Application methods of organic poultry feather meal to flue-cured tobacco

Optimal application methods of organic poultry feather meal for flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) production are unknown. Research was conducted in 2012 and 2013 to quantify the effects of two poultry feather meal sources, 13–0–0 Nature Safe and 12–1–0 Nutrimax, applied using three different methods: 100% broadcast before transplanting, 50% broadcast before transplanting + 50% sidedress, 10 d after transplanting, and 100% sidedress 10 d after transplanting. A conventional N treatment comprised of 28% liquid urea–ammonium nitrate (UAN) was split-applied 10 d after transplanting and at layby. Leaf yield was similar between each individual organic N treatment and UAN. Nature Safe applied 100% sidedress resulted in leaf N concentration and cured leaf quality similar to UAN. In the absence of the UAN treatment, application method typically had a greater impact on measurements than feather meal source. Leaf N concentration was generally increased with the 100% sidedress application, most likely due to closer nutrient proximity relative to roots. Increased N assimilation from 100% sidedress treatments also produced a slightly darker leaf color as quantified by Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) measurements and a higher total alkaloid concentration in cured leaves. Leaf yield was similar among application methods in 2012, but was highest in the 100% sidedress treatment in 2013 due to high early season rainfall. Results from this study demonstrate the effectiveness of both feather meal sources and that 100% sidedress applications may prove ideal under a range of environmental conditions commonly encountered in North Carolina.