Yellow passion fruit in overhead trellis system do not differ in diseases intensity and is more productive compared to vertical trellis system

Abstract

Abstract Brazil is the largest producer of passion fruit worldwide, however diseases have been reducing passion fruit productivity, and limiting its cultivation for several years in a row in the same area. The proposal of this study was to evaluate diseases intensity and productivity of yellow passion fruit in vertical and overhead trellis systems, during two seasons, in annual cycle. The experiment was realized in a commercial orchard of yellow passion fruit in the municipality of Araquari, SC, in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. The treatments were vertical and overhead trellis systems, tested in a randomized complete block design, with eight replications. The agronomic practices were performed according to the culture recommendations and naturally pollinated althoght no disease control was applied. Anthracnose, bacterial blight, cladosporiosis and passion fruit woodiness severities were assessed in two seasons, from December to June, after establishment of the trellis systems. Production of fruits per plant and estimated productivity were determined in both seasons. There were no differences in diseases severity in both systems and seasons. The overhead trellis system was more productive than the vertical trellis system, 78.1% and 57.1% respectively, in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. Overhead trellis system showed to be the most adequate for yellow passion fruit production.