Effects of Fungicide and Acetylsalicylic Acid Treatments on the Physiological and Enzymatic Activity in Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill.)

The paper deals with investigation of growth parameters of vegetative organs, peroxidase and catalase activities of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. treated with a systemic fungicide and acetylsalicylic acid, respectively. Our results showed that both fungicide and acetylsalicylic acid lead to growth delays in tomato stems and leaves compared to control samples. During the growth, pathogen was rapidly inhibited by tomatoes treated with acetylsalicylic acid, affecting few plants (10%) compared to control group (40%). Results showed that samples treated with acetylsalicylic acid and control samples fructified better (30% higher) than tomatoes treated with fungicide. The latter did not suffer pathogen attack, but catalase activity was increased (107 mg H₂O₂/100 g FW) indicating oxidative stress. Activity of catalase and peroxidase in control and acetylsalicylic acid treated plants were of similar increased values, probably due to the pathogen infection. In particular, peroxidase activity increased during tomato fructification. Alternative substitution of fungicides with aspirin may improve tomato quality and production.