Effect of seed maturity on germination and seedling growth of Physalis peruviana (L.)

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of seed maturity on germination and seedling growth of cape gooseberry ( Physalis peruviana L.). Seeds extracted from the fruits harvested at three stages of fruit development i.e. S 1 -49 days after fruit set, S 2 -56 days after fruit set and S 3 -63 days after fruit set and used for germination test and growth analysis of the seedlings. Results revealed that highest germination (93.86 %) was in the seeds those extracted from 56 days after fruits set (S 2 ), followed by S 3 -63 days after fruit set (86.39%), while minimum germination (80.71 %) was observed in the seeds of 49 days maturity (S 1 ). Seeds extracted from 56 days after fruit set exhibited better seedling growth in terms of higher shoot length, root length, collar thickness, number of leaves and leaf area, however, the results were at par with S 3 treatment. Dry matter accumulation in the seedlings was also highest in the seedling those raised from the seeds extracted at 56 days after fruit set.