Reaction of yellow passion fruit genotypes to septoriosis in field conditions of the Federal District, Brazil

The great genetic variability of the genus Passiflora is an important factor in the research of cultivars with tolerance or resistance to diseases. The fungus Septoria passiflorae, causal agent of septoriosis in passionfruit, can cause intense defoliation when it occurs at the end of the rainy season. Brazil has a large source of Passiflora germplasm for genetic improvement. The present work has the purpose to evaluate genotypes of yellow passionfruit and resistance to septoriosis under field conditions. The experiment was carried in Brazilian Midwest. The experiment was deployed at the end of August 2016. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design, the plots were of four seasons and the subplots were composed of 31 genotypes, four replications and six useful plants per plot. No pesticide application has been carried out to control diseases and pests. Weekly harvests began in the first week of 2017, collecting only the fruits that were found on the ground. Evaluations of incidence and severity of septoriosis were made monthly, taking 5 fruits plot^‑1, at random. The experimental data were submitted to analysis of variance and the averages grouped by the Scott Knott averages test, at 5% probability. There was a statistical difference between the evaluated genotypes. The 31 genotypes evaluated were classified as Moderately Resistant to Septoriosis, in field conditions without the use of pesticides. The incidence of the disease presented low values during the evaluated periods (<50%), including the control treatment BRS Giant Yellow. These results demonstrate that the genotypes evaluated are promising for use per se and/or in breeding programs targeting septoriosis resistance.