Passionflowers

This work deals with the genetic diversity and characterisation of germplasm in the Passifloraceae family, more specifically in the genus Passiflora (the most representative and important of the family). The genus Passiflora is very important in tropical fruit growing, and Brazil is the worlds largest producer of passion fruit, with the sour passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) and the sweet passion fruit (Passiflora alata Curtis) standing out. The country has a great diversity of genetic resources, especially species belonging to the Passifloraceae family (around 150 species endemic to Brazil), especially in the north-central region. The author seeks, firstly, to provide a general review of the Passifloraceae family and the genus Passiflora, and then to give the reader an overview of the state-of-the-art characterisation work that has been and is being carried out on species of the genus Passiflora. Various tools used in the characterisation of genetic resources involving qualitative, quantitative, molecular variables and those related to physiological quality and seed storage are exemplified, making their use simpler and more practical.