Curing Burley Tobacco Â - Analyzing The Curing Environment

Curing Burley Tobacco –
Analyzing the Curing Environment
A brief more on
review a way to
of evaluate
what’s the
good, environ-
ment
By
George Duncan, Linus Walton
B.A.E. Dept ., Coll. Of Agric., U.Ky.
presented at
42nd Tobacco Workers Conference
© BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.
1/14/06, 6/21/06
Charleston, SCL Jan.
G. A. Duncan, 2006
.R. Walton
with recent additions
1 2
Early studies by Jeffrey, 1940 , 1946 …
Best for burley:

" Temp. 60-90 ºF (daily mean)
" Relative Humidity 65-70% (daily mean)
" Air Flow 15 ft/min (minimum)
Note: Then 1288-2698 lbs/ac,

thin, buff color leaf
and 15 ft/min ~ 1/6 mph
1
References cited are listed at the end of this presentation.
1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

G. A. Duncan, L .R. Walton
3
O’Bannon, 1943 …
Extensive study of wind effects on barn ventilation;

vent doors open, closed;
graphics of temp., rel. hum. within barn:

4
Walton & Henson , 1971…
Study of effects of exposure to periods

of low relative humidity on quality…
Temperature: 50 º, 65 º, 80 º F
Rel. Humidity: 30%, 45%, 60%
Air Flow: 15 ft/min
Times of Exposure: 0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 hrs
Stages of cure: Initial (green), Yellow
Bur. 21, cured at 70 F and 70% R.H. except

for exposure times

4
Results: Minimum periods of exposure required
for 6 ¢/lb to 10 ¢/lb decline in support price…
.
Rel. Humidity
30% 45% 60%
Temperature Exposure time in hours
50ºF 12 48 72
65ºF 72 96 *
80ºF ** * **
* 5 ¢/lb decline after 96 hrs

** No damage for exposure up to 96 hrs
(additional comments made in paper)
5
Study of effects of exposure to periods

of high relative humidity on quality…
Temperature: 50º, 65º, 80º F

Rel. Humidity: 80%, 90%
Air Flow: 15 ft/min
Times of Exposure: 0, 48, 96, 144, 192, 240 hrs
Stages of cure: Initial (green), Yellow
Bur. 21, cured at 70 F and 70% R.H. except

for exposure times

5
Results: Decline in support price after 240 hrs

exposure by prediction equation…
Initial Stage Yellow Stage

Temperature 80% 90% 80% 90%
50ºF 0 9¢ 1¢ 1¢
65ºF 0 3¢ 1¢ 8¢
80ºF 2¢ 1¢ 4¢ 4¢
(additional comments made in paper)

Many other burley studies since the 1970’s ..
J. Bunn, W. Henson, L. Walton, L. Bush,

H. Burton, L. Davis, G. Duncan, others...
on
¾ bulked stalks
¾ hand, machine primed leaves,
heated air & natural air w/fan
¾ leaves cured on & off the stalk
concurrently
¾ field cured on frames, in ‘structures’,
plastic covered, and in barns…

Early to mid 1980’s and continuing,
a major cured burley concern…
N i t r o s a m i n e s !!!!
Affected by- -
¾ Genetics,
¾ Cultural practices,
¾ Curing,
¾ Storage & Handling
A Finding: TSNAs develop from browning phase

