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AGR-49
LIMING AND FERTILIZING BURLEY TOBACCO
ISSUED: 3-76
REVISED: 10-85
J.L. Sims and K.L. Wells
Burley tobacco is a billion-dollar crop in Kentucky. One of every 14 jobs in Kentucky, directly or
indirectly, exists because of tobacco. The effect of the more than $200 million in taxes generated
annually in Kentucky by the tobacco industry is felt throughout the Commonwealth.
The dry matter removed by a burley tobacco crop can put a lot of stress on soil to provide the necessary
nutrients for such intensive production during the 85-95 day growing period in the field. A good crop of
burley can remove about 200 lb nitrogen, 35 lb phosphate, and 240 lb potash/acre while producing 2.5 to
3 tons of dry matter during this relatively short growing period.
Figure 1 shows the rate at which growth (dry matter accumulation) and nutrient uptake occurs during the
season. These data, from University of Kentucky research, show graphically that only about a third of the
dry matter and nutrient uptake takes place during the first half the season. To ensure that fertilizer is
unlimiting, Kentucky burley producers have traditionally used a ton or more of mixed fertilizer (usually a
1-2-3 ratio) and 500 to 900 lb of ammonium nitrate/acre, all broadcast and plowed under or disked in
before transplanting.
Continual use of such heavy fertilization has often led to early season growth problems which result in
reduced yields, particularly for producers not routinely liming their fields. Good fertilizer management
practices should ensure that by mid-season plants will be sound, healthy, and fast-growing, capable of
maximizing yield and nutrient uptake during the last half of the season when about two-thirds of growth
and nutrient uptake occurs.
During recent years another concern has been the crop's production costs, of which fertilizer makes up
15-20%. Many producers, attempting to cut total production costs, try to provide only the minimum
amounts of lime and fertilizer necessary to produce a good crop. This approach is often workable because
many tobacco fields have very high soil test levels of phosphate and potash having been over-fertilized in
the past. In fact, soil test results often indicate no need for phosphate and/or potash to produce a high
yielding burley crop. About two-thirds of the tobacco field soil samples sent to UK's Soil Testing
Laboratory indicate no need for phosphate, one-third need no potash, but about half need lime to adjust
soil pH to desirable levels.
Determining Lime and Fertilizer Requirements
Determining lime and fertilizer needs for burley in a particular field requires knowledge of that field's
fertility status. Analysis of a representative soil sample taken from the field is the best way to get this
information. Because of the high crop value and because pH levels and nutrient content can change
following each production year, soil samples should be taken from tobacco fields every 1-2 years. The
best time to take soil samples is immediately following harvest. This schedule allows enough time to get
the results back from the testing laboratory so that when lime, phosphate or potash is needed, it can be
broadcast and disked into the soil prior to seeding the cover crop. The amount of lime, phosphate and
potash needed is dependent on the soil's residual status as determined by a good soil test.
UK does not offer a soil test for nitrogen since seasonal nitrogen availability is so difficult to estimate.
Instead, nitrogen recommendations reflect the influence of past cropping history on the amount of residual
soil nitrogen available for plant uptake.
Additionally, internal drainage characteristics of the soil, that is, how fast water percolates through the
rooting zone, and data from field experiments testing nitrogen rates are incorporated into nitrogen
fertilizer recommendations.
Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations
Lime
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Limestone should be applied in the fail and thoroughly mixed with the soil. While applying agricultural
limestone several months before transplanting tobacco is preferable, it can be applied in the spring if it
can be thoroughly mixed into the plow layer by turning about 1/2 under with the cover crop and disking
1/2 into the surface when smoothing the field before transplanting.
Rates--If a soil buffer test has been made (soil buffer pH), use the amount of limestone indicated to raise
soil pH to 6.6 (see Table 1). If a soil buffer test is unavailable, follow the rates shown in Table 2.
Table 1. -- Rates of Agricultural Limestone Needed to Raise Soil Water pH to 6.6 as Influenced by
Soil Buffer pH.
