GE interaction and stability analysis in some basma type oriental tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) lines

Abstract

Turkey has long been the leader in oriental tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) production in the world. Standard cultivars are needed to increase the yield and quality of tobacco production. This study aimed to determine the most stable cultivar candidates by evaluating the performances of tobacco genotypes grown in different environmental conditions. Field trials were carried out in Bafra district of Samsun Province, the district with most tobacco production in Mid-Black Sea Region, and Evciler, Karayaka and Gümüşhacıköy where the Basma type oriental tobaccos are produced. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with three replications in 2017. The study material consisted of 21 lines selected by morphological characteristics and identified by DNA fingerprinting analysis and four standard cultivars/lines. Chemical analyses were carried out using the HPLC method. The stability of genotypes was determined by regression coefficient (bi), regression constant (a), determination coefficient (r2 ), coefficient of variation (CV) and deviation from regression (S2d) parameters using the leaf yield, quality grade index, nicotine and sugar content values. The ERB-6, ERB7, ERB-11, ERB-13, ERB-16, ERB-18, ERB-21 and ERB-30 lines were considered the prominent candidates based on the stability parameters and other traits investigated. Therefore, future studies should be continued using the aforementioned lines. In conclusion, much more detailed studies are needed on hopeful cultivar candidates determined as stable for production areas of the Basma type oriental tobacco.