Effect of strip band and in‐row placement of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on growth, yield, and efficiency of potassium use by burley tobacco

Abstract

A replicated field experiment was conducted at Lexington, Kentucky on Maury silt loam soil (Typic Paleudalf) using burley tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. KY 14). The purpose of the study was to determine the response of burley to placement (banding) of N‐P‐K fertilizer in or near the row. The experimental soil used tested low in potassium (K). Treatments consisted of various application rates of grade 6–24–32 (N‐P₂O₅‐K₂O) fertilizer applied either broadcast, in 40 cm wide bands directly under and parallel to the row, in 10 cm wide bands applied 50 cm apart and perpendicular to rows, or in two drill bands each 10 cm to the side of the row. Additional nitrogen fertilizer (NH₄NO₃) was applied to all plots to provide a uniform rate of 265 kg N/ha. Results indicated that plant response increased as rate of 6–24–32 fertilizer increased and response was greater in all band treatments than the broadcast control. As contrasted to broadcast applications, in‐row placement of fertilizer in 40‐cm wide bands resulted in greatest increases in plant K, plant dry weight, and cured leaf yield and value. Similarly, broadcast K was less efficient than banded K regardless of method of band application or rate of K addition. Comparing broadcast K to the 40‐cm band K using cured leaf data, broadcast K was only 51 to 57% as efficient as for 40‐cm band K.

Notes

The investigations reported in this paper (9–3–190) were in connection with a project of the KY Agric. Exp. Stn. and USDA‐ARS. This paper is published with the approval of the Director of the Station and was supported in part by grants from the Council for Burley Tobacco, Lexington, KY.

Professors of Agronomy and former Graduate Research Assistant, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546–0091.