MAJOR INDIAN TOBACCO TYPES

FCV Burley

Bidi Natu

Chewing Jati

Lanka Rustica
 Technical Bulletin No. 10/2023

Panoramic View of Indian Tobacco

ICAR-CENTRAL TOBACCO RESEARCH INSTITUTE

(ICAR-National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture)
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Institute)
RAJAHMUNDRY - 533 105, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
Citation: Sarala, K., Sheshu Madhav, M., Prabhakara Rao, K., Viswanatha Reddy, K.
Krishna Kumari, B., Flora, S. and Shravan Kumar, K. 2023. Panoramic view of Indian
tobacco. ICAR-Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry. pp.

Panoramic View of Indian Tobacco

Published by

Dr. M. Sheshu Madhav

Director
ICAR – Central Tobacco Research Institute
Rajahmundry – 533105, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Phone: 0883-2449871-4, Fax: 0883-2448341, 2410555
e-mail :[email protected]
Website : https://ctri.icar.gov.in

Compiled

K. Sarala
M. Sheshu Madhav
K. Prabhakara Rao
K. Viswanatha Reddy
B. Krishna Kumari
S. Flora
K. Shravan Kumar

Word process & Design

Md. Elias

All rights reserved. No part of this

publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form by print, microfilm
or any other means without the written
permission of the Director, ICAR-CTRI.

December, 2023
Preface

Tobacco, often quoted as golden crop, is a

symbol of economic prosperity to millions of
farmers. It is an important commercial crop grown
in India covering 4.33 lakh ha in 15 states producing
about 760 M kg (FAOSTAT, 2023). India cultivates
myriad styles of tobacco under widely diverse agro-
ecological situations. In view of its diversified styles,
qualities, and price ranges, there is a great demand for Indian tobacco in the international
markets. While giving sizeable income to the farmers, traders and government, it is providing
employment to millions of people involved in its cultivation, curing, grading, processing,
marketing etc.

An attempt has been made to introduce various tobacco types grown in India. The
details of area, distribution, production patterns, local names and the uses of various
tobacco types are given in the book. Popular varieties cultivated and researchable issues of
each type of tobacco are also included. Thus, this book gives the panoramic view of various
tobacco types grown in India. Majority of the people think tobacco as a single type but
after going through this book, the reader will feel the actual veracity of the crop and its
varied morphological traits and diversified utilities.

The Authors are thankful to the Heads of ICAR-CTRI Research Stations and In-
charges of AINPT Centres for readily clarifying any of the doubts regarding the tobacco
type grown in their region.

Dated : 08.12.2023 (M SHESHU MADHAV)

DIRECTOR
 Panoramic View of Indian Tobacco
Tobacco is one of the important high value commercial crops in India. The country
ranks second in the world tobacco production after China. Tobacco crop is cultivated in an
area of 4.33 lakh ha, covering 15 states, with a production of about 760 M kg. Tobacco,
often quoted as golden crop, is an integral part of commerce and symbol of economic
prosperity to millions of farmers. Tobacco production is an important source of livelihood
and provides direct and indirect employment to the millions of population in the country.
It fetches sizeable income to the farmers, traders and government and it provides
employment to millions of people involved in its cultivation, curing, grading, processing,
marketing etc. A unique feature of tobacco production in India is that myriad styles of
tobacco are cultivated under widely diverse agro-ecological situations. There is great demand
for Indian tobacco in the international markets due to its diversified styles, qualities and
price ranges. India is the third largest exporter of un-manufactured tobacco in the world.
Exports of tobacco and tobacco products contributed to Rs. 9,740 crore in terms of foreign
exchange during 2022-23.

Among various species, Nicotiana tabacum and N. rustica are two cultivated species in
the country. The tobacco cultivated in India found to be highly polymorphic with wide
range of morphological types and diversified utilities. Tobacco types are broadly classified
on the basis of curing of green leaf as flue-cured Virginia (FCV) (cured using flue pipes in
the specially constructed barns) and non-flue cured Virginia (Non-FCV) types. Non-FCV
types are further classified as air/sun-cured, smoke-cured, fire-cured and pit-cured. Burley,
oriental and maryland types are identified on the basis of leaf type. Based on the ultimate
use of leaf, tobacco types are termed cigarette, cigar filler, cigar wrapper, binder, cheroot,
bidi, chewing, snuff, hookah etc. Majority of the dark tobaccos which are air, fire, smoke or
sun cured, are indigenous tobaccos consumed in different forms such as bidi, cigar, cheroot,
chutta, chewing, hookah and snuff. All hookah and zarda types belong to the species N.
rustica.

