Correlation Analysis on Routine Chemical Compositions and Polybasic Organic Acids in Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

Routine chemical compositions and polybasic organic acids in 210 samples of flue-cured tobacco leaves were studied by using pearson and canonical correlation analysis. The results indicated that negatively and highly significant difference existed between total sugar, reducing sugar and polybasic acids, respectively. Total petroleum ether extract was positively correlated with polybasic organic acids. Some polybasic organic acids were also correlated with N-containing compounds, pH, Cl and K contents, and other chemical components. Two of the canonical correlation equations among total sugar, reducing sugar, total petroleum ether extract and polybasic organic acids were highly significant at 0.01 significant level, and one was significant at 0.05 level. Four canonical correlation equations between N-containing compounds, pH and polybasic acids were all significant. One equation was analyzed at 0.05 level, and the other three at 0.01 level. The first canonical correlation equation between Cl, K contents and polybasic acids was also significant at 0.01 level.