Commercial Variety Information

The following represents available variety info for current and recently retired cultivars.  Disease-resistance is an obvious concern for commercial growers in that nicotiana is susceptible to a number of pathogens that seriously effect the economic outcome of the field crop.  The hobby grower may have a reduced concern for the listed disease resistance.
Generally, modern cultivars will perform better than older varieties, but sometimes are bred or hybridized for pathogen resistance at the expense of leaf yield.
Generally, hybrid varieties will perform better than standard varieties.
Results can vary widely based on soil, climate, and cultural practices.

BURLEY:

¹ BS = Black Shank; BRR = Black Root Rot; TMV = Tobacco Mosaic Virus; and WF = Wildfire. Resistance levels: H = high; M = moderate; L = low; S = susceptible, and -- = not determined.
² High resistance to tobacco vein mottling virus and medium resistance to tobacco etch virus.
³ High resistance to race 0 and no resistance to race 1.
⁴ High resistance to race 0 and low to medium resistance to race 1.

KT 200 It is a late maturing hybrid with moderately high yield potential. KT 200 is moderately resistant to black shank and is recommended for growers with serious black shank problems. It has a high level of resistance to black root rot. KT 200 is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus, wildfire, and the virus complex (potato virus Y, tobacco etch virus, and tobacco vein mottling virus). It is darker green than most other varieties, holds well at the bottom of the plant, and occasionally sunburns during curing.

KT 204 A late maturing variety with high yield potential, KT 204 has high resistance to blank shank (Race 0 and 1), high resistance to black root rot, and is also resistant o tobacco mosaic virus, wildfire, tobacco vein mottling virus, and tobacco etch virus.

KT 206 A late maturing upright variety with high yield potential, KT 206 has high resistance to black shank (Race 0 and I), high resistance to black root rot, and is also resistant to tobacco mosaic virus, wildfire, tobacco vein mottling virus, and tobacco etch virus with a moderate level of resistance to blue mold.

KT 209 A late maturing upright variety with high yield potential, very similar to KT 206.  KT 209 has the highest resistance to black shank (Race 0 and I) of any burley in the Industry. It has the highest resistance to black root rot, resistant to wildfire, tobacco mosaic virus, tobacco vein mottling virus, and tobacco etch virus.  This variety has large plants, but has potential for very good quality and is expected to be a very popular burley.

KT 210 A late maturing upright variety with good yield potential, very similar to KT 206.  KT 210 has very good resistance to Race 0 black shank and good resistance to Race I black shank, but was developed and released primarily for its moderate resistance to Fusarium wilt.  It also has high resistance to black root rot, wildfire, tobacco mosaic virus.  It is expected to be used primarily in areas with extreme Fusarium wilt pressure.

HB 04P It has excellent yield and quality potential. HB 04P has broad round leaves, a semi-upright growth habit, and medium maturity. It is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus and wildfire. HB 04P has a high level of resistance to black root rot. It is susceptible to black shank and the virus complex.

NBH 98 It was similar in yield and quality to KY 14 and VA 509 when averaged across eight test locations. It is medium early in maturity and has a low level of resistance to black shank.

KY 907 This is a medium-late maturing variety with semi-upright leaves. KY 907 has acceptable leaf quality with high yield potential under good growing conditions. Due to the large size of KY 907, lodging can be a problem KY 907 has high resistance to tobacco vein mottling virus, black root rot, tobacco mosaic virus, and wildfire. It has low resistance to black shank and medium resistance tobacco etch virus and Fusarium wilt.

KY 908 Is a medium-early maturing variety.  It has high resistance to tobacco Mosaic Virus, Wildfire, Black Root Rot and Tobacco Vein Mottling Virus. It has medium-high resistance to Tobacco Etch Virus and medium resistance to Race 0 and Race 1 Black Shank.

KY 910 The yields of KY 910 are similar to KY 14. KY 910 has a low to moderate level of resistance to black shank and a high level of resistance to black root rot, wildfire, and tobacco mosaic virus.

TN 86 This variety is a late maturing, extreme stand up variety with approximately 21-22 leaves after topping. Yield potential of this variety is high. TN 86 has medium resistance to both races of black shank, high resistance to tobacco vein mottling virus.

