Philip Morris TFPP Program
Top Ten Ways to Increase Returns, Improve Yield, and
Maintain QualityGary 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/acHigh 150-175Medium 200-225Low 225-250
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 9Harvest mature tobacco
Too early(2 - 3 weeks after topping)Reduced yieldImmature
Green cure possibleToo Late (5 weeks or more after topping)
Dead ripeMore disease incidencePoor quality
Flashy Slick Undesirable
1500
2000
2500
3000
2 3 4 5 6
Weeks After Topping
Yiel
d/A
Yield
Quality
2000
2200
2400
2600
2800
3000
100+100 200+0 300+100 400+0
Nitrogen (units/a broadcast+sidedress)
Yiel
d lb
/a
VentilatedNonventilated
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