Sucker Control in Burley Tobacco

with and without MH

Recommendations to Reduce MH Residue

Reduce MH rate and add a local Reduce MH rate and add a local systemicsystemic 1.5 gal MH + 0.5 gal Butralin, Flupro or 1.5 gal MH + 0.5 gal Butralin, Flupro or

Prime+Prime+ Use Coarse nozzlesUse Coarse nozzles

TG-3 or TG-5 full cone nozzles TG-3 or TG-5 full cone nozzles

Application

Coarse nozzles TG-5 / CE-5 or

equivalent at 4-4.5 mph

TG-3 / CE-3 or equivalent at 2.5-3 mph

Influence of Sucker Control Across Four Location on Burley Tobacco Yield

2380 2507 2557 2411 2578 2546

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Yie

ld lb

/a

Locations = Bath, Knox, Jackson & Pendleton LSD 0.05 = 177

Effects of Application of MH by Coarse vs Fine Nozzles on Yield of

Burley Tobacco

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

Yie

ld lb

/a

Fine 2398 3105 1713 2352 2074 2697 2194 2911 2355

Coarse 2617 3474 1998 2498 2291 2949 2397 3014 2524

Bath Fleming Jackon Knox LaurelLawrenc

eNelson

Pendleton

Average*

Average MH Residues by State

1997-2004

0102030405060708090

100110120 ppm MH

1997 71 112 70 5 69 57 18 65

1998 79 38 62 11 59 48 17 70

1999 80 96 79 22 51 45 36 72

2000 48 32 95 31 20 44 52 46

2001 39 29 11 10 48 24 13 32

2002 38 36 13 32 34 30 35

2003 35 45 17 13 32 23 9 30

2004 39 42 58 20 25 26 34 35

KY IN MO NC OH TN VA ALL

Limited sample numbers on all but KY and TN 2000 - 2004 values are from warehouse sales only

Range of MH Residues in Kentucky for 1997 - 2004

0102030405060708090

100

%

Extremely High 2 9 5 0 1 2 0 3

Very High 14 10 15 5 5 3 2 5

High 21 14 21 13 5 9 7 6

Medium 29 30 25 33 27 22 26 16

Low 34 38 33 49 63 64 63 71

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Low < 41, Medium = 41-80, High = 81-120, Very High = 120 - 200, Extremely High >200 ppm

Advantages - Disadvantages - Disadvantages

Higher yields Better returns Improved sucker control Lower MH residue Extended Control 5-7 wks Rain safety after 2 hrs Not as weather dependent No cover crop concern No ground sucker concern Improved grower

confidence Produces darker cured leaf

Higher CostHigher Cost

MH Free TobaccoMH Free Tobacco

Location Day Treatment Boom Nozzle Drought Sucker Control Comments

Home 16 Prime + Straight TG-3 Low Fair-PoorTwo - Three 4-7" suckers in 1/2 of

plants in top

Dodd 16 Butralin Straight TG-3 Moderate Good Occasional 4-7" sucker

Dodd 16 Prime + Straight TG-3 Moderate Good Occasional 4-7" sucker

Dodd 16 Butralin 3 nozzle TG-3&5 Low-Mod Excellent Few suckers

Dodd 16 Prime + Straight TG-3 Moderate Good Occasional 4-7" sucker

Creek* 9 Prime + Straight TG-5 Mod-High Good Occasional 4-7" sucker

By-Pass** 15FA+ Flupro Straight TG-5 0-Low Poor Two 5-9" in tops of most plants

By-Pass** 15 Prime + Straight TG-5 0-Low PoorThree or more suckers in tops of

most plants

Shop** 14 Prime + Straight TG-5 0-Low FairTwo - Three 5-9" suckers in 1/3 of

plants in top

MH Free Tobacco Trial

MH Free Tobacco TrialObservations

Fair to good control for first 10 to 14 daysFair to good control for first 10 to 14 days No difference between Prime +, Butralin, or No difference between Prime +, Butralin, or

Flupro observedFlupro observed ““Escapes” common at the top of plant Escapes” common at the top of plant

Up to 2 or 3 suckers per plantUp to 2 or 3 suckers per plant Three nozzle arrangement slightly better Three nozzle arrangement slightly better

Must be kept directly over the rowMust be kept directly over the row Poor control when off rowPoor control when off row

Each Leaf Direct Each Leaf Direct Sucker Material Sucker Material

to the Stalkto the Stalk

3/83/8thth Phyllotaxy Phyllotaxy How leaves are How leaves are

arranged on the arranged on the stalkstalk

Successful Methods Hand

Jug method Backpack

High Clearance Sprayer Drop Lines

Workable Methods vs. Labor