Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Yield of Burley Tobacco

Relatively large amounts of nitrogen from fertilizers and manures commonly are used in burley tobacco production. Growers are currently estimated to apply between 150 and 400 pounds of actual N per acre. Fertilization of burley with nitrogen significantly affects the physical and chemical characteristics of cured leaf and produces changes in yield and value. On most soils, leaf yields usually are increased by applications of N fertilizer, but the amount of yield increase per unit of applied fertilizer N varies widely between soils. High rates of N applied preplant or at planting often retard early plant growth, delay maturity, and lower cured leaf quality, which may reduce average value of cured leaf. The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of rate of fertilizer N on yield and value of burley tobacco in order that N fertilizer recommendations may be improved