Toward next-generation passion fruit breeding: key trait insights, emerging breeding tools and future opportunities

Xinhang Sun; Rajeev Varshney; Vivi Arief; Patrick Mason; Heather Smyth; Bruce Topp; Mobashwer Alam

doi:10.1016/j.hpj.2026.06.003

Toward next-generation passion fruit breeding: key trait insights, emerging breeding tools and future opportunities

Xinhang Sun, Rajeev Varshney, Vivi Arief, Patrick Mason, Heather Smyth, Bruce Topp Mobashwer Alam

Horticultural plant journal

2026

: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2026.06.003

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breeding

cultivar development

fruit quality

Passiflora edulis

yield

Passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) is a highly valued tropical fruit crop due to its unique sensory attributes, high nutritional value, and therapeutic properties. Enhancing yield stability, stress adaptation, and cultivar quality remains a key priority in passion fruit breeding programs. With more than 500 species, the wide genetic variability of Passiflora makes it a valuable resource for breeding. However, passion fruit breeding is constrained by the complex inheritance of key traits, high heterozygosity and relatively long breeding cycles. In this context, the integration of advanced genomic tools and AI-assisted breeding presents transformative opportunities to accelerate and enhance the precision of cultivar development. This review synthesizes current breeding strategies and discusses their application in Passiflora, highlighting innovations such as genomic selection, speed breeding, and CRISPR-based gene editing. Furthermore, we explore future avenues to improve breeding efficiency, develop climate-resilient and high-quality cultivars, and ultimately support the sustainability and profitability of the passion fruit industry.

: Toward next-generation passion fruit breeding: key trait insights, emerging breeding tools and future opportunities
: Xinhang Sun - The University of Queensland
Rajeev Varshney - Agriculture and Food
Vivi Arief - The University of Queensland
Patrick Mason - The University of Queensland
Heather Smyth - The University of Queensland
Bruce Topp - The University of Queensland
Mobashwer Alam - The University of Queensland
: Horticultural plant journal
: Elsevier B.V
: 991005917859207891
: © 2026 Chinese Society for Horticultural Science (CSHS) and Institute of Vegetables and Flowers (IVF), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
: Food Futures Institute
: English
: Journal article

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