Tobacco, cultivation and harvesting technology

This plant belongs to the Solanaceae family, genus Nicotina L, and the main species of tobacco are Nicotina tabacum and N. rustica, which are native to America. At present, tobacco is cultivated on all continents. It is the main raw material used in obtaining tobacco products (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco).

The plant has a deep, taproot which gives the plant some resistance to drought, the stem is cylindrical, tall, and branched at the topside, with alternatively arranged leaves of different shapes. The flowers are arranged in racemes or terminal panicles and the fruit is a capsule consisting of two compartments.



Environmental factors

Temperature

Throughout the entire vegetative growth period, tobacco needs 2600-2900 °C. It is a thermophilic plant, the optimum temperature for proper development being 27 °C. Temperatures that exceed 30 °C or fall below 17 °C decrease tobacco production and quality.

Light

It is a light-loving plant, this abiotic factor directly influences the production and quality of tobacco. Insufficient light increases the vegetative growth period and slows down the development of plants.

Substrate

Soils are very important for profitable production, tobacco prefers soils with a pH value between 6.5-7.4. Light, warm soils are conducive to the development of these plants.

Humidity

Tobacco is not pretentious in terms of humidity. It has good resistance to drought and if the humidity is too high, negative effects appear during the vegetative growth period, such as its extension and the appearance of diseases and pests.

Cultivation technology

Soil works
tobacco-soil-works

After harvesting the preceding crop, stubble cultivation is carried out, then ploughing, when the soil moisture allows it. The germination bed is prepared with the help of combines that level the soil. In spring it is recommended to carry out a small number of works at ground level to prevent water loss. The soil must be as loose and level as possible.

Planting method and time period

On the day of planting, the tobacco seedlings are removed from the hotbeds/ greenhouse – only evenly developed plants are chosen. The planting season is established depending on the area where it is grown and the characteristics of the variety used. In general, the planting season is in May, between 1st-15th.

Weed control

Weeds are harmful to any crop because they consume water and nutrients. Weeds can be controlled by mechanical or manual weeding and by spraying with specific products.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

tabacco-weed-control

Diseases and pests

Tobacco is frequently attacked by diseases such as powdery mildew, stem rot, bacteriosis, and angular leaf spot. Among the most damaging pests are thrips, aphids and defoliating caterpillars.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Fertilization

Tobacco is a crop that responds positively to fertilization with organic or mineral fertilizers, so it is recommended to use fertilizers with high and balanced content in macro and microelements.

Irrigation

Irrigation of tobacco crops can be achieved without reducing production. It is recommended to use irrigation depending on the precipitation registered in the cultivation areas. If the soil moisture is too low, the amount of nicotine can decrease. Watering quantities should be between 250-350 m3 of water.

Harvesting

The tobacco leaves reach maturity gradually, from the base towards the top.
Reaching maturity is visible through the loss of leaf shine and the appearance of yellow spots. Since the leaves mature in stages, the harvest must be done over several days.

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