Tobacco (Nicotiana) is

In short: Tobacco (Nicotiana) is a nightshade genus with around 70 to 75 species, but only two are grown commercially: Virginia tobacco (N. tabacum) and Rustica (N. rustica). About 97% of the nicotine forms in the roots and is stored in the leaves, and dried leaves typically contain 0.5–8% nicotine.

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Tobacco is a genus of herbs and shrubs from the Solanaceae family, which includes, among others, tomatoes, potatoes, and poisonous plants.

Tobacco became known to the world with the discovery of America. The word Nicotiana (as well as nicotine) was named in honor of Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal, who sent the plant as medicine to the court of Catherine de Medici in 1559. Today, 75 species of tobacco are known. Tobacco plants produce the alkaloid nicotine in their roots, which they store in their leaves.

Due to its high nicotine content (known in varieties such as Nicotiana rustica), tobacco is now classified as a mild drug and is categorized as a stimulant.

Tobacco grows as annual or perennial herbs ranging in size from 0.1 m to 0.4 m. Leafy shrubs are then several times larger, up to 2.5 m tall. The leaves are usually wavy and leathery. They are often around 100 cm long (other species 8-15 cm), with petioles shorter than the leaves.

The flowers are small, either without scent or fragrant, blooming in the evening and can come in various colors, such as pink, yellow, white...

The capsules containing the seeds are 4-20 mm long and contain a large number of seeds, usually between 100 and 5000 seeds. When sowing, the plant seeds are scattered on the soil surface, as their germination is activated only by sunlight.

The most important secondary plant compound is nicotine, which belongs to the nicotinoid alkaloids. In 54 out of 64 examined species, it was one of the most represented alkaloids. Among others, tobacco also contains the alkaloids nornicotine and anabasine, which are present in higher amounts in many plant species.

Seeds of unconventional tobacco varieties

Have you tried the Brown Leaf, Little Woods, or Orinoco varieties? Nicotiana tabacum seeds of unconventional varieties for all those who like to try something new.

In the species Nicotiana tabacum (Virginia tobacco) and Nicotiana rustica, it has been proven that the largest proportion of nicotine, around 97%, is formed in the roots and is then stored in young leaves, stems, and flowers of the plant. It is transported through the xylem found in all other parts of the plant.

The nicotine content in dried leaves of unprocessed tobacco, particularly in cultivated Rustica and Virginia tobacco varieties, typically ranges between 0.5 to 8%. In other species, it varies depending on the total alkaloid content, in the dried parts of the plant between 0.003% and 2.96% in leaves and 0.027% to 2.46% in roots.

Due to the high adaptability of subtropical tobacco plants, it is cultivated in temperate zones from 38° south latitude to 56° north latitude. The main cultivation areas are China, North, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans and Europe.

At the beginning of the 21st century, almost 90% of plantations were located in southern countries, particularly in developing countries of tropical and subtropical regions: Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Between 1961-2002, consumption of this plant increased by approximately 60%. Tobacco cultivation in African production areas leads to increased deforestation, soil degradation, humus depletion and strong economic dependence on tobacco companies.
Tobacco cultivation in Europe is annually supported by European Union subsidies amounting to 1 billion euros. Of this, approximately 150 million euros goes to tobacco cultivation in Germany. In the Czech Republic, Rustica tobacco was extensively cultivated until 1996. In 2000, global production in 120 countries, covering an area of 4.1 million hectares, reached approximately 7.4 million tons of tobacco.

Until the 17th century, tobacco had significance as a medicinal plant in ophthalmology (the branch of medicine dealing with diseases and surgery of the visual pathways). Today, only two types of tobacco from numerous varieties are commercially cultivated.

The most common type is Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), which includes almost all varieties grown today. After proper processing, it is used to produce most cigarettes and other tobacco products. However, Rustica tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) can also be commercially cultivated, which is significant compared to Virginia tobacco due to its faster growth and higher nicotine content.

Tobacco can be processed into many forms. Most commonly, it is dried whole, a process that takes between 40 to 80 days depending on temperature and humidity. Alternatively, the plant leaves can be cut into small pieces, which after drying are used as pure tobacco blend suitable for smoking.

Sometimes it is also processed into less well-known forms of smokeless tobacco, chewing tobacco and snuff.