Large variations in nicotine and related alkaloids accumulations were found in the leaves of constitutive salicylic acid producing (CSA)-tobacco and non transgenic tobacco plants. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between salicylic acid (SA) levels and alkaloid accumulation in CSA-tobacco plants. The accumulation of nicotine after wounding and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-inoculation of leaves were measured as well. The accumulation of nicotine in the leaves of CSA-tobacco was suppressed after TMV-inoculation, whereas wounding enhanced nicotine accumulation. There was no effect of TMV-inoculation on nicotine accumulation in non-transgenic tobacco but wounding also increased nicotine accumulation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.