58 Papaya
helps the plants to stand erect in sandy loam soils. It is also carried out just after top
dressing in the plants on or before the onset of monsoon to prevent the fertilisers
losses through volatilisation and seepage (Saran et al. 2014a).
4.3 Staking
Staking is done with bamboo and other sticks as per availability during fruit devel-
opment stage to protect the plant from stormy winds and handle fruit load especially
after heavy rainfall and irrigation (Figure 4.1). Plants are tied with rope, especially
when bearing heavy fruits, and also to support the leaning trees to keep them straight
and upright. If earthing up is done properly, the need to stake the plants can be done
away with. Planting of shelterbelts of banana, dhaicha (Sesbania), and so on, can
be done on the windward side of the orchard in order to prevent from strong winds
(Saran et al. 2014a).
4.4 Fruit Thinning
Thinning of fruits becomes essential in papaya when several fruits set in a cluster
instead of a single fruit at each node. Some dwarf cultivars like Pusa Dwarf and
Pusa Nanha had a shorter internodal space. The operation is performed immediately
after fruit set and involves thinning or removal of the fruit clusters, leaving only
one fruit at each node. Thinning the fruits that are poorly pollinated, malformed
and infected, prevents the damage of fruits due to over-crowding, avoids pressure
injury and competition amongst them for space and nutrients (Figure 4.2). Thining
of small fruits also should be done, if the trees are severely damaged (Saran et al.
2014a).
FIGURE 4.1 (See colour insert.) Heavy-bearing papaya needs staking to prevent lodging.