Tobacco is grown in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Practically every
state in India grows one type of tobacco or the other. However, cultivation of different
types of tobacco is concentrated in certain well-defined zones. The details of major tobacco
types, their growing areas, land mark/popular varieties, etc. are being discussed in this
book.

1
Flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco

In India, Flue-cured Virginia tobacco is cultivated in an area of 1.39 lakh hectares

with a production of around 241 million kg during 2022-23.This is also called Barn tobacco
as the harvested leaves are cured in specially constructed barns. The leaf is primarily used
in the manufacturing of cigarettes for smoking purpose. It accounts for 30% of total tobacco
production and 80% of overall tobacco exports in the country.

Siri

Soil characteristics play an outstanding role in deciding the quality and commercial
value of FCV tobacco. It is grown on different types of soils ranging from sands to sandy
loams that differ in texture and soil fertility in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
and Telangana. Based on soil type and crop growing conditions, the FCV tobacco growing
production domains are classified into four agro-climatic zones. They are Traditional Black
soils (TBS), Northern Light Soils (NLS) and Southern light soils (SLS) in Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka Light Soils (KLS) in Karnataka state. In Traditional Black Soils (TBS),
tobacco is grown on conserved soil moisture as a post-monsoon crop during winter season
(rabi) in an area of about 26,800 ha (2022-23). Based on the agro-climatic zones, the black
soils are divided again into Northern black soils (East and West Godavari districts), Central
black soils (Khammam, Krishna and Guntur districts) and Southern black soils (Prakasam
and Nellore districts). Northern light soils (NLS) encompass East Godavari and West
Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Khammam district of Telangana, where
the crop is grown in an area of 21,000 ha (2022-23). In NLS, FCV tobacco is grown under
irrigated conditions during winter from October to March. Southern light soils (SLS)
comprising of Prakasam and Nellore districts of AP occupy an area of 38,000 ha (2022-
23) of red soils. Tobacco here is grown during winter on conserved soil moisture from
North-East monsoon rains. In the Karnataka light soils (KLS), tobacco is grown as a
monsoon crop (Kharif) in an area of 61,000 ha during south-west monsoon period from
2
May-June to August-September in the districts of Mysore, Hassan, Coorg, Chikkamagalur,
Davanagere and Shivamogga.

In general, the tobacco productivity is highest

(>2000 kg per ha) in NLS area as it is an irrigated
system. Next system that yield higher productivity
(>1600 kg per ha) is SBS due to rich fertility status of
soils. Poor soils and unfavorable climatic conditions
are responsible for lower productivity (hovering
around 600 to 1000 kg per ha) in both SLS and KLS
regions.

Light soils produce thin and large bodied leaf, light in weight and color, mild in strength
and weak in aroma whereas leaf produced in heavy soils is usually thick and heavy dark
colored strong and aromatic. The Black Soil tobacco is filler tobacco with low nicotine
and neutral character and blends well with any tobacco. The cured leaf of SBS tobacco is
medium to large in size and color is lemon orange to brown, nicotine content is 1.0 to
2.7% and reducing Sugars 9 to 21 %. Whereas SLS tobacco is small to medium in size and
color is lemon to orange, nicotine content is 1.0 to 1.5% and reducing Sugars 10 to 18 %.
Northern Light Soils (NLS) area produces flavourful to semi-flavourful tobacco with
excellent ageing properties and neutral character which blends well with any tobacco. The
NLS tobacco leaf is large to very large in size and color is lemon orange to orange, nicotine
content is 0.6 to 2.9% and reducing Sugars 14 to 24 %. Karnataka Light Soils (KLS)

3
tobacco is referred as premium neutral filler tobacco and preferred for its low nicotine
content high filling capacity and suitability for blending well with any tobacco. The cured
leaf of KLS tobacco is medium-large in size and color is lemon-orange to orange, nicotine
content is 1.5 to 1.8% and reducing Sugars 18 to 27 %.

Siri is the major variety grown in SLS and TBS regions accounting for more than
90% of the area in the last decade. Other varieties grown are CTRI Sreshta, CTRI
Sulakshana, Hema and VT-1158. CTRI Sreshta is a high yielding TMV resistant variety
identified for the region is slowly gaining popularity among the farmers of the region in
last three years. CTRI Sulakshana is a TMV resistant and aphid tolerant variety released
for the region is grown in limited pockets. Hema and VT-1158 are the varieties released
prior to Siri and are preferentially grown in certain areas.

