INTENSIVE CONTAINER CULTURE OF PASSIONFRUIT (PASSIFLORA EDULIS SIMS.)

Passionfruit production in South Africa is severely affected by Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica stem rot, and passionfruit woodiness virus (PWV). The use of Passiflora caerulea ("red") rootstocks to reduce stem rot has been recommended, although growers have not always found P. caerulea to be resistant to stem rot.
Nematode infestations are also common when using P. caerulea rootstock.
Therefore soil sterilization and replanting every few years are usually required.
Passionfruit vines have root systems which adapt well to pot culture.
This paper suggests that the intensive container culture of passionfruit is commercially feasible.
Advantages of this method include possible savings in soil cultivation, fumigation, irrigation, and the conservative use of fertilizers and chemicals for stem rot.
Nematode problems should be eliminated, and yields therefore increased.
The rapid early growth and fruiting will reduce the time between planting and harvest, which will be particularly useful in the event of PWV infection.
Results of passionfruit pot experiments testing different growing media, pot sizes, and superabsorbent polymers are discussed.
Composted pine bark was better than sand or sawdust.
Superabsorbent effect depended on both superabsorbent and growing medium type.

International Symposium on the Culture of Subtropical and Tropical Fruits and Crops

C.B. Mc Kenzie, G.W. Staveley, I.E. Smith

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1990.275.26