Four oriental varieties (B. 178-2, Pobeda 2, Krumovgrad 42, Kharmanli 163) were hybridized in 1985, with the objective to produce a new oriental tobacco with improved quality, yield and suitability to environmental conditions. From 1986-1992, offsprings were investigated and selected. To determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics, 6 established lines were selected and compared with B. 178-2 as check in a completely randomized block expérimental design with 4 replications, during 3 years (1993-1995).
The results showed that there were significant différences at the threshold of 1 % in leaf dimension, plant height, flowering stage, yield, price per Kg. and total price per hectare. Comparison of the selected lines with the check showed that the variation for some measured characteristics ranged as follows: Leaf number +26.7 to 70%, leaf length 0 to -18.2%, leaf width -11.5 to -21.11 %, plant height -2.3 to + 18.2%, flowering stage -2.4 to +25.8% and yield -2.4 to +28.8%.
Resistance to blue mould was not significant and no resistance to other diseases was observed. After consideration of morphological and agronomical characteristics, 3 lines were selected as the best : 1 - B.P.: leaf number 50-53, leaf dimension 26.25 x 15.67 cm, yield 1987.5 kg/ha, reducing sugar 9.33%, nicotine 1.12%.
2 - K.B.: leaf number 48-5 1, leaf dimension 28.33 x 15.92 cm, yield 2032.8 kg/ha, reducing sugar 7.8%, nicotine 0.96%.
3 - B.K.: leaf number 36-39, leaf dimension 28.25 x 15.92 cm, yield 2102.5 kg/ha, reducing sugar 8.73%, nicotine 1.53%.
As a comparison, the corresponding data for B. 178-2 (check) are : Leaf number 29-30, leaf dimension 31.33 x 18.75 cm, yield 1848.33 kg/ha, reducing sugar 10.17% and nicotine 0.72%.