The heavy metals effect on the physiological traits of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum l)

Abstract

Nagham Saddon Ibrahim*, Suaad K. Abd-Alwahab and Iman Mohsin Kadhom

This study aims to investigate the agricultural lands pollution with lead and cadmium elements, in the Muhammad Sakran district/ Baquba province of the Diyala governorate, and the effect of these elements on the physiological traits of the tomato plant. Study samples were collected from three different stations; each station includes six farms three of them were irrigated with river water, while the others were irrigated with drainage water. The tomato samples were randomly collected from study sites between 25/05/2021 and 08/06/2021, and the lead and cadmium concentration in the samples were analyzed in the lab. The study also investigates the effect of the accumulated elements on the glutathione and proline content in the tomato plant. The results revealed significant differences at a probability level of 5% for the stations and water source factors in regard with the lead element concentration. Station number one recorded the highest average concentration (0.308 parts per million) of lead in the vegetative group. Though, the third station showed the lowest average of 0.15 parts per million. As for the water source factor, the river water recorded the highest lead concentration (0.275 parts per million) in the vegetative group of the plant. Also, significant differences in the glutathione and proline content, due to the station factor, were recognized. The third station recorded the highest glutathione average of (97,900 nanomol.kg-1) in the plant, whereas, the first station recorded the highest proline average of 55,295 nanomol.kg-1. In regard with the water source factor, the river water recorded the highest average of glutathione (75.222 nanomol kg-1) and proline (54.530 nanomol kg-1) compared to the drainage water