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Abstract
Thirty-two farms were chosen to represent the New Zealand flue-cured tobacco crop, and samples were taken of cured leaf from 4 plant positions over 3 years. Leaf samples were analysed for K, Ca, Mn, Cu, Cl-, reducing sugars, total sugars, total nicotine alkaloids (TNA), and filling value. Results were examined to determine the effect of soil type, season, and plant position. Comparisons were made with a similar study in Canada, and the correlation between characters determined. Soil type had little effect on the leaf analysis, with the exception of Mn which was significantly higher in the Moutere gravels. All characters, except Cl- and Mn, varied significantly with season. Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn and TNA varied significantly among farms. A comparison with Canadian results, showed that New Zealand tobacco was lower in TNA, Mn, and Cl-, higher in Ca, Cu, and about the same in reducing sugars, Mg, K, and filling value. As expected there was a strong negative correlation between filling value and reducing sugars, and between reducing sugars and TNA. There was also a definite positive correlation between filling value and Ca. The advantages of sampling green leaf are discussed.