Phytophthora nicotianae or black shank is an oomycete belonging to the order Peronosporales and family Peronosporaceae.

Burley tobacco is a light air-cured tobacco used primarily for cigarette production. In the United States it is produced in an eight-state belt with approximately 70% produced in Kentucky. Tennessee produces approximately 20%, with smaller amounts produced in Indiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Burley tobacco is produced in many other countries, with major production in Brazil, Malawi and Argentina.