New rootstocks make sour passion fruit viable in MT

Two new wild passion fruit cultivars for use as rootstock developed by Embrapa, in partnership with Coopernova, are bringing back the possibility of producing sour passion fruit in Mato Grosso. The materials BRS Terra Nova (BRS TN) and BRS Terra Boa (BRS TB) are resistant to fusariosis, a disease that has decimated passion fruit trees in the state. Selected from wild species, they serve as rootstock for commercial sour passion fruit cultivars.

Already validated for the state of Mato Grosso, these cultivars were presented today (10/12), in Terra Nova do Norte (MT). Two other cultivars, also resistant to the disease, are scheduled to be presented in the coming months: BRSRJ MD, validated in Rio de Janeiro in Atlantic Forest conditions, and Ufersa BRSRM 153, validated in Rio Grande do Norte and Bahia in Semiarid and Cerrado conditions.

The new cultivars are of the species Passiflora nitida Kunth (BRS TN) and Passiflora alata Curtis (BRS TB). They were developed and validated in the northern region of Mato Grosso through a partnership between Embrapa and Coopernova. Selected materials from different species and interspecific hybrids were tested in areas with fusariosis problems by rural producers associated with Coopernova from 2008 onwards. The cultivars BRS TN and BRS TB were the ones that best adapted to the region and were compatible with sour passion fruit cultivars. Passiflora, remained productive and, above all, did not present symptoms or mortality due to fusariosis.

The action of fusariosis in passion fruit

The fungi Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. passiflorae e Fusarium solani They cause, respectively, the clogging of the vascular system and root rot, leading to the premature death of the plants. These fungi are present in the soil and take advantage of root lesions to infect the plant. Over time, the roots rot and the leaves wilt, leading to the death of the passion fruit plant. Control is difficult, since there are no chemical alternatives or other effective strategies for managing the disease. In addition, the fungus can survive for many years in the soil, even in the absence of host plants.

Research actions began 26 years ago

Research that seeks to develop technologies that contribute to the management of these diseases caused by Fusarium began 26 years ago at Embrapa Cerrados (DF). According to Fábio Faleiro, leader of Embrapa's Passion Fruit Genetic Improvement Program (PMGM), solving the problem of fusariosis has always been an important demand of passion fruit producers.

“Many producers give up on passion fruit because of fusarium wilt. Therefore, the presentation of the first wild passion fruit cultivars for use as rootstock, developed by PMGM, represents an important milestone for the crop in the country,” says Faleiro, who also works as deputy head of Technology Transfer at Embrapa Cerrados. He emphasizes that the new materials have been validated under commercial conditions and registered with the Ministry of Agriculture (Mapa).

The first experiments were established in 1998 by researcher Nilton Tadeu Vilela Junqueira and involved the identification and use of wild species and hybrids resistant to fusarium wilt to be used as rootstocks for sour passion fruit. With the beginning of the PMGM, crossings, selection and recombination of promising genotypes were carried out.

A network of partnerships was established to carry out compatibility tests with commercial passion fruit (Passiflora edulis L.) to optimize grafted seedling production methods; conducting bioassays and validation in commercial areas with a history of fusariosis. The work also involved establishing the logistics for seed and seedling production of the cultivars developed. These actions were carried out during the five phases of the program.

In the fifth phase of the PMGM, the technological finalization of four wild passion fruit cultivars was carried out for use as rootstocks resistant to fusariosis, with the materials registered in Mapa: BRS Terra Nova (BRS TN), BRS Terra Boa (BRS TB), BRSRJ Minimaracujá Doce (BRSRJ MD) and Ufersa BRS Resistente de Mossoró 153 (Ufersa BRSRM 153). 

Presentation of materials in Mato Grosso

Embrapa and the Coopernova cooperative presented today, in Terra Nova do Norte (MT), the passion fruit cultivars BRS Terra Nova and BRS Terra Boa. Indicated for use as rootstock for sour passion fruit in the state of Mato Grosso.

There were presentations on the history of the partnership between Embrapa and Coopernova, the passion fruit production system, the fusarium wilt disease and the results of research with the new cultivars as rootstock. At the end of the morning, there were also two technical visits to Coopernova and to the commercial area with a history of fusarium wilt where the cultivars were validated.

Embrapa will later inform about the nurseries licensed to commercialize the new materials.

grafting

Unlike other fruit trees, such as citrus, mango and jaboticaba trees, where grafting is done using branches from an adult plant, passion fruit requires the use of young plants. This is because they are free of viruses and do not yet have a hollow stem, like older plants. Furthermore, due to the passion fruit's self-incompatibility, when establishing orchards from grafted seedlings, it is necessary to use different genotypes (obtained from seeds) as the scion.

In this way, the planting is done in a nursery, using seeds, of both the cultivar that will be the rootstock, or horse, and the cultivar that will be the scion. The research carried out by Embrapa in partnership with the Coopernova cooperative in Terra Nova Norte (MT) began in 2008 and successfully evaluated the use of rootstocks Passiflora nitida cv. BRS TN Alata passionflower cv. BRS TB. In the first experiments, the sour passion fruit cultivar BRS Gigante Amarelo was used as a crown.