TN 90 This is a medium-late maturing, upright variety with approximately 20 leaves after topping and medium high yield potential. TN 90 has more favorable leaf quality and a smaller stalk than TN 86. TN 90 has medium resistance to both races of black shank, high resistance to black root rot and medium high resistance to tobacco etch virus.

TN 97 Yields of TN 97 were similar to TN 86 and TN 90 when averaged across all five test locations in 1997. TN 97 has a moderate level of resistance to black shank and a high level of resistance to black root rot, wildfire, and tobacco mosaic virus.

Hybrid 403 Medium maturing, stand-up type burley that should produce a heavy yield of quality tobacco.  Med resistance to Black Root Rot.  High resistance to mosaic.  Med Resistance to fusarium wilt.  High resistance to wildfire.

Hybrid 404 Medium maturing, stand-up type burley that should produce a heavy yield of quality tobacco.  No black shank resistance.  High resistance to Black Root Rot.  High resistance to mosaic.  Med Resistance to fusarium wilt.  High resistance to wildfire.

Hybrid 501 Rapid growing, medium early maturing variety.  It is a stand-up type burley with big leaves and produces a good yield of quality tobacco. High resistance to black root rot.  High resistance to mosaic.  Med resistance to fusarium wilt.  High resistance to wildfire.  Med resistance to race 0 black shank.  Med resistance to race 1 black shank.

Hybrid 502 Yields of HY 502 were similar to HY 403 and KY 908 when averaged across all five test locations in 1996. HY 502 has a moderate level of resistance to black shank and a high level of resistance to black root rot and wildfire. It is susceptible to tobacco mosaic virus.

KY 14 x L8 An early-maturing, spreading variety, with small stalk size. This variety can produce high yields and good leaf quality, under proper management. Sucker development can become an issue in some circumstances. KY 14 x L8 has high resistance to race 0 black shank but no resistance to race I black shank.

Burley 21 x KY 10 - A medium maturing variety with medium to high yield potential with good leaf quality. This variety has no resistance to black shank and medium low resistance to black root rot. Burley 21 x KY 10 should only be grown where black shank and disease pressure is low.

KY 8959 This is a late maturing, semi upright variety with large stalk size. This variety has high yield potential with good leaf quality. KY 8959 has high resistance to black root rot and tobacco vein mottling virus.

VA 509 This variety is a medium-late maturing, stand up variety. It has medium yield potential and good leaf quality. VA 509 has medium resistance to both races of black shank and medium-low resistance to black root rot.

KY 10 A stand up variety with a large number of leaves which produce high yields of good quality tobacco. Level of Resistance: Mosaic - High; Fusarium Wilt - Medium; Black Root-Rot - Medium Low.

KY 14 A stand up variety with a large number of leaves producing a good yield of high quality tobacco. Level of Resistance: Mosaic - High; Fusarium Wilt - Medium; Wildfire - High; Black Root-Rot - Medium.

KY 17 A variety with multiple disease resistance, high quality and good yield. All Black Shank varieties should be used in a rotation if possible.  Level of Resistance: Black Shank, Race 0 - Medium, Race 1 - Medium; Mosaic - High; Fusarium Wilt - Medium Low; Wildfire - High; Black Root-Rot - High.

N 88 This variety has proven satisfactory to most tobacco growers. For maximum yield top at an early stage. Level of Resistance; Black Shank, Race 0 - Medium Low, Race 1 - Medium; Black Root-Rot - Medium.

N 126 A high yielder of good quality. Level of Resistance: Mosaic - High; Wildfire - High; Fusarium Wilt - Low; Black Root-Rot - Medium.

N 777 For maximum yield use extra nitrogen and top at an early stage. Level of Resistance; Black Shank, Race 0 - Medium, Race 1 - Medium; Wildfire - High; Fusarium Wilt - Low; Black Root-Rot - Medium

N 7371 This variety has more leaves than most varieties, therefore giving a high yield and good quality.  Level of resistance: black shank race 0-medium, race 1-medium; and black root rot-low.

NC 7 A late maturing variety with high yield potential with 20 leaves after topping. NC 7 has high resistance to race 0 black shank, medium resistance to race I black shank, and medium resistance to Fussarium wilt. This variety has high resistance to tobacco vein mottling virus, black root rot, tobacco mosaic virus, Potato Virus Y, wildfire and root knot nematodes.
 

