1. 2015 Tobacco Production Update: Agronomy Loren Fisher Matthew Vann Crop Science Department

2. Estimated FC Variety Plantings North Carolina, 2014

3. Varieties With Above AVG Yield/A 3yr avg. in OVT VarietyAcreageYieldValueBSGW % lbs/acre$/acre CC 3531855240 2349 PVH 225430555237 No DataNo data K 326 13 29385248 2440 NC 299 3 29095174 27 GF 318 3 29065167 1731 PVH 211029065017 1938 CC 27 3 28684986 3420 NC 7228394791 3019 PVH 111828345025 1135 NC 196 53 28205034 1328 CC 3328175056 1022 NC 9228014490 3625 CC 1327925004 2029 GL 33827614762 3933 CC 3727604800 1823 CC 700 2 27524741 1839 CC 1063 1 27454817 12* 19* * Limited Data

4. EPS Tray Sanitation Clean tray with plain water Allow to dry Fumigate with MB or Steam Surface sterilization is not as effective as fumigant or steam on polystyrene trays If bleach or other tray cleaning solutions are used make sure trays are rinsed WELL with CLEAN water and allowed to dry before seeding

5. Hard Plastic Trays New Hard Plastic tray for float system Easier to sanitize Extended life span (15-20+ years) Trilogy Tray by BeltWide Inc. Limited number of 288 cell trays available in 2015. Other cell sizes available in 2016.

6. Water Quality Have water tested every year (NCDA) Avoid pond and river water Most common problems – High bicarbonates (eastern NC) Add sulfuric acid – Low boron (Piedmont) Add boron

7. Greenhouse Management Optimum Germination – 65 to 70 F at night – No more than 85 F during the day Warmer temperature (above 90 F) reduces total stand Cooler temperatures only delay germ. Constant temperatures can reduce stand – Need difference in day/night temp for some varieties A short time above 105 F can kill newly germinated seed – Don’t trust automatic curtains – 110 + F for extended period can kill larger plants Only takes 55 days to produce a transplant Can drop temp at night to 55 F after you have a good stand to save fuel

8. Cold Injury Looks similar to B deficiency. Occurs when temperature falls quickly. Warmer temperatures will correct the issue.

9. Cold Injury Looks similar to B deficiency. Occurs when temperature falls quickly. Warmer temperatures will correct the issue.

10. Dry Cells Occurs when water does not wick. Old media Buy new media Water overhead

11. Fertility Water soluble fertilizer added to water – 3-1-3, 2-1-2, 4-1-4 analysis 150 ppm N added within 7 days after seeding 100 ppm N 4 weeks later Or maintain 100-125 ppm N with Injector

12. High Bicarbonates As detected by water sample Battery Acid (sulfuric acid) Recommendation on water sample report “Checker board” pattern in greenhouse Slow growth, pale to gray color

13. Boron Deficiency (GH) Causes bud distortion If no boron in water or fertilizer Add Borax Very small amount needed, toxicity is worse than deficiency Recommendation is for 1-2 ppm B Most fertilizers will supply 0.5 ppm or less – Enough unless environmental conditions are favorable for deficiency, Rapid growth/or slow growth

14. Fertilizer Effects on Water pH Well water ranges from 4.5-8.5 pH 16-4-16, 15-5-15, and 21-5-20 are acidic and should only be used on high pH water pH of 4 and below can burn off roots in the float water, but no lasting effects

15. Fertilizer Salts Injury Fertilizer salts accumulate in the top of the tray as float water evaporates Salts can kill very small seedlings Increases spiral root plants Waiting to add fertilizer to bed reduces loss – But don’t wait more than 7 days Check fertilizer salts with conductivity meter Water overhead to lower salt level

16. Spiral Roots

17. First root at germination fails to go into media Can be a few or up to 60% Causes: Damage to root tip at emergence – Seed pellet, but uncommon – Environment 50-75% will never make a usable transplant

18. Clipping Increases usable transplants Increases uniformity of transplants – Stem length and stem diameter Improves hardiness Holds plants for transplanting Optimum is around 5 times Many are clipped 20 or more times

19. Clipping Start when total plant height is 2-2.5 inches above bud Clip every 3-5 days No closer than 1-1.5 inches above the bud High vacuum mower Dump clippings 100 yards from greenhouse

20. Spray Equipment Take extreme care if you ever use a “field” sprayer to power the spray boom in your greenhouse “Clean” sprays kill transplants every year Spartan Charge: Aim

21. Nitrogen Application 50% at transplanting + 50% at layby – Often does not supply enough N in a wet year – Often supplies too much N in a dry year Consider making more than two applications – 50% at transplanting + 25% at layby + 25% two weeks after layby with liquid N if needed – Can be applied directly to the soil surface with a high clearance sprayer

22. 2014 Calcium Deficiency Bud/tip leaves are most likely show deficiency – Downward cupping/hooded look Typically occurs at flowering – Result of rapid plant growth Often disappears once topping occurs – Removal of affected tissue – Root growth stimulation Lower Photo Courtesy of Mitch Smith-Pitt County Extension Agent

23. Addressing Calcium Issues in the Field Collect routine soil samples in each field that tobacco will be produced in. – This will determine the amount of soil available Ca Most tobacco fields will have sufficient Ca reserves due to previous applications of lime. To prevent or reduce the risk of Ca deficiency top plants as early as possible. – Topping will stimulate root growth, which increases Ca uptake Ca deficiency is transient and will correct itself – Foliar Ca applications are not recommended – Little to no foliar Ca uptake, must be absorbed in the roots

24. 2014 Boron Deficiency Symptoms: – Deformed Bud – Misshapen Leaves – Twisted Bud/Leaves Likely Causes: – Low Soil B – Excessive Rainfall – Rapid Plant Growth Photos Courtesy of David Dycus (retired NCDA Agronomist)

25. Boron Deficiency Symptoms Photos courtesy of Dr. David Hardy, NCDA

26. Boron Deficiency Symptoms

27. Addressing Boron Issues in the Field Consider using a base fertilizer material that will supply 0.25-0.50 pounds of B per acre. – Works well with blended materials – Consider tank mixing liquid B with liquid N where dry materials are not utilized Only apply foliar B if tissue samples are deficient. – 0.5 lbs B/acre in a single foliar application should correct deficiency – DO NOT apply unless nutrient deficiency is confirmed – DO NOT over apply, B can be toxic at 1.0 lb/acre 0.25 lbs B/acre + 0.25 lbs B/acre, both applied foliar

28. Weed Control Increasing focus on weed control in recent years. – Weed seed contamination in exported leaf Limited herbicide options for tobacco production. – Available herbicides will help

29. Weed Control Spartan offers the best broadleaf control. – Excellent control of pigweed, nutsedge, and morningglory – Lower rate (4.0-4.5 fl.oz./acre) on sandy soil – Higher rate (5.0-6.0 fl.oz./acre) on heavier soil Command offers best grass and ragweed control. – 1.5-2.0 pts/acre for best results.

30. Weed Control Both materials can be applied PPI or Pre- Transplanting. – PPI ensures herbicide activation but increases injury potential with Spartan – PRE-T reduces injury potential but may require irrigation or cultivation for activation when soil moisture is low – Tank mixing the two products reduces crop injury without reducing efficacy

31. Questions??