Murray State University
Four Studies Concerning Tobacco Experimental Varieties
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Ken Bowman; David Ferguson; Jay Morgan; Patrick Williams; Tony Brannon
Abstract
On the campus of Murray State University, we have five acres of dark fire-cured tobacco for research test plots. In the Donoho, Chandler, Hayden, and Williams study, the research plots were used to increase the quality and yield for future tobacco production. Replicated trials were used to compare the advantages and disadvantages of experimental breeding lines. Tests were conducted in hopes of improving the amount of disease resistance, gross pounds per acre, and leaf quality. The goal of the Lowe, Jackson, Hall, and Morgan study was to help producers to select the best varieties of tobacco to grow. They conducted replicated trials to compare the advantages and disadvantages of conventional and experimental tobacco varieties during the 2003 growing season. They will be reporting the overall yields, yield of each leaf grade, and the quality of the leaves from each variety. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine differences between the varieties. Hall, Gray, and Ferguson will be presenting the results of two studies performed on herbicide applications on dark tobacco. The first involves the sulfonylerea herbicides CGA362622 trioxysulfuron-sodium and halosulfuron-methyl. The second study involved applications of Clomazone and dimethenamid-p. Data collected included visual ratings of crop tolerance and weed control, plant height, and leaf yield by stalk. The last study, Hicks, Monroe, and Bowman involved an attempt to discern optimal nitrogen levels for dark-fired tobacco. Required rates of nitrogen are usually between 200 and 300 pounds per acre. Typically, farmers use more than 300 pounds per acre in an attempt to increase yields. Although nitrogen rates vary depending on weather conditions, too much nitrogen can result in delayed maturity and curing problems.
Four Studies Concerning Tobacco Experimental Varieties
On the campus of Murray State University, we have five acres of dark fire-cured tobacco for research test plots. In the Donoho, Chandler, Hayden, and Williams study, the research plots were used to increase the quality and yield for future tobacco production. Replicated trials were used to compare the advantages and disadvantages of experimental breeding lines. Tests were conducted in hopes of improving the amount of disease resistance, gross pounds per acre, and leaf quality. The goal of the Lowe, Jackson, Hall, and Morgan study was to help producers to select the best varieties of tobacco to grow. They conducted replicated trials to compare the advantages and disadvantages of conventional and experimental tobacco varieties during the 2003 growing season. They will be reporting the overall yields, yield of each leaf grade, and the quality of the leaves from each variety. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine differences between the varieties. Hall, Gray, and Ferguson will be presenting the results of two studies performed on herbicide applications on dark tobacco. The first involves the sulfonylerea herbicides CGA362622 trioxysulfuron-sodium and halosulfuron-methyl. The second study involved applications of Clomazone and dimethenamid-p. Data collected included visual ratings of crop tolerance and weed control, plant height, and leaf yield by stalk. The last study, Hicks, Monroe, and Bowman involved an attempt to discern optimal nitrogen levels for dark-fired tobacco. Required rates of nitrogen are usually between 200 and 300 pounds per acre. Typically, farmers use more than 300 pounds per acre in an attempt to increase yields. Although nitrogen rates vary depending on weather conditions, too much nitrogen can result in delayed maturity and curing problems.