AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF Physalis pruinosa

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of marine algae on the plant height, stem length and leaf length of Physalis pruinosa, and to characterize this species morphologically. The experiment was established under greenhouse conditions during 2013. The treatments were Alga 600, Seaweed, Osmocalm, and a witness. The algae were applied to the soil, at the moment of transplanting, and every 15 days for 10 occasions. The characterization was done with the witness, based on the UPOV Physalis guide; in addition, the weight, polar and equatorial diameters, total soluble solids, firmness and percentage of citric acid of the fruit were determined. Applying marine algae on Physalis pruinosa improved the height of the plant, length of the stem and length of the plant. Physalis pruinosa has a prostrate growth habit, low stem height at first bifurcation, and anthocyanin pigmentation on the internodes, as well as small yellow fruits, of different weight, size, total soluble solids and firmness