Effect of Organic Cultivation on Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco

Effect of organic cultivation on the quality and commercial value of the flue-cured tobacco varieties, K326, KRK26 and HD, was studied.As compared with the conventional method, the organic cultivation caused significant tobacco yield decline (P＜0.01) with an average reduction of 17.7%.On the other hand, its average market price increased 25.6%.The proportion of high-grade tobacco increased 19.2%, the proportion of medium-grade tobacco increased 9.8%, and the production value was not significantly different.The contents of TS and RS increased significantly (P＜0.01); NIC, TN, K+ , main neutral aroma substances and total aroma substances decreased very significantly (P＜0.01) or significantly (P＜0.05).Sensory evaluation on the tobacco samples indicated that the organic tobacco leaves gave slight more alcoholic scent, slightly lower combustibility, less fragrant but more pleasant and delicate aroma, and less astringent nicotine flavor than its conventional counterpart, suggesting a possible somewhat superior commercial value.