CTRI Sreshta (FCR-15)

CTRI Naveena (FCJ-11)

4
 In Northern Light Soils, CH-3 is the major variety grown in an area of about 49%
and other area is occupied by Kanchan, CTRI Naveena and few other varieties (mostly
un-authorized). CTRI Naveena a high yield somaclone with a yield potential of 3300 kg/
ha has been released recently to NLS area. In KLS, Kanchan is the major variety cultivated
covering more than 54% of the area, followed by CH-3 (45%) and rest by FCH-222 and
Sahyadri. CH-3 is a flavourful hybrid cultivated for its flavour quality leaf. Nematode
problem is prevalent in KLS and black shank in NLS. Hence, Kanchan is a nematode and
black shank tolerant variety is preferred in these areas. Before the release of CH-3, Kanchan
occupied more than 90% of both KLS and NLS areas. FCH-222 is a Fusarium resistant
variety, hence grown in Fusarium affected areas.

FCH 222 CH-3

In India, FCV tobacco is grown by farmers who are registered with the Tobacco
Board, Guntur which annually fixes the region-wise production targets. Based on the
targeted quota, the Board authorizes the FCV area to be planted per barn by the registered
growers taking into consideration the number of licensed barns and productivity levels of
the area. The area allocated for FCV tobacco by the Board has drastically declined from
2.51 lakh hectares during 2010-11 to 1.38 lakh hectares during 2021-22. Consequently,
production has declined from 301 million kg to 189 million kg during the corresponding
period. This is mainly attributed to crop size fixation policy in FCV tobacco, weather
impacts, and market dynamics in terms of price elasticity based on demand and supply.
This has led to crop diversification in FCV tobacco-growing regions of India.

Biotic stresses such as damping-off in nurseries, Orobanche, aphid, Spodoptera, black

shank, drought, flooding, Fusarium wilt and root-knot nematodes (in KLS) are few major
constraints in FCV tobacco grown in India. High residues of Crop Protection Agents
(CPAs) and NTRM (Non-tobacco related material) are the issues required to be addressed
in relation to exports. Increased production costs, wood fuel use in flue-curing and health
related risks associated with smoking are a major concern of public importance.

5
Accordingly, major researchable issues for FCV tobacco are development of high yielding,
good quality, stress tolerant (biotic and abiotic) and less health hazardous FCV varieties/
hybrids suited to all the zones, development of soil moisture conservation and nutrient use
efficiency approaches, identification of efficient tobacco based cropping & integrated
farming systems, scaling up the integrated pest management strategies, etc. Creating
awareness on CPA residues and NTRMs among the farming community is essential to
enhance the exports.

Bidi tobacco

Bidi tobacco belongs to N. tabacum species. The leaf of bidi tobacco is used mainly for
the preparation of bidis, a hand rolled smoking product made by wrapping tobacco with
natural ebony leave used for smoking purpose. Among various tobacco types grown in
India, bidi tobacco is accounting for 35% of the total tobacco area and 40% of the production
in the country. In India, this is cultivated mainly in the states of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka. The bidi manufacturing being a cottage industry spread over several states
employs about 4 million people, mostly are rural youths and women. The cured leaf colour
of bidi is orange brown to light greenish brown.

A 119

Gujarat ranks first in production and productivity of bidi tobacco grown in an area of
1.52 lakh ha (80%) producing 375 M kg (83%) with a productivity of 2,464 kg/ha. The
production of bidi tobacco in Gujarat is largely concentrated in middle Gujarat comprising
Kheda, Anand and Vadodara districts besides small area in Panchmahal district. In middle
Gujarat, about 60 to 65% of bidi tobacco area is under irrigation and the remaining is
rainfed. The area under bidi tobacco in Gujarat has increased from 1.48 lakh ha to 1.90
lakh ha during the last decade and the production has increased from 2.81 lakh tons to

6
4.33 lakh tons during the corresponding
period. In Gujarat around 40,000 farmers are
engaged in tobacco cultivation and around
one million people mostly tribals are engaged
in plucking of tendu leaf, a bidi wrapper. The
maturity of the bidi tobacco is judged by
pronounced development of brown spots
called ‘spangles’. The nicotine content of the
bidi tobacco here is around 8%.

In Andhra Pradesh, bidi tobacco is grown in

an area of 11,250 ha producing 18.84 M kg with
productivity of 1,750 kg/ha. The production of
bidi tobacco in Andhra Pradesh is mainly
concentrated in Kurnool district. The area under
bidi tobacco in Andhra Pradesh has decreased
from 12,000 to 3,400 ha during the last decade
and the production has decreased from 21,000
to 5, 600 tons. The nicotine content of the bidi tobacco here is around 5%.

