Advances in passion fruit

The propagation of many passion fruit species (Passiflora spp.) is done by seeds or sexual method, although asexual propagation, such stem cuttings, grafting or tissue culture is also possible and very useful in many cases. In this work, it was presented information on scientific and technological advances in sexual and asexual propagation of passion fruit, considering the different propagation methods and their applications. New demands for research and development activities are also related, given the wide range of passion fruit species and its potential for food, ornamental and medicinal use. Index terms: seed germination, vegetative propagation, cuttings, grafting, tissue culture. A propagacao da maioria das especies de maracuja (Passiflora spp.) utilizadas para fins alimentares e feita por via sexuada, embora a propagacao assexuada, a exemplo de mudas obtidas por estaquia, enxertia ou cultura de tecidos tambem seja possivel e muito util em muitos casos. Neste trabalho, sao apresentadas informacoes sobre os avancos cientificos e tecnologicos na propagacao sexuada e assexuada do maracujazeiro, considerando os diferentes metodos de propagacao e suas aplicacoes. Novas demandas para as acoes de pesquisa e desenvolvimento tambem sao levantadas, considerando as diferentes especies de maracuja e suas potencialidades de uso alimentar, ornamental e medicinal. Termos para indexacao: germinacao de sementes, propagacao vegetativa, estaquia, enxertia, cultura de tecidos.