Cultivation Of Passion Fruit Research Articles

Water depletion on substrate and soil conditioner doses in the yellow passion fruit seedling formation

The cultivation of passion fruit requires constantly updated technical information to achieve competitive results. In this context, a commonly discussed aspect is the development of vigorous seedlings. The aim of this study was to assess water depletion levels in a substrate (WDL) and TerraCottem® doses for the formation of yellow passion fruit seedlings. The experimental design used was split plots in a completely randomized design, with four replications. The treatments consisted of 5, 15, 25, 35% of NDA and 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kg m-3 of TerraCottem® doses. The following variables were measured: plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves (NL), dry biomass of the aerial part (DSB), root system (DRS), total dry biomass (TDM), and the Dickson Quality Index (DQI) was calculated. WDL treatments did not influence the evaluated variables. NL, PH, SD, DSB, DSR, TDM, and DQI showed increases of 12.3, 13.4, 10.0, 30.1, 28.1, 29.5, and 26.8%, respectively, when comparing the highest TerraCottem® dose to the control treatment. Sliced interaction showed double gains for the highest TerraCottem® dose for SD and PH. The plants responded to higher doses of TerraCottem®, indicating synergy of the water-retaining polymer in the plant's water supply, especially in the presence of higher WDL.

Water-Retaining Polymer and Planting Pit Size on Chlorophyll Index, Gas Exchange and Yield of Sour Passion Fruit with Deficit Irrigation.

Water availability is a limiting factor for the cultivation of sour passion fruit. Soil management techniques and the use of water-retaining polymers can increase soil water retention, reducing the frequency of irrigation in the crop. In this context, the objective of the research was to evaluate the gas exchange, the chlorophyll index, and the yield of the sour passion fruit cv. BRS GA1 as a function of irrigation depths, pit volumes, and doses of water-retaining polymer. The experiment was carried out in randomized blocks, in plots subdivided in a 2 × (2 × 5) arrangement, with irrigation depths of 70 and 100% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) as the main plot, the subplots with the volumes of pit of 64 and 128 dm3, and doses of the water-retaining polymer of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g dm-3. The interaction of irrigation depths × pit volumes × doses of water-retaining polymer influences chlorophyll indexes, gas exchange, and water productivity, with positive impacts on yield of the sour passion fruit. The water depth of 70% of ETc increased the yield of sour passion fruit, in pits of 64 dm3. The application of doses of up to 1.1 g dm-3 of the water-retaining polymer and irrigation with water of 70% of ETc is recommended, and a dose of 2.0 g dm-3 of the water-retaining polymer in a pit volume of 128 dm3, associated with an irrigation depth of 100% ETc causes stress in sour passion fruit plants due to excess water.

Gas exchange and yield of yellow passion fruit under different irrigated depths, planting hole volumes, and hydroretentive polymer application

Passion fruit cultivation relies on irrigation to increase yields in the semiarid of northeastern Brazil. Water scarcity is one of the factors that most affect crop physiology, leading to lower yields. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of planting hole volume and application of a hydroretentive polymer on physiological and productive aspects of irrigated yellow passion fruit cv. BRS GA1 in the Northeast semi-arid region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, in a split-plot design 2 × (2 × 2). Treatments consisted of irrigation depths (100% and 70% of the crop's evapotranspiration requirement - ETc), planting hole volumes (64 dm3 and 128 dm3), and soil with and without application of hydroretentive Polymer (1.5 g dm3), with four replicates and three plants per plot. The analyzed variables included chlorophyll a and b indices, gas exchange, and yellow passion fruit yield. The findings showed that hydroretentive polymer application to the soil increases chlorophyll content and gas exchange in yellow passion fruit. Moreover, photosynthetic rates were not limited by a 30% reduction in irrigation depth and increased in plants grown in 128-dm3 planting holes with hydroretentive polymer. Based on yield results, irrigation depths can be reduced to 70% of the ETc by applying hydroretentive polymer in 64-dm3 planting holes.

