Climatically Optimum Growth Areas (Passion Fruit) Composite Of All Criteria

Passion fruit are believed to have originated from southern Brazil (Kenyaweb, 2005).The most commonly commercially grown of 55 edible species of passion fruit is Passiflora edulis, which consists of perennial woody vines with each producing about 100 fruits per year (RBGK, 2005). In South Africa passion fruit ideally requires a cool subtropical climate for optimum production (Smith, 1998). The vines prefer moderate temperatures throughout the year, with monthly means of daily maxima 6 degree Celsius (NDA, 2005). For commercial production under rainfed conditions MAP should ideally exceed 1 200 mm and be well distributed throughout the year (NDA, 2005), as it is important to maintain the soil moist throughout the growing season to keep the vines flowering and fruiting for longer periods and prevent the fruit from shriveling and falling prematurely (Kenyaweb, 2005). Total commercial production of passion fruit in South Africa is 1 300t per season, with a range (between 1998/9 - 2003/4) in more recent from 900 - 1 700 t (NDA, 2005).The gross value is R65 million/year (NDA, 2005). Criteria for climatically optimum growth areas for passion fruit were refined by Bower (2005). Six criteria were identified and using the 1x 1 gridded information on temperature related parameters derived by Schulze and Maharaj (2004), the following criteria were mapped: Criterion 1: > 330 days per year with a minimum temperature exceeding 2 degree Celsius; Criterion 2: Fewer than 2 consecutive days per annum with minimum temperatures 3 consecutive frost days per annum; Criterion 4: In total, there should be < 25 days per annum with frost; Criterion 5: Maximum temperatures should be < 28 degree Celsius on at least 25 days of each month; Criterion 6: Maximum temperatures should not exceed 35 degree Celsius on any two consecutive days per month. Mapped criteria were given either categorical or probabilistic weightings and when the six maps were superimposed, suitable and less suitable climatically optimum growth areas could be identified.