As a part of a general study of environmental contamination by arsenic
(As), the effects caused by arsenite on the processes of uptake and a
ccumulation of macronutrient elements calcium (Ca), potassium (K), mag
nesium (Mg), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in tomato plants (Lycope
rsicum esculentum Mill, cultivar Marmande) were studied. Tomato plants
were grown in nutrient solution (hydroponic growing system) containin
g three levels of As (added as sodium arsenite, NaAsO2): 2, 5, and 10
mg As L-1. One control, with no As addition, was also included. Vegeta
tive growth and fruit yield were affected by As level in the nutrient
solution. Plant growth, expressed as dry and fresh weights of leaves a
nd roots, were significantly restricted by As. Fresh fruit production
decreased to 60.7, 47.3, and 23.3% at 2, 5, and 10 mg As L-1, respecti
vely, compared to control. Contamination by As caused changes in both
concentration and uptake of all the macronutrients studied. A reductio
n in the root concentration of P, Ca, and Na was observed while there
was a statistically significant increase in root N and K. Arsenic trea
tments changed the foliar concentrations of P, K, and Ca from sufficie
ncy to deficiency levels. These biologically significant reductions in
leaf P, K, and Ca, however, were not important enough to justify the
toxic effects of arsenite on tomato plants as a simple nutritional dis
order.