Effect of water-soluble tobacco smoke extracts from filter and non-filter cigarettes on seed germination of onion and tomato

Abstract

Water-soluble extracts of tobacco smoke condensate (TSC), prepared from University of Kentucky reference cigarette (1R1, non-filter), two commercial brands, one having a two cm long cellulose acetate filter and another having a two-part filter consisting of one section of 1 cm cellulose acetate followed by a 1 cm activated charcoal, were itilised in the present investigation. TSC from these cigarettes was tested on seed germination of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum) and onion ( Allium cepa). The extracts from filter cigarettes were as effective as from non-filter cigarettes in inhibiting the seed germination. With increasing concentrations there was a progressive decline in seed germination. After the termination of the experiment, TSC-treated seeds were thoroughly washed with distilled water four times and allowed to germinate on moist filter paper. The percentage of germination was as high as in the control, thus clearly demonstrating that the inhibition induced by TSC was not permanent.