Abstract
AbstractTomato is an important crop worldwide. Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in fruits depend on tomato genotype. This work aimed to study the relation among Cd accumulation, tolerance mechanisms, and fruit features in two tomato cultivars with contrasting tolerance to Cd stress. Tolerant (Yoshimatsu) and sensitive (Tropic Two Orders) plants were grown in control and contaminated soils (0.04 and 3.77 mg/kg Cd, respectively) from the seedling stage to fruit production. Both cultivars were able to acclimatize to Cd exposure, probably through mechanisms associated with reductions in the magnesium status. Cadmium concentrations varied according to the following descending order: roots = leaf blades > (peduncle + sepals) > stem = fruits. However, the tolerant cultivar accumulated more Cd than did the sensitive one. Although Cd reached the fruits from the first to the fourth bunches, peduncle and sepals may act as a barrier to Cd entrance in tomato pulp and peel. The Cd‐induced changes in the fruit mineral profile varied according to plant cultivar, organ, tomato tissue, and bunch position. Moreover, plant yield was not affected by the Cd stress, which was able to improve fruit size and weight in the tolerant cultivar. In conclusion, new insights about the Cd‐induced effects on tomato development and fruit attributes were provided by growing plants in soil, which is the media generally used to cultivate this crop, rather than hydroponics. It was shown that tomato cultivars with contrasting tolerance to Cd toxicity can reach sexual maturity and produce fruits with no yield losses, despite impacts on development from long‐term Cd exposure. This study also revealed the role of floral receptacle and its related structures in limiting, even partially, Cd translocation to the fruits. Furthermore, Yoshimatsu's capacity to produce bigger and heavier fruits, in plants under Cd exposure, may probably be associated with enhanced Cd accumulation.
Highlights
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) consumption increases every year due to the fruit attractiveness, multiple utilizations, and production of therapeutic compounds (Bergougnoux, 2014; FAOSTAT, 2016)
The tolerant and sensitive tomato cultivars Yoshimatsu and Tropic Two Orders, respectively, were grown in soil rather than hydroponics, which is the most frequent system employed by researchers, in order to approach the reality of tomato cultivation and, to obtain information about the actual Cd concentration and its effects on plant development and fruit parameters after a long-term exposure to this toxic metal
Yoshimatsu and Tropic Two Orders are two tomato cultivars with contrasting tolerance to Cd toxicity that were identified in previous studies: after 7 days of plant exposure to 35 μmol/L CdCl2 in hydroponics Tropic Two Orders exhibited remarkable decreases in leaf, stem, and root biomasses, presenting a decrease of 58% in the seedling dry weight, while Yoshimatsu showed no significant changes
Summary
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) consumption increases every year due to the fruit attractiveness (many colors, shapes, sizes, and flavors), multiple utilizations (from in natura consumption to processed sauces), and production of therapeutic compounds (Bergougnoux, 2014; FAOSTAT, 2016). The use of tomato cultivars with contrasting sensitivity to Cd exposure can be a valuable tool to identify the relation among tolerance mechanisms, Cd accumulation, and fruit quality and yield For this purpose, the tolerant and sensitive tomato cultivars Yoshimatsu and Tropic Two Orders, respectively, were grown in soil rather than hydroponics, which is the most frequent system employed by researchers, in order to approach the reality of tomato cultivation and, to obtain information about the actual Cd concentration and its effects on plant development and fruit parameters after a long-term exposure to this toxic metal
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