PAPAYA

It is a tropical fruit which is native to Mexico. It belongs to “Caricaceae” family and “Carica” genus. It is a fast growth plant which has long fruiting period and contains high nutritional value. India is known as the largest producer of papaya. It can be grown in pots, greenhouse, polyhouse and containers. It also has health benefits such as it helps to relieve constipation, cancer, helps in lowering cholesterol, and helps in fighting with cancer cells. It is a rich source of Vitamin A and C. In India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, west Bengal, Orissa, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, U.K., Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are major states doing papaya farming.

It is grown in wide range of soils. Avoid cultivation in sandy or heavy soil. The pH soil ranging from 6.5-7.0 is best for papaya farming. 

Washington: Less seeds, big size fruits, yellow color flesh, sweet in taste, male plants are smaller than female plants, plant is comparatively smaller in size. This variety is also known as “Madhu Bindu”.

Coorg Honey: Very less seeds, big size fruit, less sweet than Honey Dew variety and plants are having high height, male and female flowers bear on same tree.

Pusa Delicious: In this variety male and female flowers bear on same tree. It is known as the best variety for yield. Tree starts bearing fruits after 250 days of planting. Fruits are of medium size; flesh is deep orange in color, good in taste and is aromatic.

Pusa Dwarf: In this variety flowers bear on different trees. Plant is small in height. When stem reaches the height of 1m, the fruit starts developing. Fruit is medium in shape and is good in taste.

Other state varieties:

Honey Dew: Big size fruits containing less seeds, comparatively less sweet in taste, tasty fruit, and male plants are smaller than female plants, medium height plants.
 
C O-2:  Large size fruits and plant has medium height.

Co-1, Co-3, Solo, Pusa Nanha, Ranchi Selection, Coorg Green Sunrise Solo, Taiwan and Coorg Green are suitable varieties grown in different states.
 

For papaya farming, well prepared land is required. To bring the soil to fine tilth leveling is required. At the time of last ploughing, apply FYM (Farm Yard Manure).

Seed rate:
Use 150-200gm seeds for per acre land.

Seed treatment:
Before seed sowing, treat the seeds with Captan@3gm to protect the plant from soil borne diseases.
 

Time of sowing:
Seed sowing is done in the month of April and transplanting is done in July month.

Spacing:
Use plant to plant spacing of 2 X 2m.

Sowing depth:
2cm deep seeds are sown.

Method of sowing:
Propagation method is used.
 

The seedlings are prepared in the polythene bags having dimensions of 25 X 10cm. In these polythene’s, 8-10 holes are done having 1mm diameter on lower part for proper drainage of water. Polythene bags are filled with equal proportions of FYM, soil and sand. Mainly seeds are sown in polythene bags in April month. Before sowing treat the seeds with Captan@3gm per kg seed. Drenching is done with Captan@0.2% when seedlings emerge out to protect them from damping off disease. Transplanting of seedlings is done in July month.

Application of mixed manure@500gm per plant which contains ammonium sulphate: SSP: Potassium sulphate @2:4:1 is done. Fertilizer is added in February to August month. Apart from this add cow dung@20kg per plant. Add fertilizer around the plant at the distance of 35-40cm. 

Irrigation will depend upon season, crop growth and soil type.

• Disease and their control:

Stem rot: Water like wet spots are seen on plant stem. The symptoms get spread on all sides of the plant. Plant leaves fall apart before it is fully developed.

Treatment: To control this disease spray with M-45@300gm in 150ltr water.
 

Powdery mildew: Patchy, white powdery growth appears on upper surface of leaves also on main stem of infected plant. It parasitizes the plant using it as a food source. In severe infestation it causes defoliation and premature fruit ripening.

Treatment: Spraying of Thiophanate methyl 70% WP@300gm in 150-160ltr water/acre is done.

Root rot or wilt: The disease causes rotting of roots which ultimately result in plant wilting.

Treatment: To control this disease drenching with Saaf@400gm in 150ltr water.

Papaya mosaic: The symptoms appear on top young leaves of the plants.

Treatment: To control this pest spraying with Malathion@300ml in 150ltr water is done.

• Disease and their control:
  

Aphid: They suck the sap of the plant. Aphids help in spreading disease in plants.

Treatment: To control this pest spraying with Malathion@300ml in 150ltr water is done.

Fruit fly: The female lays eggs in the mesocarp, after hatching the maggots feed themselves on fruit pulp which will destroy the fruit.

Treatment: To control this pest spraying with Malathion@300ml in 150ltr water is done.

Harvesting is mainly done when fruit attains the full size and is light green in color with a tinge of yellow at apical end. First picking can be done after 14-15 months of planting. 4-5 harvestings can be done per season.