Breeding report of a new high-quality and large-fruited yellow passion fruit variety Funong Jinyuan

Funong Jinyuan is a new cultivar of passion fruit with excellent appearance. The seedling was derived from a cross between MR16 and MR26 in 2016 at an experimental field. It was initially selected in 2016 for its excellent characteristics. Through artificial hybridization pollination in 2016, 142 plants of the F1 generation were obtained. After regional adaptability testing at five sites (including Pinghe, Zhangpu, Huaan, Liancheng, Shaowu) over six years from 2018 to 2023, it was finally selected in 2024. The climbing vines of this passion fruit that exhibit a dark green coloration. The leaves are papery and green, displaying unlobed, two-lobed, or three-lobed palmate forms. The leaf margins are serrated, and the two nectaries located on the petiole are positioned adjacent to the base of the leaf. The flower is bisexual, consisting of three bracts, five sepals, five petals, five stamens, three styles, and one ovary. The bracts are serrated and have an average length of 20.3 mm. The sepals are green with an average length of 31.5 mm and a width of 10.6 mm. The petals have an average length of 30.8 mm and a width of 8.0 mm; their primary color on the front surface is white. The color intensity of the spotted ring pattern at the corolla throat is deep. The filaments within the external corolla display two colours, either white or purple. Additionally, there are purple rings present on these filaments. The filamentous corolla measures approximately 70.2 mm on average in length while individual filaments measure about 35.6 mm in length. The seeds are ovate-triangular in shape and exhibit a dark brown hue with an average length of 5.92 mm, an average width of 3.73 mm, and an average thickness of 1.83 mm. Mature fruits are gen- erall round. The yellow peel surface is smooth and features star- shaped white spots. Meanwhile, the peel thickness is moderate, and its hardness is comparatively high. Its flesh is yellow or orange with a sweet and sour flavor and a pleasant aroma. The average fruit weight is 91.2 g and fruit shape index is 1.08. The edible rate is 51.23% , the content of soluble solids is 19.20% , the content of total acid is 2.37%, the soluble solids-acid ratio is 8.1, Vitamin C content is 15.4 mg·100 g-1 . The fruit quality is excellent. It is resistant to anthracnose and viral diseases, and has outstanding resistance to stem base rot. It can set fruit at a temperature of 38.5 ℃. At 1 ℃, the new leaves exhibit symptoms of frost damage. Its cold resistance is superior to that of Qin Guo NO. 9, while its heat resistance is slightly inferior compared to Qin Guo No. 9. The suitable cultivation area is southern Fujian (Zhangzhou, 23.8°-25° N). The flowering period of this variety begins in mid to late April, lasting approximately 25 days. The optimal time for flowering occurs between 12:30 and 14:00 hours. The bisexual flowers are self-pollinating and can set fruit successfully. In summer, the fruit development period spans from 50 to 60 days. In the northern region of Fujian Province (Nanping City, located at a latitude of 26°55'—27°36' north), as temperatures decrease, the growth and development period of the fruit is extended to around 70-80 days. This cultivar is well- suited for cultivation in passion fruit production regions, including Fujian, Guangxi, and Yunnan. It exhibits the ability to flower and bear fruit within the same year of planting, demonstrating high yield potential.