METHOD FOR OVERCOMING THE PASSION FRUIT SELF-INCOMPATIBILITY

The methodology of self-pollination of passion fruit flowers at anthesis after stigma excision was proposed. This method was compared with self-pollination procedures at anthesis and at the stage of flower bud. Two genotypes (M7 and N9), propagated by cuttings were studied. Self-pollinations were performed at 1 pm, 1 pm and 5 pm or 5 pm. Fruit set (%), fruit mass (g), pulp mass (g), pulp/fruit ratio and seed number per fruit were evaluated and compared to fruits derived from M7 x N9 and N9 x M7 crosses. No fruit set was obtained from self-pollination at anthesis, which confirms the self-incompatibility of both genotypes. Self-pollination after stigma excision was the best procedure, reaching average fruit set of 73.61 % (13 hours) and 81.94 % (double self-pollination at 1 pm and 5 pm). Although two self-pollinations after stigma excision at anthesis is more efficient, performing only one self-pollination at 1 pm requires less labor. The amount of seeds produced per fruit is satisfactory to generate inbred population.