Challenges in breeding and selecting Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa × P. incarnata hybrids

Authors: STAFNE, ERIC - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Technology in Horticulture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2023
Publication Date: 9/4/2023
Citation: Stafne, E. 2023. Challenges in breeding and selecting Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa × P. incarnata hybrids. Technology in Horticulture. https://doi.org/10.48130/TIH-2023-0016.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.48130/TIH-2023-0016

Interpretive Summary: Passiflora has many species. The species native to North America is Passiflora incarnata. Breeding to make commercial fruiting hybrids has not had much success. Controlled crosses of Passiflora incarnata and Passiflora edulis were made to create hybrids that survive colder winters. The number of fruits collected per vine were from 4 to 52. Some fruits produced no seeds but others averaged more than 25 seeds per fruit. Pulp weight ranged from 0 to 10 g. The widths of fruits ranged between 32 and 46 mm. Vines with Passiflora incarnata from Illinois as a parent had overall poor growth and fruit production. The vines with Passiflora incarnata from Oklahoma had the best growth and fruit production. Mississippi-based Passiflora incarnata vines also had good fruit characteristics. Based on the results of this study, there is reason to be optimistic about breeding Passiflora hybrids.

Technical Abstract: Passiflora is comprised of many species, with P. edulis being the prominent commercial species. Another species that grows in more temperate regions is P. incarnata. Breeding to create interspecific hybrids with these two species has been done before but without longstanding success. Controlled crosses of P. edulis f. flavicarpa × P. incarnata were made to generate baseline data on interspecific passionfruit hybrids that can survive subtropical and temperate winters. The number of fruits collected per individual hybrid selection ranged from 4 to 52. Some fruits produced no seeds whereas others averaged more than 25 seeds per fruit. Pulp weight ranged from 0 to 10 g, with two individuals above 10 g. Many vines had poor pulp percentage (< 25%). A few were over 30% and two individuals were over 40%. The average width of fruit ranged between 32 and 46 mm. The overall shapes were similar among fruits. Vines with P. incarnata from Illinois (USA) as a parent produced fewer seeds, lower total fruit weight, shorter height, smaller width, lower fruit density, lighter pulp weight and pulp percentage. The vines with P. incarnata from Oklahoma (USA) as a parent made more seeds, longer height, and a more elongated shape than the other two pollen parents. Mississippi-based P. incarnata vines had the greatest average total fruit weight, hull weight, fruit width, and fruit density. Based on the results of this study, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic about interspecific hybrid Passiflora involving P. incarnata. Creating more generations with backcrossing to P. edulis is the next logical step in the process.