It is a tropical fruit indigenous to Mexico. Papaya is a part of the “Caricaceae” family. Moreover, it is a fast-growing plant with a long fruiting season and a high nutritional value. In addition, India is the world’s largest producer of papaya. Therefore, it is suitable for growing in pots, greenhouses, polyhouses, and containers. It also has health benefits such as aiding in relieving constipation cancer, lowering cholesterol, and fighting cancer cells. In addition, it contains many vitamin A and C. Major papaya-growing states in India include Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Orissa, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, the United Kingdom, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
Papaya Farming Method
To grow papaya in a healthy manner, you should take care of some requirements, which are:
Soil Requirement
We can grow papaya in a variety of soil types. A hilly soil with a well-drained drainage system is ideal for papaya farming. On the other hand, we should avoid cultivation in sandy or heavy soil. The soil pH should be between 6.5 and 7.0 for papaya farming. Moreover, after choosing soil, you should use powerful farm equipements like Mahindra Tractor 575 and others.
Popular Varieties
Red Lady: In 2013, the film Red Lady was released. Plants grow quickly and reproduce themselves. It grows to a height of 238cm, and the plants begin bearing fruit when they reach a height of 86cm. Fruits are medium in size, oblong to oval in shape, and have reddish-orange flesh and an excellent flavour and taste. After 10 months, the plant matures and produces an average yield of 50kg. The variety is pest and disease resistant.
Punjab Sweet: Punjab Sweet was released in 1993. The dioecious variety grows to a height of 190cm and begins bearing fruit when it reaches up to 100 cm. Fruits are large-sized, oblong in shape, and have flesh that is a deep yellowish colour. It has a T.S.S. content of 9.0-10.5 per cent and an average yield of 50kg/plant. Citrus mites are less likely to attack the plant.
Pusa Delicious was first released in 1992. The hermaphrodite variety grows to 210cm in height and begins bearing fruit when it reaches 110cm. Fruits range from medium to large size, are oblong to an oval shape, and have deep orange flesh with excellent flavours and taste. It contains 8-10% T.S.S. and produces an average 46kg/plant yield.
Pusa Dwarf: Pusa Dwarf was released in 1992. A dioecious and dwarf variety grows to a height of 165cm and begins bearing fruit when it reaches a height of 100cm. Fruits are medium oval in shape and have flesh that is orange in colour. It has a T.S.S. content of 8-10% and an average 35kg/plant yield.
Honey Dew: Introduced in 1975. Madhu Bindu is another name for it. The plant stands at a medium height, and its fruits are large, elongated, and contain few seeds. Fruits have extra-fine flesh that is sweet and full of flavour.
Other State Varieties
Washington has fewer seeds, larger fruits, yellow flesh, and a sweeter taste. Male plants are smaller than female plants, and the plant is comparatively smaller in size.
Coorg Honey has fewer seeds, larger fruit, and is less sweet than honeydew varieties. The plants are tall, and both male and female flowers bloom on the same tree.
CO.2: Fruits are large in size, and the plant is medium in height.
CO.1, CO.3, Ranchi Selection, Solo, Pusa Nanha, Coorg Green Sunrise Solo, Taiwan, and Coorg Green are varieties that can be grown in various states.
Land Preparation
A well-prepared plot of land is required for papaya farming. Levelling is required to bring the soil to a fine tilth. Apply F.Y.M. when the last ploughing (Farm Yard Manure). Prepare land with the help of excellent farming machines like Mahindra Yuvo 415 Di and others.
Sowing
Seeds are planted from the second week of July to the third week of September, and transplanting is done from the first week of September to the middle of October. Plants should be spaced 1.5 X 1.5m apart. Propagation is the best method for papaya farming.
Weed Control
Weed can be controlled by hand-hoeing as well as chemically, using glyphosate at 1.6 litres per 150 litres of water. Glyphosate should only be used on weeds, not crop plants.
Plant Protection
Disease and their control:
- Stem rot: Spray with [email protected] in 150ltr water
- Powdery mildew: Spray of Thiophanate methyl 70% [email protected]
- Root rot or wilt: Drenching with Saaf @ 400gm
- Papaya mosaic: Spraying with Malathion @ 300ml
Pest and their control:
- Aphid: Spraying with Malathion @ 300ml
- Fruit fly: Spraying with Malathion @ 300ml
Irrigation
Irrigation will determine by the season, crop growth, and soil type.
Harvesting
Harvesting occurs primarily when the fruit has reached full size and is light green with a yellow tinge at the apical end. After 14-15 months of planting, we can do the first picking. Each season, 4-5 harvestings are possible. You can use a harvester for harvesting paddy, grain and other crops.
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