QUALITY AND NICOTINE CONTENT DIFFERENCES OF MADURA TOBACCO FROM SAWAHAN (PADDY FIELD) AND TEGALAN (DRYLAND) IN INDONESIA

Tobacco is one of Indonesia’s major plantation commodities, with Madura tobacco holding a distinctive position in the national market. Its sensory quality is influenced by various factors, including the type of land where it is cultivated. This study examined differences in quality attributes and nicotine presence between Madura tobacco grown on paddy field (Sawahan) and on dryland (Tegalan). An experimental approach was applied, combining organoleptic assessment and a simple qualitative nicotine test. The organoleptic evaluation involved 15 purposively selected participants who met three criteria within the past decade: active smokers, tobacco farmers, and native Madurese. Five quality indicators, including texture, taste, color, aroma, and combustibility, were rated on a 1–9 scale. The presence of nicotine was assessed using turmeric extract as an acid–base indicator, enabling a rapid visual detection in field conditions. The results showed that Tegalan tobacco scored higher on four sensory attributes (texture 7.67, color 6.07, taste 6.93, aroma 6.87, combustibility 7.30) compared to Sawahan tobacco (texture 5.80, color 8.2, taste 2.13, aroma 2.67, combustibility 3.60). The qualitative test confirmed the presence of nicotine in both types, indicated by the development of a reddish-brown coloration. These findings suggest that land type substantially influences the sensory quality of Madura tobacco, while simple field-based methods can be employed for rapid nicotine screening, offering practical value for farmers and local stakeholders.