Agricultural
Soil Buffer pH
Limestone Needed
Reading1
(tons/A)
6.7
2.0
6.6
2.0
6.5
2.0
6.4
2.5
6.3
3.0
6.2
3.0
6.1
3.0
6.0
3.5
5.9
4.0
5.8
4.5
5.7
5.0
5.6
5.5
5.5
6.0
Soil buffer pH is measured in the UK Soil Testing Laboratory only when soil water pH is less than 6.0. If
soil water pH is 6.0 to 6.6, apply 1-2 T Agricultural Limestone/acre.
1-3
5.8- 5.2
3-5
Below 5.2
Nitrogen
Rates -- Nitrogen fertilization rates depend primarily on the field cropping history and the type of soil.
Since losses of fertilizer nitrogen may occur on sandy soils or on soils with poor internal drainage,
splitting nitrogen applications on these soils is helpful. Apply 1/3 to 1/2 of the nitrogen before
transplanting and the remaining nitrogen 2 to 3 weeks after transplanting.
For soil with low N levels (problem soils as mentioned above, or the first year of tobacco following a
poor sod crop), use 250-300 lb of N/A.
For soil with medium N levels (first year of tobacco following a good grass or grass-legume sod), use
200-250 lb of N/A.
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For soil with high N levels (first year of tobacco following a good legume sod or legume cover crop),
use 150-200 lb or N/A.
For continuous tobacco, add 50 lb of N/A to the amount shown above.
Time and Method -- Currently, most nitrogen fertilizer is broadcast within 4 weeks of transplanting with
some side-dressed 4 to 5 weeks after transplanting. Since Kentucky usually has large rainfall amounts
during April and May, applying the broadcast nitrogen as near to transplanting (10 days to 2 weeks
before) as possible will significantly lessen the chances for losses of applied nitrogen. Apply the nitrogen
after plowing and disc into the surface soil.
Further efficiencies in nitrogen use, decreased manganese toxicity and increased early growth may be
obtained by banding all the nitrogen (sidedress) after transplanting. These bands should be applied 10 to
12 in. to the side of the row in either 1 or 2 bands, and at depths of 4 to 5 in. The nitrogen should be
banded all within 10 days after transplanting or in 2 applications, 1/2 within 10 days and 1/2 at 4 or 5
weeks after transplanting.
Phosphate and Potash
Rates -- Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer additions should be determined by soil tests. Based on these
tests, apply the amounts shown in Table 3.
Table 3. -- Rates of Phosphate and Potash at Different Soil Test Levels.
Lb/A to Apply
Burley
P2O5
K2O
0-200
200-300
300-400
150-200
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production. If mixed fertilizer is needed as determined by a soil test, the ratio of the grade purchased
should reflect the amount of fertilizer recommended. With the high levels of fertility currently existing in
many burley fields, grades of a 1-2-3 ratio many times do not supply phosphate and potash in the ratio
really needed.
1. Straight Materials
Nitrogen Sources -- All commonly available N sources can be used satisfactorily on tobacco, particularly
on well-drained soils where a good liming program is followed and soil pH is maintained in the range of
6.0 to 6.5. Table 5 compares the effect of acid-forming and non acid-forming nitrogen fertilizers on soil
pH.
Table 5. -- Effect of Liming an Acid Soil Prior to Use of Acid Forming
(Urea) and Non-Acid Forming (Sodium Nitrate) Sources of Fertilizer Nitrogen.
Rate of Lime Tons/A N1/Source
Yield Lb/A
Leaf Characteristics
Manganese Ppm Molybdenum Ppm
Soil pH2
170
0.22
5.3
Urea
2358
673
0.14
4.7
5.0
116
0.50
5.8
5.0
Urea
2647
101
0.41
5.7
7.5
108
0.60
6.3
7.5
Urea
107
0.58
6.0
1
2
2750
The greatest difference in yield occurred when no lime was used. In that case, soil pH dropped to 4.7
during the growing season where urea was used, but hardly changed where the non-acid forming
all-nitrate N source was used. When the soil was limed to offset the acid-forming potential of urea, no
significant difference between N sources existed. These data also show that leaf concentration of
manganese (Mn) was greatly increased when urea was used without liming the initially acid (pH 5.4) soil.
