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CORESTA Meeting, Agronomy/Phytopathology, 2023, Cancun, AP 25

Developing and deploying climate-resilient tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) varieties in marginal areas of Zimbabwe: stability and adaptability analysis in new tobacco varieties

MUKOYI F.; MATEVA K.I.; MAGAMA F.; DIMBI S.
Tobacco Research Board (TRB), Kutsaga Research Station, Harare, Zimbabwe

To ensure farmers continue to reap the best in tobacco production, breeding and development of novel genetics is pivotal in the tobacco value chain. Recently, some new varieties were released to address climate change-associated shocks and new pathogen variants. Moreover, farmers in Zimbabwe are now growing tobacco outside of the traditional growing regions hence the need to develop new varieties for the new growers. The objective was to evaluate the agronomic performance of promising experimental tobacco hybrids (ETHS) under marginal conditions. Four sites: Karoi Tengwe, Lower Gweru, Insiza, and Masvingo that are marginal for tobacco production were used for the study in two seasons (2021-22, 2022-23) and compared to an optimum site (Kutsaga). Trials were laid out in a randomized complete block (RCBD), with three replications. Agronomic variables measured were speed to topping, leaf expansion metrics (largest, penultimate), yield (mass at untying, saleable), grade index and leaf chemistry (nicotine, reducing sugars, total nitrogen) were subjected to analysis of variance (single, across site) using Genstat 21st edition. The AMMI model and GGE biplots were used to analyze stability. The results revealed significant differences among genotypes across sites and seasons. The experimental hybrids ETH07/17 and ETH11/17 had the highest yields, while ETH12/11 had the fastest speed to topping. Partitioning of the genotype by environment effects revealed that the most stable and best genotypes were ETH07/17, ETH 11/17 and ETH12/17. The implication of this work in identifying varieties with broad and specific adaptation and its impact on tobacco production in Zimbabwe will be discussed.