INFLUENCE OF MICRONUTRIENTS ON PLANT GROWTH, YIELDAND FRUIT QUALITYOF PAPAYA (Carica papayaL.) cv. WASHINGTON.

Chandra Shekhar,A. L. Yadavand H. K. Singh

Department of Fruit science

Collage of horticulture and forestry.

N. D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Fizabad-224229 (U.P.) India.

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was carried out at Main Experiment Station Horticulture, N. D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad during the year 2007-08 to evaluate the influence of foliar feeding of micronutrients on plant growth,yieldand quality of papaya fruits. The significant increase in plant growth, yieldand fruit quality characters viz. plant height, plant girth, fruiting height, fruiting depth, number of fruit per plant, fruit yield (kg/plant and Q/ha), fruit size (fruit length and width), T.S.S., total sugarsand ascorbic acid cent were recorded with the foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent and Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent alongwith Borax 0.1 per cent followed by Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent along with Borax 0.1 per cent. Significant reduction in days taken to first flowering and acidity per were recorded with same treatment

INTRODUCTION

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is an important fruit of tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world belonging to family caricaceae and also known as papita, pawpawa and true melon. It is native to tropical America (Mexico). In India it was introduced in 16th century via Malacca (Kumar and Abraham, 1942) and now become wide spread throughout the country.It has gained tremendous impact on economic and nutritional value. The ripe fruit of papaya is eaten as such through out the tropics. Ripe fruits also find its extensive uses for several preparations like jam, soft drinks, ice-cream flavoring and crystallized fruit. It is a nutritive fruit containing carbohydrates, protein and minerals mainly iron, calcium and phosphorus. It is rich source of Vitamin ‘A’ having 2020 I.U./100g of fruit. The immature papaya fruit contains milky latex, the dried latex is known as papain which is in great demand in the international market particularly in UK and U.S.A. The papain used in meat tendering, manufacturer of chewing gum and cosmetics, as a drug for digestive, aliments in the tanning industry for bating hides, for de-gumming materials in silk and to give shrink resistance to wool.The nutrition of papaya differs from other fruit crops because of its quick growth, continue fruiting habit and high fruit yield. Frequent and efficient manuring of young and mature plant is essential to maintain the health and to obtain profitable yield. The foliar application of micronutrients has gained importance in recent years, because of it is based on fact that in this way micronutrients riches directly to leaves, which are the site of metabolism. Inspite of this, they are made available to plant at proper time when it is needed. It is therefore essential to evaluate the effect of various micronutrients and their combination on plant growth, yieldand fruit quality for their commercial application.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The experiment was carried out on newly planted papaya orchard during the year 2007-08 and experimental site is locatedatMain Experiment Station, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj Faizabad (U.P.). The soil of experimental field was sodic in nature having pH 8, N2, P2O5, K2O (180.5, 25.1, 220.75 Kg/h) and organic carbon 0.35 per cent. Eight treatments viz. T1-Control (Water spray), T2- Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent, T3- Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent, T4- Borax 0.1 per cent, T5- Copper sulphate 0.25per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent, T6- Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent, T7- Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent and T8- Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent were applied 60 and 90 days after planting as foliar spray. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with above maintained treatments and replicated thrice. The recommended cultural practices and fertilizers application were also adopted during the course of investigation. Observations were recorded on growth, yieldand fruit quality attributing characters of the plants.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The plant height and girth was markedly improved by all the treatments over control as presented in Table.1. The maximum plant height (2.21m) was recorded with the combined application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent followed (2.11mt) by the foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent. However, the application of Borax 0.1 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent was also found effective in this respect. Highest plant girth (29.77cm)was recorded with the foliar application of copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + borax 0.1 per cent closely followed (26.83) by foliar application of copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + borax 0.1 per cent. Minimum plant height and plant girth (1.86 m and 23.5cm) were recorded under control. It might be due to application of proper dose of micronutrients, because they have important functioning role in chlorophyll synthesis and development of cells in meristemetic tissues. These results are close conformity with the findings in banana (Harnandes – Medina., 1969). Singh et al. (2005) have also reported an appreciable increase in plant height and girth with the spray of micronutrients (Boron and zinc) as Borax and Zinc sulphate (0.25 and 0.50 per cent respectively, when they are applied in combination or alone in papaya cv. Ranchi.The fruiting height and depth of fruit setting was increased by foliar application of micronutrients. The maximum fruiting height (99.67cm) and depth of fruit setting (82.33cm) were recorded with the foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent followed (97.33cm and 75.00cm) by the foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent and the minimum with control treatment. However, the promoting effect was observed by most of the micronutrients spray over control. It might be due to combination of Manganese with Copper and Boron which is believed to function in chlorophyll formation, it cause rapid vegetative growth by which plants growth was promoted rapidly and cause increase in fruiting height and depth of fruit setting. Ghanta et al. (1992) found appreciable increase in vegetative growth with the foliar application of Copper sulphate and Manganese sulphate in papaya.

