Suitable Harvesting Method of Upper Leaves of Flue-cured Tobacco Variety CB-1

This study aims to optimize the harvest method of upper leaves of flue-cured tobacco CB-1 and to improve leaf quality and usability. The fully mature upper leaves of CB-1 were used as materials in this experiment, with six treatments consisting of ordinary picking 3, 4, 5 and 6 upper leaves leaf by leaf at a time, and picking 5, 6 upper leaves with stalk at a time. The effects of different harvesting methods on economic characters, appearance, chemical components, sensory and neutral aroma components in the upper leaves of CB-1 were studied. The results showed that there were significant differences in the quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves with different harvesting methods in the upper leaves of CB-1. Central to high grade leaf proportion, average price, middle leaf proportion and sensory quality of comprehensive analysis, the overall quality and economic benefit were best from picking 6 upper leaves at a time. Among the treatments, picking 6 upper leaves by leaf by leaf at a time was more favorable to increase high grade leaf proportion, average price and middle leaf proportion, which were increased by 8.56%, 4.95 yuan/kg and 8.15%, respectively. Compared with the control, picking 6 upper leaves with stalk at a time was more favorable to increase high-middle grade leaf proportion and content of neutral aroma components, which were increased by 8.13% and 20.22%, respectively, and the sensory quality was significantly improved, too. In summary, the best harvesting method for the upper leaf of CB-1 is picking 6 upper leaves at a time with fully mature in production practice.