YIELD AND QUALITY PROPERTIES OF SOME ORIENTAL TOBACCO (Nicotiana tabacum L.) HYBRIDS

Turkey is an important tobacco producing country and leading the world in oriental tobacco production. In the present study, effect of heterosis on yield and quality of oriental tobacco was investigated, and development of oriental tobacco hybrids with high yield and quality properties for Black Sea region of Turkey was targeted. Seven oriental tobacco genotypes with considerable acreages in Turkey (Xanthi-2A, Nail, Gumushacikoy, Tasova, Katerini, Canik, Erbaa) and 21 hybrids produced by half-diallel crosses among them were compared. Field trials were conducted in Erbaa and Bafra locations in 2012 and 2013 growing periods. Cured leaf yields, reducing sugar and nicotine contents of leaves and expertise quality were studied. Xanthi-2A x Katerini (1.70 t ha(-1) cured leaf yield and 75% quality grade index) and Nail x Katerini (1.64 t ha(-1) cured leaf yield and 75% quality grade index) hybrids showed good yield and quality properties in Erbaa conditions, while Nail x Katerini (1.88 t ha(-1) cured leaf yield and 75% quality grade index) and Katerini x Erbaa (1.65 t ha(-1) cured leaf yield and 78% quality grade index) had good yield and quality properties in Bafra conditions. It has been concluded that hybrid cultivars that can meet the demands of tobacco sector could be developed from some currently grown oriental tobacco cultivars in Turkey. Based on average of locations, an average of 16.20% and 6.85% heterosis were found as the average of all hybrids for cured leaf yield and expertise quality. Yield effects due to heterosis could be increased in future by adopting growing techniques adjusted for hybrids.