Effects of some rare elements on nicotine content of the tobacco plant.
Fifty-four rare elements were tested for their effects on the nicotine level of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants grown in solution culture. Be, Cu, Pd, Pt, and Sm definitely increased nicotine yield (over 25%), whereas Bi, Co, Ho, Pb, Ni, Rb, Ag, Tl, Sn, U. V. and Zr definitely decreased nicotine yield. Cs, Er, Li, Rh, Ru, Se, Sr, Ti, and Yb possibly increased (less than 25%) nicotine yield, whereas As, Ce, Cr, Dy, Gd, I, Mo, Nd, Re, Ta, and Th possibly decreased nicotine yield. Other elements including Al, Ge, Au, Hf, In, Ir, La, Lu, Hg, Os, Pr, Sc, Te, Tb, Tm, W, and Zn showed no significant effects.
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Plant Genetics and Germplasm Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
Sorokin
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Engelhaupt
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