Effects of Different Light Qualities on Activity and Gene Expression of Caspase-like Proteases in Tobacco Leaves

[Objective] The study aimed to investigate the activity and gene expression of caspase-like proteases in tobacco leaves growing under different light qualities. [Method] By covering tobacco plants with white, red, yellow, blue and purple films to obtain different light quality, the changes of chlorophyll content, activity and gene expression of caspase-like proteases in the tobacco leaves were studied. [Results] Compared with treatments of white, red and yellow film, blue and purple films delayed the decrease of chlorophyll content and senescence of tobacco leaves at the late growth stage, and relatively lowered the activity and gene expression of caspase-like proteases during growth, development and senescence periods. [Conclusion] Different light qualities exhibited various effects on the growth, development and senescence of tobacco leaves, possibly by affecting the activity and gene expression of caspase-like proteases to some extent.

Effects of Different Transplanting and Harvest Dates on Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

In this study,the effects of nine different combinations of transplanting and harvest dates on yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves were investigated.The results showed that different combinations of transplanting and harvest dates had few effects on growth period and agronomic characters of tobacco plants but exerted remarkable effects on economic characters and chemical composition of flue-cured tobacco leaves.With the postponing of transplanting stage,output value of flue-cured tobacco leaves increased.Output value of flue-cured tobacco leaves in C1treatment（normal harvest） was higher than that in C2（harvest 7 d later） and C3（harvest 14 d later） treatments.Different combinations of transplanting and harvest dates had significant effects on chemical composition of flue-cured tobacco leaves,which exhibited no obvious law.Overall,flue-cured tobacco leaves in T3C1treatment（transplanting 14 d earlier,normal harvest） displayed excellent performance compared with other treatments.

Effects of Loading Methods on the Color,Phenolic and Antioxidant Properties of Cured Tobacco Leaves

[Objective] To investigate the effects of different loading methods on tobacco leaf quality.[Method] With tobacco comb,tobacco clamp,and tobacco basket,color,phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacity of flue-cured tobacco leaves were studied.[Result] The results showed that L＊,a＊ and b＊ values of tobacco leaves packaged by tobacco clamp and comb were higher than those of tobacco basket and no significant differences were found beween values of a＊ and b＊,however,between L＊ and h values,remarkable differences existed among three loading methods.Total phenolic content and chlorogenic acid content of tobacco leaves loaded by tobacco comb kept the highest,followed by smoke clamp and tobacco basket （P＜0.05）.On the other hand,rutin content showed little differences among treatments.The order of the antioxidant properties,such as DPPH free radical scavenging activity and reducing powder,of tobacco leaves by different loading methods was tobacco comb ＞ tobacco clamp ＞ loose basket and a positive relationship was found of antioxiang property with total phenolic content and chlorogenic acid content.[Conclusion] In view of tobacco leaves quality and antioxidant property,loading method with tobacco comb proved to be a better choice.

Research on Development of High-quality Tobacco Leaves in Lijiang Jinsha River Region

The importance of high-quality tobacco leaves with specific characteristics in Lijiang to the development of key cigarette brands was analyzed.The meaning,formation basis and condition of high-quality tobacco leaves in Lijiang Jinsha river region was put forward in this study and the strategies on developing quality tobacco leaves were provided.

Judgment of Aroma Types of Middle and Upper Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves Based on Stepwise Discriminant Analysis