Leaf concentration of molybdenum (already deficient) correspondingly dropped to even lower levels. But
with use of lime, urea performed agronomically as well as the nitrate source of N. If soil pH is moderately
to strongly acid (pH 6.0 or below) and no lime is applied, using a non-acid forming source of N (sodium
nitrate, calcium nitrate or nitrate of soda-potash) will lower the risk of manganese toxicity. Use these
sources (or ammonium nitrate or potassium nitrate) for side-dressing since nitrate is more mobile in soil
than ammonium nitrogen. If tobacco is grown on sandy soils or soils which tend to waterlog, regardless of
pH, using ammonium sources (urea, ammonium nitrate, ammoniated phosphates, ammonium sulfate,
nitrogen solutions) will lower the risk of leaching and denitrification losses. Nitrogen content of sources
commonly used for burley in Kentucky is shown in Table 6.
Table 6. -- Nitrogen Concentration of N Fertilizer Sources.
Nitrogen Material
% Total
N
Urea
45 to 46
900
Ammonium nitrate
33.5 to
34.5
670
Nitrogen solution
28 to 30
560
Ammonium sulfate 20 to 21
400
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Calcium nitrate
15 to 16
300
Sodium nitrate
16
320
Nitrate of
soda-potash
15
300
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Phosphate Sources -- Triple superphosphate is the most commonly used straight phosphate material. It
contains 44 to 46% available phosphate and has no agronomic limitations. Other sources sometimes used
are ordinary superphosphate (20% available P2O5) and ground, raw rock phosphate. Although ground
rock phosphate has a relatively high content of total P2O5 (27-41%), its availability to plants is quite low.
Phosphate fertilizers can safely be applied in the fall by disking in just before seeding the winter cover
crop.
Potash Sources -- Because a large price difference has recently developed between the preferred source
of potash for tobacco (sulfate of potash) and the other widely available source (muriate of potash), there
has been great interest in the cheaper source (muriate of potash). Recent research at the University of
Kentucky has shown that spring applications of chloride- containing fertilizers, such as muriate of potash
(KCI), above 50 lb of chloride/ acre, leads to excessive levels of chloride in the cured leaf of burley
tobacco, increased curing and storage problems, decreased combustibility of leaf and ultimately greatly
reduced quality and usability of cured leaf.
Although several field experiments have shown a yield increase to spring applications of muriate of
potash, chloride content of the leaf lamina, particularly at the higher rates of application, is increased.
Such increased chloride levels are usually associated with lower leaf grades. Table 7 shows the effect of
fail and spring application of muriate of potash on leaf concentration of chloride. Consequently, sulfate of
potash (K2SO4) should be the major source of potassium if applied in the spring. Because animal manures
contain chlorine, applications of manure should not exceed 10 tons/acre and should not be applied with
potash fertilizer other than sulfate of potash in the spring.
Fall application of chloride-containing fertilizers (prior to January 1 of the production year) will greatly
minimize increases in chloride concentration of cured leaf but may lead to somewhat higher levels than
spring applied sulfate of potash. Neither source of potassium (KCI or K2SO4) should be applied in the fall
on sandy soils since the potassium will leach out of the soil over the winter. Research to date indicates
potassium does not leach appreciably during winter and spring when applied in the fall to silt loam or
other fine textured soils in Kentucky.
Table 7. -- Effect of Rate of Muriate of Potash and Date of Application on Chloride Concentration
of Cured Leaf Lamina.
Leaf Position on Stalk
Rate of
KCI lb/A
Date
Applied
200
400
800
October
0.54 0.51
0.53
0.57
April
0.57 0.53
0.73
0.75
October
0.50 0.52
0.49
0.57
April
0.64 0.68
0.89
0.92
October
0.86 0.65
0.92
0.80
April
1.89 1.72
1.66
2.35
2. Mixed Materials
Liquid vs. Dry Fertilizer -- Fluid fertilizers in various forms (clear liquids or suspensions), grades and
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ratios are an important segment of fertilizer usage in Kentucky. They represented 15% of total fertilizer
tonnage used in 1981-82 and 10% of total fertilizer tonnage used in 1982-83. However, most of this fluid
tonnage is nitrogenous material (anhydrous ammonia and UAN solutions). About 4% of the total mixed
fertilizer tonnage used during 1981-82 and 1982-83 was in fluid form. Solid fertilizers are currently the
most commonly available form in Kentucky, either as materials or mixtures. However, fluid mixtures are
available in some Kentucky localities, and fluid materials are generally available statewide.
