Influence of Harvesting Methods on Flue‐Cured Tobacco 1

Mechanization of the harvesting process in flue‐cured tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L. ) could reduce the costs of production. Some systems of mechanized harvesting may reduce the number of harvests below the normal six harvests. Several methods of harvesting different varieties were tested for their effects on agronomic, chemical, and physical leaf characteristics of flue‐cured varieties and breeding lines. In Study No. 1 a modified harvesting method produced tobacco very similar to that of the conventional system. Evidence indicated that where other modified methods failed to equal the conventional, it was due to the fact that the leaves remained on the plant longer than usual before harvesting. In Study No. 2 additional modified methods from those used in Study No. 1 were tested. There were no differences between the modified methods used in Study No. 2 and the conventional; this indicated an improvement in the modified methods chosen. In Study No. 2 a delay in leaf removal caused less desirable tobacco. The presence of interactions indicate that different methods of harvesting may produce inconsistent results across environments and varieties.