Abstract

The present study evaluated the dry matter mass production in different Passiflora alataDryander organs and phenological stages, as well as their correlation with phytochemical quality in relation to the flavonoids vitexin, isoquercetin, quercetin and rutin. Two experiments were carried out: Experiment 1, effect of different organs (flower, leaves, fruits and branches), and Experiment 2, effect of phenological stages (pre-flowering, flowering, fruiting and post-fruiting). Both experimental designs were in randomized blocks with five and six replicates, respectively. The highest flavonoid concentration and production were detected in leaves. On the other hand, branches and fruits did not have significant rutin and isoquercetin content. The largest leaf dry matter mass and flavonoid production was observed in the post-fruiting stage, that is, at 300 days after transplanting (DAT). Flower formation was a strong deleterious competitor to leaf and branch dry matter mass production, as well as to biosynthesis and accumulation of the evaluated flavonoids. In addition to obtain P. alata - based drugs of high pharmaceutical quality, further studies on flowering management, as well as agronomical research, are needed.

Key words: Sweet passion fruit, phytochemical quality, medicinal plant, management.