Characterization of Passiflora edulis accessions with sweet taste potential in Padang

Abstract

A sweet fruit taste of passion fruit is produced by Passiflora ligularis, which adapts in around 1400 masl. Some P. edulis accessions which wide elevation adaptation was reported to have a sweet fruit taste. This study aimed to examine the morphological characteristics of progenies from red- and yellow-rind passion fruit and obtain an adaptive sweet passion fruit accession in low-elevation conditions. A total of 118 progenies of P. edulis classified as their parents’ rind color and fruit shape were germinated in October 2021 and transplanted to the field after two months in Padang city at 163 masl elevations. The characterization was conducted by observing all accessions which produced ripe fruits until September 2022. Results from 35 accessions showed variation in quantitative characters, while similar qualitative characters in stem, leaf, and flower among accessions, except tendril and stem color. The noticeable differences between the accessions are fruit characteristics. Round red-rind accessions have the heaviest fruit (102.05g). Yellow-rind passion fruit has a sweetness level of 19.5°brix, sweeter than oval red-rind (17.04°brix) and round red-rind (16°brix). Accession KK 42, ML 44 and MB 26 reveal high TSS, i.e. 20, 19 and 18°brix, respectively; however, no accession has a sweet taste fruit. A recessive allele may control the sweet taste character. Segregation of the genes that control carbohydrate metabolism into sugar in fruits and outcrosses occurring among accessions are responsible for the variation in fruit characteristics.