Caratterizzazione e valorizzazione di germoplasma in Passiflora

The genus Passiflora comprises more than 560 species mainly distributed in Central and South America, with several species grown either for their edible fruits (P. edulis) or for their medicinal properties. Due to their exotic features and the wide interspecific variability, passion flowers have a great commercial potential in the floriculture market. A "Passion flower collection" has been established at CRA- Ornamental Plants Research Unit, Sanremo (NW-Italy), with the aim of collecting genetic resources available both for researchers and flower growers. The collection actually consists of 25 species and varieties and 33 interspecific hybrids, classified according to twenty morphological and phenological descriptors. A molecular characterization using TBP (Tubulin- based polymorphism) markers allowed to obtain a specific DNA fingerprint for all the analyzed accessions. Cytogenetics analysis, pollen viability and germination tests were performed on different individuals and proved to be useful tools to select potential parents for interspecific crosses. Cross-breedings among species and hybrids were realized at CRA-FSO to produce new hybrids with improved ornamental value as garden and pot plants, better adapted to the Mediterranean environment. Moreover, micropropagation protocols have been established for elite germplasm and in vitro assisted germination was carried out for interspecific crosses progeny