Kansas
Representative warm-season temperature is 23.9°C, inside the 15–30°C optimum. Annual rainfall is 642 mm, inside the 500–750 mm optimum rainfall band.
Compared on representative regional temperature and rainfall.
Commercial crop requirements
Growing Tobacco: climate, soil and water requirements
Tobacco has an optimum temperature range of 15–30°C within an absolute 7–35°C envelope.
Its profile calls for 500 mm of seasonal water and an optimum soil pH of 5–6.5.
How to read the figures
Profile figures come from the source cited at the foot of this page. Regional figures are representative reference values, not coordinate-level measurements.
Climate envelope
Use the optimum band for screening normal crop development and the absolute range as an outer tolerance boundary. Accumulated heat still depends on the local planting window and daily temperatures.
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Optimum temperature | 15–30°C |
| Absolute temperature range | 7–35°C |
| Heat to maturity | 1,400 growing degree days above a 13°C base |
| Photoperiod | Short-day response; 12-hour critical daylength |
| Vernalisation | Not required |
Soil and pH
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Optimum pH | 5–6.5 |
| Tolerated pH range | 4.5–7.5 |
| Waterlogging tolerance | Intolerant |
An intolerant rating means drainage is a screening constraint. Check infiltration, perched-water risk, field outlets and the duration of saturation before committing land.
Water
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Seasonal water requirement | 500 mm |
| Optimum rainfall band | 500–750 mm |
| Absolute rainfall range | 350–3,000 mm |
Irrigation becomes necessary when effective in-season rainfall is below the 500 mm seasonal requirement. Convert that gap into a field schedule only after accounting for soil water storage, application efficiency and local rainfall timing.
Nitrogen demand
The profile assigns Tobacco nitrogen-demand category 3, which translates to moderate demand. It is a relative category, not a fertiliser rate.
Set the field program from soil and tissue evidence, expected removals, prior-crop effects and local nutrient rules.
Crop-level reference profile
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Average yield | 1.9 t/ha reference average |
| Growing period | About 145 days to maturity, derived from 1,400 growing degree days above 13°C at a 22.5°C mean season temperature. Modelled from the crop profile. |
Where it grows well
These examples pass a stated temperature or rainfall comparison using representative regional values. Regional screening, not parcel-level.
Texas
Representative warm-season temperature is 28°C, inside the 15–30°C optimum. Annual rainfall is 600 mm, inside the 500–750 mm optimum rainfall band.
Compared on representative regional temperature and rainfall.
North Carolina
Representative warm-season temperature is 23.9°C, inside the 15–30°C optimum.
Compared on representative regional temperature.
Regional guides
Research basis
These papers support the qualitative interpretation of the crop profile. No paper-derived figure is used on this page; the named crop and region fields remain the only sources of displayed agronomic numbers.
- The effect of irrigation scheduling and water stress on the maturity and chemical composition of Virginia tobacco leaf
Irrigation timing and the crop stage at which stress occurs both affect tobacco response.
- Radiation-use efficiency in flue-cured tobacco: response to nitrogen supply, climatic variability and sink limitations
Nitrogen response is conditional on weather, root-zone water status and crop management rather than a universal fertiliser rate.
Taking this to a field decision
This profile cannot set planting depth, row spacing, seeding rate, cultivar choice, fertiliser rate, harvest timing, irrigation schedule or drainage design. Those decisions depend on cultivar, local practice and field conditions.
Use a coordinate-level audit, local field evidence and commercial terms before a land or lending decision.
Crop profile source
Wikidata & Literature (Voicu, Jitareanu and Popescu, 2011).