Success StoryTobacco-specific Nitrosamine (TSNA) Reductions from Increased Use of Potassium Chloride in Tobacco



Tobacco-specific Nitrosamine (TSNA) Reductions from Increased Use of Potassium Chloride in Tobacco

Author: William Bailey

Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences

Major Program: Tobacco

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Andrea Keeney, M.S. graduate research associate under the direction of Dr. Andy Bailey and Dr. Bob Pearce, studied the impact of spring applications of potassium chloride to dark and burley tobacco between 2016 and 2018.  Potassium chloride has not been recommended in spring applications to tobacco fields due to its association with poor cured leaf quality.  However, fall applications of potassium chloride can be made and have been heavily adopted by tobacco growers in Western Kentucky due to cost savings.  This research comparing potassium chloride to potassium sulfate at various rates in spring applications showed no significant differences in cured leaf quality between tobacco treated with potassium chloride or potassium sulfate.  However, there were consistent and significant reductions in TSNA, the major group of carcinogens found in cured tobacco, where tobacco was treated with potassium chloride.  These findings showing no significant reductions in leaf quality and significant reductions in TSNA may cause the tobacco industry to rethiink its position on the use of potassium chloride.  Use of spring-applied potassium chloride as the primary potassium source in tobacco would result in cost savings of 30 to 50% of potassium fertilizer cost compared to standard potassium sulfate.






Stories by William Bailey


Virtual Tobacco Production Meetings

about 2 years ago by William Bailey

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, all of our live tobacco Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)... Read More


Educational Programming in Good Agricultural Practices for Tobacco Production in Pennsylvania

about 2 years ago by William Bailey

Although Pennsylvania ranks in the top 5 states in the U.S. in tobacco production, there is no forma... Read More


Stories by Plant and Soil Sciences


UKY Specialists Create Online Forages Training for Small Ruminant Producers

UKY Specialists Create Online Forages Training for Small Ruminant Producers

about 2 years ago by Jimmy Henning

Specialists involved: Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris TeutschSheep and goats comprise a small but gr... Read More


Conferences on Grazing and Alfalfa meet producer needs

Conferences on Grazing and Alfalfa meet producer needs

about 2 years ago by Jimmy Henning

Specialists involved: Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris TeutschProducer leadership of the Kentucky For... Read More