Passion fruit health break comes into effect in SC

The sanitary vacuum of passion fruit in Santa Catarina already has dates set for 2025. The measure, which reaches its sixth consecutive edition, foresees the total elimination of live sour passion fruit plants (Passiflora) for a minimum period of 30 days, starting in July. The proposal is to stop the spread of the virus Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), which causes fruit hardening, the main disease affecting the crop in Brazil.

The calendar was released by the Integrated Agricultural Development Company of Santa Catarina (Cidasc) and follows the same model adopted in 2024, with three different windows, according to the producing regions of the state. During this period, the presence of live plants in orchards is prohibited.

The strategy is considered one of the main ways to control the virus, which compromises the quality of the pulp and makes the fruit unviable for sale. According to Alexandre Mees, manager of the State Department of Plant Health Protection at Cidasc, interrupting the virus cycle ensures a safer environment for the next harvest. “Eliminating the plants reduces the sources of inoculum available to the aphids that transmit the disease and prolongs the health of the orchards, avoiding losses,” he explains.

Disease progresses rapidly

Highly destructive, the virus is transmitted mainly by infected seedlings, aphids and the use of contaminated pruning tools. Without control, it can compromise the entire production of an orchard.

Fruit hardening is considered the main phytosanitary problem of passion fruit and has already been recorded in several producing regions of the country.

Supervision and guidance

During the dry season, Cidasc must intensify inspection activities and provide technical guidance to producers. In addition to eliminating the plants, it is required that planting be done only after the end of the period and with seedlings produced in screened nurseries. Transporting seedlings from other states also requires authorization.

The calendar was defined based on data from previous harvests and included the participation of Epagri researchers, leaders from the production sector and municipal agriculture departments.

Check the dates by region

• Region I – from July 1st to 30th, 2025 Includes municipalities such as Criciúma, Joinville, Içara, Jaraguá do Sul, São Francisco do Sul, Sombrio and Turvo.
• Region II – from July 11 to August 9, 2025 It covers cities such as Florianópolis, Blumenau, Itajaí, Imbituba, Laguna, Navegantes, Palhoça, São José and Tijucas.
• Region III – from July 21 to August 19, 2025 Includes the other municipalities in Santa Catarina.

Producers who have questions can contact Cidasc regional offices.