Producers profile and the adoption of technologies in passion fruit cultivation in the Triângulo Mineiro region

Abstract

Abstract Productivity of passion fruit in Brazil varies widely among producers in different states and regions depending on the adoption of technologies. In this study, the goal was to evaluate the producers profile and use of technologies in passion fruit production in the Triângulo Mineiro region, driven by the local juice industry. The research was carried out from 2018 to 2019, using Behavioral Diagnosis of Productive Activity methodology, based on questionnaires applied to 22 producers in eight cities. The data were submitted to descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis. Most producers grow passion fruit in up to 5 ha, in a family work regimen, and have little experience. The cultivation system is open field in vertical trellis, with a production cycle of 1.5 years. The great majority use manual pollination, chemical and organic fertilization, and do not systematically adopt integrated phytosanitary management. The seedlings are purchased from qualified nurseries and the most planted cultivar is the FB 300. The main losses reported by producers were caused by drought and damage to floral bud, with an average fruit yield of 17 t ha-1 year-1. This production chain is structured but requires technical interventions to increase the profitability and sustainability of the production system.