sample="quota" bates="505353277" isource="rjr" decade="1980" class="ni" date="19860708" RJR CONFIDENTIAL R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Winston-Salem N.C. 27102 July 8, 1986 TO: Dr. Alan Rodgman RJR FROM: J.D. Shiffert SUBJECT: Weekly Highlights - AgriculturaT Science Division Best Copy TOBACCO CROP REPORT Blue Mold To date blue mold activity has been confirmed in FL, GA, NC, and KY tobacco production areas but no significant crop loss has occurred. The fungus was sporulating abundantly in Kentucky (Anderson County) during the last week of June, indicating that the disease is becoming established in an area where spread to the major burley production centers could occur rapidly with a return to favorable weather for the pathogen . . . .The flue-cured crop has been exposed to conditions generally unfavorable for blue mold development. Plants are now at or past flowering in most areas, and night time low temperatures are usually in the 70's. Flue-Cured Tobacco Soil moisture supplies continue to be short throughout much of the production area despite scattered shower activity and significant rainfall in some areas. Hot, dry weather has continued in many areas. Tobacco in FL and GA in rated fair to mostly good due to multiple irrigations and some recent showers. In SC the crop is more variable but generally rated very good in the Horry County area. In NC and VA the crop is rated good to mostly fair (12% poor) . . . . Major production problems have included: potato virus Y, black shank, Granville wilt, mosaic, and localized hail damage. Some premature flowering has been reported. Harvest was just beginning in SC, GA, and FL during the past two weeks. Overall the crop seems to be a little later than normal. Burley Tobacco Hot, dry weather continues to be a major concern for burley production. Showers have been highly variable in amount and frequency. Late planted tobacco seems to be suffering more than earlier crops. Lack of irrigation has contributed to many farmers' woes . . . . Above normal black shank activity has been reported. Tomato Spotted Wilt is now active in most Southern KY counties on both burley and dark tobaccos, especially in parts of the Mammoth Cave area. Alfalfa Mosaic Virus and Temporary Phosphorus Deficiency have been diagnosed more often than usual. Insect pressure has also been greater than normal with high populations of tobacco hornworms and aphids in some fields. Overall the crop is rated mostly fair and is growing slower than usual. I. Research Grants Field research projects were reviewed in FL and GA during the annual green leaf tour held on June 23-26. (Reich, Sopher) The 1986 Research Grant for NCSU was presented to Dean Bateman at the luncheon held in Raleigh on June 19. (Reich) Tobacco research projects and RJRT support were reviewed with Dr. Alex Csinos and other research scientists at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, GA on June 24. The Research Grant to Clemson University was presented at a dinner meeting on July 7. (Reich, Sopher) Future Research Grant presentations are scheduled as follows: July 16, University of Wisconsin (Sopher) July 23, University of Maryland (Sopher) July 24, Pennsylvania State University (Sopher) II. Extension Grants and Support Plans for the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Public Information Awards Breakfast in Colorado Springs, CO on July 29 are continuing to be coordinated. (Reich) Plans are being coordinated for the Georgia County Agent Study Tour and visit to RJRT on July 14-15. (Reich) A letter of support for the Extension Plant Pathologist position (with responsibility for tobacco disease control) at the Pee Dee Experiment station was sent to Clemson University. (Reich) Distribution of the Tobacco Field Manuals remains active. The second printing of the Burley Tobacco Field Manual is now available; a limited supply of copies was received in late June. (Reich) Plans are being made for a program and RJRT facilities visit by approximately 70 county agents and extension administrators from the University of Tennessee on August 4-6. (Mitchem) III. Education Programs The University of Georgia has selected the winner of the RJRT Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship. A check has been ordered to fund the scholarship. The recipient, Carmen S. Brown, also holds the RJRT Research Assistantship at the University of Georgia. (Sopher) Notification of the Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship winners at NCSU has bee received. The scholarships were funded earlier this year. (Reich) The