Response of Some Productive and Qualitative Characteristics of the Local Tobacco Variety (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Under the Influence of Phosphorus Treatment and Sorbitol Foliar Spraying

Abstract

A factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three replications was conducted in 2025 in an agricultural area in the village of Al-Salata, Qardaha District, Latakia Governorate, and in the research laboratory of the Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Latakia University. The local variety, Shek Al-Bint, was used, with seeds obtained from the General Tobacco Corporation, Latakia. To test the effect of foliar application of sorbitol (S) at the following concentrations (0, 1, 1.5, 2 g/L) and phosphorus (P) fertilization (0, 30, 60, 90 kg/ha) on some growth indicators, productive, qualitative, and technological characteristics of local tobacco, and to determine the optimal fertilization and application concentrations.

Foliar application of 2 g/L sorbitol and phosphorus fertilization at a rate of 90 kg/ha, both individually and in combination, resulted in a significant increase in most of the studied characteristics, especially in the S3P3 treatment (90 kg/ha with 2 g/L). This increase was observed in the following characteristics: plant height (cm), leaf surface area (cm²), photosynthetic efficiency (g/cm²/day), leaf thickness (µm), green and dry leaf yield (kg/dunum), and sugar content (%). Additionally, the nicotine content (%) was reduced. Therefore, we recommend treating the local tobacco (Shak al-Bint) in the study area with both sorbitol spray at a concentration of 2 g/L and phosphorus fertilization at a rate of
90 kg/ha, either individually or together at the same concentrations, due to their stimulating physiological role in improving most plant growth indicators compared to the control.