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The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) encourages farmers to take interest in weather reports released by the meteorological department so as to be guided on when to plant as rainfall expectancy varies between areas. In line with the released reports, farmers should plant as early as possible since early planted tobacco results in increased yield and improved quality. As the onset of the rainy season approaches, a number of issues need consideration when transplanting tobacco seedlings from either float trays or conventional seedbeds.

Growers should select ideal seedlings for transplanting. Conventionally, the ideal seedlings should have a stem 15-17 cm long and 6-10mm thick. The seedlings should be well hardened and having more than 8-10 leaves with a vigorous root system.

Planting of uniform seedlings is a pre-requisite for the production of high yielding quality crops. In transplanting tobacco, the bottom line though is the condition of the tilled land in respect to its suitability for planting the transplanted tobacco. Farmers are urged to plant their tobacco on ridges where there is improved drainage and a good environment for early growth.

Tobacco does not tolerate wet foot and growers who plant on ridges get better yield and quality. To start with, the ridges should be relatively low and broad to allow maximum penetration of early rains. As the crop establishes itself, ridges can be built up by re-ridging, a process that removes weeds on and between the ridges, resulting in better surface drainage. Late re-ridging should however be avoided as it can damage roots.

For easy access to the planted land for operations such as reaping among others, the average spacing between ridges should be 120cm.

After or during the process of ridging, planting positions should be marked. These are usually spaced 52-60cm apart leading to a plant population of approximately 15,500 plants per hectare. Growers are also encouraged to fertilise their crops using the recommended fertilizers and in proper amounts. Proper amounts of fertilizers are accurately determined through soil testing.

Soil testing services are offered by both Tobacco Research Board and also by Chemistry Branch of the Department of Research and Specialist Services under Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. Growers are encouraged to apply the correct amounts of fertilisers.

Under application of fertilizers results in yellow smaller leaves, lower yield and poor quality crop. Excess fertilizer leads to delayed maturity, appearance of leaf diseases, excess growth of suckers, breakage and loss of leaves and plants by wind. Apart from applying correct amount of compound fertilisers and correct timing of application, the correct placement of fertilizer is also important.

The Tobacco Research Board (TRB) recommends placing fertilizer in a circle around the plant, banding (single and double), dolloping in the planting hole, broadcasting or deep placement. TRB discourages mixing basal fertilisers in the planting hole as this causes retardation of growth and may cause death of the plant.

Growers can also side dress by applying fertilizer in small holes that are 10 cm deep and almost 10 cm from the plant. Growers are also recommended to implement measures that control nematodes. This can be achieved by growing nematode resistant crops and/or by applying approved nematicides. Best results are obtained by an integrated approach of combining both practices.

For more information contact Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board on 263 4 614431/7; 0712 402 946 or email us on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Visit our website on www.timb.co.zw <http://www.timb.co.zw>