[Objective] The aim of this study was to establish mathematical models for judging the aroma types of middle and upper flue-cured tobacco leaves according to the contents and proportions of aroma compositions. [Method] The aroma types of tobacco leaves were judged based on stepwise discriminant analysis, using 63 C3F and 65 B2F tobacco leaf samples from 13 tobacco producing regions in 11 provinces of China （Huili in Sichuan, Baokang in Hubei, Wulong in Chongqing, Lu- oyang in Henan, Zhucheng in Shandong, Wuyi Mountain in Fujian, Malong in Yun- nan, Chuxiong in Yunnan, Bijie in Guizhou, Liuyang in Hunan, Suiyang in Guizhou, Kaiyuan in Liaoning, Nanxiong in Guangdong） as calibration samples, and 67 aroma components as indices. And the Fisher discriminant functions were verified using 21 C3F and 19 B2F tobacco leaf samples. [Result] Variation coefficients of the propor- tions were lower than that of contents of most aroma components in middle and upper leaves of the samples, indicating that the proportions were more stable than contents of aroma components. The proportions of benzyl alcohol, solanone, β-dam- ascone, neophytadiene, farnesylacetone A, palmitic acid, thunbergol, methyl linole- nate and cembratriene-diol were all over 1% in both middle and upper leaves, al- though the dominant aroma components of the same aroma type varied between middle and upper leaves. Moreover, 11, 18, 7 and 11 aroma components were re- spectively introduced into the Fisher discriminant functions established based on the contents and proportions of middle and upper flue-cured tobacco leaves, which ex- hibited accuracy rates of 91.7%, 100%, 91.7% and 91.7% in the judgments of other tobacco leaf samples. The results revealed that the components those determined aroma types in middle leaves were obviously more than in upper leaves. In middle leaves, the accuracy rates of aroma type judgment could be improved by using the proportions rather than the contents of aroma components as indices. However, the functions based on the proportions and the contents of aroma components in upper leaves gave close accuracy rates. [Conclusion] The results of the study will provide references for identifying aroma types of flue-cured tobacco leaves in future work.

Relationship Between Hyperspectral Parameters and Physiological and Biochemical Indexes of Flue-Cured Tobacco Leaves

The experiment was set up for examining the physiological and biological indexes quickly and exactly, for obtaining information of tobacco-field fertilizing and tobacco growing. The ASD Field spec FR 2500 was used to measure spectra reflectance of flue-cured tobacco and the relationship between hyperspectral parameters and biochemical contents （total nitrogen, chlorophyll, carotenoid）, and physiological indexes （fresh weight, dry weight, moisture content） of flue-cured tobacco leaves was studied by correlation and stepwise regression statistic methods at different nitrogen and potassium levels. The results indicated that the spectra curves of different treatments had obvious rules and great diversities. There were high correlations between different types of spectra parameters and ten physiological and biochemical indexes of flue-cured tobacco leaves. Hyperspectral characteristic variables of ten physiological and biochemical indexes were found through stepwise regression, and SDr/SDb was the characteristic variable closest to seven biochemical contents. Simultaneously, the R2 and regression coefficient of equations reached 0.05 significant level and the equations had good estimating effects through the examination of other samples. Accordingly, this study suggested that the ten physiological and biochemical indexes could be estimated quickly by the estimating models, at the same time nitrogen-potassium fertilization and growth condition of flue-cured tobacco could be inspected.

Effects of Different Flue-curing Technologies on Submicroscopic Structure of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

