Technical comment on Adler et al. (2006): experimental design compromises conclusions.
The conclusion that herbivory induces 'alkaloids' in nectar but not in leaves, is likely an artefact of using pot-bound plants and analytical procedures that only measure anabasine, a minor alkaloid representing 0.3% of the total alkaloids produced by Nicotiana tabacum.
Baldwin
Ian T
IT
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Str. 8, Beutenberg Campus, D-07745 Jena, Germany. baldwin@ice.mpg.de
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D035264:Flowers; D018402:Manduca; D010058:Oviposition; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000737:chemistry*
D000470:Alkaloids