Application of biotechnological processes to passion fruit culture

The technology of cells, protoplast and tissue culture of plants is one of the most successful biotechnological areas. In the genus Passiflora, a few species have been used with biotechnological ends on the studies concerning tissue cultures. Regeneration of shoots can be indirect, from callus, or direct, by cotiledonary, hipocotiledonary and leaf explants. It is easy to induce in vitro regeneration of internodes and axillary tendrils if cytokinin is added to the culture medium. Early advances in the regeneration of other fruit tree protoplasts have allowed the use of the somatic hybridization process in the passion fruit. Since P. edulis f. flavicarpa has a natural regeneration ability, the application of genetic engineering techniques becomes necessary in order to reduce the infestation by some diseases or insects, and to add relevant agricultural properties to this species.

Passiflora spp; Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa; biotechnology; micropropagation; organogenesis; protoplasts; transformation