M.R. Dinesh, B.M.C. Reddy and N.A. Reena
Division of Fruit Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore - 89, India.
Abstract: 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
