VERIFICATION OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS APPLICATION RATES TO FLUE-CURED TOBACCO

With rising input costs, flue-cured tobacco producers must consider modern fertility programs that focus on reduced application rates of alternative nutrient sources. To demonstrate the usability of these fertility programs, research was conducted in 2012, 2013, and 2014 to assess the impacts of reduced input fertilizer programs on flue-cured tobacco produced in the North Carolina Piedmont. Treatments evaluated included all possible combinations of 2 rates of liquid nitrogen (72 and 95 kg N/ha) and 3 rates of phosphorus (0, 25, and 56 kg P2O5/ha). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with a factorial treatment arrangement and replicated 4 times within each environment. Results confirm that lower application rates of nitrogen and phosphorus are acceptable for tobacco growth and development in the North Carolina Piedmont, as there were no differences in early-season tobacco growth or final leaf yield, quality, and value among the treatments imposed. In addition, the application of liquid nitrogen is suitable for the production of tobacco with acceptable leaf yield and quality. Producers in this region should consider the nutrient sources and application rates evaluated in this study in order to remain economically and environmentally sustainable.