Fruits and Vegetables
1. Broccoli 4. Carrot 7. Corn 10. Lettuce 13. Pineapple 16. Sweet Peppers
2. Cabbage 5. Cauliflower 8. Cucumber 11. Parsley 14. Pumpkin 17. Tomato
3. Cantaloupe [Link] 9. Hot Pepper 12. Passion fruit 15. Salad Beans 18. Watermelon
TECHNOLOGY
PACKS
November 2015
PASSION FRUIT
Background
Production decisions concerning how much effort and resources to invest and which farming
practices to follow, have consequences and create opportunities for the farm affecting production
levels, input costs, time constraints, and the potentially size of the operation. They also may have
implications for resource use and environmental quality.
Numerous information exist on the various aspects of production and handling/ marketing of
crops and livestock, the majority of which are outdated, not easily understood and lacking the
where with all for addressing present day challenges such as good agricultural practices (GAPs)
and food safety and climate change that impact on the environment and rural livelihoods. These
issues are also closely related to the importance of the role of primary producers in increasing the
earnings of all actors along the value chain in supporting the development of a commercially viable
and sustainable agricultural industry.
The production of high quality and easily understood information packages is critical as this forms
a basis for farmers to obtain financing from lending institutions and to efficiently increase their
production through the availability of modern technology. This will also result in a reduction of
rural unemployment and will greatly help in alleviating poverty and other associated social ills.
TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
TECHNOLOGY PACKS
PASSION FRUIT
November 2015
Prepared by
Reginald Andall, CARDI (Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute)
Published by
Ministry of Agriculture, St. Lucia
CARDI
P.O. Bag 212, Frederick Hardy Building
University of the West Indies
St Augustine Campus,
St. Augustine Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
© The Ministry of Agriculture, St Lucia 2015
TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
Table of Contents
Introduction 4
Botanical Description 5
Propagation 6
Site selection 7
Land Preparation 7
Spacing 8
Planting and training 8
Fertilization 9
Weed Control 9
Pests and Diseases 9
Hand pollination 11
Harvesting 11
Post harvest 12
Yields 12
Appendix
Appendix I 14
Appendix II 15
Appendix III 17
3
Introduction
This Technological Package (Tech Pack) deals with the production and postharvest aspects of
passion fruit.
Also included in the Tech Pack are appendices:
• Template for cost of production
• List of recommended pesticides and application rates
• Good Agricultural Practices data record sheet.
Notwithstanding the identification of any specific pesticide for the control of pests and diseases,
this decision is for the discretion of the Ministry of Agriculture Area Extension Officer and the
farmer. However, the mention of any pesticides and other products used in the Tech Pack should
strictly comply with local regulations and all instructions provided by the manufacturer. Also, the
use of trade names in the Tech Pack is for the purpose of citing examples and is not meant to either
endorse or discredit any particular product.
The passion fruit is believed to have originated in Brazil. The passion fruit is a vigorous, woody
climber. Fragrant, showy flowers are usually borne singly at the leaf axils. The fruit is usually round
with a thin, hard skin. The fruit contains black seeds surrounded by yellow, aromatic, juicy pulp.
TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
Botanical Description
There are two types of passion fruit—a yellow and a purple variety. Many hybrid mixtures of the
yellow and the purple can now be found. There are a few sweet types especially of the yellow variety
that can be used as fresh fruits, whereas fruits of the yellow variety are used mainly to make juices.
The two principal varieties of passion fruit are shown in Plates 1 and 2.
Plate 1 Purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis forma edulis)
Source: [Link]
Plate 2 Yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis forma flavicarpa). Source: [Link]
Source: [Link]
5
The yellow passion fruit is more suited than the purple type to St Lucia conditions. It is a more
vigorous prolific vine, bears larger fruit and produces higher yields; is also more tolerant than the
purple to many soil borne pests and diseases than the purple. The yellow fruit produces more juice,
with a higher acid content than the purple fruit.
Currently seven types of passion fruit are commercially cultivated in St. Lucia:
• CARDI Large Yellow
• CARDI Small Yellow
• CARDI Pink
• Columbian CV
• Brazil x Surinam Cross
• St. Vincent Pink/Purple
• Local Yellow.
Propagation
Although plants can be propagated from seeds, cuttings and grafting, the use of seeds is the preferred
option as it produces the stronger plants.
• Choose fruits from high yielding, large fruited and disease-free vines
• Extract seeds from fruits, remove pulp and sterilize in a mild bleach solution for 10 minutes
• Allow seeds to air dry for a few days
• Sow seeds in plastic bags 7 inches x 7 inches (17 cm x 17 cm) containing a potting mixture
with the ratio three parts sand, two parts soil and one part compost or pen manure (Plate
3). Seeds germinate within 14 days
• Water seedlings frequently
• Apply one teaspoon (5 g) NPK fertilizer when seedlings are 3 inches (7 cm) tall. Take care
to prevent fertilizer from coming in contact with the stem of plant.
