Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore
Correlations of fruit yield with plant height, stem girth and increment of plant height and girth after first flowering were studied in papaya. Height and girth of seedlings at transplanting (2 1/2 months age) were poorly correlated with yield showing thereby that initial vigour of seedlings did not reflect on the future yielding potential of papaya plant. Height and girth at first flowering i.e. at six months after transplanting were positively and highly correlated with yield and thus could be used as indices of plant vigour and yielding capacity. Thus any neglect of plant nutrition, irrigation, cultural practices etc. during the pre-flowering formative phase of papaya plant will have adverse effect on vigour and hence yield of plant. Height and girth increment after first flowering were positively correlated with yield and number of fruits per plant. This means that the plant vigour must be maintained at satisfactory level after first flowering in order to ensure continuous high yields.
