Introduction

Papaya (Carica papaya), also known as pawpaw, is a tropical fruit crop grown for its nutritious and delicious fruits. It is a fast-growing, short-lived perennial plant that belongs to the Caricaceae family. Papaya is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidants, and digestive enzymes like papain, which have various health benefits.

Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Carica papaya
• Family: Caricaceae
• Common Names: Papaya, Pawpaw, Papita (Hindi)
• Origin: Native to tropical America (southern Mexico and Central America)

Botanical Description

Papaya is usually dioecious, but hermaphrodite and gynodioecious types are also recognized:

• Dioecious Type: Separate male and female plants. Male flowers are found on long pendulous panicles, while female flowers are solitary with a larger ovary.
• Hermaphrodite Type: Two variations exist—one with a long corolla and 10 stamens, and another with a short corolla and 5 functional stamens.
• Gynodioecious Type: Female and bisexual flowers are borne on the same plant. Fruits from female flowers are globular, while those from bisexual flowers are elongated.

Only Carica papaya produces edible fruits. C. candamarcensis, known as ‘mountain papaya,’ thrives at elevations between 1500-2000m in the Western Ghats. C. monica is found growing wild in the Amazon Basin.

Climatic Requirements

• Temperature: Papaya thrives in warm, tropical, and subtropical climates. The optimum temperature range is 21-33°C. It is highly sensitive to frost and prolonged cold temperatures below 10°C.
• Rainfall: Annual rainfall of 1000-2000 mm is ideal. Excess waterlogging damages the roots.
• Sunlight: Requires full sunlight for proper growth and fruit development.
• Altitude: Grows well up to 1000 meters above sea level.

Soil Requirements

• Type: Well-drained, light, and porous soils are ideal. Sandy loam or loamy soil rich in organic matter is preferred.
• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5).
• Drainage: Good drainage is essential as waterlogging can lead to root rot.

Varieties of Papaya

Indian Varieties

• Red Lady 786: High-yielding, dwarf, and popular hybrid variety.
• Pusa Dwarf: Short-statured variety, good for high-density planting.
• Pusa Delicious: Large-sized sweet fruits.
• Pusa Majesty: Resistant to pests and diseases.
• CO Series (CO-1, CO-2, CO-3): High-yielding Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) varieties.

International Varieties

• Solo: Popular Hawaiian variety with small, sweet fruits.
• Sunrise: Medium-sized, sweet fruits with deep orange pulp.
• Maradol: Large-sized fruits with red-orange flesh.

Propagation

Papaya is propagated mainly by seeds, but tissue culture propagation is also used for commercial cultivation.

Seed Treatment

• Soaking: Seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours before sowing.
• Disinfection: Seeds can be treated with 0.1% Bavistin or Captan to prevent fungal infections.
• Germination Time: Usually takes 2-3 weeks.

Land Preparation

• Plowing: The land should be plowed 2-3 times to remove weeds and aerate the soil.
• Pits: Dig pits of 50 cm × 50 cm × 50 cm at a spacing of 1.8 m × 1.8 m.
• Manuring: Fill pits with a mixture of FYM (10-15 kg), neem cake (500 g), and superphosphate (100 g) before planting.

Planting

• Time of Sowing: Best time for planting is February-March and June-July (monsoon planting).
• Seed Rate: 250-300 g per hectare.
• Spacing: Usually 1.8 m × 1.8 m, but in high-density planting, spacing can be reduced.
• Transplanting: When seedlings reach 30-45 cm height with 3-5 true leaves, they are transplanted.

Nutrient Management

• Micronutrients: Zinc and Boron deficiencies can cause poor fruit setting and deformities.
• Foliar Spray: 2% DAP or micronutrient solution can be sprayed during the vegetative phase.

Irrigation

• Frequency: Watering is done every 7-10 days in summer and every 15 days in winter.
• Drip Irrigation: Preferred for water conservation and uniform water supply.
• Critical Stages: Flowering and fruit development stages require sufficient moisture.

Weed Management

• Mulching: Applying dry leaves, polythene sheets, or organic mulch helps in weed suppression and moisture conservation.
• Manual Weeding: Done once a month.
• Herbicides: Pre-emergence herbicides like Pendimethalin (1.5-2 kg/ha) can be used.

Plant Protection

Major Diseases and Their Management

Major Pests and Their Management

Harvesting and Yield

• Harvesting Time: Papaya starts fruiting 6-9 months after planting.
• Maturity Signs: Fruits turn yellowish at the bottom and produce milky latex when scratched.
• Harvesting Method: Harvested manually by twisting or cutting the fruit stalk.
• Yield: 40-80 tons/ha depending on variety and management.

Post-Harvest Management

• Sorting and Grading: Fruits are sorted based on size, color, and quality.
• Ripening: Ethylene treatment enhances uniform ripening.
• Storage: Fruits can be stored at 10-13°C for up to 2 weeks.
• Packaging: Packed in cushioned boxes to prevent damage.

Economic Importance

• Export Market: India is the largest producer of papaya, exporting to countries like UAE, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
• Value-Added Products: Papaya is used for making jams, juices, dried fruits, and papain enzyme extraction.

• Papaya trees can bear fruit within 6-9 months of planting.
• Unripe papaya is commonly used in cooking and pickles.
• The latex of unripe papaya is used for making papain enzyme.
• Papaya seeds have antibacterial properties and can be used as a natural remedy for intestinal worms.