World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

CADMIUM ACCUMULATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON GROWTH AND CERTAIN METABOLIC ACTIVITIES IN TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM).

Dr. Shobha Shrivastava*

ABSTRACT

This paper describes cadmium accumulation and its effects at graded concentration on growth and certain metabolic activities in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). High soil-Cd levels induced interveinal chlorosis in young expanding leaves which turned to necrosis at later stage of growth. Plant height, total area, total leaf biomass, total plant biomass and fruit yield decreased (up to 74%) in plant grown in Cd added solids Cadmium supply increased the number of leaves indicating that the tomato plants in response to Cd allocated a greater proportion of photo assimilate for growth and development of photosynthetic organs (leaves), Catalase activity and concentration of chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, N and P declined significantly at higher Cd supply. Cadmium accumulation was greater in root, followed in decreasing order by leaf fruit and shoot. It is concluded that cadmium, in concentrations generally in the contaminated agricultural solid, soils, is inhibitory to growth and metabolism of tomato plants.

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