The quality and usability of tobacco is defined by genetic properties of the cultivar, enviromental conditions of production and growing practice. Besides the significant improvement of cultivation, some Croatian farmers still grow tobacco at the traditional extensive way. The aim of our study was to determine the contribution of the growing practice to the realization of agronomic properties, usability, and economic effects in the production of flue-cured tobacco in Croatia. The three year field trial was conducted on three cultivars grown in two cultivation systems - traditional and improved one. Each of the systems was investigated under conditions of irrigation and non irrigation. Thus, the experiment involved four growing models. There were differences among individual varieties within the same growing model, but the bigger differences among distinct growing models were noted. Statistically reliable differences among cultivation models for all studied parameters were found. The average yield in the A1 model was 40% higher than in the check B2 model, and the value of production per hectar was higher even 46%. The quality and usability of tobacco based on the visual estimation and chemical properties were also more dependent on the cultural practice. More bodied tobacco with good smoking properties was obtained in the intensive cultivation. At the same time, light tobacco of filler type without emphasized smoking characteristics in the traditional growing model was produced. Incrimental value in the intensive cultivation was significantly higher than were the incrimental costs, and the marginal profitability was 1.37. The results of this study have shown that the growing practice has greater impact on yield and quality of tobacco, as well as on profitability of production than the genetic potential of the cultivar.

tobacco growing; extensive; intensive; agronomic properties; usability; profitability

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia