Germination Eco-physiology and Emergence of Physalis peruviana Seedlings

The genus Physalis belongs to the family Solanaceae, Physalis peruviana L. being the most cultivated species. As a newly explored crop in Brazil, little is known about its germination ecology and emergence under local conditions. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of temperature, photoperiod, planting depth and seed dormancy on the establishment of Physalis seedlings. Tests were conducted on two Physalis biotypes from Sertão (Rio Grande do Sul state―RS) and Capelinha (Minas Gerais state). Seeds incubated at 27 °C and 32 °C exhibited high germination percentages of 98% and 96%, respectively. Germination declined when seeds were incubated at 12, 17, 22 and 37 °C. Photoperiods longer than 8 h are sufficient for seed germination, while the absence of light significantly reduces the germination percentage. Seeds should be planted at a depth of 1-2 cm to ensure better seedling emergence. After 18 months of field work, 81% of seeds had germinated and/or been predated prior to assessment, indicating low seed dormancy. As such, ideal conditions for Physalis seedling establishment are planting depth between 1 cm and 2 cm, temperatures ranging from 27 °C to 32 °C and a photoperiod longer than 8 h, with a postharvest seed shelf life of 12 months.