Papaya Farming Guide

Papaya Farming Guide best guide at agribegri

Papaya also known as "Carica papaya" is a tropical fruit that is commercially important because of its nutritional and medicinal value. The cultivation of papaya began in South Mexico and Costa Rica.

Papaya is a popular fruit known for its high nutritional value and medicinal properties. It begins to bear more fruit than any other fruit, producing fruit in less than a year and fruit production being the highest in each region. Papaya is cultivated extensively or commercially in the lowlands and lowlands of the plains of all the northeastern regions. According to available statistics 3,670 hectares produce 47,280 tons of papaya per year. It is the fourth most important plant in the region. Among the mountainous regions, Mizoram has the largest area under this plant, followed by Tripura and Manipur, While in production Manipur is the largest contributor, followed by Tripura and Mizoram. Papaya is a traditional Mexican plant, and was introduced to India in the 16th century. It is now popular throughout India and is the fifth most important commodity in the world.

The annual production is estimated at 6 million tons of fruit. India leads the world in papaya production with an annual production of 3 million tons. Other leading manufacturers are Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Indonesia, China, Peru, Thailand and the Philippines.

Climate for Papaya Cultivation: - Popcorn is a tropical plant. However, it also grows well in tropical climates. Those hills that enjoy the cool winters are ideal for growing papaya. Low temperatures and frost reduce its planting in high altitudes. Very cold nights cause the fruits to ripen slowly and to become inferior during the winter. It can be grown from the sea to a height of 1000 meters, but above a height of 600 meters, the size and quality of the fruit is gradually decreasing. Growing in tropical and subtropical climates, it can be grown at a temperature of 25-35˚C. In this region it can be successfully planted as a rainy crop in areas with an average rainfall of 1500-2000 mm of annual rainfall, although the yield may be poor compared to the irrigated crop, as the winter drought restricts the growth of plants and fruits. High humidity affects the taste of the fruit. Fruits often lose their flavor at low temperatures as well. Warm and dry weather is required during ripening. It cannot withstand strong winds by being a soft plant with shallow roots.

Soil suitable for growing papaya: - Popcorn can be grown in many types of soil, with the exception of sandy loam and clayey or heavy clay soils. Papaya roots are very sensitive to dehydration or stagnant water. Even immersion in water for forty-eight hours can be harmful to the plant. In heavy soils, water accumulates during high rainfall, and diseases such as foot-root and root-rot occur, which can quickly cause crop failure. Therefore a slightly sloppy area is selected in a well-balanced position. The hilly soils of this region are well-suited, well-drained.

Papaya Farming Distribution: - Papaya is always propagated by seeds. For pollination, seeds are collected from ripe, large, healthy fruits, especially for female plants that are free of pests and diseases. In some cases, the seeds fail to germinate because the seed is completely lost in about 45 days. Removal of the mucilaginous cover (sarcotesta) from the seeds helps to germinate much faster and uniformly than those seeds that have their sarcotesta. Removal of sarcotesta is easily done by soaking the seeds in a bucket of water for two to three days. Sarcotesta breaks down easily when ripe seeds are mixed with wood ash and rubbed lightly on a piece of cloth. Seeds are washed to remove external substances by placing them in another pot or container with water. Living seeds are submerged in water, while inanimate ones, sarcotestas and other remains are floating and can be removed. Seeds can be sown quickly, or they can be stored after drying in the shade in airtight containers. Seeds, however, should never be dried in the sun, as this leads to a complete loss of function.

Preparing the Land for Cultivation Papaya: - A well-drained high ground is preferred for cultivation. In open and elevated areas plants are exposed to strong winds or storms. Therefore, in order to properly establish a papaya garden, appropriate breaks should be planted at the border of the orchard.

HOME FARMING IN PLANTING: -
Planting Materials: - Papaya is propagated by seeds and plants that produce tissue. Seed level is 250-300 g./ha. Seedlings can be raised in kindergarten beds 3m. height, 1m. width and 10 cm. top and polythene containers or bags. Seeds after treatment with 0.1% Monosan (phenyl mercuric acetate), ceresan etc. sown 1 cm. depth of 10 cm lines. separate and covered with fine compost or leaf mold. Easy irrigation is provided in the morning. Kindergarten beds are covered with sheets of polythene or dry paddy grass to protect the seedlings. About 15-20 cm. tall seedlings are preferred to be planted in about two months.

Best Time to Grow Papaya: - Cartoons are planted in spring (February-March), monsoon (June-July) and autumn (October-November).

Spacing between papaya plants: - Spacing 1.8 x 1.8 m. often followed. However high tillage with gaps of 1.5 x 1.5 m./ha improves return to the farmer and is recommended.

