Effect of nitrogen and topping on performance of bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) varieties under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was undertaken at Regional Agriculture Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh for two consecutive years viz., 2018-19 and 2019-20 on Vertisols under rainfed condition to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen and topping on performance of bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) varieties. The treatments consisted of two varieties as main plots, three nitrogen levels as sub plots and three topping levels as sub sub plots in split split plot design and replicated thrice. The data pooled over two seasons revealed that significantly higher leaf length (47.6 cm), leaf width (21.3 cm) and cured leaf yield (2217 kg ha-1) were recorded with variety ABD 132 over other variety Nandyal Pogaku 1. Application of 140 kg N ha-1 recorded higher leaf length (47.7 cm), leaf width (20.9 cm) and cured leaf yield (2110 kg ha-1). The topping at 15 leaf stage recoded higher cured leaf yield (2147 kg ha-1) over other topping stages. Higher net returns (Rs 105544 ha-1) with BCR of 2.72 were recorded with ABD 132 over Nandyal Pogaku 1. Application of 110 kg N ha-1 recorded higher BCR of 2.55 whereas topping at 15 leaf stage recorded higher net returns (Rs 100275 ha-1) with BCR of 2.64. ABD 132 recorded higher nicotine (5.94%), lower reducing sugars (2.25%) and higher chlorides (1.61%) when compared to Nandyal Pogaku 1 (5.71%, 2.97% and 1.23% respectively). The levels of nitrogen and topping had non-significant effect on leaf chemical constituents. The interactive effect among various treatments had significantly beneficial effect on cured leaf yield of bidi tobacco and maximum cured leaf yield was obtained with ABD 132 with 140 kg N ha-1and topping at 15 leaf stage.

Management of phosphorus and potassium in bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was undertaken at Regional Agriculture Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh for four consecutive seasons from 2015-16 to 2018-19 on Vertisols under rainfed condition to find out the economics and management of phosphorus and potassium in bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) for higher cured leaf yield and quality. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 8 treatments and replicated thrice. The data pooled over four seasons revealed that significantly higher leaf length (42.8 cm) and leaf width (17.3 cm) was recorded with 100% RDF (110 kg N + 70 kg P2O5+ 50 kg K2O ha-1) every year. Significantly higher cured leaf yield (1551 kg ha-1) and net returns (Rs 63,375 ha-1) were recorded with application of 110 kg N + 70 kg P2O5+ 50 kg K2O ha-1every year and on par with 100% RDN (110 kg N ha-1) +PK (70 kg P2O5+ 50 kg K2O ha-1) once in two years (1408 kg ha-1and net returns of Rs 59,275 ha-1). Leaf chemical constituents namely nicotine, reducing sugars and chlorides did not differ significantly due to different treatments and were in permissible limit. Post harvest soil analysis indicated that soil available N, P2O5 and K2O differed significantly due to different treatments and maximum amounts of available N (158.9 kg ha-1), available P2O5 (56.3 kg ha-1) and available K2O (537.3 kg ha-1) were recorded under treatment T5, T3 and T5, respectively. Soil pH and EC values were not affected significantly with the various treatments.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Bidi Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Variety GABT 11

A field experiment was conducted at Bidi Tobacco Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand for four years from 2014-15 to 2017-18 with the objective to study the effect of organic and inorganic sources of fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of bidi tobacco variety GABT 11. Results revealed that different manures and fertilizers failed to exert their significant effect on yield of bidi tobacco variety GABT 11 during all four years and in its pooled. Green manuring every year with sunnhemp recorded significantly maximum leaf size viz. leaf length and width followed by application of FYM @ 12.5 t/ha every year. Besides, Application of 180 kg N/ha through ammonium sulphate gave significantly higher tobacco plant height over application of 180 kg N/ha through castor cake and application of 135 kg N/ha through ammonium sulphate + 90 kg P2O5/ha through single super phosphate + 135 kg K2O/ha through sulphate of potash. Maximum monetary returns with benefit: cost ratio of 2.68 accrued with treatment of 180 kg N/ha through Ammonium sulphate. Among different bulky manures, green manuring with sunnhemp every year gave maximum gross income and net income with BCR value 2.43.