Germination of Physalis angulata L. seeds: calyx maturation stage and form of storage

Abstract

The harvest stage of Physalis angulata L. aiming human consumption is set in literature. However, there are no criteria for harvesting fruits for seed propagation. This study aimed to determine the harvest stage of P. angulata L. seeds according to the fruit calyx color, as well as evaluating their storage viability. For that, fruits were harvested from matrix plants, considering three maturity stages, according to the calyx color (green, yellow and yellow-brownish). A completely randomized design was used, in a factorial arrangement comprising two kinds of package (paper bag and glass container) and four evaluation periods (after harvesting and at 45, 90 and 135 days after storage - DAS), being isolated the factor storage environment. It was concluded that P. angulata seeds should be collected from fruits with a green calyx and used soon after being harvested, since seed germination sharply decreases after 45 DAS, both in the storage chamber and in the refrigerated environment, regardless of whether glass or paper is used.