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Bull. Spec. CORESTA Congress, Manila, 1980, p. 65, A19, ISSN.0525-6240

Dry matter and nutrient accumulation in various plant parts of oriental tobacco. 1. Neutral type

MYLONAS V.A.; PANGOS E.A.
Tobacco Institute, Drama, Greece
A three-year field study with Kaba-Koulak (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was conducted on a sandy clay soil at Tobacco Institute, Drama, Greece, to determine dry matter and nutrient concentration and accumulation patterns in neutral type Oriental tobacco plants. All cultural practices were in accordance with those in use for commercial production of neutral type Oriental tobacco. Whole tobacco plants were sampled at weekly intervals from transplanting to the end of harvesting period (98 days) and separated into leaves, stalks and roots. The samples were washed, dried, weighed, ground and analysed for N, P, K, Ca and Mg. During the first 21 days after transplanting the total dry weight of leaves, stalks and roots was negligible. Maximum growth per unit leaf and root weight occured from 14 to 35 days after transplanting. By 49 to 56 days after transplanting leaves, stalks and roots accumulated about 50% of their total dry matter. Generally, N, Ca and Mg concentration in leaves and stalks increased from 0 to 28 days after transplanting and then declined. Potassium concentration in leaves, stalks and roots increased from 0 to 21 days and then declined. Phosphorous concentration in all plant parts and N, Ca and Mg in roots decreased with time after transplanting. About 50% of the total N, P, K, Ca and Mg in leaves and roots was absorbed by 42 days, whereas in stalks by 49 to 56 days after transplanting. (Calcium. Magnesium. Phosphorus. Potassium. Nitrogen )