Papaya Biology, Cultivation, Production and Uses

Physiological Disorders 131

11.5.1 Management

If temperatures at night are going very low, a temporary structure should be erected
to save the plants in kitchen garden. This can be provided by building a frame around
the plants and covering it with thatching material when frost threatens. Potted speci-
mens can be moved to a frost-secure area. It is important to cover the plant all the
way to the ground to trap heat radiated from the ground at night. The new plantation
of papaya can be saved from frost by covering the plant with polythenes (Figure
11.8). During the month of January, regular light irrigation combined with smoking
through crop wastage or stubbles in the evenings help in avoiding the frost injury.

April

Rs 53,600/h

May

February Rs 21,600/h

Rs 16,800/h

C.D. (P = 0.05) = 481

March

Rs 42,800/h

FIGURE 11.6 Economic losses due to viviparous seeds in cv., Pusa Dwarf.

FIGURE 11.7 Papaya plants damaged by frost.