The Relationship between the Difference of Plastid Pigment Contents and Chemical Components in Different Flue-cured Tobacco Varieties

The relationship between the difference of plastid pigment contents and chemical components in different flue-cured tobacco varieties were analyzed. The results showed that the content of plastid pigments had significant differences in different flue-cured tobacco varieties. Correlation analysis revealed that chlorophyll-a only showed positive correlation with total sugar. Chlorophyll b showed negative correlation with nicotine, and showed significant negative correlation with total nitrogen. Carotenoids showed negative correlation with total sugar, but showed positive correlation with nicotine and total nitrogen. The results on path analysis revealed that total sugar, nicotine, total nitrogen were directly affected mostly by chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b and indirectly affected mostly by carotenoids. Therefore, if flue-cured plastid pigment metabolism was controlled reasonably, it would be helpful to coordinate the chemical composition of flue-cured tobacco leaves and improve the usability.