Dark Tobacco Production and Research Update

1
Dark Tobacco Production and Research Update
Agent Update UKREC, Princeton, KY November
29, 2005

• Andy Bailey
• Extension Dark Tobacco Specialist
• Univ. of Kentucky / Univ. of Tennessee

2
2005 Crop

• 25 good 50 fair, 25 poor
• Green River good
• Eastern District fair
• Western District poor
• Major problems
• Weather damage
• Water damage from sunscalding
• Drowning from flooding
• Wind damage
• Erratic rainfall extreme wet to dry
• 5-10 rainfall in single rain event, then dry
• Diseases
• Black Shank

3
2005 Water Damage Western District Hurricane
Arlene June 10-12 (5) Hurricane Dennis July
22-25 (6) Hurricane Katrina August 26-30 (8)
Submerged for 12 hrs drowning Saturated soil
for gt24 hrs wet feet Damage to vascular
system. Plant cannot take up water under
saturated conditions Hot, sunny immediately
after saturating rainfall wilting, scald Some
crops recovered 50 or more only to suffer
damage again.
4
2005 Disease Problems

• Black Shank

• More intense than in 2003 or 2004
• More damage than expected on
• resistant varieties
• KT D4LC dark
• KT 204LC burley

5
Crop Report
September 12, 2005 Source National Agricultural
Statistics Service
6
TopicsDark Tobacco Production from Transplants
to CuringGoal Increase production efficiency

• Benefits of new pesticides
• Admire and Platinum
• Quadris
• Topping practices
• Harvest timing
• Variety information
• KT D4LC
• Nitrogen use

7
Disease Control in the Field

• Frogeye Leafspot and Target spot
• Fungicide evaluations
• Acrobat - Experimental products
• Dithane - Quadris
• Actigard
• Excellent frogeye, target spot control from
  Quadris
• Data used to support emergency labeling in KY and
  TN in 2004 and 2005.

8
Spotting Disease Control in Dark TobaccoEddie
Jinnette Farm Pleasant View, TN
2004Late-season spotting (1 Least 10 Most)
9
Quadris Injury in Dark Tobacco
Burley
Weather fleck-like injury that usually shows up
around shoulders of leaf Much more common in
burley than in dark Can occur at the 8 oz/A rate.
10
Quadris in Dark TobaccoUKREC, Princeton, KY
2005Narrowleaf Madole, fire-cured
LSD(0.05) 67 191
254 68 235 (total)
Total Yield (lbs/A) 2730 3204
3087 3005 3031
3124 2760
Yield (lbs/A)
Quadris 8 oz (1) Actigard 0.5 oz (3)
Quadris 8 oz (2) Actigard 0.5 oz (2)
Quadris 8 oz 4 app.
Quadris 12 oz 4 app.
Acrob MZ 2.5 lb 4 app.
Actigard 0.5 oz 3 app.
Untreated Check
11
Quadris Tank-Mix PartnersUKREC, Princeton, KY
2005Narrowleaf Madole, fire-cured
LSD(0.05) 148 457 439
125 577 (total)
Total Yield 2884 3241 3231
3264 3294 3417 3487 3309
3141
Yield (lbs/A)
Quadris alone (8 oz)
12
Insect Control

• Tray drench applications of Admire and Platinum.
• Benefits
• Long-term aphid control (6-8 weeks or more)
• Apparent reduction in insect transmitted viruses
• Tomato spotted wilt virus (thrips)
• POTYviruses (aphids)

13
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

• Much more common in 2004
• 10-15 infection in some burley fields in west KY
• 5 in some dark fields
• Transmitted by thrips
• Symptoms
• Damage more pronounced on one side of plant
• Wild necrosis that follows secondary veins
• Wavy, vertical lines on stem between infected
  leaves

Use of Admire or Platinum at transplanting
appear to reduce infection.
14
Presence of Aphids and Tomato Spotted Wilt
Virus8 wks after transplantingUKREC, Princeton,
KY - 2004
TSWV
15
Dark Fire-Cured Tobacco YieldAdmire and Platinum
ComparisonsUKREC, Princeton, KY - 2004
LSD0.05 122 170 382
445 (total)
Total Yield (lbs/A) 2818
2933 3136
3012
16
Dark Fire-Cured Tobacco Grade Index and
RevenueAdmire and Platinum ComparisonsUKREC,
Princeton, KY - 2004
LSD0.05 13.8 (Grade Index) 1082 (Revenue)
17
Sucker Control

