Identification of Quality Characteristics of Sun-cured Tobacco Leaves

[Objective] The aim was to explore tobacco varieties which satisfy tobacco formula and is suitable to be grown in ecotopes simultaneously. [Method] Interior and exterior qualities of tobacco were compared and identified based on agronomic and economic characters of tobacco in fields. [Result] Yunshai No.1 was better in both agronomic and economic characters. Specifically, the fragrance was dominated by empyreumatique and aroma; the highly-qualified variety is fragrant and sweet, with little irritation, which gives the tobacco smoke a light, mild flavor. As for Virgini- a934, economic characters were better, but agronomic characters were just ordinary. Similar to Yunshai No.l, dominated by empyreumatique and aroma, the variety was with distinctive resin and herbaceous fragrance. What＇s more, it tasted good with high quality and usability. Cunsanpi was ordinary in agronomic characters, and poor in economic characters, with coordinated quality and chemical composition. It is fra- grant and the smoke is clean. However, the quality was not so high and it tasted not so good. Tengruan No.2 was good in agronomic characters, but poor in eco- nomic characters, which gives delicate fragrance, but not clean enough. Waiweiba and Mijie Qinggeng neither taste well nor smell sweet, performing ordinary in agro- nomic and economic characters. Hence, the two varieties seem bad in quality and ranks poorly. [Conclusion] In terms of sensory quality, the varieties from high to low were Yunshai No.1, Virginia 934, Cunsanpi, Tengruan No.2, Waiweiba and Mijie Qinggeng.

Adoption and Impact of Tobacco Recommended Varieties among Smallholder Farmers in Tabora Region

The research examines the status of adoption of improved tobacco recommended varieties among smallholder farmers with a view to assess the impact of tobacco production on household income in the region. A survey approach was used to collect data from a sample of 160 tobacco farmers who were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. Results show that farmers have responded appreciably to intervention programme that promote the use of the tobacco recommended varieties with an adoption rate of 61.6%. Information flow from various tobacco companies was the significant factor influencing the decision of farmers to adopt the tobacco recommended varieties. Constraints in the adoption noted include poor germination of seeds, high demand of inputs, unreliable availability of seeds and inadequate knowledge on tobacco production. The mean household income from tobacco production （4,232,415 Tshs） was significantly higher than the mean income of other income sources cumulatively （211,333 Tshs） with an income advantage of 4,021,082 Tshs. The study concludes that farmers are responding appreciably to intervention programmes that promote the use of tobacco recommended varieties in the region. Also tobacco sub-sector has higher contribution on household total income as compared to other enterprises.

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.