Extensive Planting in Papaya Cultivation: - Spacing of adjacent spaces of 1.2 x 1.2 m. for cv. Pusha Nanha is used to plant high density, which holds 6,400 plants / ha.

How to Plant Papaya Cultivation: - Seedlings are planted in holes 60x60x60 cm. size. In the summer months the holes are dug about two weeks before planting. The pits are filled with topsoil and 20 kg. of farm manure., 1 kg. neem cake and 1 kg. bone meal. Tall and vigorous varieties are grown in large areas

Insect Pests and Diseases in Papaya Farming :- The insect pests mostly observed are fruit flies (Bactrocera cucurbitae), ak grasshopper (Poekilocerus pictus), aphids (Aphis gossypii), red spider mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus), stem borer (Dasyses rugosellus) and grey weevil (Myllocerus viridans). In all cases the infected parts need to be destroyed along with application of prophylactic sprays of Dimethoate (0.3%) or methyl demeton (0.05%).

The main diseases reported are powdery mildew (Oidium caricae), anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), damping off and stem rot. Application of wettable sulphur (1 g./l.) carbendazim/thiophanate methyl (1 g./l.) and Kavach/Mancozeb (2 g./l.) has been found to be effective in controlling the diseases.

Harvesting, Packing, Marketing and Storing :- Fruits are graded on the basis of their weight, size and colour. A good crop may fail if harvesting of fruits is not done properly due to perishable nature of fruits. The fruits should be left on the tree until they mature fully. Usually the fruits are harvested when they are full size, light green with a tinge of yellow at apical end. On ripening, fruits of certain varieties turn yellow but some of them remain green. When the latex ceases to be milky and become watery, the fruits are considered suitable for harvesting.
While picking the fruits from the trees, care must be taken that these are not scratched and are free from any blemishes, otherwise there will be attack of fungus and the fruits may start decaying during marketing. Suitable grading must be done before packing. The fruit should be packed properly for dispatching to market.

Since papaya fruits are easily perishable, care should be taken to wrap the individual fruit in paper and finally packed in wooden crates surrounded by soft material all-round and saw dust specially on the bottom.

In Papaya Farming, reduction in temperature or treatment with retardants reduces the duration for ripening and enhances shelf life. Post harvest treatment of fruits with silver nitrate or cobalt chloride extends the shelf life without affecting the palatability. Papaya fruits, at colour turning, can be stored at 7˚C, which will have normal ripening. Shelf life of fruit is also extended by storing at 13˚C with 1.0 to 1.5 percent oxygen or at 10 % CO. Waxing of fruit and storage under low pressure (LP) has also been successful in reducing the disease incidence and increasing the shelf life papaya.

Yeild of Papaya Crop:- In Papaya Farming, a tree with good management produces 25 to 40 fruits weighing 40to 60 kg in the first 15 to 18 months.

Harvested Papaya

Year Approximate yield	(kg/ha)
1st	150 – 200
2nd	200 – 250
3rd	75 – 100

For local markets optimum temperature of 20°C was found both for ripening and satisfactory storage for two weeks. Storage below 10°C has been known to cause chilling injuries greater in mature- green than ripe papayas. Chilling injury symptoms include pitting, blotchy coloration, uneven ripening, skin scald, and increased susceptibility to decay. More than half ripe papayas (at lest 50% yellow) can be stored at 4-10°C without developing symptoms of chilling injuries. Exposure of papayas to temperatures above 30°C for more than 10 days result in heat injury. The symptoms include uneven ripening, blotchy ripening, poor color, abnormal softening, surface pitting and accelerated decay. For exports of papaya, hot water treatment is given by dipping the fruits for 30 minutes at 42°C immediately followed by a 49°C dip for 20 minutes. Quick cooling to 13°C after heat treatments minimizes heat injury. Controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage (2% O and 5-10% CO ) at 10°C has been found beneficial for 2 2 delayed ripening, firmness retention and avoid chilling injuries. Transport For local markets the fruits are transported in trucks while for distant markets it should be preferably sent through railways. Transportation through railways is faster and economical.

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY (One Acre Model) 

 

1.1              Agro-climatic requirements

 

Papaya being a tropical fruit grows well in the mild sub-tropical regions of the country upto 1,000 m. above sea level. Night temperature below 12⁰-14⁰ C for several hours during winter season affects its growth and production severely. It is very much sensitive to frost, strong winds and water stagnation.

 

Deep, well drained sandy loam soil is ideal for cultivation of papaya.

