Tomato fruit yield and quality are affected by organic and inorganic fertilization and cadmium pollution

Abstract

The effects of different concentrations of cadmium (Cd) (0, 3, 30, and 100 mg.kg^‐1) and different fertilizers on the yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Marmande) fruits were evaluated in a calcareous soil (Haploxeroll calcic). Two types of fertilizer were applied, one organic with the addition of sewage sludge and other inorganic with amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) equivalent to those due to the sewage sludge incorporation. Plants fertilized with sewage sludge produced the highest yield. Very little difference was found in fruit quality due to fertilization and the presence of Cd had no significant effect on yield and quality of fruit.