Review on the ecophysiology of important Andean fruits: Passiflora L.

The development of Andean fruit crops is viewed as an important and healthy contribution to global food consumption but ecophysiological studies on these trees are scarce. 96% approximately 520 Passiflora L. species distributed in the Americas, especially Colombia Brazil. Many originated edges humid forests tropical valleys. four species: yellow passion (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener), sweet granadilla ligularis Juss.), purple Sims) banana tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels & P.M. Jørg) widely cultivated Colombia, their findings described this review. demands, terms temperature (°C) altitude (masl) are, for fruits: 15-28 °C 0-1,300 masl; granadillas: 15-23 1,800-2,600 15-22/12-14 (day/night) 1,600-2,300 fruit: 13-16 1.800-3.200 all them have high requirements solar radiation, a minimum 7 h sunshine per day, encourage flowering quality. Cloudy days decrease growth, flower bud induction opening. Temperature photosynthetic active radiation climatic factors that greatest effect plant development. Relative humidity between 60 80% supports effective pollination fecundation. do not support long periods waterlogging, with maximum 4 fruit. Climatic events such prolonged rain, intense droughts, strong winds hail harmful plants.