The interest in purple passion-fruit production is becoming higher in southeast of Brazil, aiming exportation. There are some wild, different native types with high variability due open pollination that promotes an increase in natural variability. The aim of the present work is to identify varieties with commercial values among the species and the production of seeds for breeders wishing the selection for yield improvement. In the present paper were studied horticultural, cytogenetic and morphological characters among genotypes from the IAC Germoplasm Bank of Passiflora ('Roxinho-miúdo', 'Paulista' and 'Maracujá-Maçã'). It was analyzed in each material three hundred and fifty flowers and one hundred and fifty fruits during two consecutive years. Higher differences were observed in fruit weight and size (21 to 193 g per fruit), TSS (15.2 to 21.4º Brix), plant production (11.5 to 30.8 kg) and number of seeds in the fruit (39 to 261 seeds). The pollen fertility rises from seventy-seven until ninety four percent and pollen germination was higher increasing the fruit productivity. The tested selections presented desirable commercial characteristics. The "Roxinho Miúdo" has a round small fruit, with a 4 cm diameter, sweet, purple dark, excellent to an international consumer. The 'Paulista' has oval fruits and good to fresh fruit market and or to juicy industry. The 'Maracujá-Maçã' has the biggest size; a round and a pinky colored peel good to be traded in a unique market that commercializes fruits by unit and privileges the quality.
purple passion fruit; Passiflora edulis; variability; characterization
