Effects of earthworm mucus and amino acids on cadmium subcellular distribution and chemical forms in tomato seedlings

In order to investigate the basic mechanism of earthworm activities enhancing plants growth and heavy metals accumulations. A hydroponic experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of earthworm mucus and mimic amino acids solution of earthworm mucus on cadmium (Cd) subcellular distributions and chemical forms in tomato seedlings. The result showed that earthworm mucus significantly increased the concentrations of Cd stored in soluble fraction in subcellular distribution and the concentrations of inorganic and soluble forms of Cd in tomato seedlings, which may explain the increase plants growth and Cd accumulation by earthworm mucus. Meanwhile, amino acids have same function as earthworm mucus, but the effect was much lower than of earthworm mucus. These results indicated that earthworm mucus could increase tomato seedlings growth and Cd accumulations through changing Cd subcellular distribution and chemical forms in plants. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.