Prohexadiona de calcio incrementa la capacidad antioxidante, el contenido de licopeno y la actividad enzimática en frutos de tomate floradade

prohexadione calcium (p-ca) increases the levels of soluble solids, anthocyanins and aromatic compounds in deciduous fruits. in vegetable crops the effect of p-ca is less documented. in this study it was evaluated the changes originated by p-ca on total antioxidant capacity, lycopene content and catalase and peroxidase activity in floradade tomato (lycopersicon esculentum mill.) different concentration (0, 125, 175 and 200 mg·liter-1) with one or two applications of p-ca were evaluated. the first application was conducted when plants showed floral tissue initials and the second 15 days after. the results showed that p-ca increased (p<0.01) the total antioxidant capacity in fruits under shoulder stage. the lycopene concentration increased in fruits from plants sprayed with any p-ca concentration, being higher at the stage of green shoulder. the catalase and peroxidase enzyme activity also showed an increase (p<0.01) with the application of p-ca.