Poultry feather meal application in organic flue-cured tobacco production

Abstract

Information on N management in organic flue-cured tobacco production is limited. Research was conducted from 2012–2013 to determine the effects of two certified organic N sources applied at three rates on the yield, quality, and chemical constituents of fl ue-cured tobacco. These organic N sources included Nature Safe 13–0–0 (NS) and Nutrimax 12–1–0 (NM), both of which consisted of hydrolyzed poultry feather meal. Application rates for both fertilizer sources were 17 kg N ha-1 above recommendation (B+), at recommendation (B), and 17 kg N ha-1 below recommendation (B–). A conventional control containing ureaammonium-nitrate (UAN) was applied at the B application rate. Tobacco yield and quality were similar among conventional and organic N programs. Leaf N concentration, SPAD measurements at flowering, and total alkaloid concentration of cured leaves responded positively to increased N application rates, regardless of organic fertilizer source. The largest increases in nitrogenousbased leaf constituents were observed in this study where B+ treatments were applied; however, those increases did not translate into increased leaf yield or quality and could delay the initiation of leaf senescence in growing seasons with low soil moisture. Results from this study demonstrate the acceptability of poultry feather meal sources for organic tobacco production, and confirm that application rates of organic N sources should follow conventional recommendations.