Preliminary evaluation of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims.) hybrids

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims., family Passifloraceae) is proved to possess various therapeutic properties. But there are only very limited numbers of cultivars, varieties and hybrids available in passion fruit which hinders the farmers for adoption of commercial cultivation. Hence, a study was undertaken to develop and evaluate new hybrids in passion fruit. The selfing and crossing resulted in 8 hybrids and one selfed progeny, viz., S₁ (P₃ x P₃), H₁ (P₃ x P₆), H₂ (P₄ x P₂), H₃ (P₄ x P₆), H₄ (P₅ x P₄), H₅ (P₆ x P₁), H₆ (P₆ x P₂), H₇ (P₆ x P₄) and H₈ (P₆ x P₅). Among the preliminary evaluation conducted for parents, passion fruit hybrids and the selfed progeny, the vegetative and floral characters did not show significant variation. But, statistical analysis of phenological characters has shown that days to first flowering, days to first fruiting and flowering to harvest duration varied significantly among the parents, hybrids and the selfed progeny. The minimum number of days for flowering was observed in H5 (200.00 days). Whereas the phenological characters like days from flower bud initiation to anthesis and duration from anthesis to fruit set did not show statistical differences. This study would help in the breeding programmes for development of superior hybrids in passion fruit, thereby expanding the commercial cultivation of this valuable medicinal as well as fruit crop, leading to the economic stability of farmers.