How to propagate papaya plants
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By Papaya Fruit
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Papaya is propagated by seed. To replicate the wanted characteristics it is best to get seeds through montored pollination. The fleshy outer layer of the seed coat (sarcotesta) covering the seed is removed because it prevents germination. This is accomplished by rubbing the seed together against a fine-meshed screen under water. Completely dried seeds stored in air-tight containers remain usable for some years. Seeds are sown in small containers (tin cans, plastic bags or paper cups) at the rate of three-four seeds per container. Application of sterilized soil reduces potential losses resulting from nematodes as well as damping-off fungi. Germination requires 2-three weeks. A further exercise is to scatter the seeds in sterilized nursery beds and to prick out at the 2-3-leaf phase, transferring three-four seedlings to each container. Seedlings are transplanted about two months after sowing after they achieve the three-four-leaf period or 20 centimenters height, if possible at the onset of the rainy season. During transplanting, take mind not to upset the roots. Older seedlings recover poorly after planting out.
Papaya needs plenty drainage and is often planted on mounds or ridges. Transplants should be watered methodically until they are established. Field spacings are in the order of three x two m to two.fifty x 1.sixty m, giving densities of 1667 and 2500 plants/ha correspondingly. The equivalent densities are provided by planting in double rows spaced (three.25+1.75) x two.40 m or (two.fifty+1.fifty) x 2 m. Thinning to one female or one hermaphrodite plant per hill is done when the plants reach the flowering stage. In the absence of hermaphrodite plants, 1 male plant per 25-100 female plants is kept as a pollinator.
Papaya plants matured from seed produce fruits of different shapes, sizes, colour and even taste. Vegetative propagation of papaya offers a solution to a large amount of these issues. The clone is chosen for higher productivity and good quality fruits besides agronomic qualities such as shortness for easy harvesting and good resistance to diseases. Propagation of papaya using tissue culture is fast gaining popularity, mainly because tissue culture has numerous advantages over further conventional strategies of propagation. Tissue culture facilitates rapid production of disease free plants. In Kenya such plants are accessible from Kenya Agriculture Research Institute, Thika as well as several private agencies.
Planting holes of sixty x 60 cm and at least 50 centimenters deep are primed with 1 pail of compost and a handful of rock phosphate is mixed inside with the dug out soil and put back into around the plant. Firm the soil and water profusely, then put in mulch around the new plant.
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Author Bio Box: Papaya Fruit
This article is presented by What Do Papayas Look Like?
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