Soil Test Potassium as an Indicator of Tobacco Response to Band Application of Fertilizer

During the past 10 years, several studies have been conducted at Lexington on the University of Kentucky Experiment Farm to compare the effect of banding fertilizer 10 to 12 inches to each side of the row with preplant broadcast applications on growth and yield of burley tobacco. Generally, banding most of the nitrogen and potassium has led to fewer problems with salt and manganese toxicity and to improved growth during the early season. However, as compared to broadcast application, banding has had varying effects on cured leaf yields. In 'some experiments banding resulted in higher yields, in other experiments in lower yields, and in still other experiments no difference in yields. Additional experiments on farmer fields were conducted to identify soil chemical factors related to yield response to banding.