Pesticide-induced oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings.

Excessive use of pesticides can adversely affect the growth of non-target host plants in different ways. Pesticide-induced stress can affect non-target plants through elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for detrimental effects on cell metabolism, biochemical and other physiological activities. In response to oxidative stress, plant activates antioxidant defense system consisting of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components.