Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Bhadarka Chandni R, Kanzaria DR, Prerna Prachi, Karmur NN, Varu DK and Sandip Makhmale

Abstract:
The investigation titled "Effect of growth retardants on yield and quality of papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. GJP 1" was conducted at Fruit Research Station, Lalbaug, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, during the year 2022-23. The experimental design followed a Randomized Block Design with three replications and included 10 treatments. The results of the investigation regarding the effect of growth retardants on yield and quality parameters showed that the treatment with ethrel 250 ppm resulted in the highest average fruit length (21.91 cm), average fruit circumference (44.25 cm), average fruit weight (1262.21 g), average pulp weight (1021.35 g), and average peel weight (160.65 g). Moreover, this treatment led to a higher pulp: peel ratio (6.36), total soluble solids (TSS) content of 9.10 ^oBrix, and total sugar content of 9.53%, which included reducing sugar content of 7.99% and non-reducing sugar content of 1.54%. Additionally, the treatment with ethrel 250 ppm resulted in the lowest average peel weight percentage (12.73%). In summary, the application of ethrel at 250 ppm showed promising results in enhancing various yield and quality attributes of papaya fruits, including size, weight, pulp-to-peel ratio, TSS content, and sugar composition.