Three levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80 Kg/ha N), of phosphorus (0, 60, 120 Kg/ha P2O5) and of potassium (0, 150, 300 Kg/ha K2O) were experimented in all combination the"Perustitza"cultivar, the most widespread oriental tobacco cultivar in Abruzzo. The research took place in the province of Chieti in the years 1982-83, after a first year of tests of an indicative character. The experiments were carried out in the area of Torino di Sangro, on hilly land with a marked gradient and silty-clayey soil, poor in P2O5, but well rich in assimilable K2O, particularly suitable for the above tobacco type. In 1982 an exceptional drought in the initial growing period (27 mm between April and June) leveled the yields, lowering the field average to 8.8 quintal/ha. During that year potassium, in both quantities, unfavourably affected the total yield per ha of"A"and"B"grades. In addition, on the basis of the chemical analysis data, the 60 Kg/ha P2O5 and the 40 Kg/ha N determined an appreciable reduction in the alkaloid percentage. In the following year, instead, with a favourable meteorologic trend (115 mm rain in June and 142 mm in August) the average field yield reached 15.1 quintal/ha, and the favourable effect of the highest level of nitrogen applied came out. Potassium showed an almost equivalent influence. Among the combinations under trial, the most productive (17.6 quintal/ha) proved to be the one obtained from the maximum levels of the three elements. During that year, the average weight of the cured leaves was clearly greater than the corresponding 1982 values. Moreover, nitrogen showed a favourable effect with both quantities on the total amount of produce ascribable to"A"and"B"grades. For what concerns the chemical composition of the cutters over the two years, the 1982 produce was characterized by higher alkaloid (1.8%) and nitrogen (5.1%) values, and lower sugar values (1.4%), while the 1983 produce was characterized by higher sugar values (2.2%). (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium )