Lack of Rain Endangers Tennessee, Kentucky Crops

Source from:  tobaccofarmquarterly.com 06/05/2007

Farmers in north central Tennessee and south central Kentucky are looking to the skies for some much-needed rain as tender tobacco plants wait for rain after transplant. The weather forecast called for a chance of rain Friday and throughout the weekend in the area, but University of Kentucky plant scientist Dr. Andy Bailey said that the actual rain - the first measurable rain in the area since May 15 – was "real scattered," with amounts from one tenth on an inch to two and a half inches reported. Brad Greenfield, agricultural agent for the University of Tennessee Extension Office in Dickson, said that tobacco farmers in his area are concerned about having to reset their plants without a good, soaking rain in the near future. According to the 2002 agricultural census, there are about 594 acres of tobacco crops in the county. "I'm confident in saying it's getting scary," Greenfield said. "It's 10 degrees above average in temperature and nearly eight inches below the average rainfall. There are growers out there watching their tobacco leaves turn brown." Dr. Bailey said he had heard of some growers engaged in resetting plants, "but not a whole lot." Some growers are waiting two to three more weeks to set plants. Others with plants down are irrigating, putting down a quarter-inch at the time. Dr. Bailey said that tobacco plants usually do not require water until two weeks before topping. He went on to say that growers who enriched their set water may find their plants not taking the treatment for lack of water once in the ground. "It could be a problem in threes dry conditions," he said. "Starter fertilizers may cause mild burning, but that will not be along-term problem. It may not even show up without the rainfall." There is a chance black shank could develop, as it does in very wet or very dry conditions. The rainfall total so far this year in Nashville is only 13.5 inches, more than seven inches below the normal average of 21 inches for this time of the year. Dr. Bailey said that there the forecast calls for only chances of afternoon thundershowers through Wednesday, before a spike in temperatures brings in several hot, dry days. Enditem