DARK:

¹ Ground suckers/18 plant plot.
² Disease reaction : BS = Black Shank; RK = Root Knot; TMV = Tobacco Mosaic Virus; BRR = Black Root Rot. H= high resistance; M= moderate;
L = low; R = resistant; S = susceptible.
³ X = lugs; C = thin leaf; B =heavy leaf.
⁴ F =medium brown; M = mixed or variegated; G = green.
⁵ Liz Tail Orinoco = Lizard Tail Orinoco; Liz Tail Tur Ft = Lizard Tail Turtle Foot.

Brownleaf JH  Is a variety that originated in Kentucky. It has relatively large leaves of medium body which are medium spaced on the stalk. It has low resistance to black root rot and no resistance to black shank.

KT-D4 An upright variety with high yields and a high resistance to race 0 and race 1 Black Shank.

KT-D6  First Hybrid dark variety.  Level of resistance: Black Shank Race 0 Medium, Race 1 Medium Low.

KT-D8 An upright variety with high yields and a high resistance to race 0 and race 1 Black Shank.

DF 485  A dark tobacco which yields good with high quality. All Black Shank varieties should be grown in rotation if possible. Level of Resistance: Black Shank, Race 0-Medium, Race 1-Medium: Black Root Rot, Mosaic and Wildfire-Medium.

DF 911  A high yielder. This tobacco produces a good yield of high quality wrapper , snuff or cutting tobacco.  Level of Resistance: Mosaic-High: Wildfire-High: Black Root Rot-High.

DT 508  A dark tobacco which yields good with high quality. All Black Shank varieties should be used in rotation if possible.  Level of Resistance: Black Root Rot, Mosaic and Wildfire-High: Black Shank race 0 and Race 1, and Fusarium Wilt-Medium.

DT 538  Produces a good quality leaf that yields and cures well.  Level of resistance: black root rot-medium; high level resistance to race 0 and race 1 black shank.

DT 592  A dark tobacco similar to Narrow Leaf Madole. It yields high cures well and produces good quality leaf.  Level of Resistance: Black Root Rot-Medium: Race 0 Black Shank-Medium Low: Race 1 Black Shank-Medium Low.

Greenwood  Is a tobacco which produces a good yield of high quality tobacco. It holds itself up well and cures a brown color in most cases.

Improved Madole  A dark tobacco used by many growers to produce a good yield of high quality leaf.

KY 171  Is a high quality and high yielding variety.  Level of Resistance: Mosaic-High: Fusarium Wilt-Medium: Wildfire-High: Black Root Rot-High.

Littlewood  Is somewhat of a shorter leaf than KY 151.  It produces a good quality of tobacco with good yields.

Little Crittenden  Is a selection which yields good and cures well in most cases.  It holds itself up well in the field making it clean tobacco.

Lizard Tail Orinoco  Is an old variety that has been grown in Virginia for many years. The leaves are closely spaced on the stalk and are of medium size and heavy body. This variety has no disease resistance.

Narrow Leaf Madole  A dark tobacco used by many growers to produce a good yield of high quality tobacco which cures well.

Sears Special  The leaves are medium in width and length and are medium spaced on the stalk. The upper leaves on mature plants are wrinkled and the margins have a tendency to roll downward. It has moderate resistance to black root rot and no resistance to black shank.

Small Stalk Black Mammoth  This variety holds itself up well, producing good weight of fine tobacco.  It will produce a wrapper or  snuff tobacco when allowed to get ripe.

TND950  A dark variety similar to DF300, it has a smaller leaf than some dark varieties.   Level of Resistance: Black Shank, Race 0-Medium: Race 1-Medium: Black Root Rot-High: Mosaic-High: Wildfire-High.

TR (Tom Rosson) Madole  A dark tobacco used by many growers to produce a good yield of high quality tobacco which cures well.

VA 309  A dark tobacco which yields good with high quality.  The soft texture and dull green color of the leaf is similar to that of Lizard Tail Orinoco. The leaf surface at maturity is wrinkled with a marked depression of the veins and midribs. The cured leaf tends to be thinner than that from Lizard Tail Orinoco and usually has a higher percentage of mixed color grades.  Level of Resistance: Black Shank, Race 0-Medium: Race 1-Medium: Black Root Rot-Medium.

