Effect of titanium leaf spray treatments on ascorbic acid levels of Capsicum annuum L. fruits

Abstract

Ascorbic acid content is an important quality factor in Capsicum fruits for paprika obtention because its role as natural protector of the pigment stability due to its antioxidant properties. For increase its natural fruit levels, four Capsicum cultivare, growing in both greenhouse and field conditions were treated with titanium (Ti) via leaf spray. In all the cases, the fruits from Ti‐treated plants increased the ascorbic acid contents against its corresponding untreated controls. In the most of the cases, the highest ascorbic acid levels were obtained in fruits from plants that received two Ti‐treatments. Fruit response to Ti was more marked in the field experiments than for the greenhouse crops.