Evaluation of Varieties and Hybrids for Physico-Chemical Characters in Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Papaya (Carica papaya L., Caricaceae) is a fruit crop of commercial significance in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The present investigation was carried out to assess physico-chemical characteristics of 10 genotypes of papaya under Bengaluru conditions. Results revealed that the varieties, Sunrise Solo, Waimanalo and the hybrids, H-39 and H-57 had medium-sized fruits. Fruit cavity index was low in the varieties Sunrise Solo, Pink Flesh Sweet and in hybrids H-39 and H-57. Further, Sunrise Solo recorded the highest plant height while the shortest plants were observed in Pusa Dwarf. Weight of the fruits was found to vary from 486.67g in Sunrise Solo, to 1380.33g in Pusa Dwarf. Pulp thickness, TSS and ascorbic acid were found to be maximum in hybrids H-39 and H-57. Lowest titratable acidity too was observed in the hybrids H-39 and H-57.