Table 1-Plant growth of papaya (Carica papaya L.) as influenced by foliar spray of micronutrients.

Treatments / Plant height (m) / Plant girth (cm) / fruiting height (cm) / Depth of fruit setting (cm)
T1- Control (water spray) / 1.86 / 23.5 / 88.00 / 55.33
T2-Copper sulphate 0.25 % / 1.96 / 25.77 / 93.33 / 69.33
T3-Manganese sulphate 0.25% / 1.92 / 23.67 / 87.33 / 69.33
T4-Borax 0.1 % / 1.95 / 24.83 / 88.33 / 66.67
T5- Copper sulphate 0.25% + Manganese sulphate 0.25% / 2.06 / 24.33 / 91.67 / 67.00
T6-Copper sulphate 0.25% + Borax 0.1 % / 2.11 / 26.83 / 97.33 / 75.00
T7-Manganese sulphate 0.25% + Borax 0.1% / 2.05 / 26.67 / 94.33 / 72.67
T8-Copper sulphate 0.25% + Manganese sulphate 0.25 % + Borax 0.1% / 2.21 / 29.77 / 99.67 / 82.33
SEm± / 0.02 / 0.64 / 2.68 / 2.19
C.D. at 5% / 0.05 / 1.94 / 8.14 / 6.63

Data presented in Table 2 clearly indicated that the flowering was recorded earliest (186.33 days) with the foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent closely followed by Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent and was at par with this treatment. However the reduction in days taken to first flowering was recorded by most of micronutrients and their combinations. It is possibly due to completion of vegetative growth in early stage.

It is evident from results, that the number of fruit per plant and average fruit weight were maximum (30.67 and 1.300 kg) respectively with combined spray of Copper sulphate + 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1per cent followed by the spray of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent (Table 2 ). It is possibly due to their directly or indirectly involvement in setting, retention and growth and development of fruit, their activity improved number of fruit and average fruit weight. An appreciable increase in fruit weight and number of fruit by foliar application of micronutrient in litchi (Sarkar, 1964) has also been reported. Ghanta, (1992) reported that, foliar application of Copper and Zinc increase the individual fruit weight in papaya.

The maximum (40.4 kg/plant and 993.29 q/h) fruit yield was recorded with the foliar application of Copper sulphate + 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1per cent and minimum with the control. It is possibly due to increase in number of fruit per plant and average fruit weight. These results are in conformity with the findings of Ghanta, (1992) in papaya and Ali (1991) in guava. Kundu et al. (1989) record significantly increased fruit yield with the two foliar application of Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent, Zinc sulphate 0.50 per cent, Borax 0.1 per cent and Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent at interval of one month on six month old papaya plant as compared with control plant.

Table 2-yield attributing characters of papaya (Carica papaya L.) as influenced by foliar spray of micronutrients.

Treatments / Days taken to first flowering / Number of fruit per plant / Average fruit weight (kg) / Fruit yield (kg/plant)
T1- Control (water spray) / 208 / 24.33 / 0.750 / 18.5
T2-Copper sulphate 0.25 % / 200.33 / 25.00 / 0.925 / 24.57
T3-Manganese sulphate 0.25% / 204 / 25.00 / 0.758 / 18.86
T4-Borax 0.1 % / 203 / 24.33 / 0.883 / 21.55
T5- Copper sulphate 0.25% + Manganese sulphate
0.25% / 202 / 28.33 / 1.100 / 31.09
T6-Copper sulphate 0.25% + Borax 0.1 % / 194 / 29.00 / 1.250 / 32.78
T7-Manganese sulphate 0.25% + Borax 0.1% / 199.67 / 26.00 / 1.025 / 27.77
T8-Copper sulphate 0.25% + Manganese sulphate 0.25 % + Borax 0.1% / 186.33 / 30.67 / 1.300 / 40.4
SEm± / 3.14 / 1.3 / 0.05 / 2.04
C.D. at 5% / 9.53 / 3.95 / 0.14 / 6.17

The data presented in Table 3 clearly indicated that the fruit size was markedly improved by all the treatment over control. The maximum fruit size in respect of fruit length and fruit width were recorded with foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent followed by, with the use of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent treatment. However, the application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent was also effective in this respect. These results are in close conformity with the findings of Ghanta et al. (1992) in papaya. In mango. Chaitanya (1997) have reported an appreciable increase in fruit size (length and diameter) with the spray of Zinc sulphate 0.3 per cent alongwith Borax 0.3 per cent in guava cv. Lucknow-49.

