Correlation Analysis among Quality Indices in Upper Leaves of Flue-cured Tobacco

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the quality indices of upper leaves in flue-cured tobacco. 122 samples of upper leaf (B2F) were collected from 8 main production areas in China, and relationships between appearance quality, physical property, chemical components and sensory quality of the samples were studied. The results showed that the total sugar and reducing sugar were extremely significantly and positively correlated with the leaf body and the equilibrium moisture content, and were extremely significantly and negatively correlated with the leaf maturity, stem ratio and the leaf thickness. The nicotine and total nitrogen were extremely significantly and positively correlated with the leaf maturity and stem ratio, and were extremely significantly and negatively correlated with the leaf body; The tobacco sensory quality indices was extremely significantly and positively correlated with the equilibrium moisture content, total sugar and reducing sugar, and was extremely significantly and negatively correlated with nicotine and total nitrogen. In conclusion, the leaf maturity, leaf body, the leaf thickness, stem ratio and the equilibrium moisture content has significant effect on the content of chemical components, and the tobacco chemical components have significant effect on the sensory quality.