In Karnataka, Bidi tobacco is mainly grown in Chikodi, Hukkeri and Gokak talukas
of Belagavi district. At present, it occupies an area of 6,500 ha with the production of
about 9,815 tonnes and a productivity of 1,510 kg/ha. The bidi tobacco produce of this
area is known for its good quality.The area under bidi tobacco in Karnataka has decreased
from 18,000 ha to 6,000 ha during the last decade and the production has decreased from
13,000to 6,600 tons during the corresponding period. The nicotine content of the bidi
tobacco here is around 5%.

The average productivity of bidi tobacco was high in Gujrat, followed by Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka during the last decade.

7
 The popular varieties cultivated in the state of Gujarat are A119, GT-7, GABT-11
and GABTH-2. The bidi varieties, A119, Bhavyasree, NBD-209 and Vedaganga-1 are the
major varieties grown in Karnataka state. A119, Nandyal Pogaku-1 and Nandyal Pogaku-
2 are the varieties grown in Andhra Pradesh. The variety A-119 having a cured leaf potential
of 2625 kg/ha and tolerant to leaf burn disease, released in 1969, is the land mark variety
occupying majority of the bidi area in all the three states even till today.

GABTH 2 Nandyala Pogaku 2

Major researchable issues of the bidi tobacco in Gujarat state are the addressing the
incidence of nematodes through varietal development and agronomic practices.
Development of water logging tolerance genotypes, weed control under heavy rain fall
situation and intensification of bidi tobacco cropping system by introducing pre or post
tobacco crops under various mulches in Karnataka are the issues that need to be addressed.
In Andhra Pradesh, intermittent dry spells of drought, late onset of monsoon causing
delayed planting, severe incidence of Orobanche, difficulties in expanding area under light
soils due to limited moisture availability are the causes of concern and requires research
back up.

Burley tobacco

Burley tobacco (N. tabaccum) is a type of cigarette tobacco grown in India. During the
preparation of cigarettes, burley tobacco is blended with FCV tobacco. Earlier, its cultivation

8
was concentration in the agency regions of erstwhile East and West Godavari districts of
AP with planting during July- August. In recent times, its cultivation was slowly shifted to
Vinukonda area and is being planted here during October - November. Even the bidi tobacco
area in both Kurnool and Nandyal districts (7950 ha) is being replaced by burley tobacco.
The burley tobacco is grown mainly during monsoon season. Burley tobacco was grown
in an area of 12,000 hectare in agency tract of Eleshwaram in year 2013, presently (2023)
it is increased to 27,000 ha and planted at majorly in Vinukonda area. The burley area is
increasing due to its high export demand. In the same manner, the production is also
nearly doubled from 23 M kg to 45 M kg in the last 9 years. The preference by the exporters
also changed from the lower nicotine (~1%) to the high nicotine (3%) types. In general the
colour of burley produced in agency area is tan to brown, leaf size is medium to large,
nicotine is 1.2 to 2.5 % and reducing sugars 0.5 - 1.20%. The cured leaf colour of the
Vinukonda burley is rich tan to brown, leaf size is large to very large, nicotine is 2.0 -
4.5% and reducing sugars 1.0 - 2.0%. Agency burley is mainly used for cigarette blending.
Apart from blending in cigarettes, Vinukonda burley is used in pipe mixtures, chewing
plugs and hookah tobacco paste.

Banket A1 Vijetha (YB 22)

Banket A1 is the major variety cultivated in all the burley area. It is a high yielding
(1800 kg/ha) and TMV resistant variety. Few other un-defined varieties are also being
grown in limited extent. Recently, a new burley variety, Vijetha (YB-22) a high yielding
(2900 kg/ha) and TMV resistant variety was released for commercial cultivation. Vijetha
presently occupies 5% of the area and picking quickly.

Developing high yielding, pest and Orobanche resistant burley tobacco varieties with
> 3% nicotine and low TSNA levels are the research targets in burley tobacco. Exploration
of the alternate locations for growing Burley (Odisha, Shivamogga, Nandyal etc.) is another
issue that needs attention in view of the enhanced export demand.

9
HDBRG (Harvel De Bouxo Rio Grande) tobacco

HDBRG (N. tabacum) crop is grown in the Central and Southern Black soil areas of
Guntur, Prakasam and Kurnool (Nandyal area) districts in Andhra Pradesh and to a smaller
extent in Telangana.

