FACTORS AFFECTING EARLY FIELD GROWTH OF FLUE-CURED TOBACCO TRANSPLANTS PRODUCED IN THE FLOAT SYSTEM

Abstract Observations by growers and county extension agents indicate that early-season field growth of flue-cured tobacco transplants produced in float greenhouses is sometimes slower than that of transplants produced in outside plantbeds (seedbeds). Experiments were conducted in 1995 and 1996 to evaluate possible differences in early field growth of shoots and roots of flue-cured tobacco transplants produced by each method. Treatments included seeding two weeks early, addition of N and/or P to the float water 10 days before transplanting, replacement of the fertilized water with tap water 10 days before transplanting, and severe clipping (0.5 cm above the buds) one day before transplanting. Normally-produced transplants of both transplant sources also received a high P, water-soluble fertilizer in the transplant water. The control treatment consisted of normal recommended practices for greenhouse and field transplants. High weather-related transplant mortality occurred with greenhouse transplants at one...