Comparison of Physical Properties Between Zimbabwe Flue-cured Tobacco and Its Potential Domestic Substitute

The physical properties of domestic B2F and C3F flue-cured tobacco of 2004-2006 from 37 demonstration bases in 9 provinces were analyzed and compared with Zimbabwe upper and middle leaves of similar grades. The results showed that:1) comparing with Zimbabwe upper leaves, domestic leaves were slightly weak in leaf thickness and width, weight of single leaf, leaf weight per unit surface area and combustion time, while slightly higher in values of leaf length, filling power and equilibrium moisture content; 2) comparing with Zimbabwe middle leaves, domestic leaves were slightly weak in leaf thickness, weight of single leaf, leaf weight per unit surface area, equilibrium moisture content, filling power and combustion time, while slightly higher in values of leaf length and width.