TN90 LC Burley Tobacco

Tobacco plants are very interesting, ornamental, and have many uses apart from consumption. Tobacco seeds are not classified as tobacco products. We promote the cultivation of tobacco plants, but we do not promote the use of tobacco products.

Tobacco seeds are tiny and look like dust, but each one has the potential to quickly grow into a huge tobacco plant. They need light to germinate. Sprinkle the seeds onto the surface of a moist and sterile seed starting mix. Do not cover the seeds. They also must never be allowed to dry out, so they are frequently (but gently) watered using a mist from a spray bottle. While waiting for germination, it can help to cover them with some kind of plastic sheeting to help hold moisture.

Once tiny seedlings emerge, you can pick them out one by one and move them into individual cells. Very lightly fertilize and never allow the potting soil to dry out. Within 6 weeks it'll be ready to plant in the garden. Wait until all risk of frost is over before planting outdoors.

For additional information, please have a look at our more detailed guide with photos.

What are Low Converters (LC)? Tobacco plants produce many different alkaloids. Two of the most commonly produced alkaloids are nicotine and nornicotine, which are closely chemically related. During the curing and drying process, some nicotine chemically converts to nornicotine. The heat of combustion can then convert some of the nornicotine into TSNA's, or Tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines comprise one of the most important groups of carcinogens in tobacco products, particularly cigarettes and American style fermented dipping snuff.

Over the past several decades, selective breeding has reduced the nornicotine content in most modern day varieties to near zero in burley and dark tobacco types. With the goal of further reducing TNSA's, research is now focused on lowering the amount of nicotine which converts to nornicotine during the curing process. To qualify as an LC tobacco, the conversion rate must be 3% or lower.

The conversion rate of nicotine to nornicotine is controlled by particular genes in the plant but is not consistent from plant to plant, and declines in successive generations. To be classified as an F1 generation LC tobacco, a leaf sample must be taken from each plant during each growing season and its conversion rate must be measured. Only seeds from plants with less than a 3% conversation rate can qualify as certified F1 generation LC seed. Non-certified seed is often sold as F2 or F3 generations. Be watchful for that as you shop for seed. All of our LC strains are certified F1 generation LC.