Apply the recommended amount of fertilizer in one or two bands 3 to 4 inches deep with a disc opener that will cut through the mulch. Disturb as little soil as possible. This should be done at transplanting or immediately after. The second-choice method would be to band the fertilizer on the soil surface and irrigate. C. Weed Control Spartan 4F gives good control of most broadleaf weeds, including cocklebur, and morningglories.
Nutsedge control is excellent.
Annual grass control is fair. Ragweed control is poor, and it does not control sicklepod. Control of annual grasses and ragweed can be improved by using Command 3ME as a tank mix with Spartan before transplanting or by applying Command 3ME after planting. Because the soil is disturbed in the row at planting, weed control is better if Command is applied after transplanting. Spartan has given better weed control in no-till tobacco than in conventional till, probably because of the added weed suppression from the mulch.