A method for topping and pruning cigar tobacco leaves
By adopting the topping method in cigar tobacco cultivation, the quality problems of tobacco leaves caused by improper topping methods in existing technologies have been solved, resulting in improved tobacco yield and internal quality, especially in terms of aroma and combustibility.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202610744893.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
In current cigar tobacco cultivation, improper topping methods lead to insufficient conversion of vegetative growth in tobacco plants, affecting the accumulation of biological yield and the coordination of internal substances, resulting in quality problems such as insufficient aroma and incomplete aroma development.
The top growing point is removed when the tobacco plant has grown to 14-16 leaves and the top leaf is 2-3 cm long. Sterilized gloves are worn during the operation, which is carried out in sunny weather. The growing point is destroyed uniformly to avoid the spread of viruses and improve the internal quality of the tobacco leaves.
By using the core-closing and topping method, the yield of tobacco leaves increased by 4.52%, the nicotine content was more balanced, the quality of tobacco leaves was improved, the aroma was stronger, the combustibility was better, the off-flavors were less, and the overall quality was significantly improved.
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of cigar tobacco cultivation technology, specifically a method for topping and pruning cigar tobacco leaves. Background Technology
[0002] Cigar tobacco leaves, as the core raw material for cigar products, directly determine the smoking experience and market value of cigars. In the cultivation of cigar tobacco leaves, selecting high-quality varieties is only the foundation; subsequent cultivation techniques are equally crucial. These include key aspects such as planting density, fertilization amount, topdressing methods, topping time, and the number of leaves retained. These aspects are interconnected and work synergistically to jointly affect the final yield and quality of the tobacco leaves. Most cigar-growing regions use the method of removing the inflorescence and growing point during the bud stage. This technique has been validated through long-term production practice and has become a relatively mature technical system. However, cigar tobacco cultivation started relatively late, and topping techniques are still in the exploratory stage. Most tobacco-growing areas mainly use two methods: topping at the bud stage and topping at the initial flowering stage, lacking systematic technical standards and optimization schemes.
[0003] Recent research and production practices have revealed that cigar tobacco leaves commonly suffer from insufficient aroma and a lack of aroma penetration in sensory quality evaluation. Tracing the causes, in addition to factors such as fermentation processes, drying conditions, and fertilization amounts, improper topping methods are also a significant factor affecting tobacco leaf quality. Topping at the budding stage or early flowering stage, due to the late topping period, consumes a large amount of nutrients during the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, resulting in insufficient accumulation of biological yield in the leaves and poor coordination of internal substances, thus affecting the aroma expression and overall quality of the tobacco leaves. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for topping and pruning cigar tobacco leaves to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a method for topping and pruning tobacco leaves in cigar tobacco cultivation, wherein the topping and pruning method ensures uniform growth of tobacco plants in the tobacco field, regulates the nicotine content in the tobacco leaves, and improves the yield and overall usability of the tobacco leaves, comprising the following steps:
[0006] S1. Timing judgment: When the tobacco plant has grown to have 14 to 16 leaves and the top leaf is 2 to 3 cm long, it is judged to be the best time to top.
[0007] S2. Topping operation: Remove the top growing point of the tobacco plant;
[0008] S3. Post-processing: Collect the removed growth points and take them out of the tobacco field for destruction.
[0009] Preferably, in step S2, the operator disinfects their hands with disinfectant or wears plastic gloves before operation.
[0010] Preferably, the S2 operation is performed by pinching or cutting with a tool.
[0011] Preferably, the tools used in the tool-cutting method include, but are not limited to, scissors or blades, and are sterilized before and after the operation.
[0012] Preferably, the topping operation in S2 must be carried out in sunny weather, and the operation is prohibited in rainy weather.
[0013] Preferably, when the topping operation is carried out within the same plot of land, the operators should remain relatively fixed to avoid frequent personnel changes.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the topping and pruning can improve the quality of tobacco leaves, promote leaf growth and increase biomass, thereby increasing tobacco leaf yield; it can make the leaves thicker, more oily, and better in color, and can also effectively regulate the content of chemical components such as nicotine in tobacco leaves, making them more coordinated, thereby improving the intrinsic quality; it can also improve the overall usability of tobacco leaves. Detailed Implementation
[0015] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0016] This invention provides a technical solution: a method for topping cigar tobacco leaves, wherein the optimal time for topping is when the tobacco plant has grown to 14-16 leaves.
