Cadmium Induced Changes in Growth and Biochemical Contents of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

The effects of different concentrations (10,20,30,40 and 50 ppm) of cadmium chloride on seed germination, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, photosynthetic pigments, protein content and peroxidase activity in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.). Higher concentration of Cadmium were reported specially at 40 and 50 μm reduced germination significantly. Leaf chlorosis, wilting and leaf abscission were observed in plants with cadmium. Protein content and sugar content were reduced in higher concentrations of cadmium. However, lower concentrations of CdCl₂ resulted in higher peroxidase activity in roots and shoots of tomato.