Psidium guajava 'Paluma' is sensitive to ozone, to which reacts with characteristic visible foliar injuries. The concentration of ascorbic acid (AA) and the activity of enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) had been evaluated in new and old leaves of plants exposed (n = 13) to ozone in a contaminated area (Ibirapuera, São Paulo, SP) and in a controlled environment (glasshouse with filtered air) to assess the occurrence of latent injuries (alteration in AA, SOD and/or POD) and if the occurrence of these differed between leaves with or without visible injuries. The AA concentration was higher in plants of Ibirapuera, without difference between new or old and with or without visible injuries. The activity of SOD and POD differed between new and old leaves, but not with relation to the site of exposition and the presence or absence of foliar injuries. There was no significant decrease in biomass in plants exposed in Ibirapuera. We conclude that in P. guajava 'Paluma' SOD and POD are not related to the protection against visible foliar injuries and that the AA is a indicator of latent injury.
ascorbic acid; foliar injury; peroxidase; superoxide dismutase
