The induction of mutations has been used in breeding programs of some economically important crops as a tool to complement conventional breeding techniques. In previous studies, it was found that by inducing mutations with gamma rays it was possible to obtain yellow passion fruit plants resistant to fusarium wilt, a major disease of the culture. However, studies on agronomic traits related to fruit quality are necessary to evaluating these resistant genotypes. In this study the physical and chemical characteristics of fruits of Passiflora edulis Sims plants obtained from gamma irradiation were analyzed. The values found were similar to those in the literature related to the physico-chemical characterization of fruits of yellow passion fruit. However, a program breeding for the reducing of the skin thickness of the fruits will be necessary.
Passiflora edulis; fruit quality; induction of mutations
