Harnessing genomic resources for passion fruit improvement: Progress and prospects

Abstract

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.