Development and bloom in hybrids of wild passion fruit cultivated in different types of pots and shading levels

Abstract

Ornamental hybrids of passion flowers are thoroughly diffused in many countries and used in the decoration of houses and gardens. However, the cultivation of ornamental passion fruits practically unexploited in Brazil. This study aimed at evaluating the growth and blooming of F 1 hybrids of Passiflora L. (P. sublanceolata J.M. MacDougal [ex P. palmeri var. sublanceolata Killip] vs. P. foetida var. foetida L.) cultivated in ceramic and concrete pots under different shading levels. The vegetative and flower evaluations were carried out weekly, in clonal cuttings 60 days after rooting. The height, leaf length and width, the number of internodes and leaves and stem diameter were evaluated using a randomized complete design in a factorial scheme which corresponded to two genotypes, two types of pot, three shading levels (25 %, 50 %, 75 %) and seven weeks of evaluation, with four replications. For the variable number of flowers, the same experimental design was adopted. However, the number of evaluations was modified for three periods, but this was not considered for the flower diameter and leaf area. The shading levels of 25 % and 50 % were the most favorable to the growth in height, whereas hybrid genotypes under 25 % shade had greater increase in the number of leaves, internodes and stem diameter, showing tolerance to moderate shade. The higher values for length, width and leaf area were observed at 75 % shade. The greatest number of flowers was verified at 25 % shadow in concrete pots. As for the types of pot, the ceramic ones were more favorable to the growth of hybrid plants during the first weeks of acclimatization to the treatments, and the concrete ones were more propitious to blooming. Thus, the use of hybrid plants in concrete pots for the ornamentation of internal environments is recommended, if they are well illuminated.

BLOOMING PATTERN OF PASSION FRUIT FLOWER (<i>PASSIFLORA EDULIS</i> SIMS.) UNDER DIVERSIFIED FLASHES

“…The irradiance of the environment in which the plants grow is of fundamental importance, because the adaptation of the plants to this environment depends on the adjustment of their photosynthetic apparatus, so the light is used in a possibly more efficient way (Santos et al, 2012). High irradiance may reduce the productivity of tropical plants (Santos et al, 2012). The duration of flower bud formation in the present study was recorded the longest at third flash (June) which was associated with the vigor of plant and weather condition.…”

“…respond differently to environmental factors. The radiation of the sun, which can be characterized by its quality, duration and intensity are a basic factor for plant development and flower production (Santos et al, 2012). The irradiance of the environment in which the plants grow is of fundamental importance, because the adaptation of the plants to this environment depends on the adjustment of their photosynthetic apparatus, so the light is used in a possibly more efficient way (Santos et al, 2012).…”

“…Joy (2010) observed that the influence of seasonality on the physical characteristics of the yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) was significantly better in moderate temperature (October to December 1995) and rainfall. Santos et al (2012) reported that photoperiod, air temperature and soil moisture determines the yield of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Sims.). The flowering, the fructification and the yield were not significantly affected by the different times of lighting.…”

Pre-breeding in Passiflora subrotunda Mast.: Morphological and Reproductive Characterization at Different Light Levels

“…These structures permitted 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of light incidence. The choice regarding the types of pots used was based on previous studies, which are contrasting to the cultivation of ornamental passifloras (Santos et al, 2012b). Fertilization was performed using micronutrients (boric acid, ammonium molybdate, zinc sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and copper sulfate) and macronutrients [urea, MAP, and potassium chloride (4N-14P-8K)] every 60 d. The values of photosynthetically active radiation (999.25 mmol photons m -2 • s -1 , 100% light; 643.12 mmol photons m -2 • s -1 , 75% light; 497.25 mmol photons m -2 • s -1 , 50% light; and 285.12 mmol photons m -2 • s -1 , 25% light) were obtained using a portable sensor light radiation BQM-SUN (Apogee, EUA).…”

“…Solar radiation is one of the environmental factors that most influence the growth of species, the distribution of plant species in several ecosystems (Valladares and Niinemets, 2008) and the production of flowers is characterized by light quality, duration, and intensity (Hopkins, 1999). Light intensity can affect photosynthesis, limiting or optimizing plant's growth, development, and the flower production, depending on the species (Pires et al, 2011;Santos et al, 2012b).…”