EFFECTS OF CADMIUM ON NUTRIENT DISTRIBUTION, YIELD, AND GROWTH OF TOMATO GROWN IN SOILLESS CULTURE

The effect of cadmium (Cd) on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and the micronutrients iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) on to mato plants was studied. Two Cd treatments were imposed by adding 10 o r 30 mg/L Cd to the culture solution as cadmium chloride (CdCl2). The nutrients mainly affected by these Cd treatments were P, K, Fe, Mn, an d Zn in the roots and stems and also P and Mn in fruits. Their absorpt ion and/or translocation could be impeded by Cd. Yield was also dimini shed but not the mean fresh weight of fruit. Plant growth was affected negatively by Cd, root and stem length and fresh weight decreasing wi th each increment of Cd added to the nutrient solution.