A Papaya (Pawpaw)

Production Guide
For St.Vincent and the Grenadines

Produced by
The Communications, Information &
Training Unit
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

March 2009
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Harvesting

• Harvest fruits early in the morning or late in the evening.

• Most farmers pick, dip and pack in the field to reduce damage.
• When trees are too tall for hand picking, use a plumbers plunger on a
rod about six to eight inches tall.
• Ladders may be used but this increases the chance of the tree trunk
becoming affected by bacterial diseases.
• Latex gloves should be worn to avoid finger nail damage to fruits.
• Harvest with a sharp knife that has been dipped in a bleach solution.
• Allow latex to drain, or, wipe off the latex on a cushioned surface to
prevent fruit from being stained.
A Pawpaw
Post Harvest Handling Production Guide
• Carry out all post harvest handling operation in a shady area on a For St.Vincent and the Grenadines
raised surface (eg. on a table ) and away from direct sunlight.
• Wipe the fruits with a moist cloth and 0.1% bleach solution.
• If there were incidences of diseases in the field, dip the fruits in a Bellis
fungicide solution instead.
• Pack in crates with the stem-end downwards in dried grass, straw or
sponge to reduce bruising. Avoid newspaper since it discolors the
fruit.
• Avoid stacking fruits on top of one another to reduce staining and dete-
rioration in fruit quality.
• Fruits can be ripened at a temperature range of 21°- 27°C (70 - 80°F).
• Green fruits cannot be stored below 13˚C (55°F) ( while ripened fruits
cannot be stored at temperatures below 10˚C (50°F).

Uses of Papaya
For Food: used in drinks, fruit salads, sauce for cakes, ice cream sundae,
pies, pickles, marmalade or jam.

March 2009
Nutritional facts: 1 cup contained 55 calories; high in fiber and nutrients. It’s
a good source of Vitamins A& C, minerals such as potassium, calcium and
magnesium.

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 Pest/Diseases Symptoms / Damage Management

Phytophthora Milky exudates appears A soil drench after trans-

Introduction from green and ripened
fruits. Mature plants ap-
planting followed by
monthly foliar application
Papaya (Carica papaya) also known as Pawpaw, originated in tropical pear yellow, starting from with one of the following
America. It is now produced commercially in several Caribbean countries the lower leaves then fungicides is an effective
moving upwards. The solution to this disease.
and is in high demand in the tourism industry and the local market. It also
roots of mature trees be-
has tremendous potential as an export crop. come black to brown in For Drench
colour, resulting in top- Banrot® at 2 tsp. per
The pawpaw fruit is rich in vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, protein, carbohy- gallon of water.
drates and phosphorus. ping of trees.
For Foliar Application
Acrobat® 69Mz at 4tsp
per gal of water
Ridomil at 2tbsp/gal.
Varieties Weed Control Weeds in general may Round up® or Touch-
directly affect the crop by down® combined with a
The choice of variety depends on the market which the grower is targeting. competition for valuable spreader such as Break
Table 1 below outlines the characteristics of some varieties. nutrients and may be host Thru can be used up to
to other pests of papaya when the plants are 4
months. Beyond 4
months, Round up com-
bined with a pre-
Table 1:Characteristics of some Papaya varieties.
emergent herbicide can
be used.
Variety Average Colour of Colour of Produc- Durability (For
size flesh skin tivity shipping)

