1Carrera de Agronomía. Facultad de Ingenierías Agroambientales. Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Km 15 vía Portoviejo-Santa Ana. Lodana, 131302Ecuador
3Programa de Conservación de Especies Endémicas en la Provincia de Manabí, Facultad de Ingenierías Agroambientales, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Km 15 vía Portoviejo-Santa Ana. , Lodana, 131305Ecuador,
4Jardín Universitario - Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Av. Urbina y Che Guevara, Portoviejo, Ecuador
*José Pico-Mendoza, Carrera de Agronomía. Facultad de Ingenierías Agroambientales. Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Km 15 vía Portoviejo-Santa Ana. Lodana, 131302Ecuador. Email: newthon.pico@utm.edu.ec
Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed tropical fruits worldwide. However, its wild genotypes, such as the so-called “monkey papaya,” remain underexplored despite representing valuable reservoirs of genetic diversity. This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic variability of wild papaya populations from the province of Manabí, Ecuador, as a basis for their conservation and sustainable use.
A total of 139 individuals were characterized using quantitative descriptors (plant height, fruit weight, pulp thickness, central cavity size, seed count and soluble solids content) and qualitative traits (fruit shape, color and internal cavity appearance).
Statistical analyses revealed significant variation among locations, with Manta populations producing larger fruits, while Junín exhibited the highest soluble solids content. A negative correlation between plant height and fruit size suggested potential trade-offs in resource allocation. Distinct morphotypes were identified, including OCEPP and pear-shaped fruits, particularly in santa ana and sucre.
C. papaya, Fruit shapes, Morphological traits, Tropical fruit, Variability genetic
