DIRECTIONS AND GOALS IN THE SELECTION OF LARGE-LEAF TOBACCOS IN THE SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE OF TOBACCO PRILEP - REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

Large-leaf tobacco varieties, mostly of the types Virginia and Burley, account for over 80% in the composition of blend cigarettes. These varieties should meet the requirements of primary producers, processors, manufacturers and, finally, the consumers - smokers. In practice, however, some variety is better in one trait and other variety in another. For this reason, there is a need to create new varieties, with a capacity to meet new requirements on permanent basis. That was the challenge to the breeders of Tobacco Institute - Prilep. Working hard in this field, they achieved significant results. From the available genetic base (starting materials), by interspecific hybridization and properly defined objectives, they obtained varieties and lines which in many traits surpassed their predecessors. For example, the yield of Burley tobacco has increased from 3000 kg/ha in variety B-96/85 CMS F1 to 4350 kg/ha in variety Pelagonec CMS F1, without negative impact on the quality of raw material.