Late‐Season Nitrogen Application to Tobacco Produced in Fine‐Textured Soils

Abstract

Core Ideas Nitrogen is key to maximum leaf yield and quality. Nitrogen management is currently based upon expected conditions. Alternative strategies could improve N management. Alternative strategies are not suitable for fine‐textured soil types. Late‐season nitrogen (N) assimilation can greatly impact the yield and quality of flue‐cured tobacco, particularly in the fine‐textured Piedmont soils of North Carolina. Research was conducted in 2015 to 2016 to evaluate the effects of N application rate and number of N applications to the yield, quality, value, and leaf chemistry of flue‐cured tobacco. Liquid N (28% urea ammonium nitrate) was applied at 50, 70, and 90 lb N/acre. Each rate was either applied in two splits (0.5 rate 7–10 days after transplanting and 0.5 rate at layby) or three (0.5 rate 7–10 days after transplanting, a 0.25 rate at layby, and a 0.25 rate 2 weeks after layby) after transplanting. Cured leaf N concentration was similar at 50 and 70 lb N/acre (2.58 and 2.61%, respectively) but was increased in treatments receiving 90 lb N/acre (2.77%). Additionally, three N applications (2.73%) increased cured leaf N relative to two N applications (2.58%). The same treatment parameters did not impact yield or value but reduced cured leaf quality in one growing environment due to prolonged N assimilation. Results indicate that current recommendations for N application rates (50 lb/acre) and timings (split‐applied twice in equal portions) are adequate to obtain maximum yield, quality, and value on fine‐textured soils similar to those evaluated in this study.