Abstract
The cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is an exotic fruit with a growing international market. In Mexico, there is little research on its growth and mineral nutrition. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the growth dynamics and yield of cape gooseberry cultivation based on three Steiner nutrient solution concentrations (50, 100 and 150 %) under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was established in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico (18o 58’ 51’’ North latitude and 99o 13’ 55’’ West longitude, at 1,866 masl). The accumulated heat units (HU) were determined and the occurrence of the phenological phases was recorded during crop development. Crop growth was assessed through the number of leaves, leaf area and dry matter accumulated per plant. At harvest, the number and weight of fruits (with and without calyx) were recorded. The phenology of cape gooseberry cultivation was favored with the highest concentration of the nutrient solution, requiring 1,370 HU from transplant to ripeness; this represented 15 and 5 days of precocity compared to the other concentrations: 1,527 HU (50 %) and 1,435 HU (100 %), respectively. The highest leaf production, leaf area, dry matter, crop growth rate and fruit weight (with and without calyx) were obtained with the Steiner nutrient solution at 100 and 150 %, so it is suggested to use the 100 % solution.
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