Fluid mixed fertilizers have been shown in numerous field and laboratory tests to be equivalent to dry
mixed fertilizers. For this reason, agronomists generally have no basis to predict any difference between
the agronomic effectiveness of fluids or solids when applied in the same manner at the same rate of actual
nutrients. A producer should determine whether or not to use fluid or solid mixed fertilizer by considering
only such factors as convenience, how it fits into his program, cost, and flexibility.
To determine the plant food content of some volume of fluid fertilizer, the weight of that volume must
first be determined. Generally speaking, fluid fertilizers weigh 10-12 lb/gallon, depending on the product.
Once gallons are converted to pounds, plant food content is calculated just as with dry fertilizers since the
guaranteed fertilizer analysis is on a percent-by-weight basis.
Organic Sources of Nutrients -- Many growers apply animal manures, tobacco stalks or tobacco stems
to fields. Such practices add nutrients to the soil and fertilizer rates should be reduced accordingly as
shown in Table 8.
Table 8. -- Nutrient Content of Organic Sources.
Material Applied
P2O5
K2O
Animal manure 1
Dairy cattle (80%
water)
11
12
10
Poultry (55%
water)
31
18
14
10
24
Tobacco stalks
30
10
70
Tobacco stems
30
10
140
1For
tobacco production, do not apply more than 10 T/A of animal manure because of high chlorine
content.
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Foliar Fertilization -- University of Kentucky research has shown no value to foliar application of
fertilizer at topping.
Broadcast vs. Band Fertilizer
Generally, research has shown that only 1/2 to 2/3 as much fertilizer is required to produce maximum
crop yields when properly banded as when it is broadcast. However, the magnitude of plant response to
banding compared to broadcast applications varies widely with soil nutrient levels, soil temperature, soil
pH, and the mobility of the nutrient being applied. Greatest benefits from banding result from (a)
applications to soils having low or very low soil test levels of the nutrient in question, (b) applications to
crops grown in cool soil, (c) applications to either acid or alkaline soils, and (d) applications of nutrients
designated as being immobile in soil. In contrast, broadcast and band applications have about equal
efficiencies on soils with medium to high soil test levels, neutral pH, high temperatures, and when the
nutrient is considered to be a mobile nutrient in soil. Because of the potential for greater efficiency from
banded fertilizers, banding may be one way to lower fertilizer costs under certain conditions.
In addition to banding's potential for more efficient nutrient use, recent University of Kentucky research
has suggested other advantages including less manganese toxicity, improved early growth, fewer days to
maturity and increased cured leaf yields (Table 9). These advantages occur primarily because the
fertilizers are placed between the rows allowing transplants to become established before roots permeate
the fertilized soil zone. High rates of commercial fertilizers applied to tobacco soils through commonly
used broadcast methods greatly increase the salt concentration of the soil solution and decrease soil pH
0.5 to 1.0 pH unit. Such changes in the soil may result in damage to plant roots, cause nutrient toxicities
or deficiencies and adversely affect plant growth and yield. Banding of the fertilizer appears to alleviate
many of these problems. Research on the best system for banding continues to proceed along several
avenues.
Table 9. -- Effect of Broadcasting and Banding Fertilizer on Burley Tobacco.
Location
Frankfort
Crop Characteristic
Lexington
114
111
73
62
29
35
--
--
71
69
2790
2950
2992
3260
153
Fertilizer was placed in a band 12 in. from the row, 4 to 5 in. deep, 5 days after transplanting.
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5.Time nitrogen application to soil type. All nitrogen on well drained soils can be broadcast and disked-in
just ahead of transplanting. For soils which waterlog or percolate water slowly, apply no more than 1/3 to
1/2 the total N ahead of transplanting and sidedress the remainder (this minimizes fertilizer nitrogen
losses from such soils). Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer in the fall in Kentucky.
6.Apply molybdenum in the transplant water on soils testing less than pH 6.4
7.Do not use muriate of potash on tobacco fields after January 1 since it will result in elevated leaf
chloride levels and can lower quality.
8.Rotate tobacco with a sod crop (clover-grass mixture) every two years if possible. This will help
maintain good physical condition of the soil.
9.Do not plow or disk fields when they are too wet.
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