Vol. 11, Special Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Bhadarka Chandni, Kanzaria DR, Karmur NN, Muskan Sandh, Dr. Parsana JS and Patel HN

Abstract:
Papaya (Carica papaya L.) belongs to Caricaceae family and 2n chromosome number is 18. It is native of tropical America and it was introduced in India in 16^th century from Malacca. It is an interesting plant producing fruits of many uses and grown under tropical and subtropical conditions. It is popularly known as paw paw or papaw (British), mamao (Brazil) and lechosa (Venezuela). Papaya is a fast growing, short lived herbaceous plant and unbranched which bears fruits within a year. Being a quick and heavy yielding crop, it is grown widely all over India; both commercially as well as in home gardens. The growers are increasing area under papaya cultivation due to great demand as table fruits as well as vegetable when unripe. The ripened fruit are the richest source of sugar, vitamin “A” and mineral matter and they are used in preparation of jam, syrup, murabba etc. Unripe fruits are used for extraction of papain, which is a proteolytic enzyme used in manufacture of chewing gums, cosmetics, also used for degumming natural silk, and as a drug for digestive aliments. Papaya is a nutritive fruit. Propagation of papaya is done only through seeds as a viable option. With the commercialization of papaya cultivation, the demand for quality seeds of well-established varieties has increased therefore proper seed germination and seedling growth are most important considerations in successful seedling production under nursery technique of papaya cultivation. The seed is enclosed within a gelatinous sarcotesta (Aril or outer seed coat which is formed from the outer integument). The slow and synchronous germination of papaya seeds is attributed to the presence of inhibitors (mainly phenolic compounds) in the sarcotesta and seed coat. Climatic parameters plays an important role in seed germination and seedling growth. Erratic change in climatic parameters shows to impose the effect on seed germination and growth of seedlings. Sarcotesta is a gelatinous material that covers the papaya seed. In papaya seeds, the slow and asynchronous germination has been attributed to the presence of sarcotesta which contain inhibitors. Thus, gently removal of papaya sarcotesta will play an important role for the quick germination – as the removal of inhibitors present in the sarcotesta. So the sowing of seeds without sarcotesta gives quick germination with more germination percentage which attribute to the faster growth and development of papaya seedlings.