Application of modern methods in Virginia species tobacco primary production and processing
Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun (1)
The purpose of these tests is an attempt to contribute to new technology of plantlet (Todd's Cells) in mass production for developing economical, safer and quality tobacco production. The study includes two ways of plantlet production and three varieties of Virginia Species Tobacco. The results of parallel testing of tobacco production obtained from plantlets of different origins have shown that the new way of breeding has many advantages. Todd's Cells plantlet was ready for transplantation earlier and it reached the technological maturity in the open field earlier than usual. The time necessary for leaves drying was shorter in 12 hours and so the later processings (redrying, cigarettes production) were done in a shorter time. The plants in the field were more resistant to disease agents because Todd's Cells plantlets had easier adjusted to the environmental conditions. Tobacco leaf yield from Todd's Cells was significantly higher than from the traditionally produced plantlet. Raw material quality was also better. At the end. it is important to line out that the different plantlet production methods of different varieties reacted differently to yield and raw tobacco material quality.