Plant breeding

Quality has constantly been the subject of close attention at the Tobacco Institute. We are focusing on complex traits:

chemical compounds in smoke: for example, low tar potential

	consumer satisfaction: flavour and taste of smoke.

Currently the process of breeding new varieties integrates the following characteristics:
	ability to produce a high quality cured leaves
		tar potential lower or equal to the reference variety,
		leaf body, grain and colour (which are connected to the organoleptic characteristics of smoke),
		chemical balance (contents of alkaloids, and sugars for Flue-cured) corresponding to the standard specifications.

	resistances to the major diseases
		black toot rot,
		virus disease due to the necrotic virus Y of potato,
		blue mold of tobacco,
		resistances or tolerances to other pathogens are also required: tobacco mosaic virus, powdery mildew of tobacco, cyst nematodes...

	adaptation to the climatic conditions
		fast recovery after plantation,
		early maturation of leaves,
		low ability to develop suckers.

plant shape compatible with farming methods and harvesting.