Abstract: Yunyan 97, developed by pedigree selection method, was a new flue-cured tobacco variety produced by pollinating a female parent Yunyan 85 with pollen from CV87. Yunyan97 had uniform growth with a tower shape. Its average height was about 115.3 cm with 19.8 leaves after topping. Field growth period was 120-l27d. The economic value of Yunyan97 was superior to that of K326. Yunyan97 was resistance to black shank and moderate resistance to root-knot nematode. Its resistance to leaf spot diseases was better than K326 and Yunyan85. Yunyan97 had a better cured leaf quality with well balanced chemical composition. Yunyan 97 was adapted to the major flue-cured tobacco leaf production areas in Southern China.