FLUE-CURED TOBACCO IN A STRIP-TILL PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Abstract A four-year study was conducted to compare the effects of strip-till tobacco production under crop rotation to conventional-till tobacco on a South Carolina Coastal Plain soil. A separate two-year study was conducted to define the impact of in-row cultivation and nitrogen application rate on conservation-till tobacco production. Flue-cured tobacco was planted into strip-till without bedding or into a conventional bedded production system. All plants received in-row sub-soiling. In-row cultivation of strip-till tobacco and conventional-till tobacco were evaluated under three nitrogen levels: 78.4, 95.2, and 112.0 kgN/ha. Strip-till tobacco production resulted in a negative impact on tobacco yield, quality, and lodging. The negative attributes of strip-till tobacco production can be partially overcome by cultivation. Increased nitrogen tended to improve yields, but at the expense of leaf quality and chemistry. Crop rotation resulted in significantly improved tobacco yields and value, and reduced ro...