Five years of tests in northern Florida, U.S.A., indicate that direct field seeding of flue-cured and other types of tobacco is now"technically feasible", although high fumigation costs are still viewed as an obstacle. Direct field seeding not only eliminates costly labour needed to move thousands of seedlings from the plantbed to the field, but also eliminates plant"shock"or stress after transplanting. Key to the experimental planting-system is a water soluble seed tape and new equipment that lays the tape, supplies slow-release fertilizer and covers the bed with protective nylon.