Boost Your Passion Fruit Yields with These Top 7 Simple Steps

[caption id="attachment_5273" align="aligncenter" width="300"] passion fruits[/caption]

With unreliable markets and demand for crops such as beans and vegetables, most farmers are shifting to higher-value crops such as fruits. Passion fruits are one of the leading export fruits selling at competitive prices in domestic and export markets. The plants are characterized by strong vines that bear colorful, delicious fruits. Under good management, they are highly productive, producing a yield range of 15 – 20 tonnes per hectare. In the process, a farmer can easily pocket 1 million shillings or more from a hectare.

But, the question is, "how do you achieve optimum productivity from your plants"? Here are top steps that can help boost your passion fruit yields. Check them out!

  • Choose the Right Variety
  • The type of variety you choose determines the output you will receive. Two main varieties that flourish in most parts of the country, which are:
  • Yellow passion variety

  • Purple passion variety

Generally, the purple variety thrives more in higher altitude areas, while the yellow type performs best in medium and lower altitudes.

In terms of productivity, the yellow variety yields more and is more disease-resistant.

They differ in terms of size, taste, and shape. The yellow type is slightly bigger, acidic, and slightly less aromatic. Purple passion is smaller, has an intense aromatic scent, and is very acidic.

  • Select a Favorable Site

Your site choice will also determine the performance of your plants. Although they can be grown in a wide range of areas, passion fruits perform best in altitudes ranging from 1200m to 1800m asl.

The selected site should have an optimum temperature range for passion farming. For the yellow variety, the range should be between 250C to 300C, while for the purple one should range from 180C to 250C.

Also, the site should have moderately deep, well-drained, fertile soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. Check the pH status regularly to understand to keep your soils in the right conditions. It should receive moderate rainfall, although the plants can be grown under irrigation in drier areas.

  • Apply the Right Fertilizers

After preparing the planting holes, you should add well-decomposed manure to enhance soil fertility.

Topdress with CAN fertilizer at least twice per year to obtain higher yields. However, do not apply fertilizers excessively. Also, avoid applying too much nitrogen fertilizers, as this will increase vegetative growth at the expense of the fruits.

  • Water Regularly

Passion fruits require adequate soil moisture for them to thrive. Therefore, in drier periods and areas, you should apply water regularly and mulch the plants to minimize water loss by evaporation.

  • Prune on Time

Remove old branches and those infected by diseases. This should be done immediately after harvesting and when the plants grow vigorously.

  • Keep a Beehive Around

Pollination is a crucial element in passion farming. You don’t want your yields dropping due to lack of pollination. Keep a beehive near the orchard to provide your plants with pollinators.

  • Protect Your Plants

Keep your garden weed free. Besides, you should control pests and diseases on time. Passion fruits are susceptible to pests such as aphids, mealy bugs, thrips, beetles, and diseases like brown spot, Fusarium wilt, anthracnose, and scab. Embrace sustainable and environmentally friendly pest management methods.

  • Yield, Market of Passion Fruits

The demand for passion fruits has skyrocketed locally and in the export markets over the years. Under good care, you can harvest about 15 – 20 hectares per acre. Passion fruits have a ready market in hotels, restaurants, open-air markets, supermarkets, juice-making, and value addition companies.

Ready to invest in the passion fruit industry? Purchase higher-quality, certified seedlings from OxfarmAg. Let’s get growing!

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