TOMATO GROWTH AND YIELD AFFECTED BY NICKEL PRESENTED IN THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION

Authors:	J. Balaguer, M.B. Almendro, I. Gómez, J. Navarro Pedreño, J. Mataix
Keywords:	Lycopersicum esculentum Mill., heavy metals, hydroponic culture, pollution, toxicity
Abstract: An experiment with tomato plants (var. Rambo) was carried out in order to study the effects on plant growth and yield of nickel presented in the nutrient solution. Plants were grown using an hydroponic system. The pollutant heavy metal was added as chloride salt to the nutrient solution. Four treatments were established depending on the concentration of nickel: T0, without addition of the heavy metal, T5, T10 and T20 establishing concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 mg/l of Ni respectively. Plant growth (water content and fresh weight of stem, branches and leaves, and total length of stem and branches) and yield parameters (number of flowers and fruits) were measured. Nickel concentration in stem, branches and leaves was also determined. The results showed a negative incidence of Ni in the length and fresh weight of stem and branches and in the fresh weight of leaves. However, water content was not affected by this metal. Number of flowers and fruits formed diminished with the increment of the pollutant in the nutrient solution.
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