Tobacco (Nicotiana species) research in India - progress, problems and prospects

Abstract

In tobacco (Nicotiana spp) introduction and acclimatization of exotics in flue-cured virginia and isolation of purelines
from local cultivars in non-virginia type took place during the early phase (forties-sixties) of varietal development.
Later with changing requirement of trade and consumer, a number of suitable breeding programmes were formulated to
develop superior varieties with high yield, quality and resistance to disease, pest and drought. The crop earns about Rs
4 500-5 000 million foreign exchange and about Rs 40 000 million central excise revenue annually to the national
exchequer. However, during 1996-97 it showed an upward movement of Rs 7 000 million foreign exchange. Tobacco
industry comprising cigerette and bidi Sectors contributed 6.54 million jobs with a generation of total income of Rs
126 300 million during 1994-95. Consumption pattern in our country indicates that cigarettes represent only 18% of
tobacco consumption by weight, bidis a large share of 55% and chewing tobacco snuff etc 27%. The article deals with
the progress made in the crop improvement in different types of tobacco, development of disease- and pest-resistant
varieties, crop production, crop protection, crop chemistry and quality. Problems and prospects of the crop are also
covered.