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Story
December 5, 1951
Tabor City Tribune
Tabor City, Columbus County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Agricultural column by Charles Raper advising 1952 tobacco growers on disease-resistant varieties like Dixie Bright 101 and 102 for black shank areas, stressing rotation, fertilization, and management to avoid failures seen in 1951's poor crop year.
Merged-components note: The image is adjacent to the tobacco varieties article by the county agent and likely illustrates the agricultural content.
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OCR Quality
65%
Fair
Full Text
Your County
Agent Says
BY CHARLES RAPER
What tobacco variety to plant in 1952 is probably very much on the minds of tobacco growers at this time.
In arriving at a sound decision, we must first rationalize a little bit. Can you base your decision on the crop you made in 1951 (one of the worst crop years we have had in a long time) as compared to the crop you made with a different variety in 1950 (one of the best crop years on record). The answer is evidently 'no'.
If you used a disease resistant variety in 1951 and lost some plants from diseases, is it sound to conclude that you might as well go back to a non-resistant variety? The hot dry weather, heavy nematode damage, fertilizer injury, and heavy wire worm infestation experienced in 1951 coupled with black shank, all other diseases, can be expected to overtax the resistance of varieties available today in many instances. This is the reason why the value of rotation, in helping to keep down the infestation of nematode and other soil borne diseases have been discussed so prominently in the past years.
Many growers who have taken the rotation story so lightly are the ones that are so frustrated that their resistant varieties did not stand up against Fusarium wilt, Black Shank, or Granville wilt to their expectations in 1951.
If we utilize the resistance that we have in resistant varieties, and support the resistance with the benefits of a suitable rotation, apply the fertilizers so as to reduce fertilizer injury to a minimum, control wire worms and generally apply good recommended practices and methods to the production of tobacco, there will be much fewer failures or partial failures on disease infested soils.
VARIETIES FOR
BLACK SHANK AREAS
On farms and in communities where black shank is present, Dixie Bright 101 and 102 are recommended.
Dixie Bright 101 has been producing the largest yield of the above group in the state, on the average. The yield and value per acre is good. It has moderate resistance to black shank and high resistance to Granville wilt. The variety is apparently susceptible to nematode and leaf spot diseases, and is tender under conditions of rapid growth.
Dixie Bright 102 has been judged to be the best quality of the above group, but yields about 200 to 300 lbs. per acre less than Dixie Bright 101. Dixie Bright 102 is not as tender as 101 and needs to be dried fast at curing time than other tobaccos. Dixie Bright 102 has high resistance to black shank and high resistance to Granville wilt but is apparently susceptible to leaf spot diseases. Dixie Bright 101 and 102 are among the best varieties available when it comes to being low in nicotine, high in sugar content, and having a high strip percentage (leaf in relation to stem).
Vesta 30 has high resistance to black shank, about like 102 yields some less than 101, and is generally heavier in body.
Vesta 47 has moderate resistance to black shank and has a slightly broader and thinner leaf than Vesta 30. Both Vesta 30 and 47 are more adversely affected by unfavorable weather conditions than 101 or 102.
Black Shank & Granville Wilt infested soils—use Dixie Bright 101 or 102 on soils infested by both black shank and Granville Wilt.
Granville Wilt infested soils—Use Dixie Bright 101, 102, 27. Oxford 26 or Golden Wilt. Dixie Bright 101 and 27 are the highest yielders of the group. 102 and Oxford 26 are moderate yielders. Golden wilt is similar to Oxford 26, except it grows a little larger and is more bony and fibrous especially on fertile soil. Golden Wilt tends to show some cherry red. Oxford 26 is susceptible to leaf spot diseases.
Fusarium Wilt infested soils—Limited experience justifies growers trying Dixie Bright 102, 101, Oxford 26, or Golden Wilt on soils where considerable losses have been experienced from Fusarium Wilt.
BUYERS ACCEPTANCE OF
NEW VARIETIES
What about acceptance of Dixie Bright 101, 102 and 27?
Growers throughout the state watched buyer acceptance of ripe Dixie Bright 101 grow rapidly as the marketing got under way.
