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Effects of Subsoil Management Practices on Growth of Flue‐Cured Tobacco 1
Author(s) -
Batchelder A. R.,
Rogers M. J.,
Walker J. P.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1966.00021962005800030030x
Subject(s) - subsoil , mulch , topsoil , straw , agronomy , environmental science , moisture , soil water , water content , curing of tobacco , chemistry , biology , soil science , geology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
Following topsoil removal, tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum , was grown on exposed Appling sandy clay and Cecil clay subsoils. Some factors affecting tobacco growth on subsoils were 'determined, and the effectiveness of 3 management treatments on soil moisture conservation and tobacco yields was evaluated. The 3 treatments were: (1) bare surface, (2) straw mulch, and (3) straw mulch plus straw incorporated into the subsoil. Leaf yields were significantly greater with the straw treatments than for the bare surface control during the first two seasons. In the third season, rainfall and supplemental irrigation were sufficient during critical growth periods and no differences occurred between those treatments. Mulching conserved soil moisture and reduced soil surface crusting. Treatment effects were comparable for both soils, but the yields were greater for the Appling subsoil. The data indicate that soil moisture is a primary factor influencing tobacco growth and yields on exposed subsoil.