Physalis development according to the growing season in the semi-arid region of the Bahia state, Brazil

ABSTRACT The Physalis ixocarpa species has an interesting performance in hot and dry regions. However, there has been a lack of information about the influence of edaphoclimatic conditions, during the growing period, on the physical and physicochemical characteristics of the fruits. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of ‘purple' and ‘green' fruits of the P. ixocarpa species, according to the growing season, in the semi-arid region of the Bahia state, Brazil. A randomized block design was used, in a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial scheme (variety x growing season x fruit maturation stages), with three replications. The following characteristics were evaluated: color, fresh weight, length, diameter and total soluble solids contents of the fruits. The changes in the characteristics of the fruits follow the same tendency during maturation, for both evaluated varieties, with the best characteristics being observed when the calyx is green, with dry parts, completely expanded and ruptured. The growing season has a significant effect on the characteristics of the fruits, with May to August presenting the best environmental conditions for growing in the semi-arid region of the Bahia state.