Tobacco Plus Cole Crop Equals More Income
Double cropping feasible for farmers.
Cabbage and tobacco
may seem like an unusual combination, but it has been seen growing recently
in some East Tennessee fields.
As more producers look to vegetables as a way to add to
their income, UT researchers are experimenting with adding cool-season crops
either before or after the tobacco crop. Cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower
could make a contribution, the UT scientists say, because the timing allows
for maturing of both crops. Also, the fertility levels, insect, disease
and labeled weed control methods are fairly compatible.
Still, there are many factors to consider in deciding to
add a second crop, says Dr. Al Rutledge, Extension specialist in small fruits
and vegetables. Vegetable plants are easy to obtain in spring, but producers
have to plan ahead to get them for fall. Variety selection is important,
too. A grower would need a quick-maturing variety of cabbage to get in and
out of the field in time to make the tobacco crop, or vice-versa if cabbage
is planted behind tobacco.
Other issues include fertility carryover-how fertilization
of one crop will affect the other-and control of weeds, insects, and diseases.
Some popular herbicides labeled for tobacco are an unknown entity for cole
crops. Current research is aimed at making those recommendations.
Last but not least, Rutledge said, is marketability of
vegetables.
"You can allow a horn worm to eat a hole in a tobacco
leaf and still sell it. But if you allow a cabbage worm to damage cabbage,
then you have an unsaleable product. That simply means that a producer is
going to have to walk the fields early and constantly. Little loopers can
get under leaves and cause problems before you know it."
Timing matters for price, too, he said. It doesn't matter
so much when you harvest a tobacco crop, but a day or two delay can change
vegetable prices by a dollar or more per box.
- by Lisa Byerley Gary | 