Pollinators or pillagers? What is the impact of flower visitors on the production of yellow passion fruit?

The passionfruit flower is known for its self-incompatibility and dependence on pollinators; however, the decline of pollinating insects and the greater dependence on artificial pollination in commercial cultivation are evident. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the pollination deficit and the impact of floral visitors on the fruit set of the yellow passion fruit. The study was carried out in the commercial cultivation of yellow passion fruit, variety BRS Gigante Amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa), located in the municipality of Barra do Choça—BA, from January to June 2021. The bee species were identified at the flowering phase and the pollination deficit was estimated during planting. To assess the influence of floral visitors on fruit formation, two conditions of flower visitation were monitored: free visitation and free visitation without pillagers. Nine species of bees were collected visiting the yellow passion fruit flowers, the most frequent being Trigonisca sp. (70.96%), Xylocopa frontalis (14.53%), Trigona spinipes (8.10%), and Apis mellifera (5.50%). Regarding fruit set, there was no significant difference between manual cross-pollination and free pollination. However, the crop showed a pollination deficit of 16.67% in the fruit set and 28.25% in seed production. For floral visitors considered pillagers, no interference (or negative impact) on the rate of fruit formation was detected.

PRIMER REGISTRO DE Tosale oviplagalis (Walker) (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) COMO PLAGA PERFORADORA DEL FRUTO DE Passiflora ligularis (Juss, 1805), EN EL BOSQUE HÚMEDO MONTANO CARPISH, PERÚ

<p><strong>Background</strong>. No previous records of <em>Tosale oviplagalis</em> (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as an agricultural pest have been found. In Peru, the Chinchao area is part of the conservation area of the Carpish Montane Regional Forest, currently an expansion area for passion fruit (<em>Passiflora ligularis</em> Juss) cultivation and is home to endemic insect species that can access new food resources in the areas with crops. of cultivation. In 2019, the first reports of damage to granadilla fruits caused by these insects emerged. Objective<strong>.</strong> To register <em>T. oviplagalis</em> species for the first time as an agricultural pest in granadilla fruits and to showe its damage. <strong>Methodology</strong>. The larvae of the species were collected together with the immature damaged fruits of granadilla between the months of February and August of the year 2019, in the Chinchao-Huánuco-Peru area located between 2110 to 3690 masl; Subsequently, the breeding in the laboratory and the respective identification were carried out. Damage observations and descriptions were made in the field and in the laboratory. <strong>Results</strong>. In the larval state, the insect pierces the fruits, enters and feeds on the internal part of the epicarp, on its way it forms tunnels under the epidermis and usually takes refuge internally in the insertion of the peduncle, they complete their development and in the last stage occupying the same entrance orifice, they abandon the fruit, letting themselves fall to the ground to pupate. <strong>Implications</strong>. The study presents new information on the pest habits of the species <em>T. oviplagalis.</em> <strong>Conclusions</strong>. The species <em>T. oviplagalis</em> is recorded for the first time as a pest on the fruits of granadilla (<em>P. ligularis</em>). It was possible to show its damage, at the beginning with a small hole in the fruit through which the larval entered, completely deteriorated fruits and the complete development of the larva within the damaged fruit.</p>

Occurrence and Distribution of Major Viruses Infecting Passion Fruit in Guizhou Province, China, and Molecular Characterization of Two Potyviruses.

