Floral traits and pollinators on fruit quality of sour passion fruit cultivars

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the floral traits of eight cultivars of sour passion fruit and identify their pollinators, as well as to evaluate the influence of natural pollination on fruit quality, in the region of Tangará da Serra, MT, Brazil. A completely randomized experimental design was carried out, with ten replicates and one flower per plot to evaluate morphometry, and with four replicates and five flowers per cultivar to determine the fruiting rate. The following parameters were evaluated: flower morphology and morphometry, flower longevity, frequency of floral visitors, natural fruiting rate, and fruit quality. Flower morphology and morphometry were compatible with pollination by large-size bees; they were also compatible with pollination by medium‑size bees for the cultivars IAC‑275‑Maravilha, IAC‑277‑Jóia, BRS SC1, BRS RC, and BRS GA1. The greatest flower longevity was observed for the IAC‑277‑Jóia, BRS GA1, BRS RC, and BRS OV1 cultivars. The frequency of bees as Xylocopa (2.0%) and Bombus (3.9%) was low, and 'BRS GA1' received the highest number of these bee visits. Natural fruiting rate was low (36.67%). Naturally pollinated fruit show physical traits compatible with those required by the market standards.