The genetic diversity was studied among passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) progenies, discriminating the characters most important of seed traits for genetic divergence evaluation. Seeds were extracted of fruits gotten by natural pollination of twenty four half-sib segregant populations. The experiment was outlined as an entirely randomized design with twenty four treatments (segregant populations), four replications and 50 seeds per experimental unit. The germination percentage and the Speed Germination Index (IVE) were evaluated after 28 days and the seedling height and survival percentage, root length, leaf number and total dry weight of the seedlings were evaluated after 45 days. The data were submitted to the variance analysis and the means were grouped according to Scott & Knott method. Genetic diversity was studied according to Tocher's grouping method based in Mahalanobis distance (D2) and canonical variables. The traits that had contributed more for the genetic divergence were percentage of germination, leaf number and IVE. Population 20 can be recommended for crossing with the other populations due to its high divergence and high germination rates and seed vigor.
genetic divergence; Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa; germination