In AP, HDBRG growing area is increasing in recent times due to increased export
demand for this type. The production of HDBRG is found to fluctuate from year to year.
For the year 2023, a total area of 11,700 ha was planted and the estimated crop size is 35
M kg. HDBRG is grown in an area of 300 ha in Nandyal area of Kurnool district in
Andhra Pradesh.

HDBRG is the N. tabacum type having higher biomass and higher solanesol (2%).
Nicotine content is around 2.5%. HDBRG-1 and HDBRG-2 are the varieties predominantly
cultivated in these areas. Currently, research on HDBRG is not taken up by any of the
agencies in India. There is a need to start research on HDBRG for the development of
high yielding varieties and good agricultural practices in view of the increased demand
and increased area.

HDBRG 1 HDBRG 2

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Oriental tobacco

The sun cured Oriental Tobacco (N. tabacum)

is under cultivation since 1968 in a small scale in
Andhra Pradesh. In view of the export demand
and usage in domestic cigarette blends, its
cultivation has been extended over the years to
dry zones of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
under light sandy loams. Currently, Oriental
tobacco is grown in low rainfall tracks of
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in poor and
Izmir
marginal soils under rainfall conditions. The crop
being highly labour intensive is cultivated by small farmers having family labor. Currently,
approximately 30,000 farmers distributed in 1200 villages are dependent on this crop in
both the states. The rural economy in these growing villages has improved and seasonal
labor migration has stopped. The maximum production is 9 million kg during 2010 and
the potential is 25 million kg. The productivity is staggering between 500 to 600 kg per
hectare with the existing varieties.

Oriental tobacco differs from other

tobaccos in size, character and blending
applications. Oriental tobaccos are very
short plants of about three or four feet
tall and leaves are small. Orientals are
sun-cured. The physical characteristics
of cured leaf of oriental tobacco is
greenish lemon in colour and size is
very small and contains 2.0 to 4.5%
Katherine nicotine and 1.0 to 2.0% reducing
sugars. In view of their aromatic characters, they are blended with FCV and burley during
cigarette preparation. Orientals have distinct flavor characteristics according to their specific
growing location, where the weather and soil of particular places alter the leaves and
differentiate them from those grown elsewhere. The landmark/popular varieties are Izmir,
Basma and Katherine. Oriental variety, Tungabhadra having a yield potential of 840 kg/
ha with good aroma has been identified for release during 2011.

There is a need to improve the productivity through development of improved varieties

well adopted to the area and accepted by the farmers and trade.

11
Natu Tobacco

Natu tobacco (N. tabacum) leaf is used for both smoking and non-smoking uses. The
leaf used for manufacturing of cigarettes has to be thin in texture with a pleasing aroma
and moderate strength, where as that used for cheroot, chewing, snuff, pipe tobacco and
hookah tobacco paste are strong in aroma and high in nicotine. The leaf is used for blending
in low cost cigarettes and handmade cheroots for local consumption. The leaves are
separated from the stalk after the plants are initially wilted in the field and the leaves are
then strung on bamboo poles for curing in the sun.

There are two types of natu tobacco viz. Cigarette natu (rain-fed natu) and irrigated
natu.

Cigarette natu (rain-fed natu): This type

of tobacco is cultivated in the alluvial light
soils of Kurnool districts of Andhra
Pradesh and Mehaboobnagar, Nalgonda,
Nizamabad and Adilabad districts of
Telangana. Cured leaf color is nut brown,
size medium to large, nicotine 1.0 - 3.25%
and reducing sugars 3.0 - 9.0%. The
cigarette natu cultivable land is decreasing
but the production and productivity more
or less remains same in the last decade. In Bhairavi
Andhra Pradesh, the area under rain-fed natu in AP has decreased from 1609 ha to 410 ha
during the last decade and the production has decreased from 3.2 million kg to 0.8 million
kg during the corresponding period. The productivity of rain-fed natu in AP tobacco was
hovering around 1900 to 2000 kg/ha during the last decade. Widely grown cultivars under
rainfed natu are Talmari, Kurnool natu (WAF type) and Bhairavi.

