Author: De la Torre, Jose Ramon

Title: The effect of potassium on the yield and composition

of Pennsylvania cigar-leaf tobacco

Place of Publication:

Copyright Date: 1945

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260
300
502
504
533

590

590

. )

The Pennsylvania State College
The Gradjuate School
Department of Agricultural and Biological Chemistry

The Effect of Potassium on the Yield and Composition

of Pennsylvania Cigfir-leaf Tobacco

A Thesis

"by

r
\

Jose Bamon de la Torre

Suhmitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree of

M0LBter of Science

October, 19^

> >

1

) 1 1

■) •> ^ '

1 )
)
1 )

> '

) >

I'^'^J,

Approved:

Head of Depai-tment

Ac-/"'*^ t J

Table of Contents

I.
II.

III.
IV.

YI.

VII.

VIII.

TX.

I.

Page

Introduction • ^

O'bject of these Investigations 3

1.

Historical ^

Materials Used • '

Methods of Analysis ^3

A - Tohacco Analysis 13

B - Soil Analysis • ^5

Posiilts ^^

Discussion ^'

Surcrnary • • ^

Acknovledgments 33

BilDliography 3**-

28558 1.

T. Introductiorx

Among the essential elemente found by many workers to "be present
in the plant tissues we have: carhon, hydrogen^ and oxygen^ obtained hy
plants from water or from atmospheric gases, and therefore abundant for
all practical purposes. Also, considered as essentials we have nitrogen,
phosphorous, potassium, calcium, sulphur, magnesium and iron, all of which
enter the plant from the soil. Of these elements nitrogen, phosphorous
and potassium are in general not only essential for plant growth, hut
the more used from the soil, and therefore they have to he supplied in
the form of artificial fertilizers for fiirther use and assimilation hy

4-

he plant in order to increase the yield and improve the qualities of

such nlants.

Numerous workers have reported that the element potassium plays an
important role In the physiological economy of the tobacco plant. It
is absolutely essential for plants and cannot be entirely replaced by
any other element. Even if the exact role of potassinm is obscure its
role is undoubtedly to be inte3T)reted as chiefly a catalytic one, and
appears to be necessary for some physiological processes. Among them we
have: (a) the metabolism and translocation of carbohydrates; (b) the
synthesis of proteins and related nitrogen- containing compounds (c) normal
cell division, (d) .^xerte a great and favorable effect on the good burning
qualities of tobacco, and (e) increases disease resistance.

i

On the other hand, there is no doubt of the importance of nitrogen
in the nutrition of cigar-leaf tobacco provided that it is supplied in
a readily available form and not in excess. The presence of nitrogen
in the tobacco plant is closely related to the color of the leaves;
the ripening of the tissues, the strength of the smoke, and finally
the presence of nitrogen - containing compoundB as protein, nicotine, etc.

II. Object of these Investlsatlone

Tliese Investigations were pursued to find out how the amount of
potassium fertilizer applied to the soil affected: (l) The amount of
ayailahle potash in the soil. (2) The amount of potash and total
nitrogen in the tobacco grown on these soils. (3) The amount of
potash removed from the soil by the tobacco plants, {k) The ratio
between the nitrogen and potassium found in the plant. (5) The yield
and quality of the tobacco produced.

^

III. Historical

The Penney Ivania Tobacco Experiment Station has devoted a great
amount of time to fertilizer studies "basing these vorke on a number of
theses. l*inure alone, manure supplemented with fertilizers, and ferti-
lizers alone have "been compared. Fertilizers alone had showed not to
be as good producer of tobacco in weight and quality as fertilizers
supplemented with manure. The original project for this study con-
sidered the use of manure primarily supplemented with different amounts

of fertilizers.

Potassium is taken from the soil by the plant ordinarily in the
earlier stages of its life, forming generally very soluble inorganic
compounds. Growing portions of the plant system are always rich in
potassium, as buds, root tips, young leaves, etc. Older tissues contain

relatively little potash.

That the amount of potassiuiu in the plant is increased by the
amount of available potassium in the soil has been accepted by rnany
investigators. Ward (26) stated that increasing the g'oantlty of potash
fertilizer applied caused a corresponding increase in the percentage
of potash in the leaf. Schmltt {2k) found that increasing potassium
or nitrogen in the fertilizer increased the amount of these nutrients
m the plant. Nightinga.le, Schermerhom and Bobbins (22) found that
when potassium was present in tomato plants in limited quantities it
was translated from regions of less intensive to regions of more intense
metabolism. Anderson (3) fotxnd that the potash increases from the lower

to the tenth or twelfth leaves declining then regularly to the top.
Gribbins (8) found that if the quantity of available potash is low, the
greater concentration occurs at the upper leaves, but if the quantity
is satisfactory there is about a unifonn concentration throughout
the leaves. Thomas (25) concluded that the potassium absorbed by
the plant was proportional to the amount applied in the fertilizer.
Since the tobacco plant is a heavy feeder it has been used as
an indicator for the availability of fertilizer elements in the soil
(15, 16, 20 1. The importance of the presence of potash in the tobacco
leaf has been established in relation to its burning quality, by the
work of Gamer (6), Haley (9, 10), Grlbbins (8), and mny others.

