The effect on Cd contents and ethylene biosynthesis in tomato plants of adding cadmium sulphate to soil

An experiment was carried out with increasing concentrations of Cd in soil on tomato plants. The Cd contents of soil and in tomato roots, leaves and fruit have been determined during the growing cycle. The effect of Cd on ethylene has been investigated by monitoring hormone byosintesis in whole fruit during different ripening stages. A clear relationship existed between Cd in the soil and its concentration in the leaves. Roots showed the highest Cd concentration, whereas fruit didi not accumulate the element. Ethylene evolution of whole fruit was not affected by the Cd treatment. High Cd concentration induced a slight increase of Ethylene Forming Enzyme activity in fruit discs.