Maturity stages for stalk-cut burley tobacco and their relationships with leaf chlorophyll content

H. Kamarudin

Abstract

The need for rapid and accurate method to determine the optimum maturity stage for stalk cutting burley tobacco prompted an investigation. The plants of two burley varieties, TAUM 4 and Burley 64, were assessed weekly between 60 days and 88 days after transplanting (DAT). Yield, cured leaf grade, nicotine content, 16th leaf length and chlorophyll content were determined. The chlorophyll contents in the 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th leaves were measured using a portable SPAD 502 chlorophyll meter to relate it with the maturity stages. Stalk-cutting burley at about 74 DAT produced the best yield, quality and acceptable nicotine content (3–5%). Early stalk-cutting reduced yield and nicotine content because the top leaves were not fully developed and matured. Late stalk-cutting also reduced yield and quality because the bottom leaves had begun to over mature and dry up. Stalk cutting at 74 DAT produced leaves with chlorophyll content between 28–32 SPAD units (16th leaf), 24 –26 SPAD units (12th leaf), 18–20 SPAD units (8th leaf) and 8–10 SPAD units (4th leaf). These values can be used as a guide in the field to determine the optimum time for stalk cutting burley tobacco.

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