“The productivity of grafted passion fruit is not the same as that of ungrafted plants. Ungrafted plants have a faster initial development and this allows for greater productivity at the beginning of the production period. However, one aspect that cannot be ignored is that ungrafted plants do not survive in areas with a history of fusarium wilt,” explains Givanildo Roncatto, a researcher at Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril (MT) and responsible for research in Mato Grosso.

Evaluations in producer areas showed a productivity of grafted plants of 28 to 30 tons per hectare (t/ha). To achieve this productivity, Coopernova's associated producers use technology in the production system, such as the use of genetically superior canopy cultivars, correction of soil acidity and fertility, formation pruning, manual pollination, irrigation, adequate nutrition and phytosanitary management of the plants. This productivity obtained by grafted seedlings is double the national average productivity, of 14 t/ha to 15 t/ha.

According to Roncatto, research on passion fruit in Mato Grosso will continue with the optimization of the production process of grafted seedlings and with tests of newer cultivars of passion fruit as crowns and also on ungrafted plants in areas with no history of fusarium wilt.

Givanildo also believes that it is possible to advance research into grafting techniques to increase the productivity of grafted plants.

Subsequently, Embrapa and its partners will establish and expand the logistics for the production and marketing of seeds and grafted seedlings in different regions of Brazil. In addition, seed producers and nurserymen who produce grafted seedlings will be licensed, guaranteeing the genetic origin, as well as the phytosanitary and physiological quality of these materials. The contact details of these nurserymen can be found on Embrapa's passion fruit cultivars page.

Fusarium wilt in MT caused most producers to abandon the crop

First identified in the region of Terra Nova do Norte in 2005, fusarium wilt has become a problem for passion fruit producers. According to Coopernova, between 2008 and 2009, more than 300 members produced the fruit. Within two years, approximately 90% of them had abandoned the activity due to the death of the plants. The loss of investment added to the idle capacity of approximately 85% of Coopernova's processing industry.

In recent years, with the distribution of grafted seedlings, passion fruit production has grown again in the state. According to the IBGE, in 2023 the area harvested with the fruit was 320 hectares, in 313 rural establishments, which generated an income of R$ 27,8 million, R$ 10 million more than in 2022. The largest production is in the northern region of the state, in municipalities covered by Coopernova, such as Guarantã do Norte, Juína, Terra Nova do Norte, Peixoto de Azevedo and Matupá.

The family of rural producer and pulp producer André Piccini was one of those affected by the disease. His father started growing passion fruit in Terra Nova do Norte 20 years ago. However, fusarium wilt caused the plants to start dying. “At that time, we had no alternative, we had no way to plant,” he said.

His property was one of the first to test the new cultivars, eight years ago. “We planted a thousand plants and were very successful. The result was fantastic,” he says happily. According to him, the production is practically the same, but with resistance to the disease. “If it weren’t for the grafted passion fruit, it wouldn’t be possible to grow it. The entire region is covered in passion fruit.” fusarium”. About 80% of the family's income comes from the sale of passion fruit pulp.

BRS Terra Nova and BRS Terra Boa

The cultivars BRS Terra Nova (BRS TN) and BRS Terra Boa (BRS TB) were obtained through conventional genetic improvement aiming at increasing productivity, resistance to fusariosis and agronomic performance of grafted seedlings using, as a scion, sour passion fruit cultivars (Passiflora edulis SimsL.).

BRS Newfoundland - the first selection and recombination cycles took place in 2008, using accessions and populations of Passiflora nitida Kunth that occurred naturally in areas with a history of fusariosis in the North of the state of Mato Grosso. Registered cultivar (RNC No. 54599) based on positive evaluations of the agronomic performance of grafted seedlings carried out in areas of Coopernova and associated producers with a history of occurrence of fusariosis.

The main characteristics of this cultivar used in genetic improvement were high productivity and seed germination, resistance to fusarium wilt, compatibility of the rootstock with sour passion fruit scion cultivars and the agronomic performance of the grafted seedlings in relation to seedlings obtained from seeds.

In addition to its use as a rootstock for the sour passion fruit plant, this mandarin passion fruit cultivar has great potential for use as an ornamental plant, within a new line called 'Ornamental Fruit Growing'. It has very beautiful white flowers with a pleasant aroma and a fruit with very sweet pulp and a distinctive flavor.

BRS Terra Boa - the first selection and recombination cycles also took place in 2008, using accessions and populations of Passiflora alata Curtis that occurred naturally in areas with a history of fusariosis in the north of the state of Mato Grosso. Registered cultivar (RNC No. 54600) based on positive evaluations of the agronomic performance of grafted seedlings carried out in areas of Coopernova and associated producers with a history of occurrence of fusariosis.

The main characteristics of this cultivar used in genetic improvement were high productivity and seed germination, resistance to fusarium wilt, compatibility of the rootstock with sour passion fruit scion cultivars and the agronomic performance of the grafted seedlings in relation to seedlings obtained from seeds.

In addition to its use as a rootstock for the sour passion fruit plant, this sweet passion fruit cultivar also has great potential for use as an ornamental plant, producing very beautiful reddish-purple flowers and fruits with very sweet and aromatic pulp.