Uptake of metals by tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) and distribution inside the plant: Field experiments in Biscay (Basque Country)

Abstract The concentration of several elements (Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) in soils and different parts (roots, stems, leaves and fruits) of tomato plants ( Solanum lycopersicum ) from 11 cultivars located in Biscay (Basque Country) was measured, in order to evaluate metal uptake, transportation, and accumulation in tomato plants. The analysis was carried out by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, after microwave assisted acidic extraction of the samples. Principal Component Analysis and Correlation Analysis of the dataset were performed. Different bioaccumulation and translocation factors were calculated to estimate the efficiency to absorb metals from soil and to distribute them among the different parts of the plant. As expected, metal concentrations in soil were significantly higher than in tomato plant. Different accumulation rates were observed in each part of the plant. Accumulation of metals in fruits compared with any other compartment analyzed was low. In fact, the concentrations of the most toxic metals (Pb and Cd) found in the edible part of the plant were below the maximum permissible levels established by the European Commission, which confirms that, regarding toxic metals, consumption of these tomato fruits is not harmful for human health.