Survey of U.S. Passionfruit growers’ production practices and support needs

Authors: STAFNE, ERIC - University Of Mississippi; BLARE, TRENT - University Of Florida; POSADAS, BEN - University Of Florida; DOWNEY, LAURA - University Of Florida; ANDERSON, JOSH - University Of Florida; CRANE, JONATHAN - University Of Florida; GAZIS, ROMINA - University Of Florida; FABER, BEN - University Of Florida; Stockton, Dara; CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida; MORALES-PAYAN, PABLO - University Of Florida; DUTT, MANJUL - University Of Florida; CHAMBERS, ALAN - University Of Florida; CHAVEZ, DARIO - University Of Florida

Submitted to: HortTechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2023
Publication Date: 7/14/2023
Citation: Stafne, E.T., Blare, T., Posadas, B., Downey, L., Anderson, J., Crane, J., Gazis, R., Faber, B., Stockton, D.G., Carrillo, D., Morales-Payan, P., Dutt, M., Chambers, A., Chavez, D. 2023. Survey of U.S. Passionfruit growers’ production practices and support needs. HortTechnology. 33(4):357-366. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05240-23.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05240-23

Interpretive Summary: Passionfruit production is a growing area of agricultural in tropical and subtropical growing regions of the United States, however little is known about stakeholder needs and exisiting horticutlural practices. A survey was conducted using SCRI grant planning funds to determine key areas of knowledge including pest management, breeding, trellising, marketing, and extension support. The results showed that most of the passionfruit production in the U.S. is in purple types while nearly all Puerto Rico farms plant yellow passionfruit (P. edulis f. flavicarpa). The biggest obstacle to obtaining optimum production was labor availability, followed by weather variability, vine decline, poor pollination, and availability of quality varieties. Fungal diseases were of particular concern to growers of passionfruit in the U.S., although identification of specific diseases was limited. Online articles and webinars were the most preferred methods of information delivery as reported by respondents. This information will be used to inform future research and grant development and aid in extension outreach approaches from Universities.

Technical Abstract: Passionfruit (Passiflora sp.) is widely grown throughout tropical parts of the world. Burgeoning new interest in this fruit in both fresh and processed forms has led to an increase in planting outside of traditional growing zones. Passionfruit production has increased steadily in the U.S. and its territories since the 2002 USDA Census of Agriculture; however, little is known about the reported production areas and how the industry functions. To assess passionfruit growers’ production practices and support needs we conducted a survey during 2021. It consisted of 45 questions pertaining to various aspects of passionfruit production including horticultural practices, pest management, varieties grown, and industry obstacles and needs. The objectives of the survey were to identify where passionfruit was currently being grown in the U.S., what production practices were being used, and what problems were being encountered such that researchers and extension personnel could provide remedy in the future. Forty-four surveys were complete and allowed for data fidelity. Florida had the most responses (21), followed by Puerto Rico (12), and California (6). Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Virgin Islands completed the remainder. Most of the passionfruit production in the U.S. is in purple types (Passiflora edulis f. edulis) at 68.2%. This value is driven by the high amounts of purple passionfruit in Florida and other states. In contrast, nearly all Puerto Rico farms plant yellow passionfruit (P. edulis f. flavicarpa) with fewer purple types. The biggest obstacle to obtaining optimum production was labor availability. Managing passionfruit, like many other specialty crops, is labor intensive and includes many activities that require touching the vine frequently such as weeding, training, pruning, and harvesting. Other obstacles noted were weather variability, vine decline, poor pollination, and availability of quality varieties. Diseases, especially fungal diseases, are of particular concern to growers of passionfruit in the U.S., although identification of specific diseases was limited. Online delivery methods of information rank high on the list of desired products. Online articles, such as those offered by Extension services, were the most preferred followed by webinars, a more recently developed method of information delivery. Overall, the survey provided a baseline of information to further develop initiatives to aid passionfruit production within the US.