Philip Morris TFPP Program

Top Ten Ways to Increase Returns, Improve Yield, and Maintain Quality Gary 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/ac High Medium Low

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 9 Harvest mature tobacco Too early(2 - 3 weeks after topping) Reduced yield Immature Green cure possible Too Late (5 weeks or more after topping) Dead ripe More disease incidence Poor quality Flashy Slick Undesirable Yield Quality

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