DARK FIRE-CURED TOBACCO RESPONSE TO POTASSIUM RATE AND APPLICATION METHOD

Field experiments were conducted in 2012, 2013, and 2014 near Murray, KY to evaluate response of dark fire-cured tobacco to potassium rate and application method. Treatments included 4 rates of potassium based on soil test K values with potassium sulfate (0–0–50) at 0%, 50%, 100%, and 150% of the recommended potassium rate in each year. All potassium treatments were either manually broadcast applied and incorporated 1 day prior to transplanting or manually band applied and incorporated 7 days after transplanting. Based on soil tests for the location of the 2012–13 tests, a higher rate of potassium fertilizer was recommended, compared to the 2014 location. Potassium rate and application method did not have a significant effect on yield components (lug, second, and leaf) in any year; however, there was a response in 2012–13 for total yield. Within the 100% recommended rate in 2012–13, broadcast (3,367 kg ha−1) application of potassium resulted in significantly higher yield than banded application (3,001 kg ...