Objective   Molecular mechanism of Passiflora edulis leaves in respond to cadmium (Cd) stress was analyzed for genetic improvement on resisting the heavy metal absorption of the plant.

  Method  Transcriptome of the leaves of passion fruit plants under a moderate Cd stress of 50 μmol·L⁻¹ for varied durations in a hydroponic experiment was sequenced. qRT-PCR was applied to verify and analyze the results.

  Results  There were 3,465, 1,262, and 2,039 expressed genes in the samples under the Cd stress for 24, 48, and 72h, respectively. Sixty-three specific transcription factors and proteins that responded to the stress were obtained. The transcriptome sequencing was confirmed highly reliable by a qRT-PCR analysis. The GO functional enrichment and KEGG metabolic pathways analyses on the transcriptions showed the differential expression genes (DEGs) to be mainly associated with cell structure, catalytic activity, and transcriptional regulations as well as the photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism pathways.

  Conclusion  The DEGs in passion fruit leaves responding to Cd stress were mainly enriched in the metabolic and biosynthesis-related pathways. The information would pave the way to studies on curtailing Cd contamination that seriously affects the quality and commercial value of the fruit.