A single plant in the BC4S2 generation was crossed with the breeding line Bel 62-8, a
line of Connecticut derivation, obtained from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Seed of
selected F5 plants were bulked for commercial evaluation in 1967.

 DESCRIPTION

 Some of the comparisons of Florida 20 will be made using Florida 15 as a standard;
however, two additional varieties which are familiar in the cigar-wrapper production area
will be used when discussing certain morphological characteristics, yield and quality.

 PLANT TYPE.-Florida 20 has a stronger stalk than Florida 15 which makes it less
subject to wind damage. Vein structure is improved, since the angle with the midrib is
more acute and the veins are more refined in structure. The heel portion of Florida 20
leaves is narrower than that of Florida 15; however, this is not objectionable. Basal
leaves of Florida 20 are about the same size as Florida 15, which means that perhaps one
leaf normally harvested should also be left on the plant. However, at the fifth leaf
position and upward, the leaf length and width are about the same as Florida 15, but may
tend to be smaller depending on growing conditions.

 Table 1 presents a comparison of Florida 20 with three varieties of cigar-wrapper
tobacco. Size of the tenth leaf is comparable with the other three varieties, however,
the variety has approximately two less 16-inch leaves. Since only 18 leaves are currently
being harvested, the number of harvestable leaves produced by Florida 20 should be adequate.
The variety begins to flower five to eight days earlier than the other varieties, and the
seed head is large and branching, showing the influence of Connecticut ancestory.

 DISEASE RESISTANCE

 BLACK SHAN1K.-Florida 20 has a level of resistance equal to or surpassing commercial
strains now in production (Table 1). High resistance to this disease is imperative for
production in florida.

 IEATHER FLECK. Fleck resistance is high, as can be seen in the 1966 data (Table 1).
Only 3 percent of the plants had any damage, while 30 percent of the Florida 15 plants had
lesions. Fleck damage in 1967 was too low to allow effective evaluation in Florida.

 Fleck in Connecticut has been more severe than in Florida. Through the cooperation of
the Consolidated Cigar Corporation, seed were sent to Connecticut for screenings Primings
were rated from zero to four, with four representing a useless leaf. Out of seven primings
Florida 20 had a combined rating of 0.9, while a susceptible check variety was rated at 2.9.

 ROOT ROT.-Average root rot indices for the two-year project did not indicate any
important differences between Florida 20 and the other varieties.

 YIELD AND QUALITY

 In variety trials at the North Florida Experiment Station, Florida 20 had a lower
yield per acre than Florida 15, the average yicld difference being 189 pounds per acre.
The lower yields reflect the somewhat smaller leaf size, compared with a large-leaved
variety such as Florida 15.


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-Appreciation is expressed to the Consolidated Cigar Corporation for assistance in fleck
 resistance evaluation.