Studies on certain characteristics of four papaya (Carica papaya L.) varieties

Abstract

Line 10 Solo, the introduced papaya variety from Hawaii, was compared with three local varieties widely grown in Thailand, namely Coaco, Khaek Dam and Sai Nam Phung. It appeared that in the hermaphroditic trees, Line 10 Solo, flowered the latest and its height as measured at time of the first flower when the first fruit was ripened was higher than the other varieties. Also the percent of total soluble solids and flesh firmness of the Line 10 Solo was higher than other varieties. Flesh firmness in variety Khaek Dam did not differ significantly from Line 10 Solo, when ripened, was yellow white the three local varieties were reddish orange in colour. The Coaco and Khaek Dam plants tended to be dwarf while Sai Nam Phung was taller. Among the three local varieties, the fruit number per tree, fruit size and fruit weight did not differ significantly, but these characters differed from those of Line 10 Solo. The study on pistillate tree, was done only on the three local varieties. It was found that the characters studied, were not different from the hermaphroditic trees except Sai Nam Phung which produced less fruits per tree. The fruit quality, fruit size, fruit weight and flesh thickness were not different among the varieties studied, but total soluble solids, and cavity size were significantly different among the varieties, which was significantly different from the Coaco and Sai Nam Phung. Sai Nam Phung had highest number of seeds, (278 seeds per fruit) which markedly differed from that of Coaco and Khaek Dam varieties which had 16 and 1 seed (s) , respectively.