Papaya Biology, Cultivation, Production and Uses

Botany and Improvement 47

along the stem down to 45 cm from the ground. Seedlings are 70% females and

bloom 3 months after transplanting.

A papaya breeding programme of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute at

Regional Station, Pusa (Bihar), initiated in 1966, has led to the release of five variet-

ies (Figure 2.6):

Pusa Majesty: A gynodioecious line is tolerant to viral diseases and root knot

nematodes (Ram 1984a). The variety is suitable for papain production and is com-

parable to CO-2 variety for papain yield. The fruits are medium sized, 1.0–1.5 kg in

weight, round in shape and have better keeping quality. It starts fruiting after 146

days from the time of transplanting.

TABLE 2.3

Important Papaya Varieties Cultivated in Different States of India

State Varieties

Andhra Pradesh Honeydew, Coorg Honeydew, Washington, Solo, CO-1,CO-2, CO-3,

Sunrise Solo, Taiwan

Jharkhand and Bihar Ranchi selection, Honeydew, Pusa Delicious, Pusa Dwarf and Pusa

Nanha

Karnataka and Kerala Coorg Honeydew, Coorg Green, Pusa Delicious and Pusa Nanha

West Bengal Ranchi selection, Honeydew, Washington, Coorg Green

Orissa Pusa Delicious, Pusa Nanha, Ranchi selection, Honeydew,

Washington, Coorg Green

Source: Adapted from Ray, P.K., 2002, Breeding Tropical and Subtropical Fruits, Narosa

Publishing House, Daryaganj, New Delhi, India.

FIGURE 2.6 (See colour insert.) Important papaya varieties from IARI: (a) Pusa Majesty,

(b) Pusa Delicious, (c) Pusa Giant, (d) Pusa Dwarf and (e) Pusa Nanha.