Combined effects of difenoconazole and salinity stress on growth, photosynthetic pigments, and oxidative responses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

Combined exposure to difenoconazole and salinity stress causes significant growth reduction and severe pigment degradation in tomato seedlings, with chlorophyll b decreasing by 84%.

• Why it matters: Understanding the combined effects of pesticides and salinity is vital because these stressors often coexist in arid agricultural regions, impacting crop health and productivity.
• What they did: The study evaluated the individual and joint impacts of DIF (0.5 L ha-1) and NaCl (150 mM) on tomato seedlings by measuring morphological, oxidative, and biochemical responses, including pigment levels, oxidative markers, and enzyme activities.
• The result: Co-exposure triggered complex phytotoxic responses, such as increased carotenoids and antioxidant enzyme activity, while impairing growth and metabolism, highlighting the need for integrated risk assessments in sustainable agriculture.