Progress in the study of phenology cholupa (Passiflora maliformis L.) in producing areas of Colombia

Abstract

The cholupa or stone granadilla (Passiflora maliformis L.) is one of the eight cultivated species of the genus Passiflora L. However, knowledge about the phenological development of this species has not been investigated. This study aimed to assess some aspects of phenology of cholupa growth in vegetative and reproductive phases in the town of Rivera (Colombia). For this, plant phenology during vegetative and reproductive phases of growth was evaluated by weekly measurements of length and number of stem nodes, primary and secondary branches, and longitudinal and transverse fruit diameter in commercial crops. The curves were obtained that describe the dynamics of growth of the main stem and primary and secondary branches and their respective equations by curve fitting technique, which was fitted to sigmoidal-logistic models with high statistical reliability. The time from anthesis to fruit maturity was between 50 and 60 days; the final longitudinal and transverse diameters averaged 54 and 53 mm, respectively. The phenological BBCH scale was established for the major phenological stages (E1: leaf development of the main stem, E3: stem elongation, E5 and E6: appearance and development of floral organs and flowering, and E7: fruit development). These aspects of cholupa development were similar to the ones reported for other Passiflora species and are very useful results to define agronomic practices in cultivation and breeding programs.