Abstract: In order to make up the raw material shortcoming of the development of domestic cigars, the research was expected to screen out the high quality cigar wrapper varieties which were suitable for the ecological climate of Hubei Enshi producing area. Taking cigar wrapper varieties CX-007, CX-010 and CX-012 as the research object, this experiment was conducted in the experimental tobacco area of Enshi, Hubei Province. Starting from the three aspects of field character, stress response and nutritional quality, the relevant character indexes were investigated and sampled at the maturity stage and the end of drying, so as to explore high-quality cigar tobacco varieties suitable for cultivation in Enshi, Hubei Province. The results showed that leaf length and leaf width of CX-012 was better, followed by CX-010. In terms of chlorophyll content, CX-012 had the better performance, followed by CX-070 and CX-010. In terms of stress resistance, three varieties showed differences at maturity, CX-012 had the dominant content of soluble sugar and soluble protein, while CX-007 had the higher content of malondialdehyde and POD activity. There was no significant difference in chemical composition among the three varieties. Therefore, from the agronomic traits, CX-012 was more suitable for the raw material of dark cigar wrapper. The stress resistance index also indicated that CX-012 might be easier to grow in Enshi area.

Key words: cigar, mature period, drying period, field character, stress resistance, chemical composition