Synergistic Effects of Potassium and Autoclaved Azotobacter Lysate on Yield and Fruit Quality of Physalis peruviana L. in Hydroponics

To limited water and soil resources, hydroponic cultivation systems are expanding rapidly worldwide. In the present study, the growth characteristics and fruit yield of Physalis peruviana were evaluated under soilless cultivation conditions. The seeds of the Indian Asian giant variety were prepared, and after planting, the produced seedlings were cultivated in a culture medium of cocopeat and perlite in a ratio of 60:40. The treatments included Hoagland nutrient solution with four levels of potassium (235, 185, 285, 335 mg L−1 of potassium) and Azotobacter lysate at two levels (Without Azotobacter lysate (AZ0) and autoclaved Azotobacter lysate (AZ1)). Vegetative, reproductive, and chemical characteristics were investigated. The results showed that the effect of Azotobacter lysate alone on leaf chlorophyll, total leaf chlorophyll, fruit carotenoids, fruit vitamin C and fruit potassium was significant at 5% level. The effect of different potassium concentrations alone on fruit numbers, average fruit weight, yield and total phenols was significant at the 5% level. The interaction effect of Azotobacter lysate and different potassium concentrations on flower number, fruit formation percentage, chlorophyll b, fruit nitrate content and fruit pH was significant at the 5% level. Briefly the lysate enhanced sink strength, necessitating higher K levels for optimal yield.