Effect of transplanting date and nitrogen levels on quality and nutrient content of bidi tobacco

A field experiment was conducted during kharif and rabi season of the year 2020–21 at Bidi Tobacco Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat) to study the “Effect of transplanting date and nitrogen levels on yield and quality of bidi tobacco variety GABT 11”. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand in texture, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in available potassium with slightly alkaline in reaction. There were nine treatments combinations in the experiment, which comprising of three transplanting dates (25^th August, 10^th September, and 25^th September) and three levels of nitrogen (150 kg/ ha, 200 kg/ha and 250 kg/ha) tested in randomized block design (factorial) with four replications. The data on nicotine, reducing sugar, chloride, phosphorus and potassium of bidi tobacco leaves was not significantly affected due to different transplanting date. Quality parameters viz., reducing sugar and chloride content of leaves of bidi tobacco remained unaltered with the application of different levels of nitrogen. While nicotine content (%) was significantly increased with increase in nitrogen levels. Significantly higher nicotine content (6.0%) of tobacco leaves was recorded under upper level of nitrogen N₃ (250 kg/ha) remained at par with treatment N₂ (200 kg/ha) (5.76%). Significantly lower nicotine content (5.66%) was recorded under lower level of nitrogen N₁ (150 kg/ha).