In the present paper, we consider torsion points on ample divisors on abelian varieties. We prove that, for each integer n ≤ 2, an effective divisor of level n on an abelian variety does not contain the subgroup of n-torsion points. Moreover, we also discuss an application of this result to the study of the p-rank of cyclic coverings of curves in positive characteristic.

Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 14K12; Secondary 14H30.