EFFECT OF SPACING AND TOPPING LEVELS ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF JATI TOBACCO (NICOTIANA TABACUM) GROWN IN NORTH BENGAL

摘要

Jati tobacco (JV. tabacum L.) occupies an area of about 4000 ha in Cooch Behar district of North Bengal with an average productivity of 1300 to 1600 kg/ ha and this type of tobacco is mostly cultivated either as monoculture or in rotation with jute orAman paddy. The cured leaf of Jati tobacco processed in this region is mainly sold in North Eastern states of India. Two distinctly different types and races of Jan' tobacco viz., Chama and Podali types are being cultivated with spacing of 90 x 90 cm. The topping level adopted by the farmers of this region is 6 - 7 leaves. Influence of different spacing and topping was investigated in the present study especially in relation to productivity and quality of newly released Jati tobacco variety Manasi.