Passiflora Species Research Articles

Effect of Biostimulants on Plant Growth and Leaf Functional Compounds of Passiflora Plants

The influence of biostimulant treatments on Passiflora species was assessed by observing changes in the growth and leaf functional compounds of plants exposed to humic acids (HAs) and seaweed extracts (SEs) to determine their optimal application doses. Four different concentrations of HA irrigation (0, 144, 192, and 285 mg·L−1 per pot assigned as HI-1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively), HA spraying (0, 96, 128, and 192 mg·L−1 as HS-1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively), SE irrigation (SI-1∼4 at 0, 1, 1.33, and 2 g·L−1 per pot, respectively), and SE spraying (SS-1∼4 at 0, 0.5, 0.67, and 1 g·L−1, respectively) treatments were applied to ‘Tainung No. 1’ and Passiflora suberosa cultivars every week to study their responses in plant growth traits and metabolites. Results show that leaf dry weight (DW) and root DW of ‘Tainung No. 1’ plants under SS-3 and HI-4 treatments, respectively, were significantly increased compared with controls. Both HI-3 and HS-3 treatments remarkably increased vine length, fresh weight (FW), and DW of leaves and shoots in P. suberosa plants compared with controls. Furthermore, ‘Tainung No. 1’ and P. suberosa plants respectively subjected to HI-2 and SS-4 treatments contributed to developing biostimulant applications for obtaining higher total phenol and flavonoid content per plant. Both Passiflora species are recommended for treatment with SS-4 and SE to maximize orientin and isovitexin content, and for all their beneficial applications and sustainable use in agriculture.

Gas exchange in yellow passion fruit hybrids in the Semiarid region

Agronomic characterization and exploitation of the genetic variability in plants of the Passiflora can reveal important genetic resources because the Passiflora species grown under semiarid conditions make important contributions to breeding. The aim of this work was to evaluate the vegetative and physiological characteristics of fifteen yellow passion fruit hybrids in semiarid conditions. The experiment was conducted at IF Baiano – campus Guanambi, Bahia, Brazil. The 15 treatments were 10 genotypes: H09-10; GP09-02; H09-02; H09-14; H09-07; H09-09; FOP09; GP09-03; H09-30; FOP08 from the Active Germplasm Bank of the Genetic Breeding Program of Embrapa Cassava and Fruits, and five commercial hybrids: FB200; FB300; BRS SC; BRGA; BRS Rubi. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design, with three replications and five observational units per plot. Vegetative characteristics (main branch length, number of functional leaves, number of nodes, and number of flower buds) were measured at full vegetative development, 90 days after transplanting (DAT). Hybrid H09-10 is the earliest in flowering, physiologically more efficient in the morning, closes stomata in the afternoon, regulates transpiration, and has lower leaf temperature, higher photosynthesis rate, and more efficient water use. Gas exchanges and photosynthesis rates, at 300 DAT, vary between hybrids and reading times: photosynthesis is higher in the morning while transpiration is greater in the afternoon. The reduction in carboxylation efficiency is related to non-stomatal factors. Gas exchange variables of the genotypes tend to be directly correlated with the photosynthetically active radiation incident on the leaf

Passiflora By-Products: Chemical Profile and Potential Use as Cosmetic Ingredients

The cosmetics industry is constantly growing and occupies an important place in South American countries’ economies. Formulations increasingly incorporate ingredients from natural sources to promote sustainable and innovative productions, as well as to gain greater consumer acceptance. According to FAO, waste from post-harvest and food processing in developing countries exceeds 40%, generating significant environmental impacts and stimulating interest in adding value to these wastes, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sector in South American countries, thus contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By-products from harvesting and fruit processing of Passiflora species such as leaves, stems, peel, and seeds are a source of bioactive compounds; however, most of them are wasted. This study aims to compile reports on the chemical composition of cultivated Passiflora species, find evidence of the cosmetic activity of their extracts, and estimate their potential for inclusion in cosmetic formulations.

