Murray State University
Study 1 (Jarvis, Paschall, & Wray): Evaluation of Potassium Response in Dark Tobacco
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Iin Handayani; Bobby Hill; Andy Bailey; Gustav Helmers; David Ferguson; Chris Rodgers
Abstract
Tobacco producers are generally interested in raising a high yielding, high quality crop with the fewest amounts of fertilizers. One fertilizer of major concern is potassium (potash) since its price has been highly volatile over the past decade. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the response of dark tobacco to differing levels of potassium and (ii) examine the efficiency of two common application practices, broadcast and banded. Therefore, the treatments were untreated conditions, 50% below adequate conditions (145 lb/acre), recommended conditions (290 lb/acre), and a 50% increase in recommended potassium (435 lb/acre). Each application rate was tested using both broadcast application in one study and banded application in a second study. The dark tobacco variety used for this study was PD 7309. The experiment was set on June 12, 2012. The crop was harvested on October 9, 2012. Total crop yield and yield of lugs, seconds, and leaf were examined to determine overall response to the different treatments. The data and the results are presented in the poster.
Study 1 (Jarvis, Paschall, & Wray): Evaluation of Potassium Response in Dark Tobacco
Tobacco producers are generally interested in raising a high yielding, high quality crop with the fewest amounts of fertilizers. One fertilizer of major concern is potassium (potash) since its price has been highly volatile over the past decade. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the response of dark tobacco to differing levels of potassium and (ii) examine the efficiency of two common application practices, broadcast and banded. Therefore, the treatments were untreated conditions, 50% below adequate conditions (145 lb/acre), recommended conditions (290 lb/acre), and a 50% increase in recommended potassium (435 lb/acre). Each application rate was tested using both broadcast application in one study and banded application in a second study. The dark tobacco variety used for this study was PD 7309. The experiment was set on June 12, 2012. The crop was harvested on October 9, 2012. Total crop yield and yield of lugs, seconds, and leaf were examined to determine overall response to the different treatments. The data and the results are presented in the poster.