80 Papaya
N/plant/year in six split doses at bimonthly intervals commencing from the second
month after transplanting was found to be the best. Singh et al. (1998) found maxi-
mum fruit yield with 200 g N, 300 g P and 150 g K under Chhota Nagpur, Jharkhand
(India) condition. A dose of 350 g N, 250 g P and 200 g K/plant/year applied in
six split doses was the best for Solo variety spaced at 2 m × 2 m (2500 plants/ha)
under Bangalore condition. A fertiliser dose of 200 g N, 300 g P and 600 g K/plant
gave the highest fruit yield in Ranchi variety under West Bengal (India) condition.
Optimum fertiliser dose (200 g N, 300 g P and 400 g K) for maximum papain yield
(4.45 g/fruit) has been reported (Ram 2005). The following dose of manures and
fertilisers/plant has been standardised after experimentation for several years at this
station to obtain the maximum fruit yield under North Bihar (India). The maximum
plant height (144.11 cm) was noted under the N 3 P 2 K 2 (300 g N and 250 g each of
P and K/plant) which was followed by N 2 P 2 K 2 (250 g each of N, P and K). Flower
initiation at maximum height (84.88 cm) was noted under the treatment of N 3 P 2 K 2
which was followed by N 3 P 1 K 2 (81.66 cm) but significantly at par with N 2 P 2 K 2.
The maximum days (246.11) taken to flower initiation was N 2 P 2 K 2 treatment which
was followed by N 3 P 2 K 2 and N 1 P 2 K 2 treatments which were statistically at par with
each other (Rajbhar et al. 2010).
The doses listed in Table 6.1 makes a good balance between vegetative growth
and fruiting. The above fertiliser dose should be applied in six split applications,
once in two months commencing from the second month of planting. The fertilisers
should be applied 20–30 cm away from the main stem and covered through earthing
up or mixed in soil around the stem (Figure 6.1). The orchard should be irrigated
lightly after the fertiliser application. The fertiliser may also be put in the irrigation
ring and mixed thoroughly with the soil. Application of excess nitrogen, which is a
common practice among the farmers, should be avoided as it increases vegetative
growth and leads to poor fruiting.
Healthy well-fed plants that are adapted to the site, and part of a balanced planta-
tion system that includes a wide variety of nutrients, will effectively preclude any
economic losses of papaya production. Diagnosis will depend on good leaf-sampling
technique with proper utilisation of soil and foliar nutrients, and good fertilisation
practices. Before establishing a papaya plantation, a representative soil sample must
be taken. The soil analysis (chemical composition) results will indicate the types
and quantities of fertilisation needed before planting. An auger and two buckets can
be used for the top and subsoil, respectively. A sample consists of a combination of
TABLE 6.1
Recommended Doses of Manures and Fertilisers for Papaya
Cultivation
Organic Manures
(Basal Dose)Amount
(kg)Inorganic Fertilisers
(Top Dressing) Amount (g)
Compost 20.0 Nitrogen 200.0–250.0
Cake 1.0 Phosphorus 200.0–250.0
Bonemeal 1.0 Potassium 250.0–500.0