Effect of foliar application with methyl jasmonate on total phenol and flavonoid and some physicochemical properties of Physalis peruviana L. under soilless culture condition

Plant growth regulators has been recently attracted considerable attention as a one of the main important methods to induce natural resistance of agricultural crops. In this study, the effect of foliar application with methyl jasmonate at four levels (0, 1, 10 and 100 μM) with three replications on some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Physalis fruit was investigated. Fruits length and diameter, fresh and dry weight of fruits, fruits firmness, pH of fruit extract, total soluble solid, titratable acidity, fruits flavor and total phenol and flavonoids were evaluated. The results showed that foliar application of methyl jasmonate had a significant effect on the evaluated parameters. The highest total phenol and flavonoids content were recorded in 100 μM methyl jasmonate treatment, while lower concentrations of methyl jasmonate had a greater effect on soluble solids, fruit flavor and titratable acidity. Also, application of different concentrations of methyl jasmonate had a significant positive effect on fruit length and diameter compared to the control, but different concentrations of methyl jasmonate did not show significant differences on fruit length and diameter. Based on the results of the present study, it was found that methyl jasmonate treatment can be used as a healthy and safe treatment in the production of Physalis peruviana fruit in greenhouse conditions by affecting phenolic compounds and improving quantitative and qualitative properties.