Trashy Leaf in Australian-Grown Flue-Cured Tobacco: the Light Factor in the Development of Amenenic Leaf

Abstract

Artificial shading of mature plants of a fiue-cured variety tobacco in the field 4-14 days before harvesting produced 22 per cent. loss in weight of leaves. Their labile hexose-carbohydrate content was about 64 per cent. less than that of control leaves; when cured, shaded leaves were trashy. In plants receiving extra sunlight the weight per unit area ofleaves was increased by 20 per cent., and their carbohydrate content by 45 per cent; there were no trashy leaves with this treatment. Control leaves occupied an intermediate position between shaded and extra· light leaf in composition and quality.