Dixie Bright 102 has been favorably received all the while. Although the acreage of Dixie Bright 27 was relatively small in 1951, as compared to 1950, there was relatively no criticism of 27 this year.
Buyers have consistently and unanimously stated that they like the crops of Dixie Bright tobaccos that are well ripened and show maturity.
It must be remembered that it will normally take growers 2 to 3 years to see what they can do with a new variety and what it can be made to do. By the same token, it takes time for the manufacturers to become familiar with the quality of new varieties.
MANAGEMENT OF NEW
VARIETIES
Dixie Bright 101 and 27 in particular, must be allowed to become very ripe before harvest. If these varieties tend to cure too bright, ripeness in the field, and allowing the leaf to become very yellow in the barn before drying, the leaf is helpful in overcoming this difficulty.
[If these varieties are allowed to become very yellow, must be given sufficient air and not grown with as much of a yellow sponging. Dixie Bright 102 does dried quickly to prevent low cast especially in the upper part of the plant as does 101. The bottom leaves of 102 should be primed a little on the green side or should become well mature. The remainder of the leaves indicating that 102 will dry at lower to retain the weight and body. Growers are unanimous in stating that 102 will dry at lower temperatures and needs to dry quicker than other varieties.
Since wilt resistant varieties show potash deficiency symptoms rather generally, it is suggested that growers try increasing their potash fertilization where Dixie Bright 101, 102, 27 and other wilt lines are grown.
A grower must weight the facts and have the courage and confidence in his ability to handle a variety so as to make the most out of it.
We have the disease problem and we need to quickly master the use of resistant varieties, the use of rotations, soil treatment, fertilizer placement, and wire-worm control, etc. and other know how that is now available.
In the meantime, through research our knowledge, understanding, know how and improvements will continue to grow and develop.
Of the non-resistance varieties 402, Hicks, Golden Harvest are the leading varieties grown in the County. Where you have no disease problem I would suggest that you grow a non-resistant variety. Other non-resistant varieties that have produced well here in the County are Va. Gold. Bells No. 3, American Beauty. and Gold Dollar.
Agent Says
BY CHARLES RAPER
What tobacco variety to plant in 1952 is probably very much on the minds of tobacco growers at this time.
In arriving at a sound decision, we must first rationalize a little bit. Can you base your decision on the crop you made in 1951 (one of the worst crop years we have had in a long time) as compared to the crop you made with a different variety in 1950 (one of the best crop years on record). The answer is evidently 'no'.
If you used a disease resistant variety in 1951 and lost some plants from diseases, is it sound to conclude that you might as well go back to a non-resistant variety? The hot dry weather, heavy nematode damage, fertilizer injury, and heavy wire worm infestation experienced in 1951 coupled with black shank, all other diseases, can be expected to overtax the resistance of varieties available today in many instances. This is the reason why the value of rotation, in helping to keep down the infestation of nematode and other soil borne diseases have been discussed so prominently in the past years.
Many growers who have taken the rotation story so lightly are the ones that are so frustrated that their resistant varieties did not stand up against Fusarium wilt, Black Shank, or Granville wilt to their expectations in 1951.
If we utilize the resistance that we have in resistant varieties, and support the resistance with the benefits of a suitable rotation, apply the fertilizers so as to reduce fertilizer injury to a minimum, control wire worms and generally apply good recommended practices and methods to the production of tobacco, there will be much fewer failures or partial failures on disease infested soils.
VARIETIES FOR
BLACK SHANK AREAS
On farms and in communities where black shank is present, Dixie Bright 101 and 102 are recommended.
Dixie Bright 101 has been producing the largest yield of the above group in the state, on the average. The yield and value per acre is good. It has moderate resistance to black shank and high resistance to Granville wilt. The variety is apparently susceptible to nematode and leaf spot diseases, and is tender under conditions of rapid growth.
Dixie Bright 102 has been judged to be the best quality of the above group, but yields about 200 to 300 lbs. per acre less than Dixie Bright 101. Dixie Bright 102 is not as tender as 101 and needs to be dried fast at curing time than other tobaccos. Dixie Bright 102 has high resistance to black shank and high resistance to Granville wilt but is apparently susceptible to leaf spot diseases. Dixie Bright 101 and 102 are among the best varieties available when it comes to being low in nicotine, high in sugar content, and having a high strip percentage (leaf in relation to stem).
