Plant protection

A large array of pathogens (fungi, virus, insects...) can cause problems and affect reliability and quality of tobacco production. Problems related to pathogen control are shared by all the tobacco business. They can affect tobacco from sowing, up to cigarette storage.

Generally, there is not only one method to solve a problem arising from a particular pathogen. It is mostly through a combination of several approaches that quality is ensured.

Upstream, development of these combinations, in forms compatible with production processes, requires a thorough knowledge of the implied pathogens. In these domains, the Tobacco Institute works with different research organizations (INRA, Universities).

Downstream, tests of application of new techniques or methods are necessary. When new methods prove to be interesting, tests are carried out under real conditions of growing in collaboration with leaf producers.

Work completed more specifically by the Tobacco Institute fits between these two poles:

	tests of new plant production products, and defining conditions and amounts of application,
	breeding resistant varieties, development of biological or molecular tests (PCR) to detect resistance genes in plants,
	more generally, accumulated experience is used to highlight the best combinations of techniques and to promote Integrated Pest Management.