on throughout curing with ‘high’ moisture…

Now, continue with curing emphasis
& means of evaluating ‘good’ curing…

Method to evaluate environment,
e.g. How to ‘visualize’ good curing…
A lot of ‘overlapping’ lines here!! Let’s improve the analysis > >
4 day high Outside Ambient Temperature & Relative Humidity, C. Ky. Barn, 2005
100.0 Humidity 5 day h.h. 6 day h.h.
95.0
90.0
85.0
80.0
75.0
70.0
Temp., RH
65.0
60.0
55.0
50.0
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
25.0 RH Temp
20.0
08/27/05
08/29/05
08/31/05
09/02/05
09/04/05
09/06/05
09/08/05
09/10/05
09/12/05
09/14/05
09/16/05
09/18/05
09/20/05
09/22/05
09/24/05
09/26/05
09/28/05
09/30/05
10/02/05
10/04/05
10/06/05
10/08/05
10/10/05
10/12/05
10/14/05
10/16/05
10/18/05
10/20/05
10/22/05
10/24/05
10/26/05
10/28/05
10/30/05
11/01/05
11/03/05
11/05/05
11/07/05
11/09/05
11/11/05
11/13/05
11/15/05
11/17/05
Date

A Concept… consider daily cycle of RH…
Recent chamber studies6, 7 indicate 75% ‘average’ R.H. is best for
current burley. Then consider 10% above & below as ‘good’ range…
85%
75%
65%

Now, let’s analyze hourly RH data per
the following sample data in a spreadsheet…
Use logic to put a ‘1’ in one of 3 columns according
to RH values, then sum the ‘1’s & calc. %:
RH <65% 65%-85% >85%

55 1
60 1
64 1
69 1
73 1
77 1
82 1
86 1
89 1
92 1
Sum 3 4 3
% 30.0% 40.0% 30.0%
And plot the sums as a bar graph,
which represents the cumulative ‘Low Humidity’,
‘Good Humidity’ & ‘High Humidity’ hours:
40.0%
4
3.5 30.0% 30.0%
Cumulative Hours
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
<65% 65%- >85%
85%
Relative Humidity

Now consider data from a
Central Ky. Burley Barn8 in 2005..

Data is grouped in two week periods, representing typical
‘yellowing’, ‘browning’ and ‘leaf drying’ & ‘midrib drying’ stages:
Hours x Outside Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, C. Ky. Farm, 2005

171
170
160 Ambient RH Outside the barn
150 142 142
140 133
130 127
118 119 121
115
Cumulative Hours
120
112 111
110 102 100
100 92
91 91
90
80
77
70
60 55
50
40
30
20
10
0
9/10/2005 9/24/2005 10/8/2005 10/22/2005 11/5/2005 11/19/2005

<65% 65% -85% >85% Date (ending of 2 week period)
Note rather good ‘balance’ of low & high RH around the daily
average except for more ‘humid’ Aug., Oct. & ‘dry’ Nov. periods.
Now compare ‘overlapping’ lines of RH plot with bar graph, note
‘humid’ period in Aug. & Oct..(RH>85-95%), ‘dry’ period in Nov.(mostly 25-80%)
p y, y ,
100.0
95.0
90.0
85.0
80.0
75.0
Temp., RH
70.0
65.0
60.0
55.0
50.0
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
25.0 RH Temp
20.0
5
5
170
51%
160 42% 42% 171
150 142 38% 40% 142
140 35% 35% 127 132 36%
130 33% 34% 33%
118 119 121
112 30% 115 30%
Cumulative Hours
120 111
110 27% 27% 27% 102 100
100 23% 91 91 92
90
77
80
70 16%
60 55
50
40
30
20
10
0
9/10/2005 9/24/2005 10/8/2005 10/22/2005 11/5/2005 11/19/2005
<65% 65%-85% >85% Date (e nding of 2 we e k pe riod)

Now look at data inside same barn (middle of 5 tiers), with vents managed for ‘good’ curing…
Aug. & Oct. periods of high outside RH had similar ‘higher humidity’ in the barn,
(vents could have been opened more), however prevailing levels of good
65%-85% RH occurred during Oct. yellowing to browning and Nov. drying!
Hours x Inside Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, C. Ky. Barn, 2005

230
220 61%
210 57% 205 RH Inside the barn, middle of 5 tiers.
200 191
190 50% 50%
180 Note: Only
170 168 45% 167
8 days of data
Cumulative Hours
160 41% 151

