Polish Journal of Environmental Studies
Vol. 15, No. 2 (2006), 235-242

Changes of Physiological and Genetic Indices of Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill. by Cadmium under Different Acidicity and Nutrition

P. Duchovskis¹, A. Brazaityte¹, R. Juknys², I. Januskaitiene², A. Sliesaravicius³,
A. Ramaskeviciene³, N. Burbulis³, J. B. Siksnianiene¹, K. Baranauskis¹,
L. Duchovskiene¹, V. Stanys¹, C. Bobinas¹

¹Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture, Babtai, LT-54333, Kaunas distr., Lithuania
²Vytautas Magnus University, Daukanto 28, Kaunas LT-3000, Lithuania
³Lithuanian University of Agriculture, Studentu 11, Akademija, Kaunas distr., LT-53067, Lithuania

Abstract: Changes in physiological and genetic indices of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. due to the impact of cadmium at different substrate acidity and nutrition were studied under controlled conditions in phytotron. The amount of photosynthetic pigments, stem diameter, sap flow rate, the mitotic index of cells and inhibition of cell mitosis were investigated. Cadmium in acidic environment produced a very toxic effect on growth, the synthesis of chlorophylls and carotenoids and stem diameter, sap flow rate of L. esculentum. Cadmium suppressed the mitotic index of cells and disorganized normal mitosis. The mitosis with anomalies (chromosome breaks, fragmentation, bridges, chromosome eliminations and abnormal nucleus divisions) was observed in meristem cells of roots of L. esculentum. It was concluded that nutrient deficiency led to evident plant growth retardation, and higher nutrient favoured plant growth under the effect of cadmium.

Keywords: Lycopersicon esculentum, cadmium, substrate acidity, nutrition, plant resistance .