RE: Nicotine

writserv@mi.net
Wed, 7 Feb 1996 23:47:56 -0400

>Just a short note about the use of nicotine from cigarettes as a
>pesticide. It may produce a very effective insecticide but you
>run the risk of infecting your plants with whatever virus that may have
>been present in the tobacco plant.
>Wayne Forrester

Wayne:

You are, correct me if I am wrong, speaking of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus? Or
some other(s)? Do you have references to specific studies on this? Where
did you find this information? FIO (For Information Only).

The FDA may have information on this (don't think so). It _would_ seem
asinine to release millions of tonnes infectious tobacco products,
commercially, all over the world without some restrictions regarding CPs,
not to mention commercial and seasonal ornamental crops which generate a
real cash flow. I can see the guide in Borneo flipping his Yankee made
Camel into a stand of Nepenthes and the resulting depredation. Next the
village yams browning down.

Forgive me, Wayne, if I seem flippant, please, but why do think that a
virus that may infect one plant will infect another dissimilar? Why has it
not already happened? Why do you think that it can survive the process of
becoming, essentially, a manufactured product? If in your opinion it can
happen, why not give this warning to the tomato growers? Tomato pickers do
not smoke? A nicotine infusion is just wet baccy drippings. You see them
everywhere.

A virus that would cause harm to your CPs would be more likely to be
transmitted by your handling of CPs (it could be picked up from an already
infected plant, or soil, and most likely be specific to particular types)
than from growing them in a field of tobacco. IMHO.

Any worries you have about latent "bugs" in a nicotine infusion may be
settled by mixing a tsp of chlorine bleach to a liter of the infusion. Let
it stand in an open container for 24 hours, at least, before using. After
immediate use, throw it out. Nicotine biodegrades quickly, especially in
sunlight. Pure nicotine is toxic. One drop is enough to kill a large
elephant. I would not be overly concerned about a pandemic virus latent in
the described concoction.

If you have information that you did not include in your statement, now,
please, is the time for enlightenment. If I am doing something wrong _and_
recommending the practice to others ...

Rand