Sucker Control in Burley Tobacco with and without MH

Recommendations to Reduce MH Residue Reduce MH rate and add a local systemic Reduce MH rate and add a local systemic 1.5 gal MH gal Butralin, Flupro or Prime+ 1.5 gal MH gal Butralin, Flupro or Prime+ Use Coarse nozzles Use Coarse nozzles TG-3 or TG-5 full cone nozzles TG-3 or TG-5 full cone nozzles

Application Coarse nozzles TG-5 / CE-5 or equivalent at mph TG-3 / CE-3 or equivalent at mph

Influence of Sucker Control Across Four Location on Burley Tobacco Yield Locations = Bath, Knox, Jackson & Pendleton LSD 0.05 = 177

Effects of Application of MH by Coarse vs Fine Nozzles on Yield of Burley Tobacco

Average MH Residues by State Limited sample numbers on all but KY and TN values are from warehouse sales only

Range of MH Residues in Kentucky for Low 200 ppm

- Disadvantages Advantages - Disadvantages 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 Higher Cost

MH Free Tobacco

LocationDayTreatmentBoomNozzleDrought Sucker ControlComments Home16Prime +StraightTG-3LowFair-Poor Two - Three 4-7" suckers in 1/2 of plants in top Dodd16ButralinStraightTG-3ModerateGoodOccasional 4-7" sucker Dodd16Prime +StraightTG-3ModerateGoodOccasional 4-7" sucker Dodd16Butralin3 nozzleTG-3&5Low-ModExcellentFew suckers Dodd16Prime +StraightTG-3ModerateGoodOccasional 4-7" sucker Creek* 9Prime +StraightTG-5Mod-HighGoodOccasional 4-7" sucker By-Pass**15 FA+ FluproStraightTG-50-LowPoorTwo 5-9" in tops of most plants By-Pass**15Prime +StraightTG-50-LowPoor Three or more suckers in tops of most plants Shop**14Prime +StraightTG-50-LowFair Two - Three 5-9" suckers in 1/3 of plants in top MH Free Tobacco Trial

MH Free Tobacco Trial Observations Fair to good control for first 10 to 14 days Fair to good control for first 10 to 14 days No difference between Prime +, Butralin, or Flupro observed No difference between Prime +, Butralin, or Flupro observed “Escapes” common at the top of plant “Escapes” common at the top of plant Up to 2 or 3 suckers per plant Up to 2 or 3 suckers per plant Three nozzle arrangement slightly better Three nozzle arrangement slightly better Must be kept directly over the row Must be kept directly over the row Poor control when off row Poor control when off row

Each Leaf Direct Sucker Material to the Stalk 3/8 th Phyllotaxy 3/8 th Phyllotaxy How leaves are arranged on the stalk How leaves are arranged on the stalk

Successful Methods Hand Jug method Backpack High Clearance Sprayer Drop Lines

Workable Methods vs. Labor