Effect of integrated nutrient management on reproductive, yield, and physical quality traits in cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.)

An experiment was carried out during the winter seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda (U.P.), to examine the effect of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on phenology, yield, and fruit quality of Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.). The study had 11 treatment combinations involving different proportions of NPK, organic manures (FYM, vermicompost, poultry manure), and biofertilizers (Azotobacter and PSB), in a Randomized Block Design with three replicates. Results had shown that the treatment T3 consisting 75% NPK + 25% vermicompost + Halo Azo + Halo PSB significantly improved phenological stages such as bud initiation, flower opening, and fruit set, and recorded the highest number of flowers and fruits per plant. This treatment also produced fruits with superior physical traits-higher fruit length, width, weight, volume, and specific gravity-resulting in the maximum yield per plant (889.98 g), per plot (5.34 kg), and per hectare (89.00 q). The improved performance is mainly due to enhanced nutrient availability, microbial activity, and rhizosphere. The findings suggest that slight substitution of inorganic fertilizers with vermicompost and biofertilizers under INM is a sustainable and effective strategy to enhance growth, yield, and fruit quality in Cape gooseberry, especially in nutrient-deprived regions.