The planting of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) in the Guizhou Province has gradually increased, and the area under cultivation ranks third in China. However, the cultivation and production of passion fruit is severely affected by viral diseases. In 2021 and 2022, we investigated the occurrence of multiple viral diseases in major cultivation areas and identified the main viruses and conducted field surveys in different growing areas of passion fruit in the Guizhou Province, China. A total of 308 samples were randomly collected from 10 different passion fruit cultivation areas, and seven viral diseases were identified using electron microscopy, small RNA sequencing, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Among them, the infection rate of Telosma mosaic virus (TeMV) was the highest (50%), followed by East Asian Passiflora virus (EAPV) (19%), and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) (15%). The detection rates of the other four viruses were lower: Passiflora latent virus (PLV) (1%), Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) (0.6%), Passiflora virus Y (PaVY) (0.3%), and Euphorbia leaf curl virus (ELCV) (6%). In addition, high rates of mixed TeMV + CMV + EAPV infections were found in the province. Notably, 79% of EAPV-infected plants were also infected with TeMV. Finally, the molecular characteristics of the two highly detected potyviruses, TeMV and EAPV, were analyzed. To our knowledge, this study is the first systematic survey of viral diseases of passion fruit in the Guizhou Province, China.

Characterization of the NAC Transcription Factor in Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) and Functional Identification of PeNAC-19 in Cold Stress

The NAC (NAM, ATAF and CUC) gene family plays an important role in plant development and abiotic stress response. However, up to now, the identification and research of the NAC (PeNAC) family members of passion fruit are still lacking. In this study, 25 PeNACs were identified from the passion fruit genome, and their functions under abiotic stress and at different fruit-ripening stages were analyzed. Furthermore, we analyzed the transcriptome sequencing results of PeNACs under four various abiotic stresses (drought, salt, cold and high temperature) and three different fruit-ripening stages, and verified the expression results of some genes by qRT-PCR. Additionally, tissue-specific analysis showed that most PeNACs were mainly expressed in flowers. In particular, PeNAC-19 was induced by four various abiotic stresses. At present, low temperatures have seriously endangered the development of passion fruit cultivation. Therefore, PeNAC-19 was transformed into tobacco, yeast and Arabidopsis to study their function of resisting low temperature. The results show that PeNAC-19 responded to cold stress significantly in tobacco and Arabidopsis, and could improve the low temperature tolerance of yeast. This study not only improved the understanding of the PeNAC gene family characteristics and evolution, but also provided new insights into the regulation of the PeNAC gene at different stages of fruit maturation and abiotic stresses.

HCN-induced embryo arrest: passion fruit as an ecological trap for fruit flies.

Fruit flies are important economic pests of fruits, vegetables, and nuts all over the world. In this study, a permanent ecological trap, which was created by the ovicidal effect of phytogenic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) liberated from passion fruits due to oviposition by fruit flies and can be used in the pest management, were determined. Observation of fruit fly eggs in Passiflora within the passion fruit cultivation region in southern China, from Aug 2019 to Oct 2020 showed that the exotic Passiflora attracted the native fruit flies to oviposit, but the eggs could not hatch. Using classical staging to categorize embryonic development and fumigation assays, we show that oviposition by fruit fly on passion fruits, release HCN from the cyanogenic mesocarp. Exposure of the eggs to HCN causes arrest of embryonic development and finally the death of eggs. Our results reveal that the life cycle of fruit fly in Passiflora is interrupted at the egg stage. Consequently, we predict that this ecological trap may be permanent. Extensive cultivation of the Passiflora vine as a dead-end trap crop may be an effective avenue to reduce populations of fruit fly pests. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization and variability of strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae from the state of Pará, Brazil

Bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae, is a disease that has limited the cultivation of passionfruit in various orchards in Brazil. The objective of this work is to characterize and evaluate the variability of 29 strains of X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae from different municipalities producing yellow passionfruit in the state of Pará. The characterization was performed by the biochemical methods of KOH solubility, oxidase and Bactray, and the molecular methods of Xapas-F, Xapas-Ri and Xapas-Ro primers. The variability was evaluated by pathogenicity test and RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA). The strains of X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae were Gram-negative and oxidase-negative, and tests with the Bactray kit showed no relation between the collection municipality and group composition. The Xapas-F/Ri/Ro primers were specific for the strains. The primers used amplified 118 polymorphic bands in the RAPD reactions and the highest genetic similarity was between the strains PA15 and PA16. As the pathogenicity test evidenced a pathogenic variability, the strains PA2.1, PA4.5, PA14, PA4.2, PA4.1, PA4.6, PA3.4 and PA4.3 present the highest severity values for the disease. The strains of X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae show characteristics typical of the species, and genetic and pathogenic variability among them.

