The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different planting densities on production and economical profitability of yellow passion fruit plant (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener). The experiment was installed and led in a commercial orchard in Sant'ana Farm, municipal district of São Tiago, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with planting in October of 2001 and harvest began in the first semester of 2002, 2003 and 2004. The experimental design was in of randomized blocks with seven treatments and four repetitions. The treatments were constituted of different planting densities: T1 = 1.0 m (3,330 plants/ha); T2 = 2.0 m (1,660 plants/ha); T3 = 3.0 m (1,110 plants/ha); T4 = 4.0 m (830 plants/ha); T5 = 1.0 m (3,330/1,660 plants/ha) T6 = 1.5 m (2,220/1,110 plants/ha) e T7 = 2.0 m (1,660/830 plants/ha). The treatments T5, T6 and T7, were hewed alternately right after the first crop's harvest. The accumulated productivity of the three crops, revealed smaller productivity for the lowers density system (3.0 x 4.0m), with 25.6 t/ha, and average of 27.96 t/ha for the other treatments. The maxim economical efficiency was reached in the density of 1,110 plants/ha, with liquid revenue of R$2,637.56/ha, considering a Mixed system of "commercialization" (elaborate/fresh fruit), with medium price of R$0.55/kg, due to the exclusive commercialization for it elaborates (R$0.40/kg) it provided a situation of negative residue in all the treatments.
Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa; productivity; planting
