Selection of Ningxiang Cigar Varieties Based on Clustering and Optimal Scaling Method

Purpose To select the excellent cigar varieties (lines) in Ningxiang tobacco area.

Methods The growth and development status, quality indicators, and other comprehensive performances of 16 cigar varieties (lines) in Ningxiang tobacco area were analyzed by multi-angle K-means clustering. With the varieties (lines) and their clustering results as classification variables, the optimal scaling method was used for multiple correspondence analysis.

Results The tested varieties (lines) were clustered into three growth potential categories of strong, normal, and weak; three sensory categories of better, medium, and poor; three chemical categories of high chloride high nicotine, mid chloride high nicotine, and mid chloride mid nicotine; and three industrial use categories of wrapper type, filler type, and dual use type. The results of multiple correspondence analysis showed that the cigar varieties (lines) with better sensory quality in Ningxiang tobacco area had the characteristics of normal growth potential, and mid chloride high nicotine, including Habanas (wrapper type), Changxue No.1 (dual use type), Cuba No.7 (dual use type) and CX080 (dual use type).

Conclusion Under the background of no control, many varieties, observation dimensions and observation data, the combination of K-means clustering analysis and optimal scaling method can effectively improve the screening efficiency of cigar varieties (lines). The varieties (lines) of Habanas, Changxue No.1, Cuba No.7 and CX080 in Ningxiang tobacco area have better comprehensive characters.