Winter cover crop management in the production of organic flue‐cured tobacco

Abstract

AbstractLegume cover crops are not traditionally used in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) production due to concerns related to unpredictability of N supply and extended mineralization affecting quality of cured tobacco leaf. This study was conducted to determine if cover cropping with legumes could mitigate organic N fertilizer investment in tobacco without compromising yield, value, or quality. In 2018 and 2019, three winter cover crops: hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) (HV); Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense L.) (AWP); and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) (CC), were compared to a no‐cover crop control with typical organic N management in Rocky Mount and Kinston, NC. This study found no significant negative effects (α = .05) from legume cover cropping on yield or value of tobacco. In addition, AWP and HV increased yields between 13 and 37% compared to the no‐cover control. Value (US$ ha−1) did not differ from the control in 2018 or 2019 at any location, except at Kinston, where HV increased value 44% in 2019. In‐season soil samples suggest that HV provided N to tobacco up to flowering, however this did not negatively impact quality, yield, or value. Our research did not support grower concerns of prolonged N availability and found evidence that legume cover crops may allow for partial reduction in applied N without compromising the value of the product.