454 to 909 Orange or Good (Hard outer

Solo grams Red Yellow - shell) Yield
Yellow-
Red Lady 1.5 to 2.6 kg Deep red Orange - Thick skin
Hybrid varieties of papaya such as Tainung #2, Red Lady and Known You
Solo Sun- 400-565 100 fruits per
rise grams Red/Pink - year Hard outer shell
#1, when given adequate care and nurturing average from 60-125,000lbs/
acre. Most “low input” plots in the region are likely to give an average yield
KnowYou #1
of 20,000 to 40,000lbs/acre.
F1 Hybrid 1.6 to 3.0 kg Yellow - - -
Green- Very sturdy outer
Tainung #1 1.1 kg Red Orange - shell
Soft outer shell
Harvesting and Post Harvest Handling
Green- (Local shipping
Tainung #2 1.1 kg Orange/Red Orange - only)
EXP 15 Papaya generally starts to flower after 5 months from transplanting. First
harvest usually follows in another 4-5 months. Fruits are harvested when
Source: CARICOM Regional Transformation Program for Agriculture Papaya market Intelligence Report.
the peel colour change from dark green to light green and one yellow streak
develops from the base upwards. Fruit harvested before this stage do not
ripen completely. Cut stems about 3cm.

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 Pest/Diseases Symptoms / Damage Management
Mites Under high infestation the Apply a suitable insecti- Seedling Production
leaves curl downwards. cide.
Younger leaves, espe-
cially in young planta- Pirate® at 1 tsp/gal wa- 1. Select suitable sterilized media - example promix; or media prepared
tions, may appear mal- ter or either by the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries or the Tai-
formed and bronzed on Admire® at 2 tsp/gal wan Technical Mission. If sterilized media is not available, treat with
the lower side. Leaves Pronto® at 2 tsp/gal
suitable fungicide and insecticide at recommended rate.
become thickened and
brittle. The skin of the 2. Plant in 5 x 5 inch plastic bags or in 12 oz. styrofoam cups with holes in
fruits become rusted and the bottom to allow for drainage. Shallow containers would prevent
corky. proper root development.
Bunchy Top There is faint mottling of There is no effective
3. Sow 1-2 seeds per container (for hybrid variety); 3-4 seeds per con-
the upper leaves. Growth cure but the suspected
(most important of leaves and petioles are vector (hopper) can be tainer if uncertified. Seeds germinate 2-3weeks after sowing.
disease in SVG) reduced and they become managed by frequent 4. Place bags/cups under 40% shade away from direct sunlight and rain.
rigid. Internodes shorten spraying using a 7-day 5. Two (2) weeks after germination, apply foliar fertilizer weekly at the rec-
and petioles assume a spray program applying
horizontal position. Apical insecticides such as ommended rate.
growth or branching stops Fastac®, Pirate® or 6. Seedling should be ready for transplanting 6-8 weeks after germination.
and subsequently the top Azadirect®. 7. Two weeks before transplanting seedlings should be hardened in full
leaves appear bunchy Remove and burn in- sunlight.
and the oldest leaves fall fected plant as soon as
off. Oily spots appear in oil streaks appear.
the upper part of the
stems and petioles. If the
fruits set, the flavor may Land Preparation
be bitter
Bacterial Canker Water-soaked legions
appear along the margins The “Solo Kapoho” and Site selection
and mid-veins. Sunrise cultivars are
Leaves soon hang pen- fairly susceptible to this Choose an open field with ample sunlight, protected from strong winds, and
dant from the petiole, then problem. with well drained soils (pH range 5.8 to 6.5) Pawpaw does not do well on
later fall. Stem cankers Once the disease is pre- extremely steep slopes in excess of 25˚ or in water-logged areas.
with bacterial ooze are sent, roguing or removal
observed at the nodes of the affected tree(s)
and internodes. If fruits from the field is neces- Method of Cultivation
are present, they exude sary.
latex and quickly rot Minimum tillage of the soil is recommended. Clear the land of all vegetative
Anthracnose Causes large sunken This is the major cause material. Determine the layout of the field with respect to wind direction. On
spots on the ripening fruit of fruit loss after harvest- sloping lands, place the holes along the contour.
with orange to brown ing.
spores in the spots. The Ensure that a soil test is done before planting to determine if the application
