Tobacco research in South Africa started close on a century ago. The research was market driven and, therefore, adapted according to the requirements of the buyers. Three types of tobacco are produced in South Africa, namely flue-cured, air-cured and oriental tobacco. Because only a small amount of oriental tobacco is produced, the research is focused mainly on flue-cured and air-cured tobacco. Over the years an active breeding programme has been maintained with the main objectives being high yields, good quality and disease tolerance. The main fungal diseases are black shank, damping off, black root rot, sore shin, Rhizoctonia , leaf spot and brown spot. The bacterial diseases are bacterial wilt and angular leaf spot, while the viral diseases are tobacco mosaic virus, potato virus Y, tomato spotted wilt virus and tobacco bushy top disease. An integrated management system for the control of nematodes such as Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita races 2 and 4, Pratylenchus spp. and Paratrichodorus spp. is being developed. Guidelines for the control of insect pest and plant diseases are also being compiled. Agronomic production guidelines have been drawn up with the emphasis on high yields and acceptable leaf quality. Scientifically correct advice is given on important aspects like fertilization requirements, topping, sucker control, weed control, irrigation, etc. Our research is mainly funded by the industry and is, therefore, client driven.