 

 

1.2              Growing and Potential Belts 

The state-wise growing belts are given in the following :

 

State	Growing belts
Andhra Pradesh	Cuddapah, Medak, Kurnool, Rangareddy
Assam	Nagaon, Darrang, Karbi Anglong
Gujarat	Kheda, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar
Jharkhand	Simdega, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Hazaribagh, Chatra
Karnataka	Bellary, Bidar, Bangalore (R& U), Mandya, Shimoga, Chitradurga, Mysore, Belgaum, Hassan
Maharashtra	Sangli, Satara, Pune, Nasik, Sholapur, Nagpur, Amravati
Madhya Pradesh	Dhar, Khandwa, Bilaspur, Ratlam, Guna
West Bengal	North & South 24- Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, Midnapur

 

1.3              Varieties Cultivated

 

Important papaya varieties cultivated in different states of India are given below :

 

State		Varieties grown
Andhra Pradesh	-	Honey Dew, Coorg Honey Dew, Washington, Solo, Co-1,Co-2, Co-3, Sunrise Solo, Taiwan
Jharkhand	-	Ranchi selection, Honey Dew, Pusa Delicious & Pusa Nanha
Karnataka & Kerala	-	Coorg Honey Dew, Coorg Green, Pusa Delicious & Pusa Nanha
West Bengal	-	Ranchi selection, Honey Dew, Washington, Coorg Green
Orissa	-	Pusa Delicious, Pusa Nanha,  Ranchi selection, Honey Dew, Washington, Coorg Green

 

1.4              Land Preparation

 

A well-drained upland is selected for cultivation. In open and high lying areas plants are exposed to strong winds or storm. Therefore, for proper establishment of papaya plantation, suitable wind break should be planted at the orchard boundary.

 

1.5              Planting

 

1.5.1        Planting Material

 

Papaya is commercially propagated by seed and tissue culture plants. The seed rate is 250-300 g./ha. The seedlings can be raised in nursery beds 3m. long, 1m. wide and 10 cm. high as well as in pots or polythene bags. The seeds after being treated with 0.1% Monosan (phenyl mercuric acetate), ceresan etc. are sown 1 cm. deep in rows 10 cm. apart and covered with fine compost or leaf mould. Light irrigation is provided during the morning hours. The nursery beds are covered with polythene sheets or dry paddy straw to protect the seedlings. About 15-20 cm. tall seedlings are chosen for planting in about two months. 

 

1.5.2        Planting season

 

Papaya is planted during spring (February-March), monsoon (June-July) and autumn (October-November).

 

1.5.3        Spacing

 

A spacing of 1.8 x 1.8 m. is normally followed.  However higher density cultivation with spacing of 1.5 x 1.5 m./ha enhances the returns to the farmer and is recommended.

 

High Density Planting : A closer spacing of 1.2 x 1.2 m. for cv. Pusha Nanha is adopted for high density planting, accommodating 6,400 plants/ha.

 

1.5.4        Planting Method

 

The seedlings are planted in pits of 60x60x60 cm. size. In the summer months the pits are dug about a fortnight before planting. The pits are filled with top soil along with 20 kg. of farmyard manure., 1 kg. neem cake and 1 kg. bone meal. Tall and vigorous varieties are planted at greater spacing while medium and dwarf ones at closer spacing.

 

1.6              Nutrition

 

Papaya plant needs heavy doses of manures and fertilizers. Apart from the basal dose of manures (@ 10 kg./plant) applied in the pits, 200-250 g. each of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O are recommended for getting high yield. Application of 200 g. N is optimum for fruit yield but papain yield increases with increase in N upto 300 g.

 

1.6.1        Micronutrients

 

Micro-nutrients viz. ZnSO₄ (0.5%) and H₂ BO₃ (0.1%) are sprayed in order to increase growth and yield characters.

 

 

 

1.7              Irrigation

 

The irrigation schedule is fixed on the basis of soil type and weather conditions of the region. Protective irrigation is provided in the first year of planting. During the second year, irrigation is provided at fortnightly interval in winter and at an interval of 10 days in summer. Basin system of irrigation is mostly followed. In areas having low rainfall, sprinkler or drip system can be adopted.

 

1.8              Intercultural Operations

 

Deep hoeing is recommended during the first year to check weed growth. Weeding should be done on regular basis especially around the plants. Application of Fluchloralin or Alachlorin or Butachlorine (2.0 g./ha.) as pre-emergence herbicide two months after transplanting can effectively control the weeds for a period of four months. Earthing up is done before or after the onset of monsoon to avoid water-logging and also to help the plants to stand erect.

