Genotype X environment interactions of basma type tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) lines selected for superior characteristics

Turkey has long been the leader in oriental tobacco production in the world. In Turkey, Basma type tobaccos are the third most common oriental tobacco type following İzmir and Samsun tobaccos. Tobacco is the main income source in most production areas of Turkey. The need for standard cultivars that can meet maximum yield and quality conditions have been increasing. The aim of the present study was to determine cultivar candidates with superior characteristics for Basma type oriental tobacco production areas. Field trials were carried out in Bafra District of Samsun Province, the district with most tobacco production in Mid-Black Sea Region, and Erbaa-Evciler, Erbaa-Karayaka and Gümüşhacıköy locations where Basma type oriental tobaccos are produced. Experimental design was randomized complete blocks with three replications. The study material consisted of 21 lines selected by morphological characteristics and identified by DNA fingerprinting analysis and four standard cultivars/lines (Xanthi 2A, Nail, Canik 190-5 and Xanthi 81). Some morphological, phenological, yield and yield related traits (plant height, and number, length and width of leaves) of the genotypes were examined. In addition, physical (quality index) and chemical (nicotine, glucose, fructose, chlorogenic acid, rutin) quality characteristics were studied. Chemical analyses were carried out using HPLC method. Stability of genotypes were determined for dried leaf yield, physical quality index, nicotine content and reducing sugar content using regression coefficient (bi), regression constant (a), determination coefficient (r2), coefficient of variation (CV) and deviation from regression (S2d) parameters. Based on their performance for stability parameters and other traits, ERB-6, ERB-7, ERB-11, ERB-13, ERB-16, ERB-18, ERB-21 and ERB-30 lines were prominent ones, and it was concluded that our future studies should be continued using these lines. In conclusion, superior lines and cultivar candidates demanded by growers and sector for production areas of Basma type oriental tobacco were determined.