Studies on production potential of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in sodic soil under varying agronomic manipulations

Present study aimed to evaluate the production potential of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in sodic soil (pH 8.56) under varying plant spacing and soil fertility levels. The spacing treatments were S1-75 x 60 cm, S2-75 x 75 cm and S3-90 x 75 cm, while native soil fertility was manipulated through the application of NPK fertilizers i.e. F0-control (no NPK fertilizers), F1 - 60:40:40, F2 - 80:60:60, and F3 - 100:80:80 kg NPK ha-1. Two year’s data from the study revealed that spacing and NPK treatment had significant effect on vegetative growth and fruit yield during both the years. Closest spacing (75 x 60 cm) resulted tallest plants (103.41 and 100.35 cm) and maximum fruit yield (86.69 and 83.56 q ha-1), but this treatment was statistically at par with 75 x 75 cm spacing. Widest spacing (90 x 75cm) resulted maximum number of branches (34.14 and 32.49 plant-1), number of leaves (167.31 and 162.70 plant-1) and average fruit weight (9.26 and 9.18 g), but was statistically at par with 75 x 75 cm spacing. Amongst the fertilizer treatments, application of NPK @100:80:80 kg ha-1 resulted maximum plant height (114.88 and 11.65 cm), number of branches (35.78 and 34.82 plant-1), number of leaves (174.82 and 172.55 plant-1), fruit weight (9.62 and 9.57 g) and fruit yield (101.08 and 98.08 q ha-1). Biochemical quality of fruits (TSS, ascorbic acid, acidity, and reducing, non-reducing and total sugars) was increased due to increased fertility level and recorded maximum with the application of 100:80:80 kg NPK ha-1. These findings will be helpful in exploring cape gooseberry cultivation in sodic soils (pH 8.56) through suitable agronomic manipulations in plant spacing and soil fertility levels.