Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2000: 2(2): 121-123

Varietal improvement of papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Dinesh, M R; Reddy, B M C; Reena, N A

Division of Fruit Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore - 89, India.

Nineteen pawpaw cultivars were evaluated at Bangalore, Karnataka, India, for fruit quality. Pusa Nanha, a dwarf mutant, flowered at the 19th node; Thailand, Pusa Dwarf, and Tainung also bore fruits at a lower height. Fruit weight (2140 g), volume (1940 ml), and breadth (16 cm) were greatest in Pant Papaya 2. Red Indian (25.3 cm) and Thailand (24.2 cm) had the longest fruits. Tainung 1 and Red Indian produced sweet fruits with total soluble sugar (TSS) of 13.2 and 13.0 degrees Brix, respectively. The total carotenoids content was highest in Sunrise Solo (5031 I.U.%). Nigeria and Papaya Pant 2 had the thickest fruit pulp (3.0 cm). Fruit cavity index was lowest in Tainung 1 (13%). Mauritius, Pink Flesh Sweet, Red Indian, Sunrise Solo, Tainung 1, Tainung 2, and Thailand had pink pulp. Surya, produced from crossing Sunrise Solo with Pink Flesh Sweet, was evaluated, along with the parental cultivars, for plant and fruit quality. Surya had the lowest plant height at first flowering as well as the greatest girth and number of leaves at first flowering. Plant spread and fruit titratable acidity did not significantly vary among the cultivars. Pink Flesh Sweet had the highest fruit yield, weight, length, and breadth. Surya had the smallest fruit cavity, thickest pulp, and highest TSS content. The total carotenoids content was highest in Sunrise Solo. Fruit pulp was red in Surya, pink in Sunrise Solo, and dull pink in Pink Flesh Sweet.