Biochemical Characterization of Local Populations of Physalis minima L. Suggests Correlation between its Fruit and Medicinal Properties

Physalis minima L. is known to possess numerous medicinal properties and has a potential to be utilized as a fruit plant. But the environment induced variations in biochemical constitution of this plant have not been identified. The present study was carried out for biochemical characterization of different populations of Physalis minima L. plants of Bihar and determine the correlation between medicinal and fruit value of the plant. Nineteen quantitative biochemical parameters were recorded for 70 plants of seven populations. Substantial variations, within and between populations, for all the biochemical characters was observed. The findings indicated the presence of positive and negative correlation within and between the nutritive and medicinal parameters of the plants. The biochemical characters were successfully able to distinguish the populations into different groups. The study thus concludes that the P. minima L. plants which have high medicinal value will also have highly nutritious fruits. It was also ascertained that the biochemical characters can be used as markers to characterize the plants and determine the relatedness between the plants of different regions. The information will thus enable easy selection of the commercially beneficial plants.