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.At the beginning of the Eighties, evolution of consumption towards the "American blend" products imposed a complete renewal of tobacco varieties. Indeed, Burley tobaccos and Flue-cured, from which "American blend" cigarettes are made, were not grown at that time in France. Adaptation of these varieties to the French climate, and introduction of resistances or tolerances to diseases specific of the French conditions was a first priority.
In 2002, 97% of French Flue-cured tobacco acreage and 56% of Burley are grown with varieties created at the Tobacco Institute.
Quality has constantly been the subject of close attention. However, criteria used to evaluate this trait became increasingly complex. Following progressive achievement of these goals, it became more and more possible to focus on product quality, in particular with more elaborated traits: |
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contribution to reduce the risks for consumer: for example, low tar potential, |
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contribution to consumer satisfaction: flavour and taste of smoke. |
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Currently the process of breeding new varieties at the Tobacco Institute integrates the following characteristics: |
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ability to produce a high quality cured leaves: |
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tar potential lower or equal to the reference variety, |
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leaf body, grain and colour, (which are connected to the organoleptic characteristics of smoke), |
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chemical balance (contents of alkaloids, and sugars for Flue-cured) corresponding to the standard specifications
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resistances to the major diseases: |
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black toot rot due to a soil fungus, Chalara elegans, |
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virus diseases due to the PVYn (necrotic virus Y of potato), |
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blue mold of tobacco, due to Peronospora tabacina, |
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resistances or tolerances to other pathogens are also required: TMV (Tobacco Mosaic Virus), powdery mildew of tobacco (Erysiphe cichoracearum), cyst nematodes (Globodera sp.)...
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adaptation to the climatic conditions: |
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fast recovery after plantation, |
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early maturation of leaves, |
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low ability to develop suckers
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plant shape compatible with farming methods and harvesting. |
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