Effect of nitrogen and topping on performance of bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) varieties under rainfed conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was undertaken at Regional Agriculture Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh for two consecutive years viz., 2018-19 and 2019-20 on Vertisols under rainfed condition to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen and topping on performance of bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) varieties. The treatments consisted of two varieties as main plots, three nitrogen levels as sub plots and three topping levels as sub sub plots in split split plot design and replicated thrice. The data pooled over two seasons revealed that significantly higher leaf length (47.6 cm), leaf width (21.3 cm) and cured leaf yield (2217 kg ha-1) were recorded with variety ABD 132 over other variety Nandyal Pogaku 1. Application of 140 kg N ha-1 recorded higher leaf length (47.7 cm), leaf width (20.9 cm) and cured leaf yield (2110 kg ha-1). The topping at 15 leaf stage recoded higher cured leaf yield (2147 kg ha-1) over other topping stages. Higher net returns (Rs 105544 ha-1) with BCR of 2.72 were recorded with ABD 132 over Nandyal Pogaku 1. Application of 110 kg N ha-1 recorded higher BCR of 2.55 whereas topping at 15 leaf stage recorded higher net returns (Rs 100275 ha-1) with BCR of 2.64. ABD 132 recorded higher nicotine (5.94%), lower reducing sugars (2.25%) and higher chlorides (1.61%) when compared to Nandyal Pogaku 1 (5.71%, 2.97% and 1.23% respectively). The levels of nitrogen and topping had non-significant effect on leaf chemical constituents. The interactive effect among various treatments had significantly beneficial effect on cured leaf yield of bidi tobacco and maximum cured leaf yield was obtained with ABD 132 with 140 kg N ha-1and topping at 15 leaf stage.