ANÁLISIS DEL CRECIMIENTO DE Carica papaya L. BAJO INFECCIÓN POR PRSV-P

Abstract

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Papaya (<em>Carica papaya</em> L.) is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world for its nutritious and healthy fruits intended mainly for fresh consumption. Mexico was the world's leading papaya exporter in 2020 with 167,500 t. <em>C. papaya</em> is attacked by several viral diseases, the ring spot virus (PRSV-P) is the one that causes the most damage to the crop and the greatest production losses. <strong>Objective.</strong> To establish the phenology of a <em>Carica papaya</em> L. ‘Maradol Roja’ population infected with PRSV-P, to quantify its growth, and to relate its phenological steps with the accumulated degree days (DD). <strong>Methodology.</strong> The emissions of leaves, flower buds, flowers and fruits, apparent height of the plant, stem diameter and biomass were evaluated, based on the DD accumulated during the growth cycle. <strong>Results.</strong> The growth cycle is divided into nine phenological stages, where the leaf or flower bud formation requires ≈ 18 DD. In plants, the number of leaves is approximately equal to the number of flower buds. However, the number of ripe fruits is variable due to the adverse conditions that can occur throughout the growth period. To some extent, the roots typically present two growth peaks, although the available moisture in the soil could change this pattern. The apparent height of the plant and the stem diameter present a double sigmoid growth curve, with a maximum apparent height of 180 cm, and a diameter at the base of 11 cm. <strong>Implications.</strong> The infection by PRSV-P reduced the productivity and commercial quality of the fruits. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> PRSV-P infection reduced apparent height, stem diameter, number of leaves, flowers, and fruits, decrease in biomass gain, and shortened life cycle of plants.</p>