Effect of Soil Applications of Iron, Copper, Zinc, and Manganese on the Growth of Young Papaya Plants

Abstract

The response of young `Cartagena Ombligua' papaya (Carica papaya) plants to soil-applied copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) was determined. Nursery experiments were conducted in the Dominican Republic, where Cu (0, 0.023, 0.046, 0.069, and 0.092 g), Mn (0, 0.27, 0.54, 0.81, and 1.08 g), Fe (0, 0.49, 0.98, 1.47, and 1.96 g) and Zn (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 g per plant) were individually applied 20 days after transplanting. There were significant responses to the four elements. Maximum growth was obtained with 0.092 g Cu, 0.4 g Zn, 0.54 g Mn, or 0.98 g Fe per plant.