[ Objective] This study aimed to compare the effects of low-temperature low-humidity tobacco flue-curing technology, moderate-temperature moderate- humidity tobacco flue-curing technology and moderate-temperature high-humidity tobacco flue-curing technology on submicroscopic structure of flue-cured tobacco leaves to provide theoretical basis for tobacco flue-curing. [ Method] Middle leaves of tobacco cuhivar K326 were collected in Pengshui County of Chongqing City for flue-curing experiment using three flue-curing technologies. Leaf samples were collected regularly in the flue-curing process, to investigate the submicroscopic structure of flue-cured tobacco leaves. [ Result] Morphology changes and structural rupture of chloroplasts occurred at different time during three flue-curing proces- ses. In low-temperature low-humidity flue-curing process, morphology changes and structural rupture of chloroplasts occurred late but rapidly; in moderate-tempera- ture moderate-humidity flue-curing process and moderate-temperature high-humidity flue-curing process, morphology changes and structural rupture of chloroplasts occurred early but slowly. Among these three flue-curing processes, the speed of changes in mitochondria morphology, cristae number and membrane rupture pres- ented an upward order of low-temperature low-humidity flue-curing process 〈 moderate-temperature high-humidity flue-curlng process 〈 moderate-temperature moderate-humidity flue-curing process. In low-temperature low-humldity flue-curing process, starch granules in chloroplasts ruptured after flue-curing for 36 -48 h ; in moderate-temperature moderate-humidity flue-curing process, starch granules in chloroplasts ruptured after flue-curing for 24 - 36 h; in moderate-temperature high-humidity flue-curing process, starch granules in chloroplasts ruptured after flue-curing for 12 - 24 h. [ Conclusion ] Using low-temperature low-humidity flue- curing technology could prolong the maintenance duration of the submicroscopic structure integrity of flue-cured tobacco leaves, which was conducive to fully decom- posing and transforming substances in tobacco leaves and obtaining high-quality flue-cured tobacco leaves.

Effects of Different Flue-curing Technologies on Microscopic Structure of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

[Objective] This study aimed to compare the effects of Chinese quality-improving fragrunce-increasing tobacco flue-curing technology, Chinese three- stage tobaeeo flue-curing technology and Zimbabwean tobaceo flue-euring technology on microscopie structure of flue-cured tobacco leaves to provide theoretical basis for tobacco flue-curing. [ Method ] Middle leaves of tobacco cultivar K326 were collected in Pengshui County of Chongqing City for flue-curing experiment using three flue-curing technologies. Leaf samples were collected regularly in the flue-curing process, to investigate the microscopic structure of flue-cured tobaceo leaves. [ Result] During three flue-curing processes, leaves, palisade tissues and sponge tissues shrank gradually. Three flue-euring processes exhibited significant differ- ences in the peak of tissue shrinkage ： microscopic structure of flue-cured tobacco leaves in Chinese three-stage tobacco flue-curing process shrank earliest, follower by Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing process; flue-eured tobacco leaves in Zimbabwean tobacco flue-curing process presented the latest shrinkage. At 84 h post-curing, leaf thickness in three flue-curing processes showed a descend order of Chinese three-stage tobacco flue-curing process 〉 Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing process 〉 Zimbabwean tobacco flue-curing process. Upper and lower epidermal cells in Zimb- abwean tobacco flue-curing process ruptured earlier than other two flue-curing processes; eventually, the majority of cells ruptured and mixed with palisade tissues and sponge tissues. In Chinese quality-improving fragranee-increasing tobacco flue-curing process, only a small number of epidermal cells in dried leaves ruptured. Among three flue-curing technologies, Zimbabwean tobacco flue-curing technology exhibited the greatest damage to epidermal cells, followed by Chinese three-stage tobaceo flue-curing technology; Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing technology had the minimum damage to epidermal cells. Mese- phyll cross-section exhibited significant morphological changes in stomata. To be specific, at 0 - 12 h post-curing, stomata of tobacco leaves closed with slightly prominent stamatal apparatuses on upper and lower epidermis; at 24 -72 h post-curing, stomata of tobaceo leaves changed gradually from opening to closure with significantly prominent stomatal apparatuses on upper and lower epidermis; at 84 h post-curing, stomata of tobacco leaves closed, and the majority of stomatal appa- ratuses were significantly prominent. In Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing process, only a small number of epidermal ceils ruptured at 84 h pest-flue-curing; palisade tissues and sponge tissues shrank almost simultaneously. Significant gaps were observed between palisade tissues and between pal- isade tissues and sponge tissues. Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curing technology exhibited lower disorder level compared with other two flue-curing technologies. [ Conclusion] Chinese quality-improving fragrance-increasing tobacco flue-curlng technology was conducive to maintaining the micro- scopic structure integrity of flue-cured tobacco leaves and obtaining high-quality flue-cured tobacco leaves.

