Relay cropping timing has been frequently reported to in uence ue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) production. However, the optimal planting time for a relay corn (Zea mays L.) crop on ue-cured tobacco elds is unknown in terms of tobacco health, yield, quality, and economic value. A eld experiment was conducted with 10, 17, 24, and 31 d a er ue-cured tobacco apex excision as the relay cropping timings of corn, and tobacco monoculture as the control at Chuxiong, Yunnan, China in 2010 and 2011. e ve treatments were repeated three times in a randomized complete block design. e occurrence of brown spot (Alternaria alternata), plant biomass, plant N and K nutrition, yield, chemical composition, smoking quality, and economic value of ue-cured tobacco were a ected by year. Relay cropping 17 d a er tobacco apex excision resulted in better chemical composition and smoking quality. e incidence and severity index of brown spot, plant biomass, plant N and K nutrition, yield, chemical composition, smoking quality, and economic value of tobacco were not signi cantly a ected by the relay cropping timing of corn, indicating that relay cropping of corn at a later growth stage of ue-cured tobacco has no negative e ect on tobacco production while the relay corn crop may bring additional income to tobacco growers. In conclusion, if the production of relay corn is pro table, relay cropping of corn a er ue-cured tobacco apex excision could become a recommended cropping system in Yunnan and other regions with similar environmental conditions. 0.001 probability level. † The perfect total score is 100, composed of aroma type 15, aroma amount 20, residue taste 25, undesirable smell 18, irritation 12, combustibility 5, and ash color 5. ‡ ns, not significant at 0.05 probability level. § Means in a column within the years averaged over the treatments followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P = 0.05 according to the Fisher's protected LSD in the SAS Procedure Mixed.