Plate 3 Passion fruit plants in potting bags
TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
Site Selection
Land is prepared by total or partial clearing. Partial clearing involves leaving intermittent trees
to help with trellis support. Where necessary, drains should also be constructed to control water
runoff. The land may be ploughed and ridged. In the absence of ploughing, dig individual holes
with a garden fork.
Land Preparation
To get the best performance, vines are grown on supports called trellises. Trellises should last for
at least 3 years to cover the economic life of the crop.
The four basic designs of trellises used are the “T” shape, the fence or “I” shape, the “inverted
U” and the complete canopy. Different systems have advantages in cost, tolerance to wind and
management implications. The advantages of using the different systems should be discussed with
an Extension Officer.
In St. Lucia, the fence or “I” shape design is the preferred and most popular (Plate 4). Construction
of this design involves placing trellis posts 10 feet (3m) apart and 10 feet (3 m) in the row; each
post should be 8 feet (2.5 m) long and about 3 - 6 inches (7.5 – 15 cm) in diameter. Posts should be
planted 2 feet (60 cm) into the ground and the base of the post should be treated with some form
of wood preservative. The first wire should be placed about 4 feet (1.2 m) from the ground and the
second wire placed near the top of the pole. The end post, which should be the largest and strongest,
should be attached to a “dead man”. The “dead man” is a short 3 foot (1 m) post, planted behind the
end post to which the wires are attached.
The following construction materials are recommended for trellis construction.
• Walaba
• Treated hardwood
• Gliricidia
• Hot creosote treated wood
7
Plate 4 Back yard parsley production
Spacing
Space plants 10 feet (3 m) apart, i.e. directly in between the rows of the trellis posts.
Planting and Training
Seedlings are ready for planting in the field when the first tendril appears. Holes are dug one and
a half times the size of the bag. In each hole mix soil with small amounts of pen manure and a
tablespoon (15 g) of [Link] +2 NPK fertilizer. The plant is then removed from the bag and placed
in the hole at the same depth as in the bag. Press soil firmly around the base of the plant. Mounds
should be created around the base of the plant and posts to prevent water logging and rotting.
Once the vines begin to grow, allow only one or two leaders to climb towards the wires. Train
plants to reach the wire with a stick or piece of twine.
TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
Fertilization
Apply fertilizer in a circle about 2 feet (0.5 m) away from the stem of the plant. Bury fertilizer about
2 inches (5 cm) below the soil surface so as to reduce run-off and growth of weeds. Apply NPK
fertilizer ([Link] + 2) in incremental amounts during the first year as follows:
• At 3 months, ½ lb (225 g)
• At 6 months, 1 lb (450 g)
• At 9 months, 1 lb (450 g)
• At 12 months, 1 lb (450 g)
After one year apply at the rate of 1½ lb (675 g) per plant 3 times per year.
Weed Control
This is important since weeds encourage pests and diseases and remove moisture. Weeding can be
done manually or by the use of herbicides. Care needs to be taken to avoid spray drift when using
herbicides.
Pests and Diseases
The major pests and diseases, symptoms and control/management affecting passion fruit are
indicated in Table 1. Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) related to the use of pesticides, requires
farmers to maintain up to date records on the application of pesticides to the crop. These records
should include trade names, application rates and dates of application.
Table 1 Symptoms and control of pests and diseases of passion fruit
9
Control/
Pest & Diseases Symptoms
Management
Chewed leaves. Apply insecticides such
as Malathion or Bacillus
Thurengenis.
Plate 5 Caterpillars of Agraulis vanilla butterfly
Wilting of plants. Avoid planting in water-
logged areas. Plant on
mounds or cambered beds in
areas with heavy soils.
Plate 5 Collar Rot (Rhizoctonia solani)
Brown spots on leaves and Avoid planting in water-
fruits. logged areas. Plant on
mounds or cambered beds in
areas with heavy soils.
Plate 7 Anthracnose (Colletotrichum
loeosporioides)
Rats Eat fruits. Clean surroundings, use
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) related to the use of pesticides, requires farmers to maintain
up to date records on the application of pesticides to the crop. These records should include trade
names, application rates and dates of application. During the harvesting period use pesticides with
a very short harvest interval.
TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
Hand Pollination
Hand pollination can increase fruit set by 300%. Pollen is collected by removing (with a pair of
forceps) and placing the male part (anther) of the flowers in a receptacle like a saucer. Pollen from
a mixture of anthers is applied to the female part (stigma) of the flower with a small brush (Plate
8). The practice is best done on days that are cloudy or have rainfall after 12.00 noon. Wait at least
2 hours after rainfall to pollinate.
Plate 8 Hand pollinating passion fruit
Source: [Link]
Harvesting
Fruits are normally collected after they fall to the ground. Fruits picked from the vine tend to be
very acid and lacking in flavour. The fruit matures on the vine 72 days after flowering. Although
plants bear fruit almost continuously, there are two peak periods of bearing (April–June) and
(October–December).
11
Post Harvest
Place harvested fruits in buckets or field crates and keep in shade. Avoid placing fruits in bags as
they can then be easily damaged while being transported. Keep fruits dry. Fruits store well for about
4 days at room temperature.
