods


Hand
 Jug method
 Backpack
High Clearance Sprayer
 Drop Lines
MH-FREE SUCKER CONTROL
PROGRAM FOR BURLEY TOBACCO
1934
3500
2800
2543
2832
3014
3098
190
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
RTM=RoyalTac M, B=Butralin, MH=Maleic Hydrazide
05
0.
LS
D
TM
-M
H
R
TM
-R
TM
+B
R
TM
-B
R
-B
B
TM
-R
TM
-B
R
NT
R
EA
TE
D
0
U
YEILD LB/A
3000
MH-FREE SUCKER CONTROL
PROGRAM FOR BURLEY TOBACCO
0.
LS
D
R
RTM=RoyalTac M, B=Butralin, MH=Maleic Hydrazide
4.66
05
70.85
TM
-M
H
77.23
TM
-R
TM
+B
TM
-B
74.35
R
B
-B
73.50
R
R
U
NT
R
EA
TE
D
Grade Index
73.38
TM
-R
TM
-B
68.78
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Labor Issues
Overview of H-2A
Program Requirements
1. Recruit U.S. Workers
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Provide a Work Contract
Pay AEWR Wages
Provide Housing
Provide Transportation
Provide Tools & Equipment
Provide Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Provide Payroll Statements
Maintain Three-Quarters Guarantee
H-2A Contract Fee
No. of
Workers
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11+
**Burley Growers
Fee
Fee
$ 450
$300
$ 600
$310
$ 750
$320
$ 900
$330
$1,050
$340
$1,200
$350
$1,350
$360
$1,500
$370
$1,650
$380
$1,800
$390
Add $150
Add $10
per worker
per worker
**Fees include – DOL & INS Fees.
Advertising fees are not included and must be added to this fee.
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Harvesting
Market
Preparation
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