Sucker Control in Burley
Tobacco with and without
MH
Recommendations to Reduce
MH Residue

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
Application

Coarse nozzles
TG-5 / CE-5 or
equivalent at 44.5 mph
 TG-3 / CE-3 or
equivalent at 2.53 mph

Influence of Sucker Control Across
Four Location on Burley Tobacco Yield
3000
2000
1500
1000
2557
2507
2380
2578
2411
2546
500
B
(. 5
)
H
(1
)+
H
(1
.5
M
M
)+
B
(.5
)
.5
)
P(
H
(1
)+
H
(1
.5
M
M
)+
P(
.5
)
H
(2
)
M
H
(2
)F
0
M
Yield lb/a
2500
Locations = Bath, Knox, Jackson & Pendleton LSD 0.05 = 177
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
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Average MH Residues by State
ppm MH
1997-2004
KY
IN
MO
NC
OH
TN
VA
ALL
1997
71
112
70
5
69
57
18
65
1998
79
38
62
11
59
48
17
70
1999
80
96
79
22
51
45
36
72
2000
48
32
95
31
20
44
52
46
2001
39
29
11
10
48
24
13
32
2002
38
36
13
32
34
30
35
2003
35
45
17
13
32
23
9
30
2004
39
42
58
20
25
26
34
35
Limited sample numbers on all but KY and TN
2000 - 2004 values are from warehouse sales only
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 










Higher yields
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
Disadvantages

Higher Cost
MH Free Tobacco
MH Free Tobacco Trial
Location
Day
Treatment
Boom
Nozzle
Drought
Sucker
Control
Home
16
Prime +
Straight
TG-3
Low
Fair-Poor
Two - Three 4-7" suckers in 1/2 of
plants in top
Dodd
16
Butralin
Straight
TG-3
Moderate
Good
Occasional 4-7" sucker
Dodd
16
Prime +
Straight
TG-3
Moderate
Good
Occasional 4-7" sucker
Dodd
16
Butralin
3 nozzle
TG-3&5
Low-Mod
Excellent
Few suckers
Dodd
16
Prime +
Straight
TG-3
Moderate
Good
Occasional 4-7" sucker
9
Prime +
Straight
TG-5
Mod-High
Good
Occasional 4-7" sucker
15
FA+
Flupro
Straight
TG-5
0-Low
Poor
Two 5-9" in tops of most plants
Creek*
By-Pass**
Comments
By-Pass**
15
Prime +
Straight
TG-5
0-Low
Poor
Three or more suckers in tops of
most plants
Shop**
14
Prime +
Straight
TG-5
0-Low
Fair
Two - Three 5-9" suckers in 1/3 of
plants in top
MH Free Tobacco Trial
Observations

Fair to good control for first 10 to 14 days


“Escapes” common at the top of plant


No difference between Prime +, Butralin, or
Flupro observed
Up to 2 or 3 suckers per plant
Three nozzle arrangement slightly better


Must be kept directly over the row
Poor control when off row
Each Leaf Direct
Sucker Material
to the Stalk

3/8th Phyllotaxy

How leaves are arranged
on the stalk

Successful
Methods
Hand
Jug method
 Backpack
High Clearance Sprayer
 Drop Lines


Workable Methods vs. Labor