Phenology and fruit quality of Physalis spp. accesses.

The objective of this work was to evaluate phenology, as a function of air temperature, and fruit quality of Physalis spp. aiming to evaluate its potential use in breeding programs. The experiment was conducted at Federal University of  Fronteira Sul - Chapeco campus , SC. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 67 Physalis spp. accesses. Phenological components were evaluated in three different periods, observing the (1) number of days from the floral button to the anthesis, (2) number of days from the anthesis to fruit fixation, and (3) number of days for the emission of nodes . With the air temperature data, the thermal sum (GD) necessary to reach the beginning of each phenological event was calculated. Regarding the productive variables, fruit mass with calyx (g), fruit mass without calyx (g), soluble solids (° Brix) and average fruit volume (cm3) were analyzed. Phenological data were subjected to descriptive analysis and the productive data, to the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The first observation period (January 06 to 30) resulted in fewer days needed for the nodes appearance and to reach fruiting from the flowering. The presence of the chalice in the fruits increased the average fruit mass by approximately 0.45 g. The temperature influences the phenological cycle of the 67 Physalis accesses, which differ in respect to fruit quality.