YIELD AND QUALITY OF FLUE-CURED VIRGINIA TOBACCO, NICOTIANA TOBACUM L. AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FICO-MICRON AND BORON

Experiments on the “Yield and quality of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum L.) as affected by different levels of fico-micron and boron” were conducted at Tobacco Research Station, Khan Ghari, Mardan (Pakistan) during 1998-1999. The experiments were set up in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. Commercially available fico-micron (21.45% Zn, 25.69% Fe, 23.001% Mg and (29.4885%) Cu at rates of 0, 40, and 45 kg ha-1, along with Boron (B) at rates of 0, 5 and 10 kg ha-1 were applied after seven days of transplantation. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that different micronutrient levels significantly affected leaf area, green and cured yield, while grade index, nicotine and reducing sugar percentages were not affected significantly. Maximum leaf area and cured yield were recorded when plants were treated with fico-micron and B at the level of 40:10 kg ha-1. Maximum green leaf yield was obtained by applying fico-micron and B at the rates of 45:10 kg ha-1. Highest grade index was observed in plots treated with fico-micron and B at the rate of 40:0 kg ha-1. Maximum reducing sugar was recorded when plants were treated with 0:10 kg ha-1 dose of fico-micron and B, while maximum nicotine percentage was recorded for 40:10 kg ha-1 dose of fico-micron and B. As a whole, 40:10 kg ha-1 doses of fico-micron and B indicated its clear superiority over the other levels