CH 1- A PROMISING FCV TOBACCO HYBRID FOR NORTHERN LIGHT SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

With the objective of increasing the productivity level of tobacco under Northern Light Soils (NLS) of Andhra Pradesh, a number of tobacco hybrids were developed and evaluated. CH-1 is one such high yielding Cytoplasmic Male Sterile (CMS) flue-cured Virginia tobacco hybrid produced by crossing a promising CMS line of FCV cultivar, Kanchan and a pollen parent, P15-6. In the station varietal trials and multi-location evaluation under the All India Network Research Project – Tobacco (AINRPT), the hybrid CH-1 exhibited a cured leaf yield potential of 2500 to 2900 kg/ha with a standard heterosis of 16-31%. Topping at 26 leaves and application of 115 kg N/ha and 150 kg K/ha were found to be optimum for realizing high yields with the hybrid CH-1 in NLS. The reaction of the hybrid CH-1 to various pests and diseases was found to be similar to the variety the Kanchan. The cured leaf chemical quality parameters of CH-1 in different experiments were at a par with variety Kanchan. In smoke analysis of cigarettes, CH-1 proved superior over control Kanchan and showed significantly higher levels of neutral aroma volatile compounds. The storage and manufacturability characteristics of the hybrid CH-1 were comparable to Kanchan. The plant type, leaf colour, maturity and flowering behavior of CH-1 were similar to Kanchan and hence suit to the requirements of NLS tobacco. Besides incremental yield, the hybrid CH-1 showed enhanced ripeness characteristics, higher grade index and superior smoke profile as compared to the variety Kanchan. In view of all the above mentioned positive traits, the hybrid CH-1 was recommended by the CTRI Research Council and the XIX Workshop of AINRPT (2009) for commercial release in NLS of Andhra Pradesh and the release proposals were submitted to A.P. State subcommittee on variety release.