• Utility of MH in dark tobacco
• Reduced labor cost
• 5 man hours/acre is normal with stalk run down
  applications.
• MH not typically used in dark fire-cured except
  in cases of wind damage
• MH Concerns
• Yellowing and stunting from early applications
• MH residues (not as critical as in burley)

18
Dont Treat Dark Like its Burley
Yellowing, stunting, and yield loss from MH at
topping.
19
Utility of MH in Dark Tobacco
0.5 gal/A MH
1 gal/A MH
1.5 gal/A MH
2 gal/A MH
2 contacts down the stalk (1 at topping, 2nd 7
days later) MH over-the-top 2 wks after topping

• Key to using MH in dark tobacco
• - Wait at least 10 days after topping
• - Use 5-6 quarts/A
• Excellent sucker control at 1.5 gal MH/A,
  yellowing not noticeable

20
Utility of MH in Dark TobaccoUKREC, Princeton,
KY 2005Narrowleaf Madole, Fire-Cured
LSD(0.05) 82 289
330 73 340 (total)
Total Yield (lbs/A) 2835 2755
2905 3089 2923
2463
Yield (lbs/A)
MH 2 gal SRD
MH 0.5 gal OT
MH 1 gal OT
MH 1.5 gal OT
MH 2 gal OT
No MH Contact only SRD
21
Nitrogen Recommendations for TobaccoRevised for
2006-2007 (AGR-1)Dark and Burley
22
Dark Tobacco Nitrogen Rate Trials8 trials over 4
locations and 2 yearsVarieties NL Madole, DF
911, KY 171
Total Yield (lbs/A)
Total N Rate (lbs N/A)
23
Possible Effects of Excessive Nitrogen
150
300
500
1000

• Increased amounts of green tobacco following
  curing
• Delayed maturity from excessive N in plant at
  seasons end
• Swelled or fat stems
• Nitrate loading of leaf midrib causing decreased
  moisture loss
• Possible negative effects on cured leaf chemistry
• Alkaloids and TSNAs

24
KT D4LC

• New dark variety for 2005
• Excellent yield potential
• Black shank resistance greater than TN D950
• No resistance to black root rot, mosaic, wildfire
• Upright growth habit, easier handling
• Not as late-maturing as NL Madole
• Possibly more early spotting potential
• Fire-curing characteristics similar to NL Madole
• Estimated at least 15 of market in 2005
• Favorable comments from most growers

25
Variety Performance2004 Experimental Fire-Cured
Variety Trial UKREC, Princeton, KY
26
Kent Boyd Farm Crofton, KY - 2004
TN D950 2917 lb/A
KT D4 3105 lb/A
KT D3 2573 lb/A
27
KT D4LCBlack Shank Resistance
KT D4
KT D3
TR Madole
KT D4LC
28
Topping Styles

• Comparison of traditional eastern and western
  district topping styles
• Eastern earlier topping, lower leaf number
• Western later topping, higher leaf number
• Bloom stage comparisons
• Elongated bud, 50 bloom, 100 bloom
• Topping height comparisons
• 12-leaf, 16-leaf

29
Influence of Topping Height on Dark Tobacco
YieldKerry Wiggins Farm Sedalia, KY - 2004
LSD0.05 186 151 426
213 (total)
Total Yield (lb/A) 3570
3813
Yield (lbs/Acre)
12 Leaves
16 Leaves
Topping Height
30
Harvest Timing for Dark TobaccoDont Treat Dark
Like Burley

• Mature tobacco
• Easier curing, better leaf quality, less green
• Most dark tobacco varieties should stay in the
  field for a minimum of 5 weeks after topping
• Exception TN D950 (4 wks)
• Yield can be increased and quality maintained
  when harvested 6 to 8 wks after topping.

31
Harvest Timing after Topping
Average 2005 dark air-cured price of 2.15/lb.
32
Special Problems

• Leaf Breakage
• Occurred in 2004 and 2005 in western district
• Possibly related to high soil pH and
• heavy lime applications in spring
• Most plant tissue analyses indicate
• boron deficiency
• Foliar boron applications may alleviate
• Solubor DF (1.5 lbs/acre)
• Early Maturity / Leaf Breakdown
• Widespread in 2005
• Early spotting at 3 to 4 wks after topping
• Related to unstable growing conditions
• and high late-season temperatures

33
2005 Buyer Specifications

• Major changes with new contracts
• Record keeping required for all production
  practices
• Must use seed screened for low nornicotine
  conversion
• N rates no more than 300-350 lbs N/A
• Field plant spacing no more than 5250 plants/A
• Barn stick spacing
• Older, narrow tier barns 12 inches
• Newer, wider tier barns 9 inches
• Results of new stick spacing requirement
• New barns being built
• Double-crop curing becoming more common
• Leaf chemistry effects of conditioning method,
  take-down method, time of stripping in double
  crop curing systems.

