Reaction of Tobacco to Plant Density Treatments at Three Different Dates of Transplanting

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: Special, 60 - 71, 28.12.2025

Dursun Kurt

https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.7

Abstract

In this study, the effects of nine different transplanting date and plant density combinations on yield, quality, income, reducing sugar, and nicotine content of sun-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) were investigated to provide reference for optimization and improvement of transplanting date and plant density norms. Different combinations were created based on regional transplanting dates and plant densities. Transplanting dates were determined as 15 days before and after the reference transplanting date of May 27th, 2023. Plant densities were established using combinations of 30-40-50 cm row spacing and 8-12-16 cm intra-row spacing, being below and above the regional reference density of 40×12 cm. The experiment was conducted using a randomized plots design with split-split plots in Samsun ecological conditions. For all parameters examined, decreases following delayed transplanting schedule were observed at rates of 13.0% for yield, 14.7% for quality grade index, 22.6% for gross income, 32.8% for reducing sugars, and 35.7% for nicotine. Higher plant density led to increases in all parameters except nicotine, which increased with decreasing density. With decreasing plant density, yield decreased by 23.9%, quality grade index by 18.5%, gross income by 34.7%, and reducing sugars by 79.4%, while nicotine increased by 93.4%. The study demonstrated that advancing transplanting dates and increasing plant density presents a significant opportunity for improving yield and quality performance. Results should be supported with appropriate field equipment while monitoring water and nutrient use efficiency. Therefore, transplanting should be completed in May, and density should be increased to 250,000 pph or above where possible. Production targeting low nicotine content is possible with late transplanting and high plant density. Considering that increased plant density may be subject to more stress and could increase the risk of loss, this strategy should be carefully considered according to the expectations of the produced crop group.

Keywords

Abiotic Stress , Chemical Properties , Gross Income , Oriental , Row Spacing , Sun Cured

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