DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED TOBACCO BREEDING LINES SUITABLE FOR CULTIVATION IN SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL BLACK SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Profitable FCV tobacco cultivation depends on availability of high yielding cultivars suitable to particular soil and climate as type, grade and quality of tobacco produced are considerably influenced by these two factors. Tobacco farmers of Southern Black Soils (SBS) of Andhra Pradesh are unable to achieve higher yields and better quality with the existing varieties as they are mostly bred for Northern Black Soils (NBS) conditions and not for SBS conditions. Making available high yielding varieties suitable to SBS conditions increases their profitability and thus improves their economic conditions. To address this issue a breeding programme was evolved at CTRI RS, Guntur with an objective to develop new high yielding FCV tobacco lines suitable for SBS area during the years 2003-2011. Forty five crosses synthesized using ten parents during 2003-04 were evaluated in SBS conditions (B. Nidamnur, Prakasham Dist.) in subsequent season to identify promising crosses. Four advanced lines viz., GH-9#1, GH-9#23, GH- 9#25 and GH-10#35 have been identified as they proved superior to check Siri under SBS conditions based on combined analysis of two seasons replicated yield trial data.