Study on Harvest Maturity of Lower Tobacco Leaves of Xiangyan 7 Under Tobacco-Rice Rotation System

To clarify the suitable harvest maturity of Xiangyan 7 of the lower leaves of paddy-tobacco,the curing test of lower tobacco leaves with different maturities was carried out in Guiyang tobacco area of Hunan in China.The results showed that the SPAD value of fresh tobacco and proportion of normal group decreased,the proportion of mottle tobacco increased,the appearance quality of tobacco leaves became worse,the level of total sugar,reducing sugar,nicotine and reducing sugar/total sugar increased,and the total nitrogen/nicotine decreased with increased harvest maturity of lower tobacco leaves.It could cause lower smoking quality,lower proportion of high-class tobacco leaves and lower average price if the harvest of lower tobacco leaves was delayed.Therefore,the lower leaves of Xiangyan 7 in Guiyang tobacco area of Hunan should be harvested early.Suitable harvest maturity required light green leaf blade,light green midrib,and curl leaf margin.When the SPAD value of fresh tobacco was 26.26~30.33,it could be used as a reference for guiding the appropriate harvest maturity of lower paddy-tobacco leaves of Xiangyan 7.

Effects of Exogenous Amino Acids on the Contents of Amino Acids in Tobacco Leaves

The effect of three amino acids on the growth of flue-cured tobacco was studied with water culture. The results showed that the three amino acids improved the growth of flue-cured tobacco and increased the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid in tobacco. At the same time, the activities of NR (nitrate reductase), INV(invertase) and root growth activity were also significantly enhanced. The exogenous glutamic, aspartate and phenylalanine all increased the amino acid contents of tobacco leaves. Of these three amino acids, glutamic had the greatest effect, the next was aspartate, and phenylalanine had the least effect. These three amino acids all had significantly increased the accumulation of amino acids in the leaves of individual plants of tobacco; and the magnitude of accumulation indicated aspartate > glutamic > phenylalanine.

Effects of Modular Threshing and Redrying on Color Difference and Polyphenols of Tobacco Leaves

[Objectives]This study was conducted to analyze changes of color difference and polyphenols and their relationship in the process of threshing and redrying.[Methods]The change trends of color difference parameters L,a,b,H^(0),C and polyphenol contents in tobacco leaves in the middle leaf module and the Pearson correlation between them were analyzed.[Results]During threshing and redrying,L and H^(0)of tobacco showed a decreasing trend,but H^(0)changed slightly;the values of a and C showed an inverted"S"change trend,and the differences between various processes were significant;and the value of b decreased first and then increased.The content of chlorogenic acid and scopoletin decreased first,then increased,and then decreased during threshing and redrying;rutin content showed a significant decreasing trend.The value of L was in an extremely significant positive correlation with rutin content;the value of a was in an extremely significant negative correlation with chlorogenic acid content;b value was also significantly correlated with rutin;and H^(0)was in significant correlation and extremely significant correlation with rutin and total polyphenols,respectively.[Conclusions]This study provides technical support for online detection of tobacco leaf components by the color difference method and for the homogenization of threshing and redrying.

Response surface methodology to optimize gradient ion chromatographic separation of inorganic anions and organic acids in tobacco leaves

The separation optimization of nine organic and inorganic anions in tobacco leaves using gradient ion chromatography by response surface methodology was investigated.In order to achieve this goal the usefulness of the chromatographic response function（CRF） for the evaluation of the two different chromatographic performance goals（resolution and analysis time） was tested. The experiments were performed according to a Box-Behnken design response surface experimental design.

