The accumulation and movement of nicotine in reciprocal grafts between tobacco and tomato plants

Summary

• 1. The distribution of nicotine between stock and scion in reciprocal grafts between tobacco (N. rustica) and tomato (var. Pritchard) was studied. The tomato scions in grafts where tobacco was used as the stock distinctly showed the presence of nicotine in the stem and leaves. In the reciprocal grafts however the tomato stocks were devoid of nicotine and the quantity of the latter in the tobacco scions was very small.

• 2. Besides the cleft grafts referred to in 1 above, a number of lateral grafts were also made, the tomato and tobacco components being separated about two months after grafting and analysed at the time of separation and again three weeks later. In these grafts also there was evidence that nicotine had passed, in this case laterally, from the tobacco to the tomato.

• 3. Indication was found that nicotine content increases with maturity in tobacco plants up to a certain stage after which there is a decline.

• 4. The results obtained by Dawson in America are referred to and discussed in the light of the present data. The role of nicotine in the metabolism of the tobacco plant is also very briefly discussed.