The influence of agroecological conditions of growing on the smoke sensory properties of burley tobacco

Technological properties of tobacco that determine its usability are variable, so the quality of tobacco and tobacco products depends on the interaction of type and variety genetic properties on the one hand and agroecological growing conditions on the other.The aim of this experiment was to determine the influence of agroecological conditions on the smoke sensory properties of Burley tobacco type from experimental plots in five production areas in Serbia: Senta, Čoka, Šabac, Bajina Bašta and Vranje, during 2013. Hydrometeorological conditions data for vegetation period were taken from the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia. The analysis of soil and basic chemical properties of first class middle leaves tobacco, after air curing and leaf processing, was performed using standardized methods. Cigarettes were made and the sensory characteristics of smoke (physiological strength, taste and aroma of tobacco smoke, fullness of smoking and cigarette combustion) were determined, using the key for sensory evaluation of quality according to Sozonović. The best sensory characteristics were determined in Berlej from the production area of Šabac, and the worst from the area of Vranje. Šabac as a region had the most uniform temperatures and the least amount of precipitation in the vegetation period; the soil had the highest pH value and contains a significant amount of organic matter. Vranje as a region had the lowest temperatures and the highest amount of precipitation in the vegetation period; the soil had the lowest pH value and the lowest content of organic matter. Growing conditions had an impact on the smoke sensory properties through the accumulation of chemical components in the tobacco leaf, since the same agro technical measures were performed in all five production areas. Agrotechnical measures that are adapted to the production area characteristics could reduce the impact of agroecological conditions to a minimum, which would enable the production of tobac