JS-62 AND JS-117: HIGH YIELDING AND LOW TAR FCV TOBACCO LINES

Abstract

A number of promising high yielding low tar tobacco lines were developed in a breeding programme at CTRI Research Station, Jeelugumilli and among them, nine selected lines were assessed in a replicated trial (2003-06) at the Station. Two entries JS-62 and JS-117 recorded significantly higher leaf yields of all types over both the controls viz., CM 12 and Kanchan. JS-62 recorded 24% increase in cured leaf yield (2290 kg/ha) and 21% in grade index (1456) over Kanchan. Line JS-117 recorded an increase of 18% in cured leaf yield (2167 kg/ha) and 16% in grade index (1393) over Kanchan. Based on the overall performance of lines during individual years and on the basis of pooled analysis, these two lines were promoted for multilocation testing under AINRP(T) during 2006- 07. In the IVT and AVT trials conducted at CTRI RS, Jeelugumilli, performance of the lines JS-62 and JS-117 was found to be comparable to control, Kanchan with mean cured leaf yield of 2203 and 2205 kg/ha, respectively. In the bulk trial conducted during 2009-10 and 2010-11, JS-62 and JS-117 recorded 1276 and 1388 kg/ha mean cured leaf yield, respectively, against 1205 kg/ha in Kanchan. These lines recorded an increase of 6 and 15% in cured leaf and 10 and 22% in grade index than Kanchan, respectively. The line JS-62 was developed from a cross between Mc Nair 135 x CM-12 and JS-117 from a cross between Kanchan and D1. Morphologically, JS-62 is broad leaf type like CM-12 and JS-117 is narrow leaf type like Kanchan. The tar content in these lines was found to be 13-20% lower than the check variety, Kanchan. Therefore, with low tar content and comparable yield levels to Kanchan, these lines can be released as low tar varieties for northern ligt soils of Andhra Pradesh. The lines can also be used in further breeding programmes aimed at reducing tar levels in FCV tobacco.