Tobacco dust contains a high amount of Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorous, and Iron.
It is a great source of Nitrogen for newly grown houseplants.
It has a high organic matter that makes it a good fertilizer.
Tobacco dust promotes the active growth of the plants and also improves the yield and quality of the fruit. Moreover, it improves soil health by increasing the availability of trace elements and useful minerals.
Tobacco dust also acts as a natural insecticide because of the nicotine that remains in it.
It improves the electrical conductivity, water intake capacity, and water holding capacity of the soil.
Composition of Tobacco Dust
The chemical composition of tobacco leaves is complex and rich, it includes not only nicotine (from 0.7 to 5%) and other alkaloids, but also organic proteins, carbohydrates, aromatic oils, etc. and minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulphur).
This means tobacco dust is not only able to destroy harmful insects, but also to enrich the soil.
Chart of the chemical composition of tobacco dust(dry)-
Moisture Content 7.7%
pH 5.69
Ash 35.4%
Nitrogen (2-5%)
Potassium (1-3%)
Phosphorus (1-2%).
Carbon: Nitrogen 15:1
Calcium 3.7%
Magnesium 0.55%
Nicotine 1.50%
Tobacco Dust as Fertiliser for Lawn and Garden
For planting fruit trees and shrubs, 1-2 cups of tobacco dust are added to each planting hole.
Before sowing the lawn, approximately 30-40 g of tobacco dust per 1 sq.m are applied to the soil and watered.
As the main fertiliser, tobacco dust is used in a dose of up to 100 g per square meter once a year.
Tobacco dust for indoor flowers: ½ tsp. tobacco dust is mixed with 10 litres of finished soil and this mixture is used for spring transplantation of indoor plants.
Tobacco Dust as Pesticides
Tobacco dust has nicotine that makes it the best organic homemade insecticide. You can get rid of many pests and insects with nicotine of tobacco dust such as Flies, Mosquitoes, Aphids, Sucker, Thrips, Caterpillars, Ringworm, Fly Onion, Moth Winter, Ringed Silkworm, Crucifer Flea Beetles, Spider Mites, Whiteflies, Slugs, and Many Other Garden Pests.
How to Make Tobacco Dust Pesticides Spray
Mix 1 cup of dry tobacco in 3-4 liters of water.
Let it macerate for 12-24 hours (to make strong pesticides increase the maceration period).
Add 1 tablespoon liquid soap.
Filter the solution with a fine sieve and remove the tobacco chips.
Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Precautions and Side Effect of Tobacco Dust
Vegetable poison is also a poison and it can be dangerous for insects, beneficial insects, and man. Tobacco dust can cause an allergic reaction and intoxication. Therefore, when working with it, you must follow precautionary measures.
Don’t apply tobacco dust to tobacco-related plants like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers. Tobacco may transmit the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) that may cause serious damage to your crops.
Do not use tobacco products too often and in high doses. It can kill pollinating insects.
Wear a mask when spraying or fumigating plants.
Hands should be protected with rubber gloves.
If tobacco dust penetrates the mucous membranes, rinse the affected areas with clean water as soon as possible.
Conclusion:
Plants need fertiliser to complete their life cycle. Chemical fertilisers have a negative impact on nature, that’s why we should use natural fertiliser.
Tobacco dust is a great Natural choice to make your garden fertile and repel the insects.