Abstract: To investigate the effects of different cultivation measures on growth and quality of leaves at various positions on Yunyan tobacco plants in high-altitude tobacco-growing areas. A three-factor, three-level orthogonal experiment was conducted including nitrogen application rates (90, 105 and 120 kg/hm²), planting densities (12810, 13980 and 15375 plants/hm²), and leaves retained per plant (18, 20, and 22). The impacts of different cultivation measures on agronomic traits, dynamic leaf area development, leaf area index (LAI) and sensory quality of cured leaves were analyzed. The results showed that nitrogen application rate had significant positive correlations with plant height, stem girth and maximum leaf length. The increase of nitrogen application accelerated lower leaf area expansion rate and shifted the position of maximum leaf area downward, enhanced smoke intensity but caused aromatic quality and smoothness to initially increase then decrease. Planting density exhibited a negative correlation with leaf width and was the dominant factor influencing LAI. Higher planting densities reduced maximum leaf width, decreased leaf area in middle-lower positions while increased upper-position leaf area, shifted the position of maximum leaf area upward, and was correlated negatively with total sensory scores. Leaves retained per plant significantly affected only LAI. Total sensory scores first increased then decreased as this parameter rose. In conclusion, nitrogen application significantly promoted flue-cured tobacco growth and accelerated lower leaf expansion. However, excessive nitrogen diminished aromatic quality. The increase of planting density reduced leaf width and total sensory scores, inhibited middle-lower leaf development while promoted upper leaf growth. Comprehensive assessment indicated that the optimal cultivation parameters for Yunyan 87 in Yanyuan County are 120 kg/hm² nitrogen application, 12810 plants/hm² planting density, and 20 leaves retained per plant.