Tobacco

Crop Code No. 099: Tobacco

Soil Groups 1, 2, or 3				Desired pH 5.8 – 6.2
Phosphorus	Potassium
	Low	Medium	Sufficient	High	Excessive
	pounds of N-P₂O₅-K₂O per acre
Low	70-120-200	70-120-140	70-120-120	70-120-100	70-120-80
Medium	70- 80-200	70- 80-140	70- 80-120	70- 80-100	70- 80-80
Sufficient	70- 40-200	70- 40-140	70- 40-120	70- 40-100	70- 40-80
High	70- 20-200	70- 20-140	70- 20-120	70- 20-100	70- 20-80
Excessive	70- 0-200	70- 0-140	70- 0-120	70- 0-100	70- 0-80

COMMENTS (1, 70, 72, 89, 90, 650, 651, 652, 653)

70 Apply 100-150 lbs magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), or 20-30 lbs magnesium oxide, or 90-140 lbs sulfate of potash-magnesium per acre, or as a mixed fertilizer containing sufficient magnesium to supply 10 to 15 lbs magnesium per acre. (When lime is not recommended and soil test magnesium is low)

72 Apply 435 lbs gypsum per acre, or a calcium-containing fertilizer to supply 100 lbs calcium per acre, or 500 lbs dolomitic or calcitic limestone per acre. (When lime is not recommended and soil test Ca is less than 400 lbs calcium per acre)

89 Apply "preplant" fertilizer in two bands about 8 to 12 inches apart and slightly below the root crown at time of transplanting or within 10 days after transplanting. If the clay layer is within 12 inches of the surface, the nitrogen rate should be decreased to 60 lbs nitrogen per acre, and if the clay layer is deeper than 16 inches from the surface, increase to 80 lbs nitrogen per acre. For the tobacco following soybeans or highly fertilized corn (greater than 120 lbs nitrogen per acre), reduce nitrogen rate to 50 to 60 lbs nitrogen per acre.

Any nitrogen in addition to that applied preplant and recommended potassium should be sidedressed. For sidedressing nitrogen the nitrate form is preferable but recent studies indicate that nitrogen solutions or ammonium nitrate can be successfully used. All nitrogen should be in the nitrate form. Use calcium nitrate if no potassium is recommended. Potassium nitrate is preferred if additional potassium is needed. If formulated fertilizer is used, it is preferred that all the nitrogen should be in the nitrate form and potassium should be in the nitrate or sulfate form. Potassium chloride (muriate of potash) should not be used as a potassium source.

For Extended Harvest System use the following adjustments to the normal rate:
Early Harvest: 3/4 normal nitrogen rate
Mid-harvest: normal nitrogen rate
Late Harvest: 1 and 1/4 normal nitrogen rate

90 If lime is to be applied to the previous crop to raise the soil pH to 6.5, then lime rate should be reduced by 25%. If the soil pH is greater than 6.2, call your County Agent for additional information. (When soil pH is above 6.2)

651 The soil test boron is low, however, this is not a boron sensitive crop, therefore no boron is recommended. (When soil test boron is low)

652 The soil test manganese is low, however, this is not a manganese sensitive crop, therefore no manganese is recommended. (When soil test manganese is low)

653 The soil test zinc is low, however, this is not a zinc sensitive crop, therefore no zinc is recommended. (When soil test zinc is low)

Crop Code No. 098 Tobacco Bed

Soil Groups 1, 2 or 3; Desired pH 5.8-6.2

COMMENTS (1, 68, 69, 96, 97, 650, 651, 652, 653)

68 Broadcast Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) at the rate of 0.5 lbs per 100 square feet or 5.0 lbs per 1,000 square feet or a fertilizer containing magnesium. (When lime is not recommended and soil test magnesium is low)

69 Broadcast 5 lbs gypsum (calcium sulfate) per 100 square feet or 50 lbs gypsum per 1,000 square feet. (When lime is not recommended and soil test calcium is less than 400 lbs calcium per acre)

96 Apply 50 lbs supersphosphate (0-20-0) and 50 to 75 lbs 12-6-6 per 1,000 square feet or 300 lbs 12-5-6 per 300 feet row of plant bed. Mix the fertilizer within the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. Wet the bed thoroughly after seeding. Recommendations given for 1,000 square feet will also be satisfactory for 100 square yards. Caution: Fertilizer injury may occur if excessive fertilizer rates are used. (When soil test phosphorus level is low)

97 Apply 50 to 75 lbs 12-6-6 per 1,000 square feet. Use the lower rate of 12-6-6 when plants are grown under plastic cover. Mix the fertilizer within the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. Wet the bed thoroughly after seeding. Recommendations given for 1,000 square feet will also be satisfactory for 100 square yards. Caution: Fertilizer injury may occur if excessive fertilizer rates are used. (When soil test phosphorus level is medium or higher)