Abstract: A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different apparent leaf number on agronomic trait, economic character and content of chemical components of flue-cured tobacco variety NC297. The results were as follows: The plant height and the length of internodes increased while the stalk circumference decreased gradually with the increasing number of apparent leaves. There was a little effect on the length and width of cutters and lower leaves. With the increase of apparent leaf number, the length and width of upper leaves decreased. The favorable plant shape appeared when the apparent leaf number ranged 20-22 per plant. The average price, the rate of high and middle class leaf enhanced gradually while the yields decreased with the apparent leaf number. The economic characters performed better when the apparent leaf number ranged 20-22 per plant. The chemical components were harmonious when apparent leaf number was kept at 22 per plant.