[0017] When topping, first disinfect your hands with disinfectant or wear plastic gloves before doing so. Then count the number of leaves on the tobacco plant to be 14 to 16, and the length of the top leaf should be 2 to 3 cm. Finally, you can remove the top growing point of the tobacco plant by hand or by using a tool.
[0018] Among the requirements: the removed growth points need to be collected and taken out of the tobacco field in a unified manner to avoid the spread of the virus; topping should be done in sunny weather, and topping is prohibited on rainy days; the operators for the same plot should be relatively fixed.
[0019] Implementation method 1: When the number of tobacco leaves reaches 14, the top should be removed on a sunny day. After topping, the growing point should be taken out of the tobacco field and destroyed in a centralized manner. The topping operation should be strictly followed. Five days after topping, the tobacco plants will grow more uniformly and the quality of the tobacco leaves will be significantly improved.
[0020] Implementation Method 2: Based on Implementation Method 1, wear plastic gloves when applying the top. After about 1 hour of operation, change to new gloves to reduce the spread of the virus.
[0021] Tests have shown that the topping method for cigar tobacco cultivation of this invention increases the average yield of tobacco leaves by 4.52% (5.42 kg) per mu, results in more balanced nicotine levels, and improves the quality of tobacco leaves by enhancing aroma, improving combustibility, and reducing off-flavors, thus effectively improving tobacco quality.
[0022] Comparative Example 1: Bud Topping
[0023] The commonly used method of topping at the budding stage is adopted. The topping period is when the tobacco plant grows to the budding stage (about 18-20 leaves, flower buds are visible at the top but have not yet bloomed). The operation is carried out on a sunny day, and the operators are not fixed. After topping, the growing point is randomly discarded in the tobacco field without unified collection and treatment. The remaining cultivation and management measures are completely consistent with the implementation method one.
[0024] Test results: The average yield of tobacco leaves per mu was about 3.8% lower (about 4.81 kg) than that of Implementation Method 1. The nicotine content was too high and the ratio with the total sugar was out of balance. In the sensory evaluation of the tobacco leaves, the aroma was insufficient, the permeability was poor, the combustibility was average, and the off-flavors were more obvious. The overall quality was significantly lower than that of the core-closing and topping treatment of this invention.
[0025] Comparative Example 2: Topping at the Beginning of Bloom
[0026] The commonly used method of topping at the initial flowering stage is adopted. The topping period is when the tobacco plant grows to the initial flowering stage (about 20-22 leaves, and the top flower buds have begun to open). The operation is carried out on a sunny day, the operators are not fixed, and they do not wear gloves. After topping, the growing points are randomly discarded in the tobacco field without unified collection and disposal. The remaining cultivation and management measures are completely consistent with the implementation method one.
[0027] Test results: The average yield of tobacco leaves per mu was about 5.1% lower (about 4.61 kg) than that of Implementation Method 1. The leaves were thinner, with insufficient oil content and poor color. The nicotine content was higher and the coordination was poor. In the sensory evaluation of the tobacco leaves, the aroma was the lowest, the penetration was the weakest, the off-flavors were the most prominent, the combustibility was poor, and the overall quality was the lowest among the three groups. This further verifies the significant advantages of the topping method of this invention in improving the quality of tobacco leaves.
[0028] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A method for topping and pruning tobacco leaves in cigar tobacco cultivation, wherein the topping and pruning method ensures uniform growth of tobacco plants in the tobacco field, regulates the nicotine content in the tobacco leaves, and improves the yield and overall usability of the tobacco leaves, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1. Timing judgment: When the tobacco plant has grown to have 14 to 16 leaves and the top leaf is 2 to 3 cm long, it is judged to be the best time to top. S2. Topping operation: Remove the top growing point of the tobacco plant; S3. Post-processing: Collect the removed growth points and take them out of the tobacco field for destruction.
2. A method of tying and topping in the cultivation of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before the operation, the operator disinfects their hands with disinfectant or wears plastic gloves.
3. A method of tying and topping in the cultivation of cigar tobacco leaves according to claim 1, characterized in that: The S2 operation is performed by pinching with your hand or cutting with a tool.
4. A method of topping a cigar leaf crop according to claim 3, characterised in that: The tools used in the tool removal method include, but are not limited to, scissors or blades, and are sterilized before and after the operation.
5. The method of topping a cigar leaf crop according to claim 1, wherein: The topping operation in S2 must be carried out in sunny weather; it is prohibited to do so in rainy weather.
6. A method of topping a cigar leaf crop according to claim 5, characterised in that: When the topping operation is carried out within the same plot of land, the operators should remain relatively fixed to avoid frequent personnel changes.