Vesta 30 has high resistance to black shank, about like 102 yields some less than 101, and is generally heavier in body.
Vesta 47 has moderate resistance to black shank and has a slightly broader and thinner leaf than Vesta 30. Both Vesta 30 and 47 are more adversely affected by unfavorable weather conditions than 101 or 102.
Black Shank & Granville Wilt infested soils—use Dixie Bright 101 or 102 on soils infested by both black shank and Granville Wilt.
Granville Wilt infested soils—Use Dixie Bright 101, 102, 27. Oxford 26 or Golden Wilt. Dixie Bright 101 and 27 are the highest yielders of the group. 102 and Oxford 26 are moderate yielders. Golden wilt is similar to Oxford 26, except it grows a little larger and is more bony and fibrous especially on fertile soil. Golden Wilt tends to show some cherry red. Oxford 26 is susceptible to leaf spot diseases.
Fusarium Wilt infested soils—Limited experience justifies growers trying Dixie Bright 102, 101, Oxford 26, or Golden Wilt on soils where considerable losses have been experienced from Fusarium Wilt.
BUYERS ACCEPTANCE OF
NEW VARIETIES
What about acceptance of Dixie Bright 101, 102 and 27?
Growers throughout the state watched buyer acceptance of ripe Dixie Bright 101 grow rapidly as the marketing got under way.
Dixie Bright 102 has been favorably received all the while. Although the acreage of Dixie Bright 27 was relatively small in 1951, as compared to 1950, there was relatively no criticism of 27 this year.
Buyers have consistently and unanimously stated that they like the crops of Dixie Bright tobaccos that are well ripened and show maturity.
It must be remembered that it will normally take growers 2 to 3 years to see what they can do with a new variety and what it can be made to do. By the same token, it takes time for the manufacturers to become familiar with the quality of new varieties.
MANAGEMENT OF NEW
VARIETIES
Dixie Bright 101 and 27 in particular, must be allowed to become very ripe before harvest. If these varieties tend to cure too bright, ripeness in the field, and allowing the leaf to become very yellow in the barn before drying, the leaf is helpful in overcoming this difficulty.
[If these varieties are allowed to become very yellow, must be given sufficient air and not grown with as much of a yellow sponging. Dixie Bright 102 does dried quickly to prevent low cast especially in the upper part of the plant as does 101. The bottom leaves of 102 should be primed a little on the green side or should become well mature. The remainder of the leaves indicating that 102 will dry at lower to retain the weight and body. Growers are unanimous in stating that 102 will dry at lower temperatures and needs to dry quicker than other varieties.
Since wilt resistant varieties show potash deficiency symptoms rather generally, it is suggested that growers try increasing their potash fertilization where Dixie Bright 101, 102, 27 and other wilt lines are grown.
A grower must weight the facts and have the courage and confidence in his ability to handle a variety so as to make the most out of it.
We have the disease problem and we need to quickly master the use of resistant varieties, the use of rotations, soil treatment, fertilizer placement, and wire-worm control, etc. and other know how that is now available.
In the meantime, through research our knowledge, understanding, know how and improvements will continue to grow and develop.
Of the non-resistance varieties 402, Hicks, Golden Harvest are the leading varieties grown in the County. Where you have no disease problem I would suggest that you grow a non-resistant variety. Other non-resistant varieties that have produced well here in the County are Va. Gold. Bells No. 3, American Beauty. and Gold Dollar.
What sub-type of article is it?
Agricultural Advice
Farming Guide
What keywords are associated?
Tobacco Varieties
Disease Resistance
Black Shank
Granville Wilt
Dixie Bright
Crop Rotation
Wireworm Control
What entities or persons were involved?
Charles Raper
Story Details
Key Persons
Charles Raper
Event Date
1952
Story Details
Charles Raper advises tobacco growers on selecting disease-resistant varieties for 1952 planting, emphasizing rotation, proper management, and recommendations for black shank, Granville wilt, and Fusarium wilt infested soils, including Dixie Bright 101, 102, Vesta 30, 47, and others. Discusses buyer acceptance and curing practices.