Abstract: The typical spectral characteristics of tobacco leaves were analyzed and explained through their reflectance, transmittance and absorption spectra.The statistical correlation between the spectral characteristics in visible short infrared wave range and nicotine, total nitrogen and K + contents in tobacco leaves were studied.It was found that the said wave range was sensitive to nicotine, nitrogen, reducing sugar and K in tobacco leaves.The statistical prediction models for nicotine, nitrogen and K + contents in tobacco were developed with spectral nitrogen ratio index and plant pigment ratio.