Ecogeographical Characterization of Passiflora cincinnata Mast. and Passiflora setacea DC. Native to the Central-southern mesoregion of Bahia Passion Fruit Ecogeography in the Central-Southern Mesoregion of Bahia

Abstract

Passiflora cincinnata and Passiflora setacea are two native species from the northeastern semiarid region, with wide distribution in the central-southern mesoregion of the Bahia state. These species are recognized for the production of bioflavonoids. However, although they have economic relevance, little is known about ecogeographic, morphological and ecophysiological aspects. Therefore, the goal was to characterize the physiochemical and granulometric attributes of the soil as well as the edaphoclimatic conditions in 12 locations of naturally occurring Passiflora cincinnata and Passiflora setacea in the central-southern mesoregion of Bahia. The results showed environments belonging to the ecotones of the Cerrado, Caatinga and Mata Atlântica biomes. In these phytophysiognomies, the soils varied between cambisol, oxisol and planosol and presented a sandy texture and acidic pH. They also have varied ecogeographic characteristics with altitudes between 481 and 929 meters, precipitation between 478 and 1.644 millimeters and average temperature ranging between 15 and 31 degrees. Sites with average temperatures of up to 28 degrees, altitude between 670 and 860 meters, pH between 4.3 and 5.11, base saturation smaller than 50 and H+Al between 2-5 favor both species. Temperatures up to 31 degrees, pH between 5 and 6, base saturation bigger than 50 and H+Al smaller equal 1.5 favor P. cincinnata. Environments with temperatures of up to 27 degrees, altitudes above 900 meters, average pH of 4.5, average base saturation of 30 and average H+Al of 3, favors P. setacea. Keywords: environmental adaptation; ecogeography; genetic resources; wild passion fruit; sleep passion fruit.