150 39% for 11/13/05
140
138
131
130 34% 57%
120 113 29% 109
110
100 25% 97
90 85 22% 22% 38%
80 72 73 74
70 14%
60 11%
50 47
40 37
30 2% 5%
20 7 10
10
0
9/10/2005 9/24/2005 10/8/2005 10/22/2005 11/5/2005 11/13/2005
<65% 65%-85% >85% Date (ending of 2 week period)

Comparison of ‘Outside’ & ‘Inside’ RH graphs for C. Ky. Barn,
note dominance of ‘good’ curing conditions inside barn.
51%
170
160
42% RH Outside the barn 42% 171
150 142 38% 40% 142
140 35% 35% 132 36%
127 33% 34%
130 118 119 121 33%
112 30% 115 30%
CumulativeHours
120
110 27% 27% 27% 102 111
100
100
23% 91 91 92
90
80 77
70
16%
60 55
50
40
30
20
10
0
9/10/2005 9/24/2005 10/8/2005 10/22/2005 11/5/2005 11/19/2005
<65% 65% -85% >85% Date (ending of 2 week period)
Hours x Inside Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, C. Ky. Barn, 2005
61%
230
220
57% RH Inside the barn
210 205
200 191 50% 50%
190
180 168 45% 167
170 41% 39%
rs
160 151
u
138 34%
o
150
131 57%
eH
140
130
25% 113 29%
tiv
120 109 38%

97 22%
la
110
85 22%
u
100
m
90
14% 72 73 74
u
80
C
70
60
11% 47
50
40 2% 37 5%
30
20 7 10
10
0
9/10/2005 9/24/2005 10/8/2005 10/22/2005 11/5/2005 11/13/2005
<65% 65%-85% >85% Date (ending of 2 week period)

TSNA data9 for five locations in the C. Ky. Barn:
(Variety: TN90)
Samples from C. Ky. Barn, 2005
Location NNN NAT NAB NNK TSNA

-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
ug g ug g ug g ug g ug g
BC01 0.73 0.85 ND 0.14 1.72
BC03 0.83 1.44 ND 0.16 2.43
BC04 0.93 1.74 ND 0.19 2.86
BC05 0.89 1.44 ND 0.17 2.50
BC06 1.06 1.39 ND 0.19 2.65
AVG: 2.43

Now go to another location:
RH at Lexington Airport10 showing rather ‘dry’ curing weather for 2005
RH Lexington Airport

RH inside UK Spindletop Farm 10 miles away from Airport for a selected curing period,
generally ‘good’ curing except for a two week Oct. ‘humid’ period.

TSNA data9 for U.Ky. Barn and Chamber Curing, 2005:
(Variety: KT204) 11
Samples from U. Ky. Barn & Lab Chamber Curing, 2005
Location NNN NAT NAB NNK TSNA

-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
ug g ug g ug g ug g ug g
UK Barn 1.36 1.63 0.055 0.15 3.20
BAE Lab #1 0.78 1.30 ND 0.18 2.26
BAE Lab #2 1.12 1.70 ND 0.23 3.05
Note: BAE Lab #1 cured at constant 70 F, 75%
BAE Lab #2 cured at daily cycle of 60-80 F, 50%-90%

RH at Lexington Airport10 for 2004 showing more ‘humid’ periods.

RH at Lex. Airport10 for 2003 showing generally good curing with 3 ‘humid’ periods.

RH at Lexington Airport10 for 2002 showing generally 2 ‘dry’ periods, 1 ‘humid’ period,
otherwise good curing periods.

RH at Lexington Airport10 for 2001 showing generally good early curing
with 3 ‘dry’ periods in latter part of season.

Summary of RH at Lexington Airport10 for 5 curing seasons.
Note 2004 9% hours more ‘humid’, 2005 11% hours more ‘dry’.