12
Irrigated natu: Natu tobacco is grown in the areas of West Godavari, East Godavari, and
Krishna as an irrigated crop is called irrigated natu. The soils cultivated are sandy to sandy
loams with low organic carbon, low in available N, P and K. Grown with heavy manuring
by way of organic manures, FYM, organic cakes etc. Though the irrigated natu tobacco
area is reduced, the production and productivity remained constant. Cured leaf color is
brown to dark brown, size medium to large, nicotine 3.0 - 5.5% and reducing sugars 1.1 -
2.6%. Rangapuram and Kommugudem are the cultivars widely cultivated under irrigated
Natu area. In Andhra Pradesh, the irrigated natu area decreased from 5800 ha to 3600 ha
during the last decade and the production has decreased from 10.2 million kg to 7 million
kg during the period. The productivity of Eluru natu tobacco was hovering around 1700 to
1900 kg/ha during the last decade.

Drought and lack of improved varieties and agronomic practices are to be addressed
through research in respect of this crop.

Country Cheroot tobacco (N. tabacum)

The tobaccos used for the preparation of

cheroots are known as cheroot tobacco. They
include dark air-cured tobacco types like natu
and lanka grown in Andhra Pradesh, pikka in
Odisha and cheroot tobacco in Tamil Nadu.
Cured leaf colour is greenish brown to dark
brown. It has high nicotine of about 5.0% and
reducing sugars of about 1.5%. Natu tobaccos
are already discussed in the previous section
and pikka tobacco in the coming sections. Kommugudem
Hence, the details of other cheroot types are given hereunder.

13
Cheroot tobacco of Tamil Nadu: Country
Cheroot tobacco is mostly grown in Salem,
Madurai, Coimbatore and North Arcot
districts of Tamil Nadu. Two types of country
cheroot tobaccos i.e. the narrow leaf type and
broad leaf type are cultivated. The former
confined to Erode district and the later in
Salem districts of Tamil Nadu in an area of
about 1200 ha. This tobacco is cultivated in
both heavy and light soils as an irrigated crop. Sangami
The color of the cured leaf used in cheroot is
dark brown or almost black and the texture varies from thin to medium. The produce finds
its way for the manufacture of handmade country cheroots for consumption in Tamil
Nadu as well as adjoining States of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.It is also
consumed locally as well as in Karnataka as chewing tobacco. The variety I-737 is cultivated
in major part of area followed by Sangami.

Lanka tobacco of Andhra Pradesh: Lanka tobacco is exclusively grown on the banks of
deltaic islands of Krishna (Krishna district) and Godavari rivers (East & West Godavari
and Khammam districts) of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This tobacco is mainly used
for handmade indigenous cheroots having characteristic aroma and pungent taste and
also for cigars and snuff. Planted in the main field in November. Cured leaf colour is
brown. It has high nicotine of about 5.0% and reducing sugars of about 1.5%. Lanka
Special and DR-1 are the landmark varieties.

Lanka Special

The issue of lack of high yielding and stress tolerant varieties need to be addressed
through research in cheroot tobacco grown in different parts of India. Research back up in
the area of production and protection practices are to be given priority.

14
Jati (N. tabacum) and Motihari (N. rustica) tobacco

In west Bengal both the cultivated tobacco species are grown.N. tabacum cultivated
here is known as jati tobacco and N. rustica as motihari tobacco. The details of both types
are given here.

Jati tobacco (N. tabacum): The Jati tobacco is

grown in restricted pockets in the banks of
Singimari river of Dinhata sub-division at
Cooch Behar district of West Bengal on either
side with blocks, Adabari and Natabari. This
tobacco is mainly used for chewing purpose
and is sun cured. Nicotine content in jati
tobacco is 4%. Chama, Podali, Manasi and
DJ-1 are the landmark chewing varieties. Podali

Motihari (N. rustica): Motihari tobacco (N.

rustica) is grown in Northern districts of
Cooch Bihar and Jalpaigudi in West Bengal
as rabi crop. It is mainly used for hookah and
chewing purpose.It is a sun and air cured
tobacco. Nicotine content in mitihari tobacco
is 5-6%. DD 437, Torsa and Dharla are the
popular varieties cultivated here.
Dharla
Area and production trends of Jati and Motihari tobacco in West Bengal: In West Bengal,
the area under Jati and Motihari tobacco was increased from 13,000 ha to 19,000 ha during
2010-19 and decreased to 13,000 ha during 2021-22. The production increased from 17,000
tons to 28,000 tons during 2010-19 and decreased to 20,000 tons 2021-22.

15
 Hollow stock disease and soil acidity are problems in this area. Development of
improved varieties and good agricultural practices are the researchable issues in respect of
this crop.

