The aim of this research was to evaluate the association among economically important traits of a yellow passion fruit population (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg.) through the estimate of the phenotypic and genetic-additive correlations. Hundred thirteen yellow passion fruit progenies were obtained by using nested design and evaluated in two environments, Viçosa, MG, and Miracema, RJ, in Brazil, grouped in three sets in a randomized block design, with three replications and three plants per plot. The trait number of fruits per plant demonstrated to be associated negatively with weight, length and width of fruits, and positively with peel thickness. Moreover, the trait weight of fruits expressed positive values for phenotypic and genetic-additive correlations with others, excluded number of fruits by plant. Thus, the increase in the dimensions of fruit may result in decrease of the production in numbers of fruits, so that elaborated methods of selection may be necessary for a high productivity population and good commercial traits. Consequently, the use of selection indexes can contribute to obtain genetic gain in traits of economical importance in yellow passion fruit.
Passiflora; breeding; genotypic selection
