SmokeStack
Well-Known Member
In light of trying to keep posts on topic, I am posting this topic as a spur from Deluxestogie's Grow Blog - in particular, the results of his cross pollination experiment to determine whether or not Mt. Pima and Papante belong to the species N. Rustica. I am curious to know how tobacco varietals are classified, that is, as Burley, Flue-Cured, Maryland, Orientals, Dark Air, Cigar Leaf (filler, binder or wrapper), etc.
Now that Bob has provided compelling evidence from his experiment as how to distinguish between two different tobacco species, I thought the next step would be to devise a methodology to classify varietals of N. Tabacum into the aforementioned categories (that is Burleys, Flue-Cured, Maryland, etc.). Whether classifying varietals depends on physical attributes of the plant (like leaf size, nicotine levels, the presence of certain proteins or carbohydrates) or if it depends on genetic factors (DNA), I don't know the answer. But I think it would be an invaluable asset for many of us "tobacconists" to investigate this matter.
Perhaps the answer is already out there in which case you can inform me by simply replying. If not, we could put our minds together and come up with something. We don't have to rely on information "floating out there" and pass it along while complacently assuming we have accomplished something. Instead, we can be the pioneers (as Bob has demonstrated) and formulate a novel convention for varietal classification. Maybe I am putting too much emphasis on this matter, but, nevertheless, there is a classification system and I would like to determine its significance.
With that said, it all comes down to enjoying a delightful smoke - so who cares how about a classification system? But if it provides the least bit of our understanding of tobacco, I am all for it.
Any ideas?
Now that Bob has provided compelling evidence from his experiment as how to distinguish between two different tobacco species, I thought the next step would be to devise a methodology to classify varietals of N. Tabacum into the aforementioned categories (that is Burleys, Flue-Cured, Maryland, etc.). Whether classifying varietals depends on physical attributes of the plant (like leaf size, nicotine levels, the presence of certain proteins or carbohydrates) or if it depends on genetic factors (DNA), I don't know the answer. But I think it would be an invaluable asset for many of us "tobacconists" to investigate this matter.
Perhaps the answer is already out there in which case you can inform me by simply replying. If not, we could put our minds together and come up with something. We don't have to rely on information "floating out there" and pass it along while complacently assuming we have accomplished something. Instead, we can be the pioneers (as Bob has demonstrated) and formulate a novel convention for varietal classification. Maybe I am putting too much emphasis on this matter, but, nevertheless, there is a classification system and I would like to determine its significance.
With that said, it all comes down to enjoying a delightful smoke - so who cares how about a classification system? But if it provides the least bit of our understanding of tobacco, I am all for it.
Any ideas?