Rustica tobacco (N. rustica)

Rustica tobacco is mainly grown in West Bengal, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Rustica
tobacco is characterized by short plants with round puckered leaves and yellow flowers. In
general, sun curing is followed in Rustica tobacco. Cured leaf contains high nicotine.The
Rustica tobacco grown in Gujarat is mainly used for chewing purpose, and Uttar Pradesh
and West Bengal are used for hookah and chewing purposes. It is also used in preparation
of tobacco products viz., chewing (Khaini), zarda, hookah tobacco paste, quiwam, tooth
powder (Gul), Paan Masala, Gutka etc.

Rustica tobacco (Motihari tobacco) in West Bengal: Rustica tobacco grown in West Bengal
is known as Motihari tobacco. It is cultivated in an area of 12,000 hectares producing 16.2
M kg with a productivity of 1350 kg/ ha is concentrated in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda
and Murshidabad districts. The popular varieties grown in West Bengal are
DD 347, Dharla and Torsa.

GCT 3

16
Rustica tobacco in Gujarat: In Gujarat rustica
tobacco is mainly grown in the districts of
Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Mehsana, Patan,
Nadiad, Gandhinagar, Khambat, Kheda,
and Anand in an area of 1,38,400 ha. In
Gujarat, the area under Rustica tobacco has
increased from 88 thousand ha to 138
thousand ha during the last decade and the
production has increased from 176 thousand
tons to 328 thousand tons during the corresponding period. The popular varieties grown
in Gujarat are GCT 3 and DCT.

Hookah tobacco in Uttar Pradesh: Rustica

tobacco is grown in Uttar Pradesh is known as
Hookah tobacco. In Uttar Pradesh hookah
tobacco is mainly grown on the alluvial soil in
an area about 25,000 to 28,000 ha as irrigated
crop during rabi and summer seasons producing
39,594 MT of cured leaf with an average
productivity of 1,387 k/ha. The production of
hookah tobacco in Uttar Pradesh is largely
concentrated in Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat,
Farrukhabad, Etah, Kasganj Barabanki,
Gonda, Gorakhpur, Unnao, Azamgarh, Basti,
Fatehpur and Kausambi districts. Landmark/
popular varieties of Hookah tobacco grown are Azad Kanchan
Patiyali, SK-417 and Azad Kanchan.

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 In Uttar Pradesh, the area under Rustica tobacco has remained more or less constant
(25,000 ha) with slight fluctuations during 2013-14 to 2021-22 with around 33000 tonnes
production.

The productivity of Rustica tobacco was high in Gujarat compared to Uttar Pradesh
during the last decade.

The major researchable issues for Rustica tobacco grown in different areas are breeding
improved varieties with higher leaf yield, better leaf quality and resistance to major biotic
stresses (root-knot nematode in Gujarat and hollow stock in West Bengal) suitable to various
zones, development of location specific and cost effective production and protection
technologies for maximising the yields and farm returns.

Chewing tobacco

Tobacco for chewing purpose is grown in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil
Nadu and Bihar states. The tobacco grown in Uttar Pradesh (at Rustica section) and West
Bengal (at Jati and Motihari section) for chewing purpose are discussed in the previous
chapter. Chewing tobacco grown in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Bihar are discussed here.

Chewing tobacco of Gujarat: In Gujarat both Rustica and N. tabacum are used for chewing
purpose. Rustica tobaccos of Gujarat are already discussed under Rustica tobacco section.
The chewing tobacco (N. tabacum and N. rustica) grown in Gujarat, through a specific
process of curing in the field yielding golden yellow colour of leaves is called ‘lal chopadia’.
A145 is released specifically for lal chopadia purpose. In another process, the leaves are
cured by heaping and spraying water. As leaves are turn to brown to dark brown colour in
this method, this process is called ‘kala chopadia’. GT 6 and GT 8 are released for kala
chopadia process. However, any variety belongs to N. tabacum and N. rustica can be cured in
any of these processes based on farmers convenience and requirement.

GT 6

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Chewing tobacco of Tamil Nadu:
Chewing tobacco cultivation in Tamil Nadu
is mainly concentrated in Dindigul, Erode,
Coimbatore, Madurai, South Arcot,
Nagapatnam, Salem, Thanjavur,
Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts.
There are sun-cured, pit-cured and smoke
cured chewing types in Tamil Nadu. In
Tamil Nadu, the area under chewing
tobacco has remained between 10000 to Abirami
13000 ha during the last five years and the production has hovered between 27000 to
25000 tons during the corresponding period with about 2500 kg/ha productivity. Cured
leaf is brown to dark brown in colour. Nicotine content in sun-cured tobacco is 3-6%, pit-
cured 2.5-3.5%, and smoke cured 3.5-4.5%. Popular varieties of chewing tobacco type are
Meenakshi CR, Bhagyalakshmi and Abirami.

