Determining the genetic and agronomic variations in lines from Samsun tobacco growing areas

Abstract

Tobaccos grown in Samsun are known all over the world. Samsun tobaccos are grown using nonregistered populations traditionally maintained by local farmers. The present study was conducted to determine the genetic and agronomic variations in Samsun tobaccos. Fifty-eight lines were collected from Samsun in tobacco growing area. These lines were analyzed using eighteen SSR markers. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values of markers ranged between 0.0 and 0.702. Forty-two alleles were obtained from 18 SSR markers. Average number of alleles per SSR locus was 2.33. Forty-eight lines were different for at least one SSR locus, indicating a high level of variation. The forty-eight lines were evaluated in two field trials along with local varieties Nail and Canik for agronomic characteristics such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf width, leaf length, leaf yield, grade index, leaf sugar and nicotine contents. High level of variation was also evident for agronomic characters. Lines No: 2, 11, 13, 21, 28 and 41 were notable for their superior agronomic characteristics. Some of these lines could be directly registered as new cultivars, but they should be further evaluated in future field trials in multiple environments. These lines could also be used as parents for the development of new cultivars.