Specialty vegetable crops
Technical Development
Premium Vegetables
Papaya
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Cultivation Environment
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Warm and sunny weather, as well as an environment with low humidity and no strong wind are preferred. Grow well between 22℃ and 30℃. Growth will be retarded below 10℃ and flowering be affected above 35℃. Suitable to sow seeds from March to September locally. Highly adaptive to soil. Grow well in thick sandy loam or loam soil with rich organic matter, good drainage and ventilation, and a pH value between 6 and 6.5.
Papayas are not suitable for continuous cropping. The crop can be grown on the same farmland at least 2 to 3 years later.
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Planting and Spacing
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Cultivation by means of transplantation of seedlings is preferable. 32℃ is the most suitable temperature for germination, which will be retarded below 23℃or above 44℃. The seedlings can be transplanted when coming into 5 true leaves (about 20 to 25 cm in height). Cultivate in a triangular or square pattern.
Plant and row spacing should be 2 m and 2.5 to 3 m respectively.
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Fertiliser Application and Management
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Basal dressing is used as the primary fertiliser for growing papayas, supplemented by the application of top dressing.
Basal Dressing: Apply 1 000 kg of compost and 100 kg of organic fertiliser (N:P:K:MgO = 4:3:3:1) to each d.c..
Top Dressing: Apply top dressing about 2 weeks after planting. The quantity and timing of application are given below for reference.
Weeding: Perform timely weeding in the papaya field. Light ploughing is preferred to avoid damage to roots.
Irritation: Papaya is a shallow-rooted crop. Excessive or inadequate moisture in the soil will hinder the growth of the plant, resulting in irregular fruit bearing or more deformed fruits. Therefore, moderate moisture should be maintained in the soil during the growth period.
Others: Pluck axillary buds, deformed flowers/fruits and withered leaves. Before the advent of rainy seasons or strong winds, erect a pole 20 cm from the trunk in the exposed area, and fasten the trunk to the pole tightly with a rope to prevent it from blowing down or breaking off. Pay attention to pest control in the field and remove diseased plants as soon as possible.
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Harvesting and Storage
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It is ready for harvest when the fruits are plump and 50% to 65% of the skin turns yellow.
Better to harvest the papaya fruits on sunny days. When harvesting, retain 1 to 2 cm of peduncle as far as possible and avoid spreading latex to the fruits. Protect harvested fruits from being bruised and pressed. Fruits should be delivered to markets as soon as they are packed. Depending on the degree of ripeness, harvested papayas should best be stored between 7℃ and 12℃ to slow down the rotting process.
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Horticulture Section, AFCD
2014