Effect of Within-Row Spacing on Agronomical and Morphological Characteristics of the Flue-Cured Tobacco Cultivars

摘要

In flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) production the aim is improvement of yield and quality (usability) of cured leaf. This has been achieved through development of new cultivars and adjustment of cultural practices. In Croatia, most of the flue-cured tobacco is grown at plant spacing of 45 cm within and 100 cm between rows, i.e. at planting density of about 22,000 plants per ha. In order to evaluate the effect of decreased planting density on agronomic and morphological characteristics of flue-cured tobacco, field experiments with six flue-cured tobacco cultivars and two within row plant spacings (45 and 55 cm) were conducted at two locations in the main Croatian flue-cured tobacco growing regions, over four years (2005 to 2008). Wider spacing within rows resulted in 396.12 kg ha-1 higher yield and 861.01 $ ha-1 higher value than the closer spacing. Change in price was not significant. Length, width, and leaf area of the 9th leaf also increased significantly at 55 cm within row spacing, while plant height and leaf number were unchanged. Cultivar x plant spacing and environment x plant spacing interactions were not significant for the studied traits. Results indicate that higher yield, higher value and good quality of cured tobacco leaf could be produced at 55 cm within row spacing (about 18,000 plants per ha).