Effects of Different Baking Processes on Carotenoid Content in Upper Leaves of Fluecured Tobacco

[Objective] We aimed to improve the quality of flue-cured tobacco with K326 upper leaves and explore the optimal tobacco baking process in Chongqing tobacco-producing region. [Method] Four different baking processes （endogenetic force moisture-removing flue-curing technique, exogenetic force moisture-removing flue-curing technique, three-stage flue-curing process, three-stage and six-step flue- curing process） were adopted in this research to investigate the effects of different baking processes on carotenoid content of same-maturity degree upper leaves of the flue-cured tobacco K326. [Result] The results showed at the yellowing and color fixing stages, the carotenoids were most fully decomposed in endogenetic force moisture-removing flue-curing technique. The decomposed carotenoid content was lowest in exogenetic force moisture-removing flue-curing technique, for which the carotenoid content was highest （50.53 mg/g）. [Conclusion] At the yellowing and color fixing stages, exogenetic force moisture-removing flue-curing technique was most conducive to the carotenoid accumulation in tobacco baking process.

Change of Phosphate Fraction during Composting of Fresh Waste Leaves of Tobacco

Environmental issue has concerned the public with the build-up of soil phosphorus(P) following application of organic manure.This demands a fully understanding of the change of phosphorus during composting of fresh waste leaves of tobacco and finding out the status of P fertilizer in leaf-made manure.This study had shown that water-soluble and HCl-soluble phosphon were the dominant fractions of P in the compost of fresh waste leaves,in the ranges of 19%-41% and 17%-43%,respectively.However,the former declined progressively upon composting time,but the latter increased,indicating transformation of the more vulnerable water soluble P to the more recalcitrant HCl-extractable P.

Effects of Three Major Tobacco Curing Techniques on Raw Tobaccos

[Objective] The aim was to compare effects of three curing techniques （Chinese tobacco curing-method for improving tobacco quality and fragrance, Chi-nese （three-phase） tobacco curing technique, and Zimbabwe tobacco curing tech-nique） on quality of tobacco and to select optimal curing method. [Method] In Peng-shui county in Chongqing, tobacco variety K326 was chosen as test materials to conduct tobacco curing tests as per three techniques to analyze key components of raw tobacco, grade quality and evaluation quality. [Result] The content of starch in tobacco was reduced by Chinese tobacco curing-method for improving tobacco quality and fragrance, and the ratio of middle and high quality grade tobaccos improved by 1.8%-7.95%; average price increased by 1.64-3.21 yuan/kg; evaluation grade grew by 1.5-4.4. The technique is proved in enhancing tobacco fragrance quality and quantity as wel as improving and adjusting fragrance, taste and flavor. [Conclusion] Chinese （three-phase） tobacco curing technique improves tobacco quality and provides references for production demonstration areas of tobacco curing.

Differences of Physiological and Biochemical Indexes of Upper Fresh Leaves and Post-growth Roots in Different Quality Stages

In order to explore the physiological and biochemical characteristics of fresh upper leaves and roots of different qualities of tobacco, the malonaldehyde （MDA）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, chlorophyllase activity, amylase activity, medium trace element content, chemical component content, root fresh weight, dry weight and activity in the normal tobacco leaves, tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves were studied. The results showed that compared with the normal tobacco leaves, the root fresh weight, dry weight and activity in the premature grey tobacco leaves decreased by 41.22%, 14.44% and 60.29% respectively, while malonaldehyde content increased by 34.82%, and chlorophyllase, α-amylase, β-amylase and SOD activity declined by 89.55%, 65.71%, 71.26% and 37.25% respectively. Chlorophyllase, co-amylase and 13-amylase activity in the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients decreased by 58.76%, 36.19% and 41.93% respectively. The content of medium trace elements in the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves was lower than that of the normal tobacco leaves. Starch, total sugar, reducing sugar and potassium content in the normal tobacco leaves were higher than that of the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves.

