nicotien - what would happen to the plant (Jan/04/2006 )

hey im doin a project on plants. i was wondering how the plant would react to the nicotien, would it grow or just die.

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Hi

Presuming that you mean nicotine (active ingredient in tobacco), it would depend on the plant species, for example Nicotiana tobaccum would probably not be affected at all, but a non-nicotine producing plant may be. Mostly I think plants that produce nicotine produce it as a deterrent against chewing insects, which don't seem to like it.

Hope this helps
bob

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That's true: nicotine was used in the past as a pesticide, before it was clear that nicotine is harmful also to men...

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did you actually start the project? and if so, are you expecting to keep the plant(s) under observation for a certain period of time? How do you expect to keep the plant around the nicotine all that time?! I had a similiar project last year and we logged all these questions in first, then set-up various scenarios and possible obstacles. Maybe this can help....?

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Nicotine is still used in some greenhouses for control of certain pests.

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