The utilization of nitrogen and its use by the tobacco plant
has been studied extensively especially because of its Irnportance In
metabolism, and its Influence upon other elements in the plant.
Gamer (7) has performed interesting work In the nitrogen nutrition
of tobacco. He concluded that nitrogen deficiency appears in some
manner to produce a plant which shows a lower water content than where
nitrogen Is supplied in liberal amounts. Beaumont {k) also worked In
the assimilation of nitrogen by the tobacco plant, and found that the
higher the total nitrogen in the plant, the higher the nicotine content
in the leaf. Haley (9,10,11,12) stated that nitrogen has to be supplied
in an available form at the earlier stages of growth, but that it is
more harmful than beneficial at the latter stages. Mc. Mortrey (15,
16,17) studied nitrogen assimilation by the tobacco plant especially

In connection with disease characteristics. Moss (21) and Thomas
(25) have also shown the importance of nitrogen and other elements
in the nutrition of tobacco and its quality, Emerson (5) studied
the influence of the supply of potash upon the nitrogen-potash ratio
in red clover and stated that the solubility of soil potassium is
increased by applications of manure, but varies with the kind of
compound supplied in the fertilizers. He showed also that the k/tI
ratio is widened slightly by the application of lime but narrowed by

the application of manure.

Gribbins (8) stated tliat the ratio of nitrogen to potash should
approximate 1:1 in the leaves being wider when the amount of potash
sunplied was minimum and narrower when the potash was excessive.

uy^

TV. Materials Used

Sell samples were taken from the plots of the four-year
rotation experiment (tobacco following com) at Roseville, Pa.,
featuring the use of fertilizer as a supplement to manure.
Tohacco was grown in a four-year rotation of wheat, hay (clover
and timothy), com, and tobacco. Manure at rate of 15 tons per
acre, without fertilizer supplements, constituted the control
treatment. All treatments were in triplicate. Plot size was
designed as I/60 of an acre, to furnish a final sample from one
hundred plants, based on a distance of ^0 inches between rows,
26 inches between Dlants in the row, approximately 6,000 plants

per acre.

The treatments were distributed over a block of 30 plots,
consisting of 3 tiers of ten -olots, each treatment occurring once
in a tier. The treatments and their arrangement follows:

•vl J

8

TABLE I

Plot Treatments - Manure pr.xs fertilizer

Potash Series

Plot

Numbers

Manure
Tons/A

Fertilizer

Nutrients

Lbs, /a

N

P2O5

K2O

A

1, 16, 29

10

B

6, 20, 22

10

C

3, 19, 27

10

D

9, 13, 25

10

S

2, 15, 30

10

r

8, 11, 2h

10

30

90

0

30

90

60

30

90

120

30

90

180

30

90

240

Phos-Dhorus Series *

0

5, 17, 23

10

E

10, 12, 28

10

I

k. 18, 26

10

30

0

120

30

60

120

30

120

120

Nitrogen Series *

K 7, 1»^, 21

10

0

90

120

Plot Diagram

a

F

D

21 22 23 2\ 25 26 27

1

28

A

29

15
30

FHDKEAG T
11 12 13 li+ 15 16 IT 18

19

B

20

B K

6 7

8

D

9

H
10

The fertilizer niaterials used were as follows: -
Nitrogen - derived from cottonseed meal and nitrate of soda;
Phosphoric acid, triple sunernhosphate , U8^o P2O5; Potash,
sulfate of T^otash, 51.9, KgO. A formula for pSd^ F is given on
next page:

0

Su"b -Project 852 -A Page 3

Fertilizer Ff~^rmula F

Pounds

150

125
178

^57

Ingredient

Cottonseed meal

Nitrate of soda

Triple superphos
pbate

Sulfate of Dotash

Analysis
Basis

Pounds Nutrients per Acre

H

P2O5 K2O CaO Ivigo

G.(j^ N 10^0 i4-.5 3-0 0.5 1.1

3.0^ P2O5
2,0^ K2O

0.3^ CaO
0.7^ MgO

16^ N 20.0

i^^ P2O5 85.5 35.6

20^ CaO
51. S>^ K2O

237

910

30 90 25o 36.1 1.1

The phosphorus and nitrogen series ware not used in these studies,

only the potash series. The tobacco samples used were two out of eveiy

triTDllcate as shown in the results.

The four crops in the rotation were tobacco, wheat, hay (red
clover and timothy mixture), and com. Com was grown in 19^1 on the
tier which grew tobacco in 19^2. These plots received the fertilizers

as a

broadcast treatment on the surface immediately before -planting.

After the fertilizers were applied, a snring-tooth harrow was used to
incorporate it in the surface soil, followed by planting.

10

The amount and dietrllDution of rainfall recorded for the
growing season of 19^2 represented a typical wet season.

Season of 19^2

Month

June

July-
August
Grand total for growing season:

Inches rainfall

7.15
7.67

18.66

This season wa

s TTiarked "by excessive rainfall, but well

distributed.

