# Harnessing genomic resources for passion fruit improvement: Progress and prospects

## TL;DR

Passion fruit breeding can be improved using genomics to enhance yield, stress tolerance, and desirable traits for farmers and consumers.

## Contribution

The paper reviews recent genomic resources and strategies for advancing passion fruit breeding efficiency.

## Key findings

- Genomic tools like reference genomes and molecular markers are being used to improve passion fruit traits.
- Functional omics approaches help understand the genetic basis of fruit quality and stress response.
- Genomic selection and high-throughput phenotyping can accelerate breeding progress.

## Abstract

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a highly nutritious horticultural crop cultivated widely across tropical and subtropical regions. Despite decades of breeding efforts that have led to the release of a few high‐yielding cultivars, on‐farm productivity remains suboptimal, and several existing cultivars are showing signs of declining vigor. To ensure the development of cultivars with stable and enhanced yields under both optimal and stress‐prone conditions, there is a growing impetus to improve breeding efficiency. Integrating advanced genomics technologies into conventional breeding pipelines offers a promising path forward. Over the past decade, substantial genomic resources have been developed, including genome‐wide markers, marker‐trait associations, reference genomes, and resequencing datasets. Some of these tools are already being deployed in breeding programs to enhance yield and consumer‐preferred traits. Emerging approaches such as genomic selection, speed breeding, and high‐throughput phenotyping hold further potential to accelerate genetic gains. Realizing the full benefits of these tools will require strategic utilization of diverse and targeted genetic resources, coupled with streamlined cultivar delivery systems. Addressing the technical and operational bottlenecks that hinder the translation of genomic advances to field‐ready cultivars will be key to securing the future of passion fruit improvement.

Passion fruit breeding needs a boost to overcome low productivity and declining cultivar vigor.Genomics integration into breeding can improve yield, stress tolerance, and consumer‐preferred traits.Tools like genomic selection, speed breeding, and high‐throughput phenotyping can accelerate gains.Success depends on diverse genetic resources and efficient delivery of improved cultivars to farmers.

Passion fruit breeding needs a boost to overcome low productivity and declining cultivar vigor.

Genomics integration into breeding can improve yield, stress tolerance, and consumer‐preferred traits.

Tools like genomic selection, speed breeding, and high‐throughput phenotyping can accelerate gains.

Success depends on diverse genetic resources and efficient delivery of improved cultivars to farmers.

This review presents an update on the current status of passion fruit breeding, emphasizing the shift from traditional approaches to genomics‐assisted advancements. The paper emphasizes the constraints to passion fruit cultivation, such as loss of cultivar vigor, poor yields, and low tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. It suggests that modern genomics offers a promising path to enhance breeding efficiency and to overcome these limitations. Details of the progress made in developing genomic resources for Passiflora species, such as high‐quality reference genomes, molecular markers (e.g., single‐nucleotide polymorphisms and simple sequence repeats), and comprehensive transcriptomic datasets, are provided. These resources are foundational for understanding the genetic basis of key traits. The review discusses using functional omics and multi‐omics strategies to dissect the molecular basis of fruit quality, aroma, and stress response.