Genetic Diversity Analysis and Fingerprint Construction for 87 Passionfruit (Passiflora spp.) Germplasm Accessions on the Basis of SSR Fluorescence Markers

A comprehensive genetic diversity analysis of 87 Passiflora germplasm accessions domesticated and cultivated for several years in the karst region of Guizhou, China, was conducted utilizing simple sequence repeat (SSR) fluorescent markers. These Passiflora species, renowned for their culinary and medicinal value, could bring significant economic and ecological benefits to the region. This study aimed to assess the genetic resources of these species and facilitate the selection of superior cultivars adapted to the karst environment. Our analysis revealed an abundance of SSR loci within the Passiflora transcriptome, with single-base repeats being the most prevalent type. Through rigorous primer screening and amplification, we successfully identified 27 SSR primer pairs exhibiting robust polymorphisms. Further interrogation at eight microsatellite loci revealed 68 alleles, underscoring the high level of genetic diversity present in the cultivated accessions. The average expected heterozygosity was 0.202, with the ssr18 locus exhibiting the highest value of 0.768, indicating significant genetic variation. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.657 indicates the informativeness of these SSR markers. Comparative analyses of the cultivated and potential wild progenitors revealed distinct genetic variations among the different Passiflora types. Genetic structure and clustering analyses of the 87 accessions revealed seven distinct groups, suggesting gene flow and similarities among the resources. Notably, a DNA fingerprinting system was established using eight SSR primer pairs, effectively distinguishing the selected cultivars that had adapted to the karst mountainous region. This study not only deepens our understanding of Passiflora genetic resources in the karst environment but also provides a valuable reference for conservation, genetic improvement, and cultivar selection. The rich genetic diversity of the Passiflora germplasm underscores their potential for sustainable utilization in breeding programs aimed at enhancing the economic and ecological viability of these valuable plant species.

Validating the names of three species of Passiflora from the northern portion of South America

Three species of Passiflora known primarily from cultivation under popular names are here validly described maintaining the names already given: Passiflora azulitensis (Bryonioides), a species brought into cultivation from Venezuela by Miguel Molinari in the early 2000s, P. cocuyensis from Colombia by Bleddyn Wynn-Jones in 2016, and P. rogitamensis, also Colombian, by Klaas Kingma and Rob McPhail in the mid-2010s. All three species were given “naked names” referring to their locations of origin, and this paper validates those names in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature (ICN) criteria. In this manuscript, the species are here formally described and illustrated, with comments on their morphological relationships, environmental preferesnces and phenology. A geographic distribution map is provided, and a contemporary conservation status is assigned.

Unlocking Hidden Treasures: LC-MS/MS Molecular Networks for Exploring Novel Passiflora Species with Pharmaceutical Potential.

IIn this study, we report the metabolic profiling of several previously uncharacterized Passiflora species native to Brazil, employing molecular networks to delve deeper into chemical constituents. Using the GNPS platform, in silico tools, and substructure annotation techniques, we expanded the chemical annotations. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) revealed significant metabolic similarities between several species, including P. incarnata, suggesting shared pharmacological potential. Our identification of metabolic compounds facilitated comparisons between understudied species with medicinal properties. Notably, we documented 25 previously uncharacterized species, paving the way for the development of novel products aimed at improving human well-being. This research focused on several native Passiflora species from Brazil, highlighting their unexplored therapeutic potential.

Differential ovipositional preferences of Acraea terpsicore (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) on congeneric wild and introduced cultivated Passiflora plants based on differences in leaf characteristics

Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758) can utilize multiple host plants, particularly those in genus Passiflora, and poses a potential pest risk for introduced Passiflora plants and economically significant crops. In this study, the ovipositional preferences of an A. terpsicore population were investigated on four Passiflora species, including the wild host plant P. foetida, the fruit crop plant P. edulis, and two ornamental flower plants, P. × alata-caerulea and P. × coccinea-caerulea, as well as two non-Passiflora plants, Cucumis sativus and Vigna unguiculata. From a total of 4,059 eggs and 3,135 caterpillars, the majority of eggs were oviposited on P. foetida (50.63 %), followed by P. × coccinea-caerulea (23.40 %), P. × alata-caerulea (20.65 %), and P. edulis (5.32 %). Similarly, caterpillars were predominantly observed on P. foetida (38.66 %) and P. × coccinea-caerulea (38.50 %), followed by P. × alata-caerulea (17.86 %) and P. edulis (4.98 %). Meanwhile, neither eggs nor caterpillars were found on the non-Passiflora plants. Interestingly, the abundance of predatory arthropods mirrored the distribution of caterpillars. In addition, temperature and humidity strongly influenced the number of observed eggs and caterpillars. Although A. terpsicore preferred to oviposit on P. foetida, its caterpillars were equally abundant on P. × coccinea-caerulea. These differential ovipositional preferences and caterpillar proportions may be attributed to ovipositional preferences rather than caterpillars’ preferences. Although A. terpsicore is regarded as a non-pest species at present, this status may be altered if it encounters congeneric plants resembling its wild host plant within landscapes.

Relações entre variáveis do maracujá amarelo e roxo

ABSTRACT Brazil is the world’s largest producer of passion fruit, with the species Passiflora edulis Sims (yellow and purple passion fruit) being the most popular commercially. Due to the great economic importance of this culture, seeking high productivity, phytotechnical quality, and maintenance of existing germplasms, among others, it is necessary to carry out studies of the most diverse types of this culture. In this crop, the use of multivariate techniques has increasingly driven studies on genetic differences between passion fruit species. Therefore, this research aimed to identify the variables that deserve greater emphasis in experiments with two commercial species of Passiflora: Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis (purple passion fruit) and Passiflora edulis Sims (yellow passion fruit), verifying if the species differ from each other. For this purpose, principal component analysis, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and Hotelling’s T2 test were performed. The principal component analysis proved to be effective, allowing the removal of five variables for yellow passion fruit and six variables for purple passion fruit and yellow passion fruit present contrasting differences between them, being the explanatory variables for the purple passion fruit the external and internal color and for the yellow passion fruit length, diameter, and citric acid.

A new species of Passiflora (Passifloraceae, subgenus Passiflora) in the flora of Colombia discovered in uncharted Andean territory

A new species of Passiflora belonging to the subgenus Passiflora (supersection Stipulata, section Kermesinae) is described and illustrated from living material and herbarium specimens. Passiflora pitalensis is similar to P. lehmannii, and it can be recognized primarily by its petiole green, leaves with broader lobes, peduncle green, bract lanceolate, corona filaments in 5 series with outer filaments in 2 series, fruit ovoid, and seed margin dentate. This species is rare and endemic to Colombia in the Andean region at elevations ranging from 1,749–2,027 m and should be considered Endangered (EN) due to its restricted occurrence with a small population size of no more than 90 individuals.

Cytogenomic Characterization of Transposable Elements and Satellite DNA in Passiflora L. Species.

The species Passiflora alata, P. cincinnata, and P. edulis have great economic value due to the use of their fruits for human consumption. In this study, we compared the repetitive genome fractions of these three species. The compositions of the repetitive DNA of these three species' genomes were analyzed using clustering and identification of the repetitive sequences with RepeatExplorer. It was found that repetitive DNA content represents 74.70%, 66.86%, and 62.24% of the genome of P. alata, P. edulis, and P. cincinnata, respectively. LTR Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposons represent the highest genome proportions in P. alata and P. edulis, while Ty1/Copia comprises the largest proportion of P. cincinnata genome. Chromosomal mapping by Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) showed that LTR retrotransposons have a dispersed distribution along chromosomes. The subtelomeric region of chromosomes is where 145 bp satellite DNA is located, suggesting that these elements may play important roles in genome structure and organization in these species. In this work, we obtained the first global characterization of the composition of repetitive DNA in Passiflora, showing that an increase in genome size is related to an increase in repetitive DNA, which represents an important evolutionary route for these species.

