# Deciphering Antioxidant Responses in Tomato Autografts

## TL;DR

This study explores how antioxidant responses help tomato plants heal after grafting, showing that functional grafts manage stress better than non-functional ones.

## Contribution

The study reveals asymmetric antioxidant responses in functional and non-functional tomato autografts during healing.

## Key findings

- Functional grafts showed controlled oxidative damage and increased antioxidant capacity in scion tissues.
- Non-functional grafts exhibited elevated class III peroxidase activity, linked to defensive processes.
- Antioxidant activities correlated with grafting stages, emphasizing their role in stress mitigation.

## Abstract

Grafting is a horticultural technique that involves a healing process that requires grafted plants to develop physiological responses to overcome oxidative stress. In this study, oxidative damage, total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymatic activities were analysed in functional and non-functional tomato autografts for eight days after grafting, considering scion and rootstock tissues separately. The results showed that oxidative damage, measured as lipid peroxidation, was controlled, especially in functional grafts. Scion tissues showed significant increases in total antioxidant capacity and activities of key antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and catalase. Non-functional grafts showed elevated levels of class III peroxidase, potentially related to defensive suberisation and lignification. Principal component analysis revealed that antioxidant activities correlated dynamically with grafting stages, highlighting their critical role in stress mitigation. These results suggest that an efficient and asymmetric antioxidant response is essential for successful graft healing in tomato plants. Furthermore, different patterns in non-functional grafts underline the importance of redox balance in determining graft success.