EFFECT OF NITROGEN, POTASH AND TOPPING LEVEL ON YIELD, QUALITY AND MAJOR NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF CMS HYBRID CH-3 UNDER IRRIGATED ALFISOLS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during post rainy seasons of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at ICAR-CTRI RS, Jeelugumilli, Andhra Pradesh to study the influence of nitrogen and potassium doses and topping levels on yield, and quality of FCV tobacco CMS hybrid line CH-3. Application of 115 and 130 kg N/ha increased the mean yields of green leaf by 1809 (14.56) and 3058 (24.62), of cured leaf by 228 (10.41) and 360 (16.43), and of grade index by 106 (6.61) and 155 kg/ha (9.87%), respectively compared with that of 100 kg N/ha. Application of 135 and 150 kg K2O/ha increased the mean yields of green leaf by 1588 (12.64) and 2847 (22.66), of cured leaf by 177 (7.95) and 305 (13.7), and of grade index by 64 (3.94) and 127 kg/ha (7.82%), respectively compared with that of 120 kg K2O /ha. Topping at 26 leaves recorded significantly higher green leaf by 384 (2.77), cured leaf by 85 (3.63) and grade index by 84 kg/ha (5.1%) when compared to that of 24 leaves topping level. The leaf chemical quality parameters viz. nicotine, reducing sugars, and reducing sugars/nicotine ratio showed changes in response to N and K rates and topping levels and were within the acceptable limits. The total N uptake in 100 kg N/ha was 74.14 kg/ha, while it was 89.36 kg/ha with 130 kg N/ha. Of the mean total 82.18 kg/ha N uptake, proportion of N accumulation in stem, root, lamina, and midrib was 21.15, 19.43, 43.85 and 15.56%, respectively. Total K uptake with 120 kg K2O/ha was 132.22, while it was 152.22 kg/ ha with 150 kg K2O/ha. Of the total 142.63 kg/ha K uptake, proportion of K accumulation in stem, root, lamina, and midrib was 24.4, 10.0, 33.0 and 32.6% respectively. N, P and K uptake in stem, root, lamina, midrib and total was not affected by topping levels. It can be concluded that application of 130 kg N/ha and 150 kg K2O/ha and topping at 26 leaves is essential to get higher productivity, better quality and nutrient uptake for the CMS hybrid CH 3.