[CH] Tobacco=TMV

Peter Moss (pmoss@yoda.alt.za)
Thu, 8 Apr 1999 22:16:19 RSA-2 

> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 20:11:42 -0400
> From: "Byron.Bromley" <Byron.Bromley@Gsd-Co.Com>

> I have had 2 different chemists and a USDA County Agent tell
> me that because of the surfagents in the dishsoap and the
> ethanol in the mouthwash that the odds againts TMV are out of
> sight.

I would rather believe someone that works with and deals with 
viruses all day. ;-)

> I also find 99% of the writing on TMV, says "Smokers should
> wash hands". I can not find one case where tobacco chewers,
> snuff dippers or tobacco handlers was written.

The percentages of other uses are so much lower.  But if you 
believe that there is a difference in the tobacco used by 
chewers... then what is it and why should this tobacco be 
unaffected?

> Two people on this list tell me any raw tobacco can spread TMV,

You can add Dr. P. Bosland to that list.

I quote. "To help protect plants against tobacco mosaic virus, 
avoid using tobacco in any form." The Pepper Garden, p141

> I have used this formula for 5 years, And know of someone
> that has used it for 15 years, with no problems.

Then it may well be true that the other ingredients kill the 
virus and your plants are not infected.  However there is a real 
danger of infecting plants with TMV or any of the other tobacco 
viruses with the use of tobacco products.  Even more so if the 
tobacco product is raw.  

> All this "Junior Chemist" can do is weight the pros and cons.
> I would rather use this than Diazinon or Sevin.

Yep ;-) but letting them know of the dangers of using a product 
you recommend is also important.  There are just as many 
recipes for bug killers that use tobacco products that may not 
be safe.  Someone remembering your use of tobacco may even 
be tempted to cover his plants in tobacco dust or use tobacco 
in a raw form.
   
There are no known viricides that control plant viruses.

The Pepper Garden advises washing hands with soap and water,
rubbing alcohol or milk before handling plants. 

I guess when they say "wash hands" think of a surgeon scrubbing 
up.  The wash in both cases is for the same reason.

Peter

-- Peter Moss 

"Well, let's just say, 'if your VCR is still blinking 12:00, you
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