Properties of tomato grown in heavy – metal contaminated soil

What is it about?

This study evaluate the effect of heavy metal-contaminated soils in Egypt on various components of tomato yield. The harvested tomato physico-biochemical characteristics has been assessed. The heavy metals that accumulated in tomato fruit were measured and compared with the permissible limits established by FAO/WHO (Codex Alimentarius Commission). Our data provide insight into heavy metal accumulation in tomato and serve as a basis for comparison to other regions in Egypt and worldwide.

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Why is it important?

In recent years, heavy metals toxicity comprise a major threaten worldwide. There has been an increasing ecological and global public health concerns over their potential effect on human health and the environment. Our results demonstrated that soils contaminated with heavy metals produce tomato fruits that exhibit reduced quality, taste, flavour and colour, poor nutritional value, and toxic concentrations of heavy metals. The cultivation of vegetable crops in soils contaminated with heavy metals is not recommended without soil remediation. Immobilisation, soil washing, and phytoremediation are the best technologies for remediation of heavy metal-contaminated sites.

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