Abstract

RAMIREZ, Homero; MENDOZA-CASTELLANOS, Joaquín; VAZQUEZ-BADILLO, Mario Ernesto  and  ZERMENO-GONZALEZ, Alejandro. Prohexadione calcium (P-CA): a viable alternative hormonal habanero hot pepper. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.3, pp.631-641. ISSN 2007-0934.

The habanero hot pepper planting in Mexico increased in recent years. The demand for this vegetable worldwide requires the application of new techniques to improve their performance and quality. One option is the use of bioregulators. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of retardant prohexadione calcium (P-Ca) on vegetative growth, yield and antioxidant levels in habanero hot pepper variety Jaguar. The experiment was a completely randomized design with 3 replicates per treatment during 2014 in UAAAN in Saltillo, Coahuila, under greenhouse conditions. Concentrations of P-Ca were: 0 (water control), 50, 100 and 150 mg L-1 in 1 and 2 applications. The first took place when the plants showed the first floral primordia and 15 days after the second was performed. The results indicate that P-Ca decreased to 52% and 30.5% in height and stem diameter respectively. Most P-Ca treatments increased the number of f lowers, fruits per plant and yield; the content of antioxidants in ripe fruits. P-Ca 150 mg L-1 was the treatment that caused the highest content of capsaicin, total carotenes and vitamin C in fruits. It is considered that P-Ca has potential for use as an alternative to improve performance and quality of habanero hot pepper.

Keywords : Capsicum chinense Jacq.; capsaicin; performance; total carotenoids; vitamin.

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