The Physalis peruviana L. presents great nutritional value and economic viability, becoming an alternative for the small and medium producer and an innovation for the Brazilian horticulture. However, some information on cultivation, are still scarce. In this context, our objective is to characterizing the phenological phases and productivity of the Physalis peruviana cultivated in a greenhouse in the semiárido paraibano. This work was done in the experimental farm of the Federal University of Campina Grande, campus Pombal, Paraíba. The experiment was driven in a randomized blocks design, with five repetitions, each repetition constituted of five plants. The phenological phases were determined through the height, diameter of the stem, number of leaves, floral buttons, flowers and fruits per plant, production and productivity. The data were submitted to the variance analysis and polynomial regression. The vegetative phase of the Physalis peruviana L. is concluded in a period understood among 32 to 45 days after the transplant (DAT) and the reproductive phase extends until 161 DAT. In the conditions of the semiarid, the crop of the fruits of the Physalis peruviana L. begins to 71 DAT, with a dear productivity of approximately 2 340.95 kg ha-1.

Sour passion fruit is a fruit crop widely cultivated throughout Brazil, due to its adaptation to the tropical climate. However, in semi-arid regions its development is limited by the high concentration of soluble salts in the waters commonly used in irrigation. In this context, exogenous application of low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can attenuate the damage caused by salt stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate electrolyte leakage, photosynthetic pigments and photochemical efficiency in sour passion fruit cv. BRS Rubi do Cerrado under irrigation with saline waters and foliar application of hydrogen peroxide. A completely randomized design was used, with treatments arranged in split plots, corresponding to five levels of irrigation water salinity - ECw (0.6; 1.2; 1.8; 2.4 and 3.0 dS m−1) and four concentrations of hydrogen peroxide - H2O2 (0; 15; 30 and 45 μM of H2O2) in plots and subplots, respectively. Irrigation with saline water reduced chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll contents of sour passion fruit plants cv. BRS Rubi do Cerrado, at 240 days after transplanting. Hydrogen peroxide at concentration of 15 μM stimulated chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll biosynthesis and, at 45 μM, relieved the effect of 3.0 dS m−1 water salinity on electrolyte leakage in the leaf blade of sour passion fruit. Salt stress did not affect the initial, maximum, variable fluorescence and quantum efficiency of photosystem II of sour passion fruit cv. BRS Rubi do Cerrado.

Sesame is considered an alternative crop for small and medium farmers in the Brazilian Northeast region. However, under the conditions of the northeastern semi-arid region, the scarcity of good quality water for irrigation may lead to a reduction in the quality of the final product. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of sesame seeds produced under levels of soil salinity. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 5 × 5 factorial scheme, with three replicates, corresponding to sesame cultivars (BRS Seda, BRS G2, BRS G3, BRS G4 and BRS Anahi) and soil salinity levels with the following values for electrical conductivity: 0.6 dS m-1, 1.2 dS m-1, 1.8 dS m-1, 2.4 dS m-1 and 3.0 dS m-1. The physiological quality was characterized based on tests of germination, first germination count, germination speed index, radicle length, seed electrical conductivity, emergence, emergence speed index and seedling dry matter. BRS Seda, BRS G2 and BRS G3, cultivated under salinity levels, present seeds with a better physiological quality, demonstrating a higher tolerance to salt stress conditions. The BRS Seda and BRS G2 cultivars tolerate salinity levels of up to 2.4 dS m-1, while BRS G3 tolerates levels of up to 1.8 dS m-1. BRS G4 and BRS Anahi have the physiological quality of their seeds compromised by the increase in the soil salinity, during their production.

No abstract

Physalis peruviana L. has great nutritional value and economic viability, representing an innovation for Brazilian horticulture. However, knowing the ideal point of harvesting fruits of this species is a key factor in this process that allows maximum post-harvest utilization, providing better quality and minimal losses when the fruit is harvested at physiological maturity. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize the physiological maturity of Physalis peruviana L. fruits. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design in which the treatmentscorresponded to different stages of fruit and seed maturation (20, 27, 34, and 41 days after anthesis [DAA]), with four replicates. The analyzed variables consisted of colorimetry (lightness, chroma and hue angle) of calyx and fruit; fresh weight, diameter (transverse and longitudinal), firmness, pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total soluble solids:titratable acidity ratio, vitamin C and phenolic compounds of fruits; and carotenoids and chlorophyll (a and b) of calyx. The obtained data were subjected to analysis of variance and polynomial regression. Fruits intended for consumption must be harvested after 35 DAA, at which time yellow color and excellent organoleptic and nutritional qualities were observed.