Husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot.) response to inoculation with beneficial microorganisms

Objective: To evaluate the response and to determine the yield of husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot.) seedlings to inoculation, using different beneficial microorganisms and methods. Design/Methodology/Approach: The experiment was set up under a randomized complete block design, with ten repetitions per treatment. Three biofertilizers were individually evaluated: Rhizophagus intraradices, Azospirillum sp., and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Different inoculation methods were evaluated for each biofertilizer. The experiment included a control treatment without inoculation. The inoculation methods were: 1) application to the substrate, 2) application to the seed, and 3) irrigation of the plant nursery. Results: The results showed significant differences between inoculation methods. Seed inoculation recorded the best growth and yield response. The treatments inoculated with R. intraradices obtained the highest yield (74%). Regarding bacteria, Azospirillum sp. recorded the best yield (21%), followed by Pseudomonas fluorescens (18%). Study Limitations/Implications: The mycorrhizal inoculation of seedlings before transplanting may have favored its performance, hindering a fair comparison of the treatments. Findings/Conclusions: The most effective strategy was the seed inoculation method, because it significantly enhanced both crop growth and yield. Treatments inoculated with the R. intraradices arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus achieved the highest husk tomato yields, highlighting the potential of this symbiosis to increase crop productivity.