11

TABLE II

THE IKFIIJENGE OF MANUES ALONE OR

SOPPLEIVENTED ¥ITH DIFFSHEOT FERTILIZER
MIXTUEES ON THE TIELD AND QUALITY OF PEMSYL-
VANIA CIGAE-LEAF TOBACCO FOR THE SEASON OF 19^2

o

O

1

16
29

Ave

20
22

Ave

3
19

27
Ave

13

25
Ave

1^

•H B

-P H

U O

(D Cm

3B

Manure only

tt

It

Tt

n

3-9-0

n

ii

3-S-6

It

3-9-12

n

11

(D m

•H ^

1288
1260

ll^08

1319

1389
1350

1305

13 W

1357

11^75
liv87

ll+l+O

1521
1^70

1U75

00 {i

© o

p. f-l

7

'

53
U6

1^2

^7

lf6

35
29

37

^9

3^

52

h^

59

51
Uo

50

pp

good
good
good

good

good
good
good

good

good

good

good

good

good

good

good

45

<y

fair
fair
fair

fair

fair

fair to good
fair to good

fair to good

good
fair to good
fair to good
fair to good

fair

fair to good
fair

fair

TABLE Il(contdO

12

o

-P

o

H

15
30

Ave

8
11

Ave

U o

<0 Cm

M

3 -9 -18

ft

tt

3 -9 -2i^

T1

tl

(D tD

1508
1572
139'^

11+91

114-29
130i+

1390
13'^^

CD -P

g

I

U

(D

P^

53
52

lf6

53

hi

h9

A

good
good
good

good

good
good
good

good

Ti""j r

I I ■ I

-P

good
fair
fair

fair to good

poor
fair
good

fair

Manure was applied at the rate of 10 tons per acre in l^i^l and
15 tons per acre in 19^2 • Fertilizers, when ised, were applied at the

rate of 1000 ll)s. per acre.

Table I and n - were taken from the data available by the
Department of Biochemistry in their tobacco investigations, and I wish
to thank Dr. 0. E. Street for providing them.

13

V. Methods of AnalyslB

I

A. Tobacco Analysis.

Samples of cured tobacco were secured when the leaves were
stripped from the stalk. The leaves selected were chosen from the
middle portion of representative plants. One leaf was selected from
each of Ip such plants out of the total of about 100 plants grown on
each plot. The samples were dried and the midribs removed, the
remaining portions were then finely ground and kept in air-tight

bottles until used.

The methods used in the chemical analysis of tobacco were

essentially those used by Hasklns (13).

Moisture was determined on a two gram sample by drying at 80 C
for three hours in a vacuum drying oven, maintained at a pressure of

less than 50 mm. of mercury.

For the determination of ash, two grams -f powdered tobacco were
weighed in a tared pro-elaln crucible and placed in an electric muffle,
allowed to remain there f^r two hours at ^OC^C, cooled and weighed.

determined on a neutral solution of the ash, using

Potassium was

trisodlum cobaltmitrite as the precipitating agent. The two gram
sa-nple used for the determination of the ash was ignited in a mffle
furnace at 1.80-5OO°C for 2k hours. The resultant ash ^^s transferred
to a llOO ml. beaker u^-ing distilled warer and oae ml. of concentrated
nltri. acid. This solution was heated to boiling and cooled before

filtering

into a 2 JO ml. v-lunietric flask, washed and made up to

TOlume with distilled water

lU

i

4

I

I

A 10 ml. aliquot vas then measured into a 100 ml. 'bealcer and
neautrallzed by the dropwise addition of normal sodium hydroxide, using
a drjrj of methjl red as an indicator. The solution vas then acidified
with one ml. of normal nitric acid and the potassium precipitated by
the addition of five ml. trisodium cobaltini trite solution, containing
one gram of reagent per five ml. The b©T,ker vas placed in a vater
bath maintained at 20°C. for tvo hours and then f iltej ed through a tared
porous bottomed porcelain filtering crucible. The transfer vas made
vith 0.01 n nitric acid from a vash bottle. The precipitate was washed
ten times with two ml. portions of the dilute nitric acid and five times
with two ml. portions of 95f alcohol. Suction was applied until the
precipitate vas quite dry, the crur/ible was then wined with a clean
cloth and placed in an electric drying oven for one hour at llO'^C.
After cooling in a desiccator, it was weighed. The weight of precipitate
multiplied by the factor 0.17216 gave the corresponding weight of

potassium.

Total nitrogen vaa determined by the KJeldahl method modified to
include the nitrogen ^f nitrates. A one gram sample of the ground
tobacco was placed in an 800 rnl. TCJeldahl digestion flask. To this
1^0 ml. of concentrated sulf.irl • acid, containing one gram of solicylic
acid were added and the flask rotated to Insure a thorough mixing of
reagent and 8a.T.ple. The mixture vas allowed to stand at least thirty
minutes, with frequent shaking. Five graros of sodium thiosulfate were
then added and the resultant ndxture heated slowly until white fumes
appeared. After cooling, ten gra-ms of potaocium sulfate, « few crj^stals

15

!

of copper sulfate and a Hen^r selenium pellet vere added and the mixture
heated in a moderate flame for one hour after clearing. The flask vas
ellcved to cool and then diluted vith 2^0 i.al. of distilled vater. A
pre-deteiTTilned volume of Greenhank alkali vae added (to make the
Bolution 8tronsly alkaline), followed by a few pieces of mosey zinc, then
connected to the ccna.enBer and the contents mixed. The released ammonia
vae collected in about 50 ml. of saturated boric acid solution {%) a
total volume of about 200 ml. being distilled over. The distillate ve.s
then titrated vith l/H. normal sulfuric acid uslrg a mixed Indicator
of meth^a red and methylene blue. A blank determination ves run on
the reagents employed.

