Lanka tobacco, an indigenous air-cured tobacco used for cheroot making, is famous for its characteristic pungent taste and strong aroma and is cultivated on alluvial flood plains of Godavari River in East and West Godavari, and Khammam districts of Andhra Pradesh. A field experiment was conducted during 2010-11 in Rekhapalli, Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh to study the effect of nitrogen levels (Recommended practice; N1=300 kg/ha and farmers practice; N2=1000 kg/ha) and leaf position (bottom, middle and top) on biochemical quality constituents in Lanka tobacco. Nicotine, reducing sugars (RS), starch, proline, petroleum ether extractives (PEE) and acid value (positively related to quality) decreased whereas chlorophyll a, chlorogenic acid, rutin and nitrate nitrogen (negatively related to quality) increased with an increase in nitrogen level from 300 to 1000 kg/ ha. Nicotine, RS, chlorogenic acid, PEE, starch, nitrate nitrogen and proline contents increased whereas rutin content decreased with increase in leaf position from bottom to top. Nicotine content decreased by 10.9% in the top leaves with increase in nitrogen levels from 300 to 1000 kg/ ha. Reducing sugar content varied from 0.46 to 1.41% among the leaf position and nitrogen levels. Reducing sugars and proline contents decreased significantly by 14.39 and 79% respectively, whereas chlorogenic acid content increased by 17.68% with increased levels of nitrogen from 300 to 1000 kg/ha. The chlorogenic acid content in the top leaves was 36.79 and 40% higher than the middle and bottom leaves, respectively. The maximum content of nitrate nitrogen (4.06 mg/g) was in the top position leaves under 1000 kg N/ha. Nitrate nitrogen content increased by 82.53, 48.16 and 129.45% in top, middle and bottom position leaves, respectively, with increase in nitrogen from 300 to 1000 kg/ha. Results revealed that in Lanka tobacco accumulation of quality constituents was maximum in the top position followed by middle position at 300 kg N/ha. The      

*The aim of the society is to promote  tobacco research and development in all aspects by organizing national/international seminars/symposia/conferences at least once in three years with a view to disseminate scientific knowledge among the scientific community and tobacco related organizations and  publishing a journal TOBACCO RESEARCH bi-annually  for the benefit of the tobacco  scientists, growers and related organizations.  

*The association was renamed as "Indian Society of Tobacco Science (ISTS)" in 1982. 

*The society made a modest beginning with 81 ordinary and 22 life members and 8 patrons.  Now the society has     4  ordinary members,   296  life members,   and 4 patrons 

* All the members and patrons of ISTS will receive the journal TOBACCO RESEARCH on gratis.  However the journal will not be sent to members who completed 10 years as life members and they will continue to receive the journal if they pay Rs. 500.00(for 5 years) or Rs. 1000.00 (for 10 years). If any member desires he can download the pdf format of the journal from www.istsindia.org

*The society is conducting National Symposia, Group Discussions  and Mini-workshops.

*The society is  honoring distinguished scientists, growers and executives from industry during symposia for their contributions to tobacco research and development. 

*The society is also bringing out   Publications on important scientific aspects .

*Subscribers of  the  journal Tobacco Research include Institutions/Libraries, manufacturers, publishers from India and abroad.

*The society presents ISTS  Awards to the scientists during symposia for their significant contributions in tobacco research and development activities. 

*The society is also conferring  Fellow of ISTS (FISTS) on its life members for their outstanding contributions. 

*The Executive Committee is the apex body conducting  all the activities of the society with the approval of  General Body.