Staff Reporter
The Tobacco Research Board (TRB)’s KutsagaResearch Station has called on tobacco farmers to carefully consider their local conditions before selecting tobacco seed varieties, stressing that there is no universal “best” variety.
In a recent new advisory to growers, the Genetics, Biotechnology and Bio innovations Division at Kutsaga said the success of a tobacco crop largely depends on variety selection, guided by the farm’s location, disease history, soil type, and intended style of cured leaf.
“It is often that growers ask, ‘Which is the best tobacco variety?’ The answer is: the best variety is the one ideal for your soil, your curing capacity, your sought-after style of tobacco, the diseases encountered in previous seasons, your area for growing, and your yield target.What one grower considers best may not work for another. Even the best variety, if poorly managed, will not perform well, and it can still be affected by extreme weather,” said Dr Chenjerai Kashangura, Senior Plant Breeder.
Kutsaga has bred several varieties resistant to common diseases, including white mould, tobacco mosaic virus, root-knot nematodes, wildfire (races 0 and 1), Alternaria, angular leaf spot, and black shank.
“If you are planning an irrigated crop, all Kutsaga varieties can be used. But for both irrigated and rainfed crops, we recommend fast-ripening varieties like K RK26R, K RK70, K RK73, and the T-series,” said Francis Mukoyi, Head of the Genetics, Biotechnology and Bio Innovations Division.
He added that soil testing is essential for heavy soils.
“It helps guide fertiliser use, especially nitrogen, which is crucial for ripening, yield and leaf quality,” Mukoyi said.
According to Mukoyi, Kutsaga’s breeding programme, now over 75 years in development, aims to produce “multi-disease resistant, high-yielding, superior quality varieties that meet grower and merchant requirements in a manner that ensures limited use of chemicals, is environmentally friendly, and cuts down production costs.”
Cured leaf styles, such as lemon, orange or mahogany,depend on seasonal dynamics, contractual obligations, and international market trends.
Farmers are encouraged to consult agronomists, their contracting companies, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), or Kutsaga for guidance on current preferences.
Growers are also urged to purchase seed only from trusted outlets, including Kutsaga kiosks located at all tobacco auction floors.