Now analyze RH at Raleigh-Durham Airport12 for 2005,
showing early ‘humid’ period, later ‘dry’ period, otherwise rather ‘good’ curing conditions.
Weather data missing in several periods
Missing
11
days
14
days
14
days

RH at Raleigh-Durham Airport12 for 2004,
showing predominant ‘humid’ periods!
Hours x Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, Raleigh-Durham , 2004

200 194
186
190 178 181
180
170 158
160 148
147
150
140
Cumulative Hours
130 122
120
106 108
110 98 99 98
96
100 90 90
85 85
90 80 80
80 73 70
70 62
60 54
50
40
30
20
10
0
8/14/2004 8/29/2004 9/12/2004 9/27/2004 10/11/2004 10/25/2004 11/8/2004 11/22/2004
<65% 65%-85% >85% Dates (ending of 2 week period)

showing predominant ‘humid’ periods except for mid Nov.

showing mostly ‘humid’ periods except for early ‘dry’ period & mid ‘good’ period!
Hours x Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, Raleigh-Durham, 2002

231
230 221
220
210
196 193
200
190
180
170 159 159
160 152
Cumulative Hours
150 138
140 129
130
120 113
110
100 89 91 91
86 86
90
80 69 71 70 71 72
70 65
60 51 50
50
40 35
30
20
10
0
8/14/2002 8/28/2002 9/11/2002 9/25/2002 10/9/2002 10/23/2002 11/6/2002 11/20/2002
<65% 65%-85% >85%
Date (ending of 2 week period)

showing mixture of ‘humid,’ ‘good’ & ‘dry’ periods!

Summary of RH at Raleigh-Durham Airport12 for 5 curing seasons.
Note 2005 rather ‘good’ curing season, 2001 ‘maybe’, other 3 very ‘humid!’
RH x Percentages of Hours by Year, Raleigh-Durham, 2001-2005
50.0 49% 49%

48%
45.0
40%
40.0
35% 37%
35.0 33%
Percentage of Hours
31%
30.0 28%
27% 28%
25%
25.0 25%
23% 23%
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
<65% 65% -85% >85% Year

Comparison of Lexington & Raleigh-Durham for 2001-2005 curing seasons
Lex. shows mostly ‘good’ curing seasons with one having 9% ‘humid’ & one 12% ‘dry’ hours.
Hours x RH Percentages by Y ear, Lexington, 2001-2005

45%
45%
42%
40%
40% 39%
37% 38%
36%
34% 34%
35% 33%
30%
ours
30%
PercentageofH
25%
25% 24%
23%
21%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
<65% 65%-85% >85% Year
Raleigh-Durham shows one ‘good’ curing season, one ‘maybe’, three with 21% more ‘humid’ hours.

Summary:
1. Principles and brief studies of air curing conditions for burley
tobacco have been reviewed.
2. A method for analyzing relative humidity data to graphically and
visually portray ‘dry’, ‘good’ and ‘humid’ conditions has been
presented.
3. An analysis of Central Kentucky, Lexington, KY, and Raleigh-
Durham, NC, weather data shows the prevalence of ‘dry’, ‘good’
& ‘humid’ curing seasons in traditional and non-traditional
burley curing regions.
4. For the past 5 years, Lex. shows mostly ‘good’ curing seasons
with one having 9% ‘humid’ & one 12% ‘dry’ cumulative hours.
5. For the past 5 years, Raleigh-Durham shows one ‘good’ curing
season, one ‘maybe’, three with 21% more ‘humid’ cumulative
hours.
6. Additional years of data & locations should be studied for more
longer-term analyses of burley curing conditions.
References Cited:
1
Jeffrey, R. N. The Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity During and After
Curing upon the Quality of White Burley Tobacco. Bull. No. 407, Ky. Agr. Exp.
Sta., Univ. of Ky., Lexington, July, 1940
2
Jeffrey, R. N., The Relation of Curing Conditions to Quality in Burley Tobacco. Bull.
No. 496, Ky. Agric. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Ky., Lexington, Dec., 1946
3
O’Bannon, Lester S., Distribution of Temperature and Relative Humidity Within a
Burley Tobacco Barn. Bull. No. 444, Ky. Agric. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Ky.,
Lexington, May, 1943
4
Walton, L. R., and W. H. Henson, Jr. Effect of Environment During Curing on the
Quality of Burley Tobacco: I. Effect of Low Humidity Curing on Support price.
Tob. Sci. 15:54-57. May 14, 1971
5
Walton, L. R., and W. H. Henson, Jr. Effect of Environment During Curing on the
Quality of Burley Tobacco: II. Effect of High Humidity Curing on Support price.
Tob. Sci. 17:25-27. 1973
6
Duncan, G. A., M. Montross, J. Calvert, D. Smith, D. Mereand. Ongoing Studies of
Barn, Field and Chamber Curing Environments on TSNA Formation in Burley
Tobacco. Presented at the 2002 CORESTA Congress, New Orleans, LA, Sept.
22-27, 2002, Abstract in Proceedings.