Economic indicators in the cultivation of passion fruit (passilora edulis) in the central region of Rondônia – Western Amazon

Brazil is the world's largest producer of passion fruit, with an average annual production of 700,000 tons. Although the production of the fruit is concentrated in the northeast region of the country, the states of the Amazon region have a significant production, especially in Amazonas, Pará and Rondônia. Even though there are several studies on passion fruit, there are still few works that address the economic aspects of the activity. Thus, the present study aimed to measure and analyze the main economic indicators of passion fruit cultivation in the Central Region of Rondônia, Western Amazon/Brazil. To reach the objectives, this descriptive and exploratory research, used the bibliographical research and the field study, promoting the collection of data through interviews applied to passion fruit producers established in three municipalities contained in the Western Amazon / Brazil - specifically in the central region of the state of Rondônia, and the information collected was treated qualitatively and quantitatively. Thus, it was especially found that the average monthly Return on Investment (ROI) of the activity was 3.98%, the average profitability was 10.86%, while the average profit was BRL 8,853.28 (US$ 2,425.56) per hectare grown from the fruit. Furthermore, through Pearson's correlation analysis, it was found that most economic indicators were highly dependent on the “production” variables.

RENTABILIDADE DO MARACUJAZEIRO AMARELO ORGÂNICO EM FUNÇÃO DA IRRIGAÇÃO, CULTIVO PROTEGIDO E POLINIZAÇÃO

ABSTRACT Passion fruit production has become an attractive activity due to its social and economic benefits, given the rapid economic return and well-distributed income over most of the year. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the technical and economic indicators of yellow passion fruit cultivation by combining irrigation, protected cultivation, and pollination. The experimental design was in randomized blocks set up in split plots (2 x 2 x 2), with eight treatments and four replicates containing four plants per experimental unit. The protected environment was installed on the upper part of each trellis and consisted of 100 m transparent plastic film as cover material. Irrigation was performed using a micro-sprinkler system, and pollination was either manual or natural (entomophilous). The following parameters were evaluated: commercial yield - estimated for one hectare considering the mass of marketable fruits produced in the plot (30 m2); production cost - capital depreciation, input prices, and labor used in cultivation; economic indicators - profitability index, family labor remuneration, profitability, net income, benefit/cost ratio, and fixed, variable, and total costs. The results show that artificial pollination increased the yield and provided a 41% higher profitability rate than natural pollination; supplemental irrigation, compared to rainfed cultivation, has no positive effects on profitability indices; protected cultivation increases the total cost and does not 0increase the yield; organic passion fruit production provides profitability indices ranging from 60% to 70%.

Peróxido de hidrogênio como atenuador do estresse salino na fisiologia e biomassa de maracujazeiro amarelo

ABSTRACT The success of yellow passion fruit cultivation in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil is conditioned on the ability of this crop to develop under salt stress conditions, so it is necessary to identify techniques capable of attenuating the deleterious effects caused by irrigation with high-salinity waters. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments and biomass of yellow passion fruit cultivated under salt stress and foliar application of hydrogen peroxide. The study was conducted in a greenhouse, with the experimental design in randomized blocks with three replicates, in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme, which consisted of four values of irrigation water electrical conductivity - ECw (0.7, 1.4, 2.1 and 2.8 dS m-1) and four concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0, 20, 40 and 60 µM). Irrigation using water with ECw from 1.4 dS m-1 compromised the photochemical efficiency, photosynthetic pigments, and biomass production of yellow passion fruit. Application of hydrogen peroxide at concentration of 20 µM promoted the highest values for variable and maximum fluorescence and concentration of carotenoids, constituting an alternative for the acclimation of yellow passion fruit to salt stress. Application of hydrogen peroxide at concentrations above 20 µM intensified the salt stress on passion fruit.

