Seleção de espécies e cultivares de maracujá (Passiflora spp.) para uso em fachadas verdes

Abstract

Green facades involve the use of climbing or hanging plants, which can be grown in the ground or in containers, attached to structures or directly on building surfaces. Among the plants with potential for green facades are several species of native passion fruit, Passiflora spp., as they have attractive characteristics such as exuberant and colorful flowers, edible fruits and form curtains that can cover walls, railings, wires, screens or walls, establishing vertical green spaces where previously built elements predominated. The genus Passiflora L. is the most extensive of the Passifloraceae family and widely distributed in the tropical flora, comprising about 530 species. Brazil, specifically the Central North Region, is considered one of the main centers of genetic diversity of the genus Passiflora. In this context, this research aims to select native species from the collection of Passiflora spp. from Jardim Botânico do Recife, and commercial cultivars of Passiflora registered by Embrapa Cerrados for use in green facades with aesthetic functionality, evaluating the development, covering and characteristics of landscape interests. The experiment was implanted in the ground (S) and full sun condition and in a pot (V) in partial shade condition, using five wild species: Passiflora cincinnata (PCIN), Passiflora coccinea (PCOChalf shade), Passiflora misera (PMIS), Passiflora vesicaria (PVES) and Passiflora watsoniana (PWAT); and six commercial cultivars: BRS Céu do Cerrado (BRS CC), BRS Estrela do Cerrado (BRS EC), BRS Rósea Púrpura (BRS RP), BRS Rubi do Cerrado (BRS RU), BRS Rubiflora and BRS Sertão Forte (BRS SF), organized in randomized blocks with four repetitions. To conduct the green facade, the plants were tutored and conducted over a metallic screen (fence), measuring 1.80 m wide by 1.80 m high, supported by fence posts. The accessions were evaluated fortnightly regarding the following characteristics: Evaluation cycle (CA - day) time of evaluations carried out until the accessions presented three plants (repetitions); Plant height (ALT - cm); Flowering period (PFl); Number of flowers (NFl). Every 30 days the coverage capacity (CC %) was evaluated. Based on the characterization of Passiflora spp. considering the desirable characteristics for use in green facades, the accessions BRS CC, BRS RP, PCOC, PVES and PWAT were recommended for planting conditions in soil (S) and in the full sun. For pot planting conditions (V) in partial shade, the accessions BRS CC, BRS RC and PCOC showed greater covering capacities. With the exception of PMIS, which had the lowest height, coverage capacity and number of flowers, all evaluated accessions are recommended for this function. These results indicate that the production, commercialization and planting of this species and cultivars of Passiflora can be encouraged for use as green facades in full sun on the ground or in partial shade in pots. In addition, it is observed that it is necessary to continue evaluating the genetic diversity of Passiflora in order to select more accessions for use as plants on green facades, a type of Nature-Based Solution (SbN) for the naturalization of urban spaces through green coverages.