Yield And Quality of Several Banyuwangi Sliced-Tobacco Lines for Sustainable Kretek Cigarette Production

Abstract

Kretek cigarettes, which use sliced tobacco along with clove and sauces, are among the most popular tobacco products globally. Banyuwangi tobacco is one type of sliced tobacco used in these cigarettes. The primary challenge in developing Banyuwangi tobacco has been its low productivity. This study aimed to assess the yield and quality of ten promising tobacco lines from previous selections. The research was conducted over three years at two locations using a randomised block design with three replications. Parameters observed include dried sliced, quality index, crop index, nicotine, and stability. The results revealed that the Semarang Jahe 1 line produced the highest dried sliced tobacco, averaging 941.37 kg/ha, which is 31.44% above the average. Its crop index was 27.80% higher than the average, and it demonstrated high stability. The Jepril 1 line yielded 726.26 kg/ha of dry slices, 1.41% above the average, with a crop index 9.90% higher than the average, also showing stability. The Semarang Jahe 2 line produced 875.81 kg/ha of dry slices, 22.29% above the average, with a crop index 17.30% higher than the average, but it was location-specific. These three lines are promising for increasing farmers’ incomes. Special measures are recommended to promote sustainable organic cultivation.