B, Soil Analysis

soil samples secured from the fertilizer plots wore dried and
pulverized. One portion of each soil sample vas ground to pass a
1,0 mesh screen and another portion to pass a 100 mesh screen. The
kO mesh sample vas used for the deter..lnation of potassium, and the
100 mesh soil vas used for the determination of nitrogen. Moisture

^4- io riPRrribed in the Official Methods
.mB determined ii. both se.mples as it is described m

of Analysis, for Soils (23).

The .ethod used for the determination of available potash in the
soil vas the method in gene.^ use at the PennsylvanSa Agricultu^l
Experiment Station, vhich is described belov:

.r .rer,ared soil vere weighed and placed in a 300 ml.
Fifty grams of preparea buxj «-

^. . IP^ ml of ammonium accetate added, Bhatea and the
Erlenmeyer flask, 125 mJ-» ^^ ^^

«4.or.+ umiid vas decanted thm^i^ih
:. ^ «^4-+-i^ The snneTTiatant Xiquia y/clo
soil allowed to settle, m^ »^

16

a filter on a ribbed funnel into a 500 ml. Erlenmeyer flask. The

m

operation vas repeated with another 125 rol* portion of amonium

acetate and then a 100 ml. portion added. Fifty ml. of extracting

so

lution vere added and soil ar.d ext3?actant were poured on the filter

paper. Finally the soil vas leached on the paper with another 50 ml.
portion of amonium acetate. A few drops of the filtrate from the
last addition were tested for calcium and when found free of calcium
(the leachlngs) were made up to a volume of 500 ml.

A 250 ml. £Lliq.uot of the amonium acetate leachate vas
evaporated to dryness on a hot plate at about 60 to 65 C. After
complete evaporation, the sides of the beaker were washed down and

evaporated agfiin.

To the fluffy residue, 5 ml. of 10^ h^'drogen peroxide were
added to destroy organic matter and the beaker was shaker, with a
rotary motion so as to wot the sides. Evaporated to dryness ag^in.
The treatment was repeated if necessary in order to oxidize all
organic matter. The sides of the beaker were washed thoroughly
and sufficient ir^ sodium hj^droxide solution was added to turn
Phenolphtalein distinctly red. An excess of over 1 ml. of the
alkaline solution was avoided. The contents of the beaker were
evaporated a^in to dry:.ess in order to drive off the last traces
of ammouia, a:.d, after cooling 25 ml. of approxi::.tely 0.15 H acetic
acid were exactl,^ added. After polici:^ thor.oghly the aides aud
bottom of the beaker, one drop of the solution was tested for
a^aonla with .essler reagent. The solution filtered through . dry

17

filter into a dry veBsei and a 2'J mi. aliquot, representing 20 sins.

of soil, placed in a ^)eaker and set in a water bath at 10°C or belov.

TO the cooled solution, ^ ml., of the cooled (lO^C or "below) solution

of Tia3Co(N02)6 were added with vigorous stirring.

The solution was allowed to stand in a refrigerator overnight

and the precipitate collected on a compact asbestos pad in a Gooch
cracihle. The heaker was rinsed five times and the rinsings poured
into the Gcoch so as to also wash the precipitate, and the precipitate
^3hed five additional times. Cooled water to lO^C was always used to
do the washings. The outside of the crucible was rinsed, the pad
^^oved, and both pad and crucible were placed into the original beaker
and covered with water. First a few ml. of O.05 N potaBsium per-
^ngar^te from a burette were added, and then innnediately 5 na. of
dilute sulfuric acid were added too. The mixture stirred vigorously
to break up the asbestos, and permanganate was added until an excess
..B present. The beaker and contents were placed over a low flame
and heated Just to boiling. More premanganate was added if the color

was about to disappear.

, ^ ^v,« flame 0.05 N oxalic acid, was added,
After removing from the flame, u.w^

^■p o-hont 1 ml. was -oresent, and the
with stirring until an excess of about 1 ml. va .

.. . tn stand for several minutes, atirrlng fre<iuently,
mlrbure allowed to etana lux

«« r.-F oYRlic acid vaB titrated vith
until perfect]^- white. The excess of oxalic

„te Each ml. of O.O5 N pern^nganate used was equiva-

* T,o+nq3lum or 0.0003926 gm. of potash,
lent to O.OOO325Q gm. of po^ssium or

18

Total nitrogen in soils was determined by the K.leldahl method
Including the nitrogen of nitrates aa used for the tobacco samples.
But 10 gms sample were used and 60 ml. of sulfurlc-saljcllic acid
added.

.4

VI. Results

TABLE III.

