Obtaining and validating descriptors for the wild passion fruit ‘BRS Pérola do Cerrado’ (‘BRS PC’) in different yield systems

Wild passion fruit specimens are alternatives to diversify the production system. Wild passion fruit ‘BRS Pérola do Cerrado’ (‘BRS PC’) was developed from Passiflora setacea species, and has increased yield, diseases resistance, it is also an alternative to the market of special fruits and has an ornamental potential. The purpose of the present study was to obtain and validate the descriptors used in the process of protecting the Passiflora setacea ‘BRS Pérola do Cerrado’ taking into consideration the commercial growth in different yield systems. Descriptors were obtained using 24 structures (branches, leaves, flowers and fruits) of plants conducted in trellis (conventional, organic and high technology) and in espalier systems (conventional and high technology). Analysis of frequency distribution and the multivariate analysis for the qualitative descriptors were carried out. The quantitative descriptors were evaluated through the analysis of variance and means comparison in each yield system. A high validation rate was found for descriptors from different systems. However, the analysis of variance showed significant differences among 10 quantitative descriptors in different yield systems. Higher differences were found for descriptors obtained in plants grown in an organic system. It is find that the descriptors are useful in the cultivar characterization and validation, but changes in the descriptors codification might occur due to the genotype × environment interaction.