The effect of nitrogen fertilization and irrigation on dry matter partitioning, yield and quality of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) burley type

The combined effects of nitrogen applications and irrigation were investigated on above ground dry matter partitioning, yield and quality of tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. C104) Burley type over two growing seasons. Four levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 120, 240 and 360 kg ha - 1 ) were compared under fully-irrigated and non irrigated conditions. Dryland cultivation altered above ground dry matter partitioning in tobacco plants. The leaf partitioning coefficient of non irrigated plants was higher than that of irrigated ones regardless of the level of nitrogen supplied. Both irrigation and nitrogen application had a significant effect on yield of cured leaves. Yield was significantly lower in 1996 than 1997 (1.19 versus 1.50 t ha - 1 ), but there was no interaction between year and watering regime or amount of nitrogen applied. Irrigation increased yield at all levels of nitrogen except for plants which received no nitrogen. However, there were no differences in yield between irrigated plants that received 120, 240 or 360 kg N ha - 1 , The effect of nitrogen on mean weight of cured leaves was significant for the 120 and 240 kg ha - 1 levels under irrigated conditions, whereas no effect was measured when nitrogen was increased from 240 to 360 kg ha - 1 , Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization had significant effects on filling power, aspirations per cigarette, nicotine and tar concentrations in the smoke.