Phenology of Four Varieties of Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in Greenhouses and Hydroponics for its Commercial Production in Mexico

Abstract
Objective: To measure the phenology, morphology and development of four varieties ofPhysalis peruviana L. under greenhouse and hydroponics conditions, by effect of the ionicstrength of the Steiner nutrient solution for cultivation in Mexico.Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted under a completelyrandom design with factorial arrangement, the treatments evaluated resulted from thecombination 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 inthe plants, SPAD readings were taken in the vegetative stage, for diameter and heightseveral samples were taken, and pH and electrical conductivity were accomplished onstems and petioles of shoots of each treatment. An analysis of variance and thecomparison of means per Tukey (p ? 0.05) were implemented with the SAS 9.2 program.Results: The varieties under study showed differences in the time of occurrence of thephenological stages. SPAD readings, basal diameter, pH and electrical conductivity in sapwere affected by each factor except for the interaction. Meanwhile, plant height wassignificantly affected in the first 24 days after transplant (dat) by the combination of thetwo factors. Study Limitations/Implications: The results obtained are limited to the varieties, theenvironmental conditions, and the time when the varieties were evaluated.Conclusions: The phenology of each variety was not expressed at the same time in anyconcentration, as an early variety was given to Chiclayo, Colombia and Sacha, which arevarieties that in the concentrations 50 and 150% of the nutrient solution started harvestingat 99 dat.