Effects of Exogenous Amylases and Metal Ions on the Amylase Specific Activities and Starch Degradation of the Upper Leaves of ‘KRK_(26)' during Flue-curing

Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exoge-nous amylases and Ca2＋, Mn2＋ and K＋ on the amylase specific activities and starch degradation of the upper leaves of ＇KRK26＇ planted in Yunnan Province during flue-curing. [Method] The amylase specific activities and starch degradation of the leaves were determined by using spectrophotometry. [Result] The 8 U/g exogenous α-amy-lase could improve the specific activity of the leaf α-amylase at yel owing and color-fixing stages, but could not at stem-drying stage, and similarly, the 80 U/g exoge-nous β-amylase could improved the specific activity of the leaf β-amylase at the yel owing stage and the early period of color-fixing stage. The leaf starch could be enhanced to degrade by the exogenous α- or β-amylases and the enhancing effect of the former was stronger than that of the later. 1.50 mg/ml Ca2＋ improved the specific activity of the leaf （α＋β）-amylase mainly due to its enhancing effect on the leaf α-amylase, and increased the starch degradation. 4 mmol/L Mn2＋ inhibited the leaf α-amylase from yel owing to the early period of color-fixing and the β- and （α＋β）-amylases from the yel owing to the later period of color-fixing, but enhanced the leafα-amylase from the later period of color-fixing to the later period of stem-drying and the β- and （α＋β）-amylases at the later period of stem-drying. Meanwhile, Mn2＋ ham-pered the starch degradation during yel owing, but promoted it from the early period of color-fixing to stem-drying. 1 mg/ml K＋ enhanced the leaf α-, β- and （α＋β）-amy-lases during the yel owing stage, but lowered them from the early period of color-fix-ing to the later period of stem-drying, and always inhibited the leaf starch degrada-tion. [Conclusion] The exogenous α-, β- amylases and Ca2＋ of suitable concentra-tions could be used to treat the tobacco leaves before flue-curing to improve the leaf starch degradation during the curing.

Study on Tobacco Leave Lean Production Management System

In recent years, tobacco lean production infrastructure is almost full-fledged through development, and professional service scope expands accordingly. Hence, the developing emphasis has transformed from hardware facilities improvement to software updating of lean management and precise work. With related documents released by China Tobacco and Guizhou Tobacco, the achievement of comprehen- sive lean management probably becomes one of the key goals for the future devel- opment of tobacco business. The construction goal of tobacco leaves lean produc- tion management system is to internalize technology, information, human resources, material and other production elements into value stream of flue-cured tobacco pro- duction, and strict control value stream of input costs and output benefits, and then create management profit, promote enterprise, core competitiveness. The lean pro- duction management is both extension and expansion of modern tobacco agriculture, closely related to agricultural standardization and GAP management, which is based on professional service training and production machinery upgrading, with team management and station working as carriers, and information feedback, key quality monitoring and benefit evaluation as assessment references.

A Fully Convolutional Neural Network-based Regression Approach for Effective Chemical Composition Analysis Using Near-infrared Spectroscopy in Cloud

As one chemical composition,nicotine content has an important influence on the quality of tobacco leaves.Rapid and nondestructive quantitative analysis of nicotine is an important task in the tobacco industry.Near-infrared(NIR)spectroscopy as an effective chemical composition analysis technique has been widely used.In this paper,we propose a one-dimensional fully convolutional network(1D-FCN)model to quantitatively analyze the nicotine composition of tobacco leaves using NIR spectroscopy data in a cloud environment.This 1D-FCN model uses one-dimensional convolution layers to directly extract the complex features from sequential spectroscopy data.It consists of five convolutional layers and two full connection layers with the max-pooling layer replaced by a convolutional layer to avoid information loss.Cloud computing techniques are used to solve the increasing requests of large-size data analysis and implement data sharing and accessing.Experimental results show that the proposed 1D-FCN model can effectively extract the complex characteristics inside the spectrum and more accurately predict the nicotine volumes in tobacco leaves than other approaches.This research provides a deep learning foundation for quantitative analysis of NIR spectral data in the tobacco industry.