Passion fruit is a vitamin C-rich fruit. In Bangladesh, it is an unfamiliar or less familiar fruit. Passion fruit is a perennial vine plant. It is commonly known as “Tang fruit” by many people. It belongs to the Passifloraceae family, and its scientific name is Passiflora edulis.
The characteristics of passion fruit:
Passion fruit can be purple or yellow in colour. Yellow passion fruit is a natural mutation of the purple passion fruit and has evolved in shape, and characteristics to enhance its maternal traits. The flowers of the passion fruit are rich and attractive, captivating the senses with their vibrant colours and fragrance.
The fruit itself is filled with numerous yellowish pulp sacs which are highly appealing, captivating and fragrant. They resemble the flowers of a vine, making them visually stunning. The fruit contains numerous yellowish-orange arils filled with a flavourful juice, which are edible. Passion fruit juice is more suitable for making beverages than eating the fruit raw.
Potential areas for cultivating passion fruit:
Passion fruit is commonly grown in the hilly regions of Bangladesh, particularly in the districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sylhet, Tangail, and Rajshahi.
However, it is mostly found in the hilly areas of the Chittagong region, where indigenous communities often cultivate the fruit in their homesteads with minimal care and attention. Passion fruit vines known as “Jhumko Lata” are long and perennial, thriving for many years. In the hilly regions of Sylhet, Tangail, and Naogaon’s Patnitola Upozila, there is great potential for passion fruit cultivation.
Food products derived from passion fruit:
The seeds of passion fruit are enveloped in a yellow gelatinous, and aromatic pulp, that can be liquefied when mixed with water, creating a delicious, and refreshing beverage.
The pulp can also be blended with other juices to create various beverages. Processed passion fruit pulp can be used to make ice cream juices, squash jams, and jellies. The seeds and skins of passion fruit can be processed to extract pectin and high-quality linoleic acid-rich oil.
Passion fruit variety:
The BARI passion fruit variety has dimensions of 6.8 cm x 6.3 cm.
The average weight of the fruit is 68 grams, with 30 grams of juice extractable.
The juice has a yellow colour and a Total Soluble Solids (TSS) content of 14%.
This variety is resistant to Fusarium wilt and nematode infestation.
Soil and climate:
Passion fruit cultivation requires a high temperature and frost-free mild climate.
The ideal temperature ranges from 18 to 32 degrees Celsius.
The soil should be fertile, well-drained and with a pH level of 5.5 to 7.5.
This fruit cannot tolerate excessive waterlogging.
Creating raised beds in the soil is beneficial for cultivation.
In case the pH is below 5.5, lime application can help in adjusting the soil suitability for growing this fruit.
Genealogy:
Passion fruit propagation can be done in three ways:
By seed: As a result of threshing, seeds are separated from the pulp of the fruit. These seeds can be further processed by washing and drying in the sun. The seeds can be directly sown in the seedbed or used to make seedlings in poly bags. The seeds are sown 8-12 cm apart in the seedbed or planted in a hole of 1-2 cm deep. Watering is required to moisten the seeds.
Germination occurs within 3–4 weeks. When the seedlings have 2–4 leaves, they can be transplanted into poly bags. The seedlings are transferred to the field when they are 3–5 months old and have a height of 30-40 cm. However, it is important to note that, the viability of stored seeds is only 3–5 weeks.
By cutting: It is possible to propagate 3-4 specialized branches through cutting. When cutting, the lower part of the branch is around 1-2 cm. Cut it diagonally, and cut the lower part with seeds, along with the soil at a 45-degree angle facing north-south on the soil.
When cutting, leave 1–2 leaves in the upper portion and discard the remaining leaves. Cutting is usually successful within 35–50 days. Cuttings are suitable for grafting at 3–5 months of age. The appropriate time for cutting is May-August. The cutting shoots maintain the characteristics of the mother plant.
Grafting: Plant grafting is also used for propagation through seedless cultivation, where cutting or grafting is an efficient method. By using either cutting or grafting, the process of propagation becomes easier. However, with tissue culture, it is also possible to propagate plants through seedless cultivation.
Management of planting and fertilizing:
The suitable time for planting saplings is May-August, at a distance of 2.5-5.0 meters apart. To plant the saplings, dig holes of size, 50×50×50 centimetres. In each hole, apply 20–25 kilograms of decomposed cow dung, 200–300 grams of urea, and triple superphosphate (TSP), and 400–500 grams of Muriate of Potash (MP) fertilizer. After planting the saplings, water should be provided to maintain appropriate moisture in the soil.
For a good result, it is necessary to have sufficient nutrients in the soil during the flowering and fruit development process. Irrigation is also necessary even during the dry season to ensure proper growth and development of the fruit. However, in the rainy season the provision of proper drainage is necessary to prevent waterlogging around the plants.
Intercare:
Passion fruit cultivation involves the preparation of trellises for commercial cultivation. Trellises are made by pounding stakes into the ground. Once the stakes are in place, the top part of the plant is cut off so that the branches emerge and all the passion fruit is shed. If any branches emerge from the soil, they are cut off.
To protect the plants from pests, a homemade insecticide can be created and applied to the surrounding areas of the house or the fruit tree. It is important to regularly maintain the area around the tree, by removing weeds. However, if there is excessive damage caused by pests in the passion fruit garden, additional measures should be taken to control the infestation.
Pruning of branches:
Any branch that extends beyond 1.5-2.0 meters from the boot cannot be kept. Therefore, all branches should be pruned regularly. Since more flowers and fruits are produced on new branches, it is beneficial to prune some branches every year. Occasionally, old and dead branches need to be cut off. This reduces the occurrence of diseases. Winter is the suitable time for pruning.
Fruit maturity:
Passion fruit bears fruit twice a year. The first time is in March-April, when flowers blossom, and the fruit is harvested from June to August. The second time is in July-August, when flowers bloom, and the fruit is harvested from December to January. The fruit can be obtained within 14–20 months of planting.
Passion fruit blooms throughout the day and closes in the evening. It is pollinated by various insects such as bees, flies and beetles. However, hand pollination can also be done, which has a higher success rate. It takes approximately 17–46 days for the flower to turn into a fruit. It takes 60–90 days for the fruit to mature from the flower.
Diseases and Pest Control:
Disease: Passion fruit plants get infected by the Woodiness Virus. Infected leaves become discoloured and shrivelled in shape. Additionally, symptoms like septoria spot, brown spot,phytophthora blight, alternaria spot, and hollow heart disease, can also be observed. Controlling this disease can be achieved by using any fungicide from the Mancozeb group.
Pest: Spider mites can infest passion fruit plants and cause damage by feeding on the leaves. Their presence can result in leaf discolouration, stunted growth, and webbing. To control these pests, spraying the plants with a miticide is recommended.
Pest: The mango hopper punctures the immature fruit, Causing damage and deforming the shape of the fruit. Resulting in premature dropping.
Apart from that, Mealy bug and Mite, Can also infest the trees. If the infestation is severe, Spraying with Malathion/Diazinon/Sumithion (2 ml per liter of water mixed) 2–3 times at intervals of 10–15 days can control the pests.
Yield:
On a tree of 18–20 months old, around 100–200 fruits can be harvested. Meaning, each tree can yield 5–10 kilograms.
