Received: August 25th, 2020 ; Accepted: December 17th, 2020 ; Published: February 09th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] (Cu) is a micronutrient that is neglected for tomato growth. This study sought
to identify the effects of exposure to Cu on the growth and biochemical activity of two tomato
cultivars. Tomato seeds of ‘Carolina’ and ‘Cereja’ cultivars were disinfected and inoculated in
MS medium plus copper sulfate concentrations (CuSO4) (default MS, 25, 50, and 100 µm) and
had their growth monitored for 30 days. It was estimated that the growth and biomass
accumulation of tomato plants ‘Carolina’ and ‘Cereja’, both from the aerial part and the roots,
were benefited by 25 e 50 µm of CuSO4. However, it was observed that these concentrations were
inefficient in controlling hyperhydricity and leaf deformation. There was a reduction of these
phenomena in the treatment with 100 µm, in both cultivars. Tomato of ‘Carolina’ cultivar
subjected to 100 µm showed an increase in anthocyanins and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
activity in the root system. There was a reduction of catalase (CAT) activity in shoots exposed to
Cu. ‘Cereja’ tomatoes subjected to 100 µm showed an increase in CAT and SOD activity in
shoots and roots, respectively. It was concluded that the ‘Carolina’ and ‘Cereja’ tomatoes have
their growth impaired when exposed to 100 µm CuSO4. Concentrations higher than 50 µm of
CuSO4 cause an increase in the antioxidant activity in the shoot of tomato plants from the
‘Carolina’ cultivar. Concentrations higher than 50 µm CuSO4 increase SOD activity in the root
system of tomato plants from the ‘Cereja’ cultivar
