Sucker Control Explained
When you see a primary sucker growing at the leaf axil, look closely. Below is a tiny second sucker. Not visible is a third. In other words, at each leaf axil two and maybe three suckers can develop in the life of a plant. The first and second suckers ... the early suckers ... will usually appear during the early button the early flower stage. The first suckers, in fact, may even appear before the early button stage.

Suckers may look quite innocent. After all, they're nothing more than budding tobacco leaves. But suckers need nutrients and other plant resources to grown. And if you don't control them they will steal growth from the major leaves (18 to 20 leaves per plant are usually desired for the most profitable yield.) Good tobacco growers know that good sucker control means increased yield and quantity.

Sure, you can remove suckers by hand. But it's a long, difficult and expensive job. A job today's modern grower can't afford. Not when early suckers can be chemically controlled with Off-Shoot-T.

Off-Shoot-T doesn't stop leaf growth. The leaves will continue to develop and mature in the natural manner. Studies show that one or two applications of Off-Shoot-T followed by maleic hydrazide provide a higher degree of sucker control than maleic hydrazide used alone. That's why most growers now use Off-Shoot-T first, then follow with maleic hydrazide. It's the best combination.

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How Off-Shoot-T Works
When Off-Shoot-T touches the fast growing suckers, it kills on contact. Sprayed overhead, it runs down the tobacco stalk and touches the sucker in the leaf axil. The suckers starts to turn brown within an hour and, if the chemical has been applied properly, the sucker is killed. Rundown is extremely important. Off-Shoot-T runs behind the primary sucker, and when it makes contact with the secondary sucker that one is also killed or at least slowed down.

Remember, the sucker must be contacted by the chemical solution to be killed. If a leaf is shielding a sucker or if the spray misses a leaning plant, those suckers not contact by the spray will continue to grow. Usually though, if the row is straight, the plant is upright, and the application correct, you will get excellent control.

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The Best Time to Spray
Time and experience have taught us that the best time to spray is at the early button stage. Many times a grower will wait too long to make the first application. And this can cost money

Unfortunately, a field doesn't all come into early button at the same time. That's why you should use your judgment. Usually you should spray when 70-80% of your field is in early button. One way to check is to simply walk into a typical part of your field and count out 10 or 20 plants - if 7 or 8 out of 10 plants are in early button, chances are your total filed is ready. Some chemical topping of very late maturing plants is a good indication that your spraying early enough.

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How often to Apply
One application of Off-Shoot-T often controls the first and second suckers. A second application needs to be applied within 3 to 5 days of the first application, to control suckers on later maturing plants or suckers missed due to environmental conditions. The latest research by North Carolina State University shows the ability to increase top stalk tobacco 13% by applying a third application when the leaves are 18 inches long. This has produced the added benefits of less leaf distortion and reduced bronzing.

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Rain, Wind, Time, Temperature
These, obviously, can affect the performance of a sucker control chemical. For best results, remember these few key points. They can help you get better results with Off-Shoot-T.

1. Rain won't matter if Off-Shoot-T has been on over an hour. If it has been on less than an hour you may need to reapply the chemical.

2. Wind can be a problem if it blows the spray away from the plant tops. This can cause poor rundown of the sucker control chemical. If the wind is turning leaves over, the more tender back side of the leaf is exposed to possible spray damage. Blowing leaves also cover suckers, preventing the chemical from reaching and controlling them.

3. Don't spray when leaves are wet from dew or irrigations. Such conditions will only dilute or weaken the strength of Off-Shoot-T.

4. Don't spray if leaves are wilted from high temperature of lack of moisture.

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What about Damage?
Obviously, a chemical that can burn out suckers can, under certain conditions, cause leaf burn. For instance, if it "puddles" on the leaf. Or if it has been applied to rapidly growing plants after heavy rains or irrigation. Usually, however, this causes no major problems and the leaves continue to develop and mature. It's what most growers consider an acceptable amount of spotting. Some browning may also occur if leaves turn over and the spray hits the tender back side of the leaf. This may happen during high winds when it is undesirable to spray and shows up as small droplet size spots. Almost all tobacco with minor burns will continue to develop with no serious problem.

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Mixing and Application
The diluted product is easily mixed by adding the required amount of Off-Shoot-T to the spray tank and then adding the water. For the best results, it is important that the water be added to the Off-Shoot-T rather than the Off-Shoot-T to the water. BE SURE TO MIX THOROUGHLY BEFORE SPRAYING. When using a power sprayer, recirculate the emulsion for several minutes before spraying. If you use a hand sprayer, shake the tank well before spraying.

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How much Off-Shoot-T to apply?
Power Sprayer
Flue-Cured: 1 1/2 - 2 gallons in 48 gallons of water
Burley: 1 3/4 -2 gallons in 48 gallons of water.
This will treat approximately one acre. Apply enough solution so that it will run down to the bottom of the stalk.

Hand Sprayer
Flue-Cured, Burley and Cigar Tobacco: 4-5 ounces per gallon of water. (This is one part Off-Shoot-T to approximately 25-32 parts water)
Dark Tobacco: 6-8 ounces per gallon of water. (This is one part Off-Shoot-T to approximately 16-21 parts water)
Maryland Tobacco: 4 - 4 1/2 ounces per gallon of water (This is one part Off-Shoot-T to approximately 25 -30 parts water.) One gallon diluted product will treat approximately 190 plants.

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