 

1.9              Inter-cropping

 

Intercropping leguminous crops after non-leguminous ones, shallow rooted crops after deep rooted ones are beneficial. No intercrops are taken after the onset of flowering stage.

 1.10          Removal of male plants About 10% of the male plants are kept in the orchards for good pollination where dioecious varieties are cultivated. As soon as the plants flower, the extra male plants are uprooted. 5.11          Plant Protection Measures 5.11.1    Insect Pests The insect pests mostly observed are fruit flies (Bactrocera cucurbitae), ak grasshopper (Poekilocerus pictus), aphids (Aphis gossypii), red spider mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus), stem borer (Dasyses rugosellus) and grey weevil (Myllocerus viridans). In all cases the infected parts need to be destroyed along with application of prophylactic sprays of Dimethoate (0.3%) or methyl demeton (0.05%). 5.11.2    Diseases

 

The main diseases reported are powdery mildew (Oidium caricae), anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), damping off and stem rot. Application of wettable sulphur (1 g./l.) carbendazim/thiophanate methyl (1 g./l.) and Kavach/Mancozeb (2 g./l.) has been found to be effective in controlling the diseases.

 

1.12          Harvesting  and Yield

 

Fruits are harvested when they are of full size, light green in colour with tinge of yellow at apical end. On ripening, fruits of certain varieties turn yellow while some of them remain green. When the latex ceases to be milky and become watery, the fruits are suitable for harvesting.

 

The economic life of papaya plant is only 3 to 4 years.  The yield varies widely according to variety, soil, climate and management of the orchard. The yield of 75-100 tonnes /ha. is obtained in a season from a papaya orchard depending on spacing and cultural practices.

 

2.                  POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT

 

2.1              Grading

 

Fruits are graded on the basis of their weight, size and colour.

 

2.2              Storage

 

Fruits are highly perishable in nature. They can be stored for a period of 1-3 weeks at a temperature of 10-13⁰ C and 85-90% relative humidity.

 

2.3              Packing

 

Bamboo baskets with banana leaves as lining material are used for carrying the produce from farm to local market.

 

2.4              Transportation

 

Road transport by trucks/lorries is the most convenient mode of transport due to easy approach from orchards to the market.

 

2.5              Marketing

 

The farmers usually dispose off their produce to the wholesalers and middlemen at the farm gate.

 3. TECHNOLOGY SOURCES

 

Major sources for technology are:

 

(i)                  Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia-741252, West Bengal.

(ii)                Department of Horticulture, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Tel : (0651)-2230691.

(iii)               Horticulture and Agro-forestry Research Programme (ICAR), Plandu, Ranchi, Tel : (0651)-2260141, 2260207.

(iv)              Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi-110012.

(v)                IARI Regional Station, Samastipur-848125, Bihar.

(vi)              Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hassaraghatta, Lake Post, Bangalore-560089, Karnataka.

(vii)             Progressive growers of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

4. ECONOMICS OF A ONE ACRE MODEL

 

4.1              High quality commercial cultivation of crop by using improved variety seedlings as planting material and drip irrigation leads to multiple benefits viz.

 

• Synchronized growth, flowering and harvesting;
• Improved fruit quality;
• Increases average productivity by more than 60%.
• Economy and increased efficiency in use of irrigation water with drip irrigation.

 

Costs & Returns

 

4.2              A one acre plantation of the crop is a highly viable proposition.  The cost components of such a model along with the basis for costing are exhibited in Annexures I & II.   A summary is given in the figure below.  The project cost works out to Rs. 1.25 lakhs.

 

Project Cost: (Unit – One Acre)

 

                                                                                                               (Amount in Rs.)

Sl. No.	Component		Proposed Expenditure
1.	Cultivation Expenses
	(i)	Cost of planting material	3400
	(ii)	Manures & fertilizers	6600
	(iii)	Insecticides & pesticides	500
	(iv)	Cost of Labour	8400
	(v)	Others, if any, (Power Charges)	3600
		Total	22,500
2.	Irrigation
	(i)	Tube-well/submersible pump	45000
	(ii)	Cost of Pipeline	-
	(iii)	Others, if any	-
		Total	45,000
3.	Cost of Drip/Irrigation including fertigation		25,000
4.	Infrastructure
	(i)	Labour Shed	5000
	(ii)	Farm Implementation	3500
		Total	8,500
5.	Land Development
	(i)	Land leveling & layout	4000
	(ii)	Fencing	20000
		Total	24,000
6.	Land (if newly purchased)*
	Grand Total		1,25,000

         *Cost of newly purchased land will be limited to one-tenth of the total project cost

 

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Posted 2 years ago