AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF HUSK TOMATO VARIETIES UNDER GREENHOUSE AND OPEN FIELD CONDITIONS

Abstract

This research determined yield of 40 husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Horm.) varieties under four production systems (ditch irrigation, drip irrigation, with or without plastic cover, and hydroponics under greenhouse), to determine the best variety for each production system, and to compare production among systems. The trial was conducted at Chapingo, Estado de México during the 2003 Spring-Summer season using a completely randomized block experimental design with three replications. The best production system was drip irrigation with plastic cover, which yielded 948 g/plant and 31 g/fruit; however, fruit size was not improved on this hydroponic system. On average out of the four production systems, the varieties with best yield were Population 3 (1102 g/plant), Population 5 (1025 g/plant), CHF1-Chapingo (989 g/plant), and Manzano SM2R (972 g/plant), with medium fruit size. Varieties with the largest fruit sizes were Puebla SM2 (47 g/fruit), Puebla SM1 (46 g/fruit), San Mateo (45 g/fruit) and Mahune (45 g/fruit), although they had low yield. The varieties with the highest yield were from Rendidora race, and the ones with the largest fruit size were from Puebla race. Diamante variety produced large fruits (41 g/fruit) and yield (787 g/plant) above the average. For each production system, the varieties with higher yield were Population 3, Population 5, Population 3, and 124 USA 03, respectively; while for fruit size, those with the largest fruit were Puebla SM1, San Mateo, Puebla SM2, and Mahune, respectively.