Simple correlations between shatter resistance of tobacco lamina and a number of chemical constituents and filling value were calculated. Correction of shatter resistance to a common moisture base, for example 13.5% resulted in few significant associations with the chemical constituents, including moisture. However, significant associations with the uncorrected shatter resistance were observed with 14 chemical constituents and filling value. For the study of simple associations of chemical constituents with shatter resistance, the results support the use of uncorrected shatter resistance values, since correction to 13.5% moisture may unduly bias the establishment of useful associations.

(Full article published with kind permission from "Tobacco International")