References Cited (Cont’d):
7
Duncan, G. A., J. Calvert, D. T. Smith and D. C. Middleton. Further Studies of
Fertility levels and Barn and Chamber Curing Environments on TSNA
Formation in Burley Tobacco. Presented at the 2004 CORESTA Congress,
Kyoto, Japan, 3-7 Oct., 2004, Abstract in Proceedings.
8
Thanks to Mr. Ben Crain and Family, Liberty Hall Farm, Woodford Co., and to Mr.
David Talley, Grower, for cooperation, support and assistance with the 2005
curing study.
9
Thanks to Dr. Lowell Bush & Lab Technicians, Dept. of Plant and Soil Science, U.
Ky., Coll. of Agr., for the TSNA analyses.
10
Data downloaded from archives of Ag. Weather Center, U. Ky., Coll. Of Agric., Mr.
Tom Priddy, Dir., http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu/
11
Thanks to Dr. Bob Pearce and Mr. Jack Zeleznik, Dept. of Plant and Soil Science,
U. Ky., Coll. of Agr., for the mature tobacco plants.
12
Thanks to Mr. Tom Priddy, Dir., Ag. Weather Center, Col. Of Agric. For obtaining
the NOAA weather records for the Raleigh-Durham Airport location for Aug.-
Nov., 2001-2005.
*** End ***


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Curing Burley Tobacco –

Analyzing the Curing Environment

Best for burley:

Note: Then 1288-2698 lbs/ac,

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Extensive study of wind effects on barn ventilation;

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Study of effects of exposure to periods

Bur. 21, cured at 70 F and 70% R.H. except

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

* 5 ¢/lb decline after 96 hrs

Study of effects of exposure to periods

Temperature: 50º, 65º, 80º F

Bur. 21, cured at 70 F and 70% R.H. except

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Results: Decline in support price after 240 hrs

Initial Stage Yellow Stage

(additional comments made in paper)

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

J. Bunn, W. Henson, L. Walton, L. Bush,

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

A Finding: TSNAs develop from browning phase

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

RH <65% 65%-85% >85%

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Hours x Outside Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, C. Ky. Farm, 2005

9/10/2005 9/24/2005 10/8/2005 10/22/2005 11/5/2005 11/19/2005

<65% 65%-85% >85% Date (e nding of 2 we e k pe riod)

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Hours x Inside Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, C. Ky. Barn, 2005

160 41% 151

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Hours x Inside Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, C. Ky. Barn, 2005

120 109 38%

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Samples from C. Ky. Barn, 2005

Location NNN NAT NAB NNK TSNA

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Samples from U. Ky. Barn & Lab Chamber Curing, 2005

Location NNN NAT NAB NNK TSNA

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Weather data missing in several periods

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Hours x Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, Raleigh-Durham , 2004

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

Hours x Relative Humidity, 2 week periods, Raleigh-Durham, 2002

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

1/14/06, 6/21/06 © BAE Dept., Coll. of Agric., U.Ky.

RH x Percentages of Hours by Year, Raleigh-Durham, 2001-2005

50.0 49% 49%

<65% 65% -85% >85% Year