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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #417083
Research Project: Management of Diseases, Pests, and Pollinators of Horticultural Crops

Location: Southern Horticultural Research Unit

Title: Effect of trellis orientation on Passiflora incarnata growth and production

Author
item STAFNE, ERIC - Mississippi State University
item REZAZADEH, AMIR - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Horticulture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/2021
Publication Date: 8/30/2021
Citation: Stafne, E., Rezazadeh, A. 2021. Effect of trellis orientation on Passiflora incarnata growth and production. Journal of Applied Horticulture. https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.65.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.65

Interpretive Summary: Passiflora incarnata, often referred as ‘maypops’, has showy flowers and large fruit. This species has been shown historically to be a food crop, but it is not commercially grown. Passiflora vines must be trellised to keep flowers and fruit off the ground.Two simple trellis systems made from t-posts, wire fencing, and cement blocks were constructed. One trellis was horizontal to the ground roughly one foot off the pad. The other trellis was perpendicular to the groun and reached a height of five feet. Three species were grown: Passiflora caerulea (blue passion flower), Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (yellow passion fruit), and Passiflora incarnata (maypop). There were no differences in vine growth, fruit yield, or fruit quality between vertical and horizontal trellised passion fruit vines in our study so we recommend employing a vertical trellis system.

Technical Abstract: Passiflora incarnata L., often referred as ‘maypops’, has showy flowers and large fruit. This species has been identified in historical documents as being a food crop, although it is not presently grown as a commercial crop. To better facilitate harvest, Passiflora vines must be trellised to keep flowers and fruit off the ground. There are different methods to accomplish this, but there is little consensus as to the best model. Simple trellis systems made from t-posts, wire fencing, and cement blocks were erected onto a crushed rock covered nursery pad. One trellis was made horizontal to the ground roughly 0.3 m off the pad. The other trellis was vertical (perpendicular to the ground) and reached a height of 1.5 m. Three Passiflora species were used: P. caerulea L. (blue passion flower), P. edulis Sims f. f lavicarpa O. Deg. (yellow passion fruit), and P. incarnata (maypop). There were no statistically significant differences between vertical and horizontal trellised passion fruit vines in our study. Overall, trellis orientation did not appear to significantly impact vine growth, fruit growth, or fruit quality of P. incarnata. We recommend employing a vertical trellis system for this species.