Fossil seeds of Passiflora L.: An Oligocene record of a new species and a Pleistocene record of a modern species from the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain

We describe two small, compressed seeds from the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain that display a reticulate-foveolate seed coat pattern as species of Passiflora subgenus Passiflora. One was obtained from the basal layer of the Catahoula Formation in Wayne County, Mississippi, and is late Oligocene in age (25–23.8 Ma), supported by planktonic foraminferal and nannofossil zones. The other is from a Pleistocene river terrace (luminescent dating of 85–82 ka) on the banks of the Mobile River in Alabama. The Oligocene seed is tridentate (consisting of a central apical appendage and well-displayed lateral protrusions to the sides of this appendage), symmetrical, and has a palisade seed coat structure with ruminate endosperm. Its characters allow tentative placement within supersection Laurifolia and series Tiliifolia. Extensive comparisons with seeds of extant species of Passiflora subgenus Passiflora serve as the basis for recognizing it as a new species, Passiflora axsmithii sp. nov. The Pleistocene seed is obovate, slightly asymmetrical, has a small crown around the base of the apical appendage, and insubstantial lateral projections. As the Pleistocene seed is geologically young and fits the description of seeds produced by the native extant species Passiflora incarnata (supersection Passiflora, series Passiflora), we consider it very likely to be a representative of that species. The Oligocene seed is the earliest reliable record, thus far, of genus Passiflora. The Pleistocene seed is likely the earliest record, to date, of the extant species P. incarnata.

Neuropharmacological and anxiolytic effects of extracts of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima on mice

Anxiety and depression cause alterations in the physiology of an organism. Extracts from the leaves of several Passiflora species are traditionally used Peru and in many countries as anxiolytic and in treatment for inflammatory problems. This study aimed to determine the neuropharmacological effect of the ethanolic extract of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels. & P.Jørg. and its anxiolytic effect on mouse (Mus musculus var. albinus). Anxiety was evaluated with the marble burying test and the depressant effect with the Irwin test (locomotor activity, base of support, wobbly gait, immobility, escape, ease of handling, muscular strength, tight rope, inclined plane, catatonia, nociceptive reflex and death). Doses of 100 mg/Kg/body weight and 200 mg/kg/body weight by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) significantly decreased anxiety levels (p<0.05) in mice, and had a non-significant depressant effect in 11 of the 12 tests, showing a similar direction of correlation between diazepam and Passiflora extract effect. A greater anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects in mice was observed with the extract dose of 200 mg/kg/body weight with neuropharmacological manifestations found where no death was observed at any dose used.

A research on the detection of some phytochemical properties in the fruits of passiflora species

Passiflora belongs to the Passifloraceae family and is native to South Africa. Thanks to its health benefits, it is now commonly grown in tropical and subtropical regions. This fruit gathers attention, especially for its rich nutritional content, aroma, and taste. Passiflora has gained popularity in the Mediterranean region of Turkey, particularly in recent years. It stands out for its ease of maintenance, yielding twice a year, and high economic returns. Additionally, passiflora is used as an ornamental plant in landscaping arrangements by means of its showy flowers and is often referred to as the “passionflower” or “clock flower”. In this study, the fruits of P. edulis and P. caerulea species were examined for their phytochemical properties, such as DPPH, total phenol, sugar, and organic acid. DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐ picryl‐hydrazyl‐hydrate) and total phenol were analyzed using a spectrophotometric method, while sugar and organic acid were analyzed using HPLC.

Artificial infection with Fusarium solani f.sp. passiflorae in plants of passion fruit under controlled conditions

