A fan of The Simpsons, Rob Baur, has successfully grown a new plant called Tomacco, inspired by an episode of the show. Tomacco is a tomato plant with tobacco roots, resulting in a tomato fruit containing nicotine. Baur discovered a scientific article from 1959 that described a similar experiment, where tomato tops were grafted onto tobacco roots. He created Tomacco by growing tomato and tobacco plants side by side and fusing their stems. The fruit of the Tomacco plant is now 1.7 inches in diameter and will be tested for nicotine content. This unique experiment has gained attention due to its connection to The Simpsons and the potential implications of nicotine in a tomato plant.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomacco created through grafting tomato and tobacco plants | Creation of a new plant hybrid | Increased research on plant grafting | Curiosity and experimentation |
| Tomacco has nicotine in its leaves and fruit | Combination of tobacco and tomato traits | Development of nicotine-infused plants | Desire for new flavors or traits |
| Testing of Tomacco for nicotine content | Verification of Tomacco’s traits | Improved testing methods | Scientific advancements |
| Local lab offers to test Tomacco for free | Accessibility to testing resources | Increased availability of testing services | Collaboration and support |
| No one else has grown Tomacco yet | Tomacco is a unique creation | Potential for commercialization | Intellectual property or novelty |
| Fruit is now 1.7 inches in diameter | Growth and development of Tomacco | Potential for larger fruit size | Optimal cultivation techniques |
| Fatal dose of nicotine is 50 to 60 milligrams | Understanding of nicotine’s toxicity | Safety regulations for nicotine-infused | Health concerns and regulations |
| Connection between Portland and The Simpsons through Tomacco | Cultural reference and local pride | Potential for local marketing | Pop culture influence and identity |
| Internet search finds no other instances of Tomacco being grown | Tomacco is a rare and unique creation | Increased interest and curiosity | Rarity and uniqueness |
| Grafting tomato tops to tobacco roots to obtain nicotine in tomato plant | Novel plant grafting technique | Advancements in plant manipulation | Exploration of new plant traits |