In Jenn Vanderslice writes:


I know that it's said that you shouldn't plant the Nicotiana tabacum
near tomato plants

That's done primarily because of tobacco etch virus[1].

but does the same hold true for Nicotiana alata? If
so, how near is near and how far is a safe distance to avoid cross
pollination?

I'm not aware of the (in)compatibility of N. alata and N. tabacum, but
if you're concerned, wrap the plant you're letting go to seed in
cheesecloth. Peppers, another solanaceae crop, are voracious
cross-breeders and need to be further apart than a honeybee can fly.

If you're not collecting your plant's seeds, then it doesn't matter...

Regards,
Greg

[1] http://www.avrdc.org/pdf/pepper/TEV.pdf
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