Valuation of the Quality Level of Bulgarian Tobacco from the Market Sector of “Basmi” Variety Group

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to assess the quality level of Oriental tobaccos from the market sector of the “Basmi” variety group from different production areas in Bulgaria. Tobaccos from Krumovgrad and Greek Basma ecotypes (varieties “Krumovgrad 90”, “Krumovgrad 58”, “Krumovgrad 78”, and “Basma”, respectively) were investigated, all farmer-produced (2019 crop year) in seven tobacco regions. The investigation followed a procedure validated for monitoring the quality of Bulgarian tobaccos, incorporating four evaluation steps – chemical indices of tobacco and tobacco smoke, expert and smoking assessment, and final rating by a complex quality index. Statistically significant differences were observed between the compared tobaccos (variety and region based) within the two ecotypes. For Krumovgrad ecotype, the final rating of the compared tobaccos revealed the best complex quality indicators in varieties “Krumovgrad 78” from Kardzhali (micro-region Patitza), “Krumovgrad 58” from Haskovo-Harmanli (Stambolovo) and “Krumovgrad 58” from Ivaylovgrad (Belopoltzi). With the best quality level within ecotype Basma were the tobaccos produced in Svilengrad (micro-region Raykova mogila) and Momchilgrad (Chorbadzhiysko) regions. The results from the study substantiate the annual monitoring of the quality level of Bulgarian Oriental tobaccos and provide data, which have potential importance for the national tobacco sector.