Influence of desiccation time and method on pollen viability, stigmatic receptivity and fruit quality of Passiflora edulis Sims

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of desiccation time and methods on P. edulis pollen viability, stigma receptivity, pistil-pollen interaction and fruit quality assessment. For this, fresh pollen (control) and dried pollen grains were distributed in Petri dishes and subjected to drying in a warm-air oven or silica gel, both for periods of 20, 40, 60 and 120 min. In vitro pollen germination, histochemical evaluation, in vivo pollination, fruiting and seed formation tests showed better performance of pollen samples desiccated in silica gel for 40 min. Stigmas of P. edulis were highly receptive (100%) during the periods from 2:00 to 3:20 p.m. These findings can support efficient pollen management methods to increase pollination efficiency of P. edulis under moist environmental conditions, as well as to support breeding and conservation programs.