VA 310  Leaves are large like those of VA 312 and spaced closely on the stalk. The percentage of green grades in this variety tends to be high which suggests that it is slow to mature and should have special attention in curing. It has moderate resistance to black shank and low resistance to black root rot.

VA 312  It is somewhat intermediate in plant type between Lizard Tail Orinoco and Walkers Broadleaf. Its leaves have a tendency to become brittle at maturity, and breakage during storms may be greater than with other varieties. The cured leaf is rich red in color with thin body. It has excellent resistance to black root rot and tobacco mosaic virus.

VA 355  Agronomic characteristics of VA 355 and VA 359 are similar to Brownleaf JH, Lizard Tail Orinoco, and VA 309.  Research indicates that VA 355 and VA 359 are as resistant, if not more resistant, to black shank than VA 309.

VA 359  A dark variety that has a smaller leaf than some dark varieties.  Level of Resistance: Blank Shank, Race 0-Medium, Race 1-Medium, Black Root Rot-High, Mosaic- High, Wildfire- High.

VH Madole  A dark tobacco used by many growers to produce a good yield of high quality tobacco which cures well.

Walkers Broadleaf  Originated as a farmer selection in Cumberland County, Virginia. The leaves are large with medium body and they are medium spaced on the stalk. It has low resistance to black root rot and no resistance to black shank.

One Sucker Dark Varieties:

OS 400  Is a one sucker variety which produces a good yield of high quality leaf. Level of Resistance: Mosaic-Medium: Black Root Rot-Medium: Black Root Rot-Medium: Race 0 Black Shank-Medium Low: Race 1 Black Shank-Medium Low

KY 160  A variety of one sucker Mosaic resistant strain which is used superior over all varieties because of its quality and yields.  This has dark green leaves that have a fairly smooth surface and are medium to large in size.  The leaves of KY 160 are wider and slightly longer that KY 165 and have less leaf ruffle and more keel.  Usually the length of leaf is almost three times the leaf width,  especially in the top part of the plant.  KY 160 produces good yields of high quality tobacco.

MARYLAND:

HB Old Narrowleaf  (Type 41) This tobacco generally has long narrow leaves and good weight.

Welk’s Pride (Type 41) The Original Meck.  This tobacco is very similar to Mack.

FLUE:

¹ Number of ground suckers per 22 plant plot.

² Disease reaction: H = highly resistant; M = moderate; L = low; S = susceptible; R = resistant; BS = black shank; ratings are for Race 0 of Phytophthora and resistance to Race 1 may be considerably lower; TMV = tobacco mosaic virus; RK = root knot; GW = Granville wilt.

GL 737 Is a late maturing with average yields of good quality leaf.  Has a high level of resistance to black shank. GL 737 has a moderate resistance to Granville wilt.  Is resistant to the common races of the root knot nematode.  Is susceptible to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

GL 939  Has a moderate level of resistance to black shank and Granville wilt.

GL 973 Is a male sterile hybrid.  Late maturing with average yields of good quality leaf. Has a high level of resistance to black shank. GL 973 has a low resistance to Granville wilt.  Is susceptible to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

H20  Hybrid variety with high black shank resistance, high bacterial wilt resistance and resistance to tobacco mosaic virus. This is an average yielding average curing variety.

K149  Moderate resistance to black shank and high resistance to Granville wilt. Is resistant to root-knot nematode but susceptible to tobacco mosaic virus and potato virus Y. It has a medium stalk size with average leaf number and has good "holding ability".

K346  Low resistance to black shank and bacterial wilt and is resistant to the common root-knot nematodes. It is known for it is high quality and curability. It has a moderate number of leaves on a low stalk. It is tolerant to brown spot and has excellent "holding ability".

McNair 944  Moderate resistance to black shank and low resistance to Granville wilt. Is susceptible to tobacco mosaic virus, root-knot nematodes and potato virus Y. It is an early maturing and high yielding variety.

SP172  Has a high level of resistance to black shank and a moderate level of resistance to Granville wilt.

Seed Listing