Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of four fertilizer applications—control (C), chemical fertilizer (F), compost (O), and in situ earthworm breeding (E)—on the growth, quality and yield of papaya (Carica papaya L.). In this study, 5 g plant−1 urea (CH4N2O, %N = 46.3%) and 100 g plant−1 microelement fertilizer was applied to each treatment. The fertilizer applications of these four treatments are different from each other. The results showed that the E treatment had the highest growth parameters over the whole growth period. At 127 days after transplantation, the order of plant heights from greatest to smallest was E > F > O > C, and the stem diameters were E > F > O > C, with significant differences between all treatments. Soluble-solid, sugar, vitamin C, and protein content significantly increased in the E treatment. In addition, the total acid and the electrical conductivity of the fruit significantly decreased in the E treatment. Fruit firmness clearly increased in the O treatment, and decreased in the F treatment. The fresh individual fruit weights, fruit numbers, and total yields were greatly improved in the F and E treatments, and the total yield of the E treatment was higher than that in the F treatment. In conclusion, the in situ earthworm breeding treatment performed better than conventional compost and chemical fertilizer treatments. Furthermore, in situ earthworm breeding may be a potential organic fertilizer application in orchards because it not only improves the fruit quality and yield but also reduces the amount of organic wastes from agriculture as a result of the activities of earthworms.
Highlights
Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the most important fruit crops which is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas
Chemical fertilizer application is a common method for improving papaya yields, it is unfriendly to the environment
This study evaluated the effects of C, O, F, and E treatments on the plant growth, fruit quality, and yield of papayas
Summary
Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the most important fruit crops which is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas. It is rich in nutrition, sugar, vitamin C, protein, and amino acids, and it is the primary raw material that contains papain. Papaya is widely planted in southern China, especially in Guangdong, Yunnan, and Hainan Provinces. Papaya production is frequently low and unreliable. Chemical fertilizer application is a common method for improving papaya yields, it is unfriendly to the environment. Chemical fertilizer can impair soil structure, and decrease soil fertility by reducing the carbon and nitrogen content (Ngo et al, 2012).
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