The Agronomy and Leaf Integrity Study Group is concerned with the broad and all-encompassing role agronomy, and agronomists, play in modern tobacco production and in meeting the expectations of stakeholders. It is involved in the scientific study of the production of all types of tobacco leaf. This embraces all crop management practices including propagation, cultivation, harvesting and curing, storage, and environmental factors that influence yield and usability. It further incorporates the principles of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) that lead to efficient, sustainable tobacco production and leaf supply.
Agronomy & Leaf Integrity in the Press
The Agronomy & Leaf Integrity Study Group includes the following Sub-Groups and Task Forces:
· Sub-Group TSNA in Air-cured and Fire-cured Tobacco (TSNA) (2006)
Objectives:
To develop a collaborative study which uses HOBO® loggers or a suitable substitute to collect curing conditions and possible impact of TSNA levels for tobaccos of diverse origins and curing environments. To attempt to standardize placement of equipment and sample protocols.
To review the issues of post cure tobacco storage and ventilation parameters.
To resolve sample handling of post-cure tobacco for TSNA determination.
To collect available TSNA presentations and papers and publish them on the CORESTA website.
· Task Force Curing Technology (CTECH) (2008)
Objectives:
To identify different curing systems in use around the world.
to identify energy efficient curing practices and devices in use with the various systems.
To quantify energy consumption per unit weight of cured tobacco.
· Task Force Agrochemical Residue Field Trials (RFT) (2012)
Objectives:
In consultation with ACAC, to prepare and maintain a list of agrochemicals necessary to sustain successful leaf production and for which GRLs have to be set or reviewed.
To produce a formal protocol for trial and testing procedures.
To promote participation in this programme globally.
to collate results of trials done under the formal protocol and make them available to ACAC.
To collect already available field residue trial data from various sources and make them available to ACAC.
· Task Force Sustainability in Tobacco Production (SUST) (2012)
Objectives:
To identify key issues for sustainability in tobacco leaf production.
To undertake a review of the CORESTA GAP Guidelines and if required, update the Guidelines inclusive of Principles and/or Best Practices. Should some sustainability issues not be covered by the CORESTA GAP Guidelines, develop additional guidelines on sustainability inclusive of Principles and/or Best Practice if required
To identify of tools to support the achievement of sustainability in tobacco production
· Sub-Group Pest and Sanitation Management in Stored Tobacco (PSMST) (1993)
Objectives:
To educate about, and promote best Integrated Pest Management practices for post-harvested tobacco worldwide.
To conduct collaborative studies on pest control and sanitation practices for post-harvested tobacco.
To investigate new technologies and issues related to infestation control in post-harvested tobacco.
· Sub-Group Proficiency Testing for Detection of Transgenic Tobacco (GMO) (2004)
Objective:
To establish a Proficiency Testing Scheme to enable participants to monitor their laboratory testing performance by means of interlaboratory comparisons of analytical results obtained by using appropriate PCR methods for the detection of GM tobacco.
Strategies:
Organise the production of adequate test and reference materials to be used in the PT scheme.
Organize the setting up and running of a GM Tobacco PT scheme to be conducted through a suitable external laboratory involving at least a core group of participants. The first stage will require the preparation and verification of appropriate test and reference materials. The second stage will involve setting up the PT scheme itself.
Compile annual reports and distribute these to participants.
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Any requests for further information and/or convenors' contact details should be addressed to the CORESTA Secretariat (see Contacts).