Effects of cadmium on nutrient distribution, yield, and growth of tomato grown in soilless culture

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Abstract
The effect of cadmium (Cd) on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and the micro‐nutrients iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) on tomato plants was studied. Two Cd treatments were imposed by adding 10 or 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, and Zn in the roots and stems and also P and Mn in fruits. Their absorption and/or translocation could be impeded by Cd. Yield was also diminished but not the mean fresh weight of fruit. Plant growth was affected negatively by Cd, root and stem length and fresh weight decreasing with each increment of Cd added to the nutrient solution.