The uptake and utilization of nitrogen during the growing season and changes in chemical composition of dry tobacco depending on the rate of nitrogen fertilizer were investigated in stationary field trial with tobacco as a long-term monoculture. The investigation included four rates of N fertilization: 0, 25, 50 and 100 kg N/ha. The increasing rates of nitrogen fertilizer increased the uptake and utilization of nitrogen during the growing season and its concentration in the leaves from the lower, middle and upper stalk position. In oriental tobacco, nitrogen uptake for creation of 1 g dry above-ground biomass over a 24-hour period is the highest in the period from transplanting to the stage of rapid growth. In the check and in the variant treated with 25 kg N/ha, daily nitrogen requirements were the highest from the stage of rapid growth to maturation of leaves from the lower stalk position. With fertilization rates of 50 kg and 100 kg N/ha, the nitrogen requirements were the highest from the stage of maturation of leaves from the lower stalk position to butonization. In soil and climate conditions in which the trial was set up, the rate of 50 kg N/ha can be considered as optimal for obtaining tobacco with chemical composition that will meet the requirements of cigarette industry.

Key words: Oriental tobacco, nitrogen fertilizer, uptake of nitrogen, utilization of nitrogen