Introduction. Diverse fruit crops with a high value reduce the risk of crop
failure and offer alternatives to farmers and the market. The scope of profitable
production with such quality crops along with environmental concerns make the evaluation
of new species desirable. The aim of our study was to determine the most appropriate
species of Physalis for small-scale commercial production in the
temperate climate of western Himalayan regions. Materials and methods. Four
Physalis species, viz., P. peruviana,
P. ixocarpa, P. pruinosa and P. nicandroides, were
field-grown during 2010–2011 in the experimental field of the Central Institute of
Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, India, to determine the most appropriate species of
Physalis suitable for a temperate climate. Results and
discussion. All the species tested produced vegetative growth, flowered and
fruited; however, they differed significantly. The number of basal shoots was found to be
maximum for P. pruinosa (6.37), whereas the maximum number of prickles
per shoot was recorded as maximum for P. nicandroides (6.48). The number
of points of attachment varied significantly with species, and the maximum was recorded
for P. pruinosa and P. ixocarpa (7.16 for each); the
maximum size of fully developed leaves (146.8 mm) and overall plant height (168.27 cm)
were recorded for P. pruinosa. Physalis pruinosa
and P. ixocarpa were found to exhibit vigorous growth under a
temperate climate. Significant differences were recorded for fruiting, flowering and yield
potential among the Physalis species. The minimum days taken for bud
burst were reported for P. nicandroides (23.55) and
P. ixocarpa (24.41). Similarly, the minimum days taken to reach
maturity were reported for P. peruviana (64.96). The maximum number of
fruits per plant (260.23), length of fruit (33.83 mm), average fruit weight (37.19 g),
husk weight (0.32 g), fruit husk ratio (121.27), maximum fruit firmness (43.96 Relative
Index) and yield (9.96 Relative Index) were recorded for P. pruinosa.
Significant variation was recorded in quality attributes. The highest total soluble solids
were found for P. nicandroides (8.46 °Brix), whereas the minimum total
titrable acidity (0.35%) and maximum ascorbic content (38.41 mg·100 g–1) were recorded for
P. peruviana. The ‘L’ value of fruits, showing
brightness, was recorded as the highest for P. peruviana (58.97), whereas
fruits of all the species showed a negative ‘a’ value, indicating that
none of them produced redness; however, the ‘b’ value, indicating
yellowness, was maximum for P. pruinosa (18.72).