Biomass growth and development in air-cured burley and flue-cured virginia tobacco varieties

Abstract

Research on the accumulation and partitioning of biomass in the tobacco cycle is scarce, particularly those comparing different varieties. The objective of this work was to study the partition of biomass in air-cured burley - ACB (BAT2101) and flue-cured virginia - FCV (CSC4704) varieties. In a greenhouse experiment, the two varieties were transplanted into pots containing a mixture of fine sand and substrate (1:1). Samples were taken for a period of 98 days, with 7 day intervals. In each harvest, dry mass and leaf area were measured, and specific leaf mass, leaf area ratio, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, and root to shoot ratios were estimated. The data showed that carbon partitioning in plants of both varieties is influenced by root growth, which was 50% higher in ACB by the end of the experiment. The higher accumulation of mass in the roots of this variety may be related to the fact that it requires more nitrogen than virginia and, therefore, it could be a mechanism for increased uptake of this element. ACB also had higher specific leaf mass than FCV, which may be related to the body of ACB. This information is important for choosing varieties adapted for field conditions, as well as for the genetic improvement of tobacco. Furthermore, from the point of view of crop management, this knowledge may provide useful information for maximizing leaf growth.