ArR-27: A PROMISING HOOKAH TOBACCO LINE FOR SANDY LOAM SOILS OF UTTAR PRADESH

Abstract

ArR-27, is a high yielding Hookah tobacco line developed through hybridization between Azad Kanchan x Patiyali during 2003. The plants are about 65-85 cm (topped) , internodes are 5-6 cm, stem thick with medium dark green colour, leaves are moderately puckered dark green very long, broad, thick body, creamish brown coloured with prominent light coppery brown midrib. The line has yield potential of 3400 Kg/ ha in sandy loam soils under irrigated conditions. In the Station replicated trials (2009-11), ArR-27 gave 27.36 and 23.85% increase in cured leaf yield respectively over the popular check variety Azad Kanchan and SK-417. The line ArR-27 showed significant superiority over the popular checks viz; Azad Kanchan and SK-417 in multi-location trial’s conducted under All India Network Research Project on Tobacco during 2011-14. In station bulk trial’s and on-farm trials, it was superior over the ruling variety Azad Kanchan. In the physical and chemical leaf quality characters, smoke character and manufacturing quality , ArR-27 was better than the check variety, Azad Kanchan. In view of the high yield and good leaf quality the line ArR-27 was identified for release for commercial cultivation in Hookah tobacco growing sandy loam soils of Uttar Pradesh.