Market acceptability and economic losses due to new physiological disorders in papaya (Carica papayaL.)

Abstract

Systematic field screening was conducted in four important papaya germplasm lines to observe the severity of bumpy fruit incidence. The study revealed that Pune Selection-3 (64.6 %) was most sensitive for bumpy fruit disorder. The lowest market acceptability and highest economic losses were also observed in Pune Selection-3 (Rs. 3.3 per kg and 11, 21, 580 per ha, respectively) due to highest incidence of bumpy fruit disorder as compared to other germplasm lines. Morphologically, the normal, disordered fruits or seeds are entirely different. The highest amount of deformed seeds/fruit (83.6 %) and economic loss (Rs. 84, 400 per ha) under fruit production for market were noticed during the month of February, while the lowest deformed seeds/fruit (2.7 %) were observed during December. Average deformed seeds/fruit were significantly higher in February harvested fruits as compared to other month’s harvested fruits. This is a first report for the incidences of vivipary and white seed disorders. The highest incidences of these seed disorders were observed during May (13.4 % and 75.7 %, respectively), whereas their lowest incidence was observed in February and March (10 % and 5 %, respectively). The highest economic loss (Rs. 53, 600 per ha) was observed in April, whereas the lowest while least during February (Rs. 16, 800 per ha) in autumn sown crop of Pusa Dwarf under seed production.