The behavior of passionfruit, cultivated in sites with disease history, as to premature death, was researched at Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus of Jaboticabal, SP. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the behavior of acesses and passionfruit species related to this disease, whereas resistant plants are to be used as yellow passionfruit rootstocks, as well as in breeding programs. The species P. edulis Sims, P. edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener, P. nitida H.B.K., P. cincinnata, P. giberti, P. laurifolia, P. morifolia, P. foetida, P. capsularis were used. In a site with a known record of the disease, the plants were planted in a variable number and at distinct times. Plant conduction was done as recommended for yellow passionfruit. The premature death of the plants ocurred somewhere between two months and two years of field culture. P. giberti, P. nitida were resistant to the disease despite its place of origin. No other promising resistance sources were found among the remaining "acesses". However, new "acesses" and new species should be researched in search of resistance.
passionfruit; improvement; resistance
