Growth and Development Responses of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) to Changes in Physical and Hydrological Soil Properties Due to Minimum Tillage

Minimum tillage is a soil conservation practice involving a reduction in soil disturbance and topsoil compaction, which could minimize environmental impact of the tobacco cultivation system. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the development and growth responses of Nicotiana tabacum and the changes in the physical and hydrological soil properties after the application of two different treatments: minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT). MT did not cause any pronounced differences in the crop yield compared to CT, instead it positively affected the physical and hydrological soil properties and the plants’ vegetative growth. Under MT, the soil showed a higher structural stability than CT with significantly lower compaction values. With MT the soil showed a higher capacity to maintain and store water during the drought periods, evidenced by soil moisture values significantly higher than CT. Tobacco on MT showed a good response, significantly prolonging the vegetative growth stage which at harvest determined a higher stem height, greater number of leaves and longer internodes.