The effect of nitrogen and manganese on the aroma of flue-cured tobacco

Several volatile compounds are produced on curing fully aromatic tobacco leaves. In contrast, no volatiles are produced by ‘putty’ leaves. A clear correlation exists between the production of flavour compounds and the retention of structural integrity in the leaves after curing. The availability of nitrogen during the maturation of the leaves on the plant is of prime importance in the production of sufficient flavour components to produce aromatic tobacco after curing. Although a lack of manganese during this phase does not seem to have an effect on the flavour composition of the leaves, it appears that manganese is essential for the production of sufficient quantities of flavour compounds.