Tissue culture and biotechnological techniques applied to passion fruit with ornamental potential: an overview
The ornamental flower sector has growing over the past years worldwide with potential for further expansion. Among the ornamental plants, Passiflora species have been gaining ground in the market, mainly in European and North American countries. However, the market aiming the use of these species in ornamentation is still poorly explored. The inclusion of passion flower in the list of ornamental plants is related to the peculiar characteristics of the flower as it is complex structure, capacity of flowering all year long and also by the abundance and exuberance of the leaves, which in many species adds an ornamental value. Among the biotechnological tools for the production of ornamental plants, tissue culture has been outstanding in the cloning of elite genotypes, with high phytosanitary quality and large scale production. In addition, it offers possibilities of producing new varieties with characteristics peculiar to the market of ornamental plants. The diversity of wild Passiflora opens perspectives to the conservation, market and production of ornamental Passiflora cultivars.