Yields
The life of a passion fruit orchard is 3 years. Yields vary according to the age of the orchard and the
level of management (Table 2). Multiply the numbers in the Table by approximately 1.1 to obtain
kg/ha.\
Table 2: The yield of passion fruit by level of management
Level of Yield (lb/acre)
Management
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Minimum level of 1,600 5,000 5,000
management
Medium level of 6,000 10,000 8,000
management
High level of 7,000 15,000 10,000
management
TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
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APPENDICES
TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
APPENDIX I: TEMPLATE FOR COST OF PRODUCTION ANALYSIS: PASSION FRUIT
Input Quantity Units Unit Cost Total Cost
1. Propagation/planting
Seeds
Bleach
Plastic bags
Fertilizer (specify types used)
Total cost for propagation/planting
2. Land preparation
Trellis material (posts, wire)
Wood preservative
Other land preparation costs (e.g.
equipment rental)
Total cost for land preparation
3. Crop maintenance
Water/irrigation
Fertilizer (specify types used)
Weed control (specify chemicals etc used)
Pest and disease control (specify chemicals etc. used)
Total cost for crop maintenance
4. Harvest/storage
Buckets/crates
Transport to market
Total cost for harvest/storage
5. Labour
Propagation/planting
Land preparation
Crop maintenance
Harvest/storage
Total cost for labour
6. Rent/insurance
7. Miscellaneous costs
Total cost of production
Notes
1. It is recommended that the above data be completed on a per crop basis.
2. The revenue obtained from sale of the crop should be compared with the cost of production to determine the
profit/loss on the operation. 8
15
APPENDIX II: LIST OF RECOMMENDED PESTICIDES AND APPLICATION RATES
INSECTICIDES APPLICATION RATE
Pronto 35 SC 3 - 5 teaspoons/gallon of water
Target 1 - 2 teaspoons/gallon of water
Pirate ½ - 1 teaspoons/gallon of water
Fastac 1 - 2 teaspoons/gallon of water
Caprid ½ - 1 teaspoon/gallon of water
Diazinon (Basudin) ¾ - 1½ pints/acre
Admiral ¼ teaspoon/gallon of water
Dipel 1½ - 2 teaspoons/gallon of water
Aza-direct 1 - 2 teaspoons/gallon of water
Cure ½ - 1 teaspoon/gallon of water
Danitol 1 - 2 teaspoons/gallon of water
Cypro ½ tablespoon/gallon of water
Dimethoate (Perfecthion, Rogor 40) 1 pint/acre
Phosvel 1¼ - 2 pints/acre
Orthene 3.2 ounces/acre
Permethrin (Ambush) ½ teaspoon/gallon of water
Padan 50 WSP 2 - 3 teaspoons/gallon of water
Lannate 1 teaspoon/gallon of water
Decis ½ teaspoon/gallon of water
Kelthane 42% 1¼ lb/acre
Orthene 75S 1 lb/acre
Malathion ½ - 1 pint/acre
Sevin 1½ lb/acre
BT (Bacillus thruingiensis) Label rates
Rotenone 1 - 2 teaspoons/gallon of water
Neem X. 8 - 10 oz/gallon of water
FUNGICIDES APPLICATION RATE
Bellis 2 teaspoon/gallon of water
Acrobat 2 - 4 teaspoon/gallon of water
Mancozeb (Dithane M45) 1.5 lb/acre
Cabendazim 2 teaspoon/gallon of water
Daconil 1½ - 2 pints/acre
Benomyl (Benlate) 6 oz/acre
Captan 2 - 3 teaspoons/gallon of water
Peltar 3 teaspoons/gallon of water
Manzate DF 2 - 4 teaspoons/gallon of water
Bravo 1½ - 2 pints/acre
Tri-Miltox-Forte 3 teaspoons/gallon of water
Botrilex 5 - 200 lb/acre
Kocide 101 2 - 4 teaspoons/gallon of water
Cupravit 2½ lb/acre
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TECHNOLOGICAL PACKAGE 2015
APPENDIX II: LIST OF RECOMMENDED PESTICIDES AND APPLICATION RATES
WEEDICIDES APPLICATION RATE
DCPA (Dacthal W-75) 10 lb/acre
Diphenamide 4 - 10 lb/acre
Paraquat (Gramoxone) 1 - 2 pints/acre
Dymid 80W 5 lb/acre
Atrazine 80 (Gesaprim). 1¼ - 1½ lb/acre
Linuron (Lorox) 1 pint/acre
Prometryn (Caparol) 0.8 - 1.6 lb/acre
Sethoxydim (Poast) 1¼ - 3½ lb/acre
Clethodim (Select) 0.094 - 0.25 lb/acre
Prometryn 50WP (Geagard) 2 - 3 lb/acre
Herbicidal Oil (Stoddard Solvent, Kerosene oil) 40 - 80 gallons/acre
10
17
APPENDIX III: GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES DATA RECORD SHEET
Grower name:
*
Name of Date Brand and Rate Size of Total Notes/target Start/finish time
applicator product area/no. application pest
name of (amount of
plants the product
treated used)
*
The applicator should be trained or, if not, supervised by a trained or certified person. Proof of training
required.
11
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