Three Dark Fired Tobacco Studies from the Murray State University School of Agriculture: STUDY 2

Rodgers, Thompson, Moss and Bowman examined dark fired tobacco yields using variable topping stages. This experiment was designed to help farmers increase net profits by illustrating the yield differences that occur when tobacco is topped at different heights and times. Time frames tested were elongated bud, 50% bloom, and 100% bloom. Tested topping heights were 12 leaves and 16 leaves. The project involved six different treatments. In treatment #1, tobacco was topped at elongated bud stage at 12 leaves. In treatment #2, tobacco was topped at elongated bud stage at 16 leaves. In treatment #3, tobacco was topped at 50% bloom stage at 12 leaves. In treatment #4, tobacco was topped at 50% bloom stage at 16 leaves. In treatment #5, tobacco was topped at 100% bloom stage at 12 leaves and in treatment #6, tobacco was topped at 100% bloom stage at 16 leaves. After drying, tobacco leaves were removed from stalks and classified into three categories: lugs, seconds and leaf. All leaves from a treatment were weighed to determine yield