Be suit 8 of Analytis

1 1

Soils

0

t

CD

o o

s

o
. o

^^

0)

•H o

> w
<;

A -1-1

A -1-2

A-16-1

A-16-2

A -29-1
A-29-2

B-6.1

B-6-2
B-20-1

1.13

1.21

0.76

0.81

1.32

1.05

0.85

1.36

0.93

0.96

B-20-2
B-22-1
B-22-2

C-3-1
C-3-2

C-19-1
-19-2
-27-1

0.97

0.88

1.01

1.06

0.76

:-27-2

0.92

1.14 0.83

©

o
u
-p >R

3SS

TolDacco

0.0261

0.02,1

0 . 0165
0 . 0161

0.0188

0 . 0180

0.0126

261

271
165
161
188
180
126

0.13
0.13

0.11

1300
1300

1100

(D

u
:i
-p ♦

Q <-w^

0.11 1100

0.0155 155

0.11

1100

0.0136
0.0138
0.0160
0.0160
0.0208
0.0206
0.0278

0 . 0286

0.0199

136
138

160
160
208
206
278
286

199

0.11 1100

0.12 1200

0.12

1200

0.10

0.10

0.10

I 0.0202 I202 1 0.10

1000
1000
1000

1000

6.18

6.28

20 . ifO

20.28
21.80

o

3.98
3.88

3.99

21.72 3.97

3.09

3.0J^

3.27
3.28

5.63

5.75

20.20 If. 25

20.29

k.3h
21.58 ' 1^.62

21.35

6.07

5.9^+

22.69
22.63
19.92

1^.63
U.62
1^.32

20.11 \hM

3M
3.53

3.70

3.56

3M
3.1^0

3.27

3.24

TABLE, III . ( contd . )

21

s

►oils

TolDacco

z 1

b:

(

t>

Xi 1

D

i

. ! ,

P

■ "

5 I

0

H ^

:i CD

H

D O

ID r

0 •.

4

>

<

So fe 45

•HI* 13

(^ » Pi s

1

<

0

0

u

-p

D-9-1

0.0238

238

0.11

1100

21.79

4.U8

3.23

«

j^ y -^

1.22

0.81

5.74

*

^*\

D-9-2

0 . 0250

250

0.10

1000

21.75

1+.57

3.38

D-13-1

1.07

0.75

0.0262

262

0.095

950

6. 71+

21.87

1+.83

3.55

_ ^N

D-13-2

"" 1

0 . 029!;

29^^

0.090

900

21.76

5.01

3.58

D-25-1

0.98

0.7^

0 . 0228

220

-

-

-

-

D-25-2

0.022l^

224

-

"

■•

■R!-P-l 1

0.0392

392

0.10

1000

^ \

21.69

i^.99

3.19

*- — —

Z-2-2

0.96

0.72

0.0396

396

0.10

1000

6.1+9

21.68

5.01

3.20

1

E-15-1

E-15-2

1.02

0.83

0.0367
0.0371

367
371

0.11
0.12

1100

1200

6. 11+

20.21+

20 . 13

I+.19

1+.17

1+.02
3.82

E-30-1

0.0372 1 372

-

-

- 1-

-

-

1.19

0.9U

! ■

1 1

E-30-2

0.0368

368

. - - .

• ■

F-8-1

0.0378

378

o.n

1100

7.08

23.20

I+.85

3.1^

F-8-2

1.13

0.7**

O.Ol^36

1+36

0.11

1100

23.13

I+.96

3.29

F-11-1

0 . okks

1+1+3

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

F- 11-2
F-2U-1

0.93

0.70

o.cl^i+7
0 . 01+37

1+1+7
1+37

0.11

1100

6.56

21.72

1^.66

3.57

f

F-2^-2

0.99

0.65

0 . oi+oo

1+00

0.11

1100

•

21.66

U.70

3.58

TABLE IV.

EFFECT OP VARICfUS FEETILIZER
TREATMENTS ON THE AMOUNT OF AVAIL-
ABLE POTASH IN THE SOIL, AND THE AMOONT
OF POTASH ON CUEED TOBACCO, ON MOISTUES FKEE BASIS

T

•

o

•H
H

4^

•H

O

t

Ph

C
^

A-1

None

A -16

None

Ave.

B-6

B-20

Ave

C-19

C-2T
Ave.

D-9

D-13
Ave.

E-2

E-15

Ave.
F-8

T-2k

Ave.

3-9-0

3-9-0

3-9-6

3-9-6

3-9-12
3-9-12

3-9-18
3-9-18

3-9-21+
3-9-21+

I

<D

H rH

^ ,Ci *H

OJ 03 O

<d o a
<

0.027 '
0.016

0.022

0.014

O.OlU

O.Olif

0.028

0.020

0.024

0.021+

0.028

0.026

0.039

0.037

0.038

o.oUi

0.01+2

o

m o

-p ^ >p-

o c o

Ph -H E^

3.93
3.98

3.96

1+.30

i+.6^

l+.i+5
I+.63
11.38

I+.51
I+.53

1+.Q2

I+.72
5.00
I+.I8

I+.59

I+.90

1+.68

O.0I+2

1+.T9

2^

TABLE y.

EFFECT OF VARICES FEOTILIZEB
TREATMENTS ON THE TOTAL NITROGEN
TN THE son. AND THE TOTAL NITBTJEH
IN THE aTHED TOBACCO, ON MOISTURE FREE BASIS

-^3

P«=

c
o

■iii»i » "•*

A-l

A-16

Ave.

B-6

B-20

Ave.

C-19

C-2T
Ave.

D-9
D-13
Ave.
E-2

E-15
Ave.

F-8
F-2U

Ave.

