2010 Evaluation of Dark Tobacco at Murray State University: Study 2: (Coleman, Puckett, and Murdock) The Effect of Increased Potassium Levels on Tobacco Crop Yield

This field trial assesses the effectiveness of increased rates of potassium on a tobacco crop. This is done to determine the effect of additional potassium on the overall yield of the plant. The soil test taken from the Murray State University farm indicates potassium levels in a lower than adequate range to produce a crop of tobacco. This suggests an application of a total of 220 pounds K2O following the prescribed fertilizer recommendations given by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to achieve the adequate amount required for the production of tobacco. The experimental setup consists of four different application rates of potassium, these levels represent 220 (the initial recommendation), 293 (133% of recommended level), 365 (166% of recommended level), and 440 (200% of recommended level) pounds K2O per acre. The base rate of 220 pounds of K2O per acre was applied pre-plant to the entire field. The application of the additional differing rates of potassium is obtained by using the banded side-dress application method in the first week after transplanting of the crop. All other nutrient fertilizer amounts were met according to the recommendations allocated by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The 16 trial plots are arranged in a randomized plot plan to limit the possibility of variation that may arise due to preexisting field conditions. Results will become available at the end of the season