Fenologia e caracterização dos frutos de espécies de Physalis cultivadas no semiárido baiano

Abstract

Physalis genus belongs to the Solanaceae family, and shows species with great economic potential due to the production of secondary metabolites and their fruits rich in vitamins and other nutrients. This study aimed to characterize the phenology, productivity and evaluate physical and biochemical parameters of Physalis angulata, Physalis ixocarpa, Physalis philadelphica and Physalis pubescens fruits along the maturation period. Were determined days after sowing (DAS) for the occurrence of each stage and assessed length and stem diameter in three sowing dates. To biometric characterize the fruits were evaluated weight, longitudinal and transverse diameter, and biochemical characterization were quantified the protein content, reducing sugars, sucrose and total soluble sugars fruits in three maturation levels determined by the fruit calyx color, which were taken for determination of the content of chloroplastid pigments with DMSO. Physalis plants are susceptible to high temperatures and low rainfall, P. angulata is the most tolerant soil and climatic conditions in the region. Cultivation started in April provides a better plant growth, with productivity similar to regions where the crop has already been established. The ripe fruits had higher fruit and more sugar content, and must be harvested in the third stage of maturity: straw color to P. angulata, when cup rupture to P. ixocarpa, and yellow for P. philadelphica and P. pubescens.