lower leaves develop A good spraying pro-
of agricultural lime is required and how much. If lime is required, it must be
small yellow areas which gram, well fertilized and
enlarge into circular water maintained fields elimi- added to the soil before planting. In the absence of a soil test, add lime to
soaked areas with black nates this problem. the soil at rate 1000lbs per acre.
spores.
A post harvest dip with Make planting holes 12inches deep X 12 inches wide, then fill with organic
Bellis® 38mg at ½ tsp matter. Add ¼ lb triple super phosphate to the planting hole. Always en-
per gal of water may be sure that the area is properly drained
used.
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Transplanting Fertilization:
The following recommendation, in the absence of testing for soil nutrient of
Seedlings are ready for transplanting into the field about 6-8 weeks after the fields will ensure optimum growth and development of the plant under
germination. Transport the seedlings to the field 3-4 days before the pro- local conditions. Apply foliar fertilizer at monthly intervals, and apply granu-
posed planting date to reduce stress at planting. When transporting to the lar fertilizer as follows:
field, protect them from the winds especially if the journey is long.. Avoid Table 2. Fertilizer Application
holding the seedlings by the stem when they are in the plastic bags or the
Styrofoam cups. This can cause severe stem and root damage and the 0-3 Months 4-7 Months Old 8-11 Months
plants do not establish easily in the field. 1 month: 1oz 12-12-17 + 2 MgO 4 months after trans- 8 months. Apply 8ozs
applied to planting holes plus ¼ lb planting apply 4oz of 13.7.23+ 4MgO
triple super phosphate at 1 month 13-7-23+4MgO & 2oz
after transplanting of calcium nitrate.
Planting
2 months after transplanting ap- 5 months, apply 5oz 9 months apply 9ozs of
Spacing: ply 2oz of 12-12-17 + 2 MgO per of 13.7-23+4MgO per 13.723
plant. plant
Pure Stand - 7 x 8 ft (800 plants per acre)
Intercropped - 10ft x 10ft (435 plants per acre) 6 months, apply 6 oz
3 months after transplanting per plant 11 months apply 10ozs
apply 3oz of 12-12-17 + 2 MgO per plant.
7 months , apply 7 oz
Avoid excessive watering of the plants just prior to transplanting. This may per plant
cause the media to loosen from the plant’s roots when it is removed from
the container. Carefully remove the plant with the media attached to its
roots from the bag or cup. Place it in the hole at a 45° angle to the wind
direction and fill with soil. Ensure the stem is above the soil at the same Pest Management
level it was while in the plastic bag or styrofoam cup. Water generously im-
mediately after planting.
Scouting of the plot for pests and diseases as often as possible ensures
Planting at a 45˚ angle to the soil with the trunk pointing towards the normal
that a good management and control program can be implemented. Usu-
wind direction, increases wind resistance and makes harvesting easier.
ally the earlier a problem is detected the more effective and easier it is to
There are several layouts and spacing that can be adopted; however
control. In wetter areas routine spraying may be necessary to manage
7ftx 8ft (800 plants per acre) is considered most appropriate for St. Vincent
Anthracnose after fruit-set begins.
and the Grenadines.
The most prevalent pest and diseases that affect papaya in SVG are listed
below:
Crop Management Table 3: Pest s and Diseases identification and Management
Pest/Disease Symptoms /Damage Management
Thrips The Leaf crinkles and the lower Apply a suitable insecti-
Irrigation (water management)
leaf surface turns brown near the cide.
During long periods of dry weather or drought, pawpaw will not set new veins
fruits and the size of the maturing fruits will be reduced. Without irrigation, Pirate® at 1 tsp/gal wa-
yield decreases and losses to Bunchy Top and other diseases increase. Leaf miners Tunneling appears as a riddled ter or
Water requirement for pawpaw is about 1inch per day or about 5 gals per network leaving trails through the Admire® at 2 tsp/gal
plant per week. When the young plants are not given enough water, their leaves due to the removal of Pronto® at 2 tsp/gal
development is delayed. chlorophyll

6 Continued overleaf 7