Controlled infection systems constitute a valuable tool in the study of pathosystems, as they enable the observation and measurement of specific characteristics with greater precision and ease compared to natural conditions. Additionally, they are useful for exploring and identifying sources of resistance in host populations. However, the plant's response to infection can vary depending on the inoculation method; invasive methods can damage plant parts, thus facilitating pathogen entry even in the presence of certain resistance mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of an artificial infection protocol and an assessment scale for primary symptoms at the stem base/root collar, as well as secondary symptoms in leaves and roots of two Passiflora species. We evaluated the effects of inoculating planting substrates of sweet granadilla and purple passion fruit plants with three concentrations of F. solani f. sp. passiflorae (0.5 × 106, 1 × 106, and 2 × 106 conidia gram-1 of substrate), using non-inoculated plants as controls under controlled conditions. These treatments were tested in two separate experiments performed in 2017 and 2020. The study included symptom development readings integrated in a disease severity index (SI) for collar rot. Both experiments showed severity indices greater that 56%, indicating a high level of efficacy of the inoculation system for replicating disease symptoms in greenhouse settings. Our inoculation method reflects the conditions of natural infection of F. solani in sweet granadilla and purple passion fruit plants; it could be suitable for epidemiological and disease control studies, as well as for routine germplasm screening to identify sources of resistance.

Multi-integrated genomic data for Passiflora foetida provides insights into genome size evolution and floral development in Passiflora

Passiflora is a plant genus known for its extremely distinctive and colorful flowers and a wide range of genome size variation. However, how genome characteristics are related to flower traits among Passiflora species remains poorly understood. Here, we assembled a chromosome-scale genome of P. foetida, which belongs to the same subgenus as the commercial passionfruit P. edulis. The genome of P. foetida is smaller (424.16 Mb) and contains fewer copies of long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs). The disparity in LTR-RTs is one of the main contributors to the differences in genome sizes between these two species and possibly in floral traits. Additionally, we observed variation in insertion times and copy numbers of LTR-RTs across different transposable element (TE) lineages. Then, by integrating transcriptomic data from 33 samples (eight floral organs and flower buds at three developmental stages) with phylogenomic and metabolomic data, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the expression, phylogeny, and copy number of MIKC-type MADS-box genes and identified essential biosynthetic genes responsible for flower color and scent from glandular bracts and other floral organs. Our study pinpoints LRT-RTs as an important player in genome size variation in Passiflora species and provides insights into future genetic improvement.Graphical

WRKY transcription factors in passion fruit analysis reveals key PeWRKYs involved in abiotic stress and flavonoid biosynthesis

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are a superfamily of regulators involved in plant responses to pathogens and abiotic stress. Passion fruit is famous for its unique flavor and nutrient-rich juice, but its growth is limited by environmental factors and pathogens. In this study, 55 WRKY genes were identified from the Passiflora edulis genome. The structure and evolutionary characteristics of PeWRKYs were analyzed using a bioinformatics approach. PeWRKYs were classified into seven subgroups (I, IIa, IIb, IIc, IId, IIe, III) according to their homologs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Group IIa PeWRKY48 gene was highly up-regulated under cold stress by RNA expression analysis, and transgenic PeWRKY48 in yeast and Arabidopsis showed resistance exposure to cold, salt, and drought stress. Metabolome and transcriptome co-expression analysis of two different disease resistance genotypes of P. edulis identified PeWRKY30 as a key TF co-expressed with flavonoid accumulation in yellow fruit P. edulis, which may contribute to biotic or abiotic resistance. The qRT-PCR verified the expression of key genes in different tissues of P. edulis and in different species of Passiflora. This study provides a set of WRKY candidate genes that will facilitate the genetic improvement of disease and abiotic tolerance in passion fruit.

A large new species of Passiflora, supersect. Laurifolia, ser. Quadrangulares (Passifloraceae) from the sub-Amazonian forests of Ecuador, with notes on its taxonomic alliance and distribution

We here describe and illustrate Passiflora yolandae, a new species of Passiflora subgenus Passiflora, ser. Quadrangulares, from east-central Ecuador, and discuss its morphology, phenology, distribution, and relationships with other closely related species. This species is most notable for its unusual pendent inflorescence, with the flowers borne on relatively long and slender peduncles, with which it is readily different from its nearest related species. The flower buds, during the early stages of development, are nearly perfectly spherical. Literature studies have shown this plant to be found and collected during previous surveys; however, the sterile condition of those specimens never warranted it the recognition as a new species. We evaluate its conservation status as Endangered. An identification key to the species of Passiflora ser. Quadrangulares is provided.

