Laboratory and field evaluation of the performance of<i>Passiflora caerulea</i>as a rootstock tolerant to certain fungal root pathogens

Abstract

SummaryThe purple granadilla, or passionfruit, (Passiflora edulis Sims.) is the main species grown commercially in Southern Africa, but it is highly susceptible to fungal diseases caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schl. f. sp. passiflorae Gordon apud Purss. and Phytophthora nic- otianae var. parasitica (Dastur) Waterh. The red granadilla (Passiflora caerulea L.) was found to be tolerant to both these pathogens in laboratory and field trials. The red granadilla is not suitable for fruit production, but selections can be used as a rootstock for the- purple granadilla. It promises to be more suitable for this purpose than the yellow granadilla ( P. flavicarpa Deg.). Virological problems limit its use locally at present.