Effect of Nitrogen, Topping and Leaf Priming on Yield and Quality of Flue Cured Tobacco (Nicotianatabacuml) in Zimbabwe: A Review

Tobacco is one of Zimbabwe’s most valuable crop. It accounts for about 26 % agricultural gross domestic product and 61 % of agricultural exports. It is therefore important to review the main attributes governing yield and quality of the crop.Good progress has been made regarding the development of best tobacco management practices with the aim of achieving maximum economic yields. Nitrogen is one of the major nutrients that affects and influence tobacco yield and quality because it is part of all proteins, chlorophyll and enzymes. Topping stimulates the production of secondary plant products that accumulate in the leaves. These products give the cured leaf improved quality and smoking characteristics. A good sucker control program is necessary to ensure high yields of acceptable quality. The removal of primings from the tobacco plants in the field can improve the yield and quality of the harvested tobacco leaves especially that of the first reaping. This paper has reviewed the importance of Nitrogen, topping and leaf priming in tobacco management. However, there is still need to establish the best nitrogen and priming levels, which might vary with place and variety.