ASPECTOS FISIOLÓGICOS DO MARACUJAZEIRO-AMARELO COM USO DE HIDROGEL E MULCHING

ABSTRACT In the Brazilian semi-arid region, water deficit is one of the main factors that compromise the growth and productive yield of crops, including yellow passion fruit, due to the limitation of carbon assimilation by the photosynthetic activity of plants. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the soil with technologies that can reduce the loss of water in the soil and mitigate the effects of water deficit on yellow passion fruit plants cultivated under semi-arid conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of hydrogel doses and mulching to the soil on the physiological aspects of irrigated yellow passion fruit cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, referring to five doses of hydrogel (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g dm−3 of soil) in soil without and with mulching from signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens L.). The variables analyzed were chlorophyll indices, fluorescence (initial, maximum and variable) and gas exchange. The total chlorophyll index was increased with the application of 1.5 g dm−3 of hydrogel and the use of mulching; when applying hydrogel doses of 2.0 g dm−3 the photosynthetic rate of yellow passion fruit plants increased, whereas their transpiration rate increased with the use of mulching and doses of hydrogel; as a consequence, there was a reduction in water use efficiency.

Resistance to diseases of sour, sweet and wild passion fruit genotypes

The cultivation of passion fruit is important for Brazil, since the country is currently the largest producer and consumer of fruit in the world. However, the fields of passion fruit still face important problems due to the incidence and severity of diseases in the field. Thus, the present study aimed to assess resistance to bacterial and fungal diseases in 13 genotypes of sour, sweet and wild passion fruit, in field conditions in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. For this, a field experiment was installed in a randomized block design, with four replications and 13 treatments (genotypes). The characteristics of incidence, severity and degree of resistance for bacteriosis, septoriosis, scab and anthracnose diseases were evaluated in 5 fruits per plot of each genotype. Genetic parameters of the evaluated traits were also estimated. High heritability values and CVg/Cve ratio were observed for most of the evaluated characteristics. The genotypes presented mean values of incidence and severity of bacteriosis, septoriosis, scab and anthracnose different among them, and the one that presented the best results in the degree of resistance for all diseases was F1 (MAR20 # 24 x ECL7 P1 R4).

Postharvest quality of yellow passion fruit produced in soil with bovine biofertilizer and nitrogen.

The use of soil conditioners as bovine biofertilizer associated with mineral fertilization affect the physical and physicochemical quality of passion fruit. For fruit growth, post-harvest quality is crucial for production chain development, as it is the characteristic most used by the fresh consumption market for this fruit. In this sense, an experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of doses of bovine biofertilizer in the soil with and without nitrogen fertilization in the cultivation of yellow passion fruit. A randomized block design was adopted, with three replications in a 5×2 factorial scheme, referring to five doses of liquid bovine biofertilizer (B) diluted in water (A): 0% - control (0B + 4A); 25% (1B + 3A); 50% (2B + 2A); 75% (3B + 1A); and 100% (4B + 0A) with and without nitrogen fertilization applied to the soil. Urea was the nitrogen source used in this study. A total of 10 g plant-1 of N was applied monthly at 30 and 60 days after transplanting, and after that age, 20 g plant-1 was applied until the end of harvest. During the final phase of production and ripening, twelve fruits were harvested from each treatment in physiological maturation for physical and physicochemical characterization. The following analyses were performed: longitudinal diameter, transversal diameter, number of seeds per fruit, peel firmness, pulp yield, fruit peel percentage, pulp pH, soluble solids content; titratable acidity and soluble solids content/titratable acidity ratio. Data underwent analysis of variance by the F test means for nitrogen were compared by Tukey's test and means for bovine biofertilizer, by regression. Nitrogen enhances the positive effect of bovine biofertilizer on the postharvest quality of yellow passion fruit. The association of biofertilizer and nitrogen improves fruit quality in comparison to plants without these inputs, except for pulp yield and fruit peel percentage, which suffered isolated effects from the factors. High doses of biofertilizer, above 75 and 100%, reduce soluble solids content and increase titratable acidity. The bovine biofertilizer has promising effects, but it does not replace nitrogen fertilization on the postharvest quality of yellow passion fruit.

