J. Michael Moore, University of Georgia Extension Agronomist-Tobacco
South
Georgia Weather/Crop Status
Sucker Control
Effectiveness
Harvest Progresses
Disease Losses
Insect Problems
Baling Tobacco in 1998
1998
Georgia-Florida Tobacco Markets Open July 21
Drought conditions that have existed for the past 10-12 weeks throughout the tobacco production area of south Georgia have moderated by the middle of July as scattered thunderstorms have dropped from 1/4 to 5 inches of rainfall on parts of the area. However, the heat and dry soil conditions have resulted in permanent losses for the 1998 crop, which may amount to 20-25 percent of the quota. Soil moisture conditions continue to be short to very short for most of the area. Most of the crop has received repeated irrigations, but water in ponds and streams has been exhausted in many areas. Lower leaves on many crops and the whole stalk in others have been burned by the sun and lost to harvest. Many growers are physically and mentally exhausted from minding the irrigation equipment by night, even before harvest is well underway. A number of crops will be hard-pressed to harvest the required 20 percent of insurance yield goals to ensure insurance policies will pay the highest coverage levels. All but 5 of the 159 counties in the state have been declared agricultural disaster areas as a result of the accumulated weather problems, including El Niņo and the drought.
Sucker control programs have been challenging and extended this season as the irregular flowering and drought conditions have delayed the final applications of maleic hydrazide (MH) and either Prime+ or Butralin. Additional applications of contact type materials were applied this year to delay the application of MH and allow for greater growth of the top leaves. In spite of the dry weather and windy conditions for spray application, most sucker control programs appear to have been effective to this point. Ninety percent of the crop that will receive sucker control chemicals has already received the final application. Timely rains occurring this weekend and week could significantly reduce expected MH residue levels of future tobacco harvests.
Approximately 15-18 percent of the tobacco crop has been harvested to date, with most of the harvest occurring in areas that transplanted early and had the benefit of plentiful irrigation. This compares to 36 percent of the crop at this same time last year and 28 percent for a five-year average. Minor amounts of the crop have been harvested for the second time.
Tomato spotted wilt virus stand losses statewide continue to be lower than those experienced in 1997 and are still said to average only 6-8 percent. While early infections resulted in death of the plants, infections after the last cultivation have caused the loss of leaves on one side of the plant. Infections have continued even up until topping.
Black shank continues to show up in greater amounts than last season, with upwards of 8-10 percent of the crop lost to the disease. Early season moist soil conditions resulted in widespread infection, and drought conditions combined with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees F have increased the rate at which plant symptoms have become visible and plants have died.
Flea Beetle and Aphid populations have been lower this season than those normally experienced. Less than a half-dozen of those fields visited this season have had noticeable populations of either of these insects. The use of Admire 2F was very widespread and is credited with aiding in these lower populations.
Conversely, budworm populations appeared earlier than for the past two seasons and were in greater numbers. Dry weather conditions caused growers problems with control in plants that were slow growing and had very closed bud growth. Likewise, hornworm populations have been at record levels and have caused growers problems with obtaining control. Less than desirable control with all labeled chemical controls under the drought conditions has frustrated growers. Labeled amounts of most labeled insecticides should be expected to provide better control of hornworms when weather conditions improve. In the meantime, growers are encouraged to increase the amount of water used per acre, increase plant coverage to better reach the worms, and scout fields to ensure that sprays control smaller worms.
Tobacco Splitworms continue to be present at greater than normal levels, especially in the lower leaves. Their feeding results in damaged areas in the leaves that are noticeable as window-like areas in the green leaves but appear brown to black in cured leaf. Splitworms were observed feeding in and damaging tobacco buds earlier this season.
The number of growers and warehousemen preparing to bale tobacco in the 1998 season continues to increase. At least 8-10 balers will be operating on farms and in warehouses for the season. Guidelines for bale size, shape and weight; baling materials; and tobacco quality are strict. Those interested in baling tobacco are encouraged to contact their county extension agents or their state extension tobacco specialists (engineer and agronomist) to discuss plans and requirements for baling in 1998. Bales must weight less than 850 pounds and must measure 42" in height, 42" in width and 40" in length and be held together by at least 4 cotton type baling wires, which encircle the bale horizontally. A fiberboard slipsheet will be attached to the bottom of the bale and parts of three sides. Tobacco must be of good quality, separated by stalk position, free of tobacco and non-tobacco foreign matter, less than 18 percent moisture content, and less than 110 degrees F. Good quality tobacco in good condition, which might be expected to store and handle well in sheets, should also be expected to survive well in bales.
More than 8,000 bale identification tags have been issued at this time to Georgia growers by the central bale tag registry at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Growers must obtain their own tags, and each bale must be tagged to identify the farm of origin and the grower or commercial baling operation that constructed the bale.
Georgia and Florida tobacco auctions will begin on Tuesday, July 21, 1998, as the 1998 tobacco marketing season opens. Marketing is expected to continue through the first week in October.
Thank you for calling the Georgia Tobacco Hotline, presented by the University of Georgia Extension Tobacco Team and brought to
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