The level of trigonelline and other quaternary ammonium compounds in tomato leaves in ratio to the changing nitrogen supply

The choline, trigonelline, N-trimethyl-L-lysine content in the leaf tissue of tomato plants grown with varying amounts of nitrate nitrogen was determined by the OPLC method. The choline and trigonelline level in tomato leaves increased in direct ratio to the nitrogen supply. The possible role of these compounds in the physiology and in the augmented resistance of plants to nectrotizing stresses is discussed.