Philip Morris TFPP Program

Top Ten Ways to Increase Returns, Improve Yield, and

Maintain QualityGary Palmer

Number 1 Start with good transplants Start seed in mid-March to

early April in a greenhouse with adequate controls or well designed float bed.

Use disease prevention measures

Terramaster (pythium) Dithane (Target Spot)

Avoid heat or cold stress

Number 2 Set on time May 10 to May 20 is

a prime time in most areas

The best place for transplants is in the ground not in the float bed.

Rainy periods usually occur after May 20 and can run into the later part of June.

A wet start can drastically reduce yield potential

Number 3 Use a variety that has a good disease package Black Shank Non-Black Shank KT 204 HB04P KT 200 R7-12 TN 90

NC 6 Avoid high management

varieties, those with little or no disease resistance or quality issues. KY 14 XL8 Hybrid 403 N 126 TN 86

Use only seed from a screen seed source

Number 4

Choose fields with low disease history, good drainage and low weed pressure. Establish a good rotation

system Keep good records of

cropping history and disease, insect and weed pressure.

Consider no-till to reduce soil loss and to utilize more ground in rotation plans.

Use appropriate weed control measures

Number 5 Control Insects with appropriate chemicals

Use aphid control chemicals in the transplant water. Admire Pro or Platinum

Offer season long control Reducing trips across the field Minimize severe aphid outbreaks Potentially reduce yield losses

Don’t forget cutworms, hornworms & budworms

Orthene (acephate) in transplant water Field sprays as needed

(many options) (Orthene, Denim, Assail, Lepinox, Tracer, etc.)

Avoid chemicals with residue problems

Endosulfan (Golden Leaf)

Number 6 Fertilize according to

soil test Consider

Cropping history Nitrogen needs Drainage

Use optimum levels and avoid excessive rates

To reduce potential quality issues and accumulation of nitrosamines

Optimum levels Soil Level of N Lbs.

N/acHigh 150-175Medium 200-225Low 225-250

Number 7 Be proactive for disease

management Use prevention were possible

Blue mold infection can precede disease symptoms by several days

Severe outbreaks require more expensive measures and may leave undesirable residue on the tobacco

Select the right variety for the disease pressure expected or where a possibility of disease outbreak is high.

Number 8

Top on time and use a combination approach for sucker control Topping height may vary depending on the specific company needs Early topping tends to improve yield and quality

Bud topping Reduces yield in earlier maturing varieties

Late topping Increases sucker control problems Increases disease incidence Reduces yield & quality

MH at 1½ gal/a + Prime+ or Butralin at ½ gal/a Use coarse nozzles to apply

Number 9Harvest mature tobacco

Too early(2 - 3 weeks after topping)Reduced yieldImmature

Green cure possibleToo Late (5 weeks or more after topping)

Dead ripeMore disease incidencePoor quality

Flashy Slick Undesirable

1500

2000

2500

3000

2 3 4 5 6

Weeks After Topping

Yiel

d/A

Yield

Quality

2000

2200

2400

2600

2800

3000

100+100 200+0 300+100 400+0

Nitrogen (units/a broadcast+sidedress)

Yiel

d lb

/a

VentilatedNonventilated

Number 10 Properly cure and store tobacco prior to

marketing Avoid quick cures

Regulate ventilator doors

Avoid houseburn Increase ventilation

Avoid conditions that would elevate nitrosamines