The objective of this experiment was to determine the optimum nitrogen rates and topping heights for the low to medium input tobacco farmers in the production of burley tobacco. The effects of four rates of nitrogen: 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg/ha and four topping heights: 16, 20, 24 and 30 leaves/plant, on yield and quality of burley tobacco were evaluated at Mgodi Estate in Machinga, Nkalimasika Farm in Machinga, Kabwafu Scheme in Mzimba and Nthakanchuma Farm in Lilongwe during the 2000/2001 growing season. The N rates and topping heights were evaluated using a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications at each location. The gross plot size was of four rows each 7.2 m long and spaced at 1.2 m. Plants were planted at a spacing of 0.60 m. The middle two rows were the net plot. All sites were low in residual soil nitrogen and the application of the lowest nitrogen rate (40 kg/ha) resulted in the lowest yield at all the sites. Yield data and marginal analysis results indicated that the application of 80 kg N/ha was optimal for all sites except M'godi. Response of yield to topping height was variable and significant only at Nkalimasika and Mwandikana at 20 leaves/plant and Nthakanchuma at 28 leaves/plant.