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Stress Analysis of Amaranthus hybridus L. and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Exposed to Sulphur and Nitrogen Dioxide

Dennis Emuejevoke Vwioko, Innocent Okoekhian and Matthew Chidozie Ogwu

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, Volume 41, Issue 3, August 2018

Keywords: Air pollutants, Amaranthus hybridus, catalase content, Lycopersicon esculentus, nitrogen dioxide, plant stress, sulphur dioxide

Published on: 30 Aug 2018

The effects of SO2 and NO2 on stress-related enzymes in Amaranthus hybridus [AH] and Lycopersicon esculentum [LE] were studied. The plants were exposed to SO2 and NO2 generated by chemical reaction in a chamber for one hour every day for three weeks. After exposure, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid, catalase, proline content, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase from leaf samples were assessed. Catalase contents decreased (AH: 84.31 ± 2.56 and LE: 50.52 ± 1.74) in the plants relative to control samples, which showed appreciable retention (AH: 98.59 ± 4.70 and LE: 91.84 ± 7.12). Plants showed more reduction in peroxidase due to exposure to NO2 compared to values obtained in plants treated with SO2. Meanwhile, lower values of ascorbic acid and chlorophyll contents were obtained in plants exposed to SO2 and NO2 gases. On the other hand, proline content increased after exposure to the gases. Morphological disorders, such as leaf browning, chlorosis and shrinkage of leaves were also noticeable. So, it is apparent that plants exposed to elevated SO2 and NO2 gases did not exhibit sufficient capacity to counteract the stress imposed by these gases.

ISSN 0128-7680

e-ISSN 2231-8526

Article ID

JTAS-1252-2017

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