Effect of Cadmium on Physico-biochemical Characteristics and Bioactive Compounds of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Var. Arka Abha)

Abstract

Crop production, yield, quality, and sustainable agriculture are all hindered by cadmium stress. The purpose of this research is to determine how heavy metal contamination in the soil affects the physico-biochemical characteristics of tomato fruit. It was discovered that cadmium has a negative impact on the quantity and quality of tomato plant yield. In tomato fruits grown in Cd-contaminated soil, characteristics such as fruit weight, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and lycopene content were measured. Additionally, some secondary metabolites (total phenols and flavonoids) were also assessed. The outcomes were contrasted with tomato fruits grown in non-contaminated soil (control). The findings show that cadmium contamination of the soil has a negative impact on the characteristics of tomato fruits, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, lycopene, and ascorbic acid content. In addition, phenol and flavonoid levels in fruits from plants grown in contaminated soil are higher than in control fruits. To prevent an excessive buildup of heavy metals in the body, it is advised against consuming large quantities of fruits grown in that region.