Effect of different levels of nitrogen and leaf position on biochemical quality constituents of FCV tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) grown in northern light soils of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during 2008-10 at CTRI RS Jeelugumilli on sandy loam soil, to study the effect of nitrogen levels (20, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N/ha) and leaf position (P, X, L and T) on bio-chemical quality constituents of FCV tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Chlorophyll a, chlorogenic acid, rutin, petroleum ether extractives (PEE), free amino acids (FAA) and proline contents increased with increase in nitrogen up to 120 kg N/ha and decreased beyond 120 kg N/ha. The FFA content decreased significantly with increase in nitrogen application from 40 to 200 kg N/ha. Chlorophyll b, rutin, FAA and proline contents increased significantly with increase in leaf position from bottom to top (P to T). With increase in nitrogen from 120 to 200 kg/ha, the starch content decreased and lowest content was observed in 200 kg/ha. Tobacco from T position contained nearly 2.9 times higher levels of FAA over the P position. Nitrate nitrogen content increased with increase in nitrogen level up to 180 kg N/ha in all leaf positions, whereas there was a marginal decrease at 200 kg N/ha. Tobacco from L position at 120 kg N/ha showed maximum accumulation of quality constituents. The recommendations of 120 kg N/ha for the variety Kanchan grown in northern light soils of Andhra Pradesh was found to be optimum for the higher yield with balanced quality constituents with higher levels of aroma compounds.