Integrating Organic Manures and Mulching to Enhance Growth, Fruit Yield and Quality of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Hybrid Var. Taiwan Red Lady -786

¹ Amity Institute of Horticulture studies and Research, Amity University, Noida, U.P, India, 201303
² Amity Food & Agriculture Foundation, Amity University, Noida, U.P., India, 201303
³ Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticulyural University, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana

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Abstract

The trial evaluated the integration of organic manures with paddy straw mulching on the physical and biochemical parameters of papaya (Carica papaya L.) in open field conditions. Treatments included integrated nutrient management combinations of farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), vermicompost (VC), and mulching. Growth, fruit yield, and quality parameters differed significantly among treatments. For most traits, T₅ - FYM at 50% of the recommended dose of nitrogen + vermicompost at 50% of the recommended dose of nitrogen + paddy straw mulching showed maximum performance. T₅ produced more number of leaves per plant: 19.20, 22.67, 28.19, and 27.93 at 30, 60, 90, and 120 DAP, respectively. It also recorded maximum plant height: 43.81, 70.83, 88.54, and 110.72 cm at 30, 60, 90, and 120 DAP, respectively. The total number of the fruits per plant (34.67) and fruit yield (47.22 kg plant⁻¹) was also highest in the treatment Ts. Fruit quality parameters were significantly improved in Ts, including total sugar (8.59g/100g), reducing sugar (6.19 g/100 g), pulp thickness (3.02 cm), fruit firmness (4.3 Kg cm⁻²), and shelf life (7.23 days). T₂ contained the highest lycopene content (3200 μg/100 g), while T₇ had the highest beta-carotene level (1950 μg/100 g). The superior growth, fruit yield, and quality with IOM can be explained by increased nutrient availability, improved soil microbial activity, greater moisture-holding capacity, and efficient translocation of photosynthates. The findings indicate that combining FYM, vermicompost, poultry manure and paddy straw mulching is a viable and sustainable management practice to maximize the papaya productivity and fruit quality.