Resumo

RAMIREZ, Homero et al. The prohexadione-Ca causes changes in vegetative growth, gibberellins, performance and luteolin in jalapeño pepper. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2015, vol.2, n.4, pp.13-22. ISSN 2007-901X.

The cultivation of jalapeño chili in México, although makes an important and permanent horticultura! contribution, it requires a constantly adaptation of new technologies. Prohexadione-calcium (P-Ca) is a growth retardant which improves yield and fruit quality in tomato. In this study, it was evaluated the effect of P-Ca on jalapeño chili hybrid Orozco. The treatments consisted of: control (water), 100, 125 and 175 mg L^-1 of P-Ca. They were applied when the plants reached 10 true leaves. The growth rate for height and diameter of main stem was weekly measured. Also, the number of fruits and yield per plant was determined. The identification of endogenous gibberellins at the apex from plants treated with P-Ca at 175 mg L^-1 was conducted four days after treatment by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS); whereas luteolin content was detected via HPLC in ripen fruits. The results indícate a reduction of 30 % in the rate of growth in stem height on treatments with P-Ca. This effect disappeared at the final stage of the growing process. Likewise, stem diameter increased 20 % with P-Ca at 175 mg L^-1. The application of P-Ca at 125 mg L^-1 resulted in a 15 % increase in yield when compared to the control. Fruit number was not affected. The gibberellins A₁, A₄ and A₇ were found in control ápices; while in P-Ca samples A₉, A₂₀ and A₅₁ were detected. Luteolin content in fruit was significantly increased x seven of control with P-Ca at 125 mg L^-1.

Palavras-chave : Antioxidant; Capsicum annuum L.; growth retardant; hormones.