Brackish water irrigation strategies and potassium fertilization in the cultivation of yellow passion fruit

ABSTRACT The high concentration of salts in water sources in the semi-arid region of the Brazilian Northeast stands out as one of the limiting factors for the expansion of irrigated cultivation of fruit crops. Thus, the search for a strategy capable of mitigating the effect of saline stress on plants is of paramount importance. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the gas exchange and yield of yellow passion fruit cultivated under brackish water irrigation strategies and potassium fertilization in two production cycles. The experiment was conducted under field conditions, using the randomized block design in a 6 × 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to six strategies of irrigation with brackish water applied in the different phenological stages of the crop: WS - without stress, irrigation with low-salinity water throughout the crop cycle; irrigation with high-salinity water only in the vegetative stage - VE; flowering stage - FL; fruiting stage - FR; and successively in the vegetative and flowering stages - VE/FL; and vegetative and fruiting stages - VE/FR, and two potassium doses (60 and 100% of the recommendation), with four replicates and three plants per plot. In irrigation, water with high (4.0 dS m-1) or low (1.3 dS m-1) electrical conductivity was used. The potassium dose of 100% recommendation corresponded to 345 g of K2O per plant per year. The yellow passion fruit ‘BRS GA1’ was more sensitive to salt stress applied successively in the vegetative and flowering stages and vegetative and fruiting stages, showing reductions in the intercellular CO2 concentration, CO2 assimilation rate, instantaneous water use efficiency, number of fruits, and yield. Irrigation with water of 4.0 dS m-1 in the fruiting stage is a promising strategy, as it does not compromise production. The dose of potassium equivalent to 60% was better than 100% of recommendation in terms of gas exchange and yield.

Efeito de uma glicoproteína fúngica no controle da verrugose causada por Cladosporium herbarum em maracujazeiro

Abstract Phytosanitary problems drastically affect passion fruit cultivation around the world. Scab, a fungal disease that attacks the aerial part of plants, especially the younger leaves, impairs development and reduces plant productivity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of treatment with a fungal cell wall glycoprotein, named pGM from peptidogalactomanann, in the control scab caused by Cladosporium hebarum infection. Under greenhouse conditions, morphological parameters or plant development were evaluated in two passion fruit genotypes, ‘H09-110/111’ and ‘FB300’. pGM treatment was able to mitigate the damage caused to plant development in parameters such as height, the number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area and biomass in the ‘H09-110/111’ genotype compared to the control. However, in the genotype ‘FB300’, no significant differences were observed concerning the control. Passion fruit scab disease incidence and severity were also reduced by pGM treatment. Therefore, this study suggests that the use of pGM can lead to control and attenuation of the damage caused by this fungus in the early stages of passion fruit plants ‘H09-110/111’ when the plants are more susceptible to biotic stresses.

