Tobacco Leaf Protein: I. An Evaluation of the Use of Putative Chemical Growth Enhancers for Tobacco Leaf Protein Production

Effects of foliar applications of long-chain fatty compounds on production of leaf protein from tobacco genotypes were evaluated. Triacontanol, purported to be a growth stimulant, had minimal effects on most experimental parameters. A propriety product, AgroLizer™, appeared to exert greater influence but results were inconclusive. Chemical treatments interacted with environmental conditions and tobacco genotype. Acid precipitation of the green fraction resulted in a pellet that could be easily removed by low speed centrifugation but produced a white fraction with lower protein percentage than heat precipitation of the green fraction. Triacontanol delayed flowering and extended vegetative growth in some genotypes. Increased cured leaf yields of flue-cured and Maryland type tobaccos were consistent but not statistically significant. An important finding was discovery of a genotype, T.I. 401, that produced high amounts of extractable leaf protein regardless of growth stage. This variety became the object of a follow-up investigation.