TOBIOS-6: A PROMISING TOBACCO SOMACLONE FOR NORTHERN LIGHT SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Tobios-6 is a somaclone developed through the creation of somaclonal variation followed by pedigree method of selection using variety Kanchan, a popular light soil tobacco variety raised in both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states. Plant type is tall and open cylindrical type. The leaves are sessile, broad elliptic in shape with close internodal length. The leaves are dark green in colour with strong puckering. Tobios-6 produces around 33 total leaves with around 30 good bodied curable leaves. Cured leaf is bright lemon to orange in colour with good aroma. It recorded superior mean performance in station replicated trial (32%), AINP(T) trials (8%) and bulk trials (30%) conducted at CTRI RS, Jeelugumilli over control, Kanchan. In on-farm trials, the cultivar, Tobios-6 recorded 14% mean increase in cured leaf yield over Kanchan in NLS. The nicotine content and reducing sugars in ‘cured leaf of X’ and ‘L’ positions in the cultivar, Tobios-6 were in acceptable range. Further, Tobios-6 recorded higher benefit cost ratio than Kanchan indicating cultivation of Tobios-6 is beneficial to farmers. Tobios-6 found to have the cured leaf yield potential of around 3300 kg/ha under normal conditions. Performance of the entry in different trials clearly indicates that the cultivar is suited for cultivation in NLS tobacco growing areas with higher leaf yields, acceptable leaf quality and comparable response to biotic stresses as in control. In view of this, the line can be considered for release in these areas for cultivation.