SummaryPapaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Coorg Honey Dew is one of the most popular cultivars grown in Southern India, but it requires high doses of inorganic phosphorus (P) fertilisation for growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to improve plant growth and nutrient uptake, especially the uptake of P and micronutrients. As papaya plants respond well to high levels of P, inoculation with AMF was studied to see if AMF could fulfill the requirement for P in plants grown under field conditions. Papaya seedlings (n = 36 per AMF) were colonised separately, in polybags, for 45 d by two species of AMF, Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum. Seedlings were then transplanted to the field, with uninoculated seedlings as controls, in a replicated randomised block design. Three levels of P were applied [50, 75, or 100% of the recommended dose (240 g plant–1 year–1) of P fertiliser, as super-phosphate]. Plants were studied for root colonisation by AMF, for growth parameters, and for leaf nutrient contents (especially, P, Zn, and Cu). Acidic and alkaline phosphatase activities in the roots of AMF-colonised plants were recorded as these enzymes are involved in the mobilisation of P. The yields of plants up to 18 months-old, and fruit quality, measured by total soluble solids contents (TSSC) and β-carotene contents, were recorded. AMF-inoculated plants performed better than uninoculated control plants at all levels of P applied. G. mosseae was more effective at improving plant growth, fruit yield, and P and Zn contents than G. fasciculatum at the 75% and 50% P-levels. Cu contents increased at all P-levels in G. fasciculatum-colonised plants. Total soluble solids contents showed marginal improvements at the 75% P level with both fungi. β-carotene contents increased significantly in G. mosseae-colonised plants at the 50% and 75% P-levels, and in G. fasciculatum-colonised plants at the 75% P-level. The feasibility of applying on-farm produced AMF inoculum to improve papaya cultivation and to save 25% of the P applied during papaya cultivation is discussed.