A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF FLUE-CURED TOBACCO BREEDING IN THE U.S.A

Abstract

Abstract Breeding of flue-cured tobacco began in the United States as farmers made selections and reselections of existing cultivars. Organized tobacco breeding began in 1928 with Coker Pedigreed Seed Company. Other major seed companies involved in U.S. tobacco breeding were McNair Seed Company and Speight Seed Farms. Several smaller companies also existed for short periods of time. The patriarch of flue-cured tobacco breeders was Dr. Hoyt Rogers, who contributed to standardization of cultivars and yield improvements. In the past, prominent individuals in both the private and public sectors were instrumental in improving disease resistance, the primary focus of flue-cured tobacco breeding since the 1930s. Currently, tobacco companies R.J. Reynolds, Universal Leaf, and U.S. Tobacco are involved in breeding. Public breeding is limited to North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina, while there are six private breeding companies. Flue-cured tobacco breeding at present is a vibrant activity, but it faces pol...