EVALUATION OF FCV TOBACCO ADVANCED BREEDING LINES FOR YIELD AND QUALITY UNDER NORTHERN BLACK SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

FCV tobacco in Andhra Pradesh is grown in an area of 40,000 ha under black soil conditions in East & West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts. The productivity of FCV tobacco under black soils is about 1800 kg/ha. In order to improve the productivity, a breeding programme was under taken and the subsequently selections were made from the segregating generations. Nine selections viz., V-4377, V-4379, V-4380, V-4388, V-4391, V4392, V-4393, V-4404 and V-4405 were advanced for testing under replicated trial along with three controls viz., Hema, VT-1158 and Siri at CTRI farm, Katheru, Rajahmundry for three seasons (2007-08 to 2009-10). Among the entries evaluated, V-4380 and V-4388 recorded significantly higher yields of 16 and 13% in green leaf, 17 and 14% in cured leaf, 18 and 13% in bright leaf and 18 and 14% in grade index respectively over the better control, Siri. The seasons and seasons x treatments interaction differed significantly. The best season for all the yield attributes was 2007-08. Lines V-4380 and V4388 were in multi-location trials under All India Network Research Project on Tobacco.