The maximum accumulation of total soluble solid contents in papaya fruit was found with the spray of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.25 per cent followed by the spray of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent. However, the promoting effect was also observed by all micronutrient and their combinations except, Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent. This is possibly due to combined synergetic effect of these micronutrients. Copper is believed to stimulate the function of numbers of enzymes and Manganese is responsible for accumulation of carbohydrates from photosynthesis process where Boron is believed to increase the translocation of food material in plant system. These results are in agreement with the finding of Ghanta et al. (1992) in papaya. Likewise, the sprays of micronutrients in guava have also been reported to increase TSS of fruit(Ali, 1991).

A similar pattern as total soluble solids was noted for increase in total sugar contents of fruit as influenced by different treatments. The maximum total sugars (9.72 %) were recorded with the foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent, while the lowest total sugar contents (6.60 %) were obtained under control (water spray). This might be due to involvement of these micronutrients in translocation of more sugar to fruit. These results tally with the finding of Ali (1991) in guava. Ghanta (1992) reported significant increment in total sugars with foliar spray of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent alongwith Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent in papaya.

Ascorbic acid content was significantly influenced by different micronutrients spraying over control. The maximum ascorbic acid content (58.32mg/100 g pulp) was recorded with the combined application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent. It is statistically at par with foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.1 per cent. The minimum ascorbic acid content (45.75 mg/100 g pulp) was recorded under control. The increased ascorbic acid content in fruit was due to increased catalistic activity of enzymes and co-enzymes which are present in ascorbic acid synthesis. Similar results have been also reported by Ghanta (1992) in papaya.

The results revealed that acid content in fruits reduced under the effect of all treatment in comparison to control. However, the spray of Copper sulphate 0.25 per cent + Manganese sulphate 0.25 per cent + Borax 0.25 per cent proved most effective. It might have been rapidly converted into sugars and their derivatives by reaction involving the reversal of glycolic pathway or be used in respiration. The results are in close conformity with the findings of Ali (1991) in guava. Kundu and Mitra (1999) also reported reduction of acidity in guava fruits with foliar application of Copper sulphate 0.3 per cent alongwith Borax 0.1 per cent and Zinc sulphate 0.3 per cent.

Table 3-Physico-chemicalcharactersof papaya (Carica papaya L.) as influenced by foliar spray of micronutrients.

Treatments / Physical / Bio-chemical
Fruit length (cm) / Fruit width (cm) / TSS (per cent) / Total sugars (per cent) / Ascorbic acid (mg/100g pulp) / Acidity (per cent)
T1- Control (water spray) / 19.5 / 8.5 / 7.20 / 6.60 / 45.75 / 0.113
T2-Copper sulphate 0.25 % / 22.0 / 9.2 / 7.33 / 8.14 / 49.85 / 0.09
T3-Manganese sulphate 0.25% / 21.83 / 8.83 / 8.93 / 6.61 / 47.06 / 0.108
T4-Borax 0.1 % / 20.0 / 9.13 / 8.27 / 7.57 / 53.7 / 0.094
T5- Copper sulphate 0.25% + Manganese sulphate 0.25% / 23.17 / 11.47 / 9.13 / 7.83 / 53.72 / 0.076
T6-Copper sulphate 0.25% + Borax 0.1 % / 24.0 / 12.13 / 8.03 / 9.28 / 56.18 / 0.058
T7-Manganese sulphate 0.25% + Borax 0.1% / 20.67 / 11.57 / 8.93 / 8.22 / 51.05 / 0.068
T8-Copper sulphate 0.25% + Manganese sulphate 0.25 % + Borax 0.1% / 25.0 / 13.17 / 9.60 / 9.72 / 58.32 / 0.053
SEm± / 0.6 / 0.14 / 0.14 / 0.13 / 0.87 / 0.003
C.D. at 5% / 1.82 / 0.44 / 0.43 / 0.39 / 2.65 / 0.01

REFERENCES

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