Phenology of four varieties of uchuva (Physalis peruviana L.) in greenhouse and hydroponics for commercial production in Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To measure the phenology, morphology and development of four varieties of Physalis peruviana L. under greenhouse and hydroponics conditions, by effect of the ionic strength of the Steiner nutrient solution for cultivation in Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted under a completely random design with factorial arrangement, the treatments evaluated resulted from the combination of the levels of the variety factor (Colombia, Sacha, Chiclayo and Modified) with the levels of the ionic strength of the Steiner nutrient solution (50, 100 and 150%) and the experimental unit was a potted plant. For phenology each phase was recorded in the plants, SPAD readings were taken in the vegetative stage, for diameter and height several samplings were taken, and pH and electrical conductivity were accomplished on stems and petioles of shoots of each treatment. An analysis of variance and the comparison of means per Tukey (p ? 0.05)  was implemented with the SAS 9.2 program.

Results: The varieties under study showed differences in the time of occurrence of the phenological stages. SPAD readings, basal diameter, pH and electrical conductivity in sap were affected by each factor except by the interaction. While plant height was significantly affected in the first 24 days after transplant (dat) by the combination of the two factors.

Limitations of the study/implications: The results obtained are limited to the varieties, the environmental conditions and the time when the varieties were evaluated.

Conclusions: The phenology of each variety was not expressed at the same time in any concentration, as an early variety was given to Chiclayo, Colombia and Sacha, which are varieties that in the concentrations 50 and 150% of the nutrient solution started harvesting at 99 dat.