Phenotypic evaluation of a selected population of the sweet passion fruit, based on fruit quality and production

• Grant number: 12/09100-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: July 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Maria Lúcia Carneiro Vieira
• Grantee: Lourdes María Chavarría Pérez
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is the largest producer of passion fruit in the world. In 2008, passion fruit was grown over 49,000 hectares, producing a harvest of 685,000 tons of fruit. The majority of the commercial crop (95%) is yellow passion fruit, but a second species the sweet passion fruit can reach up to triple the price of yellow passion fruit in fresh fruit markets. The aroma and flavor characteristics of the fruit make it highly desirable for human consumption, either as fresh or processed products. Because of its high value and its increasing popularity, it is desirable to cultivate this species on a larger scale. Our research group has generated considerable data on genetics of Passiflora. For example, we constructed an integrated linkage genetic map for sweet passion fruit based on AFLP, SSR, SNP, M-AFLP and RGA markers. The linkage maps provide resources for breeders, because they allow investigating the associations between molecular genotypes and desirable phenotypes. The same population was analyzed under field conditions, in two locations, being measured traits related to fruit quality and yield. The genetic-statistical analysis identified the 30 superior genotypes in each location, separately, but also in both locations. Then, we cloned these genotypes to continue the genetic studies. However, to suggest a selection strategy aiming at the development of an improved sweet passion fruit population, it is necessary to re-evaluate the performance of these genotypes, classified as adapted or superior. This is the main objective of this project, providing the first research step towards a sweet passion fruit breeding program. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CHAVARRIA-PEREZ, LOURDES MARIA; GIORDANI, WILLIAN; GRACAS DIAS, KAIO OLIMPIO; COSTA, ZIRLANE PORTUGAL; MASSENA RIBEIRO, CAROLINA ALBUQUERQUE; BENEDETTI, ANDERSON ROBERTO; CAUZ-SANTOS, LUIZ AUGUSTO; PEREIRA, GUILHERME SILVA; BACHEGA FEIJO ROSA, JOAO RICARDO; FRANCO GARCIA, ANTONIO AUGUSTO; et al. Improving yield and fruit quality traits in sweet passion fruit: Evidence for genotype by environment interaction and selection of promising genotypes. PLoS One, v. 15, n. 5, MAY 14 2020. (12/09100-5, 16/12977-7, 10/06702-9, 18/09069-7, 17/04216-9)