PHOTOCHEMICAL AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF YELLOW PASSION FRUIT IRRIGATED IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMIARID

ABSTRACT The drought stress is an important factor for crops in areas with low rainfall as in the semiarid regions and affects immediately the physiological processes and plant production. However, irrigation is an essential practice to minimize effects of drought stress since the appropriate management is done it can increase the farm income. This study aimed to analyze the photochemical and productive performance of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) hybrid ‘BRS Gigante Amarelo' irrigated in a Brazilian semiarid region. It was studied four water replacement rates (33, 66, 100 and 133% of ETo) at field conditions. A randomized block design was used with five replications and the fluorescence of chlorophyll a, yield and fruit quality were evaluated. The photochemical efficiency of photosystem II has been changed along the day at high temperatures occurring evidential damage in PHS II. Water replacement between 100 and 133% of ETo (1032 mm year-1) promoted the best production rates and quality of the fruit, however the size of the fruit and bark thickness are reduced by over 100% ETo.