Changes in Anatomic Structure of Burley Tobacco under the Influence of Irrigation and Fertilization

Investigations were made with the new burley variety B 2/93, bred in the Tobacco Institute Prilep, on alluvial soil type in the producing region of Ohrid and Struga. Four rates of nitrogen fertilizer (55, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha^-1) and a constant rate of phosphorus and potassium were applied in the investigation.

Based on the results obtained, it can be stated that fertilization and irrigation have a significant influence on the anatomic structure of burley tobacco leaf. The best developed anatomic structure, with harmonically increased palisade and spongy parenchyma, was found in the variant fertilized with 150 kg ha^-1 N. The cells of the parenchyma are not dense, and the spongy cells are few and irregularly distributed, forming large intercellular spaces between them. As a result of the interactive effect of irrigation and fertilization, this treatment is distinguished by a thick and soft leaf lamina with excellent adsorptive power, high filling capacity and, consequently, better quality.