The species of the genus Azamora Walker, 1858 whose larvae feed on Passiflora sp. (Passifloraceae) in Tropical America (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae, Chrysauginae)

Three species of the genus Azamora Walker, 1858: A. sororia Druce, 1899, A. penicillana (Walker, 1863) and A. flammeana (Sepp, [1844]), have been found to feed on Passiflora species (Passifloraceae) in Tropical America. Adults and genitalia of the three species are illustrated.

Bright red passion fruit - evaluation of colorimetry and physicochemical quality for the fresh fruit market

The species Passiflora edulis Sims has varieties that produce fruits with colors that vary yellow to reddish purple and dark purple, all of which are well adapted to Brazil's varied climatic conditions. In the foreign market, demand is greatest for the variety Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims, or pure purple passion fruit (gulupa), whose adaptation is more restricted to cool and upland regions. The Embrapa Cassava and Fruits research unit (Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura) generated a variety of passion fruit derived from P. edulis with reddish-purple fruits, aiming at the identification of genotypes with lower acidity and greater fruit sweetness to supply the fresh fruit market. A half-sib population of 83 P edulis genotypes, segregated for light red to purple and yellow color, was evaluated. For previous selection, the fruits were tested based on sweetness, and 67 genotypes were identified, while the other genotypes constituted the population of origin. Fruit weight, pulp and peel weight, juice yield, soluble solids content (SS), titratable acidity (TA) and SS/TA ratio were evaluated, in addition to colorimetric evaluation CIE-LAB (L*a*b*) . For physical traits, there was no significant difference between the pre-selected and original populations. For the chemical characteristics of the pulp, variation was observed only in titratable acidity (TA), which was 38% lower in the pre-selected population, resulting in a 43% increase in the SS/TA ratio. High correlations were not observed between the colorimetric parameters (L*, a* and b*) of the peel and pulp as well as TA and SS/TA. The heritability (h2) of the evaluated traits was high (66.40% to 86.25%), and 26 genotypes were chosen (ratio from 7.0 to 15.29) with 33.12% lower acidity and 39.84% higher ratio in the next selection cycle. These selected individuals are favorable to development of a passion fruit cultivar with sweeter flavor to supply the domestic and foreign fresh fruit markets.

Occurrence of bean-associated cytorhabdovirus and cowpea mild mottle virus infecting cultivated and wild Passiflora spp. in Brazil

Bean-associated cytorhabdovirus (BaCV) is a strain of Cytorhabdovirus caricae (genus Cytorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae) identified in Brazil, in bean and soybean plants, in mixed infection with cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV, genus Carlavirus, family Betaflexiviridae). Ensuing the report of citrus-associated rhabdovirus (CiaRV — a citrus strain of Cytorhabdovirus caricae) infecting passion fruit in China, we speculated that BaCV, and possibly CPMMV, could be present in passion fruit crops in Brazil. This was tested by screening cultivated and wild Passiflora spp., and hybrid by RT-PCR and amplicon sequencing, which confirmed the presence of BaCV and CPMMV in several Passiflora spp. A total of 114 surveyed plants were collected in multiple locations from 2016 to 2021 and BaCV was identified in 4 of 19 cultivated P. edulis plants from a commercial field in Distrito Federal, Central Brazil. Moreover, while BaCV was detected in 4 of the 55 Passiflora accessions sampled at the Germplasm Bank “Flor da Paixão” (BAG-FP), CPMMV was identified in 14 of these 55 Passiflora spp. and hybrid accessions. This is the first record of BaCV in P. edulis in Brazil, and CPMMV and BaCV in other wild Passiflora species in the world. To investigate the potential mixed infection of BaCV and CPMMV-infected plants and other viruses previously identified infecting Passiflora spp. in Brazil, RT-PCR was conducted with specific primers for lettuce chlorosis virus (LCV, genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae) and cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae). Most of the inspected plants had a mixed infection with these viruses. Our results warrant further studies to evaluate these viruses’ epidemiology, impacts, and interactions in the passion fruit crop.