34
Buyer Compromises

• Dark buyers are now more lenient on
• Some casty green in tobacco is acceptable
• but no sunburn
• Physiological spotting is acceptable
• As long as spots dont fall out and leave large
  holes
• Moderate use of MH is acceptable
• At least 10 days after topping and no more than
  1.5 gal/A
• Small mold specks are acceptable

35
Resources

• Dark Tobacco Website
• http//ces.ca.uky.edu/darktobacco
• Dark Tobacco Agents Website
• http//ces.ca.uky.edu/darktobacco/Agent.htm

36
Summary
37
Variety Performance2004 Experimental Fire-Cured
Variety Trial MSU, Murray, KY
38
2004 Dark Air-Cured Variety Trial Bob Miller -
Princeton, KY
39
2004 Dark Air-Cured Variety Trial Billy Daniel
Poore Farm Logan Co., KY
40
Dark Air-Cured Variety TrialDaniel Poore Farm
Logan Co., KY - 2004
LSD0.05 127 208 352
144 434 (total)
Total Yield (lbs/A) 3247 2885 2891 3303
3497 2814 3077 3355 3006 3212 2702 2982
2770
Yield (lbs/A)
41
Possible Effects of Excessive Nitrogen
150
300
500
1000

• Increased amounts of green tobacco following
  curing
• Delayed maturity from excessive N in plant at
  seasons end
• Swelled or fat stems
• Nitrate loading of leaf midrib causing decreased
  moisture loss
• Possible negative effects on cured leaf chemistry
• Alkaloids and TSNAs

42
Effect of N Rate on Quality and RevenueHRES,
Springfield, TN 2003KY 171, Dark Air-Cured
Revenue values based on federal support price of
grades
43
Influence of Bloom Stage and Topping Height on
Dark Tobacco YieldKerry Wiggins Farm Sedalia,
KY - 2004
100 Bloom, 16 leaves
100 Bloom, 12 leaves
44
Influence of Topping Height on Dark Tobacco
YieldKerry Wiggins Farm Sedalia, KY - 2004
LSD0.05 186 151 426
213 (total)
Total Yield (lb/A) 3570
3813
Yield (lbs/Acre)
12 Leaves
16 Leaves
Topping Height
45
Harvest Timing in Dark TobaccoSteve Brad
Williamson Farm Christian Co., KYNarrowleaf
Madole Dark Air-Cured
LSD.0.05 (yield) 86 185
147 291 (total)
Total Yield (lbs/A) and Leaf Grade Index
2022 2124 2200
2421 2535 44.3 61.5
55.5 59.3 67.5
Yield (lbs/A)
Average Yield increase 128 lbs/week
Weeks After Topping
46
Plasticulture Irrigation in Dark Tobacco

• Dwight Grise Farm Logan Co.
• Russellville, KY - 2004

47
Plasticulture Irrigation

• Potential Benefits of Irrigation
• Precise water application to plant roots
• Increased yield and quality
• Potential Benefits of Plastic
• Reduced evaporation of applied water from soil
  surface
• Cleaner tobacco, less dirt on lugs
• Questions/Concerns
• Reduced standability without cultivation?
• Increased growth of ground suckers?

48
Plasticulture Irrigation TrialDwight Grise Farm
Logan Co. - 2004

• Narrowleaf Madole set May 26.
• 40 row spacing, 30 plant spacing
• Approximately 4900 plants/acre
• Treatments
• no plastic / no drip tape, no plastic / drip
  tape, plastic / drip tape.
• Plots 100 ft. long, 4 replications of treatments.
  
• 200 lbs N/A applied prior to setting
• Herbicides 5 oz Spartan, 1 pint Command
• Irrigation applied at approximately 1 inch every
  10 days beginning at 1-2 weeks prior to topping.
• Greenhouse grade soluble calcium nitrate
  (15.5-0-0) applied through drip tape at a total
  of 100 lbs N/season. Dry calcium nitrate (100
  lbs N/A) applied sidedress to plots without drip
  tape.

49
Plasticulture Irrigation in Dark Air-Cured
TobaccoDwight Grise Farm Logan Co.
Russellville, KY - 2004
LSD0.05 69 24 57
197 311 514 (total)
Total Yield (lbs/A) 2916
2987 3187
Yield (lbs/Acre)
Plastic Drip Tape
No Plastic No Drip Tape
No Plastic Drip Tape
Treatments
50
Plastic MulchKent Boyd Farm Christian Co.
Crofton, KY - 2004

• Increased moisture from plastic mulch may
  increase damage from soil borne diseases like
  black shank.

