Cuba Grows Pest-resistant Tobacco Varieties

Source from:  Cuban News Agency  12/05/2012

Specialists at the Tobacco Research Institute studied some 700 black tobacco varieties to produce pest-resistant seedlings that will be grown throughout Cuba, it was reported in this western province.

According to Eumelio Espino, a specialist at this institute which was founded in 1985, the new plants will have the high quality that characterizes Cuban tobacco worldwide.
These need varieties were created by using crossing and selection methods, Maria del Carmen Lopez, head of the science department said.

Among the new varieties are Habana 92", "habana dos mil" and "criollo 98", which are already planted in different tobacco plantations. They are resistant to plagues like blue mould and dark shank and others that caused great damages to Cuban plantations during the last few decades, Lopez added.
The institute, with a 350 people in its staff, provides seeds for seedling production throughout Cuba and also promotes soil improvement practices and gives courses to workers of this sector.

It has two experiment stations and provides 16 different services, including technical advising to implement quality management and analysis of waste pesticides used on raw tobacco for export, Ana Yansy Cuéllar, head of the institute said.
The new technology, along the Cuban climate, soil, experience of their growers and everybody related to the industry, make of habanos the best cigars in the world, according to smokers. Enditem