Harnessing genomic resources for passion fruit improvement: Progress and prospects

Khushboo Fulara; Vanika Garg; Xinhang Sun; Rebecca Ford; Natalie Dillon; Bruce Topp; Robert J Henry; Mobashwer Alam; Rajeev K Varshney

doi:10.1002/tpg2.70213

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Harnessing genomic resources for passion fruit improvement: Progress and prospects

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Harnessing genomic resources for passion fruit improvement: Progress and prospects

Khushboo Fulara, Vanika Garg, Xinhang Sun, Rebecca Ford, Natalie Dillon, Bruce Topp, Robert J Henry, Mobashwer Alam and Rajeev K Varshney

The plant genome, Vol.19(1), e70213

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70213

PMID: 41840877

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Abstract

Crops, Agricultural - genetics

Databases, Genetic

Fruit - physiology

Genetic Variation

Genome, Plant

Genomics - methods

Genomics - trends

Passiflora - genetics

Plant Breeding - methods

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a highly nutritious horticultural crop cultivated widely across tropical and subtropical regions. Despite decades of breeding efforts that have led to the release of a few high-yielding cultivars, on-farm productivity remains suboptimal, and several existing cultivars are showing signs of declining vigor. To ensure the development of cultivars with stable and enhanced yields under both optimal and stress-prone conditions, there is a growing impetus to improve breeding efficiency. Integrating advanced genomics technologies into conventional breeding pipelines offers a promising path forward. Over the past decade, substantial genomic resources have been developed, including genome-wide markers, marker-trait associations, reference genomes, and resequencing datasets. Some of these tools are already being deployed in breeding programs to enhance yield and consumer-preferred traits. Emerging approaches such as genomic selection, speed breeding, and high-throughput phenotyping hold further potential to accelerate genetic gains. Realizing the full benefits of these tools will require strategic utilization of diverse and targeted genetic resources, coupled with streamlined cultivar delivery systems. Addressing the technical and operational bottlenecks that hinder the translation of genomic advances to field-ready cultivars will be key to securing the future of passion fruit improvement.

Details

Title: Harnessing genomic resources for passion fruit improvement: Progress and prospects
Authors/Creators: Khushboo Fulara - Murdoch University
Vanika Garg - Murdoch University, Centre for Crop and Food Innovation
Xinhang Sun - Centre for Horticultural Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Nambour, Queensland, Australia
Rebecca Ford - Griffith University
Natalie Dillon - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
Bruce Topp - Agriculture and Food
Robert J Henry - ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture
Mobashwer Alam - Agriculture and Food
Rajeev K Varshney - Murdoch University, Food Futures Institute
Publication Details: The plant genome, Vol.19(1), e70213
Publisher: Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Crop Science Society of America.
Number of pages: 25
Grant note: PF22000 / National Passion Fruit Breeding and Evaluation Program (Hort Innovation) AS21006 / Building an Advanced Genomics Platform for Australian Horticulture (Hort Innovation)
Identifiers: 991005872937707891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Crop and Food Innovation; State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre; Food Futures Institute
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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