Effect of Row and Within‐Row Spacings on Yield and Quality of Flue‐Cured Tobacco¹

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of spacing on the cured leaf of flue‐cured tobacco. One involved different numbers of skipped rows and the other involved plant spacings within the row. Yields increased as the number of skipped rows increased. Also, the value per 45.35 kg increased as the number of skipped rows increased, which may indicate a better quality of tobacco produced with the wide rows. Alkaloid content was somewhat lower as the number of skipped rows increased, and the filling value decreased as the number of rows increased. In comparing the common practice of planting four rows and skipping one to the older method of continuous rows, there seemed to be little difference in the cured leaf for reducing sugars, total alkaloids, filling value, or equilibrium moisture content. However, an increase in yield (92 kg) and value per hectare ($188.00) was obtained by skipping every fifth row. In general, the more plants per acre the greater the yield when the plants were topped to a common leaf number. Wider spacings within the row gave the higher value per 45.35 kg; however, there was no difference between the 61‐ and 69‐cm spacing. There was little difference in reducing sugars for any of the spacings, but there was a tendency for alkaloids to increase as spacings increased. Distance between plants in the row seemed to have little effect on filling value and equilibrium moisture content. Results indicate that above 61‐cm spacing in the row is too wide and that close spacing although producing more money return per hectare may tend to reduce the quality of the cured leaf.

"Effect of Plant Spacing On Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Fcv Tobacco Hybrids"

“…Among growing practices, plant spacing can affect agronomic and chemical traits of Tobacco Alizadeh [3] several researchers recoded high yield on maximum plant densities. However, quality of such leaves was usually lower due to decreased nicotine content Chaplin [4], Campbell [5] Higher plant density in tobacco produce taller plants with smaller leaves, but also effect on number of leaves per plant. Closer spacing tobacco result in higher yields, increased crop returns Kozunrttx and Lurosrvrcrus., 1975.…”

Narrow row spacing increased yield and decreased nicotine content in sun-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

“…At higher planting densities an increase of yield of some tobacco cultivars has been reported by several authors. However, quality of such leaves was within a wide range and consequently increasing plant population remains a challenge (Chaplin et al, 1968;Collins et al, 1969;Lamprecht and Van der Merwe, 1984).…”

Close‐Grown Tobacco: Yield, Alkaloids, and Sugar Content by Stalk Position1

“…F LUE-CURED tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) produced in a high-yielding close-grown system may offer an alternative to use of synthetic smoking materials. While considerable information related to the effects of cultural practices on yield and chemical content of flue-cured tobacco produced in conventional systems (2,4,7,8,10) is available, very little exists for close-grown tobacco. Walker and Hergert (9) and Campbell et al (1) have provided insight into the physical characteristics and chemical content of wholeplant tobacco material produced in dense plantings.…”