Abstract
The microelement content (essential elements and heavy metals) of Bulgarian oriental tobacco varieties (Dzhebel basma 1, Elenski 817) and introduced oriental tobacco varieties (Prilep 23, Prilep), were studied in field experiments under the same agro-ecological conditions. The soil on which the study was carried out was humus–carbonate (Rendzic Leptosols), with an alkaline soil reaction, medium humus content, and heavy sandy loam texture. Total content and mobile forms of the elements Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd in the soil were determined, as well as their concentration in mature leaves from the middle section of the plant (commercially known as seco leaves). The response of the studied varieties to the agro-ecological conditions was ascertained. For any tobacco variety, absorption capabilities differed for each microelement. The determined concentrations of iron, manganese, copper, and zinc corresponded with the data reported in other reference sources and fell within the range of optimal tobacco leaves concentrations. Lead and cadmium contents were lower than the critical concentrations valid for all tobacco varieties. It was observed that the studied varieties had similar absorption capabilities as referred to the microelements zinc and cadmium.
Keywords: microelements, soils, oriental tobacco varieties.