Tobacco Research:
1. The research work is conducted by a team of qualified scientists.
2. The Board has constituted Research and Development Committee comprising of scientists/officers from the Board,
Department of Agriculture, Research Organizations/Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Managers of Tobacco
Companies and representatives of Tobacco Growers.
3. The Board prepares an Annual Research and Development Plan before the commencement of crop season.
4. The research work is carried out at the following Research Stations:
a) Tobacco Research Station, Mardan in KPK for Flue-cured Virginia and Rustica tobacco.
b) Tobacco Research Sub-station, Mansehra in KPK for Flue-cured Virginia.
c) Tobacco Research Sub-station, Kunjah-Gujrat in Punjab for Dark air-cured Virginia and Desi/Huqqa tobacco.
d) Tobacco Research Sub-station, Okara in Punjab for Dark air-cured and Desi/Huqqa tobacco.
e) Tobacco Model Farm, Buner in KPK for Flue-cured Virginia tobacco.
f) Tobacco Model Farm, Hazro (Attock) in Punjab for Rustica tobacco.
5. Objectives of Research are:
a) To carry out research trials at Tobacco Research Stations for improvement of existing varieties as well as
introduction of new varieties/hybrids according to prevailing issues like insect pests, disease, drought
and zonal suitability.
b) To improve yield of different types of tobacco per unit area through modern techniques.
c) To improve quality to meet the domestic demand and to compete in the International Market for export.
d) To improve the grade index of different types of tobacco.
e) To determine proper dose of fertilizer with proper method of application on proper time.
f) Render soil testing services to tobacco growers.
g) To reduce the cost of production through awareness of modern pre and post harvesting techniques.
6. The Board has set up the following sections for undertaking various research projects.
a) Plant Breeding:
Evolution of new varieties with better potentiality of yield, quality and disease resistance through
introduction, selection and hybridization for different regions.
b) Chemistry:
To study the chemical constituents of various tobacco varieties with reference to yield, soil and water
analysis, aiming at to make appropriate recommendations to the growers for application of fertilizers
including macro and micro-nutrients and to study NIC, sugar, and other constituents of tobacco leaf.
c) Agronomy:
Determination of appropriate plant population, adoption of improved cultural practices and development
of implements for reducing the cost of production of tobacco
d) Plant Protection:
Study of insects, pests, soil and leaf borne diseases and their control through insecticides, pesticides,
fungicides and integrated pest management. There are two main branches of plant protection:
i. Entomology
ii. Plant Pathology
Entomology:
Survey of different insect pests of Tobacco in Nursery and field crop in Tobacco growing areas.
Comparison of different insecticides on the basis of:
i. Economical
ii. Dose/time of application
iii. Methods of application
iv. Safety measure
Plant Pathology:
i. Survey of different tobacco growing areas to identify different diseases
ii. Identification of disease causing organisms
iii. Testing and comparison of different varieties for disease resistance
Achievements/General Recommendations:
1. Introduction of improved technology for raising of nursery on raised seed beds instead of flat land
2. Introduction float tray system of nursery raising
3. Recommendation of 1000 sq.ft nursery area/seed bed area for transplantation of one hectare tobacco crop
4. Seed rate recommendations:
a. FCV and Burley 1.0 to 1.5 gm per 100 sq.ft area
(10 gram seed is required for raising one hectare crop area)
b. Rustica 4 gm per 100 sq.ft area
5. Fertilizer & Pesticide meetings are carried out on annual basis for the smooth availability of the same
6. Improved tobacco breed/varieties introduced by the Board for general cultivation:
Flue cured Virginia
Speight G-28, K-399, different hybrid varieties
Rustica
Rustica-9, Rustica-14, Rustica-Jampur, Rustica-13
Dark-air-cured
Galpao, MA-2
Burley
Burley-64
i. Introduction of top ridge transplantation for better root development
ii. Optimum tobacco transplantation time in Pakistan
a. For plain area 1st March to 30th March
b. For sub-mountain area 15th March to 15th April
iii. Increase of yield from 900 to 2700 kg/ha
Recommended spacing:
FCV Row to row = 3 ft and Plant to plant = 2 ft
Burley Row to row = 3 ft and Plant to plant = 2 ft
Rustica Row to row = 1.5 to 2.0 ft and Plant to plant = 1 ft
do Row to row = 1.5 to 2.0 ft and Plant to plant = 1 ft
Fertilizer Recommendation:
Type NPK Kg/hectare
FCV 60-60-90 (plain area)
60:60:100 (sub-mountain area)
Rustica Black Leaf 100:40:40
Rustica WP 10-20:40:40
i. Method of fertilizer application : Placement method at both side of plant
ii. Time of fertilizer application : within one week after transplantation
iii. Introduction of mechanization in tobacco like hoeing machine, stitching machine etc.
iv. Proper methods for application of insecticides are introduced
v. Integrated pest/disease management programme has been recommended for the control of
insects/pests and diseases of tobacco
vi. The use of chlorinated pesticides has been banned on tobacco crop
vii. For quality tobacco production, topping/desuckering recommended at button stage leaving
22-24 leaves on the plant.
viii. Growers are advised to pick the mature/ripe leaf for curing.
ix. Introduction of modified curing barns to save fuel wood and better quality of tobacco.
x. Development of new tobacco area of Bajaur for the cultivation of Low Cost Tobacco (SCV).
Future Plan:
i. Evaluation of new varieties/introduced varieties of all types of tobacco through various breeding methods in
respect of quality, yield and resistance to disease etc for cultivation under local ecological conditions
ii. Integrated pest management programme for control of insets, pests and diseases of tobacco
iii. Improvement of soil testing services
iv. Upgradation of Research Labs
v. Training of Technical Staff especially on Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Gas Chromatograph and
Tissue culture
vi. Preparation of Research and Development Plan on problems faced by tobacco growers
vii. Introduction of new technology like drone spray system
viii. Conversion of Conventional Barns into Solar Barns
ix. Updation of Soil Fertility report
x. Publication of Research papers in Pak-Tobacco
xi. Establishment of Tobacco Model Farm at Pishin, Balochistan
xii. Mobilization of Extension staff for better exposure/ achievements
xiii. Efforts to improve grade index of FCV tobacco
“Research and Development is a continuous process and will be carried out continuously for the betterment of tobacco in all
respects”.