51
Effect of Plastic Mulch on Dark TobaccoKent Boyd
Farm Christian Co. Crofton, KY - 2004

• Increased black shank pressure where plastic was
  used resulted in 2x more trash, 158 lbs less
  seconds, and 317 lbs less total yield.

Plastic
No Plastic
52
Plasticulture Irrigation TrialMark Paschall
FarmCalloway County

• Narrowleaf Madole set on raised beds with twin
  rows
• 72 between beds (center)
• 15 between twin rows
• 4109 plants/acre
• Drip tape laid 4 below surface
• Irrigation applied 1 every 10 d or as needed
  through drip tape beginning 1-2 wks prior to
  topping.
• Treatments
• No plastic/no drip tape
• No plastic/drip tape
• Plastic/drip tape (1/10 d)
• Plastic/drip tape (as needed)

53
Plasticulture Irrigation in Dark Fire-Cured
TobaccoMark Paschall Farm Calloway Co., KY -
2004
LSD0.05 31 37 53
146 151 (total)
Total Yield (lb/A) 2371
2492 2480 2421
Yield (lb/A)
No Plastic No Drip
No Plastic Drip (1/10 d)
Plastic Drip (1/10 d)
Plastic Drip (as needed)
54
Tobacco Budgeting

• Assessing profitability
• Burley Expected Price Estimator
• Burley Budgets
• Dark Budgets (Air-Cured and Fire-Cured)
• Tobacco Economics Website
• http//www.uky.edu/Ag/TobaccoEcon

55
(No Transcript)
56
Burley Tobacco Budget
http//www.uky.edu/Ag/TobaccoEcon/mgmt.html
57
(No Transcript)
58
(No Transcript)
59
Summary

• Major production questions for 2005
• Amount to be grown
• Transplants produced
• Barn space and condition
• Quality, production efficiency, and crop
  integrity more important than ever
• Maximum quality with minimum cost/acre

60

• For more information go to
• Dark Tobacco Web Site http//ces.ca.uky.edu/dark
  tobacco
• Burley Tobacco Web Site http//www.uky.edu/Ag/To
  bacco
• UK Tobacco Economics http//www.uky.edu/Ag/Tobac
  coEcon

61
Dark Tobacco Variety Performance Under Severe
Black Shank InfestationDean Hutcheson Farm,
Woodlawn, TN - 2003
LUGS
SECONDS
LEAF
TOTAL (lbs/A)
216 854
2655 3316 3949
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
TR Madole
VA 359
TN D950
KT D3
KT D4
No substantial green in any var.
62
Dark Tobacco Variety Performance Under Severe
Black Shank InfestationDean Hutcheson Farm,
Woodlawn, TN - 2003
SN2105
VA 359
TR Madole

• Must remember that survival of VA359 will not be
  acceptable under severe black shank infestation.
• TND950 is most resistant variety currently grown.
• New experimental varieties appear to have greater
  resistance, yield and quality potential than
  TND950.

63
Variety x Seed Source x Media TrialSpring 2004
64
Dark Tobacco Seed Source ComparisonsNarrowleaf
Madole Fall 2004
65
Potyviruses

• Much more common in 2004
• Group of several viruses
• Tobacco etch virus (TEV)
• Tobacco Vein Mottling Virus (TVMV)
• Potato Virus Y (PVY)
• Overlapping symptoms
• Usually see more than one on same plant
• Difficult to pick out one from others
• Aphid-transmitted
• Transplanting applications of Admire or Platinum
  appear to reduce infection.

Burley 14xL8 Clarksville, TN Tested positive for
PVY, TEV, and TVMV
66
Tobacco Fertility

• N rate experiments
• 150 and 300 lbs N/A (recommended), 500 and 1000
• 8 trials No yield benefit to using over 300 N/A
• Excessive N (500-1000 lbs N/A)
• Negative effects on quality (dark air-cured)
• Negative effects on leaf chemistry (dark
  fire-cured)
• Data and new contracts have helped reduce
  excessive nitrogen use.
• USST 250-300 lbs N/A recommended, not to exceed
  350 lbs N/A

67
Influence of Bloom Stage on Dark Tobacco
YieldKerry Wiggins Farm Sedalia, KY - 2004
LSD0.05 228 184 522
317 (total)
Total Yield (lb/A) 3667
3686
3722
Yield (lbs/Acre)
Elongated Bud
50 Bloom
100 Bloom
Bloom Stage