-p

None

TTone

3-9-0
3-9-0

3-0-6
3.9-6

3-9-12
3-9-12

3-9-18
3-9-18

3-9-2U
3-9-2U

3san

0 ^
© H

O O

Jh in ,

-rl 0
13 -H

0.13

^^ # ».i-,-JL

0.12
0.11

0.12

0.11

8

S aJ

o o

•H C

1^5.

3.07
^.28

3.18
3.50
3.63

3.57

3.W*
3.26

3.35
3.30

3.M^
3.20

3.92
3.56

TAJ3LE YI.

EFFECT OF VAEIOJS FEPTILIZEE
TEEATMETTTS ON THE AJ^IOUDIT OF ASE
AM) POTASH HI TEE CUEED TOBACCO ON
MOISTUEE FHEE BASIS

24

o

-p
o

H

A-1
A-16
Ave.
B-6

B-20
Ave.

C-19
C-2T
Ave .

D-9

D-13

Ave.

E-2

E-15
Ave.
F-8
T-2k

Ave.

a
I

None
None

3-0.0
3-9-0

3-9-6

3-9-6

3-9-12
3-9-12

3-9-18
3-9-18

3-9-2l^
3-9-21*

<

20.3l<-
21.76
21.05
20.25
21.1»7

20.86

22.66

20.02

21. 31*

21.75

21 . 02

21.79
21.69
20.19

20. 9I*

23.17
21.69

22 . k3

o

o

o

^ 03

0} o

■P Eh V»-
O

P4 a

1

3.93

3.98

3.96
4.30

1^.60

k.63

!f.3B

1^.50

1^.53
U.92

4.73
5.00
1^.18

1^.59
i*.90
k.68

1^.79

«^i-if- atMimmimimaia '~~

TABLE VII.

THE MTIO BETWEEN
NITROGEN AND POTASSIOM
IN THE TOBACCO

23

flMVW***BM'^VI^

o

o

A-1

A -16

Ave.

B-6

B-20

Ave.

C-19
0-27
Ave.

D-9
D-13
Ave.
E-2

E-15
Ave .
F-8
E-2i4.
Ave.

M

H

I

None

Tlone

3-9-0
3-9-0

3-9-6
3-9-6

3-9-12
3-9-12

3-9-18
3-9-18

3-9-21*-
3-9-2it

•-XJiJBi

O
O

O

C 05

O

3.07

3.24

3.18

3.50

3.63

3.57

3AU

i.26

3.35
3.30

3.hk

I .--■■■.

o
o

o

o

3.26

3.30

3.28

3-57
3.82
3.70
3.81*
3.61+

3.7!^
3.76

1^.08
3-92
If. 15
3.1^7

i M II •! II ■ ■

3.81

1^.07

3.88

3.98

■»r g a TT

O
•H

0.97

0.97

0.90

0.88

0.93

0.85

TABLE VIII-

APPEOXIMATE AMOUOT OF
POTASH REMOVED PER ACRE

i

•

o

+>
o

OQ

rd CD

© +:> OQ

>^ :^ pq

■ ' — IP —

ti d ro

g 0 -H
•H CD
W CD Oj
0 'd m
^ H ^
^ (£> >>
Pl^-H fa

< >H P

-- ■ tj ■ -nj---'

goo g
M m <E 0

p, § 0 ^

< P^ W P<

A

127!^

1019

40. If

B

1370

1096

U8.8

C

li+ei

1185

53.4

D

11+96

1197

56.5

E

15^0

1232

56.6

F

li^lO

1128

5if.o

For the p-orpose of these calculations the cured tobacco vas

assumed to contain 20-^ molBture

2?

VII." Discussion

■ — II ■ — »"■ <■'

Investigations on soil and plant interrelationslilps often yield
results which are difficult to evaluate, especially when conducted
under field conditions, "because there are many factors Involved which
are not under the direct control of the investigator.

These experiments are no exception to the general rule, but by
repeating such experiments at frequent intervals we can arrive at
certain definite conclusions. However from the data obtained some

conclusions can be drawn.

When the experimental nlotp -eceived increasing quantities of
potash while nitrogen anC, phosphorus vera hold constant a corresponding
increase was found In available potasn in the soil and potash in the
plant, as shown in Tables III and IV. Also, an increase in the potash
fertilizer showed an increase in the yield and the approximate weight
of K^O removed ner a^re from the soil, as shown in Tables II and VIII,
up to aTDplicatlon of l80 Lbs. per acre.

These genoxnl res-alts are in close agreement with the results
found by Grlbblns (8), Thomas (25), Anderson (3), and War. (2^) who
stated%ach increase in the quantity of potash fertilizer applied
causes a corresponding increase In the percentage of potash in the

leaves .

Although the general results of this study agree with the

^ .v,a+ inrreaslnp the amonnt of potash applied to the
above statements that increasina

soil ln»re.aas the amount found In t*, plant, plot E failed to give
thle resvat. For some untoo«> reason tha t .bacco grovn on plot E-15

had a very low potassium content. In order to be sure that this was
not an analytical error the analysis of this sample was repeated in
duplicate and it was found that results checked closely with the original
analysis.

