The local Flue-Cured variety 16/103 and the American variety K-326 were cultivated under irrigated conditions in Northern Light Soils of Andhra Pradesh, India, to investigate the effect of the degree of ripeness on the yield and quality of tobacco during 1995-96, in addition to the trials carried out in 1993-94 and 1994-95. The 1995-96 results indicate that the yields of K-326 are generally superior to those of control variety 16/103. The unripe leaf is harvested two days prior to actual ripe harvest. The overripe leaf is harvested two days after the actual ripe harvest in case of the control variety and four days after the ripe harvest in case of K-326. In both varieties the overripe harvest has resulted in loss of yield whilst the unripe leaf harvest resulted in higher yields. Total loss in yield between unripe harvest to overripe harvest is fairly significant. There is a higher production of lower grades in case of overripe harvest whilst the green grade production is higher in case of unripe harvest. The details of grade outturns and effect of degree of ripeness on the chemical qualities of leaf are discussed in detail in the paper.