EFFECT OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION ON PLANT GROWTH AND QUALITY OF MEXICAN HUSK TOMATO (PHYSALIS IXOCARPA BROT.)

Foliar fertilizers containing N, P, K and micronutrients are commonly recommended as the most efficient method of remedying nutrient deficiencies in vegetables and of increasing yield and improve quality of crop products. We formulated a complete foliar fertilizer called FFNV3. The evaluation of the effect of such foliar fertilizer on plant growth and fruit quality of husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa var. rendidora) was carried out on a fertile soil with neutral pH and an acceptable interval of available nutrients. The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions in greenhouse in a random array with four replications per treatment. The treatments evaluated were: 1) control, 2) traditional fertilization for husk tomato (120-40-00 of N, P and K, respectively) and 3) a combination of traditional fertilization with foliar applications of FFNV3 at 50% of original concentration (applied once a week). Plant height, foliar area (FA) and dry matter weight (DW) were measured in order to analyze plant growth, while Brix value (oBrix) and pH of the fruits were determined as quality index of fruits. To evaluate the nutrient status (macro- and micronutrients) of leaves, SPAD units and foliar analyses were performed. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, orthogonal contrast and Tukey’s tests. We observed positive effects of foliar fertilization on FA, DW and SPAD units in plants and over pH and °Brix in fruits. Furthermore, nutrient concentrations of N, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and B in leaves with foliar applications were higher than control and traditional fertilization. We concluded that in fertile neutral soils, FFNV3 is an appropriate foliar fertilizer that compensates some nutrimental deficiencies and improves quality of husk tomato.