Nicotine

Leo A. Martin leo@possi.org
Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:00:28 PST
Tobacco tea
Nicotine is one of the most lethal poisons known. It interferes with nerve
transmission - brain, blood pressure control, muscle control. Most insects
seem not to become immune to it, except for a few beetles that feed on
tobacco.

Black Leaf 40 was 40% nicotine. A pint (450ml) was enough to kill an
entire stadium of people. That's why it's off the market. Tobacco tea
would be much less lethal. Imidacloprid is much less toxic to mammals than
is nicotine.

But - Tobacco grown for smoking is almost 100% infected with tobacco
mosaic virus. Tobacco tea would spread this virus. This virus can infect
many different plants. I have no knowledge of whether it would be safe on
Hyacinthaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Iridaceae or our other favorite families.

Leo Martin
Phoenix Arizona USA


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