Growth inhibition occurs independently of cell mortality in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) exposed to high cadmium concentrations.

In order to analyze the adaptation potential of tomato shoots to a sudden increase in Cd concentration, tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. Ailsa Craig) were exposed under controlled environmental conditions to a high dose of this heavy metal (250 microM CdCl2) in nutrient solution for 7 and 14 d.

Heavy metal accumulation by the halophyte species Mediterranean saltbush.

To identify Cd- and Zn-accumulating plants exhibiting a high growth rate, seeds from the halophyte species Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.) were collected on a heavy-metal-contaminated site in southeastern Spain (Llano del Beal, Cartagena). Seedlings from this ecotype were exposed for 3 wk to 0.