Passiflora edulis Growth Under Different Water Regimes

The present study aimed to evaluate the initial growth of Passiflora edulis plants under water deficit and inundation. The work was carried out in a greenhouse covered with transparent plastic in pots with a capacity of five liters and filled with 5 kg of substrate composed of oxisol, sand and cattle manure in the proportion of 3-1-1, respectively. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with seven treatments and five repetitions; 30 days after emergence, the plants were irrigated with water equivalent to 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150% and 175% of the pot capacity and the analyzes were performed on the 52nd day. The P. edulis plants under limitation and excess water showed high stomatal sensitivity to reduce the water. In addition, under water deficit, the plants showed bigger root growth to maximize water absorption from the soil, but in both stresses the plants demonstrated reduced vegetative growth, that implies retarded establishment, thus, demonstrating an average susceptibility to water deficit and inundation.