Nitrogen and Alkaloid Accumulation and Partitioning inDatura stramoniumL.

The influence of the nitrogen dose on alkaloid yield in Datura stramonium L. was determined by using a mineral nutrient regime where mineral dose, pH, and nutrient ratios among the major elements, except for NO3 − were kept constant. Although high levels of NO3 − decreased the alkaloid concentration in relatively young plants, high levels of NC3 − increased nitrogen uptake and alkaloid yield as plants matured. In younger plants increased alkaloid yield was associated with the vegetative plant parts, while in older plants increased alkaloid yield was associated with the generative plant parts. NO3 − dose effects on the hyoscyamine to scopolamine ratio were influenced by plant development.