Influence of Potash Fertilizers on Tobacco Yields and Quality on a Mabí Clay

Abstract

An experiment with increasing applications of potash, with, and without lime in one instance, on cigar-filler tobacco on a Mabí clay at the Gurabo Substation gave results as follows: 1. There were increased yields of tobacco as the rate of potash fertilizer application increased. The use of 300 pounds per acre of K₂O gave a significant increase over the no-potash treatment, but 100 and 200 pounds of K₂O per acre failed to do so. 2. The use of 2 tons of lime plus 200 pounds of K₂O per acre produced significant increases in yields of cured tobacco over the no-potash treatment, but did not when compared to the 200 pounds of K₂O per treatment. 3. The quality of the tobacco, as measured by price received per pound of cured tobacco, was highest for the treatment with 200 pounds of K₂O per acre. 4. Considering the cash return received by the farmer for his cured tobacco, after deduction of fertilizer costs, the use of 2 tons of lime and 200 pounds of K₂O per acre appeared to be the most profitable treatment. 5. Cigars made with tobacco from the various potash treatments displayed no significant differences in quality factors affecting smoker acceptability.