A severe epidemic occurred during 1988 in the South West tobacco growing regions of Bulgaria. Large block plantings of new lines and cultivars have been released from the Tobacco Experimental Station at Gotse Delchev. A very large variety test for blue mold was conducted encompassing all existing Oriental tobacco cultivars in practical use. Some new lines were included in this evaluation test. The variety test was replicated three times. Cultivar and line plots received extensive irrigation to favor disease development and facilitate its evaluation. Cultivars were rated for blue mold reaction using the Horsfall-Barrett method and the CORESTA rating method. Large differences (3% vs 75% LAD on the Horsfall-Barrett scale) were found between entries, indicating large variation in levels of host resistance. The new cultivars Nevrokop 1146 and Nevrokop 242 developed at Gotse Delchev Station showed an excellent resistance (1.4% LAD). Both cultivars demonstrated good quality and high yield. Two other cultivars, Zlatna Arda and Tekne 61, developed by the Tobacco Institute at Plovdiv also showed high levels of resistance.