Abstract: ObjectiveThe present study investigated effects of dehydration stress on curing characteristics of tobacco leaves at early yellowing stage, in order to provide theoretical basis for optimization of curing process. MethodUsing middle leaves of Honghuadajinyuan cultivar as test material, through the treatments on tobacco leaves with different dehy-dration stress degrees at early yellowing stage, the flue-curing characteristics in black box test, changes of moisture, pig-ment content, starch content and flue-cured quality were studied. ResultWith increasing of tobacco leaf dehydration stress degree, yellowing time of tobacco leaves shortened in black box, yellowing index decreased, browning time of tobacco leaves extended, browning index increased, but browning of tobacco leaves occurred in advance. Degradation of chlorophyll, carotenoid and starch in tobacco leaves accelerated along with the increase of dehydration stress degree at early yellowing stage, and quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves improved. ConclusionDehydration stress treatment at early yellowing stage can accelerate degradation of pigment and starch, promote yellowing of tobacco leaves, and improve flue-curing characteristics of tobacco leaves.