Growth and developmental changes of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruits

Abstract

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is a solanaceous fruit grown for edible fruits, being eaten fresh, as dessert, appetizer, or dish decorator and can also be prepared in elaborate dishes in cakes, or used in making jams, sauces etc. Growth and developmental changes were studied from anthesis to harvesting stage (1 week to 8 weeks from anthesis) in cape gooseberry fruits of genotype CITH-CGB-20, one of the promising genotype of this region. During over 8 week growth period the proportion of fruit weight to that of calyx (husk) decreased linearly (1.3 g at one week to 20.81 g at eight week). The water content of the fruit pulp increased slightly during development. The water content of the calyx varied considerably, increasing during first four weeks of development and then decreased as fruit matures or begins to ripe/yellow. Changes in fruit firmness varied significantly during development stages, it increases rapidly during 2 – 3 weeks and 5 – 7 weeks stage. Fruit pulp showed gradual increase in TSS 0Brix from 0.43 (1 week) to 4.177 (6 week) and rapidly to 8.253 (8 week stage). The acidity showed a slow increase during first 6 weeks (0.324 to 0.365%) and increased rapidly during 6-8 week of development (0.521). Ascorbic acid showed double sigmoid pattern and there was rapid change during 2- 4 week of anthesis (5.880 to 8.380 mg/100g) and from 6-7 weeks of anthesis (8.677 to 10.717 mg/100g). Chlorophyll content showed moderate decrease during 1-5 week of anthesis (5.0 to 4.0mg/100g), whereas, decrease was rapid in later stages of development and reached 1.00 mg/100g at 8 week after anthesis. Carotenoids increased gradually in fruits from 0.213-1.617 mg/100g. Cape gooseberry may be harvested commercially (horticulture maturity) when the fruits are well formed and substantially filled the calyx, may be 6-8 weeks after anthesis.