Prohexadione-Ca, an alternative in the production of husk-tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot.)

Abstract

Husk tomato, because of its cultivated area and its constant increase in per capita consumption, is considered one of Mexico's main horticultural species. It is grown in almost all agriculture regions of the country, but the mean national yield per hectare of this crop is below its potential. Prohexadione-Ca (P-Ca) is a growth retardant recently named as a promising alternative for improving production and produce quality in modern horticulture. In this study, the effects of P-Ca on vegetative and productive growth as well as on the chemical properties of husk tomato fruits were assessed. The growth retardant was applied twice at 0 (control), 125, 175 and 200 mg·L -1. The first application was done when plants showed the first flower buds; the second application was 20 days later. The study was established in open field using a randomized block design and a DMS (Pd'0.05) statistical test. It was demonstrated that P-Ca significantly reduced plant height, increased number of fruits and yield (200 mg·L-1) per plant, vitamin C content in fruits (175 and 200 mg·L-1) and catalase activity (175 mg·L-1). Other parameters such as weight and size of fruits, protein content, peroxidase activity and nutrient content were not affected by P-Ca.