winner of the Excellence of Agriculture Scholarship at the University of Florida has been selected. (Reich) A meeting was held with Dr. E. W. Glazener in Raleigh on June 19 to discuss the RJRT apprenticeship and scholarship programs at NCSU. (Reich) The RJRT/NCSU Research and Extension apprenticeship review has been scheduled for August 12 at BGTC. (Reich) IV. Cooperative Programs Reich and Sopher attended the Florida and Georgia tobacco research and variety tour on June 23-26. Mitchem. Reich, Sopher, and Smeeton are attending the SC, Border, and Eastern Belts tobacco research and variety tour on July 8-9. V. Agricultural Support to RJRT and RJRN Nine samples for the Leaf Research Program from the 1985 crop RJRT burley purchase from the Kentucky Belt were bulk blended and cut for cigarette making. (Robertson, Tilley) Nine samples of tobacco from various sources were prepared and shipped to Del Monte for pesticide residue analysis. (Robertson, Tilley) A summary of RJRN agricultural support (outside Agricultural Science Division) at NCSU and proposals for funding in 1987 was prepared for the Corporate Contributions Committee. (Reich) Assistance has been provided to the Public Affairs Department in the planning of a tobacco farm visit and RJRT tour for an Ohio Farm Bureau group on August 7. (Reich) VI. Agricultural Support to RJRTI An RJRTI Leaf Tour and Seminar began on July 7, 1986. Plans for this event were coordinated with RJRTI. The Leaf Seminar will be held at BGTC on Friday, July 11, 1986. Approximately 30-35 RJRTI agronomists and licensees from around the world will be participating in this event. (Miller) VII. Offshore Tobacco Project Samples of Philippine burley produced for the Offshore Project were sampled for chemical analysis and submitted to the Analytical Division. Thirty-two samples representing plant positions and replications from each of two nitrogen fertilization treatments were composited, cigarettes made, and evaluated for smoke flavor. (Robertson, Tilley) VIII. Entomology Beetle Control Second quarter Dianex fogging of all factory and processing areas has been completed. Gencor, for cockroach control, was applied in all casing and cutting areas at the same time as the scheduled Dianex fogging. Cockroach infestations have always been of serious proportions in C&C areas to profliferation of the insect. Clean-up has been the only method of control since toxic residual pesticides cannot be applied in tobacco processing areas. Gencor, a biorational insecticide containing hydroprene as its active ingredient, is similar to growth hormones that occur naturally in insects. This product controls roach populations by inhibiting reproduction. Population reduction is not noticed immediately but will occur after about 120 days. Although treatment is recommended every 120 day intervals, for convenience of scheduling we plan to treat every 6 day intervals, for convenience of scheduling we plan to treat every 6 months at the same time as Dianex fogging. A crack and crevice treatment with Gencor requires the services of seven men for eight hours in each factory. The cost of this concentrated effort on crack and crevice treatment followed by spray application is $3.68 per 1,000 square feet treated. (Hutchens) IX. Genetics/Physiology Tobaccoville Open House Plant Display A site at Tobaccoville has been chosen and prepared for the growth of tobacco plants in pots. A small trailer with water hookup has been provided for storage of supplies. Material to be used for mixing the potting medium has been delivered as of July 8, 1986. Seven-hundred and twenty-five tobacco seedlings, nearly ready for transplanting are currently potted into individual cells in the greenhouse. The outdoor growth phase of the experiment will be split into two halves, one of which will be near the BGTC greenhouse. Logistics for the BGTC half of the experiment still have not worked out. Access to the greenhouse complex for the delivery of soil, sand, and gravel will not accommodate the trucks that can easily deliver these supplies. (Bridle) X. Miscellaneous A visit was made to the Agro Services Soil Testing Laboratory in Orange City, FL on June 24. Laboratory procedures an the 1987 soil testing needs were discussed. (Sopher, Reich) The proposed 1987 contributions budget for the Agricultural Science Division was prepared for the Corporate Contributions Committee. (Shiffert, Reich, Mitchem) Shiffert, Reich, and Miller attended the retirement dinner for Dr. John Pitner, Director of the Pee Dee Research and Education Center, held in Florence, SC on June 28.