Reação de maracujazeiro-de-cheiro e maracujazeiro-amarelo a Rotylenchulus reniformis, Meloidogyne javanica e Pratylenchus brachyurus

Abstract Stinking passion flower (Passiflora foetida L.) is an herbaceous vine used due its medicinal properties. It could be an option to be used as a rootstock for sour passion fruit (P. edulis). This interest was especially motivated by its resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passifloraeand F. solani, two soilborne pathogens that severely limit the sour passion fruit cultivation in Brazil. Phytonematodes are other important soil pathogens to most crops, including Passiflora species, and they often interact synergistically with pathogenic Fusarium spp. strains. However, the host status of stinking passion flower to phytonematodes was not assessed yet. Therefore, three pot experiments were carried out in order to assess the reproduction of Rotylenchulus reniformis, Meloidogyne javanica and on Pratylenchus brachyurusstinking passion flower and sour passion fruit. Both P. foetida and P. edulis were susceptible to R. reniformis, but immune (or highly resistant) to both M. javanica and P. brachyurus. Based on previous and the present work, R. reniformis stands out and could be pointed as the most important species to species of Passiflora.

Early growth and dry matter partitioning of yellow passion fruit as affected by time of application and method of poultry manure placement

Purpose Passion fruit cultivation and utilization is fast emerging in Nigeria. Poultry farms are increasing with the corresponding increase in poultry manure production which is relatively affordable by farmers. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of placement method and time of poultry manure (PM) application on early growth and dry matter partitioning of yellow passion fruit. Method PM placement methods were incorporation, top-dressing, bottom-dressing and split combination of top-and bottom-dressing while time of PM application comprised application at transplanting, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after transplanting (WAT). The experiments were laid out as completely randomized design, replicated five and six times, respectively for PM placement methods and time of PM application. Growth and dry matter yield were determined at two weeks' interval and 20 WAT, respectively. Results Longest vines (78.5 cm) were significantly (p <0.05) produced by plants that were grown in PM incorporated medium. Thickest stems (6.75 mm), highest number of leaves (66.4) and dry matter accumulation were recorded in plants that received PM as top-dressing followed by PM incorporation. Application of PM at transplanting resulted in longest vines (95.8 cm), highest number of leaves (69.5) and dry matter partitioning to leaves, vines and roots. Conclusion PM top placement performed best with respect to early growth parameters and dry matter accumulation followed by PM incorporation, hence PM top placement is recommended for production of vigorous passion fruit vines in container. Poultry manure should be applied at transplanting for vigorous vines and not delayed beyond 4 weeks after transplanting.

Agro-morphological characterization of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener) reveals elite genotypes for a breeding program in Colombia

Yellow passion fruit cultivation in Colombia lacks detailed genetic studies that allow the establishment of intraspecific variability as a basis for a breeding program. The aim of this research was to establish the genetic relationships among accessions of different geographic origins through an agro-morphological characterization. This research was carried out in the municipality of Palestina (Caldas) at the Luker farm located at 1050 m a.s.l. Fifty-two accessions from Colombia (47), Ecuador (3), Brazil (1), and Costa Rica (1) were characterized with 45 agro-morphological descriptors complemented with phytosanitary evaluations. The quantitative descriptors (25) were analyzed by variance decomposition and principal components (PCA), and the qualitative descriptors (18) were analyzed with the multiple correspondence factor analysis (MCFA). The classification analysis by the neighbor-joining (NJ) method was used for both types of descriptors. PCA results showed six components explaining 71.6% of the total variance that are mainly associated with descriptors related to the size of the flower (tube, nectar camera, and operculum) and weight of the fruit (pulp, shell, and juice content). Thirteen qualitative descriptors were selected, and four factors (44.38% inertia) were identified, mainly associated with pubescence and anthocyanins in the bract, petiole, leaf, and ripe fruit color. The NJ classification analysis showed no relationship between accessions by geographic origin, and the distance between individuals of the same accession was higher than among accessions for both types of descriptors. Thrips (Neohydatothrips signifier) and scab (Cladosporium cladosporioides) were the pests with the highest incidence in the accessions. Six elite accessions were identified according to the selection index with outstanding fruit quality characteristics, yield, and tolerance to phytosanitary problems. The high intra-accession variability and traits of certain accessions are the basis for future breeding programs to obtain more productive and tolerant cultivars.