Field assessment of a second generation backcross (BC1 x Passiflora edulis) of passion fruit for agronomic performance and resistance to CABMV

The objective of this work was to characterize and identify among the passion fruit hybrids of the second generation backcross (BC2: BC1 x P. edulis), resistance to passion fruit woodiness disease (CABMV) with desirable agronomic attributes. Ninety-two progeny of BC2 hybrids were evaluated for severity of the virus in conditions of field, physical and chemical characterization of the fruits and precocity of the plant in relation to the vegetative and reproductive phases. The data were analysed using multivariate statistics and mixed models (REML/BLUP) to estimate genetic parameters. The sigma g2 was conditioned by sigma d2 and sigma a2, for number of fruits, fruit and peel weight and soluble solids and the effect of sigma a2 for virus severity to CABMV and effect of sigma d2 on the variables fruit length, fruit diameter, peel thickness and pulp weight. For the titratable acidity it had no sigma g2. The progeny BC2-A, BC2-C, BC2-E, BC2-F and BC2-H families can be selected for use in passion fruit breeding programmes by adding high vegetative vigour, early fruit production, resistance to CABMV and also desirable agronomic attributes.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to identify hybrids of passion fruit with resistance to woodiness disease and desirable agronomic traits. Through evaluation of 92 BC2 hybrids and estimation of genetic parameters, several families were found to have potential for use in passion fruit breeding programs.