It is Interesting that althoiigh the potash was lower in the plants
from plot E than was to "be expected, the yield was very good and the
amount of potash removed per acre was equal to that removed from plot D,

In the plots studied, the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer
was held constant but the amount of notash increased. One third of the
nitrogen was supplied in a readily available form for out of the 30
pounds applied, 20 pounds were in the form of cottonseed meal and
10 pounds in the form of nitrate of soda. This form of nitrogen
application has proven to be especially good and the plants In all the
plots were grown without any sign of nitrogen deficiency. We ran
conclude as is shown in the Table V, that the amount of potash in the
fertilizer or available potash in the soil apparently did not affect
the amount of nitrogen in the plant, which is in accordance with the
work of Haley (^^10,11,12) showing the Importance of supplying the
nitrogen in the earlier stages of growth rather than In the latter
ones. An important thing to take into consideration at this point
is that the 19J^2 crop season was a weu season and that the manure
applied to ^lie soil before plan' ing helDed to keen the available
nitrogen on a high level, even in the check plot, and supplied nitrogen
to the plant at approximately a constant rate. The importance of the

ra

infall and weather conditions on the yield of tobacco, and the

29

potash and nitrogen metabollsra has heen showed previously by the work
of Gamer (7),. Mc. Martrey {16), and Thomas (25).

The iucrease in the potash fertilizer did not show an increase in
the amount of ash in the plant, as was expected, because by the work of
Aixdersori (1,3) and by Ward (26) it was showu that by increasing the
potash in the soil there is no increase particularly in the amount of
ash. For the amounts of Magnesium and calcium were found to be inversely
proportional to the amount of potash. I- this connection Ward (26)
found that the Calcium Magnesrom ratio la au in^jort^nt factor in the
tobacco leaf. In all cases studJ-ed, both calcium and magnesium showed
a decidedly antagonistic effect towards potassium; also, the sum of
CaO+MgO increased regularly with each decrease in potash content of
the leaf.- Anderson (3) and Gribbins (R) found the same results. "Any
increase in the potash content of the leaf resulted in a decrease In
the calcium and mgneslum content of the same leaf, the total ash being

constant . "

Gribbins et al (8) stated "From the results obtained, the writers
are inclined to believe that the ratio of nitrogen to potassium sho'old
approximate 1:1 in the leaves. It is apparent that the plots receiving
minimum quantities of potassl;xm had a wider ratio, while those receiving
excessive ai^iantltles had a narrower ratio than this value." He also
stated "It would appear that there is some correlation between the
nitrogen potassium ratio of the leaves and the fertilizer treatments
of the plants." This statement is in agreement with the results

, ,- J 4v, -f-Tn* Tflblo VTI. A and B -olots did not have any
obtained and showed in the Taox^ vij..

M

^

potash fertilizer and the r/k ratio was a little wider than the
plots that received potash in the fertilizer. The E plots in this
discussion were o:^t of the line toO; for some reason which we cannot
explain. Farther investigation will be necessary.

3^
3ir

VTI, Siarmriary

Samples were taken from soils in which fertilizers were
applied as a supplemeut for iiaiiure; nitrogen and phosphnrus were
held constant, hut potash was increased from none to 2^0 pounds
per acre. Cured tohacco samples grown on those soils were also
taken f&m analysis. Results of these studies lead to the
following conclusions:

I. Each increase in the amount of the potash applied to
the soil resulted in a corresponding increase in the
available potash, and as a consequence a corresponding
increase in the potash content of the tohacco plant.
II. The appr-'Ximate amount of potash removed hy the

tohacco increases with Increased potash applications
to the soil up to 180 pounds per acre. In ail cases
the amount removed per acre was leas than 60 pounds.
III. The nitrogen contents of the soils of the different plots
showed no significant differences.
IV. The amount of potash In the fertilizer apparently did
not affect the amount of nitrogen in the plant.
V. iiiJ amount of ash in the tobacco was found to be
practically constant independent of the increase
in the potash of the fertilizer.
VI. The n/k ratio of the tobacco is wider when grown on
plots that do not have any potash fertilizer and
narrower from plots that have potash in the fertilizer.

MkMHMiailH

iHHl^MM>i

3^

VII. No significant differences resulting from potash
appli cat ions were found in the quality of the
tohacco grown in 19^1?.
YIII. Increased potassiuTxi applications showed a favorable
effect ia increasing the yield of tobacco up to
additions of l80 pounds per acre of potash. The
plots receivio^ 2^0 TDoui^ds per acre showed a
significant decrease in yields.

IfeMkiM <B.*'TW»LWIM«^a

"— •**^''*'"'"'"— ■"'■-~"**^ ..y.u.-»^.-^ : -.. --.^^p

^3

U. Ackiiovled^^ments

The author wishes to extend thanks to the late Dr. D. E.
Haley^ under whose guidance and direction this work was started,
and Dr. C. 0. Jensen for his helpful advice and counsel so gener-
ously given throughout the last part of these investigations.

These thanks are also extended to Dr. C. B- Jeffries :or
help in making some of the Potash determinations in Soils.

He is indebted to Dr, 0. E. Street; in charge of the Tobacco
Substation at EoseviUe, Lancaster County. Pennsylvania, for his
generosity in supplying soil samples from his -potash variation

plots and the data on yields and q^uallties.

X. Bibliography

(1) Anderson, P. J., Svanbaclr^ T. R.^ and Street, 0. E.

