ASHS 2025 Conference

Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) is a perennial vine native to North America, valued for its tropical fruit flavor, adaptability, and resilience to cold and drought. Unlike Passiflora edulis (Passion fruit), which thrives only in tropical and subtropical climates, Maypop has potential as a high-value fruit crop for temperate regions. In addition to its edible fruit, its leaves and flowers have medicinal applications, and its seed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, making it valuable for cosmetic and therapeutic use. This study evaluated the performance of two Maypop cultivars, ‘PinkPop’ and ‘SnowPop,’ in a field trial at Kentucky State University’s Harold R. Benson Research Farm. A randomized complete block design was used to assess plant growth, fruit yield, fruit quality, and seed characteristics in 2024. Fruits from a wild relative were also analyzed for comparison. Preliminary results showed no significant difference in plant height (~86 cm) and stem diameter (~5.5 mm) between cultivars in June. ‘SnowPop’ produced more fruits and had higher yield than ‘PinkPop,’ though the difference was not statistically significant. However, ‘PinkPop’ produced significantly heavier fruits (30.8 g) compared to ‘SnowPop’ (26.09 g), while both had a similar average fruit diameter (~36 mm). The wild relative produced comparatively larger fruits (45.92 g, 55.67 mm diameter). Soluble solids content was comparable between ‘PinkPop’ (13.6° Brix) and ‘SnowPop’ (12.9° Brix), whereas the wild relative had significantly lower Brix (6.6°). Seed analysis indicated that ‘PinkPop’ had more and heavier seeds per fruit, contributing to a higher edible pulp content, while ‘SnowPop’ had fewer seeds, making it potentially more desirable for fresh consumption and processing. Overall, both cultivars demonstrated strong potential for commercial cultivation in Kentucky, and their traits, along with those of the wild relative, highlight opportunities for breeding programs to develop improved Maypop cultivars with enhanced fruit quality.