Variation among Solanaceae crops in cadmium tolerance and accumulation

Plantlets of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana), pepino (Solanum muricatum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) were watered with several nutrient solutions containing cadmium (Cd) at doses ranging from 0 to 500 mg.L -1 (cape gooseberry) or 0 to 200 mg.L -1 (rest of the crops). Cadmium depressed the growth of roots, stems and leaves and caused a reduction in dry matter and chlorophyll concentration, especially at the higher doses. Crops most affected by Cd were tobacco, tomato and pepper. Significant differences among crops for Cd accumulation in the leaves were detected. Thus, Cd concentrations in cape gooseberry leaves were much lower than in the other crops. Cape gooseberry and pepino grow relatively well under high Cd concentrations, though they accumulate low (cape gooseberry) and high (pepino) Cd concentrations.