EFFECT OF TITANIUM LEAF SPRAY TREATMENTS ON ASCORBIC-ACID LEVELS OF CAPSICUM-ANNUUM-L FRUITS

Ascorbic acid content is an important quality factor in Capsicum fruit s for paprika obtention because its role as natural protector of the p igment stability due to its antioxidant properties. For increase its n atural fruit levels, four Capsicum cultivars, growing in both greenhou se and field conditions were treated with titanium (Ti) via leaf spray . In all the cases, the fruits from Ti-treated plants increased the as corbic 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.