Chewing tobacco of Bihar: Chewing tobacco is grown in Vaishali, Samastipur and

Muzaffarpur areas in medium and heavy soils of Purnea, Katihar and Saharsa districts.
The chewing tobacco grown here is sun cured. This tobacco is also used for chewing (khaini),
zarda, quiwam, tooth powder, pan masala, gutka etc.Cured leaf is brown to dark brown
colour, nicotine 3-4% and chorides 1-2%. Popular varieties of chewing tobacco type are
PT-76 and Vaishali Special.

Vaishali Special

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 Caterpillar, black shank and Orobanche are the major biotic stresses in chewing tobacco
area. Accordingly, attention of the researcher is required in breeding improved chewing
tobacco varieties for various zones and development of location specific crop production
and crop protection practices addressing these issues.

Pikka tobacco

The tobacco used for country cheroot purpose is

locally known as Pikka in Odisha. The tobacco is cultivated
on the sandy loam soils of Rayagada, Gajapati, Koraput,
Nabarangpur and Parlakhemundhi districts of Odisha.
Earlier country cheroot was a common form of tobacco
smoking in rural areas of Odisha. Pikka tobacco made
cheroots are smoked by fishermen community in coastal
belts of Ganjam, Puri, Cuttack, and Balasore. Pikka tobacco
leaves in general are thick, dark in colour and contains
prominent veins. Pikka cheroot smoke is very strong in
aroma and have good burn and gives chalky white colour
ash. Cured leaf colour is brown and nicotine 4-5%. Pikka
tobacco is also used in the preparation of products including
tobacco paste (gudaku), snuff (orally consumed),
kharamasala (gundi), dhuligundi, khaini and gutka etc. Gajapati

In Odisha, the area under Pikka tobacco has decreased from 2160 ha to 130 ha during
the last decade and the production from 1860 tons to 692 thousand tons during the
corresponding period. The productivity of pikka tobacco was declined from 861 kg/ha to
692 kg/ha during the last decade. The majority of the farmers cultivate Gajapati and JP
Local varieties in this area.

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 Lack of improved varieties is the major concern here. Hence, development of pikka
tobacco varieties possessing higher leaf yield with acceptable quality and tolerance to biotic
and abiotic stress is a major researchable issues. Crop production technologies with
emphasis on solving location specific problems for sustainable tobacco production also
need to be developed.

Cigar wrapper and cigar filler

The cigar wrapper is the outside layer

of tobacco and gives a premium and
affordable cigar one of its primary flavor
components. Earlier, it used to be cultivated
in Tamil Nadu and currently it is not
cultivated. There are two types of
cigar filler: long filler (which contains the
whole leaf running from the head to the
foot of the cigar) and short filler (comprised
of scraps of tobacco - often the trimmed
ends of long fillers). The blending of Dixie shade
wrapper, filler, and binder is what
determines the overall flavor of a
premium cigar.

Currently, Cigar wrapper is being

cultivated in northern parts of the west
Bengal in new Jalpaiguri and Cooch behar.
Popular wrapper varieties are S 5, Dixie
shade and Krishna. Nicotine content in
cigar filler (West Bengal) is 2.05% and cigar
wrapper (West Bengal) is 1.44% and cigar
tobacco of Tamil Nadu is 1.24%..

Krishna

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Other tobaccos: Kentucky Fire-cured (KFC) tobacco and Sun-cured Virginia (SCV)

In India, Kentucky Fire-cured tobacco is grown in an area of 3400 ha and used in

blending with smoking products such as Cigarettes, bidi, pipe tobacco and hookah tobacco
paste etc. Specifically, in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, KFC tobacco is cultivated in
500 ha. KFC plantation starts during August to September. Cured leaf color is brown to
dark brown, size medium to large, nicotine 2.5 - 3.75 % and chloride 1.0 - 2.0 %.

Recently in order to reduce the curing costs in flue-curing, Sun-cured Virginia (SCV)
is gaining momentum. In SCV, the leaves harvested from the flue-cured varieties are cured
under sun. The nicotine content of around 2.5% and reducing sugar content of 12% is
preferable in this type. Mostly light cast FCV varieites are suitable for this process. Sun
curing process need to be standardised through research to get desirable quality cured
product. Suitable varieites and agronomic processess are to be developed for sun cured.

Sun cured virginia

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