Yield and mineral composition of Virginia tobacco depending on the compound fertilizer levels of application
Radka Bozhinova
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in Tobacco and Tobacco Products Institute, Markovo to determine the effects of four rates (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg.da-1) of compound fertilizer NPK (15:15:15) on the yield of Virginia tobacco, concentrations of macronutrients in leaves and chemical characteristics of cured tobacco. The experimental design was a randomized complete block replicated three times.
There was positive correlation between the yield of the studied variety, Virginia 0514, and NPK fertilizer rates. A yield response was not observed with rates of compound fertilizer NPK (15:15:15) above 40 kg.da-1.
Positive, statistically significant linear relationships have been found between the fertilizer rate and the concentration of N, P and Ca in leaf tissues.
Cured leaf yield was significantly affected by the concentration of N (r= +0.916**), P (r= +0.836**), Ca (r= +0.611*) and Mg (r= +0.676*) in leaves from middle stalk position. Tobacco yield was not greatly affected by K content in the middle leaves (r= +0.249).
The correlation between the nicotine content and the fertilization levels was positive (r =+0.973*), while the dependence of the reducing sugars content on the applied rates was negative (r = -0.903). The ratio between the reducing sugars and the nicotine was in the optimal range at fertilization of Virginia tobacco with 40 kg.da-1 compound fertilizer.
Fertilization whit 40 kg.da-1 of compound fertilizer NPK (15:15:15) is required for optimal yield and chemical composition of flue-cured tobacco.
There was positive correlation between the yield of the studied variety, Virginia 0514, and NPK fertilizer rates. A yield response was not observed with rates of compound fertilizer NPK (15:15:15) above 40 kg.da-1.
Positive, statistically significant linear relationships have been found between the fertilizer rate and the concentration of N, P and Ca in leaf tissues.
Cured leaf yield was significantly affected by the concentration of N (r= +0.916**), P (r= +0.836**), Ca (r= +0.611*) and Mg (r= +0.676*) in leaves from middle stalk position. Tobacco yield was not greatly affected by K content in the middle leaves (r= +0.249).
The correlation between the nicotine content and the fertilization levels was positive (r =+0.973*), while the dependence of the reducing sugars content on the applied rates was negative (r = -0.903). The ratio between the reducing sugars and the nicotine was in the optimal range at fertilization of Virginia tobacco with 40 kg.da-1 compound fertilizer.
Fertilization whit 40 kg.da-1 of compound fertilizer NPK (15:15:15) is required for optimal yield and chemical composition of flue-cured tobacco.
Keywords: chemical composition; combined fertilizer; macronutrients; NPK fertilizer rates; Virginia tobacco; yield
Date published: 2021-09-03
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