Potash requirements of the Tobacco crop. Conn.
(State) Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 33^ > 21? VV^ 1932

(2) Anderson, P. J., et al. Variations in chemical

composition of leaves according to position on
the" stalks. Conn. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. ^4-22
(Eeport of the Tobaco^ Subst.at Windsor for 1938)
pp. 22-26. Mar. 1939

(3) Anderson, P. J*, Svanback, T. P., and Street, 0. E.,

Tobacco Substation at Windsor Eeport for 1939 •
Conn. State. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. ^33^
pp. 177-186 '^0.

{k) Beaumont, A. B., Larsinos, G. J. Piekenbrook, P.,

and Nelson, P P., The Assimilation of Nitrogen
by Tobacco. Jour. Agr. Res. ^3: N<^* 6.

(5) Emerson, P., and Barton, J., The Potassium Nitrogen

ratio of red clover as influenced by potasic
fertilizers. Jour. Am. Soc. Agr. i^: 182-192 *22

(6) Gamer, W. W., The relation of the CoTi5)03ition of

the leaf to the burning qualities of tobacco.

U. S. Dept. Agr. Bur. Plant Ind. Bull. 105, 1907.

(7) Gamer, W. W. Bacon, C. W., Bo^^ing, J. D., and

Brown, D. E., The Nitrogen Nutrition or ..
Tobacco. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bull. klk.

(8) Gribbins, M. F.,Peid, J. J., and Haley, D. E.

The distribution of Potassium in bright leaf
cigarette tobacco and its influence on the
quality of the leaf. Jour, Agr. Pee. 63:

31-39- 19^1-

(9) Haley, D. E., ^^a^.get, E. S., and Olson, 0., A

study of certain constituents of the leaf and
their relation to the Burning qualities of
Tobacco. Plant. Phys. 3: I85 I928.

(10) Haley, D. E., Longeneker, J. B., and Olson, 0.,

Comoosition and q^mlity of Pennsylvania cig9.r-
leaf tobacco as related to fertilizer treatment.
Plant Phys. 6: 177-182 1931.

~2d

(11) Haleyj D. E., Problems of Feeding Ciffu:-leaf Tobacco,

reprinted from Better Crops with Plant Food
Magazine. Reprint N. 9

(12) Haley, B. E., Street, 0. E., Farrell, M. A., and

Reid, J. J., The Yield and Composition of ci^r
leaf tobacco as influenced by fertilizer and
preceding crop. Pa. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull, i^l^■0
pp. 1-21. 19^+3 •

(13) Haskins, A. 1. , The Yield,Composition and Quality

of PennsylvanlE cigar leaf tobacco as influenced
by certain environmental conditions. Thesis at
The Pennsylvania State College, 19l<-'4-.

ilk) Hilbard, P. L. anfl Stout, P. E. Estimation of

Potassium by Titration of the Cobaltinitrite
■with Potassium permanganate. Jour. Assoc.
Off. Agr. Cham. l6: 137-1^0, 1933-

(15) Hunger Signs in Crops. A sya^oslum Published by the

American Chemical Society of Agronomy 19'<-1.

(16) M-Murtrey, J. E., Jr., Lunn, W. M. , and Brown, D. E.,

193 1+. Fertilizers tests with tobacco. Univ. of
Md..'A2r. Expt. Sta. Bull. 358> ^93^

(n) McMurtrey, J. E., Jr., Symptoms on field grown

tobacco characteristics of the deficient s^apply
of each of several essential chemical elements.
U. S. Dept. of Agr. Tech. Bull. 6l2: 1-30, 1938

(18) Meyer, B. S., and Anderson, D. B., Plant -P^^ysl-l'l-'gy.

a Text. D. Van Nostrandt Company, N- Y. 19^+1.

(19) Miller, E. E., Plant Physiology. A text, 2nd. Ed.

McGraw-Hill Book Company, N.Y.C., 193o.

(20) Morgan, M. F., Tobacco as an Indicator plant In

st-adying nutritional deficiencies of soils under
greenhouse condlti'^ns. Jour. Am. Soc. Agr.
21: 130-136, 1929.

f21^ M-ss, E. G., McMartrey, J. E., Jr., Lunn, W. M. , and

Carr, J. M. Fertilizer teste with Flue Cured
Tobacco. U. S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bull: 12 59 pp.
illus. 1927.

36

(22) Nightingale, G. T., Schermerhom, L. G., and

Eobblns, W. R,, Some effects of Potassium
deficiency on the histological structure and
nitrogenous and carhohydrate constituents of
Plants. N. J. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. U99,
36 pp. illus. 1930.

(23) Official and Tentative Methods of Analysis

Association of Official Agricultural
Chemists I9I4.O.

(2^) Schmitt, L. The in^ortance of supplying German

Soils and plants abundantly with potashj
A condition to the question of the harmony
of nutrients. Emahr. d. Pflange 35: 12,
pp. 301-306, Dec. 1939. Abstract Better
Crops with plant food. 2^:3, pp. 3^-35^
Mar''., 1940.

(25) Thomas, J. J., Haley, D. E., and Olson, Otto

The absorption of plant nutrients in relation
to the production of Pennsylvania cigar-leaf
tobacco. Pa. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 331; 20 pp
illus., 1936.

(26) Ward, G. M. Physiological studies with the

tobacco Plant. Pub. (729), 100 pp. tabs
grapho bibliop. 5^-55 F *^2 Canada Agr.