Studies on the metabolism of detached tobacco leaves. 1. The influence of potassium nutrition on the growth of tobacco and the quality of cured leaf

Abstract

Cured tobacco leaf of good quality was produced from plants grown in sand culture in a glass-house. A correlation was noted between potassium nutrition and quality, and moreover, poor quality leaf from low potassium levels showed similar symptoms to those of the 'trashy leaf' of commercial practice. It is concluded that potassium levels in the culture medium, and hence within the plant itself, are related to leaf area, leaf weight per unit area, and loss of fresh weight during curing-characteristics which find expression in the commercial grading system. Colour changes which appeared to be related to the level of potassium supplied were also observed during curing.