Gold Leaf Seed Company recently introduced three flue-cured seed varieties for the world-wide market. NC 297, a NC State University developed variety, is very similar to NC 71, having resistance to both black shank and Granville wilt, but also with resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), the company claims. NC 297 is a late maturing, high yielding variety with a high grade index. Two other new varieties introduced include GL 973 and GL 737. Both are medium-late maturing varieties with resistance to black shank, Granville wilt and root-knot nematode.