Results of field trials of basma-group oriental tobacco varieties in dak lak province, Vietnam, in 2026

This study evaluated the adaptability, growth characteristics, yield, and leaf quality of seven Oriental tobacco cultivars grown in Ea Bung Commune, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam, in 2026, to identify promising Basma-type cultivars with distinctive aroma profiles for potential cultivation in Vietnam. The experiment included seven cultivars: Krumovgrad 58, Krumovgrad 78C, Krumovgrad 90, Elenski 817, POH 6002, Basma 16, and Basma X. The cultivars were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and a plot size of 50 m². Fertilizer was applied at rates of 50 kg N, 30 kg P₂O₅, and 80 kg K₂O ha⁻¹. The evaluated parameters included growth duration, morphological characteristics, pest and disease incidence, yield, chemical composition, and sensory quality of the cured tobacco leaves. The results showed that the period from transplanting to the final harvest ranged from 85 to 100 days. Krumovgrad 78C produced the highest cured-leaf yield, at 1.66 t ha⁻¹. Basma 16 and Basma X had the highest numbers of harvestable leaves, at 40.8 and 41.7 leaves per plant, respectively, with corresponding yields of 1.487 and 1.464 t ha⁻¹. The proportion of Grade 1 and Grade 2 leaves ranged from 77.2% to 82.5%. Nicotine, reducing sugar, and chlorine contents ranged from 0.64% to 0.95%, 3.7% to 10.1%, and 0.73% to 1.03%, respectively. In sensory evaluations, Basma 16 and Basma X showed favorable distinctive aroma, aroma quality, and aroma complexity, achieving total sensory scores of 35.07 and 35.73 points, respectively. These scores were numerically higher than those of the Hanski 227 sample produced in Dak Lak (34.97 points) and the imported Oriental tobacco sample (32.42 points). However, the relatively high chlorine content of the two Basma cultivars warrants further investigation and optimization of cultivation and postharvest processing practices to improve leaf quality. The findings suggest that Basma 16 and Basma X are promising Basma-type Oriental tobacco cultivars for cultivation under the conditions evaluated in Dak Lak, particularly in terms of distinctive aroma quality. Further trials across multiple growing seasons, along with refined cultivation and postharvest processing practices, are needed to determine the stability of their yield and quality and assess their potential for broader cultivation in Vietnam.