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ABSTRACT
This study investigates the amelioration of arsenic trioxide (As3+) stress in Solanum lycopersicum plants by application of exogenous sucrose. The aim of the study was to ascertain the physiological and biochemical response of Solanum lycopersicum plants grown in arsenic treated soils with exogenous sucrose amelioration. The Solanum lycopersicum seeds were obtained from a farmer, known to grow the local variety of the plant around Uselu, Benin City. The study was a potted field experiment, arsenic ш ion solution was applied to the plant at five (5) weeks after planting. Also sucrose solution was applied to the plant at six (6 ) and seven (7) weeks after planting. The vegetative growth parameters were plant height, stem girth, leaf elongation and number of leaves produced. Reproductive growth parameters were number of days to flower bud and flower formation, number of fruits formed. Biochemical analysis carried out were leaf Super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity, leaf and root nitrate reductase activity and leaf proline content. Other parameter analysed for was leaf chlorophyll content. Responses from the analysis showed that application of exogenous sucrose ameliorated arsenic trioxide stress in Solanum lycopersicum plants grown in arsenic treated soils. Solanum lycopersicum plants grown in arsenic treated soils with sucrose amelioration recorded higher SOD activity and lower Proline contents compared to Solanum lycopersicum plants grown in arsenic treated soils without sucrose amelioration. Based on these results, application of exogenous sucrose has proved to be an antioxidant for arsenic trioxide stress in plants with it ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and improve plant growth.
