Variety traits

Tobacco Maturity Groups

Nicotiana tabacum L.

Classification of tobacco varieties based on the duration of the growing season from seedling transplanting to the technical maturity of the leaves.

In the reference 66 varieties crop Tobacco, where this is mentioned in the description.

Tobacco varieties are categorized into early-maturing with a cycle of up to 90 days, mid-maturing, and late-maturing, whose vegetation period can reach 130 days. The maturity group is determined by the results of phenological observations, considering that the crop ripens in tiers from bottom to top, which necessitates phased leaf harvesting.

The choice of maturity group determines the production schedule and the selection of the drying method. Early-maturing varieties allow for the use of natural solar energy, whereas late-maturing ones often require artificial drying due to the harvest timeline shifting to the autumn period, which is characterized by reduced insolation.

Precise determination of development phases is necessary to prevent loss of raw material quality. Harvesting underripe leaves leads to the accumulation of excess protein, which impairs flavor properties, while gathering overripe raw material triggers the development of 'ashlak' (browning/necrosis), accompanied by a loss of nutrients and increased leaf brittleness.

General information about the subject — on the page Maturity group.

Sources8

Varieties of Tobacco mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.