Interesting study, Hasse. It demonstrated that, although Prilep 79-94 produced larger leaves than Prilep 66-9/7, the 66-9/7 produced so many more leaves that the kg/hectare was 20% greater.
I planted both, because rainmax provided me with seed for both. My own comparison of the two concluded the same thing. In addition, the leaves of 79-94 were generally thinner than those of 66-9/7. Given that they both produce similar leaf with similar aroma and burn properties, the Prilep 66-9/7 seems to be a better investment of space and time.
A word about Yaka and Djebel:
I believe that these two terms are derived from the Turkish language (though possibly Greek). Yaka refers to the lower slope of a mountain range; Djebel refers to steeper, higher areas of a mountain range. Basma is a category of Oriental tobacco with relatively columnar plants, small leaves with a sessile stem attachment, somewhat low nicotine content, and a generally aromatic character to the cured leaf. (Confusingly, Basma is also a method of packing leaf. Ignore that.) Xanthi is a type of Basma tobacco. We see Xanthi Yaka as well as Xanthi Djebel, depending on where it was traditionally grown in Greece during the late Ottoman Empire. When a tobacco variety is labeled as simply "Djebel," for example, it is the Basma type Xanthi Djebel. There are now many numbered variants of both Xanthi Yaka and Xanthi Djebel that have been intentionally developed in Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, and elsewhere. Most of them produce similar leaf, with different disease resistance profiles, and with differing productivity.
I've grown both Xanthi Yaka and Xanthi Djebel, as well as Prilep 66-9/7, Prilep 79-94, Smyrna #9 (an Izmir variety) and Izmir-Ozbas. While their aroma profiles vary somewhat, I believe it makes sense to pick maybe one or two of these, but no more. You just end up with nearly indistinguishable end product.
From Constantinides. (7.5MB)
On the other hand, the Samsun group (Samsun, Bafra, Samsun-Maden, Trebizon, etc.) are quite different from the Basma types, and usually stronger. They have larger, heart-shaped leaves.
The other Orientals that I've grown (Balikesir, Yayladag, Mutki, Tasova) were interesting, not I've never been motivated to plant them after their 2012 debut. (Photos in my
2012 grow log)
Gosh. This got wordy. Sorry.
Bob