Exploring Promising Varieties of Papaya for Northern Gangetic Plains

Six varieties of papaya grown at the Horticulture Garden of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur were studied for their vegetative growth fruiting and yield. Results revealed that Coorg Honey Dew followed by Surya produced maximum number of leaves (39 and 33, respectively) and leaf area (3.97 m² and 3.58 m²). The stem girth was also maximized by Coorg Honey Dew (37.83 cm) followed by Pusa Dwarf (35.55 cm). The fruit bearing length was shorter in Pusa Dwarf (78.15 cm) followed by Pant-2 (95.0 cm). Over all observations indicated that Coorg Honey Dew was the best variety followed by Surya showing highest number of fruits per plant (47.33 and 43.67, respectively), maximum fruit weight (1.75 and 1.57 kg), fruit length (24.00 and 20.62 cm) and pulp per cent (78.20% and 74.70%). In other quality traits also, Coorg Honey Dew remained superior followed by Pusa Dwarf e.g., fruit diameter (16.60 and 14.50 cm), minimum seed per cent (8.0% and 9.20%), sugar per cent (7.88% and 7.62%), T.S.S. (9.98 and 8.73°brix) and greater organoleptic score (8.5 and 7.50). Local variety produced tallest plant with sparse foliage, poor fruit size and quality.