Performing Department
Crop Science
Non Technical Summary
Organic tobacco production is a small, but growing, maket in North Carolina. Under the auspices of the USDA-NOP, production must occur within a mandated set of standards using approved materials. These materials and standards are different than those used and implemented by conventional tobacco producers. At present, many organic tobacco producers face significant challenges in producing quality transplants. Tobacco transplants are produced in an aqutic system where EPS trays, filled with soilless media and seed, are floated on a solution charged with a mild fertility charge. One of the major sources of organic nitrogen used in the system is seabird guano. Observations by agronomists has indicated that seedlings produced with guano often exhibit slower growth rates than those produced with mineral nitrogen sources. In rare events, organic seedling production systems have experienced complete failures. It is hypothesized that there are numerous factors associated with these issues. These factors include, but are not limited to, elevated bicarbonate concentrations, poor mixing/disolving of fertilizer sources, and too little fertilizer being applied. Benefits of this study will increase operation sustainability by allowing organic producers to become more successful.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
100%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
1. Evaluate various organic sources of fertilizer2. Determine the impact to tobacco seedling growth/development3. Quantify nitogen availability during the course of a greenhouse season4. Quantify the value of floatbed aeration to nitrogen availability5. Provide science based information to organic producers for improved organic seedling management
Project Methods
Research was initiated to quantify the effect of various organic fertility programs to growth and development of flue-cured tobacco seedlings. Eight fertility programs were imposed in a split-plot design and replicated three times in a single tobacco greenhouse. The main factor was aerated floatbeds and non-aerated floatbeds, with the subplot factor being fertility program. Following seeding, solution samples were collected from each floatbed every five days to quantify nutrient availability. Beds were fertilized nine and 21 days after seeding. Soilless media samples were collected as float trays were filled, 20 days after seeding, and at the end of the study. In addition, seedling tissue samples were collected at the end of the study to determine final transplant quality. All soilless media, solution, and tissue samples were analyzed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.